Strange game

[toptoon]

Certainly it wasn’t a classic but hard fought and a ***** 3 points and confidence boost before Milan.
Anyway, to the point. Having read through our supporter’s post match comments I’ve never seen so much disagreement before, especially with the 3 key decisions (the disallowed goal and 2 penalties) and player performance.
I thought Bruno played OK and Barnes was MOM - I’ve seen comments that they both played crap. I’ve also read praise and pelters for Burn.
Some are claiming it was a good goal and that Gordon’s wasn’t a penalty - bollox IMO. As for the handball, I’ll never understand why that wasn’t a pen but some are saying it wasn’t (but no explanation why?)

[Zippity]

One of those games when the result was more important than the performance.

I think because the ball deflected onto his hand, that meant, in the rules, it wasn't handball. Load of sh!te if that's true because it stopped Wilson scoring.

[Ragatino]

One of those games when the result was more important than the performance.

I think because the ball deflected onto his hand, that meant, in the rules, it wasn't handball. Load of sh!te if that's true because it stopped Wilson scoring.

At the start of last season when they changed the hand ball rule they made it clear 'ball hits hand in the box, it's a pen no matter what.'

Ball hut hand in box, stopping the ball drooping to Wilson. It's a penalty. They didn't give it because VAR didn't want the first to be a pen. We weren't supposed to win that game.

I am sick of saying it. Said it all last season and its still not getting traction/a response.

The PGMOL is a private limited company. Not the FA, EPL. Those bodies own the PGMOL however it is a separate private company.

As such the PGMOL are liable for mistakes carrying out their professional duties.

Urgo, they are liable to litigation.

I'm sure ever club has, at this point, been cheated or had points robbed by the ref making a blatantly wrong call. In many cases, including one or two of ours last season the even admitted liability in a letter to the club.

Any lawyer worth his/her salt would take them to the cleansers.

Only way these refs actually do their job to the letter of the law is by hitting thr PGMOL with a £500m law suit for loss of earnings.

Fans need to start retreating this so the media muppets start to take notice.

[toptoon]

If you watch a rugby WC game we get to see/ hear the VAR talking to the ref on the pitch. No reason why this couldn’t happen for football too where the rules are simpler - it would help all parties including the refs and VAR. There are 2 prerequisites, however, the refs would have to understand the rules of the game well and be unbiased……………(!)

[ex_pat_magpie]

If you watch a rugby WC game we get to see/ hear the VAR talking to the ref on the pitch. No reason why this couldn’t happen for football too where the rules are simpler - it would help all parties including the refs and VAR. There are 2 prerequisites, however, the refs would have to understand the rules of the game well and be unbiased……………(!)

That would be right and proper but unfortunately it would remove the protection that they cling to for secrecy. Until it changes they will get away with serious boobs and too much familiarity towards their "big six darlings" who have to be protected and favoured by any means what so ever

[Zippity]

There are 2 prerequisites, however, the refs would have to understand the rules of the game well and be unbiased……………(!)

...which is exactly why they'll never do it.

I think Raga is right...there's something rotten at the heart of English refereeing. There are agendas all over the place-some of the VAR decisions can't just be explained away by incompetence or subjective opinion.

[GBruno]

I’m a bit confused by the Barnes MOTM comments I keep seeing. He was completely underwhelming for me. He’s going to suffer from not having an overlapping left back with him.

Botman was our best player imo. Gordon our best going forward.

Strange game is right.

Will be nice to get some Saturday 3pm kickoffs. Think all of our games have been at odd times so far.

[toptoon]

I’m a bit confused by the Barnes MOTM comments I keep seeing. He was completely underwhelming for me. He’s going to suffer from not having an overlapping left back with him.

Botman was our best player imo. Gordon our best going forward.

Strange game is right.

Will be nice to get some Saturday 3pm kickoffs. Think all of our games have been at odd times so far.

He didn’t do much racing down the wing or firing in shots but I gave him mom because of his link up play, especially in the first half. I kept expecting the commentator to say ‘Bruno’ after a nice piece of play but it was Barnes.

[Jammy89]

...which is exactly why they'll never do it.

I think Raga is right...there's something rotten at the heart of English refereeing. There are agendas all over the place-some of the VAR decisions can't just be explained away by incompetence or subjective opinion.

Agreed.

I think it'll all come out and some point and it'll be the downfall of at least one "big" club.

[HughieG]

I don't think any of our players played to the level we know they can. Three points and a clean sheet means that there is a much-needed calm around the team going into the Champions League game on Tuesday.

I know you love the brazilians, TT, but I do think Bruno deserves a rest (not against Milan though, I think he'll be pumped for the Champions League). He looks frustrated and hot-headed to me, and he's just not quite making the right passes and getting into the right positions at the moment IMO. It's a passing thing, obviously. Putting him on the bench would not be meant as a punishment, it looks like he could really use it although I'm sure he would deny it. Anyhow, I love that player and he always fights his @rse off.

To be honest, the three best players were probably Pope, Schär and Botman for looking calm and collected and keeping them from scoring.