Premier League Round Up (Feb 14-19 2020)

[tlw content]

The weekend kicked off with a controversial game at Molineux as Wolves found themselves on the wrong end of another bizarre VAR decision as they were held to a goalless draw by Leicester. 

 

When Willy Boli headed in there was not a soul inside the stadium (or watching on TV) thought for a second there was anything wrong with it. Usually you have an inkling that VAR is going to take a look. It doesn’t always mean the goal will be ruled out but usually you have an inkling if something might be looked at and it's enough to make you hold off on the celebrations.

 

Sadio’s winner at Norwich for example. I didn’t think it was a foul but I knew they’d be looking at it. This one though, there was hint of anything and not even the Leicester players appealed for a possible offside. For all the cryarsing about it though, technically it was the correct decision. You can argue all day about whether goals morally should be disallowed for that, but by the current laws of the game that was offside and Wolves don’t have a leg to stand on. 

 

Nuno Holy Spirit handled it with his usual good grace, and Conor Coady handled it with his usual arrogance and bitching. He remonstrated with Mike Dean as they left the field at half time and the ref admitted he didn’t know who was offside or why, he was just going by what he was told in the headset. 

 

Seeing Coady continually whining about VAR decisions this season has been a guilty pleasure of mine. He’s arguing about black and white shit. Offside is offside, regardless of whether he likes it or not. He was crying about the one that was disallowed at Anfield, and also wanting a handball when there wasn’t one. 

 

I’m sick of him spouting off when the officials have gotten the decisions right. What does he want them to do, ignore the rules just to suit him and his team? The disallowed Boli goal was a bizarre one but when VAR looks at it and puts their little lines in and the player is offside, there is no other option than to disallow the goal.

 

Do we want to see goals disallowed for THAT? No, of course not. It’s ridiculous and there are probably at least 20 goals this season that have been disallowed that would never have been ruled out in the past. That’s a problem but haranguing referees over it is stupid as it’s not their fault. I'm all for giving them shit over their own mistakes, but this isn't that.

 

The law definitely needs to change but until then VAR can only enforce it as it is, and like it or not (and I don’t think anyone does), Neto was offside. What does Coady want them to do, ignore the laws of the game just to make him happy?

 

Fair play to him though, being in a shot with Mike Dean where you’re the one who is more arrogant and full of yourself is pretty much impossible for most people, but Conor pulled it off. Ronaldo might be the only man on the planet who can beat him on that front.

 

Not gonna lie, if I had my way then Wolves would be on the wrong on VAR every week as I find it funny as fuck, albeit I do have sympathy for Nuno as he’s a top fella.   

 

Anyway, in summary Wolves had the better chances but couldn't score, and Choudhury finally got a red card that’s been months in the making. Reckless bastard him.

 

 

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[Nolongerathletic]

Fat Jon Moss was the VAR and he got it right, no doubt while saying “it’s not VAR’s fault you’re in a relegation battle”. 

 

9/10 for that one...you lose a mark for gloating about it!

 

 

[rb14]

Serious omission Davey. No mention that as of today, we are guaranteed at least top 4. Seems like only you and @The Woolster are oblivious.

[alles ist gut]

Top, top Lee Hendrie analysis there, Dave.

[sir roger]

Made a few bob on the Burnley game as the tipster on the Daily Mirror pointed out that they have an amazing record against Southampton something like 7 wins of 8 and were 4/1.

[dockers_strike]

Fans might not be aware of it but every goal in the Premier League is checked by VAR before the oppos take their kick off. This is the reason fans of some other clubs think VAR benefits us when we score, the goal is reviewed and allowed to stand. They think because VAR is involved there's an infringement and if the goal stands, the VAR official has 'sided' with us.

[JustTosh]

The result at the bridge was perfect. We need results like that, we still want Ole at the wheel right? They’ve now got one good player (Fernandes). A couple of good summer additions and a proper manager and Man U might bounce back as a top 4 team.

We need them to be as close to 5^th place as possible, although I fear they’ll sack Ole if they don’t get into CL next season. Results like away wins against the likes of Chelsea could make the club make the right decision and give Ole another year to rebuild.

[William_Ulsterman]

you sound more and more like you are defending VAR? are you coming round....?

[dave u]

Not at all. I'd scrap it right now if I could. I just think a lot of the complaints about it have been completely missing the point.

 

The main reason it needs to go is it's killing the emotion of goals. That alone is reason to fuck it off as far as I'm concerned.