Football

[d9009alycidon]

Oh dear, 'ow sad, never mind!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Rather reminiscent of watching Real Madrid playing Oldham Athletic...totally different class.

 

[Bantamzen]

I think England’s tactics were naive in the first half and lacked composure in the second. Setting up with a back three with wingers but expecting to press high just meant we were vulnerable on the counter attack, which is known to be Spain’s tactical strength. Then taking off the point (wo)man meant after the break we didn’t have the offensive edge we needed in attack. I think Wiegman’s been a bit found-out with this one, not quite the invincible genius everyone seemed to claim she is.

England were really found wanting tactically, once Spain settled in they were far more comfortable in possession and had the better chances. Despite the penalty save the better team definitely won today.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

England were really found wanting tactically, once Spain settled in they were far more comfortable in possession and had the better chances. Despite the penalty save the better team definitely won today.

Agreed. Spain definitely deserved winners, despite maybe being rather lucky to end the match with 11 on the pitch. I think the ref bottled a couple of big decisions today (not that it would have changed the result.) The penalty should also have been retaken, Earps was clearly off her line when the ball was struck.

 

[dangie]

Agreed. Spain definitely deserved winners, The penalty should also have been retaken, Earps was clearly off her line when the ball was struck.

Agreed on both points.
Seeing the penalty from behind the goal, the goalkeeper was definitely off her line (but the BBC commentators weren’t going to point that out).

However taking that length of time to determine whether a penalty or not was ridiculous.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Agreed on both points.
Seeing the penalty from behind the goal, the goalkeeper was definitely off her line (but the BBC commentators weren’t going to point that out).

However taking that length of time to determine whether a penalty or not was ridiculous.

Yes the time delay was ridiculous and to some extent played into Spain’s hands as they were already ahead and England needing to build momentum.

 

[Bantamzen]

Agreed. Spain definitely deserved winners, despite maybe being rather lucky to end the match with 11 on the pitch. I think the ref bottled a couple of big decisions today (not that it would have changed the result.) The penalty should also have been retaken, Earps was clearly off her line when the ball was struck.

That's very true, I noticed she was way off her line and moving before the ball was hit. But in all honesty it was a poor penalty, and Earps would probably have saved had she not moved before the kick was taken.

 

[GS250]

Another win for Wealdstone scoring the winner in the last minute v Fylde. Have to say Fylde one of those annoying clubs that have a lot of money but not much in the way of support. Bought a grand total of 20 yesterday. Pathetic for the NL.

 

[1D54]

Poor away support but although we are just in to the new season they have a better home average attendance than Wealdstone.

 

[SteveM70]

At least Mary Earps saved the penalty.

Yes, but inexplicable why VAR didn’t order a retake

[Edit - just realised others have already made the same point]

 

[AlterEgo]

Back foot clearly on the line; it doesn’t have to be in actual contact with the line to count. No infringement.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Back foot clearly on the line; it doesn’t have to be in actual contact with the line to count. No infringement.

I don’t think you can tell from that angle. From all the televised angles it looked like she went about a second before the ball was taken and her trailing foot was well forward of the line. But it doesn’t matter in the end, the result is what it is.

 

[Darandio]

I don’t think you can tell from that angle. From all the televised angles it looked like she went about a second before the ball was taken and her trailing foot was well forward of the line. But it doesn’t matter in the end, the result is what it is.

I don't have the benefit of a slow motion capture but this shows pretty much the point she strikes the ball. I'd be inclined to agree with @AlterEgo here.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

This weekend saw the next tranche of FA Cup qualifying matches, which are always good to see in the early rounds, score-wise.

Tadley Calleva 1 ... AFC Portchester 8
Bishop Auckland 7 ... Seaham Red Star 0
Newhaven 7 ... Spelthorne Sports 1

A look at yesterdays Highland and Lowland League results also had two notable results:-

Strathspey Thistle 0 ... Banks O'Dee 6
Banks O'Dee have made a good start to the Highland League this season and produce much better results than their predecessors, Fort William ever did.

Cowdenbeath 7 ... Edinburgh University 1
Are Cowdenbeath still known as "The Blue Brazil", or is it it just old-timers like me who remember that nickname?

 

[AlterEgo]

For the VAR sceptics, I have found this angle which clearly shows no infringement. All or part of the foot in line with the goal line as the ball is kicked.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Not a good start by Everton this season, today losing 4-0 to an Aston Villa side who conceded five goals in their first match of the season.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

For the VAR sceptics, I have found this angle which clearly shows no infringement. All or part of the foot in line with the goal line as the ball is kicked.

In that case I am corrected

 

[Butts]

Congratulations to the Lionesses for their efforts in Australia, but has this tournament been over hyped in the Media just because it features women rather then men ?

Even The Observer had humungous pages of coverage in the main and sports section prior to the match.

Is anyone other than me going to be honest enough to decry these calls for equal pay when the standard and commercial income are nowhere near that of the men's game ?

I'd like to see the England Men's team eviscerate The Lionesses and put their standard into perspective.

Perhaps one day they will be in position to do a "Billy Jean King" but they are far from that as things stand.

 

[AlterEgo]

Congratulations to the Lionesses for their efforts in Australia, but has this tournament been over hyped in the Media just because it features women rather then men ?

Even The Observer had humungous pages of coverage in the main and sports section prior to the match.

Is anyone other than me going to be honest enough to decry these calls for equal pay when the standard and commercial income are nowhere near that of the men's game ?

I'd like to see the England Men's team eviscerate The Lionesses and put their standard into perspective.

Perhaps one day they will be in position to do a "Billy Jean King" but they are far from that as things stand.

Nobody has ever claimed that Billie Jean King was better than the equivalent top male players of her day, so why do you apply that standard to women's football?

