Matchday Thread: Rams v Brum

[SithHappens]

Most of the time I can't see how the ref works out which way to give it, so much is 6 of one. I think refs are more likely to give a free kick to the defending team though.

I don't feel its any worse though.

Id personally rather refs become more consistent, an obvious booking early on (Stansfield for example Saturday) goes unpunished but a barely there challenge later gets booked.

Same as time wasting, why are keepers only booked late on if a team is defending the lead but obvious time wasting early once again unpunished.

[swaledale]

I wonder if it’s actually any worse than it used to be or whether it’s just being picked up on more via virtually unlimited televised football.
Certainly played in many games years ago where corners were like the Wild West.

As a former member of the goalkeepers union, I think keepers get far less protection than they used to, an attacking player stood in front of the keeper always used to be obstruction.

There was always a fair amount of "argy bargy" in the area at corners and free kicks but the blatant shirt pulling and "hugging" grabbing arms that goes on is much worse these days IMO.

[Ram Pant]

whats your opinion on the current trend of corner kick wrestling matches and blocking off of goalies?

Context is important. As has been said, refs often don't see who started the argy bargy which is why folks don't get booked. I understand why refs chicken out but disagree with it. As grabbing hold of an opponent or their shirt is against the Laws, I'd take the very first offence I see and book both players. I'd then make it clear that anybody else grabbing hold of another player would also get booked.

Blocking keepers off? As someone who spent half his "career" between the sticks, I have never been a fan of giving keepers extra protection. Simplyh standing in the 6 yard box shouldn't constitute an offence. Purposely moving to prevent a keeper movement is obstruction and should be given. One of my outfield games, at a corner, I moved to the near post and headed wide. I was fully expecting a goal kick to be given. Ref gave a foul as I'd stopped the keeper getting to the ball. I got there first and was perfectly at liberty to head the ball. We never tried the near post ball again that game.

Prior to the kick being taken, all the holding and shirt pulling isn't an offence as the ball's not in play. However, there are limits. I remember a corner a few years back in fornt of the North Stand. Curtis Davies was, literally, picked up off his feet and thrown to the floor by a Red Dog. If the ref decided that it was violent conduct then it should be a penalty and a red card, even if the corner kick hasn't yet been taken. This one didn't. I disagree.