Hairy Canary

I wouldn’t have said that a few weeks ago but looking at this I think you’re right. Beginning to think us v West Brom could happen

Because someone puts forward an alternative way of assessing something, which comes to a different conclusion to yours, it doesn’t mean they’re talking tosh. Just that you aren’t open minded enough to consider it.

Oh right and that’s the only way to contribute offensively? How about his long passing, particularly to wide positions? Or how about driving out of the defence with the ball, pulling the opposition out of shape? Both examples of linking defence with attack, I.e. contributing offensively.

Stopped reading when I got to “He contributes nothing offensively”. On a bike!

Excellent, well pleased

Only the ones who were good enough to oust the 11 players who have nailed down a place. Would you want Stacey dropped for Fisher perhaps?

Fair point. Unlikely but strange things happen. Just trying to make the point that we don't necessarily need to get 75 - it's the most we need.

Best to get to 75 but that is the absolute most we need. If the Binners beat Hull this weekend we don't need any more points.

They kick off after our game against Swansea is over so can't say. Hopefully we've won and we won't need any favours from the binners.

I’m afraid this is right. With goal line technology there is no need for a referee, VAR or any other sort, and there is no controversy. With offside the VAR needs to choose the frame, decide which part of the attackers body is most forward, the same for the defender, accurately draw both lines and then decide which is closer. There is so much scope to choose/make an error that to then claim it’s accurate to a few millimetres means that it can only be contentious.

Don’t forget West Brom. If they don’t win against Sheffield then Hull can catch them too

The line is a matter of fact. Its accuracy is dependent on the technology.

Goal line technology is a matter of fact. The sensor is in the ball and is compared to a static goal line with the receiver measuring against a single parallel line. Off side is measured against hundreds of imaginary lines where it is impossible for the camera to be parallel. In addition the frame when the ball is kicked is arbitrary depending on which one the VAR decides to make the measurement against. Then there is the exact position of the defenders and attackers most forward acceptable body part, where lines have been shown to have not always been drawn correctly. All this and then decisions are decided on millilitres. You have more confidence in the technology than I do Ricardo if you think there is no margin for error there.

Still battling. They’ve got more bottle than Man U, losing at home to Sheffield!

A win against the Swans and we’re there. Hull still something to play for against Ip5w1ch if West Brom don’t beat Wednesday away. Silver linings.

I have a lot of sympathy with refs but the power is with them. Consistency is the key. Sainz gets a second yellow for waving an imaginary card after being cleaned out (the tackle goes unpunished) and Vestergaard gets nothing for screaming abuse in the refs face.

Fair enough. But I’m still hoping that we will be 5th when we kick off against Brum and they need to win to be sure of staying up, which will suit our style of play. They might even be already relegated before we kick off.

I want us to go up without playing them at all. Southampton in the semis and West Brom at Wembley please. Firstly, no first day at Wembley for them. Second we go up and they stay down. Third our 15 years becomes 16 for certain (baring cup draw). I don’t buy this West Brom have an easy last two games. Sheffield away is a tough game for them. Wednesday are out of the bottom 3 for first time in months and a last home game win will see them safe. I wouldn’t fancy it.

Looking like Southampton are the team to play….

Definitely Leicester. Firstly it pretty much takes one automatic spot and halves the binner’s chances but mostly because I’d like to play Southampton in the playoffs. Their style can be a bit open and I fancy us against them. We just need to finish 5th

This is true. Trouble is because decisions are subjective having two refs actually makes things worse.

I know this is going to sound ridiculous but, considering how meticulously VAR measures attackers against opponents when the ball is passed forward, what part of the ball is Sainz supposed to be compared to? Is it the part nearest the goal, the part touching Sargent's foot or it's centre? What a bonkers place we have come to! Like you, at the ground I thought he was offside. That still makes it look much much closer than I realised

Ok, although the point I made was about VAR’s in general and not just offside. I would agree with the offside point but linesmen have been told not to put their flags up and let the VAR make the check. That is where putting the accuracy of the decision above the emotion comes in. It’s just about which you value more.

It’s about losing the emotion of the moment which in my opinion is worth all of that and more. No other sport has it and what lifts football above all the rest. As I say if VAR’s weren’t making mistakes then there would at least be an argument to be had, but they are just as fallible and we’re having just as much controversy as before, if not more.

I agree. Which is worth more. The acceptance that occasionally human officials get things wrong or getting it clinically correct and losing the emotion of the game? It would be bad enough if it were just that but the VAR’s are still getting plenty wrong anyway. I know which I prefer.