Nuno Espirito Santo slams the current Premier League fixture schedule as top-flight sides prepare for a busy winter run of games… but the Wolves boss claims an increase to five substitutions is NOT the answer to protect players
- Premier League clubs are preparing for a busy winter over the next few weeks
- Nuno Espirito Santo has rued the top-flight’s fixture list for the festive period
- The Wolves boss maintains a rise to five substitutions per game is not the answer
- Conor Coady’s run of 121 consecutive league matches could end this week
Nuno Espirito Santo says the current fixture schedule is a ‘big problem’ – but continues to maintain that the prospective introduction of five substitutes is not the way to address the issue.
The Wolves boss has barely started preparing his side for Monday’s Premier League clash with Southampton following his players’ respective returns from international duty and associated coronavirus protocols.
But despite the unceasing schedule taking its toll, and this week’s news that the EFL is to increase the quota of substitutes, Nuno is refusing to budge in his belief that the top flight should not follow suit.
Nuno Espirito Santo has rued the ‘tough’ Premier League fixture list but plans to get around it
The Wolves boss (right) claims that an increase to five substitutions is not the way forward
He said: ‘It is always a delicate moment when you return after the break, and this tells us that there is a big problem with the scheduling of fixtures – all these things are being discussed and can be improved.
‘The calendar is tough for everybody. We always work the details into our minds knowing that every aspect is important – it is a question of trying to make your time with the players as useful as possible.
‘It is clear the fixture calendar and the schedule are our biggest worries – it’s not about the substitutes, it’s about the schedule, and this is the problem solved.
Santo believes that appropriate rotation, not substitution, is the way to resolve the issue
‘I don’t see a direct situation with the substitutes. When a player has issues the best way is not to play him, and this way you can protect him. So he has to be with rotation, not substitution.’
Defender Conor Coady could see his unbroken run of 121 consecutive league matches come to an end after he was forced to leave the England squad and go into self-isolation.