The EFL have changed the substitution rule allowing Championship sides to name nine players on their bench and they are now permitted to make five substitutions.
From Friday, November 20 this rule will be permitted but will it be a good thing for Bristol City, or will it cause as many problems as it solves.
Benefits
Chris Martin will get a rest
Chris Martin has started nine games in the Championship this campaign and has rarely been substituted with the ex-Derby frontman having limited opportunity for rest.
Famara Diedhiou has struggled to get off the bench to give Martin a break due to manager Dean Holden having to make a number of changes to sure up the defence instead of reenergising the attack.
An increase to five substitutes will allow Holden to reinforce his defence, while also introducing the Senegalese striker to more matches to rest Martin and rebuild Diedhiou’s confidence.
Liam Walsh and Joe Williams bed in
Midfield duo Liam Walsh and Joe Williams are set to return after long term injuries and are both seen as players Holden wishes to build his team around when they return.
Walsh last played before the first lockdown meaning he is without match fitness and the new rule could well allow him 20-30-minute substitute appearances he wouldn’t have had until now.
Williams is yet to pull on a Bristol City shirt since his summer arrival from Wigan Athletic and similar to Walsh could benefit from a couple of cameo appearances to learn Holden’s system.
A return of Han-Noah Massengo?
The 19-year-old, signed from Monaco last summer appeared to be a generational talent when he arrived in England, but his second season hasn’t really got started.
He’s been the victim of Bristol City’s surplus of options in midfield, only featuring once in the league this season in the opening day victory over Coventry City.
With the increased bench numbers, it’s a given that Massengo will maintain his seat on the bench but it remains to be seen whether the increase in number of allowed subs will mean he features.
The youth ‘Pathway’ becomes clearer
Academy graduates Opi Edwards and Ryley Towler have both already made their way onto the Robin’s bench against Cardiff in the Severnside derby and these opportunities will only increase.
With an extra two spaces up for grabs there will be other academy players setting their sights on pushing into that first team with their being an opportunity to break through.
Freddie Hinds is one of those who could be featuring more having just returned from a loan spell at Bath City, he may be set to get another opportunity back at Ashton Gate.
Disadvantages
Covid-19 Outbreak
There has been a number of positive cases confirmed Bristol City have decided to close their Failand training ground and it is unknown how many first team players may be affected.
This could mean Holden struggles to form a bench of nine first team squad members that can have a positive impact on the match and is forced to turn to inexperienced youth players.
City have a strong academy, but it will not compare with the depth that some of their Championship opponents will have and could cost valuable points.
Injury Crisis
Holden’s side has been hit by a number of major injuries to key players. Andreas Weimann has torn his ACL and is likely to miss the entirety of this Championship season.
Fulham loanees Steven Sessegnon and Alfie Mawson are both also out with muscle injuries and no set timescale on their recovery and return from image.
Nathan Baker is also out until at least Christmas, with no exact date on Walsh and Williams return Holden is without some key players that would easily feature in a normal 18-man squad.
Will Kasey Palmer be missed?
Bristol City let a number of first team players leave Ashton Gate this season that would’ve featured in the event of this rule being implemented at the start of the season.
The most predominant is Kasey Palmer who was allowed to head to Swansea City on loan with a recall option this January having not featured often in the Championship.
The ex-Chelsea man began to feature much more after the first lockdown when there were bigger substitution benches with luxury players more affordable.
Holden would be able to have a bench that included utility players like Tommy Rowe and Chris Brunt as well as Palmer and two strikers which wouldn’t have been possible.
A complete answer to the question of whether this rule benefits Bristol City will depend on the players Holden has at his disposal. There should be a greater sense of clarity as to who is affected by injury and Covid-19 when a squad is selected for the visit of Derby County.
Dan Carter Sport 