Re: Has RL lost its sparkle : Sat Feb 17, 2018 5:06 pm
I understand why he's ex changes have happened, but for me, the removal of shoulder charges, punching and brawls has had a massive impact on the theatre of the game.The best games and atmospheres I've ever known have been the ones where there's some malice, hatred and gladiatorial stuff happening on the pitch - you just can't replace the feeling that type of thing brings.
Again; I get why things have changed, but I do feel it hasn't put off a large number of die hard fans - that stuff was part of the fabric of the game. Go toe to toe, man on man, and do whatever is required to beat your man, then have a pint together afterwards - we've lost some of that.
There's a balance needed, as there's no place for cheap shots and out and out thuggery (Les Davidson style), but for me, the game would be more entertaining if the players were able to hand out some immediate retribution for anything untowards and we could have some fireworks.