Clutton Caveman

2 points, how did Hugill get a yellow for the elbow on Vyner. If the ref saw it, it's a red, if he did not he should not have given a yellow. If he was not sure he should have consulted the linesman. This occurred directly in front of us. It was not accidental, Hugill took a look to see Vyner was coming. 2nd point. I think we are trying to dehumanise referees by making them clones. In the past you knew that each ref was a bit different. By and large they made decisions as they saw it under their interpretation. You won some you lost some and just like players you accepted that refs made mistakes. Now we are trying to create a robot ref that has to follow constantly changing and more complex rules (for instance when does the linesman put his flag up). I think the following actions are needed Get rid of 4th official, we don't have enough refs as it is Simplify the rules such as handball, grappling at corners and handball. Allow only the captain to speak to the ref Strengthen the decent rule Tell refs to thoroughly learn the rules and apply them to the best of their judgement (accepting they will get some wrong) Use the linesman more when he has a better view that you.

For me any person who passes through several European countries to get to UK whilst paying thousands to traffickers are not refugees.

People who have paid thousands of pounds to the traffickers and then announce themselves as refugees. Again we live in a democracy and IMO the majority do not want their hard earned tax used to put these people in 4 star hotels. Perhaps we should have an opt in system. If you want to house these people in luxury, give them access to the NHS, provide translators at every government department, pay benefits and then repeat when their families join them, opt in, double your tax (if you pay any) and pay for it.

OMG, how can we take events in history and judge them by todays standards. At that time half of the Royal Navy crews woke on on board with the kings shilling in their hand having been knocked over the head and brought on board after a heavy night out. In Africa, Egypt and ancient Greece slavery was rife, way before what we see as the slave trade. The past is the past, we cannot change it and we don't have to be ashamed for what our ancestors did. We sent kids up chimneys but are we now saying that Chimney sweep companies should be punished.

Is anything in the Guardian worth a read?

I was listening to Talksport when Leroy Rosenier was on discussing this. Simon Jordon initially explained the history saying that the ship was first integrated into the crest of Manchester to represent their international trading status due to the industrial revolution way after slavery was abolished and was then adopted to the badges of Utd and City later again. It was clear that Leroy had not done his homework and was a bit taken aback by these facts but still pushed on saying that this should be looked at. Jordon asked Leroy what his idea for a good outcome was here and could not get an answer. It was great to hear yet another woke agent trying to make changes that the vast majority don't want, challenged and taken apart. Well done Simon Jordon for standing up for the silent minority and common sense.

Whilst I accept that Scott will go I think the fans will not be so understanding if players like Vyner, Conway and Bell and also sold.

Why not just move back to the centre of the South Stand and get the people on each side involved. East End used to be load and aggressive

I think you are correct

Fifi have stated before that dark arts and cheating are a part of the theatre. Personally if I want theatre I head to the Old Vic. What could possibly be wrong with following Rugby allowing only the captain to speak with the ref and taking time keeping out of the refs hands?

I guess with our current lack of height and power in our forward line crosses have to be just about perfect. Would be nice to have a plan b using a big guy from time to time.

Wasn't Mehmeti supposed to be that guy?

Everybody's crossing was poor. We got into some great areas and the cross was either awful or all of our forwards were nowhere near the ball. It has been the same for some weeks now. Sam Bell looked a bit off. Had his touch been a bit better on the half turn on the edge of the box he would have been in 2 or 3 times. I think young players often struggle to maintain 100% performance when the first enter the first team. I think some work on the training ground on crosses and making space to receive the ball would work wonders. It would be a miracle if 19 year old Alex Scott was not somewhat distracted. I hope it doesn't rub off on his flat mate Conway.

Vinnie Jones

Unless he would accept a pay for play contract

John Quigley and Bobby Kellard (who once punched a young Gerry Gow for being lippy)

I agree, if somebody grabs you its almost a reflex to brush them off. I hope some good comes out of this, protecting refs from verbal attack and sometimes intimidation. If you cannot behave like that to bar staff or ball boys why should the ref have to put up with it. Refs make mistakes but probably far less than players. In my playing days I was once told by an old ref that he though that on the balance he was probably a better ref that I was a player. Both had a laugh and moved on. If refereeing numbers are to increase and they must to improve standards respect at all levels of football must be achieved.

I think we have to take a few steps back. NP arrived after the big push by SL to get promotion. Spent loads on the wrong players and trusted the wrong manager and CEO. We were facing penalties for FFP. We had too many players on high wages not only playing badly but also wrecking the dressing room. Wind forward, just about all of the dead wood gone without having to pay out contracts, coaching team improved, style of play improved and hungry local lads entertaining us. Looks like we will lose the crown jewel of AS but that was always inevitable. Looks like we can improve our numbers, get in 3 or 4 good up and coming new players and challenge for play offs next year. We are well and truly a work in progress but I would give NP and his team 9 out of 10 for steering us to this position. Boro have not needed this ground up surgery and so why are we surprised that they are ahead of us on their journey? Take a look at Reading as an alternative. I am very happy to be where we are compared them them and many other Championship teams. The season ticket seller has already got my money.

I think that Kane has really let himself down here. It's one thing for the Latino's to fake an injury but when the England captain joins in it is so disappointing. I thought he was better than that.

I think we need to look at our positioning when crosses come in. It seems we are pretty much always in one line and as such very hard to pick out. I think we would do far better if we had a staggered line and also a player hanging back for when a defender gets a soft touch or part clearance.

Not us thank goodness

Playing a right footed player at left back normally disrupts distribution down that side

The obstruction law said that any player making no attempt to play the ball and blocking an opponent was penalised. When it was in you could not "shepard the ball out"

Over the last few years, referees have been given the power to stamp our bad behaviour. Years ago they were allowed to advance a free kick 10 yards for decent. They did it for a couple of weeks and then it disappeared. Recently we see players booked when more than 2 players approach the ref. This also seems to have died out. Seems to me they cannot complain if they don't maximise rule changes that help them. With recent form they certainly seem to need help. I think that in any other job you do not have to put up with somebody having a foul mouthed rant at you. Why should refs have to put up with this? Foul and abusive language used to be a sending off offence. Kicking the ball away was a yellow card. Now when any decision such as a throw in or free kick is given against a player he automatically kicks it away. The only way you get a yellow now is to punt it into the stand. All of these small things in my opinion detract from the quality of the product and the entertainment level. As I am venting, can anyone understand why the obstruction rule was phased out? In its day this rule prevented the time wasting around the corner flag made defenders play the ball as it approached the goal line. Again increased entertainment Finally grappling in the box at corners and free kicks. This is only negative in my opinion. For me any holding using the arms on an player in the box should be a free kick or penalty. This is a fairly recent phenomenon as usual creeping in from from the continent. If this simple rule was applied , entertainment would improve. Really finally. If Sykes can be retrospectively banned for violent conduct, why can't divers or players who fake facial contact suffer the same fate. End of rant.

Anything to stop the constant kicking the ball away and standing too close to the taker would help entertainment.