downendcity

Before the introduction of VAR fans, pundits, managers and players would have differences of opinion over contentious refereeing decisions. This was when the ref had a split second to make a judgement call, in real time and with only one view - often without being able to see the incident clearly. Now, despite the VAR panel being able to view a contentious decision on TV replays in their own time, with slo-mo and multiple camera angles we still have fans,pundits, managers and players all having differing opinions ( although the worry is that many of those opinions are united in disagreeing with the VAR decision). As with the Coventry offside in the semi final, I think that fans in particular agree that too many decisions where VAR intervenes are not clear and obvious errors . On the flip side, e.g. at least one of Forest's 3 penalty shouts, it seems that VAR refuses to support clear and obvious errors by the ref. I've mentioned before that in the past I regarded rugby union's review system as the model football should emulate. However, in the last rugby WC, and especially the final, it was noticeable that the people operating the review system were wanting to be more involved in the game, as they were telling the referee about incidents that should be looked at rather than the referee requesting a review of an incident about which he wasn't sure. That is how how VAR has developed, and seems to be continuing to develop.

They will probably give Forest an additional points deduction, as punishment just to make doubly sure Everton is safe for another season - as if Everton haven't had enough help already!

A few weeks ago i listened to an interview on Talksport with the guy who invented the Hawkeye system, from which VAR was developed. He said that VAR is the contribution to sport he is least proud of. and he went on to say that it's not the VAR system itself, but the way it's been introduced that he has problems with, as it was designed to be a challenge based system, as is Hawkeye in tennis and cricket.

Perhaps we need VAR's VAR, to check whether VAR has made a clear and obvious error. Perhaps we need VAR's VAR, to check whether VAR has made a clear and obvious error.

How come players feel it's cold enough to need to wear gloves but are happy to wear short sleeved shirts?

Have seen comments from fans of promoted clubs who say that getting there is much more enjoyable than being there. Obviously not the likes of Brighton!

Hamstrings Protected by Courage ?

The stitch up by the Fa in 1992 ,that resulted in the formation of the premier league, meant that the rest of the pyramid no longer mattered to them. Since then the premier league tail has been wagging the football pyramid dog - as evidenced by this latest decision. Until recently the premier league had money to spare, as long as as little of it as possible trickled down the pyramid, and for them the FA Cup was an unwelcome distraction from the more important business of premier league success/survival and ever expanding European competitions. Having seen some of the eye watering losses more and more premier league clubs are posting, the irony now is that some of them might need lucrative cup runs ( including replays) to bring in additional revenue to help balance the books!

This kit?

How long before PL clubs have a note from their Mums asking for them to be excused taking part in the FA Cup?

More clubs are adversely affected by this decision than the ones that influenced it.

I know it's Archibald Leach!

Thinking back to when Derby "sold" their stadium, they had to show a market rent for being able to continue using the ground. Accordingly, surely if Chelsea is to continue to enjoy the revenue stream from a hotel they no longer own, they must pay a market rent to the new owner, otherwise it would be even more of a sham transaction than it already is! In the wake of Derby, Wednesday and Stoke all exploiting the loophole the EFL left in their revised ffp rules, I think I'm right in saying that loophole has since been closed. It would appear that the Premier League administrators were not quite so quick to plug the loophole that allows a club to sell an asset to an interested third party. I would not be surprised see that Man City's lawyers will be able to drive a coach and horses through the 100+ charges brought against them. Not because they are innocent of the charges, but because it seems that footballs administrators are to naive and cannot see how devious clubs ( especially the wealthiest, with money to afford top accountants and legal advisers) will cheat in order to gain an advantage.

What defines a good ground? A City away win!

They'd have had meaning to them had he lost all 5!

In the days of uncovered wickets he earned his "deadly" nickname. Always remember this photo with every player on the pitch in shot.

Sat and chatted to his Mum and Dad at Scunny years back. They were sat behind the goal with City fans - really nice couple.

Council?

Manning hokey cokey.

A game of two seasons?

Given the number of exceptions to the rule, it seems to me there is more of a seance to it.

Is our Seagull posting on there as well?

I can remember playing double headers at the end of season in the District League, but never hepta headers!

Right there's the definition of " between a rock and a hard place"!