In an overdue move, the Premier League are planning to bring in concussion substitutes, perhaps from as early next week, in what will be another rule change in the middle of a competition.

MOLDE, NORWAY: David Luiz of Arsenal receives treatment after a clash of heads during the UEFA Europa League Group B stage match between Molde FK and Arsenal FC at Molde Stadion on November 26, 2020. Photo by Erik Birkeland/MB Media
MOLDE, NORWAY: David Luiz of Arsenal receives treatment after a clash of heads during the UEFA Europa League Group B stage match between Molde FK and Arsenal FC at Molde Stadion on November 26, 2020. Photo by Erik Birkeland/MB Media

More subs? Excellent. Concussion subs? About time!

These are things we all knew we needed at the start of the season but the FA has waited until the mid-way point to introduce them.

There is no denying that concussion subs is a great move. Clubs and players are far too lax with how they treat head injuries and giving them the ability to play a temporary sub will hopefully ease further problems. But allowing teams to benefit from that in the second half of the season makes the first half unfair.

The whole point of a competition is that every side competes under the same rules during a set period of time at the end of which a winner has been revealed.

But changing the rules throughout the season means it is not a fair and balanced competition.

Having the option to pick from five or nine or seven subs makes a difference.

I heartily welcome the introduction of concussion subs but feel rules changes should be done at the start of the season to maintain competition integrity.

This change should have been made at the start of the season. At least 10 years ago.