2024-25 Championship Match Day Thread

[Tea Towel]

Not seen it back yet and wasn’t particularly clear at the game but will say 2 things

A) wouldn’t surprise me if it was incorrect given the general performance of the ref today. Absolutely abysmal

B) I’m not sure anyone, officials included, has a single clue about what handball is anymore.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1837523878777651359

I will let you make your own mind up pal

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I mean it IS close, but it’s probably just in the realm of not handball. The fact he moved his arm toward us has done him there - I can definitely see why the ref in real time gives that

 

[Super_horns]

Speaking of officials were these people at the same game or just very biases and one eyed ?

RATE THE REF - David Webb v Portsmouth -

www.uptheclarets.com

On refereeing) “Every week we seem to get hurried up and it doesn’t seem to happen to other sides - when you look at Burnley’s goal kicks and throw-ins they get a lot of time.

“And then there was a disgraceful challenge from (Zian) Flemming on Jordan Williams, he put him into the stand and Jordan got booked off the back of it.”

Not sure I have seen such contradictory views !

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

This is why i rarely comment on referees, as no 2 people (allegiances aside which further compound things) will see incidents the same. Its an unbelievably tough job, especially at this level which is extremley physical with many teams having winning "duals" a key component of their tactical approach leading to lots of challenges which are 50/50's at best. It is not easy but todays referee really let himself get overwhelmed and lost control.

The penalty and red card incidents will get the headlines but his general management of the game was really what stood out to me. He was literally trying to correct previous errors by making a "make up" decision and just got in a huge spiral with it. At one point to get out letting us get away with a foul he literally called his own offisde that the actual lino was totally bewildered by.

 

[91SPP]

No complaints from me, comfortably beaten by a better team who were able to comfortably hold us at arm’s length in the second half. It showed we can reduce the best attacking teams in the league to any very good opportunities which will stand us in good stead, but they were able to do the same but better. Not surprising considering the investment and how both teams have been built in recent history.

I expect them to go well this season, definitely wouldn’t surprise me if they finish within the top 2.

 

[Super_horns]

This is why i rarely comment on referees, as no 2 people (allegiances aside which further compound things) will see incidents the same. Its an unbelievably tough job, especially at this level which is extremley physical with many teams having winning "duals" a key component of their tactical approach leading to lots of challenges which are 50/50's at best. It is not easy but todays referee really let himself get overwhelmed and lost control.

The penalty and red card incidents will get the headlines but his general management of the game was really what stood out to me. He was literally trying to correct previous errors by making a "make up" decision and just got in a huge spiral with it. At one point to get out letting us get away with a foul he literally called his own offisde that the actual lino was totally bewildered by.

Yea there is so much inconsistency even in the same game and it often depend on who screams the loudest .

 

[Don Tonberry]

Very frustrating yesterday given we were the better side for an hour and look so much better with McIntyre and Poole at the heart of our defence. Gave Burnley a real tough game but two lapses have cost us.

Mousinho may be feeling the pressure a but by going after the ref today. I was more frustrated that on two occasions he blew to bring a free kick back for us when we were in prime position to hit Burnley on the break. He was nowhere near as bad as Doughty last week, though.

Still not going to judge us until the end of October but that was a sickener. Should have had at least a point and that's three consecutive away games where we've dropped points in stoppage time now. Not good enough.

 

[SF_]

Kesler-Hayden, Thordarson, and Osmajic on the bench, must be feeling it from their efforts against Fulham.

Strong bench if needed through, Will Keane back too.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Bit of a non event in terms of genuine scoring opportunities but got quite spicy. Really looked like Osmajic bit Beck at the end there, could be in trouble for that

 

[SF_]

Dreadful watch in the first half. Did well in the second half with 10 men though.

We were the better team throughout the 90 minutes, Blackburn look like a poor side that have managed to score the few chances they create so far, like us at the start of last season. Unsustainable.

Greenwood's tackle was fucking stupid, and we'll see what comes of the Osmajic incident. I still haven't seen an angle that shows Osmajic's teeth clamp down, looks more like he's just screaming at him, and the linesman has full view about 6 yards away. It'll be an 8 game minimum ban if he's found guilty.

Ali McCann was immense, the two 50/50s he won in the space of 4 seconds sums him up.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Dreadful watch in the first half. Did well in the second half with 10 men though.

We were the better team throughout the 90 minutes, Blackburn look like a poor side that have managed to score the few chances they create so far, like us at the start of last season. Unsustainable.

