Whitey Grandad

He has a lot to work on. I felt that his positioning was a bit lopsided at times but hopefully that game will have done his confidence some good.

What struck me was that for most of the game the Wrexham forwards were quicker off a standing start and frequently got a few yards ahead of our defenders but I'm the last 15 minutes or so Wrexham sat back and tried to hold on to their lead by any means but were eventually overwhelmed by our superior fitness. It does help of course that we could bring on such effective substitutes.

Wrong in your view, of course, but that is the nature of refereeing. A lot of it is a matter of opinion.

Your view is as valid as anybody's but thankfully there was only one that mattered. Perhaps we can all agree that shoving Moore was a stupid thing to do. Of course as soon as he felt the hands on his back he dived but that doesn't change anything.

Right first time.

That would be an extremely interpretation. In my view (and the referee's) his arm had every right to be there. Where else could he put it, and please don't say behind his back.

The 'other circumstance ' being that defined in the sentence above. It wasn't a DOGSO. This is z poor photo. Perhaps some kind soul could invert it for me?

Even with VAR they would have been referred to the referee but only if the VAR official felt that there was a strong case for it. As you say, I think we're better off without it.

That has changed. And quite right too. The previous interpretation was a nonsense. Tucking the arms behind the back is no longer necessary. In my view that defenders arm was in a natural position.

Blatant to you, perhaps, but not to an impartial observer. That player was holding his head and I don't think the referee saw the incident. The actual stoppage came some time later, didn't it?

The holding arms behind your back business went out a couple of seasons ago when the interpretation was 'clarified'. The shot on goal bit is not relevant.

The crucial wording here is "in all other circumstances"

Please see my reply above.

Which part? This part? DENYING A GOAL OR AN OBVIOUS GOAL-SCORING OPPORTUNITY (DOGSO) Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.), the offending player must be sent off.

I've just had another look. Stephens was alongside and matching stride for stride. Enough to have probably blocked any attempted shot by Moore.

Sky know nothing about the Laws of the Game. They should all be sent on refereeing courses. It was a foul but not a DOGSO.

Not running "directly towards goal", Stephens close by and blocking the goal so not an obvious goal scoring opportunity. Edwards lucky not to get a yellow card though since there was no attempt at a genuine tackle. What on earth was he thinking? Our two penalty calls were some way off being 'stonewall'. Charles's shot hit a defender's arm that was dangling by his side and not in an unnatural position and that shirt pull on Downs was not 'significant'. Stephens's last-ditch tackle on there forward was just the right side of legal, but only just. Fine margins.

I'm just going through the recording now. Comfortably onside by a couple of yards. There was nothing wrong with the refereeing. His job wasn't helped by the players throwing themselves to the ground whenever possible.

I turned the sound off. I couldn't stand that constant whining and whinging about the referee. Sure, the penalty was harsh for any traditionalist but not incorrect under the present interpretations and thankfully VAR. No actual football to be seen anywhere. The two teams were too intent on having a brawl.

Trust and confidence take years to build up yet can be destroyed in seconds.

That would be irresponsible.

If you had one you'd spend all the time washing out those 'difficult stains' 🤭

A contradiction in terms.

A lot of gropes.

I'm 5'9" Same as Paul Newman and Robert Redford.