2023-24 Football season

[Blackpool Rock]

Bugger  Wembley and penalties don't go hand in hand for Coventry.  But what a game, what a comeback by the Sky Blues , nearly climbed that mountain Blackpool Rock 
Bloody VAR.

Yeah when utd missed their 1st pen it was looking hopeful, got to feel sorry for the Coventry lads who missed

[Steve2]

You can walk tall Mr Bluesky. They did you all proud 

[mr.bluesky]

You can walk tall Mr Bluesky. They did you all proud 

They certainly did  who'd of thought we would take a multi £ billion Premier league team all the way to extra time and penalty shoot out after giving them a 3 goal head start.

[radioman33]

Man City will win the final easily,Simms + Wright were good buys after losing Victor Gyokeres,hopefully get promoted next season.

[mr.bluesky]

Man City will win the final easily,Simms + Wright were good buys after losing Victor Gyokeres,hopefully get promoted next season.

I just hope it's a better final than last season as last years final was pretty dire to watch. 
I fear we have lost too much ground on the teams above to make the play offs this season but with a settled team and a few astute signings we can really push for promotion next season.

[webpunter]

On other matters its kicking off with VAR

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I hope they do sue the PGMOL

VAR are beyond shite, they've got slo-mo, numerous camera angles & they still consistently fuck it up with amazing ease

Watching it on sky with a couple of replays & its obvious to everyone

However i would like to see Luton stay up & Forest are FFP cheats

I watched MOTD
1st pen claim = no chance
2nd pen claim = 50/50
3rd pen claim = absolute dead cert
One common feature = wankchester cunt Young

Give VAR the benefit of the doubt = unconscious bias [UB]
With Forest having highlighted before the match that VAR a Luton fan
& VAR chose to do fuck all about it, not the best idea *
* for me this puts VAR in a difficult position
& UB is a damning inditement
If Forest do get relegated if i was in their position i would take action
Court of Arbitration for Sport to start the ball rolling

A tactical move dropping the legal threat with their FFP appeal pending, klevva

[Blackpool Rock]

I watched MOTD
1st pen claim = no chance
2nd pen claim = 50/50
3rd pen claim = absolute dead cert
One common feature = wankchester cunt Young

Give VAR the benefit of the doubt = unconscious bias [UB]
With Forest having highlighted before the match that VAR a Luton fan
& VAR chose to do fuck all about it, not the best idea *
* for me this puts VAR in a difficult position
& UB is a damning inditement
If Forest do get relegated if i was in their position i would take action
Court of Arbitration for Sport to start the ball rolling

A tactical move dropping the legal threat with their FFP appeal pending, klevva

It's a very bold statement for Forest to make and no having to read between the lines, clearly the VAR official should have been switched before the match especially as his loyalty was flagged in advance

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[Jumping Jack Flash]

I didn’t see the game Mr Bluesky but it sounds like I missed a cracking one.

Your boys did you proud, as you say it’s probably too late to reach the playoffs now, will you be able to keep the squad together?

[Private Parts]

I didn’t see the game Mr Bluesky but it sounds like I missed a cracking one.

Your boys did you proud, as you say it’s probably too late to reach the playoffs now, will you be able to keep the squad together?

Jumpin’ you missed a belter. Mr Bs my commiserations for your sad tangle with VAR,
What with no replays and pressure from the premier league, and messing about with regulation (££driven) the essence of football is being thrown away.
Not in our day with heroes like George Curtiss

[mr.bluesky]

I didn’t see the game Mr Bluesky but it sounds like I missed a cracking one.

Your boys did you proud, as you say it’s probably too late to reach the playoffs now, will you be able to keep the squad together?

