[Albion] Stand or Fall

[jcdenton08]

I have dwelled on posting this, but I feel it’s important. Yesterday’s officiating was beyond simple week-to-week incompetency. Something was badly, suspiciously wrong.

As football fans, we hold dear the belief that what we are watching is a fair contest between two teams of eleven players. A referee, supported by his two assistants, fourth official and VAR are meant to act as a simple arbiter and enforcer of the rules.

The Premier League is the pinnacle of competition in this country; a lot of money is at stake through advertising deals, television income and merchandising opportunities. Some clubs are “worth” more - to the tune of tens of millions of pounds - than others in this regard.

Anyone - regardless of tribal colours - accepts what happened yesterday was one of the most shameful injustices to happen in Premier League history.

What happened to us yesterday was a crime. Criminals should be punished. We need to mobilise.

The question is, do we still have fans with hot blood and big balls who will actually step up?

 

[Springal]

So far I’ve seen suggestions of a petition, some banners and some songs. That’ll really show the corrupt mafia footballarati

 

[lawros left foot]

What do you suggest?

I’m not having a pop at you, it’s just I don’t have a clue of any action, we, as supporters could possibly take that the Premier League would take any notice of.
I am, however, encouraged by the amount of supporters of other teams, even some Spurs fans, who have voiced their concerns over the abject performance of the officials, both on and off the pitch.

I await our apology from Webb with bated breath.

 

[jcdenton08]

What do you suggest?

I’m not having a pop at you, it’s just I don’t have a clue of any action, we, as supporters could possibly take that the Premier League would take any notice of.
I am, however, encouraged by the amount of supporters of other teams, even some Spurs fans, who have voiced their concerns over the abject performance of the officials, both on and off the pitch.

I await our apology from Webb with bated breath.

It takes one or two equally angry people - with clout - in our fan community to arrange a protest. Film the protest. Spam social media so that people are forced to pay attention.

Every fire starts with a spark. Without the angry few lighting a flame Falmer would never have happened.

 

[jcdenton08]

So far I’ve seen suggestions of a petition, some banners and some songs. That’ll really show the corrupt mafia footballarati

You are missing the point.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Step up? Well yes, but can you be more specific? What can we actually do?

The club can do something. On every argument about the rights of fans and the club or the future of the PL as a corporation, the club, and specifically Paul Barber has come out on the side of the corporation, (ie sticking up for dodgy scheduling, arguing for VAR etc)

Time for that to change. When the majority of the fanbase don't believe in the integrity of the product, then the time for being corporate and polite ends.

The club needs to stop being so nice.

Specifically. I would like the club to publicly accuse PGMOL of systemic bias towards big 6 clubs. I would like the club to publicly accuse the Premier League of knowing negligently allowing unconscious bias to go unchecked in referrees reports. I would like them to publicly request that data on betting patterns for this game be published. I would like them to ask the Tottenham Hotspur to publicly confirm that they have not made any payments to anyone connected to the PGMOL for "advice" , in a similar way to the recent revelations on Barcelona. I would like the club to be definite in their language. I would be delighted if they used the word "corruption".

 

[Springal]

I would like them to publicly request that data on betting patterns for this game be published. I would like them to ask the Tottenham Hotspur to publicly confirm that they have not made any payments to anyone connected to the PGMOL for "advice" , in a similar way to the recent revelations on Barcelona. I would like the club to be definite in their language. I would be delighted if they used the word "corruption".

Tony Bloom literally owns a company (or not officially) that helps spot match fixing / illegal betting patterns…

 

[jcdenton08]

Step up? Well yes, but can you be more specific? What can we actually do?

The club can do something. On every argument about the rights of fans and the club or the future of the PL as a corporation, the club, and specifically Paul Barber has come out on the side of the corporation, (ie sticking up for dodgy scheduling, arguing for VAR etc)

Time for that to change. When the majority of the fanbase don't believe in the integrity of the product, then the time for being corporate and polite ends.

The club needs to stop being so nice.

Specifically. I would like the club to publicly accuse PGMOL of systemic bias towards big 6 clubs. I would like the club to publicly accuse the Premier League of knowing negligently allowing unconscious bias to go unchecked in referrees reports. I would like them to publicly request that data on betting patterns for this game be published. I would like them to ask the Tottenham Hotspur to publicly confirm that they have not made any payments to anyone connected to the PGMOL for "advice" , in a similar way to the recent revelations on Barcelona. I would like the club to be definite in their language. I would be delighted if they used the word "corruption".

“The club” do the will of the fans. To greater or lesser extents, but they all listen - to varying degrees. If people stop going to matches, for example, they listen. Our club is superbly run, so getting their attention wouldn’t be an issue.

A heavily numbered protest would gain attention. “The club” would act.

 

[jcdenton08]

Tony Bloom literally owns a company (or not officially) that helps spot match fixing / illegal betting patterns…

You are missing the point.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Step up? Well yes, but can you be more specific? What can we actually do?

The club can do something. On every argument about the rights of fans and the club or the future of the PL as a corporation, the club, and specifically Paul Barber has come out on the side of the corporation, (ie sticking up for dodgy scheduling, arguing for VAR etc)

Time for that to change. When the majority of the fanbase don't believe in the integrity of the product, then the time for being corporate and polite ends.

The club needs to stop being so nice.

