Morecambe manager: Substitute rule should stay as it is for the rest of the season

Morecambe boss Derek Adams doesn’t believe the rules should change mid-season to allow clubs the opportunity of fielding more substitutes.
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Teams who played over the summer after football’s restart were allowed to make five changes, taking into account the three-month break as a result of Covid-19.

While competitions in other countries have continued allowing their clubs to use five substitutes, English domestic football has reverted back to three.

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The issue has raised its head again and looks to be generating increased support as teams suffer a number of injuries and deal with the condensed fixture list.

Morecambe manager Derek Adams   Picture: Getty ImagesMorecambe manager Derek Adams   Picture: Getty Images
Morecambe manager Derek Adams Picture: Getty Images

Morecambe know what it’s like to be without players this season, having seen their 22-man squad hit by a combination of injuries and self-isolation.

However, Adams said: “I don’t think it can come in this season.

“It’s already started, the rules are already in place and we can’t be changing the rules at this point.”

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The later start to the campaign, as well as the number of cup competitions, means games have come quickly in the first couple of months, following on from a shorter than normal pre-season.

The Shrimps face midweek matches in four of the next five weeks in addition to Saturday games, meaning recovery time will be at a premium.

“I think that’s always going to be the case because we’re playing Saturday-Tuesday for a period of time,” Adams acknowledged, when asked if they were playing too many games in too short a space of time.

“Clubs have smaller squads but, in terms of the pre-season, that time wasn’t a lot and then the games have come thick and fast.”

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