Whitey Grandad

Any article that starts with a factual inaccuracy like that cannot be taken seriously.

And even then we'd only have drawn.

No need to blockade Gibraltar when they could invade. They could just march across the runway when the traffic lights changed from red to green. We need to send in the SAS to seize the traffic lights control centre and make sure that they stay at red.

The ref is much closer and sees everything in 3D and much higher definition. Slow motion is the most misleading view you could ever have and zooming in doesn't actually give you any more information. Also TV never shows you all the other clues as to what takes place, where the players' eyes are looking, what is said, what is heard, whether the movement looks natural or is manufactured. The referee has the best view in the stadium. You should try it sometime. Video gives you a different view, not a better one.

You have highlighted some of the problems with laws that were intended for a game of sport played all over the world at vastly different levels of playing fields and abilities. The offside law, as currently written, does not suit itself to technological implementation. It was originally aimed at preventing goalhanging.

Subs have ruined the game. Not as much as TV though.

The referee always has a better view than the TV. Judging whether it's a dive involves getting into the mind of the alleged diver. What if the player is just trying to avoid what he thinks is coming? And remember that a lot of the laws are just 'in the opinion of the referee', not 'in the opinion of all those watching on the tele'.

Yes, but far better than watching on TV.

St What?

Penalties are extremely difficult to judge on TV. Diving even more so.

Who knows. The stamp might have twisted his foot or stretched his arch underneath. Or he might have damaged it subsequently.

Ball in or out of play. That's all we did on Sunday mornings

That might be 45 minutes later.

Yes, very annoying.

Agreed. Strange decision and the first time that I can remember it happening.

Fair enough. As it happens I don't think that there was a clear signal from the bench that Gabbi was going to be replaced immediately and there is a sequence that must be followed before the 4th official can hold up his silly board. Think of it as a quick free kick where the defending team was distracted. Incidentally, there is no requirement for a whistle to restart play, it just needs to be a 'signal' which could just be a wave of the jand or even a nod and a wink. (I may have made that last bit up) Happy slagging

I watched it several times last night. Long just was not ready to come on when play was resumed and was faffing about as Gabbi came off. The behaviour of the officials does not need defending, they had a game to get through. Just consider what your opinion would be in the same thing had happened at St. Mary's in reverse.

It was the Sky recording that I was watching last night and I don't recall such comments. Basically, Spurs were ready and we weren't. They pulled a fast one/smart move depending on your viewpoint. You can see Long turn to Kevin Friend and gesture along the lines of 'what's going on?' They both smile and have a chuckle about it. The referee will only know that a substitution is requested once the fourth official has been informed as to the names of the two players involved. In my days it was the linesmen who signalled this request by holding his flag with two hands horizontally above his head.

I think they were just being smart. We were dragging out the substitution so they grabbed the opportunity to get on with it. Interestingly the confusion in our penalty area and the penalty followed not too long afterwards. Dier was swigging some Lucozade (other sugary drinks are available) and getting instructions from Pochettino at the moment that Gabbi walked off and went back on the pitch sharpish as they restarted. I think we were a bit naive.

These are from the BBC Live Text report. There seems to be a pattern here 57' Offside, Southampton. Maya Yoshida tries a through ball, but Shane Long is caught offside. 69' Offside, Southampton. Steven Davis tries a through ball, but Shane Long is caught offside. 74' Offside, Southampton. Steven Davis tries a through ball, but Shane Long is caught offside. 79' Offside, Southampton. Steven Davis tries a through ball, but Shane Long is caught offside. 90'+2' Offside, Southampton. Oriol Romeu tries a through ball, but Shane Long is caught offside. I've taken some screen shots and I'll try to post them up tomorrow, if I can master the technology.

I've got the recording in front of me now. Long still had his yellow top and is warming up as Gabbi is walking to the touchline. As Gabbi is about 10 yards from the touchline Long is in his seat, still with his yellow top on and is tying up his bootlaces. Kevin Friend clears the touchline between the technical areas and escorts Gabbi off the pitch. You can just hear (possibly) a whistle and 3 seconds later Long then appears in shot from the left, minus his yellow top. He and Gabbi shake hands and Long pats him on the shoulder. We then cut to a shot from opposite the pitch and the commentator says ".. has to be replaced by Shane Long but, er, can't get on yet because Spurs have restarted". The game had already been restarted for several seconds when you see that shot. The fourth official is ready but nothing can happen until the next stoppage in play. It doesn't matter that a team has 'done nothing wrong'. If the substitute is not ready the referee will restart the game.

Mmm.. Isn't there a Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times"

Bus vouchers were included with the season ticket booklet.

Bugger me, we're in total agreement

I'll have another look. There is a procedure to be followed and no official will cause an unnecessary delay.