Appleton applauds sub switch proposals

Michael Appleton has backed moves to create a seven-man substitutes' bench for next season.

The proposal is one of a number being debated at the Football League’s two-day AGM in Portugal, which starts today.

Derby and Birmingham have put forward a motion to revert to seven – just 12 months after bench sizes were reduced to five.

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In Cyprus last summer clubs voted in favour of granting Burnley’s suggestion in a bid to reduce costs.

At the time it was heavily criticised by managers across the league, among them then-Pompey boss Steve Cotterill.

Now the 72 clubs are assessing the situation once again and will vote on whether to bring back the option of having seven players as substitutes.

For Appleton, it’s a proposal he and many of his managerial colleagues applaud.

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That despite on occasions during the season not even able to fill his quota of five.

He said: ‘Like most managers I hope the proposal is successful for the simple reason it gives us two less headaches to be worried about in the game.

‘We want the opportunity to have more options on the bench.

‘We want to know we have a couple of defenders to throw on to defend a lead or more attackers can be introduced to get back into a game.

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‘You will also find last year some teams never had a keeper on the bench.

‘Some managers preferred to have an extra outfield player as a substitute.

‘After Stephen Henderson left we didn’t have one but that was more down to the situation.

‘That would not happen if you had seven on the bench.

‘The number was brought down to five in the first place for financial reasons.

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‘Clubs were concerned they were going to have to pay appearances and bonuses with a bigger bench.

‘I can understand that but as a manager I would like more options when my side is out there.

‘And from what I am gathering many other managers agree.’