The Kraken

‘Throw us out of the playoffs’ is a very woolly definition of what the EFL will be able to do. If we’re guilty, they have to set a precedent for any future misdemeanours by other clubs. So it’s either a fine at the lower end of the scale, or a points deduction at the higher end. The situation of us being in the playoffs makes it very complicated but they can’t just say ‘you’re eliminated from the playoffs’ surely, as that is no sort of precedent. If it’s a points deduction then that can only really happen from next season / the next time we start in the championship. We finished comfortably in the playoffs, 9 points clear of 7th place with a massive goal difference advantage. So, to knock us out of this seasons playoffs, they would have to apply a 10 point deduction, and have that as the precedent for whatever were found guilty of. I really wouldn’t fancy being in the EFL’s shoes. And without knowing just how deep spygate went up the chain for us, it’s ridiculously difficult to speculate. It’s been said various times, we absolutely need to consider what middle ground there is between a fine and a points deduction, such as individual suspensions and the like. But that simply can’t be done until all facts are laid bare. I can only imagine any punishment we get will not be retrospective and will apply to future Championship seasons. Unless it’s a fine and a slap on the wrists if the facts deem it so.

Gibbo will sort it out.

Is he? I’ve always found Starmer to be something of a wooden speaker. Relies heavily on his notes, certainly doesn’t have anywhere near the speed of thought and gravitas of Blair or Cameron. With Boris Johnson, what Starmer excelled at was baiting the hook and letting Johnson’s lies unravel. But an inspiring public speaker? Not for me.

The club have asked for more time to conduct an internal review. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx21kpmdj97o

Do they? what have the rules of the football league set out about what we did? Apart from that it’s against the rules.

Leeds weren’t ‘found guilty’ of anything. At the time they got caught of their spying, there wasn’t an official rule in the football league that actually forbade it. After that the football league introduced that rule. so, Leeds were caught being a bit sly. Then a rule was enforced. Then, it seems, we broke that rule. That is why Leeds aren’t a precedent.

If there’s one thing the Labour Party is really good at, it’s internal division.

Labour ones, obvs.

The move is on. 57 MPs and counting have called for Starmer to resign.

Excellent. Ant going for the “she was wearing a short skirt so she was obviously asking for it” defence

Today I completely agree. If we’re going to have VAR then it should be to outline clear and obvious errors. I think today was a success for that. But we’ve seen many times before where VAR also goes and looks at offsides and other misdemeanours in the lead up to the goal. Often leading to many minutes of evaluation before a decision is made. That’s where I think VAR veers well off course; but once you invite video evidence into the equation it will begin looking at everything. For enjoyment terms the championship has been wonderful for not having to put up with the video replay shit.

I was in the car after the game (I watched it on the telly) and there was a (rare) interesting conversation about the disallowed goal. It’s was pretty unequivocal that it was a foul on the keeper. But it also raised the issue that there were various other misdemeanours going on too. Most notably Declan Rice basically rugby tackling a West Ham player who had got the wrong side of him. The question was, if VAR is going to interfere, does it look at all of these fouls? And if so, how does it make the decision on what to do. Surely, once the ball is in play, it’s the first foul that should get given. But I don’t think the VAR even looked at it.

The lone wolf theory doesn’t hold much water if the guy is a staff member. We’re to believe that he’s had a day off from work on a weekday, travelled hundreds of miles to the site of our next game on his own, and decided to do some impromptu scouting without telling any of his workmates or bosses. Sure, sounds believable.

It’s all unravelling a bit for Danny Rohl. 3 league defeats on the spin and now guaranteed they’ll finish third in the league. Not all of his own making of course but it’s certainly been a terrible end of season for them.