The amount of added time given in the premier league, ok only on the evidence of a game and a half so far, is much less extreme than we saw in the football league last week. Only three minutes given in the first half for this current game (played more due to an injury during it but initially three minutes given). They gave six minutes at Burnley second half, last night - played a bit more due to the var and red card, but it still seems a lot more sensible, not being excessive for excessive’s sake whilst still adding time wasted/lost rather than just the usual guess of two minutes first half and four or five second half unless there’d been a really long and obvious stoppage. The number of yellow cards for time wasting - none at all so far. Callum styles got booked for being seven yards from a free kick and only walking backwards not running last week. Liam Roberts for not actually taking that much time over a goal kick when we were 6-0 up in injury time. Last night Julian Alvarez went and stood on the ball when Burnley had a free kick, and the referee did something radical - and just asked him to move… There were no yellow cards at all in last nights game (after the Burnley lad had his upgraded to a red). There was plenty of spice in the game. Small sample so far yes but it indicates to me that we saw some overzealous interpretations by the football league referees and particularly David Rock last week. Hopefully they’ll reign it in a bit. There’s clearly still room for the ref to let them play the game without putting himself or herself front and centre.
Rotherham player sent off yesterday. Yellow for celebrating his home debut goal, (no shirt off or jumping in crowd). Then 5 mins later for getting knocked down for the third time whilst being through on goal, then asking the ref if it was worth a card… Bonkers.
I genuinely think it’s because it’s not the Premier League, and the referees think they need to make the football league, and their performance, the centre of attention. Referees aren’t corrupt, it’s a vanity project.
Sometimes wonder about footballers mentality and the ability to understand rules generally...firstly if ya take ya shirt off it's a booking. player takes off shirt gets booked them complains.. Second rule waving imaginary card at ref is a booking. player waves imaginary card at ref gets booked then complains. Third rule kicking ball away is a booking. player kicks ball away gets booked complains..is there a theme here or is it me..
Exactly, everyone wants the game to improve. The only way players will get the message is for refs to zealously enforce the law. It’s going to be silly for a little while, but in my view has to happen. I don’t think football will ever be like rugby, but by god we have got room to get better. Arteta asking for a yellow card for a player? A manager? Disgusting behaviour, in my view.
Oh and players are struggling because the general trope of footballers being dim unfortunately holds some truth.
Agreed. Totally bonkers for a player on a yellow card to do something that is an automatic yellow, giving the ref no choice but to send him off. I’d be livid with him if I was his manager.
I think there was a noticable improvement in players actions on Saturday. Hence 3 minutes at half time and I think it was 6 minutes second half. Although 8 played due to a bit of shenanigans we employed under pressure.
Wasn't a post about a specific incident just a observation about the stupidity of footballers in general..
This isn't a new rule but something that the Rotherham one reminded me of and it's always bugged me. If Cole scored a goal tonight and the entire team dove into the crowd celebrating wildly only cole would ever get booked. It makes absolutely no sense
When do you ever see the entire team diving into the crowd? I don’t think I've ever seen that. If that happened, I'm certain it would be pandemonium and there would definitely be multiple cards handed out.
I've definitely seen 5 or 6 players jump the perimeter wall a lot of times at Oakwell and only the goalscorer has ever been booked.
Kitching jumped the perimeter wall after his goal against Wednesday and wasn't booked. If he'd jumped into the crowd itself i.e. into the stand, it would have been a different story.
For as long as I care to remember, new seasons set off with new directives from the hierarchy, often with very good intentions. The reasons the new stuff is out is because of appalling behavior from the players and coaching staff. Eventually these new rules become diluted (around November time) ...I actually agree with attitudes to officials, which need improving and hope this continues but as with VAR and all the rest....its the interpretation that goes a miss. My personal pet hate is having 5 players round the ref for every decision (shrewsbury etc) yet I was watching highlights over the weekend and its still going on (thought max was two players)...anyway ...more rules, harder job to make an easier job....let's see how this pans out. Far too much money in footy to let it be ruled by ignorance, let's get some respect back and start from there. If we aren't sure look at rugby.
