Time is a funny thing. Sometimes it seems to pass in the blink of an eye, other times it drags and stretches out seemingly to infinity.
So it got me wondering…why is it that officials appear to have such a flexible relationship with it when it comes to added time?
I am not referring, on this occasion to how many minutes they add on but rather why when it comes to substitutions, goal kicks or corners that take place in added time they suddenly encourage players to hurry up.
Why is it that goal keepers can take an age over a goal kick at the start of the game (often over 30+ seconds) but when they do the same thing in added time the referee tell some them to hurry up?
Why does a player being subbed in added time have the referee walking next to him and encouraging him to jog off the pitch whilst a substitution made, say in the 69th or 71st minute they don`t do this but allow the player to walk to the side of the pitch without any such direction to pretend to jog (at walking pace) to the side-line?
Several times during recent matches I have started watching the clock when the ball has gone out for a goal kick to City’s opponents…and in many cases (Newcastle was a case in point) where the keeper took an absolute age to retrieve the ball, ensure he selects the appropriate panel on the ball with which to make contact for maximum distance and elevation, select the perfect blade in grain the pristine bowling green turf from where to take the kick, adjust his socks (it clearly important to have your kit properly adjusted before getting the ball back into play to avoid a Club fine), inspect his studs, bang his boots on the post to remove the enormous clods of sticky earth and dog muck that you get so often on Premier League playing surfaces, take a drink, wipe their gloves on a towel…before launching the ball into the stands.
In some cases this has taken upwards of 45 seconds and the referee takes no action during the regular ’90’ minutes.
Move into added time and suddenly the referee perks up and starts pointing at his watch.
Is this time more valuable? Is time wasting permitted during the 90 but not allowed in added time (when you can add more by the way)?
Does my head in.
Either pay attention to this the whole game and hustle keepers, thrown in takers and subs throughout the match or get a grip and stop suddenly trying to appear as if you give a ****.
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