Yep, don't forget the scandalous penalty against Chris Samba in August 2011 for Everton to win 1-0. That was due to a directive that refs were going to be much stricter on defenders 'riding' backs on clearance headers. Samba deemed to have done that to Fellaini - he didn't! But I was fine with it because I thought we'd get loads of penalties when opposing teams did it to Samba on our corners. Did we get a single one all season while defenders literally piggy backed on him? - did we bollocks! These edicts are only fair if done consistently throughout the season. Not in a little spurt at the start.

Just need to address the pathetic 'shepherding' the ball out of play and I'll be happy. Don't get it. You block off someone in midfield when not in possession of the ball and it's obstruction. But do it in the defending 3rd and somehow it's a legitimate tactic. Winds me up no end.

It's back! Already been a few booked this 1st weekend. And tbh, one of them only tapped it about 5 yards. Looks like they're going to be really clamping down. Retro.

Here we go! 🤞🤞 England in a penalty shootout. What could possibly go wrong.

We get to penalties here and, in theory, our players should be more confident having played on the bigger stages more often (I.e.80k at Wembley and the Women's Premier League). We should have the cooler, calmer heads.....in theory. Would be a get out of jail card played mind.

I was being a bit tongue in cheek, but I do think we've been culprits in recent times (had to be, if you can't beat em, join em). There's been quite a few games we had at least 3 players hit the deck for treatment from 86 mins onwards. Didn't we also have a player or two booked in the first half for time-wasting? Takes some doing that. Would we have lost some more points if we hadn't employed those tactics? I'm on board with the changes. Needs done for the benefit of football as an entertainment spectator sport. Just not sure I agree with the theory it will work to our benefit and help us.

Petulant again on the biggest stage from England. Knew what she was doing. Stupid.

Well he mentions Phillips:

Dunno why everyone's so happy about this. Last season time wasting was one of our major strengths. On a top trump card we may have just lost our highest score. And doing pretty triangles at the back was second.

Was it good goal? Was watching penalty shootout.

Championship Hirst vs League 1 Hirst. Two totally different players it seems.

What a guy The Rock is. Big heart:

8 seconds later = review being dopiest you've seen. His whole body language, facial expression etc screamed "I've dropped that". What did he think a video replay was going to change.

Got to say Steve Smith has really grown on me this series. Liked the way he tried to retire Jimmy Anderson through that guard of honour. 😆😆 He's been the first up congratulating the England batsmen who scored big 100's. He put his body on the line yesterday crashing into the advertising hoardings, what a competitor. Phenomenal sportsman that I feel has matured and learnt humility with age and experience (sandpaper gate). Fair play to the guy.

Perfect,.I'd definitely take a couple of them logoed up. Although you've now made me sad about Dack again. 😪

All looks good gear, but I was particularly interested in the chat of hoodies. 👀

The sending off? Was nailed on.

I think it will come soon. An evolving market. I understand why they had this format back in the day. But it will mirror the men's competition soon.

Exciting though right. The fact that it was in effect lost by the 3 run margin a few days ago. Tightest of margins. Not saying I agree with the format, but it's like the women's football chat in the other thread, it's not always about quality, it's competitiveness and entertainment that wins the day. Can't say this women's ashes series hasn't had both of those qualities. Sadly, I'm not confident the men will follow suit. Hope I'm massively wrong.

You're not the first and won't be the last to be disappointed or upset over it. We have a rule to NEVER edit posts, (for obvious reasons), so we can't for example lose the offending post and leave the reply. Sorry. Maybe some more of that red wine will ease the pain and suffering. 😉

Absolutely no politics is allowed in the football section. There's no grey area on it. So 1 of yours mentioned Hunter Biden. I think you were collateral damage on the other, as you quoted a person referring to Brexit. Happens sometimes. We have to hide the post and any quotes of it.

My word. They'll have had to spend time actually discussing and planning this 🤦‍♂️:

Pretty hard for that to be true when I've never said that phrase in my life, let alone on here.

Works both ways. You haven't answered if you'd celebrate England or Rovers winning from an injury throw in not being given back. 🤷‍♂️ But my opinion is he chose to go out on one leg, he gets treated like any other player in the team. Do you think he should be treated differently? This isn't tiddlywinks, it's top level international sport. If anything, you target injuries. If a boxer has a busted eye, the opponent is aiming for it. Was watching rugby league just last week when a player (St. Helens I think?) had took a bad knock and was struggling. Moved from half backs to the wing for a rest. Commentator: "They need to get the ball over the right hand side quickly, run hard, and smash into him. They'll either break through for a try, or get him off the pitch. Either way, it's a win." Some will say cricket isn't a contact sport like them. Bloody is! You're hurling a hard ball at 90mph, sometimes at their head. There's a reason they have all the padding and guards. You step onto the playing field with an injury, that's your problem to deal with, not your opponents. Think you're confusing playing hard and taking every opportunity to nail the opponent, with being snidey. Instead of 'spirit of the game' how about just 'don't be a snidey ****!' And what they did without doubt falls under that banner.

You asked a question. The answer is no, categorically. I've given you several examples that illustrate this. You appear to be deflecting and going off on tangents instead of debating in good faith. Fine, I'll move on then. But finally, the actual phrase spirit of the game wouldn't exist would it, if it just meant within the laws of the game. Think about it.