OneMoSalah

Yes I agree with the point hes made completely. But people are using the selection and the goal as a means of saying he cost us the game which is wrong. Top top GKs come up clutch 100%, is Kepa a top top GK? No. Did he make an obvious error, which is how people seem to be treating the goal as? No absolutely not... For me, this situation is almost as bad as the people criticising Ivanovic v Atletico yesrs ago for having to try beat 2 men to a header in the CL under Mourinho which put us out. Obviously due to the nature and belief he was done or not good enough to play for us at that point really made people see past the logic or the actual incident and just blamed him for it. Its like Kepa could have saved the shot and if they scored another brilliant strike in which we would of still lost due to some circumstance not of his owning creating, the knives would be out saying his selection was the reason and that he should of saved it etc etc.

I didnt. But I will. And in all likelihood it still wont make me change my mind on our game. Because its two different games and will be different decisions. More concerned with us winning on Tuesday that the VAR conspiracy if I am honest.

Again, its not exactly as if Alisson hasn’t had some howlers either or would of saved that shot from Tieleman’s either. I mean the strike itself is top drawer and its not like Tielemans isn’t known for being good at shooting from distance from his days back in Belgium either? Or even his time in the PL. Its mind boggling people are using Kepa as an excuse for not saving a top goal most (including Mendy) wouldn’t have saved or banging on about club politics on Kepa like this is an episode of the Andrew Neil show. Re on the allowing Leicester to practice shooting more which is even more ridiculous, you saying teams don’t work on shooting? How else are they meant to win games by not shooting the ball 😂? Jesus. We are clutching at straws here. I mean cmon, this thread gets more and more ridiculous every time he plays when in a real world 3/4s of the shit said in here if said in the Mendy thread or any other GK at any other forum it would be laughed out of the place. Obviously nobody or next to nobody rates Kepa, I get it, fair enough but don’t these absolute mindbogglingly daft reasons such as stating he was starting 3 days prior allowed a team “extra preparation to practice shooting” or not saving the actual goal (which was a top top strike), not make anyone else’s head hurt? I mean its like saying playing player X or Y gives Leicester more time to practice passing or dribbling prior to any game, these things are fundamental parts of football. As is shooting. Its not as if they said oh he’s playing practice shooting more. And even then for your theory to make sense, its not exactly as if he made any saves or had any saves from long range shots to make bar their goal..... I am starting to worry for some of yous at times 😂 I get people didn’t like the line up. Fair enough. But Alonso being in, that was the bigger and more daft selection from Tuchel on the day. Because Castangne would of ripped Alonso apart had Evans not gone off injured and he didnt have to slot into their back 3

Is this not subjective though? If you hit a good shot in the top corner it is going in no 9/10 times no?

Mate the ball is basically being passed in all of them, be it high or low pass, its the fucking same 🤣 The Thiago, Willian and Wolves game one for instances the ball is basically just about to move its as I said a millisecond wont make a massive difference. Your obviously just not going to see the point so go back to your “everything is corrupt” nonsense and thats the only reason we didnt win the FA cup like a little whining bitch. As for the handball well, as I said, handball rule is vague. Across the whole board. I can see why it wasn't given and if its 10-15 seconds then its 10-15 seconds that between Jorginho and Silva someone has to do something more than the halfhearted shit they did. Or James not play a poor pass. Not rocket science. If it was other way about for both decisions you’d not be complaining so does all a favour.

Tbf if we don’t take 6/6 in the next 2 games then we don’t deserve to qualify for the CL. Even if we win the final (which still getting there is great) but not beating Leicester and Villa is bad signs as you’ve said.

If this game wasn’t already must win, that big bastard Alisson scoring there just made it must must win.

We win both games still finish 1 point clear and drag Leicester into it with Liverpool. Just have to win Tuesday to open it all up for them simple as.

