AyeDubbleYoo

Ashley has never done anything at NUFC for short-term gain. He's done a load of things wrong and for the wrong reasons, but they've been because he was ignorant and naive about what it takes to run a football club and the chance that an owner could be "one of the lads"... not because he wanted to make some quick money. He doesn't want to spend beyond our means, that's true. But the idea that he's some sort of asset-stripping profiteer is just not true.

http://tvnz.co.nz/2010-fifa-world-cup-news/fifa-referees-got-96-percent-right-3638147 Not independent but probably about right. Very interesting! They're definitely right about the one mistake overshadowing everything else. That's the issue I have with people criticising referees, all the correct decisions get forgotten. It would be like slating Tiote for the 6% of passes he misplaced yesterday.

I don't believe it's getting worse or is more biased towards big clubs than it ever was. Obviously that's only my opinion and there's nothing scientific to back it up. I would like to see assessments of referees based on right and wrong decisions etc etc, does any independent body gather that sort of information?

I'm not denying they got it wrong, and obviously their assessments should reflect that. But you can't possibly be shocked or surprised... it happens all the time, and always has done.

I never understand how people can ask questions like this. It happened, they missed it. It happens all the time, so how is it in any way surprising? It's like we're judging referees against a non-existent ideal standard that has never ever been met.

Haway man, that's ridiculous. Is it? I use the ball better than him, ffs. Give Chris a call then, we could use you. I'm with Keefaz on this like. His vision is pretty horrible, but he's got other qualities that makes up for it. He's been good for us this season, especially since HBA got injured. I'm not trying to say his 'vision' is great, that's not his game. If we want vision then he's obviously not the player. If we get a player with vision for the LW then he would likely lack other things that Jonas has... pace, energy, workrate, carrying the ball forward occupying defenders etc. I don't see the point in criticising him for lack of vision, we know he's not a world-class playmaker.

Compare and contrast the performances of Barton and Gutierrez in the past 3 matches. Simple as that. Both have played well.

Haway man, that's ridiculous. Is it? I use the ball better than him, ffs. Give Chris a call then, we could use you.

I'm happy to admit I was harsh on Colo and that's turned out to be wrong. I thought he was another one of the Bramble/Boumsong defensive abortions.

Haway man, that's ridiculous.

I have no doubt he will sign an extended contract on better terms, assuming we don't plummet between now and January. It's a non-issue IMO.

Capello does a weird combination of both, that's the strange thing. Same with players' ages... he tells Beckham he's too old then picks Kevin Davies. He's a hard man to understand... and not just because he can't speak English.

I don't think we were tired at the end, we were just very cautious to get forward and leave ourselves exposed. We had obviously decided that the best approach was to defend the 1-0 for the majority of the half.

My belief is basically this, in principle: The referee is in charge of the game, players and managers should respect his decisions and abide by them at all times. This includes admitting that they were made in good faith. Referees should be given the training they need to be competent, and they should be assessed by completely independent people. We should accept that referees are human and will make a number of mistakes in a game, no matter what. Players and managers should be called-up and punished for disrespecting referees and attempting to deceive them during the game. This includes retrospective punishment for diving and fouling. It's not a "disgrace" or a "farce" when a ref misses an incident or makes a wrong decision, it's a normal part of football. People just need to grow up and accept it.

Too much blantant favouring big clubs, needs addressing. I honestly don't believe this happens, at least nowhere near as much as people like to think. And even if it does need addressing, the way to do it isn't be letting biased and vindictive managers have a say over how could a referee is. It's a crazy suggestion.

Managers and players should have absolutely no say on the quality of referees, they should learn that the referee's decision is final FFS.

I was on MOTD2! Fame at last.

Not sure, maybe it was just me swimming against the tide but I thought he looked a very good player to begin with but by November/December the toll of playing every minute of every game in a new league, in a struggling side with no protection whatsoever from the midfield, did seem to give his confidence a thorough beating. Seem to remember Ashley calling him his "marquee signing" or some bollocks like that, turns out he might be right. Would love it, just love it if a fair chunk of our fans remembered times like this (3 wins in a row!) when they next start slagging off our players before they've had a fair crack of the whip. I agree with all your points, I'm just saying that fans very rarely (if ever) give players a realistic time to settle in. Same goes for the media in general too.

I don't think people can be criticised too much for having a go at Colo in the relegation season, he looked awful. Yes, we should be saying "give him a couple of seasons to settle in", but football opinions don't work like that do they?

I'm a long-time campaigner for the suit as well, seems to have worked a treat.

Nicky Butt completed that 6% no problem.

I wouldn't be against giving Sol a game with the fixtures a bit frantic... problem is that Willicini doesn't seem like it needs a rest at all.

I know. My brother came to them both with me, he's still never seen an away defeat! I'm not going to an away game without him ever again.

I was shitting myself every time they got the ball TBH. Saying that, there's nothing you can do about a lot of their play. When passing football is executed that fast and accurate, combined with movement off the ball, it's nearly unstoppable. They were always going to get chances.

Jay and Silent Bob