We were successful, but not a massive club. You need a huge fan base and a history of glorious victories to be massive Being really good isn't enough.
I'm sure there's some bias in my observations, but I don't know, maybe when we were near the top the dodgy decisions went our way.
There was no bias, but plenty of incompetence. Tight as the 1st goal offside was, and missing it would have been more understandable if it was in open play, to be unable to stay level with the last defender at a free kick is just not good enough. Let alone how he missed the Jesus offside. And Taylor was plain wrong on the challenge on Chalobah...
Some excellent contributions on this thread which has now turned into a proper debate. What p.sses me off most of all is that while refs. and linos are expected to make split-second marginal calls, and get hung out to dry if they get them wrong, those who could accelerate the introduction of video assistance (which we all get to see) are staggering in their inertia. Too busy with their napkins stuck into their collars and tucking into their foie gras and medium-rare fillets to bother to get their fingers out and show some urgency. Whether that be at the FA, PL, UEFA or FIFA. Of course football is a fast moving game and whatever is (and it will be) introduced needs to take account of that. Something different from the rugby, cricket and tennis then. But it wouldn't really need any new technology. Just the ability to refer upstairs to a fifth official for some quick advice. And if it was 'too close to call' then the ref's decision could stand. Like lbw decisions at the cricket. Then we could all argue about those to continue to provide the 'entertainment value'. The first time I personally saw all this argued over on here was when Angella got sent off in the first minute at Muff. It would have taken a lot less time for a fifth official to see that Wilson had 'lost control of the ball' and consequently Angella should have received only a yellow than it did for all the Muff lot to surround the ref. baying for blood. Likewise, on Saturday, all the 'marginal calls' could have received prompt advice from upstairs. Personally I'd go for the ref. being able to make a referral at any time of his choosing and head coaches being able to make two per half which they would retain if they are proved to be correct. There has of course been some progress. Goal-line technology seems to be working a treat and there have been a few experiments around the world with video-referral. But can the authorities now please get on with delivering the inevitable poste-haste? On another note I am yet to be convinced that the big clubs get more of the decisions in their favour. If you are a 'big club' then you will (almost by definition) be spending more time in and around the opposition's penalty area than the 'small clubs' will in yours. So lots more marginal decisions to be made in that sector of the pitch. Therefore it is entirely possible that it just looks like the big clubs get more of the breaks. More anecdote than science then. Finally, what I think is completely unacceptable is Clive's assertion on the Citeh match-thread that giving the ref. dog's abuse is fine because that's the way it's always been and they just need to have a thick skin. In what other areas of human interaction do you think it's fine Clive for the baying hordes in their 1000s to have a right in-your-face-go at three individuals? Speaking as a man-of-the-left that is. Refs. get the same abuse from young players and their parents down the rec. on a Sunday because it's the culture they see on the telly. Sometimes involving actual assault. So is that OK too then? Thankfully, this connect may have now been realised with the moves away from whole teams being tolerated when they 'surround the ref'. The only saving grace I can see here is that maybe some refs. and linos actually get off on the abuse they receive. Because they know that ultimately the 'baying hordes' are entirely impotent. It's all very sad really. Can we now please move rapidly towards the simple methodology for getting even more decisions right?
