I actually think it’s less about the “big calls”but more about little fouls that get let go by the ref but ultimately build up.
The first 20 mins of our last two games there must’ve been a combined 40 fouls made against of us with about half given. But not a single yellow.
A ref gives an opposition player a yellow after 3 fouls (shouldn’t matter that it’s minute 17 or whatever) then suddenly that player has to be more careful and less aggressive with us. And it sends a message to the rest of the players and suddenly we’re allowed to “play” a bit more.
I do think Maddison especially and Son to a lesser degree get hacked out of games. Players have become so good at looking as though they are playing the ball when they are actually trying to bring players down that referrees don't call it out.
The scrape along the achillies that is disguised as trying to get the ball has become a scourge on the game. I'd like to see those tackles carded immediately and not let go. The damage they cause can result in players missing large chunks of seasons.