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Arteta is doing what Fergie used to do - put pressure on refs so although the big decisions might go against them they'll get lots more decisions in the game. <br />They'll be awarded soft freekicks & the ref's will go easier on their side when they're pushing what an acceptable tackle is.
Yeah, but Fergie was doing it 20 years ago.
If you wanted to win yourself same soft reffing decisions, I'd say that nowadays it has the opposite effect as refs have now had more than enough of it.
Still banging on about it in the press days later is just embarrassing
Although I personally think the opinion on the foul for the Toon goal was wrong and it is very regrettable that it wasn't able to pronounce for certain on the two items of fact (was the ball over the line and was Gordon offside), at least the VAR could be seen to be going through the decision making process unlike the problem of a hurried and unstructured wrong decision around that disallowed Liverpool goal against Spurs earlier in the season. Unlike some other sports with technological assistance such as rugby or overseas football leagues, our referees come across as a bunch of jumped up twerps with an over-developed sense of self-importance who want to be a part of the game yet without any degree of empathy for how it is played; it's less about a failing of the system but more those operating it.
I thought the Havertz "tackle" was a straight red.
Bruno's elbow to the back of tyhe head also a straight red, not sure the ref saw it, var absolutley should have brought him to the screen. Also IMO that was violent conduct and should have been an extended ban by a couple of extra games.
The goal decision, specifically the foul, was the wrong decision IMO, however it wasn't a terrible decision, it was one of those that I can see the point of view of those who say it wasn't a foul, but two hands onn the back seems to normally be automatically given as a foul so it is inconsistent with what we normally see.
The Spurs/Chelsea game reminds me of when Chelsea played Man City in 2016. Some poor refereeing made it a niggly match with Aguero and Fernandinho being sent off for City. That result derailed City's title aspirations - wonder if Monday's game will have a similar effect on Spurs.
WRT the Bruno incident one of the pundits thought it wasn't pulled up because it was forearm rather than elbow, and that is OK. So it isn't a case of assault if you use the appropriate part of your body. Work that one out.
The biggest thing i couldn't understand, in this day and age with VAR, why the hell is Raheem Sterling diving at every opportunity, he had 2 or 3 worth yellows in that game, do the footballers forget that in the box there's pretty much full coverage?!
Derailed spurs' title aspirations? We didn't have any mate. Squad not deep enough. The damage from that game has now decimated us.
Yes I agree, attacking football=ange ball = how we play mate... but there comes a time where a compact and deep defensive unit has a place. Just because we finally managed to break through Liverpool's excellent efforts doesn't mean it wouldn't have worked better for us yesterday.
I'm not turning on Ange, I think it's right to start ambitious and not lose faith but when at 9 men ... trying to do energetic attacking ball, playing through the opposition is a big up hill battle.
Oh and if Messi says cuti is the best cb in the world I listen BUT even I know step one in the 'how to be a world class defender 101 manual' is BE ON THE PITCH! Destiny dawg needs to read that first page of the manual too.
I’m sure Big Ange said words to that effect to him. From a neutrals point of view he’s a quality player to watch as he’s either a match-winner or an absolute liability!
I know this because I’ve had him in my FF team for most of the season - I transferred hi out before last night though
I think Nunes must have found Sterling's slippy soled boots in the Etihad broom cupboard
He's struggling to stay upright tonight
I’m not turning on Ange, I think it’s right to start ambitious and not lose faith but when at 9 men … trying to do energetic attacking ball, playing through the opposition is a big up hill battle.
Maybe its the coming from Scottish football where Celtic could probably quite easily do that and still win with 9 on the pitch. Learning curve in a proper league... its probably similar to what led to Bielsa's downfall, plan A and if that doesn't work, stick with plan A 😀
its probably similar to what led to Bielsa’s downfall, plan A and if that doesn’t work, stick with plan A
^ Trudat
Bit of a lesson for the toon last night but CL this year was always going to be a learning process rather than a real ambition (it's already made us a better team IMO). Not sure it's much of a priority TBH so really won't be disappointed if/when we go out at the group stage with all the injuries we've got. Europa League might be a more realistic opportunity as long as we can clear the injury list. And we desperately need another forward in January, Wilson is out of his depth at this level.
