2020/21 Soccer Thread: Messxit?

That's the shootout I mention up there ^ (prior page, hah!)

It was wild and never seemed to end. I'm sure it felt longer because the two goals were so early in the game.

Nani's purple hair is a thing.

It appears Maradona has passed away.
A troubled legend, but a legend nonetheless.

15 years ago today Scunny and Brentford invented tiki taka.

Hilariously, the GWJ forum won't let me use the team's real name, because of a problem so well recognised it has its own Wikipedia entry. I also can't link to that entry for the same reason.

you mean S.c.u.n.t.h.o.r.p.e?

That's the one.

As a sidenote, I realized today that this is largely the same Southampton side we saw get annihilated 9-0 last year.

I know I’ve said that VAR isn’t the problem, the way it’s being used is the problem.

And right now I’m seething because that’s the second game Liverpool haven’t won this season down to decisions that have nothing to do with what’s going on on the pitch.

However, the fact it’s VAR that’s allowing these decisions to be made means I’ve changed my mind. It’s a cancer on football and needs to go. Now.

Liverpool drew 1-1 against Brighton in a game without VAR they would have clearly won and nobody would have complained about it.

Liverpool have 1 perfectly good goal disallowed for offside ‘decision’ measured on millimetres. If the VAR official’s hand had twitched when placing the lines, it would have been onside. It was that close. I know we’ve seen so many of those since the last of last season but regardless of team, that’s not offside - not in the spirit or application of the rules.

Then there was another goal disallowed - that was offside for sure.

Then there was a 93rd minute ‘penalty’ that was only a penalty because VAR exists and is being used the way that it is. With no VAR it would have been a goal kick and everyone would have walked away and nobody would have complained about it

That’s not football. It’s a f**king travesty.

Remember when the standard was going to be "Clear and Obvious"?

Prederick wrote:

As a sidenote, I realized today that this is largely the same Southampton side we saw get annihilated 9-0 last year.

Pretty close. Ings and Redmond out injured, and I think Stephens was in instead of Vestergard.

Also, God.Damn.It.

Tottenham tops again! Obviously not an exciting result, but a positive one, especially considering Chelsea's position in the table.

Dear Kelvin Phillips - please don't get injuried and not be able to play again.

Regards the City of Leeds.

Raul Jimenez suffered an horrific head injury in the Arsenal v Wolves match last night, and has undergone surgery for a fractured skull. It’s quite possible he’ll never play professionally again.

Leaving aside that, the decision to allow David Luiz back onto the field of play after that clash of head is a dereliction of duty by the medical staff on the pitch I say. Shocking.

Sorbicol wrote:

I know I’ve said that VAR isn’t the problem, the way it’s being used is the problem.

And right now I’m seething because that’s the second game Liverpool haven’t won this season down to decisions that have nothing to do with what’s going on on the pitch.

However, the fact it’s VAR that’s allowing these decisions to be made means I’ve changed my mind. It’s a cancer on football and needs to go. Now.

Liverpool drew 1-1 against Brighton in a game without VAR they would have clearly won and nobody would have complained about it.

Liverpool have 1 perfectly good goal disallowed for offside ‘decision’ measured on millimetres. If the VAR official’s hand had twitched when placing the lines, it would have been onside. It was that close. I know we’ve seen so many of those since the last of last season but regardless of team, that’s not offside - not in the spirit or application of the rules.

Then there was another goal disallowed - that was offside for sure.

Then there was a 93rd minute ‘penalty’ that was only a penalty because VAR exists and is being used the way that it is. With no VAR it would have been a goal kick and everyone would have walked away and nobody would have complained about it

That’s not football. It’s a f**king travesty.

Now wait a minute. Is it a perfectly good goal or is it offside? Even if it's only by 1milimetre, it should still be offside. I don't agree with having a tolerance level for this or else we risk everyone start complaining when it's by 4, instead of 3 milimetres.

However, that case where a player was signaled as offside because of his raised arm was ridiculous and wrong.

Moving on to some funny stuff, here's what you do when you don't know the country's language nor English.

Sorbicol wrote:

Raul Jimenez suffered an horrific head injury in the Arsenal v Wolves match last night, and has undergone surgery for a fractured skull. It’s quite possible he’ll never play professionally again.

Leaving aside that, the decision to allow David Luiz back onto the field of play after that clash of head is a dereliction of duty by the medical staff on the pitch I say. Shocking.

I saw that live. It was crazy how loud it was on tv with the absence of fans. A very scary moment. Hopefully Jimenez can recover with no ill effects. It appeared he was unconscious for quite a bit of time 5+ min. Luiz went full force running into Raul who was just standing and jumped up taking the full force of the top of Luiz head.

Hey Prederick!

Fulham 2, Leicester 1

Whoa!

That's how I spell HOPE!

Godzilla Blitz wrote:

Hey Prederick!

Fulham 2, Leicester 1

Whoa!

That's how I spell HOPE!

I am very pleased with this result! Well done, Fulham!

HE SCORED A PENALTY THIS TIME

Also, I know it seems insane, but I do think the voices saying we should consider getting rid of heading are going to get just a bit louder now.

slazev wrote:

Now wait a minute. Is it a perfectly good goal or is it offside? Even if it's only by 1milimetre, it should still be offside. I don't agree with having a tolerance level for this or else we risk everyone start complaining when it's by 4, instead of 3 millimeters.

However, that case where a player was signaled as offside because of his raised arm was ridiculous and wrong.

