The problem with VAR is that it is still vulnerable to human error. I think more retroactive corrections should be sought and also an explicit and publicly shared Ref league where poor performances by refs result in demotion with an eye on discussion around errors. This will incentivise better refereeing.
Bin off VAR or have it in the Championship as well as the premier league. Really believe the officials have become lazy because of VAR, especially the linesmen who are a complete waste of a wage at the minute. When you have some officials covering games in leagues with VAR and also leagues without there are always going to be issues. I’d just rip the thing out though.
I actually thought he was a bit poor today tbh, first time in a while he’s normally bang at it! Started well bombing down the wing but seemed to come out second best every time he went for a challenge. All round pleasing performance though because we tried different things all game. There was running to the byline, overloads, full backs overlapping, cutting in, early crosses, dangerous set pieces, midfielders making late runs into the box.
Enjoyed that. Played well against a good team. Thought we grew into the game and started passing and moving a lot quicker. Pritchard is a game changer coming on with an hour gone. Bit of a puzzle because he often doesn't have the same impact when he starts. Anyway pleased for Dodds. The incoming manager has the basis of an excellent team and a very talented squad to work with. We move on.
Spot on. Jack is a very good player, but he must stop trying to do it all himself. It's a team game Jack, pass the ball!!
Probably me being a bit harsh to be fair because I’m used to him giving the opposition absolutely nout. Can’t do that all game every game otherwise he‘d be at Madrid!
Nothing wrong with all that today. Well deserved. Interesting that Dodds, who had a good day IMO and well done to him, also doesn't see any of the forwards as obvious picks. Maybe Rusyn when he gets fit, (and stays there!). Plenty of good things today, but this time a couple went in! Pritchard really is a ridiculously talented player mind.
i just absolutely love him and his speed,energy, aggression I think we will get great money for him when he leaves and no coincidence roberts had his best game this season with him behind him imo.
was that the case or he never had time to change shape and tactics? He made a few tweaks which is probably all he had time to do tbf.
A look at our list of who is scoring the goals, rather tells us that we should be happy that he is doing it himself. None of the Strikers are giving him a hand.
I think he’s a better full/wing back than Hume and Cirkin personally. IMO Hume is the best defender we have in terms of defensive ability but he’s quite limited going forward whereas Cirkin is the polar opposite he can be a liability at the back but great going forward. Huggins seems to be right in the middle and does everything well.
VAR as an idea is excellent but i was against it because i could see how it would be used, rather than making the game better and fairer it is used simply to take the pressure off the officials, the complaints about the officials 'preferring' certain teams were reaching new highs every week, it was so bad even those who refused to believe that officials were ever anything but fair started to notice. fact is, there never was an answer and there never will be until the rules are stictly adhered to and certain teams stop getting the benefit of doubt...officials made mistakes and they always will, it gave the fans plenty to whine about and shout about in the pubs after the game and that is how it should stay, VAR needs to be used to pick out the 'fakes/divers/cheaters' which in turn will make the officials job far easier, get rid of pundits making their own rules up to suit themselves (if there is contact it is a foul) and get an independant team to look at anything VAR picked up and give them the ability to hand out a penalty of a card or ban.
Amazing what a difference a win like that does for the manager search as well. Gives them a bit more time to get a huge appointment right. Heck if Doddsy wins again on Tuesday they face a different problem!! Id never heard him speak until his interviews this week. Comes across really good guy and you can tell why the Bellingham family and others buy into him massively. What might hold him back for the full time job is tactical knowledge? Not sure how strong he is in that department. But signs are good today. The other reason that might count against him is that I think Speakman likes having him as the constant in the coaching room. Make him manager and you lose that.
@RTB can you post the latest Dodds interview the club put on twitter mate? I would but they never seem to embed! Speaks really well and think a lot of fans will be happy with what he’s said.
Sounds like a great win, only caught the first 20mins. Really pleased for Dodds and the lads. Pritch once again proving his worth by the looks of it. Still one of if not my favourite player at the club
Found WBA a quite dirty side. The elbow on Pritchard was a straight red but once again it was just one of a list of refereeing errors. Two fine assists and finishes to win the game. Slightly disappointed not to get a clean sheet but only the win really mattered today.
Still think our best formation would be 4-3-3 mind. I’d move Bellingham or Aouchiche back into the midfield three, but with freedom to go forward, but in turn then also allow our wingers more space to cut in. I’d then keep Pritchard on the bench to bring in for one of the midfield three if we need to change things up with somebody in the “10”
