Andrew3000

I'm torn. On the one hand, I want independent regulation to correct the power imbalances. However, if you've ever had to deal with a governmental regulatory body, you'll know that it's a kafkaesque shitstorm of incompetence, and beaureacratic insanity. 
Oh well, f*** the Efl. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I'm torn. On the one hand, I want independent regulation to correct the power imbalances. However, if you've ever had to deal with a governmental regulatory body, you'll know that it's a kafkaesque shitstorm of incompetence, and beaureacratic insanity. 
Oh well, f*** the Efl. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I'm torn. On the one hand, I want independent regulation to correct the power imbalances. However, if you've ever had to deal with a governmental regulatory body, you'll know that it's a kafkaesque shitstorm of incompetence, and beaureacratic insanity. 
Oh well, f*** the Efl. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I wonder how Ainsworth will do as a football manager having been at Wycombe for so long. 

Off to QPR?
 
 

Find it strange that anyone could wish to enjoy seeing another club going through what we went through, normally based on the actions of a chairman or a few barmpot fans. The only time I will be having a party is when the EFL eventually grow a pair and come up with meaningful 'fit and proper' tests to allow clubs to be bought by serious potential owners rather than ego trip chancers and then have regulations in place that mean we don't end up in a place where every season at least one of the teams that gets relegated is the one who just happened to run out of cash that year.

He's listed within the club directory on your website so appear to be the low key side of things.

Good job to take on because let's face it, the recruitments between Mel's arrival and the embargo was probably one of the worst in the world. Almost all players who contributed with any value on the pitch was either already here from before or came through the academy. Better times ahead! 

1Wildsmith Alert, proactive, agile, commanding. Decent kicking. 7.5
 
12Smith 6.5 Reliable, hard working.
 
3Forsyth 7.5 Classy and solid.
 
6Cashin 8 Continues to amaze with his reading of the game, excellent use of the ball, header winning ability and crunching tackles. Much deserved goal was a cracker.
 
17Sibley 6 Poor control and defensive awareness let them in a couple of times, but decent going forward.
 
23White 7.5  Has that Hughes-esque habit of intercepting the ball. He got hurt after a brave challenge. Good passing kept things moving forwards.
 
Roberts 6 Not much time to impress. I prefer him to Sibs at left back because he's a better defender.
 
4Hourihane 7.5 looked determined to compete. Won (kind of) the peno, lovely cross to assist for Cashin's goal and decent defensive work too.
 
7Barkhuizen 6.5 Links the attacks well, some good driving forward at times. 
 
18Dobbin 6 Provided much needed pace late on.
 
38Knight 7.5 Fought, ran, used the ball well. Missed a decent chance, but it was a reasonable attempt.
 
11Mendez-Laing 6.5 Not quite at it and tired but still caused havoc at times.
 
22Springett 6 The wriggler only had 15 mins, played a nice ball inside during one attack, but didn't get on the ball much.
 
10McGoldrick 7.5 Cool penno that chilled us out. Some lovely touches too.
 
9Collins 6  think I saw him kind of win a header! Was getting wrestled a lot which fuelled his grumpy demeanour.  
 
 

3 goals and 6 assists so far this season.

I've just had a horrible premonition that Keogh helps Ipswich to reach the play offs... then to Wembley... then plays some significant part in the win, and subsequent promotion, whilst muttering something along the lines of "Ooh, I feel better now.  That makes up for last time"!
 

 

I always though Bwash stood for Borrowash but now we know. ?

Didn’t understand the selection of 2 in midfield on Saturday and I don’t tonight. If Bird was fit tonight Warne would definitely play a midfield 3 of Bird, Hourihane and Knight. He either doesn’t yet trust White, or wants to keep the old group ‘happy’. Hopefully it’s the right call. An early goal would help, otherwise I think this will be a tough night.
4 - 0 it is then.

It was a crazy signing. If spending thar amount we could have bought in several improvements. Spending so much on a single player in our circs made no sense.

It was a crazy signing. If spending thar amount we could have bought in several improvements. Spending so much on a single player in our circs made no sense.

It was a crazy signing. If spending thar amount we could have bought in several improvements. Spending so much on a single player in our circs made no sense.

It was a crazy signing. If spending thar amount we could have bought in several improvements. Spending so much on a single player in our circs made no sense.

It was a crazy signing. If spending thar amount we could have bought in several improvements. Spending so much on a single player in our circs made no sense.

I know Warne is bald, but I think calling him 'huge scalp' is a little reductive...

Given the billions of pounds involved in the Premier League, I think it's naive to believe that officials and players aren't bribed or intimidated. Especially when you look at the alleged track record of some of the owners and what it's claimed they got up to in other jurisdictions.
An example of shocking decisions that have consequences which run into millions of pounds came yet again with some extraordinary VAR calls. But sometimes it's on the field. For instance, Huddersfield had two stonewall penalties not given against the gumps in last season's playoff final - some people were not surprised. But it's unlikely if anyone will ever know if decisions such as these are deliberate or simply poor officiating.
My old man has spoken to quite a few referees he knows or has met about this, and most acknowledge it's an issue but all are reluctant to speak about it.
And it must be the case with players too. As well as the riches at the top of the pyramid, there's the betting side to this with cartels trying to make money anywhere they can throughout the leagues. When people are allowed to bet on things within player's control, players must be approached to kick the ball into touch early when "don't worry, it's not affecting the result of the match". Like deliberately bowling a no ball for instance. We know plenty of players are under pressure with addictions of one form or another, and that's an obvious lever nefarious parties can use to co-opt them into deliberately doing things they shouldn't on the field.
This might be a difficult topic to discuss on the forum legally (in which case I understand if it's removed), but I wondered if it was possible to gauge how prevalent people think it is.
It's often said "sunlight is the best disinfectant". It's widely acknowledged (but bizarrely not implemented) that VAR would be improved if fans knew what was going on and if incidents were shown on the big screens in grounds with the VAR officials and the referee miked up so fans could hear the discussion. As happens in rugby and cricket. But this transparency would surely also help battle any corruption or incompetence as it would be much harder for a VAR official to forget to check for an offside in such a public arena.

It was a crazy signing. If spending thar amount we could have bought in several improvements. Spending so much on a single player in our circs made no sense.

It was a crazy signing. If spending thar amount we could have bought in several improvements. Spending so much on a single player in our circs made no sense.