Hopefully , many of the current squad are under contact. The only one who's contact expires in the summer is Callum O' Hare who's holding out I guess for more money or waiting to see if any Premier league clubs come in for him. Still an outside chance of making the play offs this season but not likely.  With the cash we've made from this cup run Hopefully with a few astute signings we can push on for promotion next season. We still have quite a small squad compared to most teams but with an owner  in Doug King who actually cares about the club the future is very much brighter and in Mark Robins we have one of the best managers in the country. One good thing about this current team is they just don't give up as yesterdays results and the comeback win over " the dingles"  (as you call them  ) in the semi final shows.
When new chairman Doug King took over he said it was a five year plan to get back into the Premier league so we're still on track. No more penalty shoot outs at Wembley please, we don't like them 

[daviemac]

Jumpin’ you missed a belter. Mr Bs my commiserations for your sad tangle with VAR,
What with no replays and pressure from the premier league, and messing about with regulation (££driven) the essence of football is being thrown away.
Not in our day with heroes like George Curtiss

I was watching it but turned it off when Man U went 3 - 0 up, checked the score later and it was 3 - 3 so put it back on, hard lines with the disallowed goal, looked like he would have been onside if his boots were one size smaller.

As an aside, Gateshead have been kicked out of the National league play-offs because "they failed to secure a "10-year security of tenure" at the International Stadium, where they have played since 1971-72, by 1 March."

The stadium is owned by Gateshead council who had offered options to the club but they weren't deemed good enough. Luton were allowed to be promoted to the premier league despite their ground not meeting standards so why couldn't Gateshead been given time to sort it. 

[Bangman]

Good game and my respect to Coventry city for reaching the semi final.
I'm just pissed at my club.. we were so lucky to win, I don't understand why ETH took of Garnacho and Mainoo ( who played so well ) to bring on Flop Antony and Coventry played better and scored since these subs. It's Rashford that's shite.
We were awful, I admit..BUT look how many injures we have..I mean Casemiro had to start match playing in defense.

No excuses.. fingers crossed Utd win FA cup final

[mr.bluesky]

Good game and my respect to Coventry city for reaching the semi final.
I'm just pissed at my club.. we were so lucky to win, I don't understand why ETH took of Garnacho and Mainoo ( who played so well ) to bring on Flop Antony and Coventry played better and scored since these subs. It's Rashford that's shite.
We were awful, I admit..BUT look how many injures we have..I mean Casemiro had to start match playing in defense.

No excuses.. fingers crossed Utd win FA cup final

If I was Man Utd I'd sell Rashford, he doesn't look interested any more. Get £100 million for him and sign a defender and Striker with the money.

[mr.bluesky]

I was watching it but turned it off when Man U went 3 - 0 up, checked the score later and it was 3 - 3 so put it back on, hard lines with the disallowed goal, looked like he would have been onside if his boots were one size smaller.

Nearly turned it off myself at 3-0 down, we looked dead and buried  .

[Stevelondon]

Jeez wept……… I did the same as Davie 

[nwluvit]

Sky Blues gave the (might?) Man U a real fright. So much that Man U played for penalties
Thought Cov would lose the penalty shoot out, as you would expect the extra experience to play a part.

Coventry did the City proud.

[nwluvit]

Cannot believe what is happening to Gateshead United. Surely they should be given more time. Why should they have to have a 10 year guarantee on the stadium. Is this normal?

[nwluvit]

As a supporter of a big club (NUFC) I would like to go on record that the FA have completely cocked up the (greatest?) Cup competition in the world. Why can't the minnows have at least 3 chances of replays against bigger opposition.
I think it makes sense to scrap replays after round 3, but not before. That at least gives all teams of lower league and League 1 and 2 status to have one chance of doubling their money with a big boy tie in the 3rd round.

FA talk about footballers welfare is nonsense. My own club are going to Australia pre season FFS!!
Will be interesting though if we play Newcastle down under!!

[southcoastpunter]

If I was Man Utd I'd sell Rashford, he doesn't look interested any more. Get £100 million for him and sign a defender and Striker with the money.

who would pay £100m (or anything like that) for him?

[mr.bluesky]

who would pay £100m (or anything like that) for him?

