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@Skeletor

This is basically it. We're either looking at scrapping it or having much much more of it.

On one hand, I'm sympathetic to the ideas here. On the other, fuck me we're making a pig's ear out of what used to be a fun, simple game enjoyed by small children.

Barely anyone does now. Eddie Howe says he doesn't. It's useful, makes them more pliant.

Whatever happens, it'll be super valuable experience. A true free hit

Practicing his NUFC celebration. Respect the forward thinking.

I was avoiding the club in those days so could be off, but my interpretation was he saw China as a good spot from which he could easily return to Newcastle should the takeover have come through? A bit tragic that it ended up being 6 months late really.

Content with a draw, and would see that as a continuation of our good run, but obviously hoping for more.

I take your point but there's no way that the refereeing system has, accidentally or otherwise, exclusively hired intellectual deficients. It's a feature, not a bug.

Now it's officially a shit loan.

Frank is spot on and very measured in his comments. Goalies psyching out penalty takers is the least of my concerns, but what's wrong with wanting more honesty in the game? I hate cheats, and only complaining about it when it hurts you is pathetic, small behaviour.

I think you've pretty well answered your own point there. It's as much about what it prevents e.g. exhaustion and 'results that never were' as it is game swinging substitutes. As managers and squads get better adapted to it there's a lot of scope for fielding two different teams in one match, both operating at peak physical intensity. That's fine if someone likes the basketball type approach to tactics and timeouts, but they're very different games and we'd be losing something in the process.

Definitely not acceptable, certainly a sincere private apology required. Just not end of the world.

Must be so frustrating for an opponent when they think they're about to have a great day.

And spot fixing for high stake gambling. Don't forget that. It's why fixating on whether some teams benefit more than others overall is totally naive.

Would be interested to hear the justifications.

That's the question that should be asked about any rule/rule change. I think our new dark arts tactic should be for all our players to keep their heads at hip height as soon as they enter the opposing penalty area. Especially for set pieces.

Agreed. Off topic but I don't like all these substitutes being allowed. Changes the nature of the game, and not in a good way for me. To me, part of the sport is seeing how players and teams deal mentally and physically with stamina and tactical ebb and flows. Plus it benefits the rich clubs hugely.

One little thing yesterday, I forget the exact details, but I think it was Trippier who was dispossessed on the right of their box. Gordon absolutely flew across the pitch and counter tackled within about 3 seconds and took the ball back for us. Really enjoyed that moment. He is seriously rapid when he wants to be.

another triumph for the scientists of football law.

It hit the outside of his upper bicep from what I could see. With the rest of his arm going across his body, meaning his silhouette was basically torso+shoulder.

Believe you're right but it's ridiculous. As I understand it, another rule changed to give VAR something to do/spoil.

Robbed of a goal from what I could see. Had his arm across his own stomach. What more could he do to avoid it?

In the moment, I don't think he saw it that way. Probably thought he was being accused of shit defending. A bit crazy, but over and done with in a couple of minutes most likely.

Loved the half time subs.