Why the Net has the advantage in the ‘Undies world’
- Shopping blogger Emma Iannarilli
Albion blog: Your footy changes?
Friday 29th February 2008, 7:54AM GMT.
I have found myself with another week with no midweek game to discuss, and have decided to raise a discussion point with my fellow footy fans, writes Albion blogger Jarrod Hill.
At this point I think it is important to be honest and state I have somewhat hijacked this idea from other media sources, but liked the idea so much that it got me wondering what the thoughts would be of all you Express & Star bloggers.
The discussion point is simple, what changes would you make to football to improve it for the future?
Whether it is a rule change, salary caps, scrapping the transfer window, or as bizarre as making the goals bigger, what do you think would benefit the game?
We have seen many changes to the game we love over the years and many have proved to be a step forward, arguably many have been a step backwards.
The ever growing voice for the introduction of technology in the game is gaining support, and with other sports using it successfully (cricket and rugby) many feel the time is right for football to step into the 21st century.
Goal line technology, a fifth referee with access to video re-run, and two on field referees are ideas which have all been mooted.
The confusing off side law is always of huge debate, and the fact it is open to interpretation dictates it will always be an area of focus.
Another area of the game which gets ever increasing media coverage is the financial aspect.
Player’s wages, chairman, media funding, transfer funds, and the cost to actually attend games, many would argue that it is here where football will either succeed or fail.
The gap between the Football League and the Premiership is a gap many fail to bridge and the reason is nearly always laid at the door of finances.
We now witness clubs who go into administration also being docked league points and you have to pity the fans, because after all, if fans did not pay to attend games, pay for Sky coverage, or buy merchandise, the game would not exist.
Many fans I talk to are concerned with the rising player power that exists within the game, the Bosman ruling and the salary expectations have served to distance fans from the world that footballers now live in.
You may feel that the game requires no further changes and the introduction of salary caps, new technology, or rule changes is not the way forward.
You may even feel that ticket prices are reasonable and all is well in the land of football, but you may find you are a minority.
I hope I have given you some food for thought and look forward to reading your ideas; my own thoughts are some what simple.
I want fans to be able to afford to attend games, the offside law to go back to what it was (if you’re offside, you’re offside!!), and most importantly, the decision makers within football to put fans first before money.
Thinking caps on!!
Football fans have your say on what you want to happen below
Sponsored Links
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
id like to see free transport laid on for kent wolf so he can attend a game and get rid of his free ticket boing boing boing boing
Report abuse
Personally as a fan of American Football think a salary cap should be introduced. It works in Gridiron a much fairer sport as the league is pretty much open with no team dominating for large periods. You can pretty much guess the top four at the start of the season.
I would like to see harsher action on cheats as for me it is the worst thing in football. I would also like to see referees held more accountable for mistakes during games.
Consistency would also be nice, Martin Petrov’s kick which he got sent off he exactly the same as Gallas’ on Nani and nothing happended. The Aliadiere thing is also stupid, it seems to me one rule for one one rule for another.
Report abuse
This needs some serious thinking about, but I have a question about the modern game that I feel should seriously be looked at.
When a defender shepherds a ball out of play by shielding it from an attacker surely this is obstruction!! The defender does not have control of the ball (as he has not touched it to bring it under control) and so is obstructing a forward trying to get to it. This would mean that defenders would have to deal with an attacking situation by either giving away a corner or throw in, or by playing the ball out of defence.
This would mean that the attacking team have the chance of continuing going forward and the emphasis would be on good defending and attacking play.
Report abuse
A few years ago a baseball team in America had a great idea regarding attendances.
To attract more fans they made an offer which stated if they lost a game you could buy a ticket for the next game half price, (obviously only open to fans who were at the first game).
Their attendances improved and a knock on effect meant that the teams season and results also improved, and as their results improved it meant the club made more money.
Not sure any English club would have the bottle to try it, but it was an interesting idea.
Report abuse
terrywalsallbaggie:
That was below the belt, even for you!
With cctv, better policing/stewards & improved building materials I would like to see the re-introduction of standing terraces at football grounds,thereby allowing families on the breadline to see the teams they can’t afford to if they have to pay for seating tickets.
Surely it makes financially sense to have 10,000 people paying say a tenner to stand than to have 8,000 empty seats?
Report abuse
put salary caps and limited foreign imports!!
bring them back down to earth
Report abuse
Kent, I think you have to ignore that one as he is in a world of his own (not even the Albion fans pay any attention to him, only his lover from Worcester).
Jarrod, I would like to see anything that could close the ever increasing divide between the premier league and the real football world.
If that is a salary cap then so be it or something else but how boring is it now to be able to pick the top 4 of the premier before a ball is kicked.
Fair play to Everton,Spurs and Villa? for trying to break into them but it just looks harder each year.
Very interesting blog!
Report abuse
Video replays for key events (did it cross the line, was a foul inside or outside the box, should a goal be allowed to stand), but play should not be stopped until the ball goes out of play naturally or the extra official make the ruling (play to the whistle).
