UEFA Women's Euros | England win final on penalties!

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

I don't disagree with you — it's been manifest — but actually I'd turn it the other way round. It's the men's game that really needs sorting out now. We should not accept it, as paying, faithful supporters.
Two things, specifically, are now seriously impairing my spontaneous enjoyment of the game, and that's been the case for about five years. Firstly, VAR, and the way it's used — outrageously intrusive now, completely undermining the authority of the onfield referee.
And the play acting in the men's game, that has become like a blight.
I'd give out a firm directive to the VAR officials to only intervene when it is a clear and obvious error. This would mean that they must not be replaying and scrutinising every instant of the game. If — in real time, like the onfield ref —the VAR refs have seen that the onfield one has missed something big, then yes, they should get in his ear. Not otherwise. VAR will not be abandoned, not now, but it must — for the health of the game as a spectacle — be used much more sparingly, much more intelligently.
And as a City supporter, I'll take my chances on that, and have faith that it will level out over the season for all clubs.
Secondly, a clear directive to onfield refs, at the start of a season — first match day, second if necessary — to yellow card anyone they were convinced were play acting (and that includes taking a dive in the area to get a penalty). It would mean fifty or sixty yellow cards would be handed out (and consequently several reds) on the very first day of the season, and there'd be outrage and rioting in the streets, but believe it, it would stop it dead in its tracks. And would reset the game to an improved version of it that would be beneficial to all. I don't much like rugby as a sport, but one thing I do like, very much, is that there is very little play acting. I am now disgusted by it. It's rare from City players, but even then, I intensely dislike it.

Agree with most of that. I think play acting/cheating should be a retrospective ban, with the ban doubling after each offence (nobody would ever be ‘done’ more than twice).
Also agree about the clear and obvious, although I fear we’re too far down the rabbit hole now.
I’d like the clear and obvious to be in virtual real time but allow it a broader spectrum. Example, ball headed behind by Ake but ref gives a goal kick. Everyone watching on tv knows it was a corner, VAR just tells ref to give a corner.
As for all other ‘clear and obvious’ it just needs to be clear and obvious at full speed (which includes ref looking at a monitor).
Finally, like rugby, I’d like the referee to mostly ask the VAR for advice if he’s not sure or he’s unsighted.

 

[mexico1970]

Agree with most of that. I think play acting/cheating should be a retrospective ban, with the ban doubling after each offence (nobody would ever be ‘done’ more than twice).
Also agree about the clear and obvious, although I fear we’re too far down the rabbit hole now.
I’d like the clear and obvious to be in virtual real time but allow it a broader spectrum. Example, ball headed behind by Ake but ref gives a goal kick. Everyone watching on tv knows it was a corner, VAR just tells ref to give a corner.
As for all other ‘clear and obvious’ it just needs to be clear and obvious at full speed (which includes ref looking at a monitor).
Finally, like rugby, I’d like the referee to mostly ask the VAR for advice if he’s not sure or he’s unsighted.

What disappoints me is when our players (Just from my perspective) kick the ball out when it isn't a head injury and it's just cramp feigned or otherwise.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

What disappoints me is when our players (Just from my perspective) kick the ball out when it isn't a head injury and it's just cramp feigned or otherwise.

Yep.

This is from IFAB.

The players’ welfare is of the highest importance, but to minimise disruption to a game, only serious injuries can be treated on the pitch. When a player is injured, the referee should only stop play if the injury is, or appears to be, serious. When a player is, or appears to be, only slightly injured, the referee allows play to continue.

An injured player can be assessed on the pitch but should not be treated on the pitch unless it is a serious injury.

 

[mexico1970]

Yep.

This is from IFAB.

The players’ welfare is of the highest importance, but to minimise disruption to a game, only serious injuries can be treated on the pitch. When a player is injured, the referee should only stop play if the injury is, or appears to be, serious. When a player is, or appears to be, only slightly injured, the referee allows play to continue.

An injured player can be assessed on the pitch but should not be treated on the pitch unless it is a serious injury.

In most cases (And this is just an observation) it's the players who take it upon themselves to stop the game and pass it out of play, it's a weird one but one I would like to see stamped out.

 

[KS55]

Waistcoat got a knighthood for losing 2.She should be made a Dame.

Honorary, as she is not a UK citizen.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

In most cases (And this is just an observation) it's the players who take it upon themselves to stop the game and pass it out of play, it's a weird one but one I would like to see stamped out.

Especially as the players know full well when someone is properly injured.
We’ve now got the ludicrous situation of attacking teams being stopped because a ball has hit a defending player.
Lie on the floor, hold your face/head and the ref will stop the game. I’d imagine it is now a standalone chapter in the Arteta playbook…

 

[KS55]

Spain don't tend to like the physical side of the game,

Except when they are dishing it out! I thought they got away with quite a lot in the final.

 

[mexico1970]

Especially as the players know full well when someone is properly injured.
We’ve now got the ludicrous situation of attacking teams being stopped because a ball has hit a defending player.
Lie on the floor, hold your face/head and the ref will stop the game. I’d imagine it is now a standalone chapter in the Arteta playbook…

If you add water breaks and the chorus line of substitutes being brought on in dribs and drabs to micro manage the end of games the game can and often is a stuttering mess.

 

[supercity88]

Except when they are dishing it out! I thought they got away with quite a lot in the final.

Yeah a few from both sides which could have been different calls. But good to see the officials try to let the final play out without interference.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

If you add water breaks and the chorus line of substitutes being brought on in dribs and drabs to micro manage the end of games the game can and often is a stuttering mess.

