Another Daft New Offside Rule

Simplicity itself

It seems that there is to be a new Offside Rule coming into effect for the Premier League this season. Apparently, a player in an offside position is only to be ruled offside if he:

1. Clearly attempts to play a ball which is close to him when this action impacts on an opponent or;
2. Makes an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball.

What a load of old bollocks.
It's difficult enough for a linesman (does anyone actually call them "assistant referees"?) to correctly call an offside without needing to worry about what players are actually doing while in an offside position. The whole "interfering with play" aspect of the previous rule was totally ridiculous, and the new rule just requires yet more subjective analysis by the officials. Any player in an offside position is going to draw the attention of the goalkeeper and defenders because he's clearly a threat to the goal, and will draw them out of position—however slightly—regardless of whether or not the linesman thinks he's interfering with play or making an obvious action.
As Brian Clough observed when the previous law was introduced: "If any one of my players isn't interfering with play, they're not getting paid!"
My understanding is that the "interfering with play" element of the rule was intended for injured attacking players, lying on the ground in an offside position, but clearly not seeking an advantage. That's fair enough, and I can't imagine anyone would argue with that. But active, able-bodied players in an offside position should be flagged offside when a ball is played. End of story. That's how the rule was interpreted for years, before the modern era saw a re-interpretation with lazy attacking players walking back onside instead of being flagged. Expecting a linesman to determine their intent, or whether an advantage occurred, is ludicrous. The Rule should be simplified, not made more complicated. In general, if you're standing (or subsequently stand) in an offside position, and the ball is played (even if it goes awry), then I believe you should be flagged offside. Simple. Now the only debate is whether you were actually in an offside position and not about what you were doing.
What's your take?