Hero...

...is what some people call them. Others prefer the colloquialism of Hoagie, where in some parts of the world the word Grinder is used. Originated in Italy, adopted by the Americans and most widely associated with the "heart attack in a roll" the PhillyCheeseSteak, the sub is a word familiar to us all. In sport, Eddie Jones calls them his "Finishers and in Vets football where not-so-svelte waistlines bring a different meaning to "Roll-on/Roll-off" replacements - I prefer to make no such distinction because The Gaffer sees the squad as a whole and the 16 selected for the game as complete unit... subs included.

This season we have used 25 players... that's 30% reduction in squad size over last season. If you exclude 2 emergency GK signings and The Gaffer going between the sticks in the first match, that figure is almost 40%. Most of the tight-knit team have played more games than last, where as 6 have played less due to family commitments or having more holidays than Judith Chalmers. So the 16 fit & available on match day are a distillation of the squad and everyone has a role to play. Form and Formations have a big part to play in who starts and who sits on the sidelines, The Gaffer does like to freshen things up with the shape on the pitch, not just between games but dynamically during games to maximise advantage or minimise threats.This is where I differ from the rigidity of think by Jose the N17 Special One. That said, one thing we do have in common is the confidence to make early-game substitutions and with the luxury of Vets Football, subbing a sub and bringing him back on again. In the Quarter Final vs Old Parmiterians, a total of 3 subs were themselves subbed - it is not the first, nor will it be the last time this occurs. I fully expect those sub or subbed to be disappointed at not kicking a ball in that moment in time, but there is a huge amount to be demanded of them off the field... from be always warm & ready to come on, to cheering on the team and helping The Gaffer out with advice and errands. Once you've run out of steam, pulled up with cramp or simply having a stinker, then that support your teammates have so selflessly given from afar, is now your responsibility.

We can talk after the game as to what my thinking was, did decisions work out well for us or in some instances what you can do to guarantee a starting spot next week... the Germanic Gegenpress God Klopp once said "To tell me why you should play (instead of another) on the day of a game shows no respect for yourself, the team or me" - I agree. Whilst football is an opinions-based game, it is up to the player to personally contribute to the collective cause - The Gaffer simply sees, says and sorts. A 50% win ratio and a first cup semi final says what I am seeing on and off the pitch is working better than what we had expected in September.

The game's greatest managers never lost sight that their success is borne on the shoulders of many men, not just 11. For every Keegan, there had to be a Fairclough. Both Heroes in my eyes.