Greenwood's tackle was fucking stupid, and we'll see what comes of the Osmajic incident. I still haven't seen an angle that shows Osmajic's teeth clamp down, looks more like he's just screaming at him, and the linesman has full view about 6 yards away. It'll be an 8 game minimum ban if he's found guilty.

Ali McCann was immense, the two 50/50s he won in the space of 4 seconds sums him up.

Just watching on sky and the sky interviewer said she’s seen a big bite mark on Becks neck/back area.

 

[SF_]

Just watching on sky and the sky interviewer said she’s seen a big bite mark on Becks neck/back area.

What ban do you get for uppercutting someone? Would have liked to have seen Osmajic take that little fucker's head clean off, a right little rat.

 

[Super_horns]

Just watching on sky and the sky interviewer said she’s seen a big bite mark on Becks neck/back area.

Too much bite shown !

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cr542346qg7o

 

[Kenneth E End]

I’ve just seen another replay and it’s DEFINITELY his shoulder, not even close. Bernarda red will 100% be overturned

Infuriating for decisions like that going against us when we’ve not had a penalty since 22/23 season!

To say it “wasn’t even close” is a bit misleading. It is moving at pace and it’s literally marginal. A referee gets one look.

 

[91SPP]

To say it “wasn’t even close” is a bit misleading. It is moving at pace and it’s literally marginal. A referee gets one look.

Yeah, completely agree - in real speed you just see him move his arm towards the direction of the ball whilst when slowed down it shows that it's hit the 'permitted' area of his shoulder (although that's a grey area in itself) I'd say in real time that is one that is given 8 out of 10 times, if not more. It's the leaning into the ball that the ref sees and the ball bounce off him - ideally you don't want to give a ref a decision to make, they're imperfect, but in this case he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't.

 

[Tea Towel]

Yeah, completely agree - in real speed you just see him move his arm towards the direction of the ball whilst when slowed down it shows that it's hit the 'permitted' area of his shoulder (although that's a grey area in itself) I'd say in real time that is one that is given 8 out of 10 times, if not more. It's the leaning into the ball that the ref sees and the ball bounce off him - ideally you don't want to give a ref a decision to make, they're imperfect, but in this case he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't.

8/10, behave yourself

Having looked at it with a level had after Saturday it’s not as obvious as I thought but it’s still not a penalty

As I said, when we’ve not had one for 60 odd games then get that given against us with a red card for good measure to swing the game in Luton’s favour, makes it that bit harder to take

 

[Kenneth E End]

8/10, behave yourself

Having looked at it with a level had after Saturday it’s not as obvious as I thought but it’s still not a penalty

As I said, when we’ve not had one for 60 odd games then get that given against us with a red card for good measure to swing the game in Luton’s favour, makes it that bit harder to take

There was no appeal for the red card…

 

[Tea Towel]

There was no appeal for the red card…

There was… rejected. I’m genuinely shocked.

 

[SF_]

Millwall away, could do with 3pts but its not the best hunting ground for us.

I'd start Osmajic before his ban kicks in, tell him to just give it absolute beans before his nice break.

Kesler-Hayden is quality and I want to see him start but I'm not sure how you can drop Potts and Hughes after a clean sheet. Hard for Thordarson to get back in too, unless you drop Frokjaer and change the shape. Maybe time to give Okkels a run.

I'd go for something like this:

Woodman
Potts - Storey - Lindsay - Hughes
Bowler - McCann - Whiteman - Okkels
Keane - Osmajic
​

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Plymouth away for us tomorrow night. Credit to anyone going tomorrow night 20:00 kick off on a Friday night. Ridiculous.

We havent played well and were lucky on Saturday to come away with the win on what was a very lacklustre effort. Edwards made some odd statements i felt after the game and in general has looked a bit downbeat after both of these last 2 wins - performance clearly matters a lot to him and i think he is finding it difficult to reconcile that the team at the moment is finding it really difficult to make his preferred system work effectively even in winning efforts.

Hoping to see Krauss get a start to freshen things up in the middle and provide fresh energy and impetus after a promising cameo last weekend. I seriously doubt it will happen but hope we go back to the 352 and drop Chong too accommodate that

 

[Super_horns]

We have them at that time too !

Sunderland this weekend .

Just be nice to not be a goal down after 5 minutes !!

 

[Kenneth E End]

Plymouth away for us tomorrow night. Credit to anyone going tomorrow night 20:00 kick off on a Friday night. Ridiculous.

We havent played well and were lucky on Saturday to come away with the win on what was a very lacklustre effort. Edwards made some odd statements i felt after the game and in general has looked a bit downbeat after both of these last 2 wins - performance clearly matters a lot to him and i think he is finding it difficult to reconcile that the team at the moment is finding it really difficult to make his preferred system work effectively even in winning efforts.

