I view Michael Oliver as having been badly let down by the VAR team. We all make mistakes, should learn from them, improve and move on. And I write this as an unhappy Arsenal fan…. Threatening people and family from a keyboard is cowardly and should be punished when terms of use and laws are broken.
perfectly put, Simon. Tracking the keyboard cowards down can be difficult. I think Rio Ferdinand has set up a firm doing it, but really the tech companies should be on it better. Agreed on the VAR. I did a radio programme with Keith Hackett yesterday and he was suggesting that a less "name" VAR won't challenge a senior on-field ref. Which is wrong. And one reason why VAR should be specialist.
I'm not sure that Rashford has too many options abroad. AC Milan and Barcelona who've shown some interest have good options on their left flanks, Borussia Dortmund have Jamie Gittens who needs as much playing time he can get this term.
It looks to me as though Rashford has to look at staying in the PL. Tottenham maybe?
The threats against Michael Oliver and his family are nothing short of shameful. Sadly, that word feels like it has lost meaning in the social media age when these sorts of attacks happen all too frequently, with a news cycle that quickly forgets.
Undoubtedly the processes post such a controversial onfield decision could be better, but as fans and as people, we need to be a lot better.
The Rashford saga, has gone on too long now. Personally, I feel it’s beginning to reflect worse on Amorim than Rashford. Rashford has largely maintained his silence while Amorim shows his inexperience by over sharing via the media.
Suggesting he would rather place a (mid 60’s) goalkeeping coach on the bench over Rashford is absurd and hyperbole of the highest order.
I cannot comment on Rashford’s training performances, but, I recall Rio Ferdinand observing at United that there were players in the squad who held back/went light in training to then explode during the matches. Undoubtedly Rashford has been out of form for sometime, but he has been at the club for 20 years, and this separation should take place with greater dignity than is currently being demonstrated by the club and Amorim.
well put, Paul, and it's sad that this parting of the ways is becoming so strained. Just do it. Rashford was determined that he would leave on good terms. But terms are also financial and that seems the sticking point.
The club seems to be briefing that Rashford’s ‘people’ are driving the speculation. That feels like a thinly veiled dig that ‘nobody wants the player.’ I don’t believe that position, I believe there are many clubs who would be excited about having Rashford in their team. In the right environment, I am confident he will thrive.
The environment at United has not been right for a long time. Amorim claimed when he joined he wanted to learn the history and the values of the club. Based on his media performances thus far I’d suggest he isn’t learning. Even when Sir Alex Ferguson had issues with players, he was more discreet with how it was handled. The club feels it is getting closer to a soap opera. Even the Rooney transfer request that Sir Alex Ferguson communicated to the media, it was handled with guile.
I’m making a resolution. To read Monday’s article on, err, Monday. I have always had a theory so give it a thought. Often, I have seen referees give yellow cards to players dependant on who they are and their squad influence. Those that are teenagers, less experienced etc seem to get a yellow and I have thought to myself, it’s an easy yellow to give to a lesser name, than someone much more well known in caps, appearances, hierarchy etc. the dynamics are different. The fuss would be alot greater.
Has this happened here? Would say, a Declan Rice, Gabriel have got it? Because it’s an inexperienced player, is it a decision referees can give, because the player in question does not yet have games under his belt?
I may be alone with these thoughts but it is something I have felt in the game as we see it.
Really interesting premise Ben. Certainly there appears a hierarchy with officials that a less experienced official on VAR won’t question a stellar more ref. Possibly in the England / Oliver case. Refs also have relations with the more established players so your argument definitely carries weight. Regard Henry
Excellent Monday article Henry. Always very well balanced points. Well said about Michael Oliver and the abuse his family has received. It is totally uncalled for by idiots on social media. It was a poor decision but not the worst decision of all time like some have described it as. What are these people watching. The application of VAR was the problem in not helping Oliver out. I don’t think Oliver has it in for Arsenal either and that’s from an Arsenal fan.
Good point about Conte. You have to say he was onto something with his comments. It was very strong for this day and age of sensitivity but he was right. It’s a weak mentality club. In all areas. I mean James Maddison not playing yesterday because he was a bit sore is a joke. What type of excuse is that. You have other youngsters like Grey playing through the pain barrier every week and all over the pitch. A joke. Going know where under Ange. Injuries accepted.
Rashford just needs to get out of Man Utd ASAP. Amorim’s comments reflect very badly on him. Honour and prove him and the club wrong. Where is your desire. Don’t just sit on your big contract and sulk if you don’t get your way.
It was strange O’Brien was hardly played under Sean Dyche. He is a good player. Everyone and Moyes are just a perfect fit to. Good luck to him.
