Asunto: Season 68

I think VAR can be used in the background for certain decisions, just not these ones!

I've seen 2 different images of it, which doesn't help. When VAR was looking at it, Merino's foot is clearly offside. When Sky showed it at halftime it was a different frame and he clearly wasn't.
I agree with you, I don't like this "If it's an inch offside, then it's offside" nonsense, but if you're going to do it, at least be consistent.

But let's say his foot was ahead by an inch or behind by the same, it would make no difference on the outcome. I just find VAR creates a lot of unnecessary negativity in the game. I think we kinda agree though. You need consistency regardless!

I agree. Personally I'd like at least a 6 inch margin of error and feet only. None of this shoulder bollocks.

Well there is consistency - if the foot is offside even by an inch, then it's an offside and the goal gets cancelled.

Where would you put the line? 3 inches, 10 inches? That would actually be inconsistent... and subjective whether referee A or B considers that it was "enough" for an offside...

Brighton Vs Crystal Palace. They had the lines the wrong way around. There is one example, when it comes to VAR on offside decisions. As Camus was saying, you get one angle that tells one story, whilst the other angle tells another. Let the lineman make the call, that's what they're there for!

However, there have been plenty of inconsistencies and that's why people moan so much.

It's not in the spirit of the game. The rule was always meant to give the benefit of the doubt to the attacker. Ruling a goal out because someone's shoulder is offside by an inch is just wrong in my opinion and not the way the game should be ruled.
And it's not difficult. You just increase the width of the VAR line.

Im not saying it's perfect, in general I think VAR was badly implemented in PL.

Still, I think it gives more fairness than it takes away. Have you seen the situation a week ago where Kudus kicked Van de Ven when he was on the ground, then punched Van de Ven and punched another Spurs player? The ref had the situation on a silver plater in still gave a yellow card, ridiculous that VAR had to tell him he was wrong.

Yeah the way VAR is implemented in England I just don't understand. We've seen it work effectively at international tournaments (unless the VAR is English, I'm looking at you, Atwell) so I don't get why it's so different in the PL.

Well, yes. I said there still are situations where VAR can be used. I just don't like the close offsides situations, where it slows the game down so much and takes away a goal, where the attacker has their boot an inch ahead. But in real terms, gaining zero advantage. Just my opinion. We all have them. Some we agree with and some we don't, this is life :)

Man Uniteds penalty today is another example of VAR interference. I've not seen it myself but what I've heard and read, is it wasn't enough for a pen. The ref didn't give it, but VAR did. I'm no Man U fan but I don't like seeing this scenario in the game.

To be honest I can't get the problem United fans have with that penalty, De Ligt literally smashed Ings in the shin, how can that not be a penalty?

VAR in Premier league is the same as everywhere else. The refs are the real problem. They're way below the required level and they clearly don't understand the game of football. Plus, the shocking bit is, they don't seem to suffer any consequences for their mistakes. Mistakes that are openly admitted by the their bosses. Yet, the following week, the same ref that blown away a game is back on the pitch.

Ings was falling before coming in contact with DeLigt. It was obvious to anyone but the refs. And borkos. That pen was a farce. I enjoyed United losing (I always do) but, once again, people that don't know football made a decision that is only "covered by the law" and against the spirit of the game. Too many refereeing laws are at odds with the laws of football.

Including shoulders as part of the offside rule is inherently stupid because of the nature of the game.

The blue line is the defence, standing upright and facing left.
The red line is the attacker, looking to run to the right.
Their feet are in exactly the same position, but because of the way they're travelling, that attacker ends up being offside. That is not how the offside rule was meant to be used.
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The current offside rule actually forces the attacker to do this if they want to stay onside. Standing about a foot back so they don't lean into an offside position. It's stupid. The whole point of the offside rule was to stop goal-hanging, but it was meant to give the attacker the benefit of the doubt.
[url=https://postimages.org/][/url]

I'm not sure. Like I say, I've not seen it yet! I'll watch it later tonight and give my verdict them :)

West Ham fans will be happy!!

RTS Widzew Łódz 2-2 COLNE FC

54% Possession 46%
35% Play in the half 65%

22 Shots 8
1 Fouls 1
1 Yellow cards 1
0 Red cards 0
7 Offsides 0

67.4 average mark 63.3


This is yet another example of the randomness in this game. Today we ended in a draw, with a missed penalty. The forwards kept pounding the goal, but there was no result. It's frustrating, to say the least:P

9-0 win. 38 shots so could easily have been more.