BTRFTG

Just now, 1960maaan said:

First shot on target ?

Mount had one

8 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

My good were carrying Harry Kane. 

Oh God - I thought I'd been watching Chris Martin....

1 hour ago, MarcusX said:

I believe the system is a set of cameras, so in theory yes they should all have the same number of cameras, same location etc. They even went as far as clearing up the offside situation saying the balls have chips in them so they know the precise moment they are kicked and the lines are drawn in seconds apparently - all automatic (I swear some people think a person in a studio "draws" the lines on themselves!)

In practice - is every stadium the same size with the same availability for position cameras? No, but I assume there must be some calibration to ensure uniformity?

For me big issues with VAR is - it's still down to opinion of the person in charge, it's better now that the refs get to view a screen (this didnt initially happen in the Prem I dont think?) so it can ultimately be their call, but you will get 2 very similar incidents receive different punishments across games and officials. On top of that, it's the communication back to the viewer, especially in the stadium. The fans need to know what's being reviewed and given some update.

I've been to a couple of games now in real life where VAR has been used. Leicester v Chelsea FA Cup final with Chelsea's late equaliser, that was an awful fan experience as it took so long and England v Germany recently when no one had a clue what was happening. Luckily had enough signal to message friends and understand what they were looking at.

Recall this is primarily EPL & CL. Other top leagues may use VAR 'if available' and no surprises that's at the biggest clubs. In the EPL 'Offside' systems are calibrated to the pitch, all same size bar 3 I believe, but the number of and quality of cameras covering the broadcast element, all of which are used by VAR in other decisions, varies according to fixture and stadium, so not an entirely level playing field. We often hear pundits, and presumably officials, asking for the 'best view' of an incident. The difference between 2 and 5 cameras capturing an incident could lead to different conclusions.

20 minutes ago, Countryfile said:

Beyond reasonable doubt comes to mind, both cricket and rugby have benefited in my opinion from a type of VAR, it’s relatively new, and needs to be developed, it’s not perfect, but will improve and getting as close as possible to the correct decision is a step forward I think.

But that's point. Beyond what reasonable doubt, for whom and when?

When I was a kid refs and umpires made honest calls, quickly giving decisions based upon what they thought beyond doubt. Mostly they were correct. Occasionally they weren't, but life went on and it gave participants and fans something to talk about. Players (and fans) had a rapport with the officials who were respected.

Today we have officials afraid to give even the most basic and obvious decisions for fear of making a mistake. Players know and exploit this. In football this has increased cheating beyond measure and is rapidly becoming the ruination of the game. In cricket we've umpires at square calling for the TV Umpire to adjudicate a run-out when the batsman isn't within 2 yards of the crease. Fans conclude (correctly) if you can't call that what chance the millimetres at bowling crease, line of leg stump, or wicket?

Egg-chasing - don't get me started on a game so stupid the officials have to inform the players what they may or may not do, therefore allowing the officials to control the game. That's why certain sides prefer certain officials and play to their predilections. A game so stupid that despite any amount of cameras at scrums the ball is 'competitively' fed to the feet of the second row, at line outs nowhere near where the non-throwing team may compete for the ball, or at rucks where the ball is adjudged to under control under a toenail yards from the opposition.

If sport's requirement is to always reach the correct decision irrespective of its impact on both game and spectacle its called it badly, for competitive game and spectacle it no longer is.

4 minutes ago, MarcusX said:

But VAR is there to over rule only when obviously wrong. VAR doesn’t give the decision as such, it tells the ref if they’ve missed something or made a clear mistake (at least supposedly, every competition seems to implement it differently)

This excludes offsides as that’s generally absolute not opinion based.

So anybody who says VAR exists to eliminate errors is incorrect. If it isn't designed to eliminate all error, however marginal, then why bother? For example, in the same league are there always the same number of cameras, of equal definition,  covering identical areas of the pitch? If not, has anybody looked as to whether the more prominent clubs, with greater coverage and higher definition are in receipt of differential calling to their peers?

Why not simply allow marginal error - by giving back total control to the officials?

Just now, nick jones of hereford said:

If Williams hadn’t slipped, he would have passed to  Semenyo who would have had a virtual tap in for an equaliser 

Which he'd have blasted high/wide *

* Delete as appropriate 

7 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

Basically, it's being correctly in this WC, the football equivalent of Umpire's call. 

Possibly, but that's stupid as well. Like deciding what % of the ball has to be impacting the stumps or in line, then changing the law to suit every time there's controversy. How much of a ball does it take to remove a bail and how was that verified?

I don't believe the tolerances inherent within technology allow for the extrapolations made. We now blindly believe that technology supposedly tells us what 'would' have happened. Like Warne's first ball in The Ashes scooting to the boundary for 4 byes.

2 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

On the penalty, it's soft but no VAR is overturning it because it wasn't obviously wrong.

Neither was it obviously right, so by that logic officials errors may continue to be given provided they're not overly incorrect. 

I say again, why does VAR exist if not to eliminate errors?

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

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

Dive. Isn't it in VARs remit to review whether contact (not an offence) is commensurate with the reaction that follows? CR7 went over like he'd been rear ended by a TR7 not scratched by the longer hairs on a Ghanaian's thigh.

