Only 5 subs allowed in the league...

[Marky]

As i touched on yesterday, i think this rule is pathetic. I don't see why the premier league don't allow more than 5 subs like UEFA do in the European competitions. It's a real hinderence for us as it means a few big name players will be left out of the squad altogther in every league match ala Crouch, Kewell, Masherano and Yossi on saturday.
These are big names so i can't imagine many of them will put up with being left out altogher on a regular basis, they're clever enough to understand the squad rotation policy but to be left at home is bound to hurt and thus team morale may suffer if/when these players throw there toys out of the pram.
It's a concern.

[Pacman]

Not it's not.

[Howard_lfc]

As i touched on yesterday, i think this rule is pathetic. I don't see why the premier league don't allow more than 5 subs like UEFA do in the European competitions. It's a real hinderence for us as it means a few big name players will be left out of the squad altogther in every league match ala Crouch, Kewell, Masherano and Yossi on saturday.
These are big names so i can't imagine many of them will put up with being left out altogher on a regular basis, they're clever enough to understand the squad rotation policy but to be left at home is bound to hurt and thus team morale may suffer if/when these players through there toys out of the pram.
It's a concern.

Too many subs would mean even bigger squads and then the big clubs would just get bigger and bigger.....

Think of the smaller clubs.

[Howard_lfc]

As i touched on yesterday, i think this rule is pathetic. I don't see why the premier league don't allow more than 5 subs like UEFA do in the European competitions. It's a real hinderence for us as it means a few big name players will be left out of the squad altogther in every league match ala Crouch, Kewell, Masherano and Yossi on saturday.
These are big names so i can't imagine many of them will put up with being left out altogher on a regular basis, they're clever enough to understand the squad rotation policy but to be left at home is bound to hurt and thus team morale may suffer if/when these players through there toys out of the pram.
It's a concern.

Too many subs would mean even bigger squads and then the big clubs would just get bigger and bigger.....

Think of the smaller clubs.


Oops!

[Big Dave]

And everyone moans about rotation now!!!!!!!!

[dww]

Too many subs would mean even bigger squads and then the big clubs would just get bigger and bigger.....

Think of the smaller clubs.


Oops!

I tend to agree with you but I think that if we allowed the bench to increase with two players who qualified as home club trained in europe and who were say under 21 then this would benefit all teams who invested in youth (such as Middlesborough and even Villa).

I don't think the fact that we can't have our ideal bench is a very valid argument for the league as a whole but I do think that more options can improve games as it allows managers who are behind more alternative to try and get back into a match.

[Rich]

Actually I agree with the need to increase the Premiership subs bench from 5 to 7; however I'd also bring in a ruling where 2 or 3 of those players on the subs bench have to be 21 or younger and have spent a certain amount of time in the clubs youth program.

[Rich]

I tend to agree with you but I think that if we allowed the bench to increase with two players who qualified as home club trained in europe and who were say under 21 then this would benefit all teams who invested in youth (such as Middlesborough and even Villa).

I don't think the fact that we can't have our ideal bench is a very valid argument for the league as a whole but I do think that more options can improve games as it allows managers who are behind more alternative to try and get back into a match.

[bazza76]

As i touched on yesterday, i think this rule is pathetic. I don't see why the premier league don't allow more than 5 subs like UEFA do in the European competitions. It's a real hinderence for us as it means a few big name players will be left out of the squad altogther in every league match ala Crouch, Kewell, Masherano and Yossi on saturday.
These are big names so i can't imagine many of them will put up with being left out altogher on a regular basis, they're clever enough to understand the squad rotation policy but to be left at home is bound to hurt and thus team morale may suffer if/when these players through there toys out of the pram.
It's a concern.

I agree MArky.
It is something even Rafa has been giving out about in the past.
In other countries you are allowed 7 subs, also, in the champions League or Uefa Cup you are allowed 7, same is said for internationals.
I don't think it would mean we have to increase squad size.
You are absolutely right though IMO, games would be much better off with 7 subs on the bench, more options in case of injuries etc and a happier squad.

[dww]

I agree MArky.
It is something even Rafa has been giving out about in the past.
In other countries you are allowed 7 subs, also, in the champions League or Uefa Cup you are allowed 7, same is said for internationals.
I don't think it would mean we have to increase squad size.
You are absolutely right though IMO, games would be much better off with 7 subs on the bench, more options in case of injuries etc and a happier squad.

It's not necessarily about the size of squad but the strength in depth - an unregulated increase in substitutes in a match day squad would obviously benefit the biggest clubs. It is no surprise that Rafa wants it but that doesn't mean it is the best thing for the game as a whole.

[dww]

I'm sure there is some cliche about great minds that should be used here.

[bazza76]

It's not necessarily about the size of squad but the strength in depth - an unregulated increase in substitutes in a match day squad would obviously benefit the biggest clubs. It is no surprise that Rafa wants it but that doesn't mean it is the best thing for the game as a whole.

Care to elaborate a bit mate.
I see it as only a positive. Even for the smaller clubs.

[Red_Polo]

I'm sure there is some cliche about how fools seldom differ that should be used here.

[dww]

Care to elaborate a bit mate.
I see it as only a positive. Even for the smaller clubs.

The league and teams other than the top teams are most benefitted by the league being competetive and them having a shout at beating even the best teams. Limiting the number of substitutions reduces the already enormous benfits of having a big/deep squad already enjoyed by the big teams thus resulting in a small increase in competetiveness.

It also adds an extra test to a manager look at the Reading vs United game, given a bigger bench Dong or another striker would certainly have been there for United to bring on. As it was we had the delight of seeing O'Shea up front. It is clearly in the smaller teams who make up over half the leagues interests that the big teams have to make hard decisions in this area.

Like I said earlier with certain restrictions I think you can make the increase in substitutions a good thing for the game more generally but if you don't impose restrictions you give further advantages to a small number of teams who are already considerably better equiped due to financial reasons.

[dww]

I know there is appropriate smiley here somewhere, yes here it is