A certain four letter word will usually get a player into trouble with a referee, but in recent times that word is as likely to be "dive" as it is any expletive!
The examination of, and punishment for simulation, as it is known, have increased dramatically, and yet, do players feel that , and therefore worthy of the increased attention such incidents generate?
My opinion, based on playing in the SPL for the past five seasons, is that there is no great issue with players deliberately diving to win fouls.
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It is an important stage of the season as championships are decided and promotion and relegation issues are resolved.
For most apprentice footballers, it is an equally crucial time as they await decisions regarding their possible promotion to professional contracts.
The harsh reality is that for many these contracts won't be forthcoming and they will be forced to re-evaluate, and seek to progress as a player at another club or another level.
When these young players reflect upon why such a decision has been made, they will undoubtedly pose questions of themselves and perhaps ponder as to whether their attitude was strong enough to warrant the opportunity of joining a first team squad.
I say this because if I think back to my own apprenticeship, one of the reasons why perhaps I did not stay on at Dundee at that time was my mind-set.
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What does a player expect from a manager? I suspect most would go for: leadership, good communication, honesty, good coaching and tactical ability among other attributes.
However, would any player expect their boss to have a qualification in management?
This time I would suggest not many, as often new mangers progress into their new role directly from the playing side, and with very little experience to prepare them for the non-football side of management.
I'm not entirely convinced that such a qualification is a necessity to become a successful manager; yet there is no doubt that currently, and in the future, more clubs will place just as much importance upon these qualifications as they do coaching licences.
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The success of and in this season's has once again opened the debate as to the merits of an extended .
While there are a number of very good reasons why these two teams and others could compete in our top league, for the moment only one side from the lower league will grace the premier division next season.
While the players within the squad that wins the will be given the opportunity to test themselves against the best players in the country, what of those players who star in this league but are not afforded such a chance?
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I was released as a teenager from the Scottish Premier League, had the hardening experiences of junior and part-time football and came back to the top flight with four years at university thrown in! I'm Jack Ross, a defender with Dunfermline and I aim to give you an insight into the life and mind of a professional footballer.
