Moons ago, somebody suggested ‘get rid of offside’.
Just gave them a look of contempt.
Years down the line, things have got worse, not better, with interpretation of interpretation, and I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s no so daft after all. It would mean the end of the done to death and exhaustive formations that we’ve all become used to, and put an end to the infernal whinging of the Klopps of this world when looking to pass the buck on their poor play/formations.
Imagine it: goal-hang away, but think of the gaps it would leave elsewhere!
I think that in light of a prospective major change ahead for the adult game - I’m thinking here in terms of heading and it’s considered consequences - whether the authorities should consider other major bones of contention while they’re at it, such as addressing the age-old issue of ball-to-hand or hand-to-ball in the penalty area. If indeed headers remain, perhaps players should have to jump with their arms tight to their bodies (new skills would have to be learnt); I’m sure there are many other matters that could be reviewed while they’re about it.
I for one, would like to see an end to passing backwards; in effect, the opposite to the rule in rugger of passing forwards. Imagine a Pep’s side passing out from the back without being able to pass it backwards?
Perhaps, in itself, it would present other bones of contention e.g. was it a pass back or did it just rebound off the player? And perhaps it would just become stop/start like Rugby or that bloody awful grid-iron stuff, but I think if the awarding of a yellow card for persistent offenders was sanctioned (this could be done retrospectively as per the collation of instances for stats) it would soon put paid to the transgressors (I’m thinking of the cheats over the Park, here) and in time the game would adjust.
Perhaps too much too soon? Maybe, but I have to admit that the game is becoming a little staid. Whatever the case, the odd tweak here and there wouldn’t harm and might even enhance it?
I’d deffo start with the ‘no passing back’ rule.