General Premier League Thread 2023-24 Mod Note in op 27/6/23 And 21/05/24

They'd need a ten point swing to get spurs currently in 4th, and that's before villa/newcastle have anything to say. I think they'll go well from here on out but probably have a bit too much of a deficit to make up. Very competitive league this year.

TBF, 3 of their goals last week were against 9 men. It should give them a bit of confidence anyway.

There's literally nothing obvious.

He's the only one I can think of playing in that 10 role, who is left footed and who plays in the same style as Odegaard. And I think he has more potential with his dribbling and directness, even though Odegaard is better right now.

Also, Martinelli has a higher ceiling than Sterling IMO.

Ceiling does not equal better player - it's a comment on what he could be.

Southgate seems to be an odd fella. Picking Henderson who's playing in front of 600 people in awful league and won't even look at Ward Prowse who's flying at West Ham.

City's next 3 games, Liverpool, Spurs, Villa....if they come away with 9 points from those, then I'm afraid the writing is on the wall for the reminder of the season. In other years I would have backed them to take all 9 points, however there's seems to be a vulnerability about them at the back this season. They're giving up an outrageous amount of chances in every game, those next 3 games you can be guaranteed all those teams will be going for the jugular against them!

I didn't even see his name on the list.

It must be very disheartening for players being left out for Southgate favourites.

Poch seems to be working out the squad, get them playing, attacking and scoring goals then we can become a bit more solid.

Southgate is killing the mentality within that squad.

When you make it obvious that something isn't a meritocracy, when it is clear that certain players are favourites that get picked no matter what, then you create an environment where some people think they don't have to work hard and others think there is no point in working hard.

Talent will get them to knockout stages but push come to shove that squad will not reach their full potential.

DERMOT SAYS: "You see it sideways on - you can't unsee it. They are both grabbing at each other, Marc Cucurella doesn't let go, pulls him to the ground. You can see why the referee has given it. The assistant has got the best view, he's confirmed that to the referee. It's never, ever going to be overturned by VAR.

"From the outset, they are both grabbing at each other. Cucurella makes the first move and it's almost like Erling Haaland is shrugging him off. Without doubt, when you see the sidewards view, Cucurella never lets go; he just holds and holds and holds.

"What I would say is, whether you think it's a penalty or not, at least we've got a referee on the field making a decision. I would say VAR Jarred Gillett wouldn't have given it and the reason I say that is because I do feel it's got to be an on-field decision. Is it a clear and obvious error if he doesn't give it? I'd say no because he'd probably say they are both hauling each other."

What chance have we got when this is the kind of nonsense that comes out of a referee on the Haaland penalty?

VAR is so bad now it's making matches unwatchable for those who want to see football, but probably drives more engagement for those wanting more of a soap opera than a sport.

Gallagher is terrible, he ust agrees with the decision for the most part.

look at him say the Romero non-penlaty against United was correct then say a similar one given against Romero a few weeks ago was correct, and then when challanged on the difference he just waffles about 'Well i just think the ball and the hand and the ref has given it and the ball so it is what it is' or some rubbish.

Oh, and as an asisde, based on the penalty City got against United, United should have had two penalties at the weekend. Maguire was absolutely manhandled on two corners. Fed up with Var. Refs are now afraid to give United calls.

I'll accept this when I see some key decisions going against Man City and Newcastle.

Any fans saying their club is being treated worse by VAR is wrong. Every team gets screwed a few times during the season, Newcastle and City included.

What annoys me most is the grainy pictures on VAR replays. It's ridiculous, you see a replay clearly on TV and then VAR have this blurry, spotty replay. Why aren't they using the same system as TV channels?

It's not clear enough to be absolutely certain of anything that's close.

The bigger problem is the standard of refereeing which has sunk to an all time low in the Premier league.

I think Wolves have been on the wrong end of decisions the most this season.

It is different though, because there is a conflict of interest between refereeing in a league where the same people who own the main sponsor also own a team in the PL.

Theres no problem with PGMOL referees working outside the PL but the PL should be able to expect that there’s no conflict created from it.

If PGMOL don’t want to change then the PL should be able to bring in other referees.