Heron

For me, rather than VAR (which of course had come about owing to the TVs influence) they should have set up a proper referee academy, had them playing the game ad well as refereeing and should have took a hard line stance against simulation and dissent. That would have prevented the lack of respect. Instead, they've undermined referees by allowing virtual referees (for love of a better term) to tell actual referees what they've dobe wrong, but whom don't want to do it because they don't want to highlight their pals' errors. Which has subsequently fucked any miniscule amount of respect for referees. It has also lent itself to increased simulation where offensive players buy fouls through minimal contact and they're given as a result rather than common sense prevailing. In recent weeks, the Leicester and non-penalty vs Man City also suggest it lends itself to corruption. I'm surprised I'm even writing that tbh.

This is me at the moment. I have been anti-Sky for some time but sold myself out via Now TV for Leicester out of sheer hope. Watched the preview and review and realised how much they talk utter shit and seen us picked apart. Frustrating as fuck. Heart says we will get a 1 goal win, either 1-0 or 2-1. Head says they'll get some dubious decisions and Ronaldo will be spunked over after a 0-2 defeat

Stupid run ups to penalties (Jorginho) The complete lack of two-footedness (with the ball) Virtually all free kicks now being whipped/bent and not just wellied Kids holding signs for shirts - It's not WWE Pre-defined tweets and interviews that appear to be off champ man. VAR Shite refereeing Lacl of respect for officials Liverpools always the victim mentality Etc. Etc.

Sky

Absolutely. If I'm totally honest, I think there needs to be a lot more frequent and varied engagement, both online and offline in order to retain the members they attained through opportunism. By achieving so much for a multitude of causes, it gives them a great new pedestal to push off from. However, they need to change their tact to make themselves more accessible imo. The trust potentially has a big role to play with the crouch report, it's important they gain/retain any trust of the support and not just it's membership.

This is somewhat true as well. It's important we don't lose sight of othet charities or the failures of government. However, it is also the lesser of two evils to help those in need rather than make them the martyr / sacrificial lamb against their will. I think splitting the pledge down is best for all

Me leaving has been good for escaping criticism too

I like this idea, obviously, but I think the correct route for the trust would be to split it across a whole load of initiatives, with the vast majority being charities. The foodbank, north east homeless, maybe get defibrillators around town or such like given that recent fella. Even contributing to local kids football or something

When you're investing a lot of time and effort into something is sometimes difficult to take criticism. However, I think what is sometimes lost with the trust, is whether it's constructive criticism or not. Their seems to be a view that all criticism is not constructive, which frankly, is wrong.

To be honest, I think a lot of other trusts are probably ran equally as bad if not worse. Difference is, this trust now has a lot more accountability given it's high membership. They're problem is the lack of significant engagement, transparency and accountability. Rather than their responsibility as people are seemingly suggesting. Nowt bad is happening with the money, it cannot.

Beauracracy I suspect. It will ahve to be ran through legal channels, and the guardians, etc. Probably some debate on who to donate it too as well. Shouldn't be overly hard like I'd think if they out it to member vote and the guardians agree to give it to charity.

Think you're way off a lot of you tbh. Was always a left sided centre half for me, was played at LB without being coached there. Benitez came in and sorted out his positioning. May not be fantastic with the ball, but he would absolutely shore up our defence. He's better at LB than Ritchie and has more pace than him, and he's better defensively than Lewis. He isn't any worse than Lascelles or Clark either... Our most defensively sound LB and arguably CB (after Fernandez).

Will be a huge return for us getting him back.

Cannot recall that one. Perhaps conveniently

Absolutely. This is the difference between PL and international/world class standard players though. We have a team of Championship/lower PL players and now that some are getting on, we're lacking the dynamism to overcome the lack of thought. Meanwhile at Man City on the absolute opposite end of the spectrum they have players who are not only highly talented, but make the correct decisions like 99.9% of the time and whom also have the attitude and drive that will see them overcome any errors of judgement. Sadly, it is very difficult to coach decision making though. There are a lot more players who can play the game, than read it.

The TAA one was a good tackle for me like. However, dare I say it, if it had have been say Lascelles on Salah, then no way it's not given at Anfield or anywhere for that matter.

I think this is an issue with a lot of our players. Today, you could say several all made the wrong choices rather than a poor execution. Dubravka: The pass to Lascelles and not taking control of his 6 yard box for the first Clark: Not taking responsibility for heading clear the first Willock: Aimlessly chasing the ball on the second rather thsn showing awareness fo what was around him ASM: Pissing about on the edge of the box Wilson: Being a bit too selfish and not releasing it early enough There were probably a fair few others, but those were the stand out ones for me.

We need that game vs Cambridge and we need a few decent points at Southampton and Everton. Confidence is low in the camp, and for me, we now need leaders - not ones that just shout, but ones that show that extra quality and responsibility. Coloccini style rather than Lascelles style, for example.

I think that's partially a coaching issue, but largely more down to incorrect personnel. I think with fresh legs and more importantly frrsh minds, you'll see us push back a lot more and we'll stop teams getting at us as much.

You do have to remain objective but I guess, what I'd argue is what had the expectancy been from these last 3 games in particular, and then to add, how do people feel we'd have got better results from those 3. I'm of the view that the penalty decision(s) vs Leicester and Man City and the lack of stopping play for Liverpools first change the initial dynamic of all 3 fixtures. Where Howe had got it wrong for me is in that, he had chased the games at 2 down. However, in all honesty, is that a bad trait? I mean, I'd expect to chase the game at 2 down vs anyone other than day the top 6.

Was as blatant a pen as you'll ever see today. For the ref not to see it is horrendously poor. For VAR to justify it though is essentially corrupt.

I think we press better, and higher. The problem we have is the lack of quality/correct personnel in positions/style he wants to play. Dare I say it, a Mo Diame type of player is probably what's needed, or maybe more than one. We lack a degree of dynamism and above all else our decision making is shocking. Even going forward...

MotM again for us today

Least of our worries for me like. Confidence is low and unsurprisingly so. He has very poor protection in front of him. Get a better set of outfield playsrs that protect him more and we will see him return to his former self.