Recent content by andyox

You should read the CAS decision and then edit this post with regards to time limits. It is verifiably untrue and clearly described as such by CAS.

You should probably read the CAS decision: https://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/CAS_Media_Release_6785_Decision.pdf. You could even just read the title of the 2-page CAS decision press statement if you're short on time...

I'm afraid you've fallen into David Conn's trap here. David has more or less ignored the Etihad findings (which constituted 90+% of the alleged disguised equity, i.e. almost the entire case), because CAS' verdict on this is clear, see para. 289 "there is no doubt that Etihad fully complied with...

So Kane can see the big picture, it's just his decision-making that's the problem? I suppose that would explain why he didn't square for Sterling to tap home an open goal to take England 2-0 vs Croatia in the World Cup semi-final.

In the KDB vs. Pogba comparison, we always seem to define a player in terms of talent and application. In terms of overall effectiveness it's almost a pointless comparison because there's such a chasm between them, but the discussion on talent seems to be where there's some disagreement. To me...

Got it, thanks for that detail. Sounds like it's a mix of Kane lacking a bit of sharpness/fitness, but also the side-effects of the team not functioning as effectively at the moment, which leaves him more isolated. If you give Kane chances he'll score, but if the team's not creating for him then...

Do you think some of it is a change in formation? In 16/17 and 17/18, weren't you playing more of a 442 with Alli playing right up closer to Kane? Now it's more of a 433 which has the potential to leave Kane a bit more isolated, especially in games like City where the wingers are pushed back.

It's quite an interesting conflict of interest that exists when the on-field refs and the VAR refs are effectively all drawn from the same pool. I wonder whether in the future there will be a move towards specialised VAR-only refs to eliminate that conflict.

I agree with you on that. I was making a broader point about the sleeping pillow theory -- refs can't not make a decision on the basis that VAR will bail them out, because it seems pretty clear that VAR is placing a very high threshold on when it will intervene or not.

The sleeping pillow theory is dangerous though, because in practice the referee's on-field decision prejudices the VAR review. On Martial pen, referee says no and VAR says it's not clear/obvious enough to overturn original decision. But if referee had said pen, I am certain VAR would equally...

I don't know the specifics of Spurs' financing arrangements, but it's fairly standard for large construction loans to be short term with a higher interest rate, and then re-financed at a lower rate once construction is complete. When you re-finance you no longer have to price in the construction...

I was at the game and it looked totally innocuous at the time. Looks just as innocuous on that replay too. Referee totally lost control of the game from this moment on -- crowd on his back, both sets of players on his back. Although I think the most confusing aspect of this VAR decision was...

That would be completely unacceptable surely. I hate everything about VAR, but you can't change the rules halfway through the season, because that upsets what should be a level playing field over the season.

Haha it's laughable isn't it. It would be hard for Rodri to fall backwards when he's moving forwards and the defender fouling him has literally fallen on top of him. As for contesting the ball, that's irrelevant to the decision. It reminds me of the penalty Fernandinho gave away against Schalke...

Kane's absolute class, but if I was Pochettino I'd consider dropping him against City for the exact reasons you've said. Everyone knew what the pattern of the game would be today, and Otamendi (especially) is far more vulnerable to Moura than Kane due to Moura's pace.