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The 2023-2024 Football Thread
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Relax? I think you and I could play the second half for Arsenal and you’d still walk it!
Well, while I am happy to relax, (I hate that nail gnawing tension of some games, though I know that this is what some supporters live for), I do hope that the team does not now decide to relax until the final whistle has been blown.
A contented Gunner, here, this evening, following a six nil victory against Sheffield United.
I’m sure. And still the top three a separated by the narrowest of margins.
Yes, for once, we seem to be seeing a genuine title race, for however long that lasts.
Well for the past two seasons we have seen clubs come into the new year with a commanding lead only for the team to capitulate and Man City overtake them. It happened to Arsenal last season and to Liverpool the season before that. Granted it is much closer this season and I can see it going down to the wire be it on the last day provided all teams keep the pressure on and keep on winning. At this stage, a draw is all it would take to decide who wins the league and who doesn't.
I'm not sure that I would concur with the verb "capitulate" for either Liverpool or Arsenal.
"Stumble", and "stutter", being unable to sustain that pace and momentum, - while suffering injuries to key players - does not equate to "capitulation".
However, this season, for different reasons, both Liverpool and Arsenal are motivated and better prepared, while there is a sense that Manchester City, while formidable, are not unbeatable, and that their cantering procession to securing another title is not, as yet, an inevitability.
Just read something interesting about the Real Madrid v Valencia match.
metro.co.uk
I saw a video clip of the issue and there is calls of match fixing by the referee because literally just 1-2 seconds before a winning goal is scored by Jude Bellingham, the referee blows his whistle for the end of the game. You can clearly see that the ball is heading into the net but as the ball traverses towards the goal the ref blows his whistle thereby preventing a winning goal by Madrid.
We have seen many many times before in games when at the dying seconds of the match and with one team posed for a goal scoring opportunity, the referee has allowed the game to continue just that little bit longer so see out that opportunity and then we see the referee blow the whistle for end of the match. This was not the case in the Madrid game because as soon as the time on the clock said game is over the referee blew his whistle regardless of what was taking place before him.
Now questions are being asked, was the referee correct to apply the law of the game so vigorously and end the match as soon as the clock hit the time telling the ref the match was over knowing that one team was in a very good scoring position or should the referee have done what is customary and allowed the game to continue just that little bit longer?
In my opinion the referee was wrong.
What Jude Bellingham screamed at referee after 'scandalous' Real Madrid red card
Bellingham was sent off after his 99th minute winner for Real was disallowed.
metro.co.uk
I saw a video clip of the issue and there is calls of match fixing by the referee because literally just 1-2 seconds before a winning goal is scored by Jude Bellingham, the referee blows his whistle for the end of the game. You can clearly see that the ball is heading into the net but as the ball traverses towards the goal the ref blows his whistle thereby preventing a winning goal by Madrid.
We have seen many many times before in games when at the dying seconds of the match and with one team posed for a goal scoring opportunity, the referee has allowed the game to continue just that little bit longer so see out that opportunity and then we see the referee blow the whistle for end of the match. This was not the case in the Madrid game because as soon as the time on the clock said game is over the referee blew his whistle regardless of what was taking place before him.
Now questions are being asked, was the referee correct to apply the law of the game so vigorously and end the match as soon as the clock hit the time telling the ref the match was over knowing that one team was in a very good scoring position or should the referee have done what is customary and allowed the game to continue just that little bit longer?
In my opinion the referee was wrong.
The Spanish have made a hobby out of claiming ref mistakes are the result of match fixing. Granted, we do know match fixing takes place from time to time (ahem, looking at you now, Barca?) so I’m not dismissing the idea out of hand.
But the fact that Real fans indulge in this is laughable. If there is an active conspiracy to fix matches against Real Madrid, it is the least effective conspiracy of all time. They need to get over themselves.
Once in injury time, the ref is within the letter of the law to stop the match even if a promising attack is taking place. Obviously refs try to blow up at more neutral moments, so while this could certainly be seen as a poor decision in the absence of extenuating circumstance, screaming conspiracy is hardly justified.
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Just watched Bayern win against Lazio 3-0 in the UCL.
Harold Kane very involved. He scored twice. Seems to be enjoying the freedom and service he has there. Suits his style.
Harold Kane very involved. He scored twice. Seems to be enjoying the freedom and service he has there. Suits his style.
One win from safety! The bottom of the Championship is so close. Apart from Rotherham it really is all to play for.1- 0![10163_small.png]()
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Looking at the table, considering Sheff Wednesday have lost more games than anyone else, the odds are not in their favor. The surprise in that bunch for me is Huddersfield. With only 13 loses, that would normally have put them middle of the table but they are in a relegation battle due to drawing too many of their games.
edited due to wording error.
edited due to another error
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My favour? I’m not even in that league! West Ham supporter here.
Incorrect use of wording, my mistake. I saw the quoted post with pachyderm name in it and automatically thought it was from him. I shall edit my post accordingly.
Sheffield Wednesday, (and not Sheffield United, who are currently struggling in a higher division), I assume you mean.
Than you for the spot. That is what I get for posting too early in the morning 😀
I wonder if the situation of Birmingham City council going bankrupt and now having to make major cut backs on services and 21% increase in council tax will have an impact of Birmingham's players that live in the city because the changes by the council are going to affect them as well as everyone one else in the city. I wonder if it will mess with their minds and thus affect their game play thus affecting the team and them losing more games.
2 of our best players in Sweden are back after injuries - Fridolina Rolfö and Magdalena Eriksson ⚽️⭐️
So we might have a chance in the Euro qualification in the 'group of death' against England, France, and Ireland. Hope so, they have truly been missed - it might be enjoyable to watch games again 🤩
![IMG_1031.jpeg]( "IMG_1031.jpeg")
So we might have a chance in the Euro qualification in the 'group of death' against England, France, and Ireland. Hope so, they have truly been missed - it might be enjoyable to watch games again 🤩
As someone who works in Birmingham, I doubt they will have given it much thought.