Walsall now to name 5 substitutes instead of 7

All Football League Clubs will now name five substitutes instead of 7, as it was voted in at an EGM earlier this month.

The main reason for this move is to help out those clubs in financial struggle, such as Plymouth Argle. Clubs will now be able to offload players and their wage packets to keep themselves financially viable. The move falls under UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Framework.

This won’t really affect Walsall too much as they are thin on the ground anyway, but it will stop youth/reserve players being stuck on the bench making up the numbers with little chance of making an appearance, as Sean Geddes, for example, suffered last season before being released.

However, this move may be of detriment of youth players as they would have even less chance of progressing to the first team as there will be no space on the bench. There will also be less space on the bench for a second goalkeeper, as priority will be given other positions.

Squad numbers could be reduced as a result, as less players are required with more players will be looking for new clubs.

In addition to this move, under the UEFA Fininacial Fair Play Framework, players wages will be directly proportional to the turnover. This will prevent clubs paying extortionate wages without the finds to properly pay for them and make them financially stronger. Again, this won’t really affect the wage packet at Walsall FC!

They are important moves for the stability of Football League Clubs, for Walsall FC there’s not much to worry about and overall may even make things a little easier to manage for Dean Smith.

What do you think?

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