![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Are we weak at left back?? at 13:52 28 Jul 2024
Not a criticism, not a moan but an observation which I hope the team have seen. Time and again for the last two seasons goals have come from teams getting round the back and Paal not being able (or willing) to commit to tackling and it is noticeable that the goal came from that same area yesterday. Does Paal need support on our left? |
![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Crawley Town F.C. at 17:15 20 May 2024
Have to say I was very impressed at Crawley's style of play and passing ability. I'm sure some will come back and say that this is solely because they are in lower league and it is easier and more open but, nonetheless, I wouldn't mind seeing that sort of play week in week out and promotion too! Any thoughts as to our poaching any of them because they seemed to be making an effort as opposed to 'others' we have secured from League 1 (now gone from our books- phew!) [Post edited 20 May 17:15]
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![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Refereeing and Assistant Refereeing at 16:47 16 May 2024
I'll try to set the background (as brief as poss) and then ask the question. Two separate games (of many) watched this season Game 1: Two assistant referees and one referee. Scenario 1 Game 1: Ball goes out of play on side line, assistant looks at referee, referee points, THEN assistant raises flag to indicate throw in . Scenario 2 Game 1: There is an obvious foul directly in front of assitant but no flag, referee blows whistle for a foul and points indicating the direction of play arising from the foul (or of course arm aloft for indirect) THEN assistant raises flag to indicate foul. Game 2 Two different assistant referees and one different referee. Scenario 1 Game 2: Ball goes out of play on side line, assistant immediately raises flag to indicate throw in, referee points to indicate throw in . Scenario 2 Game 2: There is an obvious foul directly in front of assitant, assitant raises and waves flag to indicate foul play, referee blows whistle for a foul and points indicating the direction of play arising from the foul (or of course arm aloft for indirect). Clearly there is a difference in what the assistant referees do in Game 1 from Game 2 If we see the refereeing as described in Game 2 and then, the next game the refereeing is as Game 1, we get annoyed and abuse the assistant refs for not flagging and or abuse the ref. I have tried to understand this disparity in the officiating that an assistant has and when he raises hs flag (aside from offsides and corners) and have been advised, by both referees and assitants, as follows: PRIOR to commencement of game, in the dressing room, the refereee advises his assistants what he wants them to flag for with respect to foul play and ball in touch. Some refs say that they want the assitants help (and we get the game 2 indication and the assitant involved in the game) However.... and this is the point and the background In other games the referee advises the assistants that he SOLELY wants them to look for and flag for offside and corner/goal kicks and NOTHING ELSE as he will decide! If this IS the case (and from the refereeing and assistants in the Championship and other divisions can someone please explain straight (as opposed to humour or sarcasm please) 1: Why it changes from game to game- a nonsense surely?! 2: Why the crowd cannot be told which form of officiating we shall be watching over the PA prior to the start of the game? There is a trend to try and prevent side line abuse and referee abuse but IF, from one game to the next you don't know if the game is being run by one pair of eyes or three pairs of eyes, THEN the crowd IS going to get infuriated when the assistant refuses to raise his flag- solely because the referee has told him before the game NOT TO! It seems a madness but, now that it has been explained to me that it is the referee who decides (and we know what some of them are like) I would like to know where to correctly direct my frustration and not start singing " Lino Lino you're a (whatever)!" when, in reality it is to the referee! Yes, there are a lot of sarcastic and humorous replies possible here but, trying to be serious, could someone please answer and explain this disparity in officiating matches. [Post edited 16 May 16:50]
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![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | JCS - We know what we need to do !! at 14:54 15 Apr 2024
Great that at least one of the players knows and but not sure if, in saying ‘we’ he means ‘more than one’ or if it is a royal we and he just means ‘he knows’!! Just in case any of the team, their agents, friends or close relatives are looking in, and as an easy to remember catch net on what to do or not do Please score more goals than the other team Please do what you are paid very well to do Lyndon, Chris, etc - the ball has go into that area between the white posts that Asmir is not flapping in!! Lyndon, please try to gain a few yards and try to anticipate where the ball is going instead of standing and watching it! Sinclair - please note that you don't have to get so close to the defender you are chasing such that he can fall ove and draw a foul. If you touch them- they will fall!! It's not difficult! Ilias- you dont have to try and mimic Hull's first goal - a great cut in from the left and curling shot into the top corner- EVERY time you cut in from the left! Try something different at free kicks - you did it once and we scored! Use the overlap more Asmir, please stick a rocket where it needs to go and realise we HAVE to win games so don't take all the time in the world! Act like a captain and take responsibility for your howlers! - just for the next three games! Go out / retire knowing you gave your best ! All you have to do is perform as you would like the students at your goal keeping school to perform - and that is not to swat flies at the same time a ball is being crossed at a corner !! We shall be the ones shouting and supporting as we have done all season - please respond!! Waste of time posting here I know but they can’t hear me from the stands and I’m only trying to help!!🤔🙄🙂 And yes I do know that some of them are trying but are just not good enough! (Ridicule posts to now follow in threads below!!) - enjoy!🤔🙂 [Post edited 15 Apr 15:09]