A comment on the Rashford situation, interestingly your paragraph on Rashford followed the one on Bournemouths Outtara, his success of late, and particularly against Forest you suggest was the product of hard work and diligent practice. Rashford of course appears above all of this, he’s an England international with tremendous talent, so he doesn’t need to do any of that, why can’t people just accept that you hear him say, his salary (300k +) is guaranteed for years to come. He’s done great things for the local community he’s even penned a children’s book, so why can’t I get in the team? The contrast and rewards are stark with Outarra, similarly deprived background but yet to ‘make it’ so what’s in store for Rashford? He needs to find a manager who will ’understand’ him, good luck with that, Ted Haag dropped him, Amorim did, Southgate did, so did Carsley, and so will Tuchel, he hasn’t got many places to turn now.
I can't see him getting back in the England squad, partly because others are doing well in those positions. He needs to get abroad, re-focus and rebuild a career which has been drifting for 18 months.
Morning Henry, another weekend of referee controversy, you wrote last week about VAR and refereeing in general, it’s sad that two of our apparently best referees are going through a bad time, Oliver has made a few ricks of late, and Taylor likewise, non funnier than giving a free kick for a trip by his nemesis MGW when the player was nowhere near to incident, which was clearly a stumble. What’s even worse is the reluctance by the VAR referee to question obvious mistakes, it takes ex referees, respected pundits and journalists like yourself to point out the obvious. There is clearly a hierarchy in the refereeing community which makes the likes of Taylor and Oliver immune to correction, this is a major flaw in the setup. It leads to the conspiracy theories which exist in the minds of, in some cases as you point out, salient individuals, this is because there is no other logical explanation for the mistakes, can you suggest one Henry? Incompetence? Fans see the mistakes live and then are flabbergasted when VAR with all the technology and time available still makes the wrong decision, it’s inexplicable. Unfortunately this leads to the less salient taking to the Socials with threats, inexcusable.
From the refs I know, including Oliver and Taylor, they may make mistakes (and obviously do) but they are honest mistakes. Just as many players - and journalists like me - make them. I would like more accountability and transparency with audio between officials played live.
Balanced summary as always H. While you’re planning your Feb 5th trip up to the Far, freezing, savage North, with your more-than sensible Gooner fraternity, please ask that they leave their excuses and conspiracy theories at home. Wishing I’d be there but I’ll be stuck on a flight from Africa, praying the Gunners don’t like the cold, and the noise!…
I view Michael Oliver as having been badly let down by the VAR team. We all make mistakes, should learn from them, improve and move on. And I write this as an unhappy Arsenal fan…. Threatening people and family from a keyboard is cowardly and should be punished when terms of use and laws are broken.
perfectly put, Simon. Tracking the keyboard cowards down can be difficult. I think Rio Ferdinand has set up a firm doing it, but really the tech companies should be on it better. Agreed on the VAR. I did a radio programme with Keith Hackett yesterday and he was suggesting that a less "name" VAR won't challenge a senior on-field ref. Which is wrong. And one reason why VAR should be specialist.
I'm not sure that Rashford has too many options abroad. AC Milan and Barcelona who've shown some interest have good options on their left flanks, Borussia Dortmund have Jamie Gittens who needs as much playing time he can get this term.
It looks to me as though Rashford has to look at staying in the PL. Tottenham maybe?
Spurs makes sense with Son fading. Have to be quite a drop in wages
The threats against Michael Oliver and his family are nothing short of shameful. Sadly, that word feels like it has lost meaning in the social media age when these sorts of attacks happen all too frequently, with a news cycle that quickly forgets.
Undoubtedly the processes post such a controversial onfield decision could be better, but as fans and as people, we need to be a lot better.
The Rashford saga, has gone on too long now. Personally, I feel it’s beginning to reflect worse on Amorim than Rashford. Rashford has largely maintained his silence while Amorim shows his inexperience by over sharing via the media.
Suggesting he would rather place a (mid 60’s) goalkeeping coach on the bench over Rashford is absurd and hyperbole of the highest order.
I cannot comment on Rashford’s training performances, but, I recall Rio Ferdinand observing at United that there were players in the squad who held back/went light in training to then explode during the matches. Undoubtedly Rashford has been out of form for sometime, but he has been at the club for 20 years, and this separation should take place with greater dignity than is currently being demonstrated by the club and Amorim.
well put, Paul, and it's sad that this parting of the ways is becoming so strained. Just do it. Rashford was determined that he would leave on good terms. But terms are also financial and that seems the sticking point.
The club seems to be briefing that Rashford’s ‘people’ are driving the speculation. That feels like a thinly veiled dig that ‘nobody wants the player.’ I don’t believe that position, I believe there are many clubs who would be excited about having Rashford in their team. In the right environment, I am confident he will thrive.
The environment at United has not been right for a long time. Amorim claimed when he joined he wanted to learn the history and the values of the club. Based on his media performances thus far I’d suggest he isn’t learning. Even when Sir Alex Ferguson had issues with players, he was more discreet with how it was handled. The club feels it is getting closer to a soap opera. Even the Rooney transfer request that Sir Alex Ferguson communicated to the media, it was handled with guile.
