Pin-seeker
Well-known member
Why anyone would want him anywhere near their club is beyond me.He’s on loan and can’t play his parent club without permission.
He has been poor for us though tbf, don’t see that becoming a permanent move.
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
World record fee or get stuffed.
Clubs smart, we keep our players on long contracts, it’s going to be whopping cash to take him from Villa.
Blokes absolutely insane though.
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
If Emery can’t get him going then I fear he’s never going to be the player he once promised to be. Been disappointed with him so far in his appearances - but we needed depth out wide and he ticked a box.
4LEX
Well-known member
He's got 5 league goals in 15 games and has been absolutely cained for his lack of all round game. His record isn't that bad given he's not started all and missed a few through injury so hasn't had much momentum.
The reason it's not such big news is Man Utd are a bigger club and Arsenal also have made other good signings which have done the business.
On the topic of strikers, you must be concerned about Sesko? I know he's been injured but from what I've seen he looks miles off it so far.
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Pin-seeker
Well-known member
Until he gets his ego in check,he’s no chance imo.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
How two professional referees can see that Chalobah challenge and say it’s not a foul is embarrassing
Garnacho was very lucky with his snidey studs challenge
Tashyboy
Please don’t ask to see my tatts 👍
I am often accused of not “getting the point”. But in this instance I totally get the point. That article could have been written after any game where clubs have been on the wrong end of poor, shocking, wrong, dodgy, etc etc decisions. VAR decisions we were told would help to cut out mistakes. Not only has it highlighted mistakes, it has sucked the emotion out of the game, especially for match going fans who have paid a fortune to watch decisions that take an age to take. VAR is killing the game.
Oddly enough I watched the City v Brentford game midweek, a Carabao cup game. During the game the linesman put his flag up instantly he saw an offside. He was correct, but I was gobsmacked. It was a pleasure to see an official make a decision. The game flowed. It was not called back like it would be in a premier league game, 10 seconds later in which time players have been injured. So it begs the question, why are officials asked to officiate the same game under different rules and circumstances. In one competition they flag for offside instantly. In another game they don’t. Not only that, the players know In One game a ref will blow instantly, in others he lets it go. How is that right the same game using different rules.
Having watched a Carabao game and a Premier league game, I know which format I would sooner watch, and it’s not the Premier league.
So why no VAR in the Carabao cup comp.
Is VAR used in Carabao Cup?
Each year, VAR is only guaranteed for use in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium, while all other rounds are at the jurisdiction of the EFL.While the decision to use VAR is up to EFL discretion on a situational basis, according to precedent, VAR will only be confirmed as active if all host venues in the particular round have VAR capabilities. Usually, that means that most of the early and middle rounds do not use VAR as many lower-league stadiums do not have VAR capabilties.
Last season (2024/25), it was used for the semifinals, where Newcastle saw a goal chalked off on review in the second leg against Arsenal when Alexander Isak's early strike was nullified for offside.
Furthermore, after trialing in 2024/25, the Carabao Cup now participates in the push for in-stadium announcements for VAR reviews in English football. When referees go to the pitchside monitor for a review, they will make a verbal announcement of the ultimate decision to inform the viewers both in-stadium and watching on the broadcast.
The first use of this in any English competition was during last season's Carabao Cup, which paved the way for other competitions to use the procedure.
For me VAR has taken the reactive responsibility away from the man in the middle. What we were promised has not materialised in any way shape or form. The people that made mistakes as referees are making bigger mistakes with VAR. And for me they are protecting one another.
The piece that has been highlighted sums it up perfectly for me and not just for Newcastle but for all clubs and fans.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Not looking good for him , was a great finish as well
If he does go, I hope it’s a massive fee. There’s a sell on clause that sees the mighty Middlesbrough getting a decent chunk.
Crazyface
Tour Winner
After seeing the Arsenal win by yet another, let's be honest, rubbish Var decision, I'm thinking that footie is now going to be decided by var decisions alone. What player in his right mind would deliberately wave his arms about in the penalty area and give a penalty away? Is he really thinking, I'll tip this away, no one will notice....utter rubbish. What we need is four linesmen and possibly two refs one for each half. To expect a one man to be able to keep up with the speed on players today is unrealistic. Put this in place and ditch var. Then we can get back to humans making decisions with what they see in real time. Not pored over in tiny detail in slow mo over and over until they convince themselves that a law has been broken.
Crazyface
Tour Winner
Just seen this. Seems we are on the same page.I am often accused of not “getting the point”. But in this instance I totally get the point. That article could have been written after any game where clubs have been on the wrong end of poor, shocking, wrong, dodgy, etc etc decisions. VAR decisions we were told would help to cut out mistakes. Not only has it highlighted mistakes, it has sucked the emotion out of the game, especially for match going fans who have paid a fortune to watch decisions that take an age to take. VAR is killing the game.
Oddly enough I watched the City v Brentford game midweek, a Carabao cup game. During the game the linesman put his flag up instantly he saw an offside. He was correct, but I was gobsmacked. It was a pleasure to see an official make a decision. The game flowed. It was not called back like it would be in a premier league game, 10 seconds later in which time players have been injured. So it begs the question, why are officials asked to officiate the same game under different rules and circumstances. In one competition they flag for offside instantly. In another game they don’t. Not only that, the players know In One game a ref will blow instantly, in others he lets it go. How is that right the same game using different rules.
