Whitey Grandad

If it’s a relegation decider then equal numbers of fans is the only fair way.

But in this case we are talking about only one game. The home/away mix of fans ought to even itself out over a season where each team plays the other home and away.

I was standing right behind that under the western stand. I knew it was going in all the way.

Troo dat

Yep, 15th, May. Semi finals are w/e 17th April.

Our last game is schedule for Saturday 23rd May. Away to Westy Ham The previous game is hoe to Leeds. Saturday 15th May.

Better players are easier to referee becuse they are more predictable and less likel to go lumping the ball all over the place. That said, spme of the ex-professionals can be tricky and always trying to put one over on you. One of the last games that I did at Hamble had several of them. The central defemder from Plymouth was a joy to watch and to referee. I didn't know beforehand but when he pinged a diagonal ball right across the pitch straight as an arrow I glamced a quizzical look at him and he just gave me a smile. The centre forward was a lovely lad who had played for Luton and he was a laugh but as he admitted after the game, I didn't fall for all his tricks. The midfielder was a well-known overweight bundle who had played for several clubs including Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Carlisle, Villa, Brentford and Brighton and he was always trying to get one over you. Sly little handballs and shoves and nudges off the ball. It was very sad to watch. His team were winning by several goals and late on I unfortunately had to award them a penalty which this player decided to take. He attempted a Panenka but the keeper just stood there and let the ball drop into his hands. It would have taken a heart of stone not to laugh. A couple of years ago we shared a table on a cruise ship with a Scottish couple. David had been a top referee, Rangers/Celtic, UEFA, and all that sort of thing. When I mentioned this particular player he said that he had once refereed a friendly between St Mirren and Villa (1988) and his linesman had seen him punch a St Mirren player whilst he wasn't looking so he sent him off. After the game Graham Taylor came into his room and asked politely why he had been sent off. He told Taylor why and his reply was "Right. He'll never play for me again." And he didn't. I have the greatest respect for Graham Taylor after hearing that. Just imagine if they had scored from that McCarthy corner.

He could buy some

I agree with you here. It's been some time for me too. Before the match all referees will onspect the field of play and I alwys liked to pace out the distances to the centre circle and from the corner flag to the penalty area to get some idea as to where the ball was likely to be landing. There is also the wind to think about. It's not long after kickoff that you find out what sort of a game you're going to get.

It might work and I would prefer it to VAR but getting the extra officials would be a problem at grass roots. There's enough trouble getting someone to run the line as it is. They experimented with officials behind the goals in some European competitions but they didn't last very long for some reason.

He needs to scream in agony as he goes down. If you see the stills of Mason Mount going down on Saturday you can see his mouth wide open in true play-acting style. And they're usually looking at the referee before they hit the ground. That's because you're watching it on TV too. Slow motion distorts the reality and the more you se a replay the more convinved you get that it must have been deliberate.

From henry Winter in The Times today: Southampton signed a star on rise in Salisu 5/ Mohammed Salisu. The Southampton centre back has come a long way from playing for Kumasi Barcelona Babies, leaving Ghana for Valladolid and waiting to make his mark at St Mary’s after Southampton paid his £10 million buyout clause. Salisu was outstanding on his first Premier League start against an in-form Chelsea, not committing any fouls, making three clean tackles and six clearances. And he is still only 21.

Is there one for every turnstile? And what do they call the one outside turnstile F ?

We’ve had a stopover there on two occasions. It’s ok and interesting for a couple of nights but I wouldn’t hang around there for more than two or three when there are other places to go and explore.

Clear to you maybe but not to everybody else. The keeper got the ball first. Therefore it’s more likely to be a foul on the keeper than the other way round.

But some keepers are much better at it than others.

I agree about the ref Taylor. He should protect the players instead of trying to keep the game flowing. He got the balance wrong.

Always sensible advice.

Never gave up despite being kicked all over the park.

I didn’t expect that. Shame about the penalty.

What was Ings thinking off? No need to make a challenge there.

McCarthy jumps out of the way again. I don’t expect him to save them but at least get close to them.

Does anybody seriously think that this is a winning position?

I love the way that he sat both the keeper and the defender down there.

McCarthy seems to think he’s playing rugby and keeps kicking or field position in touch.