Alisson? In like 95/96th minute? Fuck me sideways. So much for +4. Wanks

The team selection bar Alonso was fine for me. Kepa did nothing wrong in that game and v Arsenal. Dont know what people think playing Mendy wouls of done even if he somehow got his finger tips to that Tielemans shot its still going in for me because of how true he’s struck the ball, its straight through with his laces and its always rising. People complaining about Kepa’s dive on twitter and on here after the game really need to wake up 😂 even all the usual pundits who did nothing but slam him for the best part of a full season even said he wouldn't of saved it. Just dancing around the obvious problem. We didnt fight or play well enough to win. I have seen VAR as an excuse, no Mendy as an excuse (probably best one yet - no GK was saving that) and a handball as an excuse. Ultimately we fell short second half particularly and the lack of acknowledged to that from some of the members on here just highlights the clear and obvious agendas towards certain players (Kepa, Jorginho, Alonso for the last 2-3 seasons, then it was Cahill, Matic and Ivanovic seasons beforehand and before that Mikel and Kalou) as well as the blatant it wasn’t our fault mentality which as we all know, simply doesn’t fly in top level sports unfortunately when you look at all the details. Theres always something you can point at that you never did/do well enough. Aye Leicester got lucky maybe but you earn your luck at times. Ziyech was disappointing but no worse than Havertz v Arsenal. Or any of them tbf but for his first season aye expected much more.

When the freeze frame ever surfaces (if it ever does), he will probably still be offside for the milliseconds it is people are making a complaint about. Its the same for other VAR calls the majority of the freeze frames tend to look as if its right after/before its been kicked because its a millisecond difference 9/10 times but obviously you’re right and haven’t noticed the other VAR disallowed goals in the last near 2 seasons.... but yeah lets sit screaming about corruption to hide the fact we didn’t do enough because that will make everything ok 😂 Wolves v Fulham Sheffield v Spurs (not official PL one but shows the same idea) Liverpool v Everton us v Liverpool last season Arsebal v Southampton Leeds v Palace I mean how many do you need to see? Re The handball. Whilst it did lead to a goal technically, it wasn’t as if there wasnt a pass to Luke Thomas then another pass to Tielemans. They’ve deemed it as not a clear and obvious error, which for me, its not worth losing sleep over because there was plenty that could have prevented it ie non half hearted closing down and moaning or telling someone else to run a few yards like we seen re Jorginho and Silva. Or the initial daft pass when Perez was already in a position that closes the passing lane off. So again, for me, not a big deal or not necessarily a 100% incorrect decision. The handball rule is so vague now a days its just unfortunate that it doesn’t have a continued and consistent definition for what is and what isn’t across the board. If they had the consistency and they gave hand balls for that, fair enough but they don’t so unfortunately for officials its live by the sword or die by the sword. They try implement new rules, they are crucified, they don’t, their crucified again.

This was also a problem with Conte 2nd season, it took us going a goal behind before we really tried or showed an increased likelihood of scoring. Ok against smaller teams but against good well drilled teams in a cup final with fans for the first time in a while, it doesn’t help.

I think some of this is harsh, although granted he isn’t always brilliant at times/hasn’t been this season but he has certainly improved with Tuchel after a initial dodgy start when he was deservedly out of the team. His relationship and insistence on only passing to Mason at times is sometimes infuriating though. I feel that at times he and Mason sometimes overplay when there are good opportunities of trying to spread the play or look at more progressive options. Or as we seen in some games particularly v Fulham that overindulging of Mason drifting to the left to get the ball from Ben, gave Gilmour a lot of work against 2 CMs when BG had initially started the game badly also. Its not the worst thing they obviously have a good understanding and chemistry on the pitch but also at times I just want to see Ben drive at someone, take them on, but he turns inside or goes backwards. As a wingback you’d think he would be more encouraged and thats why I can see the Benjamin Mendy links as far fetched as they may be because the guy just gets the ball and drives at folk or arrives in positions to make an impact where he can deliver the ball very often. This is also what I really admire and like about Luke Shaw when I have seen him this last season and a half or 2 seasons with Ole. At times he is just motoring past people when there is space available, physically he is very strong and he just picks the ball up and drives forward and it also relieves the pressure and allows for them to bring the whole team up the pitch 10-15 yards. He obviously has refined his game and particularly his end product after a few disappointing seasons at United also which helps. He looks like he is going to be England’s number 1 LB for a good while at this rate. I do agree regarding the one footed thing, it is infuriating at this level for any player. Cahill was a bad example of it under Conte in his second season particularly also. Not exactly for Chilwell but its a pity that Rudiger isn’t naturally left footed for the LCB role although he does use his left a lot and well we seen Zouma’s role in the build up to the Arsenal goal also. The lack of trust in his weaker side when he had Chilwell and Gilmour on really accountes towards that shambolic goal. I really would of maybe liked to have seen Tuchel or even Conte experiment with Alonso as a left sided CB as he played there briefly in Italy although he does have his short comings. No doubt having a more natural left footed CB may allow us to build better and utilise those passing angles more. Im sure Tuchel used Emerson there in the FA cup in a back 3 too.

Stick to the tinfoil hats and flat earth conspiracies mate.

