How Bournemouth are reinventing the use of the substitutes' bench to great effect, writes MATT BARLOW
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Logic dictates the introduction of five substitutes panders to the biggest, wealthiest clubs. Those with the deepest, most lavish squads but when it comes to goals, Bournemouth are making it count. Andoni Iraola's subs have scored seven in the Premier League this season, six in the last eight games to enhance his growing reputation as a modern football thinker and Bournemouth's as a bright, creative club.
![[Conventional wisdom dictates that the five substitutes rule mainly benefits the strength in depth of bigger clubs]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/16/93169287-14194985-image-a-2_1734279160693.jpg)
'The ones from the bench are giving us good things,' says Iraola. 'They prefer to start to be honest, but I think they have learned can be very important from the bench. 'They can affect the game and use their strengths when the opposition is tired. Even though they have less minutes they can have better quality chances at the end of the game and they understand because we see it frequently.'.
![[But the Cherries have consistently found goals when they need them most from their options off the bench]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/16/93169357-14194985-image-a-5_1734279487012.jpg)
Footballers respond to proof. They want to win above all else. Convince them you can help them do it and they will listen. Bournemouth have won the last three and key to success off the bench might be a kind of equitable status across the squad. Levels of quality and desire do not fluctuate greatly with their substitutions. Particularly in forward areas Iraola can make changes and still boast the power and pace to maintain his style of intense pressing and speed in transition, vital when games are torn open in the final minutes.
![[Jhon Duran has been invaluable for Aston Villa with his goals after coming on this season]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/16/93169403-14194985-image-a-6_1734279671166.jpg)
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