Anyone gesturing to the ref that someone should get a card gets one themself (ungentlemanly behaviour).
For every eight Premiership games shown on TV, the same broadcaster must show two championship, one league one and one league two or conference game to spread the wealth. That makes one lower league game to every two prem games.
Salary capping for the club, not the players. This prevents teams like Chelsea throwing money around like confetti and widening the gap.
Seven subs on the bench (only three still allowed to come on) so teams have better options. At least 5 of the matchday 18 must come from the home nations to encourage the national game and grass roots football and slow the influx of foreign players.
Report abuse
Kent – sorry mate but Terry’s comment did make me laugh out loud – I don’t think it was malicious.. just funny.
I would increase the number of players on the pitch from 11 to 15 so all our stars could get a regular game.
Seriously though, I think the game has stood for this many years with a few tweaks and there aint much wrong with it. The only change i would love to see is the equal distribution of ALL TV money between ALL the football league clubs, irrespective of who plays where or finishes in what position.
Report abuse
Oh, and only the captain can speak to the ref about decisions as in rugby unless the ref calls the player over. Captains are given the responsibility of passing the ref’s message on to the team. Breach of rule, warning. Second breach of rule, yellow card.
Report abuse
new rules with regards to red and yellow cards, catagorising their punishment dependent on the serverity of the takle or discent etc, like the NFL do. also refs to take more responsibility when they so oftenly blunder. stoke city and other long ball, shut your eyes and hope for the best teams to be banished.
cant wait for the days when all these big clubs loose there investments and go broke – it will happen!!!
Report abuse
id like to see robbo go in abit harder boing boing
Report abuse
The Super League also have a good displinary system, they have six different severities of punishment depending on what the offence is. For example Striking an opponet is a two game ban, the grades or bands get more severe the further you go dwon ending with a grade F which carries a maximum of an eight game ban. This grade covers offences such as spitting and Kicking an opponent in the goolies.
Report abuse
There are different ways now for a team to get into Europe – a top 6 prem finish, win a domestic cup, the intertoto cup and the fair play league.. however i think thats not enough.
i think there should be a completely random chance for a team to get into europe, based on somthing other than football outcomes.
Not sure what – err, maybe something like… I know, how about the team who finishes the season highest above sea level automatically gets a spot in the UEFA Cup ??
Seems fair to me…
Report abuse
I see there are al ot of comments about how great american “football” is compared to our “soccer”.
Well I disagree – there are too many stoppages – there are SO many rules that it becomes pointless – there is no flow or spark to it, and of course the players are scared to play without the equivelent of a small car strapped to their testosterone fueled massive frames.
Can you imagine Kev Phillips trying to nip into the box with a nissan micra on his back ?? Even Gary Breen might catch him !!
I agree that discipline has to be improved – but its worse in the prem than anywhere else – and thats down to money.
If you make people into Gods they will act like Gods !!
Report abuse
HB:
I know, how about the team who finishes the season highest above sea level automatically gets a spot in the UEFA Cup ??
How about the Pioneers of European football being granted the same priveledge?
Report abuse
Thats the highest that tesco will finish this season above sea level and every season after.
Report abuse
Kent – thats just ridiculous.
If we allowed the highest team above sea level to go through can you imagine where some of these wealthy owners would be moving clubs to ?
You could have Crystal Palace relocating to Ben Nevis and QPR being dragged up Mount Snowdon… and Steve Morgan trying to balance the molly on big stilts…
Hmmmm….
Report abuse
I would like to see live TV coverage limited to cup games, European & International games. Also make the TV companies cover the less glamorous clubs in the cup. Like Havant and Waterloovile and other smaller clubs. They could even install a seeding system to ensure that non league clubs draw one of the big guns in the 3rd round.
Report abuse
I would love to see a european cup for second tier clubs, this combined with a small reduction in the numbers of teams in our championship.
I know we used to have the Anglo cup, but maybe something pioneered by maybe a tv station which could cover it and generate interest.
I would also like to see a change for fouls when in a goal scoring position, ie if it is a goal scoring position and a foul is committed, rather than a straight red card, maybe a yellow card and a penalty awarded.
Report abuse
Maybe a european spot for the highest goals scored per game ratio??
It would make it interesting towards the end of season with teams going all out for goals!!!
Report abuse
…and by “big stilts” I do of course mean on Kevin Kyles head (why else is he there ?)
Report abuse
HB:
You started it
“Not sure what – err, maybe something like… I know, how about the team who finishes the season highest above sea level automatically gets a spot in the UEFA Cup ??”
Report abuse
note the quotation marks!
Report abuse
Bomber 21 – how about 4 points for a 3 goal margin ? Or even a point a goal ?
How about a formation rule (like in rugby) and you HAVE to play a 3-3-4 formation ensuring more attacking play and less negativity ??
