English Football Season 2025-2026. Here we go again.

But there was a clear opportunity to rule against Arsenal and it wouldn't be any more egregious than many other penalties that are given.

There was also an opportunity to rule against Arsenal when Gabriel hit Woltemade in the face but they didn't do it then either.

Almost as if there is no bias against Arsenal at all and it's just random inconsistency.

I had to look into this and 2 refs that were kind of big deals in Hungary said that anywhere else in Europe the Gabriel / Matty Cash handballs are being called as handballs. There would be no arguments around it as they make their bodies bigger, even if the movement is unfortunate. They make their bodies bigger = pen.

In England they have a different interpretation. If the hand is not moved "willingly" or "with purpose" towards the ball - aka there is no intention behind the block with your hand it cant be considered a penalty. They also added that in Gabriel's case the ball comes off of his shin, but in reality that should not matter as the ball would keep traveling towards a dangerous area. Gabriel's hand might not be "unnatural" or moving with purpose, but it blocks a perfectly good cross and we are not giving a penalty over a technicality.

They also agreed that Pope should have conceded the pen and VAR should not have intervened as:

a.) It is not a clear and obvious error - it looked 100% a pen real time
b.) The ball was not "hit" only touched by his toe and Gyokeres looks like he will get there with ease - but the follow through takes the player out = pen.

I did not agree with b.) but I have not reffed CL finals and such so I'll concede.

Also which one do you lads prefer the Euro style (giving handball with it hits the hand) - or British (not giving handball unless there is "intention") ... while I hate those pens that are given due to a deflected pass onto the hand it does seem fairer as opposed to the British version where refs need to figure out how intentional something was which is borderline impossible.

Unless it's Hannibal in the last minute against Liverpool.

Conspiracy against Burnley - or is it more evidence of decisions against Arsenal?

I've made a conscious decision not to get into referee conspiracies at all this season. If they go to vacation in Dubai on City money so be it.

I just want to analyze some decisions and how they are made - what are the underlying reasons behind decisions.

I don't think anyone's saying that every single opportunity to rule against Arsenal is taken, especially if it's easily proven to be a bad decision 😆

Saliba on his new deal:
"It's the place to be"

2+2:
"He will be off to Madrid in a year"

What did you expect him to say?

And I said the end of next season.

I doubt Madrid will pay what is needed there. Although they do not seem to lack in other departments. Maybe a winger - we can send Trossard for 50 or Martinelli for 120

For those that didn't watch or feel asleep during our game last night, Sky put a stat up saying that we concede from a corner once every 5.5 corners this season. The PL average is once every 23.5 corners (or around that number).

I'm properly looking forward to the Arsenal game, obviously.

Already knew about this which is how I won a 55/1 bet on Keane to score a header from Garner assist 😀

otoh Arsenal, like most possession teams, are susceptible to the kind of counter that West Ham scored last night. Classic Nuno.

That seems suboptimal.

Well, the problem has been identified, now it's for whoever gets paid the big bucks to find a solution.

Effectively starting every game a goal down didn't work out too well for us.

bumpity bump bump

lol spurs are losing to a 70s kids TV show.

They're not only losing but they've been completely battered

Can't be battered and come back to get a point from 2-0 down mate

I am at loss for words as how this is not a louder conversation.

I believe the answer is "no he doesn't, as sacking him before the end of October costs the Mancs £12m".

That's a lot of cleaners and dinner ladies

I would lol but it's actually ****ing tragic.

Especially when coupled with this

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c87y3110dnzo

BBC Sport

Man Utd announce record revenue despite on-field struggles

At what point does the bigness of the club stop mattering to players wanting to go there? I guess when they stop paying massive wages tbh

When Casemiro was 30 and went from Real (where he just won his fifth CL) to a struggling ManU for €70 I thought why the hell would he do that

Then I read he would get almost double the wage at ManU...

As long as they keep doing that players will come

PS: Good eye by RM to ditch Casemiro just before he start slipping off too

Players will always go there while ManU can afford the wages through their large global reach. That won’t last forever without major trophies.

Are enough of the players moving for double the wages the ones to drive the club up the table though?