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Another old article, that a lot of people found interesting. Subs are a important part of tactics imo.
The scene is set you're 2-0 down with 25 minutes left of the game, however you are playing pretty good but just cannot find that special ingredient to unlock the oppositions defence. You know that once you get a goal back you stand a real chance of getting something out of this game and that the opposing team will crumble under the pressure. But what do you do and how do you turn the game around into your favour. Getting 2 or more goals can be tricky if the current players on the pitch have failed to do so up until this point. Or maybe the scenario is totally different and you are winning the game but you lack that certain somebody in your starting eleven who take the game by the scruff of the neck and because of this the opposition is over running your midfield. This is where your substitutes on the bench come into play, by having something different on the bench can turn the game around is a real bonus.
Personally I always try and have at least four different types of players on the bench if possible as well as a goalkeeper. To me the selected subs are just as important as the starting eleven but many people just fill the bench with any five players they can and don't put any real thought into the selection process. So now I will give you a little run down of what I have on my bench;
A Ball Winner
I always have a ball winner in my starting eleven but there will be times when he has an off day and doesn't perform up to scratch. So I have one on the bench just in case, or maybe in some important games late on I need another ball winner to come on and ease a little bit of the pressure the opposition might be causing me. If I am winning and it's just a case of closing the game out then the ball winner is an ideal substitute to have sat on the bench.
A Creative Player
The key to unlocking any defence and a must for any side to have especially on the bench. Having a player who is able to come on to the pitch and create chances from nothing and give you an extra dimension is always welcome. You should always have the creative option available as many times through out the season you will need to call upon his services.
All Round Defender
A defender who can play right across the backline is very useful indeed especially in the modern game. I always buy one of these sorts of players even if I know he will never be more than a substitute. Many times I would select a right back to go on the bench and my left back as been injured during a game and the right back as had to play out of position. Even though he might have coped well there is no better feeling that someone who actually looks comfortable playing there instead.
A Flair Player
A very similar player to the creative one I have on the bench in some ways, but I much prefer my flair player to run at people and make the opposition back off. A flair player is the sort of player like Ronaldinho who can create chances out of nothing, run at defenders and score from anywhere on the pitch. Nothing is off limits for a flair player at all; they can turn games on their heads in an instant.
More great food for thought. Thanks for digging up this old article. I try to have 1 of each; striker, AM, DM, and defender on my bench, but have never given much thought to having these sorts of players. I shall now.
Subs benches can be dictated to by the actual number allowed
If there are 5 subs, I will have a GK, versatile defender( usually a DC ), striker, winger and one other creative player at home or a DM away from home. 7 subs make the choice easier.
Bench Strategies 
Linear Mode