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![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Is Chair locked up or not? - Please clarify as conflicting reports! at 19:29 23 Feb 2024
I know there is another thread but the simple question and answer is all we really need to know and there appear to be conflicting reports. Is he actually IN Belgium and IN prison or is he in the UK pending extradition to Europe? Anyone know? Thanks |
![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Yes I'm back- Shots on target ! at 21:43 14 Feb 2024
If you cannot defend you need to score. If you need to score you need to get shots on target 1 shot on target the whole game is not only a problem it is a travesty! You see them warming up and hitting the practice target but they cannot in the game. They have shots blocked but other teams shots get through Then we have Chair (perhaps our best player - well once upon a time) thinking he is going to score a wonder goal every time he cuts in and having shots from 35 yards out! We they useless at the back, so so in the middle AND cannot do what they are paid to do up front! I despair! [Post edited 14 Feb 21:47]
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![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Corners and half time at 20:36 14 Feb 2024
Please please please can someone teach them how to defendcorners!!🤬 and can someone please teach them to concentrate - this is getting annoying!!! [Post edited 14 Feb 20:49]
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![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Did Begovic play Subbuteo or 4-2-4?? at 00:15 31 Jan 2024
I have been trying to find a reason for Begovic’s apparent inability or reluctance to distribute the ball quickly and give our speedsters a chance to threaten defences. Time and again we see Chair, Smyth or Armstrong sprinting away with Begovic having ‘stickem gum’ on his gloves and not even looking to release the ball. Yes, I’m sure people will tell me that he is simply doing what Marti has instructed and that we MUST play out from the back but I know (from the crowd screaming at him to release quickly and the reaction of the speedsters) that I am not the only one who sees his slow release as contributing to our shortage of attacking chances! He seems to want all the players in their assigned places before he will let go of the ball. It reminds me of when my brother, friends and I used to play Subbuteo, 4-2-4 and plastic disc table football when much much younger and positioning the pieces before restarting ! He waits till he has waved Paal, Clarke salter, Cook, Cannon and Field into position then when all set up - he then releases the ball and play restarts!! Surely if we can see it and the players can see it he must see it!!! Perhaps he is one of those players who just cannot improvise or see an opportunity in front of him! The aim of the defence is to stop goals but, if you cannot do that, at least help the attack!! He doesn’t!!! [Post edited 31 Jan 0:16]
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![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | "We're gonna score one more than you!" at 12:13 7 Jan 2024
Ok, so we are crap defending. We are paying people £10k-£17k/ week to concentrate for 100 minutes once a week and they cannot do it, so perhaps we need to try something else on the practice field. We have absolutely no creativity or thoughts, out from the back or up front. These are just some simple thoughts - probably crap- but, hey, maybe one or two would relieve the futility of watching then do the same old thing: When (If?) Begovic is going to go 'long', you see how all the players migrate to the left. Why cannot two players with speed position themselves on the perimeter of the bunch and then when Begovic kicks, he goes right and the two R's players peel off immediately - they will at least get a 2 on 1 situation as opposed to trying to get a 50 50 ball. At free kicks, when they have one or two in the wall, we have the numerical advantage but always waste it with Chair, Willock or Dozell (if he's awake or bothered instead of thinking about the money he is paid for being a brick wall at passes and suggestions) trying to score a fabulous free kick. Why not have two players on the ball and one dummies and peels off and then gets passed to such that he can get to the goal line and hopefully put in a cross that clears the first defender? Why don't we try something different? What is the worst that could happen, compared with Dozell, Willock or Chair kicking like Owen Farrell or Jonny Wilkinson. Yes we need 3 points but not from set place kicks over the bar! |
![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Placards at 14:27 2 Jan 2024
Are we allowed to hold up placards or is this seen as inciteful (as opposed to being , as intended, insightful) ?? I was thinking of having a card with 'WHY??' on one side and 'NOOOOO!!!' on the other and hold it up each time they run through and name certain players on our team. Other cards could be "SHOOT" "HURRY UP" "GO FORWARD!" but I am sure there are others!? |
![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Dykes - WHAT and WHY?? at 17:27 1 Jan 2024
Watched him all game-he tracks and stays on shoulders of the central defender rather than trying to lose him; he doesn’t run into space or move, wins 30% headers- So please can someone look for the receipt and see if we can return him 🤬 |
