Time keeping is one area where I believe the game can be improved and something that is consistent and transparent. In Rugby League the referee simply tells the timekeeper when to start and stop time for any reason. They have a fluid system for substitutions so pretty much the clock stops for injuries and reviews by the studio official. Rugby League players don't waste time with restarts but footballers do invariably in the knowledge that all the consumed time is unlikely to be added. Having an independent time keeper might alleviate this. It would relieve an unnecessary pressure from the referee.

That is the process now. The VAR constantly review incidents involving every goal, sending off, penalties and mistaken identity. If the VAR feels there has been a clear and obvious error in any of these then the on field referee is advised to look at the pitch side screen. As I have said before once an incident is sent for review only an extremely brave referee will go against the advice of the VAR.

Looking ahead to when the blazers in Geneva sit down post World Cup to decide whether or not VAR has been a success will be a fait accompli as these are the people who decided to use it pretty much untried in the first instance. In their unfeeling way they will hide behind some manufactured statistics designed to show it was successful.

What FIFA are trying to do Tom is turn the decision making process in football into an exact science but that can never, ever happen. The vast majority of VAR referrals and ultimately decisions are still based on opinion not fact. I disagree with the Portugal penalty but you think it was one. Who is correct? The game has been around for well over 100 years and has managed by giving autonomy to the referee and his assistants to make decisions. It is farcical in my opinion. (but my opinion isn't fact) ?.

Yes the referee can disagree with the VAR but it will be a brave referee who does that. I said last week that once an incident is referred by VAR as a clear and obvious error the on field referee will be under huge pressure to go against their advice.

But the VAR considered all the incidents to be clear and obvious errors. That is four people studying incidents from lots of angles and then supported by the on field referee. It's farcical and I think will become even more ridiculous when we get to the knock out stage.

Colombia take the award for the most energetic team so far. The pace and intensity of their play was terrific and they will trouble most teams with that alone.

I think overall the refereeing has been decent John but some are relying on VAR for what look to be bread and butter decisions in my opinion. The referee today didn't and he was correct with both penalties. As you know sometimes gut reaction is invariably correct and decisions are given instinctively. It was for me anyhow.

I saw it in real time. The likes of Motson and Tyler wouldn't have missed that.

They mentioned the L-C caution came up on their screen and assumed it was for the goal celebration. Murphy is a master at stating the bleedin' obvious. I just can't stand him after he stole all that money from Rovers.

I'll be surprised if Panama finish this match with eleven players on the pitch. They look like an undisciplined bunch. The England hot heads would do well not to get involved.

That's exactly how it should be. In the recent past there has been too much information leaked out of Ewood with the likes of Nixon having several sources. His abject efforts since Mowbray arrived prove he is past his sell by date and cannot be taken seriously anymore.

I recall a figure of £8m from last year so £18m isn't too bad. That said new contracts for existing players should be quite significant.

The Germans changed their shape and got the ball forward a lot quicker when they brought Gomez on at halftime. They pressed a lot more and got in between the two banks of four.

Terrified of the Germans but could have had a hatful in the first half?

I suspect he knew that Mike.

They hit the post, the Swedish keeper was arguably man of the match with several top saves. The game was pretty much played in the Swedish half. Not luck at all. The winning goal was top drawer.

It wasn't luck that won them the game tonight.

Sweden bottled that for sure. Their bearded substitute was a walking free-kick and if you keep giving the Germans chances they will score. You have to have grudging admiration for the Germans but it would have been nice to see them going out.

It is £10 for season ticket holding adult. https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2018/june/2018-19-memberships-available-now/

A few of the Baltic states produce real quality players with great desire. I saw Serbia play their first game and they, like Croatia play an exciting brand of football but have a real strength and desire about them.

We played them at Ewood in Terry Genoes testimonial around 92-93 I think Bob. I remember Duncan Shearer playing for them. I refereed Aberdeen in a friendly at Bury on a Friday night (Mike Newell played for them) and they brought lots down for that.

That is probably the worst Argentinean team I have seen. I was intrigued by their manager for comedy value alone. I think he covered more distance and expanded more energy than most of his players. Messi looked disinterested and half hearted and yet was one of the best from a pretty sorry bunch. Still never mind eh...................

I hadn't heard anything about watching games online. It irks me the lack of consideration given to travelling fans for evening games. As well as time off work for many for everybody on the day of the game the day after can normally be written off owing to an early hour of the morning arrival at home.

Derby will be the new Leeds Bob due to the Lampard/Sky connection and fascination. Just a quick check shows that Swansea and Reading away are both night games. Thanks again EFL.