(23-10-2024, 12:10 PM)Sniffer Dog (Admin) Wrote: Not defending EM but lets not lose track of the fact that he spat on the floor downwards and not upwards towards the officials.

There is a big difference.

(23-10-2024, 12:02 PM)Paplane Wrote: Big EM will now be known throughout football as the owner that spits at referees. What a lovely tag to hold.

I've just been listening to Talksport where he was being talked about. An ex- policeman came on and said being spat at felt worse that being physically assaulted.

He's really let himself down here. I just hope he's not becoming disillusioned with the game in this country. He'll already be aware that the stitched-up system prevents clubs like his from being successful. We don't need him being pushed out.

(23-10-2024, 12:02 PM)Paplane Wrote: Big EM will now be known throughout football as the owner that spits at referees. What a lovely tag to hold.

I've just been listening to Talksport where he was being talked about. An ex- policeman came on and said being spat at felt worse that being physically assaulted.

He's really let himself down here. I just hope he's not becoming disillusioned with the game in this country. He'll already be aware that the stitched-up system prevents clubs like his from being successful. We don't need him being pushed out.

(23-10-2024, 02:43 PM)Salvatore Matrecano Wrote: My thoughts is that from a neutral’s viewpoint we are now losing the argument.

We had some sympathy when we were the PL newboys. Despite some hilarity at our early transfer strategy it is now generally accepted we were trying to survive and many thought we were harshly treated over PSR where there is agreement an unfair system is in place.
We got some sympathy last year too about some horrendous refereeing decisions and again there is wide opinion that standards are woeful.

However to deal with that these injustices we have taken to social media in what can only be described as a childish outburst, accusing referees of corruption rather than rank incompetence which is a different crime altogether. Then our players are arguing referees, our manager is suspended for abusing referees and now our owner is portrayed as someone who spits at them.

We have gone from being the plucky likeable newboys to “that disgusting club” who is always moaning about something. Having that image is not how you influence and change an unfair system, it will have the opposite effect.

Thats the neutral fan’s opinion. You have to factor in the conscious or unconscious bias many refs will now have when they officiate our games. They, called my colleagues c***s, they moan to everyone and they might spit at me too. We had a good ref on Monday but there may be some less likely to give us decisions now.

Finally the fines. Yes its water off a ducks back to EM. But thats a hefty sum which will count against PSR. Any subsequent fine will be larger. How long until as you say we are told to play behind closed doors or even another points deduction. Again if that happens we won’t get any sympathy now, people will say its deserved.

I have come to the conclusion the recent behaviour of the club is self harming. We need to stay out the media for a bit and simply play decent football which we are rightly being acknowledged for now.

(23-10-2024, 10:17 PM)ozzyten10 Wrote: Only EM knows - he is an intimidating figure and has past form back in Greece. His employment of an ex referee was an antagonistic appointment which led to more hassle but on the other hand I actually think it was trailblazing and hit where it hurt. The spitting incident actually has very poor evidence and EM will probably win an appeal - it is actually word against word - corroborated by only 2 of 3 witnesses. The tweet was factually correct. On top of this, MGW and Nuno only stated fact and should only be charged with foul and or abusive language. Taylor in particular could be taken to task - he has doubled down- over stepped his mark as forth official and is obviously biased - subconsciously at the very least!
However - the re appointment of our KC and recent interviews with RY and NES do show a more poised position that has been briefed by our KC and I would not be surprised if we win an appeal or two. The PGMOL and Howard Webb in particular are under immense pressure now…

(23-10-2024, 10:56 PM)ozzyten10 Wrote: Did you read my last paragraph?