Trust me, he doesn't look fitter. I had the same opinion as you till I watched him live. Even in the warm up he didn't look right. Is it a chronic back problem that Chaz has long suffered from? I'm wondering if it's something like that. He just doesn't look right and this from a big fan of his as a player.
Mmm....he's right, I wouldn't give Amos 7. He did well first half, but then hid completely and did his usual chickening out of tackles routine. I also disagree about our wing backs pressing. No one pressed, apart from an occasional lone wolf effort from someone like Dykes. Sunderland were able to play out at will, getting through our midfield with 2 or 3 simple passes. They pressed us really well. We were left hopelessly exposed by them destroying Dickie and Kakay down our right and capitalising on what must be the slowest defence in the league. Run at any of the centre backs or put the ball in behind them and they're ****ed. Amos was left alone in the centre, although Chair was playing much deeper than usual, resulting in him being much less effective and not really being much help to Amos. Gray may as well have not bothered. Warbs needs to get things sorted. Gawd knows what he'll come up with for tomorrow night!
I'm not convinced Clive's preamble/rant is particularly well-judged, certainly when it comes to starting a fire.
I am fearful for him as he looks so off the pace. He looks like he'll never score again unless it's laid on a plate. A la the offside goal. And I am talking as a true fan of his,which makes it sadder.
Knees mate, has been the problem just before we bought him first time around. Just more years wear and tear in them now, I actually believe that running is hurting him !
Bruce talking about when Hull pulled out of buying him just before we did. Obviously something showed up on his knee, it hasn't bothered him in the years since but maybe it was something that over time is seriously bothering him now ?
Still not quite over Stroudgate! If I had made an error during my professional career, there would have been serious consequences for me. I was accountable to multiple weighty professional bodies any or all of which could have sanctioned me in some way. Who is Stroud (and the lino) accountable to and what are the disciplinary procedures for when they get it wrong? Worth an FOI? Might do anyway just for fun.
I was hoping for a statement from the club, perhaps about making some kind of appeal or complaint. Perhaps they have made such appeals/complaints but just haven't gone public with it? There must be some kind of process for really bad decisions like that one, otherwise the refs could just be free to swing games whatever way they feel like or even receive bribes. Does anyone know more about referee accountablity in the EFL?
I have put in FOIs to the FA and the PGMOL. So far, the FA directed me to a form that only allows prescribed queries so I've emailed themasking for a more helpful reply. PGMOL have not replied yet. I also put one in to the Referees' Association and here is their reply: Thank you for your email. The Referees’ Association is a voluntary membership organisation which supports, educates, and develops those referees in this country of every level who choose to join our ranks. We are not responsible in any way for, nor do we have any say at all in: the decisions as to which referees get promoted to the top Leagues; the games to which they then get appointed by the FA or the PGMOL; the perceived standard of their performances in any of those matches. We do care deeply about the game, but the issues you raise are totally out of our hands and beyond our remit, hence unfortunately we are unable to be of any help to you in this respect. All of these matters are totally decided by the governing bodies in this country (the FA and the PGMOL), who are therefore best placed to respond. Can you therefore please address your current observations/concerns, and similarly any future ones, direct to them please - thank you. Kind Regards, Ian . Ian Campbell - RA Board Vice-Chairman
Good work. Would you mind sharing the nature of the FOI request you made? Perhaps share what you wrote?