"We need to have concussion substitutes brought in immediately"

Ask any player if they want to be substituted at any time and I suspect they would say no.

You don't wan't to come off and as a player you need to have that mentality to be able to go through the pain barrier because to make it to the top you must be able to answer a lot of mental and physical questions, so I totally get why some professionals are of the opinion they are best-placed to decide their fate after a head injury.

I remember playing on with a bandage around my head for Chelsea in the FA Cup third round against West Brom at Stamford Bridge the year we won the competition in 1997 under Ruud Gullit. It's what we did.

But it doesn't make it right.

It needs to be taken out of the players' hands. It needs to be taken out of the hands of a manager and even the club doctor, even if they are following current protocols.

We need to have concussion substitutes brought in immediately to make sure we don't see a repeat of the events at the Emirates on Sunday.

I can only wish Raul Jimenez all the best on his recovery following the clash with David Luiz, but while the Wolves man was on his way to hospital, I don't think the Brazilian should have been able to continue.

It was too dangerous. He was probably okay but what if he wasn't?

Players from my generation are still wondering whether there is a link between heading the ball and dementia and what I would like to see is potential concussion injuries not count towards substitutions as well as a period, let's say ten minutes, where a player can be temporarily replaced at the very least for a better assessment.

It's great to have fans back

It's a small step for mankind but a massive one for football this week with fans returning to stadiums.

The jump from empty grounds to 2,000 or 4,000 is the biggest one football will face. The next steps building up those numbers won't be as significant as this one and I can't wait to hear the roar of the crowd up and down the land.

I think the players have done exceptionally well to serve up the matches they have but the vast majority of them need that buzz. Whether it is cheering or jeering it just gives you that little extra.

Klopp wrong on kick-off times

Playing football in the early kick-off slot was always the one I dreaded most. At first I tried to eat pasta at 9am but then realised it was just better to stick to cereal and toast before kick-off.

I am totally with Jurgen Klopp on the need for five subs, but can't agree with him on these 12.30pm games being an issue from a fitness point of view or injury prevention. Moving it back a few hours just won't make a difference and it's impossible to go Wednesday-Sunday when you are playing on the Tuesday the following week.

Scott Minto presents the Racing Post's weekly YouTube football show Different League in association with Betfred

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