Mr Popodopolous

Savage quotes in full. Pre-game.

Wales fans applauded Iran team according to 5Live which is a nice touch.

Iran v USA final game could be fun. Yes I know we will all be watching us v Wales but that is interesting on and off the pitch- the two countries hate each other or have done. Could be a 2nd place decider assuming we win tonight.

Is that 2-0? Only have benefit of radio but sounds like Iran have gone at it 2nd half, Hennessey red tipped the balance further.

Wales going home??

Wonder why he needed a second look, very easy red card decision that.

Both CL experienced- Bayer Leverkusen and Porto I believe. We were very good vs Iran without doubt. I also think they (Iran) have improved certainly since 1st half vs us. However we were very good and controlled.

Definitely a key factor but fairly sure that less penalties (ratio per game) being awarded in the Championship than 2 or 3 seasons back too- and VAR wasn't a factor, isn't a factor in our division at all.

An glad you posted the stat. Was about to have a look... Disregarding us, I would say... 1) The PL and Championship have less penalties than this tournament- so far per game 8/16 is 0.5. Championship is certainly lower I believe. 2) Lower again this season, possibly due to the physicality directives that were mentioned back in the summer ie more contact. 3) VAR- possibly makes a penalty more likely to be awarded? 4) All of the above means a lower threshold to award a penalty than over here and especially in the Championship.

Agreed. Might also add though it's variable, sides can be so well organised and coached these days, even the lesser sides and the ability from a defensive side can negate individual brilliance. Such analysis, time spent on negating an opposing star player or 2.

Brazil are Brazil of course but always had Serbia dowm as underachieving at major tournaments. To an extent Yugoslavia too but definitely Serbia. Always seem to qualify quite impressively when they qualify, be it Serbia or Serbia and Montenegro but often don't take that into the World Cup itself.

I see we appear on the POF (Price of Football) Podcast today. Not listened to it yet, probably will do so later or tomorrow.

Indeed.

Damn, 3-1?? Game over surely.

Few mins behind on it so I hope so!

Tbh English football has often been a bit more physical than European football or the international game in modern times. However even factoring that in its plain wrong IMO, this call.

Not sure it was a dive but it was really soft. Looked wrong too.

He couldn't wait to give it, could he.

While this clearly isn't a penalty I would also question whether we are judging a bit by the fact we have a bit more physicality allowed over here- especially in the Championship. A bit more leeway basically. That was a poor call in any circs though.

That's never a penalty. Dunno about dive but it felt a long way below the threshold to award one.

The relevance to P&S remains to be seen but the following clubs accounts- directly or otherwise, are due out by the end of 2022. *Via Bet365, we should see Stoke City's numbers to end of March 2022 at least. The detail underpinning these possibly not so much. *Millwall- made up to end of June 2022. *Via Venkys London Limited, Blackburn's accounts to end of March 2022.

Belgium bit of an aging side aren't they. Sofascore said average age of starting line-up 30.5...have they seen better days?

Expected goals has Canada as the better side. Certainly seemed from what I saw and the brief highlights that but for finishing they were. All 4 sides in with a chance of progress by the looks.

Well no I am biased I suppose. I am biased against clubs of any kind who either breach FFP or who use unusual means to try to achieve compliance. My club aren't exempt from this but it's conjecture at this stage unlike past cases. As it is with Stoke, Fulham, Nottingham Forest.

This is interesting, an interview with Rick Parry and it pertains to possible reform. https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-parachute-payments-efl Just on the Stoke stuff, for anyone from there lurking: 1) Some of my words were perhaps ott but is there a case to answer? I don't think that unusually large Covid numbers can just be waved through 2) It's not just Stoke I criticise, I have in the past been very critical of Derby, at times Sheffield Wednesday, fairly furious about Aston Villa and have not been afraid to speculate on my own club and their FFP compliance or what the add-backs might be and wherher they may be in accordance with FFP and even FRS 102 itself- so I'm not biased.