Or finally – how about rolly goaly – nearest to the nets is “in” ??
Report abuse
Completely agree with the off side rule! Needs major clarification as it seems to be different every week and at all levels. As with the punishments that have been recently highlighted with the Middlesbrough appeal calamity. Sven at least made light of it but its getting more embarrassing for the FA week by week. Im all for the 4th official having access to video replays and the ability to over rule a decision, but two refs on the pitch? That’s only going to end in tears. Salary caps and a limit to the number of foreign nationals would not only be good for the domestic game but should have a positive impact on our national game, so I cant see why this shouldn’t be brought in.
Lastly well done Spurs! Proves on the day anyone can win the cup!
Report abuse
Kent – I meant the idea of the european pioneers going through is ridiculous.. the sea level idea is a cracker and i will be sending it to the FA very soon.
Report abuse
Happy baggie do you wear marigold rubber gloves to stop yourself getting blisters on the ends of your fingers,go and have a cuppa tea.
Report abuse
I do think the goal line technology should be introduced with the importance of the odd goal meaning promotion or relegation, but this not to be used for penalties, I think that should be down to the Ref & Assistant Ref.
Also I’d like to see a limit or sommat along them lines of Foreign players, or a minimum amount of British players to be named in the squad.
I do however like many of the ideas above, and i’m all up for any improvement to the game, but agrreing with HB also not too much whereas it ruins the game we love
Report abuse
How about for a 10 min spell anytime during the game each goalkeeper has to wear a blindfold..?
or after every goal the scoring team has to do a dance routine…..e.g….the locomotion , Agadoo , the Birdie song….!
Report abuse
Big Rich 28 – No, do you ? – How about when your typing ??
p.s – I AM having a cup of tea !
Report abuse
Super Kev 30 – great ideas mate – but i think the team that conceeds the goal should do a forefit – the goalie has to kiss a fan of the goal scorers choice – or the manager has to run down the line doing chicken impressions – that type of thing.
Now i would pay to see that !!!
Report abuse
I know ! – whoever scores nominates a player from the other side to do the David Brent dance.
Report abuse
One thing i would like to see us take from the Americans is being able to have abeer while sitting watching the game, but that probably says more about me than football.
I would also like to be able to buy a replica shirt, with the choice of it either having the sponsor on it or not.
Report abuse
Some amusing comments above, how about if a player is booked he has to hop around the pitch until someone else on the same team gets a yellow card. Then the first person who was booked can stop hopping, but they have a leg tied to the newly booked player, and become three legged this would cause enjoyment for the fans and would penalise foul play.
Seriously though i would introduce central timing. When the ball is dead the 4th official stops the clock, and restarts it when the ball is back in play. You will then see 90 minutes of play and no silly 6 mins of stoppage time. Siren is sounded to end the game as soon as the 90th minute has elapsed. Everyone would know how long to go, and it would not be hard to implement everywhere.
Report abuse
Strangely Happy, for once, i completely disagree
with you regarding American football.
I suppose you can liken it to the Marmite scenario
….you either love it or hate it, i happen to be in the former category.
To pick up on the points you make,
yes there are a lot of stoppages, but that ensures
a full hour is played.
The rules are fine, if you understand them.
As regarding no spark, i can honestly say without
let or hindrance, that it is the most exciting
sport i have ever seen.
And Happy, please do not be fooled with the padding issue,
the NFL is a hard game and the padding is used as a weapon.
Moving on to the theme of the blog, and in particular salary caps.
Although on the face of it, it seems a fair way to operate, it is not without it`s problems,
and certainly does not take into account human nature.
Question if you could get paid $30 million
playing for a rubbish team, or $10 million playing for a team with genuine superbowl aspirations, what would you choose ?
how much money is enough ?
This very situation occurred at New England this past season when Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Adalius Thomas and Donte Stallworth signed for New England
as unrestricted free agents,
all of them could have moved to other teams for considerably more money, but decided that a real chance of winning was a better option.
The offside law most definitely needs to revert back, even the officials are confused by it,
and for the life of me i cannot understand,
when the defenders “come out” how can anyone
close to the ball or not,
not be interfering with play.
Report abuse
Wbaforever – I know that there are plenty of NFL fans out there – and I admit to a lack of knowledge on the game (which I have no intention of improving).. however I hope we don’t start to bring in rules and regulations from this or any other unconnected sport as I think we are (mainly) ok as we are (the money issue is another thing entirely).
Plus i don’t trust ANY sport that has a “world” cup and doesn’t invite other countries…. what, America won AGAIN ??
Next thing we will be called the West Bromwich Eagles and be playing the Norwich Polarbears or the Wolverhampton Rattlesnakes… ye gods !!
Report abuse
p.s – if we stopped play for timewasting, stoke fans would still be at the Hawthorns…
Report abuse
Happy
Wolverhampton rattlesnakes………OUCH!!
but very funny.
Thing is mate, a franchise has already happened here…..MK Dons.
Report abuse