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Arguably for me that's the only time VAR is useful rather than simply being a means to chalk off great goals for the most trivial of infractions. (On the Tronstad one I thought that should have been yellow, the one on Baradji should have been red and was so extreme it warranted an additional ban on top of the standard three games) For me the Watford one should have been red, the Chelsea one definitely shouldnt, and VAR shouldn't have got involved in the first place. On a similar note, I think it's an absolute nonsense that VAR can only intervene in straight red card offences but can't in the case of a second yellow leading to a red. Ditto when something factual happens like a corner or a throw wrongly being given or not given which could obviously lead to a goal being scored or stop a crucial opportunity.

Jeàn Bucklè

Just feels like nothing we do is as a collective fanbase despite the fantastic efforts from others

A real issue I see in refereeing is that too many are 'manufacturered' and don't have a feel for the game. In 2000 Select Group One was formed and this group became full time, the thinking was largely about fitness and preparation. Select Group Two was formed several years and are full time predominantly refereeing on the Championship. Fast forward to today and there are various Development Groups which are a foothold to becoming full time one of which pays them about £25k plus match fees. Because of this too many now see refereeing as a career but haven't had any real schooling in the game such as playing or even watching. They are almost micro managed with coaches, analysts, sports scientists and various other things. Coaches and analysts will look at performance data but remarkably this doesn't cover the most important part of refereeing namely decision making which I accept can often be subjective (case In point Wrexham's free kick). Decision making is now lower down the pecking order than In my day and doesn't seem to hold the same importance. In my view many are in it for the wrong reasons. When I started there were very few young referees but now there are many, some starting as early as 14 and are promoted far too readily. There are millions annually being invested into refereeing and in my opinion the standard is calling season on season.

But with VAR it would almost certainly been an OFR and very likely upgraded to a red as would Whiteman for his challenge on Tronstadt.

Games this evening for Barrett - score/update - EFL Trophy game, game is on Sky Sports + with a 7pm kick off O'Riordan - score/update - EFL Trophy game, but have gone with a second string in these games so far this season. game is on Sky Sports + with a 7pm kick off Hyde (Wolsoncroft) & Prescot Cables (Farkas) play in their regional cups, so no idea if I will get much info on these

Stephen Edmondson (released by Rovers in the summer), now at Bootle with Jayden Sergeant. scored a couple at the weekend in a 5-1 win, 26 minutes of coverage is a bit much for me, but in case anyone wants it (Sergeant played the first hour and a bit)

A passionate set of supporters who wont take kindly to having their Football Club fcuked around. We can only watch on with envious eyes as Ewood drowns in acceptance and apathy

Matchday 18 Summarised Read the full article on the front page and let us know your thoughts.

But their form had fallen off a cliff prior to him taking over, well resourced or not. His previous spell with the club and the respect with which he is held no doubt helped to settle everyone down. As an aside if Celtic do go ahead and appoint this fella Nancy you can bet your life that the “Nancy Bhoys” jokes will write themselves…

Was Theo Walcott and another black player I didnt recognise called Daniel. There was a similar sort of incident in the Birmingham v Watford game last night. Two players challenged for a bouncing ball simultaneously and the Watford player might have got a tiny bit of the ball but caught the Birmingham player studs up high up on the knee. A much worse tackle than the Caicedo one imo but again the onfield decision was a yellow.

He shouldn't be allowed to own a professional club again, really. Not that I expect he'll be back even after the three years are up. The additional six points deducted are irrelevant to Wednesday at this point as they know they're going down. They probably would be even if all deducted points were given back to them. It should mean they start next season with a clean slate, which is the best possible outcome for them at this point.

Very true there.

Just read Carl’s post and had to comment to let him know that my thoughts are with his family in what must be the most horrific of times.

I'm finally calling it (for myself) after seeing recent highlights in which Buckley struggles to track back or defend. He's an attacking midfielder or second forward.

they are at it with the match bundles again!!!!!!!!!!! is`nt the definition of stupidity trying the same thing over and over again in the hope it works😄

Words fail me. My thoughts will be with you tomorrow. 💙🤍

finicky lot the west ham fans,football has to be played "west ham way" whatever that is,well it`s not brought them much success and moving to an athletic stadium has further eroded their identity and took 15 points a season off them,upton park was a proper tight ground that nobody liked playing at,bit like burnden park and the old den

Here we have an ex-footballer Julian Dicks, West Ham to his core, giving it to the crap owners. Pity our lot stay silent and in the shadows.

Carragher's lucky to even have a media career. People have been cancelled for much less.

The point was never about his ability or otherwise. Although to guide Celtic to wins in that league considering their resources is not an achievement. The point was about appointing someone because "he knows the club," a point apparently specifically relevant to Celtic or Rangers for some unexplainable reason.

That's a good response! But short-term!

This ‘washed up old has been’ that’s been out of football for years, isn’t doing badly……

Followed by pestilence, plague and fire, it never ends!