rallyboy

VAR is not the problem, it's a simple tool that gives you a chance to review - a proven system that really works in cricket and rugby league. The issue is that the people who run football appear incapable of organising the most basic things. First we had extra officials who never made a decision, now we have decisions taking seven minutes! The use of it in the last fortnight has been ludicrous, it's a specialist job that needs quality people behind it. Currently we seem to have Chris Grayling sat in his shed with a packet of biscuits, reviewing footage on his Nokia. Get decisive experienced referees monitoring footage and we should get more correct and swift decisions - and players spitting or stamping will get sent off.

I must have lost three years of my life trapped in here. The ridiculous events just kept coming, every time I tried to escape they did something else illegal or hilarious. It was like an extended Ken Dodd show, but with more tax evasion. And just when you think it's all calmed down, Avram Grant pops up again...I bet he can't wait for an opportunity to get into Newcastle and rebuild. No doubt he'll be splashing out on youngsters this summer.

Cameroon didn't seem to understand the offside law - or realise that spitting and elbowing is frowned upon. Phil Neville absolutely nailed it post-match, a sentence I thought I'd never say.

I see the Championship fixtures are out today - when are we playing pompey?

Southsea Common is awash with caravans as travellers have moved on next to the D-Day event... This will be an interesting test of Hampshire police powers - and whether they can be bothered to use them. Having the FBI on side probably gives them the edge.

Big day today - if pompey beat Charlton at Wembley, and they are hot favourites, we'll be playing them next season. I know we've heard this for three years now, but today it feels as close as it's ever been.

Bearing in mind it takes us about four minutes to complete a throw-in, they have no need to rush.

Every fan can pretend that they are happy in Division Three but it isn't 1972 and Eisner needs the increased income from The Championship. He is now heading for three consecutive seasons of financial losses just at a time when the gulf between divisions opens up further. They may well have some glory days when they grab a result against bigger clubs like Barnsley and Luton, but the owner needs income - and for the business side of planning and financing the required new stadium, last night was a total disaster.

After three failed play-offs they can at least still count on one hand the number of games they played.

Ouch, that must have hurt.

Ipswich at home in 1981. Fell 3-1 down to at least one dodgy goal, the crowd got fired up and so did the players. I may be wrong but I recall them scoring with Graham Baker (?) laying injured for a while, ref played on, he lay there playing them onside - but it was a long time ago! We came back to win 4-3.

Trader who will make money from Brexit pretends he cares about democracy so he can make money from Brexit.....the Rees-Mogg approach. Does Rupert still live in Kent? I'm sure that's what someone said about him - it sounds like he does/is.

I reckon the title was decided tonight - Liverpool must have been relying on United turning up with some fight. Newcastle could even decide it before the final weekend...and I can't see Brighton and Burnley defending an onslaught for 90 mins.

If you have signed a contract as a professional sportsperson, you are always speaking in that capacity. Once you have retired and are no longer tied by a contract with club or country, that prevents you from damaging the brand, you are free to spout any old homophobic or racist nonesense you want. You can't be sacked then, just ridiculed.

Hate speech breaks the law, there is no problem for free speech. We just have to see where the line is declared.

Is Phil Istine the guy who built it? I blame him for not putting in sprinklers in 1163.

It's a great distraction story from more serious news. An iconic building suffered damage, much of it was saved, no one was hurt - and it was not 30 mins from Total Destruction as is being claimed. Sad, but not the end of the world... People gather for vigils and sing hymns across the front pages so corporations throw in millions to help, meanwhile the homeless still starve just around the corner and civil disorder continues. Perhaps Mrs May should look at St Paul's...

I still don't quite understand how Hughes could come in and inspire an appalling team to turn it around like he did - he kept us up. But he followed that up by building his own team to fail in the most spectacular of ways. Bizarre. Rare credit must go to the board for not repeating the mistake of a year earlier when they gave a failing manager too long. It's been an odd journey.

Ralph has done an incredible job. Let's hope we can hold onto him for a bit - a phrase I haven't used for the last three managers.

The league had better not mess up the fixtures again! I was assured all of last season that we were playing them this season, but when I checked last summer I couldn't find either game. I've now had nine months of being told that they'll be playing us in league fixtures next season, do we know when those games will be announced?

By now the whole ground must be Grade II listing...

That table supports my memory of Leicester being gently ushered to the title as the season went on - even refs like a fairytale, bless them.

Neil was great - he did Forever in Bluebirds and You Don't Give Me Decisions Anymore and finished with the one he wrote about the sound of his own voice - Beautiful Noise.

It's no time for being petty - they've had a great day out at Wembley and beating a big club like League One Sunderland is an achievement. No doubt some will ask questions about whether the players will ever get paid. but that's out of order, it's not like they're running at a loss again. I'm just pleased for the loyal fans who partially-boycotted, then came good in the end, they're the ones that count. I often wondered where 657 came from, apparently it was the average attendance for their home games on the glorious cup run of 2019.

I see battling plucky fratton hero Defoe has cemented his place on the old villainometer by saying that he's supporting Sunderland today.