The AFCON 'straws' come down to these players missing: West Ham: Said Benrahma (Algeria) Everton: Alex Iwobi (Nigeria) Watford: William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria), Adam Masina, Imran Louza (Morocco), a and Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) Considering the importance of the Watford game, those four players missing could make a difference, especially Sarr, who always seems to score against us.
Rugby has always been light years ahead of football, when it comes to refereeing matches, and also the respect shown to the officials by the players.
Partly because to disrespect the ref incurs a hefty penalty, but respect was always part of the culture from before professionalism so has continued to be implemented.
That would be by using a neutral time keeper. Thinking about it, it might have been Keith Hackett who mentioned that. But it couldn't be another referee because then the timekeeper wouldn't be neutral. The PGMOL probably would raise a ruckus if the League tried to bring in another official who wasn't a member of their organization.
It's amazing that players get away surrounding the ref after a call is made; some even putting a hand on the ref's shoulder.
It's obvious that PL players are being encouraged to try to intimidate referees by their coaching staff. Until referees start booking players for doing that it will continue and probably get even worse.
Wasn't there a rule put in place a couple of years ago that said only team captains could approach the ref? Maybe that was just a suggestion or rumor.
I believe that was several years ago, but players ignored it and it seems it was never implemented by officials. Sin bins need to be introduced so any player except the skipper harangueing the ref gets ten minutes.
With the FA cup match next. I honestly think this break gives Smith a time to get the players physically and very importantly mentally ready for the remaining games, build some team spirt, allow the players to work out what he wants from them and their positions. Still a tall order, but I think with just a couple of players out (rather than half a shattered side) we can compete with most teams around us.
There was also a rule that allowed the ref to move a free kick 10 yards closer to the goal, if players got to verbal. This lasted about a couple of weeks, and was dropped because it was difficult to apply. Sin bin is certainly the easiest rule to bring in, but it will never happen in football, those in charge don't want it, certainly not the big boys.
As I see it there are now two targets for this season. 1 To beat the 21 points we achieved in 19/20. 2. Not to finish bottom. If we achieve either then I think that we will have done well. Not optimistic about next season though.
Though I tend to agree about our chances this season, I wouldn't agree that achieving those two things would be doing well. It would mean that we've wasted vital money on four expensive loans at the expense of developing our own players. Our budget next year will be very limited as we cover the costs of relegation and we'd likely lose players who don't want to play in the Championship and those who don't fit into Smith's tactical preferences.
Agreed but I think Farke19 means that achieving those two things would be a good result from where we are right now, rather than where we were when we got promoted.
