Sheaf Saint

Yep. He's not even looking at the ball. He's looking straight at Schlott right up until lifting his elbow towards him. It's soft, but clearly deliberate. I'm struggling to see how that's any different from the one that Downes got hit with a retrospective ban for last season TBH.

We've won our last two away games.

It's probably the biggest contrast out of all our three kits. The stripes of the home kit could be problematic even though all the other colours are different, and the third kit is probably too similar to the white of WBA's stripes and shorts. As much as I like this year's third kit, I'm still surprised we went with that for the final design because it limits our options in some situations. A classic yellow would have been much better IMO.

If the lino had seen the offside initially then he should have raised his flag immediately, and the ref could then have judged whether or not Stephens was interfering. The fact he didn't suggests he didn't see it at all. The replay clearly shows it was only after Charles kicked off by pointing at Stephens on the ground and waving to the lino that the ref decided to go and speak to him. The ref might well have deemed that Stephens was interfering with the keeper if he was in an offside position, but the final call was pure guesswork which was heavily influenced by QPR's remonstrations.

I've just rewatched the highlights and I also think QPR's goal shouldn't have stood because of a foul by Kone on Schlotterbeck in the build up. When the long ball went forward he led with his elbow into Schlott's face and knocked him off balance. screen-20261031-225912-1793487535340.mp4~3.mp4

The only team in this league who can legitimately claim to be in a false position is us.

Stephens being where he was had zero influence on the fact that Charles' momentum was already taking him the other way. He didn't block his line of sight, nor did he prevent him from being able to get to the ball. What's more, he tried to get out of the way rather than move towards or attempt to play the ball. The word 'interfering' is doing some seriously heavy lifting here. Even if we accept that he was, and that it is technically the right decision, I think what most people are rightly miffed about is the fact that neither the ref nor the lino saw any reason to disallow it initially, and only decided to do so after Charles and the other QPR players whinged about it. No competent referee should ever allow themselves to be swayed by player complaints like that.

They had 66% possession though, so at least they are still trusting the process. And remember Russ even once admitted that he would prefer to stick to his philosophy and lose than have to change it to get results.

I would argue that we are actually looking better since he's been out. This is a team full of confidence and hitting its stride now.

Popped your cork a little early didn't you! 🤣

Lloyd going off injured - looks like his hammy went. QPR have used all 5 subs. What a shame.

Schlotted home with a free header. Oh, that's disappointing to concede immediately.

Hopefully that's the 3 points in the bragg now.

He looked level. The lino just guessed.

In fairness, that was the most slam-dunk red card you'll ever see. To NOT give that would have been far more suspicious.