by sussexpob » Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:00 pm
I ask this simple question....For those against the idea, how do you combat what is quickly becoming a successful tactic to waste time from minute 0 in a football game?
We have Durham's "play 45 minutes, stop the clock" argument. I am pretty sure this would have quite a huge impact on the skill factor of football, as games would essentially be 30 minutes longer, and would become a test of physical endurance then skill. The last thing we want to see is 11 Ethiopian long distance runners scoring 15 goals against an uber skillful Argentinian side, for the sole reason they are fitter. Nor do we want to see the end of matches fizzle out like many extra time battles, with most players too busy cramped up to move, and those that can still run at half pace. I know what comes next "well rugby does it"..... which it doesnt, because the clock only stops for injuries and the like. Rugby is a shorter game, but Id have to guess, has just as much "dead time" in scrums, all kicks at goal can take one minute and must happen at least 10-15 a game?)... loads of wasted time in rugby. And this is a cricket board... cricket is what, 90% dead time? What sport that is popular doesnt have dead time?
The simple fact is, football teams can cheat very easily. One only has to look at the Mourinho v Cameiro issue to see that, even when a manager of a team disagrees with his player rolling around pretending to be injured, if he criticizes a doctor for not answering the call he ends up paying her an out of court settlement for 3 million quid. Referees are not doctors and will always stop play for an injury. He cant tell, even if he suspects, if a player is faking it. And he has a duty of care to make sure the player is given medical attention asap. And who's to say the ball isnt too wet for a thrower to put back into play. Whos to say such and such player doesnt really need time to tie their laces, or needs a new shin pad, or whatever. The problem is, teams like West Brom's Pulis literally have mastered the art of time wasting. They do everything, at all opportunities. Score early (like v Southampton a couple of years ago), get the towel out for every throw, have the keeper remark the ball everytime or change the side he kicks from, etc etc. What does a ref do? Send a player off for drying a ball or tying their laces? Send a player off for potentially really hurting themselves? Time all the stoppages then get asked why he played 44 minutes injury time? Of course not.
SO in the end, its a pretty good compromise. Taking the stats you are simply condensing the football down to what you expect to get if no one is time wasting.... just that they cant time waste.
Far from ripping off fans, its doing the opposite...... its a suggestion that intends to give the fans an intensive game that is not blighted by cheating, or with noncing around.
2010 French Open fantasy league guru 2010 Wimbledon fantasy league guru 2014 Masters golf fantasy guru 2015 Players Championship FL Guru 2016 Masters Golf Fantasy Guru
And a hat and bra to you too, my good sirs!