How much does a good bench actually change a title race?

Starting XIs get the headlines, but seasons are often decided by the players who come on after 65 minutes.

How much value do you put on squad depth, and which bench role matters most?

A deep bench usually separates the teams that actually sustain a title challenge from the ones that just peak for a few months. Around February and March, fixture congestion catches up to everyone, and that's when those 65th-minute subs turn draws into wins. For me, the most crucial role on the bench is the impact winger or an energetic central midfielder who can change the tempo against tired legs. You don't necessarily need a carbon copy of your star striker sitting there, but you do need someone who offers a completely different tactical look when Plan A isn't breaking the low block down. When you're building an acca later in the season, checking those mid-week European lineups to see who got rested is usually where the real value hides. Does anyone trust their team's second unit to actually close out a tight 1-0 lead, or do they usually just invite pressure?