Millwall “chiefs” have persuaded their players to link arms instead of taking the knee, ahead of tonight’s match. Booing works then. I think I would be more in favour of the players taking the knee, in a line, in front of the supporters as a **** you gesture. I noticed that the Brighton supporters applauded it last night.
The Brighton fans were superb last night, and made far more noise than you would think only 2,000 fans had a right to. I’m so glad they applauded the taking of the knee, as it gives the lie to those who say it has outlived its usefulness.
Really good interview here in The Athletic podcast. They talk to Dr. Chris Nowinski. He was a professional wrestler who suffered a career-ending concussion. After that event he began a medical career researching concussions and post-concussion syndromes. He’s pretty much the guy to listen to when it comes to athlete welfare on that subject. His research and efforts to draw attention to long term damage of concussions were pivotal to concussion protocols changing in wrestling and MMA and he’s also convinced several high profile athletes in different sports to donate their brains for study in future so that more knowledge can be gained about long term effects. He gets into what needs to happen in football in order to protect players.
Have to admit I’m a bit fearful of how our crowd will respond next weekend, as this city unfortunately does contain its fair share of idiots. Hopefully if there is anything the perpetrators will be given a swift urban dictionary lesson by any nearby actual fans. Maybe a cheeky socially distanced slap as well, but you would need long arms.
You might be right. I thought it was Ba who was shown the card, but it might have been the coach that he was sticking up for. I just like that the IBFK side has a serious Remember Some Guys thing going on. Last year they had Demba Ba, Martin Skrtel, Nacer Chadli, Rafael and Kerim Frei. That's big Guy energy.
Been reported that the 4th official described the coach that needed to be sent off as "the negru" - which isn't a racial slur as such in Romanian. It literally means black. However, just pointing at him and saying send off "the black one" is quite clearly wrong and it is insane it has come from an actual official! You'd think officials of all nationalities would be educated on what is acceptable in football. Madness.
In other news, Barça are getting stuffed 0-3 at home by Juve. Ronaldo has 2 pens, and our old friend Weston McKennie got one in between.
Juve under Andrea Pirlo, however, are doing very well. They now top Group G on GD as it stands. Good to see Gigi Buffon keeping a clean sheet too, as he approaches his 43rd birthday next month.
Fingers crossed that Gladbach and Inter win tomorrow resulting in Real not having any more European football until next season.
In fairness to Ron, Barca's squad is nowhere NOWHERE near what it was. They should have sold Messi in Summer and reinvested in building a balanced squad (although allegedly they are hardcore broke).
They should have sold Messi over the summer because they're hardcore broke. Waiting out his contract when they're already old and declining is just madness. It would be one thing if you expected him to be a one-club legend, but he rather clearly wants to explore other options, and Barca could really use a large eight-figure/low nine-figure injection of cash right now. Barca badly needs to make way for their younger players even if it means a significant step back. To his credit, Koeman has done that contra his reputation: Pedri and Sergino Dest and Francisco Trincao are all getting action under his watch (Fati would be playing under any sane manager). But the irony is that he's likely to get fired for not being win-now enough at a time when they really ought to be in a transition period. Edit to add: this is where Barca's model with an elected President often fails. Rather than offer stability, it seems to favour those who excite the membership with grandiose short-term plans...which is the exact opposite of what made Barca great for so long. That might change this go round if Victor Font wins, but he has real competition.
