It seems that a ruling will be made today in a PL stakeholder's meeting for PL clubs to be allowed 5 subs in a match from next season.

I'm not sure where I sit on this yet, although there is no doubt our game is so much more physical and demanding than in Johnny Byrne's day. And there is a view that we see more hamstring strains these days.

The main issue with this ruling, assuming it's ratified today, is that it will inevitably favour the big clubs with very strong squads. I reckon too, that we'll see far more time wasting subs towards the end of games with the inevitable break in the flow of play.

It'll be interesting to see what you think.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

I cant claim to know all the sports science based reasons, but I just cant imagine many teams needing or wanting to make 5 subs very often.

5 just feels like replacing half the team vs freshening up / trying something different tactically

Obviously favours the bigger clubs with more superstars in their squads, but I feel that this is hand in hand with the whole "more games" scenario - this concession has been put forward as an answer to the congested fixture list which in itself is all well & good but I cant help feeling that once the agreement for 5 subs is reached, more games / even tighter scheduling will follow to provide more sellable TV slots & income.

Rarely does a team even use 3 subs for the true reasons - injuries or tactical lchanges. It’s usually 2 at the most. A 3rd doesn’t happen unless it’s for time wasting or for squad harmony. However, maybe it’s also to keep one in case you get an injury and aren’t left with 10 on the pitch. Maybe some will start using 4? If you play a high press and/or wing backs etc then you could use 2 like for like subs every week before using another 2 for injuries and tactical decisions. It won’t be long before 22 or 25 are on the bench. That will favour the big teams even more.

COYP

"The substitutions can be made on three occasions during a match, plus at half-time, and a total of nine substitutes can be named on the teamsheet."

So in theory no more time really than the 3 subs that could be made now, although I guess getting 2 or more players on at once adds a few seconds. Probably no more than we - and others - have been guilty of on goal kicks/free kicks/throw ins etc.

“My experience of life is that it is not divided up into genres; it’s a horrifying, romantic, tragic, comical, science-fiction cowboy detective novel. You know, with a bit of pornography if you’re lucky."

Here's the Beeb's release on this rule change.

[Link]

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.