Wurzel

I remember an interview with a well respected foreign import ( I think it was Ces Fabregas but not 100% on that) where he stated he couldn't understand why English crowds were so appreciative of a defender making a tackle. in his eyes having to make a tackle was a last resort and a sign of failure. If a defender anticipated and positioned himself correctly there was no need, you simply shepherded a forward to go where he didn't want to go, or forced him to make a non-constructive pass. Of course, if he lets a winger get past him then he's failed on all counts.

Clear example of perspective ****ing things up. If the yellow line was parallel with the 6 yard box line he's offside. If the yellow line was parallel with the 18 yard line he's miles onside. As it is the yellow line they've used shows them dead level. If in doubt benefit should always go with the attacker

I technology is there to help get things right then use iot, but not in the way it's being used now. I'd have the same technology as they are currently using but implement it in the following ways. VAR can only ask ref to review if they see a) missed violent conduct or b) mistaken identity in red/yellow card. Ref not allowed to consult VAR (if he's not sure he can't give it) EXCEPT Each captain can ask ref to refer any goal, penalty, red card to VAR. Limit one appeal per half per side whether upheld or not. It's very rare that a team could claim more than 2 bad decisions in a match have cost them the game That way referrals are going to be limited in number. Added advantage of players no longer harassing a referee, they'll need to harass their own . captain as only he can ask the ref for the referral. If you concede a late equalizer in the second half and still have your referral the crowd just know it's going to be used. Emotion wise it'll be like giving away a late penalty, you assume the opposition will score it but there's always that hope. Could even enhance the drama whereas the current system seems to be destroying it.

Who says it will ? It's not what you spend it's how you spend it. Fulham spent almost double what we did on players last season. Spurs spent nothing at all. #justsaying

I was just about to post a similar comment. The Lander accounts are for the whole group on the left, and Lander themselves on the right. I'm no accountant either but I think CM is confusing the fact the SFC Ltd figures are included in those group figures. I can see that £184338M share capital was introduced into Lander. I can't find any mention in Lander's accounts of that coming from a loan. It may well have been a loan to Gao personally or one of the Chinese/HK companies but that doesn't show in these accounts. Agree it does show Lander as holding 100% of SFC and all the other subsidiaries not 80% (or does KL now own 20% of Lander?) As you say a £20m loan was converted to share equity, think that was KL's final loan but could be wrong. Alternatively is CM meaning the £20.5m "other loan" which on page 4 of SFC accounts under "Liquidity risk" is clearly described as the usual cashflow loan (which I and others have previously referred to), subsequently repaid and then a new facility taken out for the coming season covered by a new charge. This is the one and only charge against the company registered, as has been done every year, but which CM is insisting covers the £200m loan. This £20.5m other loan also of course shows in the group accounts but not Lander's. Hands up, maybe CM has got everything correct but I think it's a case of finding what he wants to find. Still waiting for evidence of his claim for Gao's lack of assets . I see that question has been ignored.

As above, what proof is there of existence of this £200m loan, whoever it may have been lent to? Also, what proof do you have of a Chinese national's assets (public or hidden, fixed or liquid) and their value ? What records have you been able to access to make that statement?

For the whole quote For the bit in bold

Yes we have. (Well £18m plus £2m add ons) Can't understand why anyone is still doubting this.

That one get's my vote Out of position, beaten fo pace, only one option left and IIRC all in an end of season fixture that had no meaning for either side . Didn't it put Dyer out of the World Cup that summr?

Wasn't he also the one that sat on his own against the advertising hoarding for ages after final whistle when Villa knocked them, looking near to tears. Sooner have that than see our players laughing and joking with the opposition after another defeat before they've even left the pitch. #winner

No, but it's the reason attackers have to be at least 1m away from a wall at free kicks now.

For me that list does clarify pretty much every eventuality. Having said that, it's a pretty long check list for a referee to mentally go through on the spur of the moment whilst action still continues around him, it's no wonder inconsistencies creep in. Don't like the BIB, I think if a keeper can punch clear a cross whilst under pressure with enough power and accuracy to get it straight into the opposition net 100+ yards away he deserves the goal.

Can't believe that suggestion either The flag is a signal to the ref not the players. Defenders should be concentrating on where the ball is, where the attacker is, where he's going etc. Forward should be concentrating on where the ball is, where the goal is, where the keeper is etc. Neither should even notice a flag going up (look to see if it's gone up after the event yes, but not whilst play is going on). That's the reason linesman (sorry AR) has a visual flag, referee has an audible whistle.

The Echo will be pleased. Those full page "Glad To Be Back" adverts don't come cheap.

Maybe we're just too critical. Neutral BBC Sport seem to love it, . Mind you they are talking about the video, they conveniently don't pass comment on the kit itself

That's quite worrying (unless. contrary to your username, your a 9 year old girl ). There's a register for people like you.

I can, unfortunately, have more claim to being ITK with regard to them than I can with Saints thanks to a friend at board level down there. Their biggest concern at the start of this season was that Premier 2 is going to be a thing sooner rather than later, so promotion as soon as possible was the main aim to make sure they don't get left behind when it happens. Ooops!

They aren't at the moment. They may be in the future. Southampton could prove a strategic place in their Belt & Roads Iniative. Chinese do things differently than us. They plan long term. They place more emphasis on influence than we do. Google "Chinese Soft Power" to see how they plan long term whilst gradually increasing their influence in an area Then add "football Europe" to the search. You might just start seeing things differently. Here's just one paragraph from one of many reports on the subject. (my bold emphasis)

That's not what he's saying though is it. He's saying an owner of a local football team who has already shown that he can operate that on a sound and successful basis is more likely to have any future requests for land purchases/planning/development looked on favourably by the council than a relatively unknown. Of course the council would (within reason) snap the hands off *anyone* approaching them with £millions to spend in the city, but already owning the local football team would sure give you a head start over others. Bit in bold: That's why I feel more optimistic than many about our club and it's current owners, if, big IF, they have plans for the area in the future (and being a lover of conspiracy theories I think they do) then it will do them no good at all if they are seen as incompetent/unsuccessful at running a football club. First step on the ladder, obtain the club - tick Second step, make club successful - in progress Third step,- who knows where that will lead us.

Wan't the McQuarrie Bank facility simply the normal cashflow borrowing that most PL clubs undertake to cover early season outgoings until payments are received from the PL ?

My source at Under Armour tells me that thy have been asked to make some of the new kit shirts to fit an 8ft squirrel. Looks like Sammy Saint & Cos days could be numbered

^^^THIS^^^

Cheers

It is all a bit too easy. I wasn't even a free supporters club member until I tried to buy tickets. Quickly registered as one (and then as another one in wife's name) and 5 minutes later 2 tickets purchased. Question for the England regulars - will I now have to take the wife or can anyone use "her" ticket ?

Football - well professional sport in general - is also different to virtually all other types of business in that employees (on the playing side) are also assets. There is a need to constantly weigh up what they employee *might* bring to the club success wise in future seasons against what someone else *is* willing to give you for that same asset right now. As much as we'd like them to, it would make no sense - except for stubborn petty mindedness - for a club to banish a player to the reserves long term, and unfortunately the players know that and can use it to their advantage. Doesn't mean we can't dislike them for doing it though.