Premier League - 2023/24

Having watched all 3 incidents again, I think each one should have been a pen, the last one in particular - it's crazy that VAR didn't intervene for the 3rd.

 

Thing is, as much as I understand why people think that, Luton and Forest's form since the turn of the year has been identical - they've both won 2 games in 2024 and have both picked up 10 points. Luton have played ok at times, but only Sheffield United have conceded more goals in 2024 than Luton. I think, largely, peoples perceptions about Luton is based mostly on that run of form they had at the back end of the year.

2024 form table:

https://twitter.com/Andy_H_EFC/status/1782377367660384362/photo/1

 

Don't come on here bandying facts around; I thought you'd have learned by now! All WFC fans are convinced the scum will stay up cos we're pessimists at heart and we all know 5h1t happens.

 

PGMOL briefing the BBC (presumably off the record) that Forest didn't ask for Atwell to be removed or "express an issue with his appointment" prior to yesterday's match:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clw0g501q0xo

 

Amorim seemingly out of the running for the Liverpool job, and now prominently featuring on West Ham's list according to Ornstein.

 

Forest doubling down.

 

This is the same nonsense I've seen Rangers have tried a few times up in Scotland too.

These clubs bang on about the 'integrity of the game', as if they're not trashing it with their tantrums. They demand things are released into the public domain, but strangely they only ever take these high-minded positions when they're unhappy with decisions. They're never arguing for it when it's the other way round and they're never in the majority when the clubs vote on the rules for VAR in the close season. Plus they know some of the audio will eventually be released. It's all just playing to the gallery.

 

I thought the first one was not a penalty, the second one is 50/50 because nobody knows what the handball rules are but third one is stonewall. How on earth Atwell hasn't told the ref Young didn't get the ball is astonishing and that for me is what VAR was for. The first two in my opinion are not clear and obvious errors, the third one is

 

Smart move from the PGMOL to get Stuart Attwell to explain that there's no reason for any criticism about his appointment as a VAR official for Everton v Forest yesterday to defuse the Clattenburg Controversy as no-one is calling it. His short statement is shown below in full.



"I have absolutely no idea where this rumour about me being a fan of the Mighty Hatters appeared from at all. My early reffing days in the higher echelons of the league marked me out as someone who is scrupulously fair and I know that football fans everywhere respect my reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. I can recall some years back when some wild conspiracy theorists claimed that I gave a 'ghost goal' against one team when in fact I was the only person in the ground sharp enough to spot the ball crossing an imaginary line dreamt up in my pea-sized brain. Fortunately it only happened to those bunch of c***s in SW Herts, so no harm done. Thank you and see you all at the Kennel soon. You Hatters."

 

If Forest reckon Atwell fixed it because he's a Luton fan, wouldn't it have been better for Everton to lose? They still got to go to the Kennel so would put things much more in Luton's hands.

 

Surely the bigger issue here, is that if Atwell is a Luton fan, as Forest claim, does that explain the Ghost goal in his first high profile match involving us?!

Or is it just another example of his utter incompetence?

 

Talksport said on Saturday that Luton need a “football miracle” to survive.

No, me neither.

 

Yep I can see the arguments against the first pair but the third is simply incompetence of the highest order. How could atwell dismiss it so quickly. Useless. The guy steals a living.

 

This "clear and obvious error" excuse is a complete joke. It's making a mess of VAR which should be objective.

What's the point of a VAR official trying to assess what was going through the ref's mind when he made a decision? It's like saying "it was probably a pen but I can see why he didn't give it".

Just ask the ref to take a look to make sure. 6 angles in slow motion - if he says I'm happy with my original decision then fair enough. If he overturns his decision that's no disgrace either as it's so easy to miss things in real time.

The only reason I can think of is that we had no refs at the last world cup, and the PGMOL want to produce stats that show our refs had fewer decisions overturned so must be good at their jobs so please pick us for the big tournaments.

They end up taking a piece of technology designed to be objective and making a dogs breakfast of it by ignoring the evidence in favour of a subjective opinion of a VAR official.

 

That and the fact that in English football, there appears to be a boys club mentality amongst the referees. You can hear it on the audio they’ve released, nicknamey ‘matey’ bantz. In other sports, there’s no issue with overruling decisions from off the pitch. In football, for some reason it has to go back again to the on-field ref to check again. Makes no sense at all.

Separate refs and VAR officials. Have them be nerdy rule guys who can just advise and review. It shouldn’t be a ref who goes drinking with Michael Oliver and calls him ‘Olly’.

 

Thanks, I stand corrected on the last world cup. We didn't have any at the 2018 one.
I still stand by my point that this adherence to "clear and obvious error" is resulting in incorrect outcomes in a lot of cases.

 

How is Crudwell still allowed, after all this time to officiate?

He is either corrupt, incompetent or both.

Wretched decisions wherever he pitches his filthy tent.

He's not alone, quite the opposite but he should be nowhere near professional football.

 

Just seen a video of Forest’s promotion celebration after beating Huddersfield in the playoff final. All laughing and joking saying they “love VAR” after getting a contentious decision in their favour.

How times change.

 

Agent Ashley trying his utmost.
Still a hornet at heart.

 

Huddersfield fans had no issue either as it created a ‘wonderful moment’ for the fallen giant underdog massive club Forest.

 

Forest can go **** themselves, as they voted against more money for EFL clubs, despite having spent 14 years in the championship and historically actually having spent more time as second tier club than a first tier club, and they’ve only been able to stay in the Premier League by cheating. Now they’re trying to blame their ineptitude on the officials. I hope every decisions goes again them and they go back down, hilarious stuff.

 

Completely agree with the above, but what if it keeps Luton a premier league club ?

 

That is the obvious issue, it’s just going to have to be the case that if the worst does happen, I can take comfort in the consolation that at least another horrible club with a horrible owner has gone down instead.

Maybe Burnley can pull a rabbit out of the hat and save us all from that scenario anyway.

 

Last game of the season Burnley Vs Notts Forest
Come on Burnley !!

 

"Come on Burnley (unless NF need the points to send Luton down)".

 

So , last match of the season we need Burnley and Forest to be 2 points above Looton
with superior GD so that we can rest easy and cheer on the Clarets hopefully to send the pair
of them down !!

 

Forest have one of the division’s most over-rated managers.

Couldn’t reach an FA Cup final from 2-0 up in the semi. Useless at Spurs. And now underachieving with Forest.

Stupid man.

And stupid club too, thinking they are so smart by hiring an ex referee as a consultant.

Dodgy and incompetent. A fateful combination.

They can’t see the forest for the trees.