All’s fair in love, war and transfers. I’m sure the club have wanted him out for a while because he doesn’t fit the tactics and PSR
I’m making a resolution. To read Monday’s article on, err, Monday. I have always had a theory so give it a thought. Often, I have seen referees give yellow cards to players dependant on who they are and their squad influence. Those that are teenagers, less experienced etc seem to get a yellow and I have thought to myself, it’s an easy yellow to give to a lesser name, than someone much more well known in caps, appearances, hierarchy etc. the dynamics are different. The fuss would be alot greater.
Has this happened here? Would say, a Declan Rice, Gabriel have got it? Because it’s an inexperienced player, is it a decision referees can give, because the player in question does not yet have games under his belt?
I may be alone with these thoughts but it is something I have felt in the game as we see it.
Top article Henry. 👍
Really interesting premise Ben. Certainly there appears a hierarchy with officials that a less experienced official on VAR won’t question a stellar more ref. Possibly in the England / Oliver case. Refs also have relations with the more established players so your argument definitely carries weight. Regard Henry
Excellent Monday article Henry. Always very well balanced points. Well said about Michael Oliver and the abuse his family has received. It is totally uncalled for by idiots on social media. It was a poor decision but not the worst decision of all time like some have described it as. What are these people watching. The application of VAR was the problem in not helping Oliver out. I don’t think Oliver has it in for Arsenal either and that’s from an Arsenal fan.
Good point about Conte. You have to say he was onto something with his comments. It was very strong for this day and age of sensitivity but he was right. It’s a weak mentality club. In all areas. I mean James Maddison not playing yesterday because he was a bit sore is a joke. What type of excuse is that. You have other youngsters like Grey playing through the pain barrier every week and all over the pitch. A joke. Going know where under Ange. Injuries accepted.
Rashford just needs to get out of Man Utd ASAP. Amorim’s comments reflect very badly on him. Honour and prove him and the club wrong. Where is your desire. Don’t just sit on your big contract and sulk if you don’t get your way.
It was strange O’Brien was hardly played under Sean Dyche. He is a good player. Everyone and Moyes are just a perfect fit to. Good luck to him.
Enjoy the week.
Thanks John. Conte was brilliant, dropped his bomb, got on Ryanair to Italy and never came back. And every point he made was right
A comment on the Rashford situation, interestingly your paragraph on Rashford followed the one on Bournemouths Outtara, his success of late, and particularly against Forest you suggest was the product of hard work and diligent practice. Rashford of course appears above all of this, he’s an England international with tremendous talent, so he doesn’t need to do any of that, why can’t people just accept that you hear him say, his salary (300k +) is guaranteed for years to come. He’s done great things for the local community he’s even penned a children’s book, so why can’t I get in the team? The contrast and rewards are stark with Outarra, similarly deprived background but yet to ‘make it’ so what’s in store for Rashford? He needs to find a manager who will ’understand’ him, good luck with that, Ted Haag dropped him, Amorim did, Southgate did, so did Carsley, and so will Tuchel, he hasn’t got many places to turn now.
I can't see him getting back in the England squad, partly because others are doing well in those positions. He needs to get abroad, re-focus and rebuild a career which has been drifting for 18 months.
Morning Henry, another weekend of referee controversy, you wrote last week about VAR and refereeing in general, it’s sad that two of our apparently best referees are going through a bad time, Oliver has made a few ricks of late, and Taylor likewise, non funnier than giving a free kick for a trip by his nemesis MGW when the player was nowhere near to incident, which was clearly a stumble. What’s even worse is the reluctance by the VAR referee to question obvious mistakes, it takes ex referees, respected pundits and journalists like yourself to point out the obvious. There is clearly a hierarchy in the refereeing community which makes the likes of Taylor and Oliver immune to correction, this is a major flaw in the setup. It leads to the conspiracy theories which exist in the minds of, in some cases as you point out, salient individuals, this is because there is no other logical explanation for the mistakes, can you suggest one Henry? Incompetence? Fans see the mistakes live and then are flabbergasted when VAR with all the technology and time available still makes the wrong decision, it’s inexplicable. Unfortunately this leads to the less salient taking to the Socials with threats, inexcusable.
From the refs I know, including Oliver and Taylor, they may make mistakes (and obviously do) but they are honest mistakes. Just as many players - and journalists like me - make them. I would like more accountability and transparency with audio between officials played live.
Balanced summary as always H. While you’re planning your Feb 5th trip up to the Far, freezing, savage North, with your more-than sensible Gooner fraternity, please ask that they leave their excuses and conspiracy theories at home. Wishing I’d be there but I’ll be stuck on a flight from Africa, praying the Gunners don’t like the cold, and the noise!…
thanks Alan - and safe flight!