08 Nov 2020 13:26:14
Ed001 if you're about. I see the 5 sub issue is raising it's head again. Just wanted to know if you thought it might gain a bit more traction this time. Are the clubs who were opposed to it before, showing any signs of softening their stance? Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - it is a number of those clubs that have changed their tune bringing the issue to the fore again. The likes of Moyes, who opposed it, have suddenly realised that it is actually a good idea for him and so is now keen to bring it back in. So it looks like it will probably happen.}

1.) 08 Nov 2020
08 Nov 2020 13:41:22
Moyes and bad idea seem to go well in the same sentence!

I understand why clubs with smaller squads may oppose it but surely the same dynamics that brought the 5 sub rule in initially are still in play so was curious to drop it.

Looks like common sense will prevail.

{Ed001's Note - Moyes' problem is that he has a negative mindset and only looked at how it was a disadvantage to him and his team. Now he is being forced to see how it could actually help him by circumstances.}

2.) 08 Nov 2020
08 Nov 2020 13:48:23
Better late then never Ed001

As discussed on the pod a few weeks ago, making subs slows the game and allows the teams to get a breather which can help the weaker sides hold on. The Top teams will always have the advantage in terms of quality no matter what the number of subs allowed is.

{Ed001's Note - I was trying to think where this conversation had taken place before, you are right we did discuss it on one of the pods.}

3.) 08 Nov 2020
08 Nov 2020 13:56:03
Cheers for the quick reply, Ed001.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}

4.) 09 Nov 2020
09 Nov 2020 09:52:55
They could carry on with the same format as previously, 5 subs but in a maximum of three intervals. That way the extra time it would take to bring on the extra 2 subs would be a few seconds rather than a minute or two and you can't break up play by bringing on 5 subs at 5 separate points in the last 15 minutes when looking to disrupt the opposition.

5.) 09 Nov 2020
09 Nov 2020 12:24:45
I still have my doubts, Shaps. I know player fitness is a real concern, but I just have the nagging feeling it's unfair to those clubs without the riches to buy a top class squad. I love the fact the league is so competitive just now, and wouldn't want to see some clubs get an unfair advantage. I also don't think it's fair to change the rules once the season has already started. But I know player fitness is an important issue for all the clubs. Can't make my mind up to be honest.

6.) 09 Nov 2020
09 Nov 2020 14:04:40
Stevie, the league will always be unfair towards the poorer members of the league. It's unfair that the likes of ourselves, City, Chelsea etc can afford to have more expensive players on our benches than most teams would have in their starting 11.

Yet player health must come before everything else. How long until a fatigued player suffers a serious long term injury?

With the way last season ended, the lack of a summer break and little to no pre-season something needs to be done. Either they allow more rotation of the squads though additional subs or they have to reduce the number of games by cutting the League and maybe even the FA cup.

You can't expect a squad of players to play 50-60 games in shorter time period (due to the season starting later, but not really finishing any later) with those players not having been tested beforehand and with little pre-season to prepare them.

I would argue that the current way of doing things will potentially impact the "smaller" club's more. When we get an injury to someone like Shaw or Rashford for example we have Telles or Cavani to step in. Players of proven quality. When West Ham or Burnley get an injury to a first team player the drop off in quality to their replacements will likely be much higher.

So while the smaller club's might play a few less games, their squads are far more exposed by injuries.

7.) 09 Nov 2020
09 Nov 2020 14:27:45
NB. That should be League cup not league.

8.) 09 Nov 2020
09 Nov 2020 14:48:14
I'm not disputing the league's already unfair, in that some clubs are bigger and richer than others. That's a given. My point, and why it sits a little uncomfortablly with me, is that this might make it more unfair. I totally understand the player fitness issue.

9.) 09 Nov 2020
09 Nov 2020 15:14:30
I suggested the other day that maybe a solution could be that two of the subs need to be academy players under the age of 21. That would give youngsters some game time, while limiting the benefit to teams who can afford to have a bench full of internationals. However, Tris did point out that even that would still be unfair as the bigger teams tend to hoover up the best young talent into their academies. So would still have an advantage.

Ultimately without a draft system and a limitation on number of transfers and the amount spent on transfers there is little you can do to stop the "bigger" teams having a substantial advantage over their opponents.