Very Proud (AKA Still Proud)
Prouder than a proud thing in Proudville
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2005
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With the latest bonkers rule change announced in the last week (The Blue Card) I've reflected over the "rule" changes that have happened since I started going down the Molineux some 50 years ago. I mulled over their success rates. I've listed below my views on those changes I can recollect, on the whole it may be that I hanker over the game I first fell in love with but generally think the constant meddling has left us in a worse place than when I started. Forgive the length of this post been something I've considered doing for a while now.
Goal Difference (1976/77) - Replaced Goal Average. I can remember the Wolves vs Liverpool 1975/76 season climax at Molineux and all the possible goal average permutations influencing both the championship and relegation (Liverpool would have finished second with a 1-1 draw but won the league with a 2-2 draw or better). It was bloody complicated and having seen goal difference in the World Cup a much easier ruling came in the following season. Turning a 2-1 win into a 3-1 had extra value. A positive for me.
Red & Yellow Cards (1976) - A minor adjustment butremember at the time pundits protesting that the likes of Clive Thomas would be theatrically brandishing them left right and centre. I remember the old days when a scribble in the book was all you'd get for a booking,giving cards settled down and made things much clearer.
Three Points for a Win (1981) - I think this is a hit, teams still keep going for a winner rather than settle for the draw. One of the better changes in my opinion.
The Playoffs (1987) - We were amongst the first teams to suffer, having finished 4th in Division 4 ( promotion spot the previous season) and then losing to Aldershot in the playoffs, but what a season the following year we had. It can be heartbreaking but it's also a great way to win promotion and keeps more teams involved for longer throughout the season - a real positive
Two Subs Rule (1987) - was a positive, but developments since, with now up to five subs per game, just favours those clubs with expensively assembled squads, where will it stop? Can see a point, where teams will be able to roll on/roll off players in every position. Was a positive but for me they should have stoped at 3 subs.
The Bosman Ruling (1995) - was going to cause chaos, but clubs have adjusted, some suffering big losses and players contracts have gone through the roof, look at what's going to happen to Mbappe this summer. Whilst we've adjusted personally as a supporter the impact on me has been higher ticket prices and other costs all driven by players and agents renumeration. Overall hasn't been a positive change for me.
Transfer Windows (2002) - still don't get this, in what other industry is movement of labour so restricted? Hits clubs like us more than those that can carry injuries more easily. Combined with Bosman and FFP, just means that competition is slowly being killed. Maybe a transfer deadline earlier in the season, e.g. 31st December would work better.
FFP (2011) - intention was good but implementation and impact has been terrible, in fact a disaster in my view, can't think of any other industry with this bizarre set of rules that restrict competition and protects the established elite. Just waiting for the day a club takes Uefa et al to court for breach of competition law. A complete failure for me.
VAR (2018) - No one likes it, they don't care. The whole of football knows it's a mistake, sucking the life out of a beautiful and spontaneous game, whilst also shrouding decision making even more promising suspicion over the favouring of certain teams. They won't get rid because they'd lose so much face and they'd have to give their brown envelopes back. The worst thing that has happened to the game on my 50 years of watching it.
Blue Card (202?) - even more nonsensical meddling. Will have a host of negative unintended consequences. Just stop now, please just stop!!
Handball and Offside (last 50 years) - for most of the time we understood it and like it or not generally accepted the officials judgement, but ever since VAR they've meddled with the laws to suit the technology. It's become mind boggling sterile and evermore inconsistent. Get rid of VAR and let the Ref's decide pleeeeease!
Five Subs/Bosman/Transfer Windows/FFP/VAR/Blue Card/Handball & Offside - on balance evolution and introduction of these changes has had a negative impact on the whole, but the last 20 years have just been mental.
Interested in your opinions guys.........
Goal Difference (1976/77) - Replaced Goal Average. I can remember the Wolves vs Liverpool 1975/76 season climax at Molineux and all the possible goal average permutations influencing both the championship and relegation (Liverpool would have finished second with a 1-1 draw but won the league with a 2-2 draw or better). It was bloody complicated and having seen goal difference in the World Cup a much easier ruling came in the following season. Turning a 2-1 win into a 3-1 had extra value. A positive for me.
Red & Yellow Cards (1976) - A minor adjustment butremember at the time pundits protesting that the likes of Clive Thomas would be theatrically brandishing them left right and centre. I remember the old days when a scribble in the book was all you'd get for a booking,giving cards settled down and made things much clearer.
Three Points for a Win (1981) - I think this is a hit, teams still keep going for a winner rather than settle for the draw. One of the better changes in my opinion.
The Playoffs (1987) - We were amongst the first teams to suffer, having finished 4th in Division 4 ( promotion spot the previous season) and then losing to Aldershot in the playoffs, but what a season the following year we had. It can be heartbreaking but it's also a great way to win promotion and keeps more teams involved for longer throughout the season - a real positive
Two Subs Rule (1987) - was a positive, but developments since, with now up to five subs per game, just favours those clubs with expensively assembled squads, where will it stop? Can see a point, where teams will be able to roll on/roll off players in every position. Was a positive but for me they should have stoped at 3 subs.
The Bosman Ruling (1995) - was going to cause chaos, but clubs have adjusted, some suffering big losses and players contracts have gone through the roof, look at what's going to happen to Mbappe this summer. Whilst we've adjusted personally as a supporter the impact on me has been higher ticket prices and other costs all driven by players and agents renumeration. Overall hasn't been a positive change for me.
Transfer Windows (2002) - still don't get this, in what other industry is movement of labour so restricted? Hits clubs like us more than those that can carry injuries more easily. Combined with Bosman and FFP, just means that competition is slowly being killed. Maybe a transfer deadline earlier in the season, e.g. 31st December would work better.
FFP (2011) - intention was good but implementation and impact has been terrible, in fact a disaster in my view, can't think of any other industry with this bizarre set of rules that restrict competition and protects the established elite. Just waiting for the day a club takes Uefa et al to court for breach of competition law. A complete failure for me.
VAR (2018) - No one likes it, they don't care. The whole of football knows it's a mistake, sucking the life out of a beautiful and spontaneous game, whilst also shrouding decision making even more promising suspicion over the favouring of certain teams. They won't get rid because they'd lose so much face and they'd have to give their brown envelopes back. The worst thing that has happened to the game on my 50 years of watching it.
Blue Card (202?) - even more nonsensical meddling. Will have a host of negative unintended consequences. Just stop now, please just stop!!
Handball and Offside (last 50 years) - for most of the time we understood it and like it or not generally accepted the officials judgement, but ever since VAR they've meddled with the laws to suit the technology. It's become mind boggling sterile and evermore inconsistent. Get rid of VAR and let the Ref's decide pleeeeease!
Five Subs/Bosman/Transfer Windows/FFP/VAR/Blue Card/Handball & Offside - on balance evolution and introduction of these changes has had a negative impact on the whole, but the last 20 years have just been mental.
Interested in your opinions guys.........