[dst]

I think they're necessary. Personally, I feel football is held back by staying the same. I think changes are needed to make the game better and more entertaining. I don't know what those are and drastic ones cannot happen overnight but there are some simpler things that could be done. I expect most of you to disagree with this as you probably want things to remain as they are. I expect so because I believe the football world is very conservative.

I'd like to read your thoughts about this and what you think should change.

My first thought concerns the field. As players have become more athletic the field has been made to look narrower because they're able to cover big areas more quickly than they did before. So I believe if fields were wider the extra space would really help the game in speed and rhythm.

Another one is about substitutions. I don't see why they have to be limited to three... what's the point? give more freedom to the coaches and make it so that even players that have come off the field can be brought on again.

I don't think these are big changes. They would not change the nature of the game and I believe they'd make it better... what do you think?

[dst]

I'd love video challenges. I think it would help the game sooooo much... I mean, you don't only get more decisions right but you get to shut up the players and coaches who protest all the time like idiots!!! You don't think it's right, f_cker? Then challenge it and shut the f_ck up!!! Ahh... I'd love it!

I can't agree. This isn't America where we have to try and make it more exciting, more goals, whatever. The pitch limitations are fine as they are, in my opinion.

That's what I was expecting from more people actually. Yeah this isn't the US... unfortunately! What they're doing over there is right... why shouldn't the game become more exciting? You say it like it's a bad thing. I'm not asking to add a 3-point line in football, pitch expansion would not even be noticeable.

There's nothing more boring than the end of games when substitutions keep being made. Imagine if you could make as many as you want. There would just be far too much time-wasting. The point of having 3 is to make the game more tactical and such. It's a bit stupid if you can essentially just bring on a group of attackers whenevr you get a free kick, then when you take the lead bring on 7 defenders or something. It'd turn into the NFL.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I did not mean it like that... but it would be funny. I meant why only 3 and not 6? And of course something should be done to limit time wasting like not allowing changes too close to each other with time limitations or something.

No referees. Prison rules football. At least you don't have mistakes ruining every game.

That would be just perfect.

[LaPalma]

I'd love video challenges. I think it would help the game sooooo much... I mean, you don't only get more decisions right but you get to shut up the players and coaches who protest all the time like idiots!!! You don't think it's right, f_cker? Then challenge it and shut the f_ck up!!! Ahh... I'd love it!

Video challenges of what? Fouls? Yellow cards? Red cards? Penalties? Even if you have a video of the incident it's not always crystal clear what to decide. I'm all for Goal-Line technology though.

That's what I was expecting from more people actually. Yeah this isn't the US... unfortunately! What they're doing over there is right... why shouldn't the game become more exciting? You say it like it's a bad thing. I'm not asking to add a 3-point line in football, pitch expansion would not even be noticeable.

Oh yeah, and we call out a "Hammer time" after every goal and try to kill the fans with stupid techno beats after every nice pass or so. Yeah, great entertainment.
Pitch expansion? No, thanks. The small pitch is the very reason for the great football we're seeing these days. It would be much slower had the expansed the pitch some time ago.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I did not mean it like that... but it would be funny. I meant why only 3 and not 6? And of course something should be done to limit time wasting like not allowing changes too close to each other with time limitations or something.

Why is one half half 45 minutes long and not 30, why do teams get to take 5 penalties in a PK-shootoout? Because you gotta name some number...

[Milan Are Brilli...]

There couldn't ever be a more prominent time for this thread!

[dst]

Video challenges of what? Fouls? Yellow cards? Red cards? Penalties? Even if you have a video of the incident it's not always crystal clear what to decide. I'm all for Goal-Line technology though.

I don't know but video replays are absolutely needed... I don't need a better example than the one in the biggest game in football with the refs missing Zidane's headbutt on Materazzi and get saved by the replay...

Oh yeah, and we call out a "Hammer time" after every goal and try to kill the fans with stupid techno beats after every nice pass or so. Yeah, great entertainment.

What's with the sarcasm? And where have you seen anything close to that in US sports?

Pitch expansion? No, thanks. The small pitch is the very reason for the great football we're seeing these days. It would be much slower had the expansed the pitch some time ago.

Well if you think what we're watching is great football then we're never going to agree on anything regarding this issue... I obviously think football nowadays is far from great.

Why is one half half 45 minutes long and not 30, why do teams get to take 5 penalties in a PK-shootoout? Because you gotta name some number...

OK then name another... a player was awarded only two free throws if he was fouled taking a shot beyond the three point line 30 years ago in basketball... now that is considered stupid... why are you so against changes, what do you fear so much?

There couldn't ever be a more prominent time for this thread!

Indeed a video replay would have resulted in Marcelo seeing another red for stepping on whoever it was that was lying in front of him. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[LaPalma]

I don't know but video replays are absolutely needed... I don't need a better example than the one in the biggest game in football with the refs missing Zidane's headbutt on Materazzi and get saved by the replay...

That's one single incident. But there's others, penalties etc, which aren't as easy to solve as this one. And it's the vast majority of decisions.

What's with the sarcasm? And where have you seen anything close to that in US sports?

I don't even like the rising importance of the "Show aspect" in football. Why does car dealer Müller have to present a corner? Why do advertising boards in football stadiums ask me to send them SMS? Why do I have to watch a guy in a giant bottle of coke trying to score during half times?
I don't want dunking contests, I don't want people waiting for "the great half time ads" when they watch football. This is football, not a circus!

Well if you think what we're watching is great football then we're never going to agree on anything regarding this issue... I obviously think football nowadays is far from great.

Footballs players are fitter, better trained in tactics and much more disciplined than any of their predecessors. They score less goals than in the past, but the reason is kinda obvious. Defending became more important in the last decades - and better.
If you wanna change these developments you ahve to turn back the wheel of time and ask for worse players.

OK then name another... a player was awarded only two free throws if he was fouled taking a shot beyond the three point line 30 years ago in basketball... now that is considered stupid... why are you so against changes, what do you fear so much?

I'm not afraid of changes in any way. Like I said, I support the goal-line technology. I would also support a rule to prevent players from simulating injuries. But why should I vote for changes only because they're changes? Also, you make it look like any change was a good idea. But what about the Golden Goal or the "Three points for a win" rule for example? Those turned out to be very stupid changes...