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Sure, but it seems like a cop out to focus on him. This is a systemic issue that happens over and over again across games, countries and competitions. If the so called best referee in the world buckles when forced to be centre of attention by VAR like that, then what hope have the rest of them got?

Putting aside Miley's age, man of the match for me. Tragic miscarriage of justice with the penalty. But he'll be playing for us long after that is forgotten.

Pretty sure I heard it's only English VAR that ruins football - that Europeans have nailed it. Anyone dare say it's been good for the sport tonight? It's funny people are blaming the referee. He actually made the right call on his first attempt. Then something was said over his earpiece and history changed.

Behind in what way? It's the biggest sport in the world.

Better brace ourselves for 15 minute injury times.

It's a mystery to me that people can't see the consequences of sin bins. Particularly those who complain that sending offs spoil a competitive match.

Concerned it will be hard to read this banner.

Would be interesting to see what Howe would've done with them. Bet it would be more than they are now.

There are no obvious options, it's all tradeoffs. So we need to be very tolerant of whatever happens, basically, whether that's playing tired players who consequently get injured, or putting out lacklustre lineups in competitions we'd normally want to take seriously.

Still well on course to be player of the season. Him or Schar.

On this subject, Louise Taylor clearly had her knives sharpened judging by her match report. Today's result ruined the angle she was obviously going to take.

Weird to think he hasn't been here a year, yet. Feels like longer.

Fair shout on signalling to the media, rather than the board.

What a blessing it is to have him given our injury situation. Would be getting really ugly otherwise.

Did I see Gordon pretend to offer a hand up and then fuck him off immediately after that? Was hilarious if so.

Why do those threads get permalocked?

Supposedly the only thing holding back investment is FFP, which this won't help with. If we're as professional as we're supposed to be, childish demonstrations like this shouldn't be necessary. I accept that's 'if'.

Questions definitely need to be asked, but I don't think when he says hardly trained he means they've done no strength and conditioning work. I believe he's referring more to on pitch games which are played at almost match day intensity.

Can we agree naming 4 goalkeepers in a match day squad is silly? Unless all of our academy players are not only awful but also have appalling attitudes, one of those spots should be for them. I don't think this is about sending a message to our board - it certainly shouldn't need to be, anyhow.

No wonder Tonali is looking good in training, he's only up against children.

Totally agree, I won't be leaping on him any time soon. It's more just the platitudes that Howe hasn't been saying that he generally has about other players, including kids, in similar situations. So pleased to hear him getting some phatic treatment.

Sure. Just been striking how quiet Howe has been on him, particularly in relation to off field work, which is a free hit in terms of press relations. It's the closest he's come to public criticism, to be honest.

Probably mourn it. Doubt it would succeed but morally we'd be entitled to a monster legal action when you think how different history likely would've been e.g. I genuinely don't think we'd have hired Souness to "finally get that trophy over the line". Painful.

Pleasing to hear.

Yes that's my bias. It would be admitting defeat if we disrupted things and took him back early. Would probably need to repair relations with Feyenoord too, in terms of being a reliable sporting partner.