This is from The Telegraph, a list of teams average time for 1st, 2nd and 3rd subs:

Team 1st sub 2nd sub 3rd sub
Arsenal 49.67 65.67 78.44
Bournemouth 65 79.22 84.86
Brighton 48.11 75 80.38
Burnley 54.22 71.67 79.29
Cardiff 61.56 73.56 81.29
Chelsea 63.44 69.89 79.78
Crystal Palace 75.78 79 83
Everton 57.44 79.78 84.63
Fulham 54.22 67.33 82.38
Huddersfield 49.44 69.56 84.71
Leicester 62.25 75.25 84
Liverpool 59.22 75.22 84.75
Man City 61 73 81.75
Man Utd 57 66.78 75.89
Newcastle 57.44 71.13 79.88
Southampton 62 71.56 80.29
Tottenham 67.67 76.44 88.13
Watford 69.22 79.78 86.57
West Ham 57.44 69 78.44
Wolves 62.56 72.78 83.13

We are far, far later than any other team to make substitutions. Is Roy too stuck in his ways? No plan B, or is it that he doesn't trust the subs bench? Whatever the subs bench they're still in a premier league squad and should be able to offer something? Also the fitness levels would have to be something else, and i don't believe they are, if we don't need to freshen up until far later than anyone else.

Edit - graphics haven't transferred too great, here is the link to the article:

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Edited by gambler (23 Oct 2018 1.06pm)

He is stuck in his ways and can't change. There were games last season where fresh legs were required (Cabaye was run into the ground) but he never made any changes. Same pattern this season so don't expect some "aha!" moment.
Why for doesn't Meyer start? He has that hint of creativity so desperately lacking. Schlupp is crap and he gets a game, I don't get it.

Interesting article

Given all PL clubs employ analysts extensively now, is Roy's tendency for late subs a known target areas for opposition to plan for? If so it seems to be working especially given the number of late goals conceded.

Conversely all Evertons subs either scored or assisted on Sunday.

All three are good points, and I would have agreed with you even up until a couple of years ago.

Even in the last few years, players are covering more and more ground. It sounds like Roy asks a lot from his teams in terms of their defensive discipline, that requires them to keep up concentration which is very, very difficult for 90 minutes.

Just one fresh set of legs could have made a huge difference. Ayew could have helped pressure, Wickham (depending on fitness) could have held the ball up and given the defence a break. Riedewald could have added more cover and fresh legs in the midfield. They brought on two big strikers, so we could have even brought on Kelly and gone to a back five for the last few minutes to see it out.

Those were all options and we had a team that was clearly tiring. Even just having a fresh set of legs and eyes helping to direct tired teammates into position could have helped.

You've hit the nail on the head with the last bit. We signed players to have a better squad for these situations. Being able to bring someone like Riedewald or Kelly off the bench is a pretty decent option for us. The game has changed, and we can't continue to play 11 v 14.

The All Blacks talk about their closers. Players who are there to come on and make a difference, not there just in case. Sure, you have different options so you can adapt to the situation, but you plan to bring them on and that is part of the system.

Dougie was actually really good of this when he was in charge. When we were struggling in 10/11 he often used to bring on Claude Davis as a third centre half to see out a 1-0 win and it worked on quite a few occasions:

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Employee of the month is a good example of how someone can be both a winner and a loser at the same time.

Lots being made of fresh legs but bringing on cold players in the closing stages of the game in reaction to far superior subs by the opposition is a gamble rather than good management IMO. Apart from Walcott’s chance straight after the penalty we’d contained them quite well.

I was more frustrated by his reluctance to introduce Meyer in the Southampton, Watford and Wolves games until it was literally slapping him in the face.

As I recall one of the final nails for Pardew was his introduction of Cabaye in place of the tired McArthur against Man Utd in December 16 and Cabaye’s inability to acclimatise quickly enough to the game leading to their winning goal. That and an equally ill thought out sub involving Campbell.

I think his number was up when he snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at Swansea on 26 November and was a dead man walking after that until Allardyce was lined up. He had been totally toilet for yonks and yonks and yonks and that result confirmed him as a national laughing stock.

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The Ferret
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