More Subs allowed on bench?

More Subs allowed on bench?

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/coaches-seek-heavier-bench-press-20110929-1kzc5.html


A-LEAGUE coaches are pushing Football Federation Australia to boost the number of players on the substitute bench in a bid to increase their tactical options and enable them to blood more younger players.

Teams name three outfield players on the bench along with a replacement goalkeeper, but Adelaide United boss Rini Coolen is leading the charge for extra numbers.

The Dutchman wants seven replacement players at his disposal - six outfield men and a goalkeeper - although others would settle for five, including a goalkeeper.

Advertisement: Story continues below

He said Adelaide's final pre-season game against Melbourne Victory last week, when he made multiple use of the bench, only reinforced the point.

''It's good to have seven players on the bench for the future,'' he said.

''You can make more substitutions. Young players get a chance in a game like this and it's what you can do in the future in the competition.''

The clubs have asked the league's governing body to lift the limit on bench players so that it is in line with other countries, but cost is the big issue.

Under the current system, the league pays for a travelling party of 20 - 15 players plus coaches and medical staff. It says it simply cannot afford to underwrite the extra costs of even one extra player.

It is believed FFA chiefs were prepared to let clubs bring extra bench players to matches at their own expense, but the clubs themselves ruled that out on the grounds of competitive inequity, citing chiefly the difficulties Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory would have with an extra large travelling bill.

Melbourne Heart's football director, John Didulica, said yesterday his club's head coach, John van't Schip, would back his countryman.

''It's something we clearly would support. It would give a coach a lot more tactical flexibility and options to change a game.

''At the moment with only three and a keeper you have to try to pick all-rounders, or one defender, one midfielder, one attacker.

''If the bench was bigger there would more options.''

Victory's head coach, Mehmet Durakovic, also agreed.

''It would be fantastic to bring youngsters in and give them a taste of the environment, in front of big crowds, giving them a chance to understand what it means to be a professional footballer,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Heart officials say the club's former skipper, Simon Colosimo, is going nowhere after rumours suggested the former Socceroo was looking for a way out as the new season approaches.

''He is a required player for us � he is our former captain and a very good player,'' Heart football operations manager John Didulica said.

I agree. 5 outfielders would be good. Unfortunately we don't have enough players to fill the bench tho!

Also the FFA are unlikely to change anytime soon and will continue to cite added costs to clubs as their reasoning!

Shame, because I agree that 5 outfielders would be a good amountC-Diddy2011-09-30 14:47:59

I reckon most teams sent more than 14 players to each game anyway.  Nix often take 15/16 players with them to Aus.

With injuries and suspensions you would need a much larger squad than 20 to have an 18 match day squad

About 21 you reckon?