3 minutes ago, The Original OTIB said:

What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.

Say it again...

Somebody explain what VAR's supposed to be for?

1 minute ago, maxjak said:

With the greatest respect to all Scottish forum members...............does anyone speak fluent McCoist?  Cos' I am having trouble understanding 50% Of what he is saying?

Compared to Paul Lambert McCoist has Received Pronunciation.....

9 minutes ago, Kingswoodactor said:

If Semenyo comes on and scores a 116th minute winner, I’m gonna run through the streets of south east london naked only wearing a black star. 

In which case avoid SE3 as my air rifle is primed and I love a moving target....

1 hour ago, Wanderingred said:

Covid concerns? Who outside of China still cares about that?

This presenting isolating Covid case for one. And yes, timings suggest I acquired it at AG.

1 hour ago, BigTone said:

France here. My wine is a bit chilly

Don't get cocky as French summer hailstones are the only ones to have left my hire car with more dimples than a golf ball and screens (front and rear) with more cracks than a City defence. Motorway like a scene from The Blues Brothers. As for the gite's roof and veluxes when we made it back.....

16 hours ago, Nongazeuse said:

To be fair, Wiliams was let off the charge as he was deemed to have been defending himself. 

Funny that as the footage showed him being restrained from twice going back for 'more'. Guess he deployed the 'attack is the best form of defence' argument. 

To remind, an Under 12's match....

19 minutes ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

Put Haaland in that French team and he'd be smashing the goals in for fun. 

He would but from the way they played he might have to queue up amongst the rest taking potshots on target.

On 22/11/2022 at 15:30, BTRFTG said:

I note the Danish female pundit (who she?) wasn't required for the post game analysis, presumably as she had nothing more to add than pre-match, in itself nothing. And before the pile on of my being accused misogynistic, let me explain. 

I've always considered pundits comments in context of who the pundit is, the 'what might they know about what they're saying' question? Nothing to do with sex or race, I've thought plenty of pundits buffoons for talking out their backsides over matters at which they were far from accomplished. So the disadvantage of all the 'who they' that BBC and ITV (in particular) appear to think de rigueur is there's nil context as to how to evaluate them? Not only have we have little idea who they are, we've no idea of what they've ever done nor why they're supposedly qualified to comment, which invariably they don't. If described as 'token gestures' one might rightly be accused of being offensive, problem being I haven't yet seen or heard one make a contribution that's had me thinking, good point, I hadn't considered that. Moreover, all appear not to have been to the school of TV Journalism where lesson one is always - don't describe that what viewers are readily able to see for themselves (the blindingly obvious.) Come in at a tangent and add something of which viewers might not be aware.  Sticking them between quality, experienced and opinionated ex-pros simply doesn't work. 

Bloody awful news. I had no idea that was the reason for not appearing post match. I don't think they mentioned she had to leave, hence I thought it odd when she vanished. Poor woman and what dreadful circumstance to learn of such tragedy.

1 hour ago, TomF said:

 

What makes this post so satisfying is it starts with absurdist conjecture, builds through additional, illogical premise only erupt into a sanity questioning volte-face.

Against all known reason one of the biggest draws in world football has foresworn stunning locations around the world, iconic stadia, clubs with history so extensive they don't make honours boards big enough, to play at a Horfield camping site - for nothing. And would you jump at the chance? No, he doesn't your building plan (sic)...... Sublime.

41 minutes ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

We're holding out for the Sultan of Brunei. Nigel's contract will be replaced by a payment each year of his weight in gold. 

I've an acoustic architect mate who was commissioned to deliver a project for his (now sadly departed,) son. Put it this way. However bizarre an idea sounds, irrespective of how unreasonable the cost, however extravagant the minute detail, never, ever, ever give it short shrift. Nigel balanced on scales weighted by gold, far too simple.....

28 minutes ago, maxjak said:

May i ask you for your opinion of Tracey Emin's art?  I can see that you appear to be a reasonable and tolerant forum member......and i am merely curious as to your point of view? 

Personally i don't care for it, neither do I find her ideas original. As for Margate....

If you're into installations I refer you to 'King' Edward Keinholz, whose major retrospective I was fortunate to catch in NY years back. When done well an immersive experience. Badly, it just recalls countless 'house parties' of my youth around the art colleges of South London.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reporting one of their correspondents asked The Pope if the Catholic Church are interested in buying Man U?  You'll never guess his response.....

6 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Ashley Williams are going to stick to a "balanced" presentation of refereeing decisions

Might he be related to the Ashley Williams charged with violent and improper conduct at an Under 12 boys fixture in Manchester?

Methinks broadcasters need to take set an example else be forced to set an example should they continue  their adversarial undermining of officials that seeks only to boost TV ratings. 

8 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

More 0-0 draws in this tournament so far than in all of the World Cup 2018 and Euro 2020 games put together. 

Bet365 'Bore Draw' refunds working overtime....

29 minutes ago, maxjak said:

Yep!..........we can all access Google?

National Gallery Member and lucky enough to have visited most major collections around the globe. I can recommend the latest Homer exhibition but would skip the Freud. Also chanced upon the Museu Diocesa in Palma the other werk, small gem if, like me, you love art history.