Set-piece silliness is spoiling the never-ending football season...

THE football season has refused to have a break. Following Chelsea winning the inaugural Club World Cup on July 13 and the England women's team retaining the Euro trophy on Sunday, you should note that the televised English EFL season restarts this evening!

- GARY NEWBON

The Carabao Cup kicks off tonight with Barnet playing Newport (Sky Sports Plus) and then on Friday Luton Town host AFC Wimbledon (8pm on Sky Sports football).

After that, it is soon flat out again! It's left me wondering about two aspects of the game. The new role in the top clubs' management team of the set-play coach and the constant unpunished fouls by defenders in the penalty area at these set-plays.

If these set-piece coaches are so vital to the modern game (my personal opinion is that it is the main man's job!), how come Manchester United were able to win the European Champions League 2-1 with two headers following two David Beckham corners both in stoppage time without the invention of a set-play coach?

That is one of many examples over the years.

These expanding team management teams seem to get bigger! I first noticed of the new set-play 'gurus' at Aston Villa with the flowing locks of Austin MacPhee, who is now also the assistant head coach to the Portugal national team.

He frantically waves his instructions on the touchline when Villa have an attacking free-kick. He has been given a lot of credit with Villa scoring goals.

I am not stating that he does not deserve the praise. I am sure he works hard at it and I am only naming him as an example as he has been the most visible on the touchline and on television.