Having watched a Carabao game and a Premier league game, I know which format I would sooner watch, and it’s not the Premier league.
So why no VAR in the Carabao cup comp.
Is VAR used in Carabao Cup?
Each year, VAR is only guaranteed for use in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium, while all other rounds are at the jurisdiction of the EFL.
While the decision to use VAR is up to EFL discretion on a situational basis, according to precedent, VAR will only be confirmed as active if all host venues in the particular round have VAR capabilities. Usually, that means that most of the early and middle rounds do not use VAR as many lower-league stadiums do not have VAR capabilties.
Last season (2024/25), it was used for the semifinals, where Newcastle saw a goal chalked off on review in the second leg against Arsenal when Alexander Isak's early strike was nullified for offside.
Furthermore, after trialing in 2024/25, the Carabao Cup now participates in the push for in-stadium announcements for VAR reviews in English football. When referees go to the pitchside monitor for a review, they will make a verbal announcement of the ultimate decision to inform the viewers both in-stadium and watching on the broadcast.
The first use of this in any English competition was during last season's Carabao Cup, which paved the way for other competitions to use the procedure.
For me VAR has taken the reactive responsibility away from the man in the middle. What we were promised has not materialised in any way shape or form. The people that made mistakes as referees are making bigger mistakes with VAR. And for me they are protecting one another.
The piece that has been highlighted sums it up perfectly for me and not just for Newcastle but for all clubs and fans.
Lucifer MorningStar
Well-known member
How did Arsenal win by a VAR decision it was a clear penalty the player basically tried catching the ball, and as for the Everton penalty claim that’s never a penalty all day long. The only inconsistency is others have given it when they shouldn’t. In this case VAR did its job correctly and ruled out what wasn’t clear and obvious.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Think that’s all we need to know
It was as clear handball as you can see
There are clearly off field issues with Mainoo, and I'm not sure I buy the line that he was injured yesterday. Amorim’s comments about players feeling entitled spoke volumes.
I suspect he will go the same way as Garnacho, Sancho, and Rashford.
Swango1980
Well-known member
In the Newcastle game, there were a couple of moments the on field referee clearly felt that a foul might have occured, but he looked to his linesman, and then VAR to make the decision. As they did not, no decision was made, which was likely the wrong outcome.
It just made me feel that, if VAR wasn't there, the onfield ref would occasionally make a different instant call, because they are the ones who need to take responsibility. But, with VAR, the referees are sometimes putting that responsibility on VAR. And VAR will often not make that decision if they are thinking "clear and obvious", thus even if they are only 80% confident it was a foul, they may not ask for a review due to having 20% doubt.
It is a mess
It just made me feel that, if VAR wasn't there, the onfield ref would occasionally make a different instant call, because they are the ones who need to take responsibility. But, with VAR, the referees are sometimes putting that responsibility on VAR. And VAR will often not make that decision if they are thinking "clear and obvious", thus even if they are only 80% confident it was a foul, they may not ask for a review due to having 20% doubt.
It is a mess
I quite like @Crazyface suggestion of more officials. The speed of the game is far quicker than it’s ever been. A team can be on the attack, lose the ball and a quick, long upfield pass and the ball is in the net at the other end. The ref is 50 yards away, the assistant ref is 30 yards away at best.
The, supposed, two best refs in the Prem are 40yrs old and 47yrs old respectively, trying to keep up with superfit 20-35yr olds. Why does it take so long to be considered good enough to be a Prem ref? I think the youngest is in his late 20’s, but considered inexperienced. The rules aren’t complicated, so why can’t there be a hatful of refs in the mid to late 20’s?
Even if a ref was in his, or her, mid 20’s getting from one failed attack to the other penalty area in the time it takes a long ball to make the journey is impossible.
Drop VAR, keep goal line technology, 2 refs & 4 assistant refs.
The, supposed, two best refs in the Prem are 40yrs old and 47yrs old respectively, trying to keep up with superfit 20-35yr olds. Why does it take so long to be considered good enough to be a Prem ref? I think the youngest is in his late 20’s, but considered inexperienced. The rules aren’t complicated, so why can’t there be a hatful of refs in the mid to late 20’s?
Even if a ref was in his, or her, mid 20’s getting from one failed attack to the other penalty area in the time it takes a long ball to make the journey is impossible.
Drop VAR, keep goal line technology, 2 refs & 4 assistant refs.
PaulMdj
Well-known member
Obviously being an Everton fan I’d of liked us to of been given the penalty, however, this is the reason from the PL why it wasn’t given:
“it deemed the contact from Saliba on Barry wasn’t sufficient for a penalty."
So he was kicked, but now the VAR are deciding on how much force there is/was, nothing to do with clear and obvious.
It’s like the shirt pulling, a little bit is OK, then a grey area, then a foul, just ridiculous.
PaulMdj
Well-known member
Not for me, that’d be a backward step, surely an official with the ability to take 2 or 10 looks retrospectively is better than relying on the extra Official getting 1 look.
The problem isn’t seeing these offences it’s the implementation of VAR and how they interpret the issue.
Huge gap in consistencey.
The ambiguity needs to be taken out of it. A shirt pull is a foul, a kick is a foul etc. Each game is worth millions. Southampton earned £109m for coming bottom. Liverpool got £174m. Those numbers include fees paid for televised matches and a share of the revenue generated by international matches. A team can lose millions because of poor referring decisions.