Not forgetting 2x5 minute VAR reviews to see if the bloke with size 11 feet is a mm in front of the bloke with size 8’s…

 

[mexico1970]

Not forgetting 2x5 minute VAR reviews to see if the bloke with size 11 feet is a mm in front of the bloke with size 8’s…

Are we getting shortchanged?

;-)

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Couldn't help but think about this as well. Taylor has come out of this looking like an absolute clown.

Many on here believed that Taylor was a real issue with regard to his relationships with players, which unfortunately was not dealt with by the club.

Maybe if he had been moved on and a decent manager brought in, the team might have actually retained players and achieved more as a team.

Be interesting to see if the club have made the right moves towards developing a better squad environment and player recruitment/retention.

Looking through the England squad members revealed how many ex-City players formed the core of the team.

 

[Saddleworth2]

If you notice the play acting was only by a couple of teams, namely Italy and Spain. I can’t seem recall the other teams doing it so much. The fans made a lot of noise when one or two of the Spanish girls started diving. In particular the little left sided player, she was at it most of the match.
The incessant comparison between men’s and women’s football is becoming a bore. For physicality compare boys to men’s instead.
Attendances were higher than the last tournament and the last tournament was in the UK and that was well attended. Matches are very much a family affair, unlike most men’s football. No one is trying to emulate men’s football. I for one love men’s football, I’ve watched it from being a young girl growing up in a family dominated by my Dad’s influence of being a City fan. But there is a place for women’s football in this world now and some men don’t like it but it is here to stay especially as the women’s team have been successful. So, as you say, lets celebrate the success and hope a lot of young girls out there are getting there boots on as we speak.

Playing a team sport teaches so many life skills. Teamwork, collaboration, keeping physically fit, accepting disappointments, celebrating success... The more youngsters that play the better for everybody. One thing I have noticed when my grandaughter played from the age of 8 to 16. The standard of coaches varied enormously and their emotional intelligence even more. If there is one thing that needs improved from grassroots up its coaching. I do think the best could coach either discipline but there are not many of them in my experience.

Your comments on womens football are spot on. It is different to mens and should be treated as such and enjoyed on that basis. Well done to England ladies. When you look at that squad its sad that we have lost so many good players over the years. Whether that is down to poor management or just the more fluid nature of moving clubs in the womens game, I dont know but City/ex City players formed a pretty strong spine to the England team.
Lets hope that the new man can revive our fortunes and put us at the forefront of European football again.

 

[69FACUPfinal]

The girls dun gud. ( I'm attempting old fashioned pundit speak here - exception of Nedum, Izzy, Ellen and Steph!).

Anyway the most noticeable trait that struck me is the togetherness of the girls and willingness to play as a team.

With the mens team, I detect factions and cliques - prime examples recently being the unwillingness of so many of them to pass to Phil; how some like Bellend have been allowed to become dominant ( for that read spoiled brat) and to make sure their mates are included ( see TA Arseho&e) to the exclusion of others. England mens team imo are not a team.

At City Taylor made a mess and the problem should have been addresses earlier.

Not being sexist in any way, but women's teams with a female manager seems to be the way to go - Weigman, Bompastor and even Emma Hayes (!) seem to have more success. Maybe City should think of this going forward. Just thought - I'm female BTW.

 

[normskih]

Yeah, she's definitely "a spoilt brat." She is from a working class family, played with her older brothers, and their mates, in West London football cages. Her brothers would tell her she needs to toughen the fuck up if she complained about something.

During covid, she and her quarantine housemates, seemed to be constantly training, if you believe social media. My daughter is football mad and would watch her, Jill Scott,.and others, to keep up with her training.

The woman has worked for what she's gotten and where she is in her footballing life. If you don't have kids who are high level athletes you maybe don't understand. I do, and have posted about it before but I will again for your sake.

I have a daughter, not the footballer, who has been selected internationally. Her local club coach destroyed her love of the game to the point where she wanted to quit altogether, not unlike Taylor did to Chloe Kelly. Ultimately, she left and went on to play elsewhere. She's thriving again. Males and females "play differently" psychologically. It is a fact.

The woman has worked her arse off for much of her life to be be at this level. In my mind, Taylor had it out for her for whatever reason. If you look at the likes and comments on her social media when she was forcing her way out, other WSL players, current and former City players, and Lionesses, liked and commented. She is clearly well liked by people who actually know her, and her situation at the time.

Big fucking deal, she celebrates when she wins. She, and Agye, were gamechangers all tournament for this squad. I'll not hold it against her to celebrate. It's no skin off my back. They won the tournament and England is 2x European Champions in part because of her efforts. And guess what? Despite what some people think, it doesn't make me any less of a Blue for feeling this way.

Brilliant, love it.

 

[IrishBloodEnglishHeart]

Wonder if Bright regrets her decision

 

[69FACUPfinal]

Brilliant, love it.

Me too. Cap doffed.

 

[Stoned Rose]

I've not seen it, what was said?

She basically said certain people (I’m assuming Taylor would be included) had written her off so thanks to them for doing so as it spurred her on to greatness.

 

[Stoned Rose]

I agree. She created something from nothing, created multiple match winning assists throughout the tournament and scored the winning penalties. She turned up in a final again. If it was a male player, we’d be saying he was world class.

Obviously different circumstances, but I think it’s a real shame we’ve lost so many of these top class English players. Our team used to be built around them. There now going on to win champions leagues or euro tournaments

Kelly, Bronze, Stanway, Walsh all ex City.

Imagine letting them leave ffs.

 

[Stoned Rose]

wow. She is a spoilt little brat didn't get her own way so played the mental health card.
plenty on here wanted her gone back in January and now shes golden bollocks, I dont think so

How to be Gareth Taylor on the internet.