The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

[Suntan Superman]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Happened for us against Qarabag in the CL group stages earlier as well.

Hopefully it happens more, because correcting stuff like this will do way more to curb diving than just punishing players without bothering to address the root of the problem.

I love the idea of punishing divers, but really this is how we take care of the issue altogether. I'm not sure how to increase the standard of refereeing to that point though.

[jb12780]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

I’d love a TMO. He’d be able to look at the run of play leading up to Lamelas pen and be like “he was offsides leading up to the goal, free kick Liverpool.

Works great in rugby.


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[Krebstar]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

I’d love a TMO. He’d be able to look at the run of play leading up to Lamelas pen and be like “he was offsides leading up to the goal, free kick Liverpool.

Works great in rugby.

Yeah, maybe I've just oversimplified it (very likely), but I was under the impression that VAR could and should be the TMO from rugby. If anything, I feel like the whole thing is being overcomplicated in an effort to prove that it can't work. "Oh, we tried it (in the most convoluted way possible) and it seems that it just didn't work and ruined the flow of the game—darn."

Whenever I've heard discussions between journalists on podcasts they seem entirely uncertain how VAR could possibly work in the sport, and I don't understand how rugby is not being used as the example. Also as the example for how to treat officials, but that's a dead horse I've beaten multiple times.

[jb12780]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Yeah in regards to interacting with the referee, things won’t change unless referees across the continent start booking people.


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[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Most of this first half has not been ideal

[KG]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Soft 2nd yellow and another penalty where the attacker embellishes the contact. I’m of course bias but Delefleou is a flopper and made the most of it.

Watford’s been the better side so far.


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[Krebstar]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

The idea that contact equates to a penalty is not only incorrect but also incredibly stupid.

I'm honestly to the point where it's hard to watch, listen to, or read coverage about matches. I do not want to watch this sport in a world where we've all accepted that contact, regardless of the impact, gives someone the right to embellish (DIVE) in an attempt to win a penalty.

I feel like we're going to hit a turning point, right? We've gone as far as we can with this, surely the only thing we can do is witness some kind of reaction to the absurdity that we now witness on a daily basis and that we've all been spoonfed into acknowledging as part of the game, and just how it goes.

Players seek out minimal contact of their shins, calves, etc. so they can fall to the ground and win a spot kick. What the **** is going on? When did everyone become convinced that contact equates to a foul, therefore a penalty? It is still a contact sport. Players will come together, sometimes harder than others, but it does not mean that all contact must be avoided or punished. Any contact does not deny a goal scoring opportunity, which is what a penalty is there to correct.

I was about to burst yesterday, but after being dumb enough to listen to the English media avoid discussing Kane's blatant dive yesterday, and now this being awarded a penalty, I just ****ing can't. It's annoying to even watch matches while this is accepted as normal, clever, or an act of gamesmanship.

For the record, I don't care what player does it, what team it benefits, or what team it hurts—it's incredibly frustrating regardless of crest or colors.

[Zac]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Guy doing the Guardian live updates for this match just posted this:

"If anyone out there knows Guus Hiddink, just tell him to keep his phone on tonight."

[Suntan Superman]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Yikes. Conte gonna have a job tomorrow?

Also - strongly agree with Kreb, as soon as I saw Deulofeu go down, I was sure it was going to be a penalty, and a weak shout. To Deulofeu's credit, he at least waited for Courtois to make minimal contact before going to ground.

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Honestly, as much as I hate to say it, it was probably a penalty.

It isn't as black and white really, it can be both a penalty and a dive. Deulofeu definitely is looking for the foul and dives, but if he just keeps running like normal then Courtois takes him out 100%.

Sure he could jump all the way over Courtois, but he would get nothing out of that. Jumping all the way over Courtois would alter his run too much and he likely wouldn't be able to get the ball back in time to make any kind of reasonable play. This incident was sort of what I was talking about with needing to go to ground to get anything. If Deulofeu does the "right" thing there and hurdles Courtois, that whole play likely results in nothing for Watford.

[dubcity]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Holy **** that match did not end the way I anticipated.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

There is no in between with Chelsea. It's either completely smooth sailing or continuously pouring gasoline on a burning pile of garbage.

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

There is no in between with Chelsea. It's either completely smooth sailing or continuously pouring gasoline on a burning pile of garbage.

I can live with being a meme every other season if it also means winning the league every other season

[Krebstar]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

David Squires' cartoon this week is wonderful, as it is most weeks.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/feb/06/david-squires-on-riyad-mahrez-and-his-leicester-city-impasse?CMP=share_btn_tw

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2017-2018 EPL Discussion Thread

Pretty good game but Spurs need to have better finishing this week.

Should have been 4 or 5 to Spurs, Juve won’t give them that many chances.