Hanshithispantz

Both Felipe and Niakhate had the opportunity to clear the ball so even that ESPN article is overly forgiving to the VAR. I actually don’t think the rule is that complicated tbh, I completely get what they’re trying to do with it but we need to move VAR away from a few officials in a room and have multiple (preferably foreign) VARs independently reviewing incidents and writing up a report after each game.

My dream signing.

I cannot really take any statistic telling me x amount of decisions have improved with VAR when we know VAR has a 'high bar' meaning penalties will be waved away unless they're really, really, really a penalty. It's obviously been introduced due to the problem corners were bringing, but it means we're seeing players being thrown over in the box constantly with nothing given. These decisions are 'wrong', they would not be overturned if the ref had gave them. Juxtapose this with VAR micromanaging other calls, going out of their way to find infringements, and we have a really weird system that is letting a load of obvious infringements go, and 'correcting' others which would have caused no controversy beyond a shrug of the shoulders otherwise.

Thought Dennis was off for some reason Pretending he was though the point is that just standing offside is fine. Intercepting/playing isn’t really anything to get stuck over though, he was fully in control of what to do with the ball. He had to opportunity to put his foot through it.

He isn’t gaining an advantage though as he’d be offside if Isak played it to him. He’s onside because Felipe intentionally played the ball in his direction. The fact it was a stupid decision is irrelevant. It’s no different to Botman playing the ball back to Dennis.

It would still be subjective though as they would have to determine when to apply the rule, otherwise you would have Burn passing to Maxi on the left wing being pulled back because Lodi steps forward playing Murphy off on the right.

Rashford against Man City was an example of the murkiness around the law.

I don't think it works here though as Felipe plays the ball 90 degrees towards Longstaff who's 10 yards away. I think the whole "is he interfering or not" thing only works when it's the same phase of play. Basically Longstaff would have to have been close to Felipe.

Why though? The purpose of the rule is to prevent goals like the (apparently legal) Salah one. Where a deflection or 'unfair clearance' goes through to an attacker in an advantageous position. It's not meant to bail out sloppy defending. Felipe had more than enough of an opportunity to clear the ball properly, the fact he played it towards a teammate under pressure is his own fault. Similarly Niahkate could have poked it out for a corner instead of playing a low ball across his own box, he had plenty of time.

I'd imagine it would be: Joelinton Isak Murphy Willock Bruno Longstaff Burn Botman Schar Trippier Pope

The fact everyone commenting on the goal I've seen in media don't seem to be recognising how insane his thinking and skill was to get up, shield the ball, and completely do Lodi for the Anderson goal is annoying

Our first goal could have been chalked off too for Willocks foul in the build up, again a subjective decision. We got lucky with that (although it didn't feel like it given the decisions up to that point) so it's not like it was a blatantly bent game or anything. Just shit. EDIT: Added to here as the triple post made me look unhinged. It's not even subjective either, by the conditions Neville brings up Felipe cannot be adjudged to not be in control, he literally ticks every box for the criteria they're looking for with the exception that the ball was moving quickly.

Isak has had a great goal and a great assist chalked off due to overzealous VAR use and he's been here two minutes, it's hardly just a reaction to change why people are sick of it. I've maintained all along that VAR is great for off the ball incidents but the subjective nature of it means it's completely pointless at best as a refereeing aid, and completely ruins the enjoyment of the game at worst. It's just impossible to get the balance right between undermining the on field referee and being overly reactive to any minor infraction. The decisions just shift from the pitch to the VAR room and are now based on the debate of whether the incident is enough for VAR to intervene or not.

That back heel was delicious.

They explained in commentary that it's a subjective call on whether the 2 defenders played the ball or had it played off them. So basically the officials went out of their way to chalk off a brilliant and unique goal. Just horrific, joyless men.

Pretty sure he has some sort of genetic mutation giving his brain faster pathways to his feet.

A ‘subjective decision’ apparently. It hit 2 Forrest players ffs, up there with the Palace call.

In what world is that offside man, absolutely ridiculous

Yates is absolutely fucking woeful like

This is the worst refereeing performance we’ve had this season

Yates should have 2 yellows already

Willock, Isak, Maxi & Murphy will be deadly on the break, nowt to worry.

Almiron was a level above when he came on like, I can understand not dropping Murphy from the XI though. Being in a position where that's the case is great as he was absolutely tragic in pre-season.

He's a player who you feel just needs to improve a few areas slightly and he'll be notching great attacking numbers too. He's very clever on the ball but for whatever reason it hasn't translated to goals and assists the past year and a half or so, I think he could easily be hitting proper attacking mid numbers if it clicks.