A chance for us to look to the future.
As I’m sure you’re aware by now, the EFL have set a provisional date for the Championship season to resume, and there are going to be a few changes when the season does get underway again.
The most notable of which arguably will be the introduction of a 20 man matchday squad, up from the usual 18 and the use of 5 substitutes in a game rather than 3.
I spoke yesterday about the new rule, and how it might be used to help Lewis Grabban get some rest, and whilst I used him as the prime example given how he has been heavily discussed when it comes to players getting rest, the same logic can be applied across the rest of the squad.
If you take a look at the amount of minutes played by Forest players this year, you’ll see that four outfield players have played more than 3,000 minutes this season (Joe Lolley is officially listed at 2,927 minutes played, but when you add in injury time, he’s likely to be over that mark as well), and when the season restarts it’s likely going to be a very hectic run to the end of the season.
Should young/reserve players be given more minutes in the final run in?
Yes
No
That’s why I think the club needs to look at bringing in more young players when the season resumes, because the new rules will allow them to do exactly that.
I’ve spoken before, mainly when it comes to Brennan Johnson, but again you can use the logic elsewhere, that the club needs to start putting more faith in its young players by letting them play more minutes, and this situation could give them the perfect opportunity to do so.
Whilst their opportunities may have been stunted before because of limitations on squads and substitutes, they have been lifted somewhat because of the new rules, and now is a great time for them to get some crucial minutes under their belts, not just to help us now, but also to let them develop so that they can help us in the future.
What about you? Do you agree with this sentiment that younger players should get more minutes towards the end of the season?