BJK, who was 29, a reigning Wimbledon, French Open, and US Open champion, played against retired, 55 year old Bobby Riggs in an exhibition match in her absolute prime. A better comparison would be to have the Lionesses of today play the England team of Euro '96, but why would you want to see that?

Incidentally you complain the commercial income from women's football is lower than men's (and it is, of course), but also decry the media coverage which is an attempt to increase said commercial income.

 

[Butts]

Nobody has ever claimed that Billie Jean King was better than the equivalent top male players of her day, so why do you apply that standard to women's football?

BJK, who was 29, a reigning Wimbledon, French Open, and US Open champion, played against retired, 55 year old Bobby Riggs in an exhibition match in her absolute prime. A better comparison would be to have the Lionesses of today play the England team of Euro '96, but why would you want to see that?

Incidentally you complain the commercial income from women's football is lower than men's (and it is, of course), but also decry the media coverage which is an attempt to increase said commercial income.

To me, it smacks a little bit of virtue signalling ?

Do you think England's women players should be paid the same as their male counterparts when representing their Country ?

 

[dangie]

Is anyone other than me going to be honest enough to decry these calls for equal pay when the standard and commercial income are nowhere near that of the men's game ?

I'd like to see the England Men's team eviscerate The Lionesses and put their standard into perspective.

That’s a bit silly expecting the women’s game to reach the same standard as the men’s game. Biologically the sexes are different. Generally men are faster and stronger. Would you expect men’s and women’s athletic times and distances to be equal? Males run faster than female. Men can throw farther than females. Meals can lift heavier weights than females.

There are sports of course where in theory men and women should be able to compete on an equal footing, shooting, archery, snooker, darts etc. Sports which don’t require equal speed or strength but more of a skill.

So just sit back and enjoy watching the sport. That’s what I do

Do you think England's women players should be paid the same as their male counterparts when representing their Country?

Just add to this, I don’t think any sportsman/sportswoman should be paid for representing their country. The honour of doing so should be enough.

 

[AlterEgo]

To me, it smacks a little bit of virtue signalling ?

Do you think England's women players should be paid the same as their male counterparts when representing their Country ?

It's not really a relevant question because the men and women have been paid equally for a few years now. It's £2,000 a game.

 

[Butts]

That’s a bit silly expecting the women’s game to reach the same standard as the men’s game. Biologically the sexes are different. Generally men are faster and stronger. Would you expect men’s and women’s athletic times and distances to be equal? Males run faster than female. Men can throw farther than females. Meals can lift heavier weights than females.

There are sports of course where in theory men and women should be able to compete on an equal footing, shooting, archery, snooker, darts etc. Sports which don’t require equal speed or strength but more of a skill.

So just sit back and enjoy watching the sport. That’s what I do

I don't like watching women's football , but even more annoying is the way they have invaded the previously all male punditry teams for male fixtures.

As you allude to above their game is not the same standard so they should stick to that and not muscle into male territory.

Gabby Logan and Hazel Irvine are great presenters and I have no problem with a Female Host.

It's not really a relevant question because the men and women have been paid equally for a few years now. It's £2,000 a game.

What about the Bonus Pots ?

 

[nlogax]

I don't like watching women's football , but even more annoying is the way they have invaded the previously all male punditry teams for male fixtures.

Yikes. I don't actually know where to begin with that statement.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Meals can lift heavier weights than females.

That is what I like about this website, you learn new and interesting facts on it. I find it hard to think of a double portion of steak pudding, chips and peas (one of my favourite meals) taking on one of the larger women weightlifters, though...

 

[SteveM70]

even more annoying is the way they have invaded the previously all male punditry teams for male fixtures.

Blimey

Opinions on pundits are obviously highly subjective, and there are many I like a lot, some I really, really don't like, and a lot in between. And guess what, they're a mix of male and female. I think Eni Aluko is the single worst pundit out there, but it isn't because she's a woman, its because she's just vacuous and adds nothing. Second worst is Robbie Savage, obviously

[Edit - I forgot Rio Ferdinand. Equal second worst with Savage]

 

[AlterEgo]

The problem with TV punditry is that it is by and large a closed shop of ex-pros, some of whom comment just in "vibes". There are some excellent and much more thorough pundits who have never played football, but they rarely break into the TV spotlight.

Professional sport is a little unusual in that the only people seemingly deemed able to pass qualified comment are ex-professionals, which does not apply to other forms of endeavour like film making, cuisine, or theatre.

 

[Butts]

Yikes. I don't actually know where to begin with that statement.

Try the beginning !!

 

[Haywain]

The problem with TV punditry is that it is by and large a closed shop of ex-pros, some of whom comment just in "vibes". There are some excellent and much more thorough pundits who have never played football, but they rarely break into the TV spotlight.

Professional sport is a little unusual in that the only people seemingly deemed able to pass qualified comment are ex-professionals, which does not apply to other forms of endeavour like film making, cuisine, or theatre.

Even so, we don't demand that the pundits are of the same standard as those they comment on. If we did, nobody would be able to pass judgement on Messi, Mbappe or Ronaldo (C). Pundits are using their eyes and their brains, so it is ridiculous to suggest that women are unsuited to comment on men's football due to different physical attributes.

 

[Butts]

Blimey

Opinions on pundits are obviously highly subjective, and there are many I like a lot, some I really, really don't like, and a lot in between. And guess what, they're a mix of male and female. I think Eni Aluko is the single worst pundit out there, but it isn't because she's a woman, its because she's just vacuous and adds nothing. Second worst is Robbie Savage, obviously

[Edit - I forgot Rio Ferdinand. Equal second worst with Savage]

But this is only a recent development, they used to be all male.

Keep the women for their games as they know what they are talking about having experienced it.