There's always some mugs who will, PSG have been mentioned but they are a club with more money than sense.  With Mbappe off to Real Madrid they will have money to burn. ( or waste in Rashford's case)

[mr.bluesky]

As a supporter of a big club (NUFC) I would like to go on record that the FA have completely cocked up the (greatest?) Cup competition in the world. Why can't the minnows have at least 3 chances of replays against bigger opposition.
I think it makes sense to scrap replays after round 3, but not before. That at least gives all teams of lower league and League 1 and 2 status to have one chance of doubling their money with a big boy tie in the 3rd round.

FA talk about footballers welfare is nonsense. My own club are going to Australia pre season FFS!!
Will be interesting though if we play Newcastle down under!!

Yeah , player welfare is a lame excuse.  As soon as the season is over the big clubs head to the far east, middle east or Australia for money making tours .

[timsussex]

If I was Man Utd I'd sell Rashford, he doesn't look interested any more. Get £100 million for him and sign a defender and Striker with the money.

After he missed a golden chance yesterday the ITV commentator said "He'll be disappointed he missed that"   no he wasn't he never seems to give a a damn whether playing for ManUre or god forbid - England

[daviemac]

Jeez wept……… I did the same as Davie 

We'll have to be careful, we'll be getting talked about agreeing like this.   

[jackdaw]

There's always some mugs who will, PSG have been mentioned but they are a club with more money than sense.  With Mbappe off to Real Madrid they will have money to burn. ( or waste in Rashford's case)

A couple of years ago he was an exceptional player, who might train on.

Now…it looks like Man U must be bitterly regretting not cashing in earlier.

A tangent…but Man U related: what’s the feeling on the rumours that they are looking at ways to bring Mason Greenwood back?

[mr.bluesky]

After he missed a golden chance yesterday the ITV commentator said "He'll be disappointed he missed that"   no he wasn't he never seems to give a a damn whether playing for ManUre or god forbid - England

Hopefully Southgate won't be taking him to the Euro's in the summer.  We have much better options up front now.

[alftupper]

Cannot believe what is happening to Gateshead United. Surely they should be given more time. Why should they have to have a 10 year guarantee on the stadium. Is this normal?

Yes it is normal.  You can have a look here if you are really interested in the regulations.

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[nwluvit]

Yes it is normal.  You can have a look here if you are really interested in the regulations.

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Thanks Alf

[stampjones]

Yesterday highlighted the VAR for offside thing. Its the supposedly nailed on part but with decisions like yesterday is it? Given the underlying accuracy of tv frames and the thing they never show or discuss, when the ball was played forward, is it really accurate enough to overturn such decisions? Even if it is, do we really want to be offside by a stray pube? Do we really want that goal to be disallowed (manu fans and cov haters excepted)? How does that give an unfair advantage to the attacker (which is what offside is supposedly about)? To me there should be a minimum infringement before VAR can get involved, lets say 6 inches.  Basically they shouldnt need the lines to make these VAR decisions. If its not glaringly obvious dont change the ref’s call.

[willie loman]

who would pay £100m (or anything like that) for him?

not many clubs in europe anyway. He could easily turn his career round, but he will be sold cheaply, or more likely, stay at united, they might have a new manager soonish?

[timsussex]

Rashford might be able to turn it around at a new club - but more likely to follow the Dele Alli route to obscurity.

The test will be does he want to earn £x at a new club with the chance of turning his career around or £5x going through the motions at Old Trafford ?

[radioman33]

Leeds v Middlesbrough was a great match,no VAR and the Leeds 3rd goal was offside,but its better without VAR as you win some lose some decisions.QPR away not easy as they will need a win/draw.

[webpunter]

Hopefully Southgate won't be taking him to the Euro's in the summer.  We have much better options up front now.