I think the injuries have done for Newcastle.
last night, there was a young lad on the bench, Ben Parkinson, who hasn't played in a competitive 1st team game yet.
Not sure if I think finishing third and playing in the Europa league would be a good thing.
The priority has to be the league and pushing for CL again and try to have a go at the domestic cups.
Not sure if I think finishing third and playing in the Europa league would be a good thing.
Oh yeah we don't want the Europa league if we still have all these injuries in the new year. If we can get players fit again though we can rotate the squad a bit more in Europa games than in the CL. Agree though the league is priority (as always).
That comparison to Bielsa feels very accurate. It's fine for Ange to say, this is how we play (mate), under me Mt teams always play energetic attacking football, and after morihno and conte it's great to see! But I do think he needs to accept plan B has it's place. Klopp has Liverpool play attacking football, but recognises at 10, and 9 men, plan b of compact and tight with salah to run on to balls on the break, is more likely to succeed against decent opposition. We could have done similar trying to suck Chelsea forward and leave space for Son to run in. However, I doubt a point salvaged would make much difference come the end of the season so if he felt there was more to learn from watching the 9 play ange ball and lose 3-0 then fine. Dier showed enough to give some hope. I'd love to see him refind the form he had under Poch.
With vdv and cuti out he's going to get some starts, cometh the hour Eric, what are you going to do?
It’s a fine (high) line isn’t it? Late on Son and Bentancur missed good chances to equalise, if they’d gone in Ange is a genius etc.
United in action tonight. Best get behind the sofa Binners 😀
I’m already getting my shouty head on in anticipation 😂
And it was all going so well
Maybe at this point we need to push the defence up to the half way line and see if someone else can get sent off?
You could always just give up and watch the Arsenal game?
all very spud like!
And todays lesson in how to throw away a comfortable 2 goal lead is brought to you by Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire…
If we revert to type then we completely collapse in the second half and lose 5-2
Saw ManU up 2-0 and thought this should be plain sailing, now 2-2 and they're down to 10 men 😲
Plain sailing? Have you not watched us this season?
And the Arsenal game has Rio Ferdinand as a studio summeriser. For some reason he sounds like he has 2 tongues.
clutching defeat from the jaws of victory ! 😀
ROONY ROONY
Oof. That bloke they wanted to sign is going to finish off their CL hopes when Bayern come to Old Trafford, isn't he?
Absolutely nuts!
Bizarrely we looked better with ten men tonight than we’ve looked with eleven all season
Mind you, that’s hardly a high watermark
At least finishing bottom means United avoid the Europa league?
Laughing at United is almost like kicking a puppy.
Seeing Garnacho shushing the Copenhagen fans after the penalty... beautiful 😀
Another decade or so and I might feel sorry for them.
Brighton back to winning ways again 👍🤩😎
Liverpool looked pretty clueless earlier.
The soft touch away form appears to have returned. Mac Allister suspended this weekend which may be a good thing, he’s struggled a bit as defensive midfielder, although Klopp doesn’t seem to trust anyone else in the role so not sure what the alternative is.
Liverpool took going to Toulouse far to literally 😀
So wolves have received yet another apology from var about the penalty awarded to Sheffield United which led to them getting their first win of the season.
That is three times now that the panel has apologised to wolves for getting decision's wrong which could make the difference between staying up or receiving high place finish money.
Because it's wolves it doesn't make sports headline news
Because it’s wolves it doesn’t make sports headline news
It'll have made sports headline news somewhere, Wolverhamption maybe. But not a hope in hell of anything being the main story on BBC Football for example unless its about Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool or the women's game.
Apparently Wolves' first goal was a bit special.
It was.
Ha, ha & thrice ha. 😂
As an Albion fan I have no real love for the Dingles, but **** me Sarabia's goal was something else.