hypochondriac

The problem is now some refs have no confidence in their abilities and would rather defer the decision to VAR than trust their own instincts. It means we have a group of players crowding the ref begging for the technology to have a second look after every passage of play and a ref who looks weak and nervous going to look on a little screen at anything vaguely controversial- clear and obvious my a*se!- it slows down the game and is being used in some instances as a safety feature. In all the var influences decisions last night that I saw, the original decision should have stood.

Competence should play a part with any commentator appointment regardless of sex. Appointing some decent men and then some terrible ones doesn't mean it's then OK to appoint some terrible women. Most women just appointed because they have some connection to football. Personally. I'd hold some open auditions and appoint the best commentator that way. Would solve a lot of the accusations of quotas.

Yep. It's weird though because I think gabby logan is superb and she's undoubtedly female. I think it's true that the register of the female voice does not lend itself well to a game with loads of excitement but then Victoria Pendleton was brilliant at the Olympics so maybe they just need a better female commentator. Choosing one on competence rather than because it fulfills a quota would help.

Agree with that. Why not have a selection of male and female commentators and then let people vote for the ones they find less irritating- plenty of male commentators just as annoying. Let the people decide.

Seems like it's worth a go for such a small amount of cash. Not the lost inspiring signing in the world but our big money buys have mostly been rubbish in the past few years so he's worth a try. I would hope we get at least one exciting signing with the vvd cash though in the mould of a mane or someone like that with raw talent. We shall see.

Our defence and attack is near the bottom of the table in terms of quality and midfield is lower mid table quality. Seems clear to me where the priorities lie but it seems we will be selling what little quality we have...

Good article which summarises the problems on both sides well. The mainstream media and the TV channels in the US could do everyone a huge favour and be less partisan on both sides and try to facilitate some dialogue and try to understand the views of the other side. Fat chance but it would probably help...

I can't say it's anything I've heard about before. It's brand new information.

I find it hard to believe we wouldn't bring in a striker. Lb if Bertrand leaves, cb, am, wide player and attacker.

Hold on, I thought you were on your high horse and agreeing with verbal that you weren't replying anymore? You just can't help yourself with your obsession with me. Buzz off and annoy someone else soggy.

Got it in one...

No more or less creepy than anything anyone posts on here. I still get posters pretending I had a fake second account from about five or six years ago as if that's some sort of hilarious jape. It's just posting on an Internet forum at the end of the day, hardly creepy.

I already explained why, I was quite up front about it. It exposed who wrre the type of reactionary posters who would scream about someone being a nazi based on no evidence other than someone using a cartoon frog picture. Suewhistle, soggy, jonnyboy it's all the usual people who shout "far right" or "white supremacist" first and then ask questions later- if at all. And don't give me rubbish about the heat being too much. I think I can handle a few passive aggressive barbs from the likes of suewhistle or lies from soggy. I'm not sure that temperatures ever going to get above tepid.

Yep. Images of Hitler and scouting is entirely comparable to a cartoon frog image. Absolutely the same. I wonder if the Anti Defamation League would consider them comparable?

Pepe the frog has been used in a plethora of ways , occasionally as a racist symbol, occasionally as a non racist symbol, anti religious and pro religious. As the Anti Defamation League concedes: So no, a picture of Pepe the frog is not in any way comparable with a swastika. I agree with the Anti Defamation League that racist Pepe pictures are a minority, that use of a Pepe picture is not evidence of racist or bigoted views and that it is important to assess the context.

He's just got to be better than one of hoedt or Stephens to improve us. I'd back him to be that at least.

Christ. One of our only decent players. Would be a big loss and for such a small amount too if true.

Indeed. Throwing serious slurs like 'far right' and insinuating I'm a neo nazi supporter is despicable and no actual posts are offered as evidence. It seems it is perfectly acceptable to assert these things without evidence. As you say, a clear personal axe to grind...

Feel free to list any views of mine you consider to be right wing. If you are unable to do so then kindly pipe down.

I haven't supported any of those people, there's no such thing as an alt right avatar, I've never supported Richard Spencer in my life other than to say I don't think he should get punched in the face whilst walking down the road and it's moronic to equate support of Jordan Peterson with the alt right or any sort of identity politics nonsense for that matter. You're a liar.

That's true but when someone has the brains to actually use their own experience effectively to provide a level of insight that the man on the street cannot, then I think they make the best pundits with things worth listening to. Unfortunately a lot of footballers are not blessed with intelligence and football programs often equate playing success with skill as a pundit. Imo you would ideally want both...

It isn't always needed but I find some of the best pundits are normally those who have played the game at a very high level- someone mentioned Neville and I'd agree.

Yes possibly. It may be that there is a female pundit capable of doing the job well, but I don't think she's up to the task as it stands. That's not to ignore the many terrible male pundits either. Shame that quite a few jumped straight to the sexist labels and personal insults though, it's just an opinion on football punditry, hardly the end of the world.

I'm afraid you've failed to comprehend what I wrote. She plays or played women's football which is essentially a different sport. I'm all for women presenters if they are decent- gabby loan springs to mind- but pundits are supposed to provide a level of analysis and typically this is best achieved by those who have played the game at a similar level and thus have a good insight into the minds of the players involved. There are exceptions of course but I didn't think she was up to much last night. No need for the personal attacks, not sure what me being a dullard has to do with the quality of punditry.

I'd prefer to hear from those who have played at a similar level and therefore have a greater insight into what is needed. Not sure why people are saying she's better than me- I expect she is and I'd be a cr*p itv pundit too which is why I'm not on the telly...