Happened again tonight in the West ham v Aston Villa game - Ollie Watkins raised his arm and so he was offside.....

I've calmed down a bit since Saturday and I'm still very much of the opinion that at no point during the Salah "Offside" incident were either the Ref or linesme........ sorry, assistant referees wrong in not calling it offside. How in the name of god are they supposed to see that Salah's toe was 1mm offside? So it wasn't offside. I really am finding the idea that some bloke watching the game on TV can decide otherwise just horrific. If you're going to do that you might as well just get rid of the officials on the pitch and just do it all remotely. Just think, Sky could sell "celebrity referee" passes and let someone like Piers Morgan officiate a Arsenal v Spurs game.

Oh crap, what have I started.........

Prederick wrote:

Also, I know it seems insane, but I do think the voices saying we should consider getting rid of heading are going to get just a bit louder now.

The last 2-3 minutes, specifically.

I wonder, in another 15-20 years, how younger fans will look back on Diego Maradona? Will his legacy endure, or will he have been overtaken by the sheer statistical dominance of Ronaldo/Messi?

Also, Madrid's going to try and have Shakhtar banned from the competition. XD

Prederick wrote:

I wonder, in another 15-20 years, how younger fans will look back on Diego Maradona? Will his legacy endure, or will he have been overtaken by the sheer statistical dominance of Ronaldo/Messi?

I think you only have to look at Pele's legacy to understand what Maradona's is/will be. It's always very difficult to compare players from different eras, given football's ability to evolve itself. They are all exceptional technically gifted footballers, but direct comparisons will always be a little like comparing apples and pears

Prederick wrote:
Prederick wrote:

Also, I know it seems insane, but I do think the voices saying we should consider getting rid of heading are going to get just a bit louder now.

(... snip ...)

The last 2-3 minutes, specifically.

Totally agree with his thoughts on concussion testing and concussion subs. Well put.

Sorbicol wrote:
Prederick wrote:

I wonder, in another 15-20 years, how younger fans will look back on Diego Maradona? Will his legacy endure, or will he have been overtaken by the sheer statistical dominance of Ronaldo/Messi?

I think you only have to look at Pele's legacy to understand what Maradona's is/will be. It's always very difficult to compare players from different eras, given football's ability to evolve itself. They are all exceptional technically gifted footballers, but direct comparisons will always be a little like comparing apples and pears

That was my first thought as well, but there isn't a lot of footage around of Pele in his prime years - contrary to Maradona. Most comes from the World Cups, not from Brazil itself. Which is another handicap: he never played in Europe.

Sorbicol wrote:
slazev wrote:

Now wait a minute. Is it a perfectly good goal or is it offside? Even if it's only by 1milimetre, it should still be offside. I don't agree with having a tolerance level for this or else we risk everyone start complaining when it's by 4, instead of 3 millimeters.

However, that case where a player was signaled as offside because of his raised arm was ridiculous and wrong.

Happened again tonight in the West ham v Aston Villa game - Ollie Watkins raised his arm and so he was offside.....

I've calmed down a bit since Saturday and I'm still very much of the opinion that at no point during the Salah "Offside" incident were either the Ref or linesme........ sorry, assistant referees wrong in not calling it offside. How in the name of god are they supposed to see that Salah's toe was 1mm offside? So it wasn't offside. I really am finding the idea that some bloke watching the game on TV can decide otherwise just horrific. If you're going to do that you might as well just get rid of the officials on the pitch and just do it all remotely. Just think, Sky could sell "celebrity referee" passes and let someone like Piers Morgan officiate a Arsenal v Spurs game.

Oh crap, what have I started.........

Some referees can't even see when a player is more than a metre offside. The whole point of VAR is to correct the mistakes or what the referees don't see, as you've put it.

Fans are back in England. And you know what that means.....

IMAGE(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EoVgM5kXIAAkcfY?format=jpg&name=small)

HE'S BACK BABY

Only because of Ozil, never forget!

Medmey wrote:
Sorbicol wrote:

Raul Jimenez suffered an horrific head injury in the Arsenal v Wolves match last night, and has undergone surgery for a fractured skull. It’s quite possible he’ll never play professionally again.

Leaving aside that, the decision to allow David Luiz back onto the field of play after that clash of head is a dereliction of duty by the medical staff on the pitch I say. Shocking.

I saw that live. It was crazy how loud it was on tv with the absence of fans. A very scary moment. Hopefully Jimenez can recover with no ill effects. It appeared he was unconscious for quite a bit of time 5+ min. Luiz went full force running into Raul who was just standing and jumped up taking the full force of the top of Luiz head.

It's maybe the worst and most terrifying sound I've ever heard while watching sports in my lifetime. I instantly realized that was something I've never heard before and the way the two players went down it was serious.

That said almost somewhat fluke? Not like we hear about collisions that bad.

Apparently Jimenez is recovering well. Would be a really terrible if he doesn't play again.

Gunnersaurus back?? Fans in a stadium? There is hope. Or maybe that was just a bad idea.

I caught some of today's game and I think one of the reasons I'm not in full meltdown over Arsenals EPL form is that keep sprinkling in these UEFA games that really don't mean much right now.

I'm sure they will start scoring in the league but for comparison.

In the last 5 UEFA games. Total of 16 goals.
In the last 5 EPL games. Total of 2 goals.

Obviously there's a difference in talent but I feel like the EPL is extremely competitive this year.

Todays match is postponed. Looks like the whole 1st team and much of Newcastle's staff tested positive for Covid. Or at least a large number of positives and the whole team has to isolate.