{"id":605098,"date":"2021-12-31T00:30:26","date_gmt":"2021-12-31T05:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=605098"},"modified":"2021-12-30T22:44:24","modified_gmt":"2021-12-31T03:44:24","slug":"three-substitutes-are-enough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/12\/31\/three-substitutes-are-enough\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Three Substitutions Are Enough in Modern-Day Football"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The introduction of substitutions in England began in the 1960s when the Football League allowed just one replacement.\u00a0<\/span>Charlton Athletic winger Keith Peacock<\/a> made history when he came on in a second division match at Burnden Park, Bolton in August 1965.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Peacock actually replaced an injured goalkeeper.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the past, injured players, including goalkeepers, would usually be sent to hobble on the wing, despite their problems.\u00a0<\/span>The introduction of a substitute was a logical step.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Why Three Substitutions Are Enough in Modern-Day Football<\/h2>\r\n

High-Profile Injuries Prompted the Introduction of Substitutions\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n

High-profile matches, especially FA Cup finals, had often been marred by injuries.\u00a0<\/span>Famous examples include Bert Trautman, <\/a>who broke his neck in the 1955 final.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Manchester United<\/a> goalkeeper Ray Wood \u00a0suffered a broken cheekbone in a collision with Bolton\u2019s centre-forward Peter McParland in 1957.\u00a0<\/span>And Roy Dwight<\/a> (Uncle of Reg, aka Elton John) broke his leg after scoring for Nottingham Forest<\/a> in the 1959 final.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

A number of other players endured sometimes career-threatening injuries on that pristine Wembley surface.\u00a0<\/span>The high-profile nature of those incidents eventually contributed to the decision of the FA to allow changes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Three Substitutions Became the Norm in the 1990s<\/h3>\r\n

This one-sub arrangement remained the same for the next 20 years.\u00a0<\/span>Its introduction gave coaches a new tactic.\u00a0<\/span>Then, by the mid-1990s, the nascent Premier League had increased the options to three substitutes.<\/span>The use of 14 players from a pool of 16 now meant the game had definitely changed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Coaches now had a wider variety of alterations to employ.\u00a0<\/span>Depending on the state of the contest.\u00a0<\/span>Although, it would benefit the better-resourced sides.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Concussion Substitutes Trialled<\/h3>\r\n

Subsequently, an addition to the process was the introduction of concussion replacements<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>This was something prompted by the long-running debate around head injuries in football.\u00a0<\/span>The option had already been a welcome feature of Rugby Union matches.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Not Always Good Viewing for Fans<\/h3>\r\n

Substitutes have certainly changed the nature of football both for the players and also for spectators.\u00a0<\/span>In May 2020, partly due to the Covid pandemic, the regulations allowed the use of five substitutes for top-level encounters.\u00a0<\/span>These included games in the Champions League.\u00a0<\/span>And the pressure grows to implement such a rule in the Premier League.\u00a0<\/span>Especially due to the present health-related circumstances and the possibilities of player burnout.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Again it would especially enhance the chances of the leading teams.\u00a0<\/span>While in the lower reaches of the national game it would make much less sense.<\/span>Not least because some teams would struggle to field five subs.<\/span>But another factor is the negative effect on those of us who watch.\u00a0<\/span>It inevitably means the length of a match is extended.\u00a0<\/span>Particularly given the other interruptions for injuries, referee lectures, and delaying tactics.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

One extreme example was the 107th-minute winner<\/a> scored by Algeria in the semi-final of the FIFA Arab Cup.\u00a0<\/span>Some 17 minutes of added time were played.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Fans also have to process the numerous variations and revised player positions.\u00a0<\/span>Often, as in many friendly internationals, the later stages are far less coherent.\u00a0<\/span>No wonder many leave early at Wembley matches.\u00a0<\/span>Substitutes were a welcome change but for many, there is a natural limit.\u00a0<\/span>Rugby Union has been described as a 23-man game.\u00a0<\/span>And let us not edge towards special teams for set-plays.\u00a0<\/span>Hopefully, football will avoid going down those routes.\u00a0<\/span>And those temporary issues will subside.\u00a0<\/span>Three substitutes are enough.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Main Photo<\/p>\r\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>