[Football] "That wouldn't have been a(n) 'xxxx' last season...."

[Bozza]

Even though we had three yellows yesterday for gamesmanship - Pedro's was for not backing away from the ball when we'd conceded a free-kick - I'm a big fan.

Slowing the game up by kicking the ball away, or picking it up and walking off with it when it's not yours or standing on a free-kick are immensely frustrating.

During the game yesterday you could see the penny dropping with the players of both sides. A few times when a free-kick had been conceded a player was about to kick the ball away a bit to slow things up, but realised they'd be carded if they did, so walked away.

It won't take too many more cards before they do all get it and these annoying parts of the game are gone. We just need the officials to hold their nerve.

 

[Nobby]

"Big Six" surely. We are "Top Six".



(indeed, right now we are "Top One").

oops sorry

 

[Nobby]

That's bias against a top six side, Shirley?

Edit I see @Bodian beat me to it.

ooops yes sorry Harry

Just can't get used to it at all

 

[Guinness Boy]

FIFA changes the laws literally every season

2023/24 law changes explained

Find out more

www.thefa.com

True but the only one of those that’s even slightly relevant is the goal celebration change. Otherwise it’s interpretation by PGMOL / the EFL.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

Gross, Enciso and Pedro (he was the most stupid as he'd watched everyone get booked for similar from the bench) all booked for the same thing. Timewasting or more to the point letting players getting back into position to stop a breakaway. Wolves players were booked for similar albeit one was missed but in the main it was consistent. Good. We all hate when the games are stop / start and 3 minutes go up on the board. It's a good addition.

 

[thejackal]

True but the only one of those that’s even slightly relevant is the goal celebration change. Otherwise it’s interpretation by PGMOL / the EFL.

Fair point

 

[Sheebo]

I like it tbh. The time wasting the past few years was awful and it’s noticeable that last season everyone was moaning about it but now they moan about the things being in place to try and change it, as though there are lots of options for refs when really all they can do is hand out cards and add on time. You’ll just never please people.

I think after a bit the players will realise and stop doing time-wasting things. We’ll all just have to live with it till they learn

Villa need to invest more in depth - they’re going to be playing the equivalent of 70 odd games this season!

 

[ac gull]

as long as the train times get re-arranged for Villa at home and the 29 minutes extra time in second half