Given that at least one of the participating managers was asked about this very subject in his post-match interview, I think we have to consider the possibility that the two incidents are connected in that way, no matter how much you might patronise the idea and those of us who are prepared to ask that question. It may not suit your sneering narrative but the very fact that I've already said I felt the referee was right to overrule the linesman in the first half, even though that action denied us a penalty, should be enough to make clear this is not a matter of simple bias as far as I'm concerned. I just don't think a decision as unfathomable as that, whoever it affects, should be seen as an acceptable standard of officiating in what is supposed to be a professional sport.
'Considering the possibility' is a vastly different narrative to your original post that categorically stated that it was 'fundamentally wrong' for a linesman flounce to influence a decision in favour of Sutton. If that is sneering and/or patronizing, I apologize. Unfortunately, the truth sometimes feels that way.
Game wrapped up at HT against a dreadful Accy Stanley. Finally into the top half and tomorrow is the first of 3 home games in 7 days. Interesting....
The problem with that take is that it quotes what I actually said in a somewhat selective and misleading manner. While I'm well aware of people's capacity for reading whatever they want into anything that is written down, I would have thought it quite obvious that my comment of something being "fundamentally wrong" was a critique of how the incident was handled in its entirety rather than any specific element of it. I also used the word "reportedly" quite deliberately because I was referring to the fact of the alleged dispute being discussed by media representatives at the game, rather than suggesting I had seen that element myself. In any event, though, I don't see how the idea that one completely separate incident should not influence the handling of another, at least in theory, can be remotely controversial. Beyond all that, if the claims made by David Artell in an interview today are accurate, namely that he received an apology from the "senior referees' coach" who was at the game and that he was advised there will be repercussions for the officials involved, that would appear to show the authorities recognise the decision reached on Saturday was wrong. I'd much rather have the extra two points that we deserved but, assuming those comments are not challenged, it at least shows we were justified in feeling like we'd be robbed blind.
The second paragraph (if accurate, it has to be said that it was very unprofessional of the head referees coach to say such things...) is more like it...rather that relying on a speculative 'must have been influenced by a lino flounce'.
Well he didn't but 5-3...nobody would have thought that kind of score was coming. Still got an outside chance of a playoff spot!
An interesting night. So much for Bradford winning 6-0 when they lost 0-2 at home to lowly Forest Green.. .. doh! So much for expected double promotions for Wrexham and Notts Co, when Notts County lost yet again (at least 5 in a row) and Wrexham could only draw at home to Harrogate. I have never known a league so unpredictable.
I think anyone in the top half of the table can still end up in the playoffs. Even 12th place only needs 5 points to get there, and no-one in the auto promotion spots looks particularly safe. There is so much still to play for. Exciting, but a little frustrating when trying to predict results.
I give up. Inconsistent bag of shite. No chance we get top 7. Time to build ahead to next season. Wrexham can piss off as well costing me £200. Overall a crap evening.
I think Notts have now taken five points from the last 33 available. I haven't heard anything to suggest their new manager is under any pressure yet but it's a good job they've got 47 points on the board already as they could otherwise be slipping too close to trouble for comfort. Big result for Forest Green and one that made our win over MK Dons, who I believe were one of the form sides in the division, even more vital. Salford could probably do with getting something against Stockport tomorrow night now as we're only a couple of points behind then and they might easily be dragged back into the fight.
Looking at our visit to Bradford tomorrow in a league where the form book seems to need rewriting after every game I reckon the chances of a home win, draw or away win are pretty much equal. Bradford 23-24 season W D L 10 8 6 Home team's Home WDL record 0 0 1 Playing Home after a AwayW HomeL sequence 0 1 1 Playing Home after a HomeL result 6 6 3 All results following a similar time since last played 3 5 2 Home results following a similar time since last played 2 2 2 All results playing opponents with similar league position 2 1 0 Home results playing against opponent with similar league position Mansfield 23-24 season 9 7 5 Away team's Away WDL record 0 0 1 Playing Away after a HomeW AwayL sequence 0 0 1 Playing Away after a AwayL result 8 3 3 All results following a similar time since last played 2 1 1 Away results following a similar time since last played 6 5 3 All results playing opponents with similar league position 2 1 1 Away results playing against opponent with similar league position Worrying to see Bradford's record playing against top clubs at home, but I'm going to shade it to the Stags, based on my inbuilt bias.
Us beating MK in the week probably comes into the category. Worryingly optimistic for Gillingham away this afternoon.
Great win with some key players out. Clinical in the first half and defensively resolute in the second, limiting Swindon to a bare minimum of chances We’re looking so much better
3 points covering what 6 or 7 teams for that last play off spot? I see Crawley have a couple of games in hand, but these last 7/8 games are going to be loads of fun.
Plenty of twists and turns to come in the race for both automatic promotion and the playoffs. Judging by the latest odds, the bookmakers seem to think the relegation argument is now down to two from three but I'd say we still need another couple of wins to be comfortable despite our good recent run.
I expected us to lose but to be 4-0 down at home before half time is embarrassing. Yet there's still some fans going on about if we win tomorrow we're only 4 points off the play offs
1 win in 12 games but don’t worry Notts you’re away to Bradford next. That’s 3 home games in 7 days, 0 points with an aggregate score of 1-10. Can’t have been more than 5,000 there tonight. 21 home wins from our last 70. Club is a shitshow. I’ll be going to Harrogate on Saturday simply for a good piss up and I think that’ll be me done for the season. Debating not getting a season ticket for the first time since I started going. Very sad
