Southampton PodJockey Jon Pitt has had enough of the finger clicking from the Premiership powers, that seemingly allows the introduction of new initiatives, while the rest of the football league once again have to make do.

In November 2007, roughly three months ago, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson didn't pick Darren Fletcher to play against Arsenal in the starting line-up, nor on the subs bench. Never mind, eh? One reason for this is probably that Darren Fletcher will join Alan Brazil, Massimo Taibi and Kieran Richardson in the "Did he really play for Manchester United?" pile.

Not according to Fergie. It was apparently a "kick in the teeth". Oh, well, that's football. Sometimes it goes against you ever so slightly. However, while you're in a position of Alex Ferguson's stature, you might as well use it to good effect. So in an interview, Sir Alex complained that clubs in the Premier League should have seven players on the bench, because most clubs have "more than 16 players." So, poor decision making by Fergie has led to him complaining about the League again.

Joining him in this plight are Juande Ramos, the man who has been in the country for a matter of months, and Sven, another manager who is still getting to grips with how the league works. And they've picked up the European way of managing - if it's not going your way, complain about the league system. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, apparently is the mastermind behind a the idea which has taken some 12months to implement. But it begs the question that if he was the only one to suggest it, would it ever have happened?

So, on 7 Feb 2008, the league announced it would increase the subs bench to seven players. What joyous news this came as. It means Manchester United and other clubs will be able to add those extra precious two players from their squad of about forty. Why? Because the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and other Premiership powers have said they now want it done different from now on and that's good enough logic for the football league to take action. No mention of lower league clubs, by the way. Just the Premier League can use the extra players because they get tired so easily. Despite playing eight games less per season and picking up wages that you or I would consider a lottery win.

Also off the presses today: The league may be extended to thirty-nine games, with one game being played overseas. Wonderful; I wonder how many thousands of Japanese enthusiasts will flock to the Saitama Stadium to witness the splendours of Derby versus Wigan?

Sometimes the Premier League really riles me, and the guys in charge should turn their ears away from the Queen on her little bits of paper and to the singing voices from the terraces. I want to see more authority and more tradition in the English game, but when these extra subs happen next season, and the possibility of overseas games by 2011; this is the decade where the Premier League dies a painful, public, humiliating death. 

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