LE GROVE SCOUTS THE WORLD FOR THE GREATEST INNOVATIONS IN REF RULES AND TECHNOLOGY
Well hello there my darlings, how are we today? Excellent, excellent.
The slowdown in the pace of games has come with a little bit of relief - things were getting a little wild in April, I’m glad we’re getting a chance to savor where we are right now.
Champions League was fun. Watching one of the most authentic clubs in the world steal a Champions League final over PSG was quite spectacular. I’ve never seen a colder social media response than those Dortmund admins. Absolutely killer. It’s great to see that a team like Dortmund can do that to a team with limitless funds and *cough* influence. Shows there’s still soul in the game.
Madrid vs Bayern was another example of weird oddities in football. Carlo Ancelotti didn’t have a great time in Bayern. The players didn’t like his relaxed approach to everything… but when that man is at Madrid, the magic just happens. He’s won another league title; now he’s turning over Bayern despite a one-goal deficit with 10 minutes to go. That man is an absolute monster when it comes to winnertivity.
Not sure I fancy Dortmund in the final, but man, imagine how it must feel to be their fans right now!
It also shows you that the best teams don’t win the Champions League. Once you enter the quarter-finals phase, it’s anyone’s game.
The Arsenal news is fairly quiet and I like that. There are no injuries to really speak of bar rumblings that Tomi wasn’t training. Think we need to stop trying to make out squads by looking through Getty images. Tomi might be on a different plan this week, doesn’t mean he’s unavailable.
A lot of Arsenal fans are desperately worried about this game because of our previous troubles there. I’m not sure I’m about that. United is a terrible team; their manager is walking the green mile, and they have just been walloped by Crystal Palace, who had nothing to play for.
Arsenal are going to dissect them. Half United’s squad has an agent looking for a new club, the other half are ready to buckle in and see out there deal, the atmosphere is absolutely toxic there and to cap it all… those players will be thinking about the FA Cup. No way they’re putting their place in the biggest shop window of the season at risk.
I know the Arsenal coaching staff was very upset about EtH saying we never get injuries last season - before a whole lot of bad stuff happened. I also suspect Arteta has been collecting clippings of all the yapping Ten Haag has been doing about the penalty. I want a vengeance kill and I want it to be painful.
The only problem I see this weekend is Paul Tierney reffing the game. But what option is out there that we’d all be agreeable to?
Talking of officiating - I do like that offside radar system they’re using in Champions League. Shame they didn’t use it for the Bayern goal late on in that game, but when they used it against Madrid earlier in the game, it worked nicely. Super clean, no manual line drawing, fairly fast. Get that into the Premier League as well.
Also, some new rules to watch in MLS.
Off-field treatment rule
If a player is suspected of injury and remains on the ground for more than 15 seconds, the referee will stop play and call for medical staff. The player will be removed from the field and remain off for at least two minutes for evaluation and treatment.
Timed substitution rule
Substituted players must leave the field within 10 seconds. If a player doesn't leave within 10 seconds, the incoming player must wait 60 seconds before entering.
In-stadium VAR announcements
Referees will announce and explain VAR decisions.
Look at these very simple and extremely effective rules. Guess what, you don’t get fuckery anymore. Players are magically realising they are big boys and they get up in good time unless something serious has happened. Bring that to the Premier League right now!
Ok, short post from me today, I’ll be back tomorrow! x
