Howe's Zat, Back to Seven Subs!

Eddie Howe was non too pleased last season when it was announced that he would only be able to name five substitutes on the bench.

The decision was made following a proposal put forward at a Football League chairmen`s conference that was held ahead of the 2011/12 campaign. It was supported at the time by Burnley director, Clive Holt who believed it would lead to a cost-saving on travel and hotel bills at our away games.

The evidence though suggests it made little difference to finances but had a significant detrimental effect on the development of our young players on the verge of breaking into the first team.

The reduced numbers on the bench made the chances of making an appearance even less thus limiting opportunities to break into the first team.

This affected football clubs at all levels, and just 12 months later the decision has been reversed.

At the recent Football League three-day conference in Portugal,Derby and Birmingham proposed a return to seven substitutes.

The proposal was backed by club chairmen and will be implemented in the Football League next season

Eddie Howe clearly delighted by the news told the Lanacshire Telegraph:

"From my point of view as a manager, the more choice you have the better, but the more important issue was keeping everyone involved.

"We only carried a small squad anyway, but you want to keep as many players involved around the team on matchdays as you can.

"The key issue now is that we will be able to give more exposure to players by having them on the bench and having the option to bring them on.

"The more you can push players on and give them experience of a first team environment the better for them and the teams.

"It encourages managers to promote young players and give them exposure and as a football club that`s what we are about going forward," the gaffer added

"It makes the process a lot easier."

"It`s a sensible decision.

"To have it suddenly sprung upon us like it was last summer, when squads were already in place, you ended up disappointing three or four players each game."

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