Infinitely Content

I would prefer refereeing errors to be refereeing errors, and for them have to just take responsibility for it. As things are with VAR, refs just do any old shit and then stand about waiting for VAR to pick up the pieces. I'd argue it's reducing the standard of officiating which was already low. There he just gave the goal when he didn't have a clue what he had done and why he blew his whistle, had no intention of justifying his decision to the players who this impacts massively and instead just waited about for it to be corrected for him. Would much prefer the game to just accept the element of misjudgement and error, it's so shite watching players surrounding the referee asking them the question, crying about checking a monitor and they just stand about with their finger on their earpiece not saying a word. No accountability.

Urgh. VAR has made refs even more passive. They just ignore players and stand about waiting for their job to be done for them. It's shite.

Forgot who it was but I heard a City player see he struggles a lot with self-belief, and if he was to sort that out he would be a complete centre back and one of the best around. Looking like that now, first name on the team sheet for England tbh.

Almiron and Neto to score, Wolves to win 1-2.

Exactly. Callum Wilson mentioned his man management skills on Sky today. Shelvey mentioned it this week too. But all evidence in this situation tells me that he's horrible at that too. Pissed off Darlow, pissed off Dubravka keeping him out of the team so long and now heaped the pressure on Dubravka to have an immaculate performance due to the tension building over the weeks of everyone asking the question as to why he's not come in sooner. He really is dire.

Have to agree. As much as I was caught up in the delirium of having such rich owners, it was almost secondary to getting Ashley out. I'd be more than happy with moderately ambitious owners who may not get us into the top 6, but would bring back that feeling at the beginning of a season of "we could do something here". We all know a new season is met with nothing but apathy and dread these days. Someone shared that video of Rafa taking to the pitch after a game a few seasons ago, hugging the players, applauding the fans. The atmosphere in that video is all I want alongside the right to dream that we could do something. I don't think it takes state-rich Saudi ownership to get that back.

Celtic, Wolves or Leeds (depending on Bielsa resigning) seem the 3 likely next steps for him.

I miss the rapturousness and would love them to get rid of VAR permanently At present the cons badly outweigh the pros, but I think with a serious look at the protocols, which includes getting rid of stupid marginal overturns because an elbow was offside or the like, far fewer goals would be reviewed and therefore fans can celebrate with more confidence. If a goal gets fairly chalked off for a clear foul or offside, so be it. At least it would be fair and proves setting up an offside trap is worth the risk etc. Disallowed goals aren’t a new thing but I appreciate it would be nice if we saw fewer of them. I agree that currently it's watering down, stealing even, what I consider the most important aspects of football. For me football is a game of passion, the moment, the instinct, emotions. Without those I'm not terribly interested in the rest - stats (especially not shite like XG and out-of-game analysis), possession, tactics etc. I love the buzz of seeing the ball going in, the keeper pulling off an incredible save, a beautiful pass, a full-blooded tackle. For me VAR has diluted certain aspects of the game I've treasured since being a kid, the things that have kept me engaged with the game all my life, and it's also not eradicated mistakes entirely. It's been around long enough now to make a fair call on it, and I'd lean towards getting rid but would be open to a change in approach and use of it.

Yes But the point still stands in general. I just think it's a shame we've lost that rapturousness on certain occasions. Which is not necessarily to say I don't want VAR in the game.

Stunning from Giroud. One thing I'll never like about VAR despite it eventually getting the decision right, is that fact that goal, in these circumstances should have been followed by complete delirium, but the life is sucked out by the halt in play and the celebration afterwards is massively diluted. That initial response to an important goal is one of football's real highs and it's been taken away from us.

9 games overdue, well done Steve.

I've loved watching Daniel Podence for them this season, one of the more enjoyable, entertaining players in the league. Not sure if he's fit for this one mind.

Stop fat shaming Big Jow aka O Fenômeno aka J9. Je suis Joelinton.

When you can hear a picture.

Fair summary. Maguire and Lindelof were shocking first half, the pair of them are so unrefined. Not sure what the view is of Bailly but I reckon he's far better than the pair of them from what I've seen. Not sure why he's sat on the bench with two oafs in the middle of the defence.

It's a shame that it's been allowed to arrive at the point where most fans are calling for him to be dropped (rightly so imo as we need Dubravka for his ability and leadership for the scrap afoot). The situation should have been managed better, and Darlow should have been gracefully moved to his number 2 spot before mistakes crept in and began to mount. Perhaps the Sheffield Utd game should have been his last as I think Dubravka started the game against Arsenal a few days before. Could have just thanked Darlow and brought Dubravka back in, rather than allowing it to get to the point where the management have waited for these mistakes to creep in and people are on his back a bit. Fine contribution for us this season, but ultimately a number 2 at this level.

ffs

He was at Wallsend Boys and then us prior.

The 11 we have on the pitch after those subs is painfully championship. Not a single bit of Premier League quality on that pitch, and I am including Fraser there who has done fuck all for us really.

Miggy must be sick as fuck having to share a pitch with some of this lot. The disparity in quality in our squad between the likes of Almiron and Wilson, to the likes of Lewis and Shelvey is enormous.

Eh, Lewis literally looked at James then just didn't bother going across.

Not the first time in recent weeks Darlow has been beaten near post.

Lewis is so frustrating. One of the most timid players I've seen play for us, genuinely terrified to play the ball forwards. ASM gan ballistic at him there.

Shola to score for Man Utd.

Taken us two years to win that many.