Shroppie

It's overdue, but I'm not sure there's clarity on how it will work. There are three forms of VAR used effectively in different sports, but I get the feeling that football wants to be different, rather than following any existing model. Tennis, for example, uses a purely player-driven appeal system. There is no video umpire, just technology. The umpire cannot call for a review. But that doesn't work so well in a team sport. Cricket has, in my opinion, a very successful hybrid system. The umpire can call for a review on, for example, a catch or run out, but the teams have limited reviews of their own, lost if the review fails. Procedures are clear and an underlying principle that if there is doubt, the on-field umpire's decision stands. I think I'm right in saying that even if it's an umpire referral, the umpire still gives a "soft" decision. RU probably has the most complicated system. No appeals from players but both the ref and video ref can review pretty-well anything leading up to a try, or foul play. The ref can ask closed or open questions. IMO it's good for getting things right, but can be too slow. I would like something similar to cricket to be used. The ref should be able to refer anything to the video ref if he is unsure. Not just penalties and offsides. As with cricket, with a soft decision to stand unless there is clear evidence. I don't favour the video ref being able to intervene independently. To me this is too confusing as players and spectators seem unaware of a review taking place. But why not a limited number of team reviews per game, where the ref hasn't chosen to review an incident? Play doesn't necessarily need to stop for a review, unless it's successful and play needs to be brought back for a penalty, free kick or whatever. But if a review starts during a break, or a break occurs during a review, obviously play doesn't restart until it's resolved. I'd like to see a time limit on the review. Communication both with players and spectators is critical. Not sure if the video being reviewed needs to be on the big screen, but a message needs to be there, eg "Review - penalty?" Ok, shoot me down! Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Ings for Austin if fit, otherwise Obafemi. Armstrong for Romeu. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Mock me (and I'm sure someone will), but if the second goal had stood on Saturday, and maybe one more, I think we'd have looked good. Confidence is utterly fragile. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

The latter, as edited. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Not happening. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I agree with most of that. Certainly JWP could have shown a bit more composure with his clearance that was blocked, but if he'd taken a touch and lost the ball, we'd be saying why didn't he just hoof it? And yes, Cedric was pathetic in his "block". Why wasn't he closing down the player and spreading himself? One final point that seems to have gone unnoticed in the lead-up to the Bertrand non-penalty is that there was more than a hint of handball as Chalobah first took the ball forward. It was right in front of me and there was quite a big shout from the crowd. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Genius. I feel just a little bit less angry now. But not much. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

A mouldy cabbage Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I doubt it. We've got no-one capable of appointing a replacement. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

All in all it was a good team performance from a good, sensible starting eleven. What's missing is simply confidence and a winning mentality, and the team know that. That's why Charlie was so angry post-match. Today should, and could have been the day to secure a comfortable win against a decent side. We outplayed them and deserved it, but were robbed of a crucial win by incompetent officials Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Yes. This Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

As far as I'm concerned, there's no one to blame for not getting three points today except the ref. Absolutely appalling decision that brings his integrity and competence totally into question. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Not that bad. Reasonably mild and chance of a shower. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

FT 1-1 Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Saints hit the bar. Last seconds. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

1-1. Last minute equaliser. [emoji3525] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I would be very surprised to see this happen. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Agreed. No much shame in shipping six. Plenty of teams will do that at the Etihad this season. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Really don't get all the idea of dropping McCarthy. He had little chance with any of the goals, except perhaps the last, which didn't really matter, and he's been the brightest bit of our miserable season so far. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

His finishing last night was awful Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Him tripping over the ball led to the first goal. He put in some decent free kicks and corners and otherwise wasn't any worse than most of the others. The problem was a collective lack of intensity from the start. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I doubt we'll change the CB pairing, although I'd like Maya in the team. I know they had a torrid time yesterday, but IMO Cedric/Bertrand were more of a problem. Quite like your personnel in attack, but I'd go 4231 with Obafemi playing in front of Redmond Ings Target (or Elyounoussi or JWP). I'm close to thinking Bertrand needs to be dropped. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

There was plenty of spirit in the second half. Yes, they're playing for Hughes and putting in the effort. But when you come with a game plan to keep it tight from the start, and are 0-3 down in 20 mins there's only going to be one outcome. After our penalty I thought there was a flicker of hope but Cedric's mistake on half time killed it. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

A fair assessment. Thank you. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I thought it was a fair and correct analysis. We were certainly too weak early on and the damage was largely done in 18 mins. After that City could play with total freedom. Cedric's blunder on half time killed any hope. We were better in the second half and should gave scored at least two. If we'd started the second half at 1-3, it wouldn't have been as bad. I guess McCarthy will be disappointed at being beaten at his near post for the fifth, and perhaps could gave been stronger for the last one. But although we had chances, they did too and could have had more. I'm not suggesting that we were likely to get anything. We were playing an exceptional team at the top of their form and most opposition would have suffered a similar result. But neither was it the abject spiritless failure being suggested by the usual suspects. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk