Just a few thoughts on the way the game's changed lately, and how it might be improved.
(TV Aerial's showing NO SIGNAL; 'er Indoors has gone to bed; and I can't be arsed to go down the Pub):-
Offside
The new(ish) Offside Law seems ok. It's fairer than the old one which I thought was a bit too officious, for what it was designed.
Handball
Can someone explain why defenders are not allowed to have arms. It's only happened recently, but refs must appreciate that defenders' reflexes aren't quick enough to get their upper arm out the way. It's ridiculous to think that defenders throw their arms in front of a shot at goal.
Wrestling
Can the Referees grow some balls! Starting in August the Referees Association should write to League Managers and tell them that they will begin sending off players who grapple with opponents (especially) at set pieces; even goalies are doing it now because they know damn well the refs are too chicken to take action (especially against home or Top 6 defenders). A similar foul on the 1/2 way line usually means an early bath. It's turning into a farce.
Boot studs
Some of the studs-first tackles these days are horrendous and career-threatening. First of all, I'd like to see Gordon Taylor of the PFA try to tackle the problem from within the game, by visiting Training Grounds with videos, and restoring a brotherhood among fellow Pros, showing that some of the leg-breakers are totally out of order. Why do they do it to their fellow players? I don't get it.
Taylor could go a step further, and tell the FA that all of his players will, in future, wear plastic studs. Alumimium studs are probably fractionally more effective than plastic, but 6 times as lethal. Can any current players tell me if I'm talking saft here.
(TV Aerial's showing NO SIGNAL; 'er Indoors has gone to bed; and I can't be arsed to go down the Pub):-
Offside
The new(ish) Offside Law seems ok. It's fairer than the old one which I thought was a bit too officious, for what it was designed.
Handball
Can someone explain why defenders are not allowed to have arms. It's only happened recently, but refs must appreciate that defenders' reflexes aren't quick enough to get their upper arm out the way. It's ridiculous to think that defenders throw their arms in front of a shot at goal.
Wrestling
Can the Referees grow some balls! Starting in August the Referees Association should write to League Managers and tell them that they will begin sending off players who grapple with opponents (especially) at set pieces; even goalies are doing it now because they know damn well the refs are too chicken to take action (especially against home or Top 6 defenders). A similar foul on the 1/2 way line usually means an early bath. It's turning into a farce.
Boot studs
Some of the studs-first tackles these days are horrendous and career-threatening. First of all, I'd like to see Gordon Taylor of the PFA try to tackle the problem from within the game, by visiting Training Grounds with videos, and restoring a brotherhood among fellow Pros, showing that some of the leg-breakers are totally out of order. Why do they do it to their fellow players? I don't get it.
Taylor could go a step further, and tell the FA that all of his players will, in future, wear plastic studs. Alumimium studs are probably fractionally more effective than plastic, but 6 times as lethal. Can any current players tell me if I'm talking saft here.