4 Subs - The true story.

[t_o_molloy]

Was on twitter the other day so asked Marc Iles (BN's chief football writer):
"Is there any particular reason why we don't name players like Tom Eaves on the bench?"

He replied:
"asked Coyle the very same thing today. Most of the youngster had Xmas off."

So that's all there is too it. Possibly a little unprofessional but there.

[Bruce Rioja]

Is there only me that's not having that - at all?

[Lord Kangana]

Wouldn't have made a difference if we'd had 50 subs at Anfield.

[Athers]

Obviously wants them to earn a spot on the coach not be gifted one by circumstance.

[t_o_molloy]

Is there only me that's not having that - at all?

Not having it as in you don't believe it?
Or that you think it's disgraceful?

[Armchair Wanderer]

I've just read someone say that Coyle said you can only use 3 subs in a match, so what's the point in making the kids sit on the bench.

I work strange hours so had late night Radio 5 on the other day. The guy who wrote the book "Will You Manage?" was on there. He was saying that on one level football management is very simple and things like fantasy football and phone-ins make us think that it really is that easy. But on the other hand one of the biggest factors in being a manager is man management and encouraging millionaires to want to play football.

If OC wants to give the kids xmas off I'm sure he knows what he's doing.

[William the White]

Was on twitter the other day so asked Marc Iles (BN's chief football writer):
"Is there any particular reason why we don't name players like Tom Eaves on the bench?"

He replied:
"asked Coyle the very same thing today. Most of the youngster had Xmas off."

So that's all there is too it. Possibly a little unprofessional but there.

and which kids wouldn't kill their grannie under the tree for the chance to sit on a bench at anfield?

[CAPSLOCK]

As did Megson, when he did it

7 subs for a club of our resources is bollocks

[sidewaysmove]

So, I spend £100 on a day out in Liverpool only to later discover that some of the players were on holiday???

Great

[Worthy4England]

So, I spend £100 on a day out in Liverpool only to later discover that some of the players were on holiday???

Great

And apart from general indignation, you think having some kids on the bench would have achieved what, exactly?

[BWFC_Insane]

Is it just me that thinks giving the kids a break over christmas is a good idea?

I guess there aren't the reserve or youth fixtures, pitches get snowed under/frozen and you don't want youngsters overdoing it and burning out.

Can't see the point of sticking 3 kids on a bus then a bench, for a game in which they know they don't stand a chance of playing. It might be different if Coyle felt 2 or 3 were really close to breaking through, bit of match day experience and all. But from what I've heard we don't seem to have kids at that stage yet, so I can't really see the issue.

[Worthy4England]

Is it just me that thinks giving the kids a break over christmas is a good idea?
I guess there aren't the reserve or youth fixtures, pitches get snowed under/frozen and you don't want youngsters overdoing it and burning out.

Can't see the point of sticking 3 kids on a bus then a bench, for a game in which they know they don't stand a chance of playing. It might be different if Coyle felt 2 or 3 were really close to breaking through, bit of match day experience and all. But from what I've heard we don't seem to have kids at that stage yet, so I can't really see the issue.

Well no - OC seemed to agree with you as well. Point is, he can only use 3 so if he was happy he had it all covered with 4 then it's not a problem (although I suspect the message was "I haven't got it all covered with 4")

[claus jensens guitar]

3 outfield players on the bench is a ridiculous situation. I would always say this to any manager whether Megson or Coyle. Fair enough we can only use 3 subs but on Saturday they were all attacking players.

What would have happened if Knight or Cahill got injured or Muamba was sent off?

[Il Pirate]

3 outfield players on the bench is a ridiculous situation. I would always say this to any manager whether Megson or Coyle. Fair enough we can only use 3 subs but on Saturday they were all attacking players.

What would have happened if Knight or Cahill got injured or Muamba was sent off?

We'd have gone with six up front

[Worthy4England]

3 outfield players on the bench is a ridiculous situation. I would always say this to any manager whether Megson or Coyle. Fair enough we can only use 3 subs but on Saturday they were all attacking players.

What would have happened if Knight or Cahill got injured or Muamba was sent off?

Defensive re-org.

Point is, if the 14 players we had provided us with better options at CD or CM than any of the youngsters, to the point that under no circumstances were they ever going to get on, then it's all a bit of a moot point.

[Riviman]

I think what the 4 subs has done is highlight the lack of quality in or reserves. Having watched them regularly over the last few years there is no one, other than perhaps Danny Ward ( injured) who is any where near premier league standard.

[t_o_molloy]

I think what the 4 subs has done is highlight the lack of quality in or reserves. Having watched them regularly over the last few years there is no one, other than perhaps Danny Ward ( injured) who is any where near premier league standard.

It's a shame about Ward, he's had a few niggling injuries now all in different places, could be a sick note, hopefully he's just unfortunate. Might have actually gotten some game time after the new year with Taylor and Petrov's form.

[Lofthouse Lower]

Coyle, however, hopes to have Ricardo Gardner (knee) and Jlloyd Samuel (calf) available later again this month.

But the Bolton boss won’t rush the long-term absentees despite having just 16 first-team players available.

He said: “They’re coming back slowly. Ricardo and Jlloyd are doing little bits and pieces. I hope they’ll be back for the middle to the end of January.

“It’s been a long time, so we have to make sure they tread warily and, when they do come back, it’s the right time for them and we don’t rush them.”

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

which kids wouldn't kill their grannie under the tree for the chance to sit on a bench at anfield?

What the bard quoth. Gotta love OC but I disagree on this one. It's an easy way to motivate young players, rather than making them think there's a glass ceiling above which they cannot rise. Strange for a man who loves to create a happy squad atmosphere.

Reasons could include a rather unsubtle nudge towards Gartside and Ed Davies - see also Megson snidely bringing on a palpably unready Danny Ward. But you can make that point without the distasteful poor-me posturing and, frankly, the risk: having kids on the bench could be mentioned, in public or private, without endangering the current first team. The subs at Anfield were Bogdan, Petrov, Blake and Klasnic. I'm still to hear what remotely plausible reshuffle we'd have had if any defenders were injured. Are we to believe that Martin Petrov would make a better makeshift defender than any in our Academy? In that case, are we to broadcast it? In that case, aren't we telling our Academy lads that they're almost literally a waste of space?

[Lord Kangana]

We'd have played flash netters.

Easy.