BBC Radio Derby commentator Ed Dawes wonders if the Championship has become more physical.
We have made the second international break of the campaign and to me, there seems to be a different feel to the Championship game this season.
I have watched thousands of football matches from 1984 to the present day and have commentated on 613 games involving Derby County.
But what I cannot understand right now, in October 2025, is why holding, grappling or blocking is allowed to take place so readily?
This season Derby County have signed Carlton Morris, a 6ft 1in (1.85m) brute of a striker who is built like a tank.
He is combative and clever, yet in his first nine matches in the Championship he has spent most of his time in a clench with defenders who hold him, pull his shirt and prevent him from getting the ball.
There is no doubt that he relishes the challenge and the laws say mutual grabbling is fine - leaving it up to the referee to make the case for and against.
Morris told BBC Radio Derby recently that he "enjoys the battle as long as it isn't someone who goes down too easily".
However, American striker Patrick Agyemang says it is something he is having to get used to.
"I realise it's going to be like that every game, so I have to be up for it," he said.
"And the things I would think are a foul, are not here."
So you can understand how frustrating it can get for supporters and players when shirt pulling, holding and grappling are not being stamped out from the off.
When Derby played Charlton at Pride Park last week, the Addicks were constantly pulling the shirts of Rams players.
However, it isn't just Derby's opposition in focus and the small victories using football's dark arts are important.
What is allowed?
In 2016 in the Premier League game between Stoke City and Manchester City, referee Mike Dean gave two penalties - both for holding and blocking in the penalty area.
Dean, a controversial figure to many, got both decisions spot on with the letter of the law. Two players penalised for holding, blocking and not looking at the ball. It was a first of its kind under a new directive that season, but seems to have been long since forgotten.
The actual laws were refreshed again this summer. Referees were encouraged to reduce the level of holding and grappling between defenders and attackers at set-pieces.
This came from feedback from clubs and players and it is for more fouls to be awarded when a player impedes the movement of their opponent.
The rule is actually about stopping your opponent from moving towards the ball and whether the attempts to stop them are fair or not.
PGMOL head Howard Webb conducted an interview pre-season talking about an expectation for more free-kicks and penalties to be given at the start of this campaign as officials look to stamp down on grappling and holding.
But again, have there been any?
In the EFL, without VAR it is all down to the officiating team and being consistent is very difficult.
Every single inch of football is scrutinised in the Premier League, the term "minimal contact" is used a lot for challenges inside and outside the box. However, if that contact causes someone to fall or impedes them, does it have to be a strong challenge?
Maybe it is just me, but there seem to be inconsistencies across the board with who thinks a foul is a foul and who deems it fine and waves on play.
Category: General Sports
