‘Easy to get frustrated’ – Robson-Kanu rejects call of top Premier League managers
West Brom striker Hal Robson-Kanu believes that the Premier League should stick with three substitutes, despite calls for five from a number of managers.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are two of the highest profile managers to call for the change, with concerns growing about the number of players that have been injured.
The Express and Star report that there has been 16% increase in the number of injuries so far this season in comparison to the last four.
However, Robson-Kanu argued that players need to show discipline and be professional despite the mounting games and explained that they remain very fortunate to be playing given the circumstances.
“The more subs you have you’re able to change half the team,” he said (via Express and Star).
“We’re professionals and this is our line of work so we have to show a level of discipline to maintain those levels.
“It’s easy to get frustrated and be annoyed with the situation but there are a lot of people who are suffering and if we’re able to take a step back and look at it on a global level we’re fortunate to be doing what we’re doing.
“To turn on the TV and watch football is important to fans and society given the various lockdown measures. As frustrating as it might be there are a lot of positives we can take from doing what we’re doing.”
Sadly, the Wales international has been no stranger to injury this season, making just three substitute appearances in the Premier League before fracturing his arm. However, he is now closing in on a return and could be available as early as this month (via Premier Injuries).
In terms of the overall debate, it is difficult to decipher whether there is a genuine relationship between the move back to three substitutes and the number of injuries or whether this season has just been an anomaly.
It is likely that the packed schedule and limited pre-season has played as much of a part as the substitute numbers. Meanwhile, with most clubs boasting large squads, there is still plenty of room for rotation between matches.
A big disadvantage as far as West Brom are concerned too, is the fact that the top sides have much more strength in depth and the more subs that are allowed, the bigger their advantage becomes.
Whatever the resolution this is an issue that will continue to cause debate and will perhaps only be resolved as we find out the extent to which the increased number of injuries is a spike or a trend.
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