Specifically. I would like the club to publicly accuse PGMOL of systemic bias towards big 6 clubs. I would like the club to publicly accuse the Premier League of knowing negligently allowing unconscious bias to go unchecked in referrees reports. I would like them to publicly request that data on betting patterns for this game be published. I would like them to ask the Tottenham Hotspur to publicly confirm that they have not made any payments to anyone connected to the PGMOL for "advice" , in a similar way to the recent revelations on Barcelona. I would like the club to be definite in their language. I would be delighted if they used the word "corruption".

You can’t prove bias here but I think you can show incompetence, and incompetence on a regular basis. I really think that Barber should get his finger out and challenge the Premier League about this. VAR should be OK, but it isn’t being used by people who are capable of analysing the information and making correct decisions. it’s a different skill set to refereeing. It needs people trained and able to make independent decisions.

 

[jcdenton08]

You can’t prove bias here but I think you can show incompetence, and incompetence on a regular basis. I really think that Barber should get his finger out and challenge the Premier League about this. VAR should be OK, but it isn’t being used by people who are capable of analysing the information and making correct decisions. it’s a different skill set to refereeing. It needs people trained and able to make independent decisions.

I think it is very easy to prove bias.

 

[Deadly Danson]

I can only think of a massive (and I mean massive) flag next week and at Wembley and at the Amex with "PGMOL and FA: Corrupt. Fans United" or something similar. Doubt it would make any difference but it would be a gesture.

 

[jcdenton08]

I can only think of a massive (and I mean massive) flag next week and at Wembley and at the Amex with "PGMOL and FA: Corrupt. Fans United" or something similar. Doubt it would make any difference but it would be a gesture.

What about swarming the players/officials entrance, with banners saying “NO TO CORRUPTION”. What if someone brings a big screen and a generator with the clips from yesterday’s match on loop with said banner held high right behind it.

 

[Springal]

.

What about swarming the players/officials entrance, with banners saying “NO TO CORRUPTION”. What if someone brings a big screen and a generator with the clips from yesterday’s match on loop with said banner held high right behind it.

what about blowing some whistles as well ?

 

[jcdenton08]

what about blowing some whistles as well ?

Paid shill.

 

[WATFORD zero]

It's frustrating that there's nothing we can do and I would like to see something, but the only thing I can see getting any attention would be a very simple message with a chant and signs at Wembley.

"9-0 To VAR" type thing

 

[Eric the meek]

Mobilising the fans won't reverse the result or change the decisions. The game has finished. But the season is far from over.

What if we stop playing the victim, and look at it as an opportunity? The Spurs game is over, but the next game is ours to win. Whether it was corruption or a series of terrible mistakes, the sheer injustice, the travesty, could be a blessing in disguise. I believe we will see a response on the pitch from RDZ. What if he uses it as an extra motivation to his players by imbuing a siege mentality among them?

Harnessed in the right way, this whole shitshow could be the making of us, giving us a togetherness and a whole new level of steel, that we need to kick on and establish ourselves as a true top six club.

Look forwards. Not back.

 

[jcdenton08]

Mobilising the fans won't reverse the result or change the decisions. The game has finished. But the season is far from over.

What if we stop playing the victim, and look at it as an opportunity? The Spurs game is over, but the next game is ours to win. Whether it was corruption or a series of terrible mistakes, the sheer injustice, the travesty, could be a blessing in disguise. I believe we will see a response on the pitch from RDZ. What if he uses it as an extra motivation to his players by imbuing a siege mentality among them?

Harnessed in the right way, this whole shitshow could be the making of us, giving us a togetherness and a whole new level of steel, that we need to kick on and establish ourselves as a true top six club.

Look forwards. Not back.

Yeah. You’re forgetting we’re playing an arguably even bigger club away. I’m not expecting a bed of roses there either.

Additionally you could be prime Man City and not win if the officials don’t want you to. We saw this with Italy vs South Korea all those years back. Sometimes it can’t be done.

 

[Eeyore]

What about swarming the players/officials entrance, with banners saying “NO TO CORRUPTION”. What if someone brings a big screen and a generator with the clips from yesterday’s match on loop with said banner held high right behind it.

Folk need to be very careful with some of their statements. Although it could help the cause. The amount of libellous statements and claims being made at the moment would probably be enough to retire some of our villains already after a big pay day.

Bad decisions are not evidence of corruption, especially as they have been shown to affect all teams. Are referees affected by home crowds sometimes ? Yes. We know that. Some have even said in the past that it can sub consciously get to them. But corruption ? No evidence. Betting syndicates ? That is libellous.

I don't want VAR to go. Mainly because if it did decisions would still be scrutinised in the same way and it would be carnage. Most decisions it gets right, but far too many not. And this is frustrating because it is not serving the purpose it should. That needs to change.

It may have cost Albion one or two points yesterday. But it doesn't mean it's corrupt.

 

[Hastings gull]

You can’t prove bias here but I think you can show incompetence, and incompetence on a regular basis. I really think that Barber should get his finger out and challenge the Premier League about this. VAR should be OK, but it isn’t being used by people who are capable of analysing the information and making correct decisions. it’s a different skill set to refereeing. It needs people trained and able to make independent decisions.

I fully agree, but the reality is that the cretin on VAR is likely to be from the same organisation, (and mate) as the ref in question, and thus has very interest in backing up his mate, rather than let him face the wrath of thousands of home fans.