I am not sticking up for the ref or Bacuna but as soon as Roberts booted the ball against the advertising hoardings, I said the ref would book him. Referees need to protect flair players like Roberts and also understand their frustrations when they are continuously kicked and fouled.
Indeed. But when their plsyer kicked the ball away to stop us taking a free kick quickly, the ref didn’t book him either! It was literal e rule for them and one fir us. He then waved his whistle saying he hadn’t blown it, when he blatantly had.
As I said Marcus, I'm not sticking up for the ref. You are right though, a bit of consistency would be welcome, players would then know where they stood. Even when Roberts kicked the ball against the hoardings it came straight back at him and he caught it so I'm not sure a booking was justified.
Bacuna is a repeat offender yet has never been booked once playing against us , he seemingly is immune.
It's just sky and the fact that they employ a huge amount of gabblemouths. I almost never listen to any of them. I can't honestly remember when any of them ever said anything that hadn't already occurred to me or wasn't blatantly obvious anyway. They are not needed at all. The only exceptions to this were the experienced managers, who would sometimes raise a point you had never considered. But you see very, very few of them on now. They don't fit. Too male, too middle aged, too white.
That's annoying isn't it. I'm just an armchair fan with no in depth knowledge, having only played in the school yard. Would love to hear some interesting comments on the game and learn something but there's nothing ever said that enlightened or educates. Bit like a geography class
Must admit I do like Carragher and Neville when they do analysis on MNF. Really enjoy them on the “The Overlap” and they’ve started another podcast with Keano, Ian Wright and Jill Scott called Stick to Football that’s a good listen whilst I’m working! Far too many box tickers on SSN/BT now it’s becoming embarrassing. They had some wifey on the other day that I’ve never heard of in my life (found out she was called Izzy Christiansen) and I’d say I watch football pretty much all weekend every weekend then some European stuff during the week! Soccer Saturday is a shambles now that Stelling has gone. Absolutely no crack at all between the “pundits” they’ve got on there.
I've watched the game back three times over the weekend. If Dan Neil had tracked fully back with the Japanese lad, they would never have scored that goal. .Not two minutes before hand , the same move by Brum was made and we cut that one out exactly the same.
Thinking on a bit, that was a great result and a performance with a lot of merits. The new CBs acquitted themselves well and the rest of the team grafted together to help them out. Hume and Huggins were outstanding. Jobe played very well and looks like an established championship player already, at 18 years old. The side looked really potent going forward and the strikers all nearly notched. An excellent way to go into the international break.
So it was oniens fault… I knew it! I agree mind. Neil should’ve tracked him. Outside of that I thought he had a good game. Ekwah, after the first 20 or so, seemed to struggle.
I think that at times the referees create the situation with poor officiating and then double down on their mistakes. When Roberts kicks the ball in frustration it is technically dissent and a yellow card but the dissent does not happen if the referee is doing an adequate job. IMO if Roberts did not pull his leg out of the way on that second foul where he got booked then he may well have been in real danger of a serious injury and we would have been looking at a straight red so to not even give the Birmingham player (Bacuna) a yellow is a disgrace and it should have been his second yellow at least. We won and Roberts was not seriously injured but the truth is that he could have been and if that had happened then the officials should have taken their fair share of the blame as the message they gave to Bacuna was that these types of challenges were ok as they were not punished. this could have led to something worse but luckily on this occasion did not.
Think Baccuna was clever after the first foul by pulling Roberts to his feet and we took the free kick straight away. Had Roberts rolled about in agony like others do to us then the Ref had to make a decision under pressure which unfortunately by reacting like our lads did we let him off the hook. As for the second incident it just beggars belief.
Was at game and 1st one in a while with being exiled Liked: Rusyn and Mayenda - both are quick and sharp and played without fear. Will both score goals Triantis attitude - loved him telling others what to do, considering it was his 1st game and at fault for goal. Didnt affect him and 2nd half he was solid Huggins - what a player he is and will continue to just get better AA - he is seriously pushing for a start, such a bright technical player Not so sure Cirkin - what is up with him. Is he injured or does he just 'feel' pain more and is nervous about his body. Huggins, Hume and Aji will all replace him if medics/himself dont sort it out Ekwah - all the talent, but needs somebody to blast him from time to time to get him going as far too casual. Teams will be targetting him Subbing Rusyn off for Ba - 4 strikers on bench and dont replace a striker with one of those. Very weird Great game and result tho - its a joy to watch this team play
Cirkin is really starting to worry me now, and im very impatient so hes also frustrating me. Hes started only 5 games this season, and him missing the end of last season played a major part in us not beating Luton imo. He'll do well to get a game over Huggins when hes finally able to play again. His injuries seem random, how many players miss over a month with concussion?
A few have mentioned about Rusyn being subbed, but to me the lad hasn't played for 3 months so giving him an hour, like he got at Swansea was sensible imo from TM. Why Ba came on, no idea, unless TM already had in his mind that Roberts was to come off shortly after and he didn't want Mayenda too many minutes on his first start. Just an opinion.
But his ' concussion ' was the result of a serious punch to his head, which if that had happened in a pub it would have got the offender 6 months. It was a tight hamstring that kept him out Saturday, nowt to do with concussion and the club made the right choice in not playing him. His injury record is a worry though.
I used the concussion as an example of how long he takes to get over injuries mate. I know thats well gone now.
I was going to say I’ll be surprised but I’m lying I won’t be surprised at all if both of the new CB’s rarely feature again up until the New Year. Triantis made one mistake all game and he got a pasting on twitter from the O’nien brigade saying Triantis isn’t ready, we’re a better team with O9, masked his poor performance with a goal, if people think either are better than O’nien they better find a new sport.. especially that Captain Fishpaste talking out of his f*cking arse as per. Young lad who’s travelled half way around the world getting used to a much tougher division and scores a goal on his debut but he’s getting slated because they judge a CB based on how many dogs they’ve saved on Roker beach. Almost wish I didn’t have a look on there because it genuinely pisses me off Must’ve forgotten how ****e we were at first when he came into the defence last season. I’m sure we only beat a few teams at the bottom of the table up until World Cup break with him starting.
Seelt and Ballard should be our 1st choice partnership for certain games - defo physical games. Seelt is a mountain and looks composed on the ball. Maybe nt the quickest on the turn tho
Surely you are not giving that goal to Nectar. Loved his desire and commitment, but it was Sanderson who put in with his hand.