Also true. It depends as well though, some teams would maybe go on and have a good run after it. Some don’t as Arsenal haven’t. I think years ago it had more value to managers like Mourinho and Ferguson. Despite it being a glorified friendly either way.

That is also true. I suppose though if its against any of these direct rivals it should be treated as a opportunity to gauge where the teams at and maybe get off to a good start. Or thats the way I look at it. Its never going to decide a season obviously or be a huge positive or negative but its a game that even for a tinpot trophy, depending on the manager may vary in terms of must win or just a friendly but still can be used as a tool.

What is 2 mm? Mate its offside if its 0.1mm 😂 They check all the goals for VAR and have done all season. What is the obsession with this the ball is moving thing for the screenshot? How difficult is it going to be to get the exact frame before Thiago strikes through the ball, which happens a few milliseconds before.... they’ve got it where he’s basically just kicked it man. I swear storm in a teacup mate its a close offside but it is offside. I would say that despite the obvious sucking the spirit and atmosphere out of some games it is working to a degree. The consistency was an issue last season and the cup competition the season beforehand but I think they’ve actually made big improvements on it this season to be honest. Its still going to be one of those that will obviously divide opinion but theres dividing opinion, then being outright oblivious to a blatantly obvious decision that a blindman could see.

Aye the CS is one of those but again, even if it is a glorified friendly if your there you may as well win it. Maybe not worth counting as a bigger trophy but still a trophy and still a game against good opposition 9/10 times that teams should be wanting to win.

Obviously its never going to he perfect or you wouldn’t need VAR in the first place but its there and has improved the decisions either way you look at it. It may suck the spirit out of the game a bit or make it a lot more but complaining and saying corruption from the refs cost us is well... daft. Even if the goal didn’t stand we didn’t create enough. Or show enough hunger which is why we didn’t win and deservedly lost.

Finally someone talking about attitude and not VAR or conspiracy. Aye 100% agree, enough ability and experience out there to win that game or do a better job and/or carry the inexperienced lads a bit when it got tough. The first half was a typical cagey final first half but our second half was a complete lack of will to win and effort to try win until the 75th/80th minute. Surely cannot get a repeat of that in the remaining 3 games.

Jesus. Take your tinfoil hat off mate. It's an offside. You think the earth is flat as well? Watch the goal on youtube at the slowest speed if you dont believe me 😂 If it wasn’t offside it would of been a goal with VAR.... thats why its there. To check close decisions.

Its hard to judge but I mean cmon its hit his arm inadvertently after coming off his knee trying to block the ball from James pass (which was a bad decision trying to play infield from there). I do agree the handball rule has been contrasting since VAR came in but I do think that the 2 big decisions today (one the handball the other the offside), they’ve gotten them right after reviewing them again. What did people expect when we got VAR? That it wouldn’t be incredibly strict or wouldn’t give precise offsides which by first look from a linesman may be given as onside in the past? This is what I mean regarding a conspiracy. Its not a conspiracy. Its the in depth analysis to get the correct decisions which people have wanted for years. Cant exactly bitch about it when 99% of us have said refs have made mistakes in the past and we needed something along the lines of it. Just moronic to paint it as a conspiracy every week or whatever depending who’s playing mate 😂

I think this conspiracy/corruption talk you keep hitting out with is in your head. I will be honest if we had scored that goal and it was ruled out for the decision you think we didn’t get you’d be a bit more rational and see it from that point of view.

Nah he is still offside. Watch it back. Aye its minimal but he’s offside either way, people wanted VAR to get accurate calls and that was a correct call... there’s no conspiracy. Its taken from when the ball has been played. He is offside. Getting the exact frame from when Silva exactly kicks it is nearly/basically impossible because the speed of the action is incredibly quick. He was still offside. The one by Perez was in all likelihood never going to be given. Watch it back. Its hit off his knee and hit his arm by accident which realistically what else can he do there he’s stretching to block the ball? People will complain about VAR but James pass was an unnecessary risky one which realising he shouldnt of been playing because Perez is looking to close the angle and then Jorginho letting Tielemans run and Silva’s half hearted closing down attempt where he turns his back slightly was all bigger factors into that goal happening than a handball that probably wouldnt be given 9/10 times.

Tbf its a tight call. Its not as bad as some of the ones we’ve seen this season where folk are well off. Your right though he could probably wait a split second or notice hes potentially in a tight offside position but I suppose chasing a goal and being a fullback, he’s probably thinking fuck it I am in here and with the Leicester fans booing him scoring a goal would of been a huge fuck you to them.