![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Does the consumer Rights Act or Trades Description Act Cover Football? at 09:27 24 Dec 2023
As people will soon start thinking of returning clothes that don’t fit, things that don’t work, and things that don’t do what they should- Do we still have the receipt for Dykes ? Yes he works hard but his agent sold him to us as a striker and it isn’t working. If feels like we have been sold a dud- a Christmas cracker with no bang, a large present with nothing inside, a torch that won’t light up, etc Can we get our money back or has the time for that expired?! As an alternative- Can we try eBay please?! [Post edited 24 Dec 2023 9:37]
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![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Our left !! at 20:25 30 Nov 2023
I (once again) may be talking rubbish but is anyone else concerned about the way we are continually exposed and teams overload our left side? I know it’s chance but even the counter attack after the Dykes miss came from the fundamental inability to trap a football on the half way line and then across of space on our left! Please can someone do something about that as too many teams see this as the way to outlet goal! But as someone will probably say, I’m imagining or overstating this as a weakness! |
![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | Forum Thread | Love Football - Protect the Game - Referees also need to earn respect !! at 18:28 23 Nov 2023
I was taught - “respect is earned not simply given” I am against abuse of referees by players but equally believe they are a contributor to the issue! Over the last couple of seasons I have written to all bodies, tv, papers etc and have had no reply. Am I missing something regarding respect for referees and their assistants - should it not be earned as opposed to just given? - no stupid/comical replies please- This is what I have written- hopefully some of you will read it, others may not and that’s fine! I am a season ticket holder and have seen my fair share of matches over the years. I am also an avid watcher of Rugby Union and there is a marked difference in the respect afforded to referees between the two! There are for me three very pertinent and highly important issues:- 1:- There should be a no tolerance, no touching policy. The rules for dissent are clear and each and every party who approaches a referee Other than the captain (as in Rugby) should be immediately booked for dissent and once booked- if they do not walk away- then they get booked again and red carded- unequivocal and easy to immediately implement AT ALL levels! 2. I have noticed - with increasing frustration- that crowd dissent in football is significant and something the players play to (as opposed to Rugby where the referee’s decision is often explained or is at least respected) However, irrespective of item 1. It should be noted that referees (and assistant referees) ( that I have watched regularly) often needlessly contribute to crowd dissatisfaction and dissent and there are some simple remedies which can be implemented to reduce this! I have written numerous letters to refereeing organisations with no reply! Please note we watch fouls and throw ins right in front of the assistant referee and the crowd can see what the assistant has seen but so so often, the referee gives a decision totally opposite to what clearly the assistant would have seen and immediately angers the crowd, if not the players! Time and again assistants keep their flags down until the referee points or advises and then they raise their flag to the derision and annoyance of all! My understanding of this debacle is that the referee decides prior to the game what he wants the assistant to help with and quite often this is solely ‘offsides’ and the ref makes all other decisions and overrides the assistant! BUT the crowd do NOT know this and their frustration is at both referee AND assistant! In Rugby the touchline judge /assistant is not overridden and contributes to the implementation of the rules and awards of fouls and touchline decisions! Why then have referees become allowed to override assistants who are in the spot, whereas the referees are often away from the action?? I’d be very surprised if I am the only one who has become exasperated and often annoyed by this - give assistants the same power of decision making as Rugby and let the watching public know!! This will greatly reduce public voicing dissatisfaction, will lead to a growing respect of the judging team and that will transfer to the pitch! 3. Referees are never seen to be ‘culpable’, no one is allowed to criticise them and managers are not allowed to approach them! This is a further cause of frustration as referees present as ‘holier than thou’ when clearly they are not! Referees make mistakes and this appears to all in the game to be swept under the carpet! In other sports referees are independently audited and criticised but how often does anyone hear of a formal apology and where there is so much money involved such mistakes cost teams etc money ! Saying it all evens out over the season or some other crass sweeping statement is not an answer. Make referees culpable!! So no 1 is essential and unequivocal but, for referees to be respected across the board, please do not ignore items 2 and 3!! I have tried to seek explanations from TV pundits, refereeing bodies and, as yet, no replies!! Are referees that perfect that what I am suggesting is so irrelevant or is there some truth in it?! - your printing of not will provide my answer!!) (I doubt that this will be published as it suggests that referees are contributing to the issue! Clearly they ARE but they should not be abused! But they AND THE GOVERNING BODIES NEED TO KNOW AND, WHAT US MORE, ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPT what REFEREES ARE DOING that raises the ire of players and supporters alike!!) Thank you [Post edited 23 Nov 2023 18:43]
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