Hoping to see Krauss get a start to freshen things up in the middle and provide fresh energy and impetus after a promising cameo last weekend. I seriously doubt it will happen but hope we go back to the 352 and drop Chong too accommodate that

Its beyond ridiculous this scheduling - Sky should just come out and say "yeah we don't actually care about anyone aside from ourselves". The only way to get home by public transport is probably a sleeper train and you wouldn't be home until about 8am tomorrow!

Some of the statements have been fairly odd - I think in the first few games, Edwards was happy despite the lack of wins and now it's the opposite. Managers shouldn't become dogmatic purely over performance - that is how you end up playing Russell Martin-ball and end up mid-table going nowhere.

Like to think we've turned a litle bit of a corner and with the additions of Krauss and Moses, that quality will increase in importance as we go on this season.

Fancy Luton will play:

GK Thomas Kaminski
RWB Reu Walters
LWB Alfie Doughty
CB Mark McGuinness
CB Teden Mengi
CB Reece Burke
CM Marvelous Nakamba
CM Tom Krauss
CM Tahith Chong
FW Elijah Adebayo
FW Carlton Morris

Subs:
James Shea, Mads Andersen, Victor Moses, Cauley Woodrow, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jordan Clark, Liam Walsh, Joe Taylor, Tom Holmes

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Its beyond ridiculous this scheduling - Sky should just come out and say "yeah we don't actually care about anyone aside from ourselves". The only way to get home by public transport is probably a sleeper train and you wouldn't be home until about 8am tomorrow!

Some of the statements have been fairly odd - I think in the first few games, Edwards was happy despite the lack of wins and now it's the opposite. Managers shouldn't become dogmatic purely over performance - that is how you end up playing Russell Martin-ball and end up mid-table going nowhere.

Like to think we've turned a litle bit of a corner and with the additions of Krauss and Moses, that quality will increase in importance as we go on this season.

Fancy Luton will play:

GK Thomas Kaminski
RWB Reu Walters
LWB Alfie Doughty
CB Mark McGuinness
CB Teden Mengi
CB Reece Burke
CM Marvelous Nakamba
CM Tom Krauss
CM Tahith Chong
FW Elijah Adebayo
FW Carlton Morris

Subs:
James Shea, Mads Andersen, Victor Moses, Cauley Woodrow, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jordan Clark, Liam Walsh, Joe Taylor, Tom Holmes

Hope it’s not that. Chong isn’t a CM and to accommodate that fact he’s played Morris in like an awkward Right Wing/Right Inside forward type role that he’s been poor at or worse still dropping Morris playing Clark there to accommodate Chong. Came on played up front and was difficult to deal with last weekend, albeit against 10 men.

I like Chong but he doesn’t fit with any of the other players unless we go genuine 433 which we won’t do either. Just needs to stop over thinking it and drop him and play Clark, Krauss, Nakamba as a 3 wjth Morris and Adebayo up top as a true partnership

 

[SF_]

What has happened to that Adebayo? He looks fucking dreadful.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

In a surprise to no one, well I say no one
- maybe it’s a surprise to one person and he is the one who matters, we have stuck with this shape and are getting dominated on midfield.

We have 2 in midfield, they have 3 so we lose the numbers game and end up therefore getting dominated.

Rarely have a seen such an obvious inbuilt structural issue totally ignored by a professional manager for seemingly 0 benefit. Not even sure what we are trying to do anymore. Like, what is the plan?

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

What has happened to that Adebayo? He looks fucking dreadful.

He goes through phases like this where the confidence is low and he just looks absolutely awful. He’s had them before but never for as long or as bad as this I don’t think.

When he’s on his game he is physically so difficult for defenders but when he’s off it he is massively off it and makes decent chances bad ones just by doing the wrong thing

 

[Kenneth E End]

It feels really bad watching Elijah at the moment. Feels a million miles away from the player who scored a hattrick v Brighton and then against Newcastle in the same week.

 

[SF_]

Plymouth have played pretty well, scoring and forcing 2 good saves from Kaminski, but they always leave themsleves wide open to the counter and you would have expected Luton to have punished them by now. Luton just look way off it, in-game injuries not helping.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Since about February we have played a stupid formation and insisted on losing the midfield, and had probably the worst injury luck I’ve ever seen to the point that it must be something underlying at this point. Neither shows any sign of changing at the moment.

 

[SF_]

Luton looked to have one wrongly given as offside moments before the Plymouth third, Victor Moses looked miles on.