Premier League clubs agree on five subs

So, not that it makes much difference to us, the Top 3 is nailed on for the next few years, with either Man Utd, Arsenal or Spurs picking up 4th.

Of course, it already was nailed on but, for teams like us – even in our rare good years – we've never been in a position to bring on five players who could change a game. Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City have a dozen of them in their squads.

Combined with the new 70% of turnover salary cap, the ladder just gets pulled up a little bit more every season.

Soon enough, they'll have the game converted to as near as it's possible to get to an on-field expression of "Modern" business. Assets in football kits. It's becoming ratified cheating.

But in reality the best youngsters will take first choice in most cases to the successful clubs at the time.

In recruitment rarely these days do Everton have success at bringing in good players at low or high cost.

As people have already mentioned on this and other threads, the odds are stacked in the favour of the so called Top 6.

Yet another disgrace.

But I do actually feel a sentiment of feeling contradictory.

Over the past few seasons, we had a large and expensively assembled squad. We just blew our money on averageness at best. How you spend, not what you spend.

But, yes, this tends to be like FFP. At first glance a move that favours all but in reality bows to the calls of the so-called elite to maintain their eliteness.

It'll push wages up too as the bench will be filled with "alternate first teamers" rather than young fringe players trying to break through.

Still, I suppose it may go someway in stopping some clubs fielding weakened teams in cup games. There'll be no excuse now.

Hopefully it impacts viewing numbers and shows a significant effect on revenues due to neutrals' disinterest in stacked-deck outcomes. I know, I know, good luck with that.

Imagine how further amplified would be the difference in class if the game today was played as 22-a-side, ie, squad vs squad. This is effectively a deliberate increment in that direction.

Expect more clicks of the ratchet by the "Big" clubs in this slower simmer version of the move towards their (purportedly rejected) Super League.

Everyone knows what's happening – and everyone knows that everyone knows.

Then again, sometimes our squad looks unfit compared to others, so we can replace unfit players with other unfit players.

The game is losing much of its appeal, I rarely watch any football apart from Everton these days – and it's not easy watching us.

Imagine the glee that Kendall and Catterick would have shown at being able to rest important players from time to time, without upsetting the spirit of the team andsquad.

There should have been a stipulation that 3 senior professionals can be used and then 2 younger players could if necessary be called upon. Having 5 senior substitutes in any one match is ridiculous and unnecessary.

The free-flowing game of yore is gone forever, with the VAR and substitutions taking up lots of time, and causing the game to be stopped far too often.

I believe that it depends what kind of squad you have, and how it benefits the top teams who have a number of players on the bench that can change a game. The problem with Everton or the manager.

I wondered why there were no changes after the 2nd goal? For some reason, he didn't think there was anyone on the bench who could change the game and was holding them back in case of injuries.

Either that or the referees association threatened to show bias against the "No" voters. Oh, hang on a minute – they already do!

Football has ceased being a sport. It is now a money-laundering operation for the Arabs and Russians to take the piss.

I echo your sentiment but maybe not in such colourful language. When the so-called Top 6 threatened to join a proposed a European Super League, my reaction was 'good riddance'; let's welcome back the Football League as it used to be.

Regarding the five substitutions, like the Financial Fair Play rules, it is being introduced when the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Manchester United have built up a nest egg, and it's turning out to be a not-so-fair financial scheme.

It seems to me that those clubs are being given the go-ahead to dominate football for the foreseeable future. I am old enough to recall when there were no substitutes, and remember when Gordon West and Andy Rankin were forced to play on the wing in what was termed as 'nuisance value'.

It's my opinion that the substitution rule should have remained 'one substitution for injury only'. I appreciate that some clubs would have encouraged players to feign injury but I could live with that.

Approaching my 84th birthday, it's likely that I won't be around for the designated penalty taker and stopper to sit on the bench until he's called into action, to do what he has to do before returning to the bench. In the words of Captain Kirk (I believe), "It's football but not as I know it."

I think your Palace example shows exactly why 5 subs benefits only some clubs, not Everton.

Good point, Barry. I hadn't considered that angle yet. Imagine a game with all 10 subs used and a few VAR interventions...

I appreciate times change and the game has moved on. But a lot can be said for consistency and playing your best team regardless.

I know I was young and caught in the moment, but Howard Kendall generally played his best team when available. Occasionally Alan Harper or Kevin Richardson came in when needed but were dropped as soon at the first 11 were all fit.

Bobby Mimms stood in for Neville for a period and Howard earned his managerial spurs in that 2nd title winning season when we were ravaged by injuries. But given the choice, his first 11 in his own head always started when fit.

Kevin Sheedy may have been number 11, but he was the first name on the team sheet. Kevin Sheedy. Just Kevin Sheedy.

I can't wait until Sunday.

Again, playing them to just give them playing time shows how limited the bench was / is in terms of transforming the game.

People will eventually get sick of this, though. Leicester was the last surprise, or departure from what is ever more cemented as the norm. It may be the last surprise.

Answer: 'Cos neither of them can muster 5 subs!'

It’s ridiculous and as others say above, is killing the game.

Will #21, and if a protestor appears we could see 30 minutes added time

Anyway, I will be saying a Hail Mary for the Team (and you, Danny) on Sunday...

And other daft rule changes to "improve" the game.