[talkSAFT]

A good point and hopefully that goal will be the catalyst for a good 2018.

P.S. The ref is a cockwomble and Arsene Wenger is a moaning merde.

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Talksaft, the general consensus is that the goalkeeper covers 2/3 of the goal and the other 1/3 is covered by the player on the post. Having one player on each post takes a crucial player away from marking or wall duty.

Happy New Year everybody and all the best for 2018.

Thanks, Josh, and HNY to you and all others.

I'd have thought with a kick bang in front of goal that you could have one on each post and (say) 7 in the wall. Nobody needs to mark attackers, because the kicker could only float the ball at them, which the 3 on the line (or goalie rushing out) could deal with. The kicker is then very restricted.

Handball or Ballhand?
If you asked the FA to define "handball" they'd obviously use the term "intentional" and sidestep the issue. In my view the defender had no intent - it was a bodily reaction, which humans can't control, so there was definitely no "intention".
Refs should have a week-long debate about this issue in the Summer, and play the game themselves, so they know the difference. (Refs generally take up reffing because they failed as players, and so they can't spot the difference).
Nowadays it's becoming pot luck, and I can see the day when ANY handball is penalised (as in Hockey). Then we'll be getting wingers practising deliberately chipping the ball onto the defender's arm to get a penalty.