Nine substitutions permitted in matchday squad in boost for West Ham
The Premier League has made nine substitutions in matchday squads permanent, handing West Ham and co. a boost for the new season.
Football.London’s West Ham correspondent Thomas Clarke has reacted to the news, jokingly claiming it would give third-choice goalkeeper David Martin, 35, more chances to be on the bench.
He posted thus on his personal Twitter account: “Lots of bench warming for David Martin then.”
Manager David Moyes often named three goalies in his matchday squads last season, and that could now continue.
Boost for West Ham?
Martin became a cult hero among the Hammers faithful after his Premier League debut in a 1-0 win over Chelsea in November 2019.
The former Millwall sbot-stopper joined us in the summer of that season on a two-year deal to provide cover for Lukasz Fabianski and Roberto, and he went on to make five top-flight appearances by the end of the campaign.
He did not see action last season but did sign a one-year contract extension which will now see him undertake a player-coach role for the new season.
With Alphonse Areola and Fabianski battling for the starting berth, we have probably seen the last of Martin in a Hammers jersey, but he is not going to be forgotten anytime soon.
While having nine subs could give him the chance to make more appearances on the bench, it could also hand Moyes a boost as it allows him name more outfield players.
We could see some under-23s players get the chance to take in the first-team matchday experiences time to time, and it is definitely something they will relish and cherish.
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