Absolulety, much better
Hopefully Rashford will base himself in Dublin
& he can get as wasted as he likes coz no training the next day
Best not to take his £700k roller as he has a habit of stacking these

[webpunter]

Leeds v Middlesbrough was a great match,no VAR and the Leeds 3rd goal was offside,but its better without VAR as you win some lose some decisions.QPR away not easy as they will need a win/draw.

It was banging
& very stressful

Greenwood & Ayling ineligible, phew TFFT especially Greenwood as a dead ball specialist

Indeed the goal was offside, by quite some margin in slo mo replay
As you mention WSLS
In the Sunderland match @ Bell End two penalty decisions werent given
The second was a handball & clearly obvious to everyone, apart from the refs & line-oh's
Other than that Leeds worst performance of the season 

  to Cardiff coming back from 1-0 @ half time to beat Southampton at the death
I didnt see that coming 

[webpunter]

Rashford might be able to turn it around at a new club - but more likely to follow the Dele Alli route to obscurity.

The test will be does he want to earn £x at a new club with the chance of turning his career around or £5x going through the motions at Old Trafford ?

IMO a significant element of it is that he doesnt want to play for ETH
Maybe a factor that he doesnt like whats happened to Sancho & Greenwood
He signed a new contract last summer for 5 years
4 more years @ £300k a week, £15m a year give or take + bonuses

[Spacecowb0y]

Yesterday highlighted the VAR for offside thing. Its the supposedly nailed on part but with decisions like yesterday is it? Given the underlying accuracy of tv frames and the thing they never show or discuss, when the ball was played forward, is it really accurate enough to overturn such decisions? Even if it is, do we really want to be offside by a stray pube? Do we really want that goal to be disallowed (manu fans and cov haters excepted)? How does that give an unfair advantage to the attacker (which is what offside is supposedly about)? To me there should be a minimum infringement before VAR can get involved, lets say 6 inches.  Basically they shouldnt need the lines to make these VAR decisions. If its not glaringly obvious dont change the ref’s call.

Doesn't matter 6 inches or 1 inch, there will always be a dividing line and it must be adhered to. The question becomes which part of the body is over as a player leans forward to run, his foot,shoulder or knee.
That's where VAR usually gets it wrong. Yesterdays offside could be seen by us on the screen before the VAR lines were drawn

[timsussex]

I remember Paul Merson after he had signed for 2nd tier Portsmouth, taking a cut in pay so he could play rather than sit out his lucrative contract on the bench at Villa - made him an instant fan favourite of course.

[southcoastpunter]

Doesn't matter 6 inches or 1 inch, there will always be a dividing line and it must be adhered to. The question becomes which part of the body is over as a player leans forward to run, his foot,shoulder or knee.
That's where VAR usually gets it wrong. Yesterdays offside could be seen by us on the screen before the VAR lines were drawn

my understanding is that it is the most further forward part of the body that can legally play the ball - so not the arm or hand. but when you are measuring CM's or maybe MM's, where exactly does the shoulder become the arm? And do VAR always get the exact moment when the ball is passed forward correct?

However the biggest VAR failing is 2 fold IMO:
- taking SO LONG to reach a decision that most other people can see in a couple of seconds replay
- not asking the ref to review his decisions when he makes a mistake that has a significant impact on the game - this "clear and obvious error" thing seems to cause more confusion!

[southcoastpunter]

I remember Paul Merson after he had signed for 2nd tier Portsmouth, taking a cut in pay so he could play rather than sit out his lucrative contract on the bench at Villa - made him an instant fan favourite of course.

Wayne Bridge was the exact opposite - he played something like 115 consecutive games for Southampton before being sold to Chelsea and then sitting on their bench for 2 or 3 years hardly getting a game then being sold to Man City and doing the same thing there.

Must be great to be paid a lot of money to do bugger all!

[Punterperson1971]

I remember Paul Merson after he had signed for 2nd tier Portsmouth, taking a cut in pay so he could play rather than sit out his lucrative contract on the bench at Villa - made him an instant fan favourite of course.

