SWINDON Supermarine boss Dave Webb has slammed the decision to allow Southern League clubs to opt out of the Red Insure Cup in the 2013/14 season.

At the league’s AGM in Torquay on Saturday it was revealed that Premier Division and Division One South & West sides could choose not to compete.

While Webb understands the reasons teams may cite in pulling the plug on their involvement in the League Cup, he is confident that Marine will elect to take their place.

“It devalues the competition if teams can opt out. I’m surprised at it,” he said.

“I think we would certainly want to play in that competition and I think it’s wrong that you should be able to opt out.

“It’s not like the Floodlit Cup in the Hellenic League where it’s one cup competition too many. And the good thing with that competition is that you can play anyone.

“I can see that if you’re going to win a championship then the League Cup is probably not going to be top of your priority list, but even if you didn’t want to play your first team, you could look at it in terms of using younger players.”

Although he does not support the notion of Marine missing the League Cup, Webb is convinced that other teams will feel differently.

“I’m sure there will be a few clubs that will pull out,” he said.

“Cup runs do affect your chances in the league and Yate are a prime example. Ultimately their cup run last season probably cost them a play-off spot because they had too many games to play.

“Having so many games at the end of the season will be people’s worry.”

Other tweaks to the League Cup are that there will be no extra-time and no quota on team selection.

Previously seven players from either of the last two games had to start, but now managers will be given complete freedom on who they select.

Meanwhile, Highworth boss John Fisher and assistant Kevin Moloney should have their respective futures finalised on Saturday.

Fisher previous stated that he would only stay at the Elms if he had a significant-enough budget to work with.

Talks were delayed from the weekend just gone but chairman Rohan Haines told the Adver: “We’re meeting this Saturday and everything seems positive.”