On the arguing / surrounding the ref point- I would say any time the ref is surrounded and harassed then the position of the free-kick may be changed to anywhere the attacking team wants, outside of the penalty box. It would stop the surrounding the ref problem, and if it didn't, we'd see lots...
I wish they would bring it back. The sheperding it out thing is crap, it would be much better if you weren't allowed to do that.
I'm in two minds about the play-off rule. In the National League you get a much bigger advantage from finishing 2nd than 5th. But it's also great seeing teams...