He was a great signing for Walsall fc when we were in championship and we thumped Albion 4-1 that day to go top opening day,but he wasn’t a very good manager.

[mr.bluesky]

Wayne Bridge was the exact opposite - he played something like 115 consecutive games for Southampton before being sold to Chelsea and then sitting on their bench for 2 or 3 years hardly getting a game then being sold to Man City and doing the same thing there.

Must be great to be paid a lot of money to do bugger all!

His Wife ( former Saturday 's singer Frankie Sandford) is fit though, he must be doing something right.

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[mr.bluesky]

I remember Paul Merson after he had signed for 2nd tier Portsmouth, taking a cut in pay so he could play rather than sit out his lucrative contract on the bench at Villa - made him an instant fan favourite of course.

I bet the local bookies and publicans were disappointed he had to take a cut in pay.

[WARSZAWA16]

His Wife ( former Saturday 's singer Frankie Sandford) is fit though,

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And John Terry can verify that (allegedly)...

[mr.bluesky]

And John Terry can verify that (allegedly)...

 That was his ex misses he podged,  Vanessa Perroncel.

[Blackpool Rock]

Arsenal currently slaughtering Chelsea 5-0, they already had better goal difference than City & Liverpool but making it sure could be worth an extra point in the case of a tie at the end of the season

[radioman33]

Arsenal currently slaughtering Chelsea 5-0, they already had better goal difference than City & Liverpool but making it sure could be worth an extra point in the case of a tie at the end of the season

Bounced back well,the big test is away to Tottenham.Leicester nearly promoted.

[southcoastpunter]

Arsenal currently slaughtering Chelsea 5-0,

(unfortunately) Leicester doing the same to Southampton!! (but deserved - much the better team and much the better approach to the game!)

[toon972]

Arsenal currently slaughtering Chelsea 5-0, they already had better goal difference than City & Liverpool but making it sure could be worth an extra point in the case of a tie at the end of the season

Doing Newcastle a favour as well, well done Gunners.

[mr.bluesky]

As an aside, Gateshead have been kicked out of the National league play-offs because "they failed to secure a "10-year security of tenure" at the International Stadium, where they have played since 1971-72, by 1 March."

The stadium is owned by Gateshead council who had offered options to the club but they weren't deemed good enough. Luton were allowed to be promoted to the premier league despite their ground not meeting standards so why couldn't Gateshead been given time to sort it. 

I read about the Gateshead situation in yesterday's paper. It seems very unfair on the club. It doesn't make sense to kick them out of the play offs. My club only have a five year deal with CBS arena owner Mike Ashley  so what happens after that if we don't agree a new deal 
Would it be back to ground sharing with Birmingham City . Ashley would then be left with an empty stadium on his hands which would get very little use apart from the exhibition hall attached to the stadium and Casino.
Surely it has got to be good for football in the North East to have another club in the football league.

[Jumping Jack Flash]

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Cardiff City have begun court proceedings in France against Nantes following a dispute triggered by the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash. Cardiff’s claim is that “If Sala had been able to play, he would have inevitably scored goals between January and June 2019 and Cardiff would have remained in the Premier League. It would have been unrealistic to think that he would not have scored any goals”.

I find this to be distasteful and well let’s face it the poor bloke could have got injured in his first game and missed the rest of the season. Moving to a new league in a foreign country is difficult. I remember when the Villa signed Juan Pablo Angel for a then club record fee of £9.5m in January 2001. He didn’t score until May - sorry Mr Blue Sky it was in the game that relegated your boys from the Premier League. Now that truly was a game of two halves, but that’s a whole different story!

Desperate moves by Cardiff whose owner does seem to be out of touch with the realities of football.

[mr.bluesky]

Yes, A ridiculous claim. Not forgetting the owner of Cardiff City is clueless when it comes to running a football club. This was the man who changed their home shirts from Blue to Red because Red was supposedly a lucky colour and also  changed the club badge.