Premier League 2025/26 Thread

[Jazzy_Jeff]

I don’t think it’s a pen, the shot was hit with power and took a deflection on route. At normal speed the defenders action is a normal one. His arm is by his side so therefore in a natural position.

 

My issue with VAR is that whatever decision was made it’s not a clear and obvious error. What should have happened there is the ref gives a corner and the VAR tells him if he needs to review it so he can make his own mind up. I’ve always said the replays should be normal speed, slow motion always makes everything look worse.

 

Whatever happened, it’s no surprise to see an American owned club given a decision like this - especially on opening weekend. Football as we know it in this country is ruined and it will be an American franchise model in our lifetimes.

[filbertway]

1 hour ago, Trent Steel said:

i take it those who are saying its a pen are professional referees then ? no, not a penno, ref never saw it and had to rely on the lino, should of checked the video monitor

 

but the white stinking fetid turd deserved the win unfortunately

 

but sick of the pundits spvnking themselves dry over them already

I think we can just see that a guy purposefully moved to stop the ball going at goal with his arm

 

[filbertway]

25 minutes ago, Jazzy_Jeff said:

I don’t think it’s a pen, the shot was hit with power and took a deflection on route. At normal speed the defenders action is a normal one. His arm is by his side so therefore in a natural position.

 

My issue with VAR is that whatever decision was made it’s not a clear and obvious error. What should have happened there is the ref gives a corner and the VAR tells him if he needs to review it so he can make his own mind up. I’ve always said the replays should be normal speed, slow motion always makes everything look worse.

 

Whatever happened, it’s no surprise to see an American owned club given a decision like this - especially on opening weekend. Football as we know it in this country is ruined and it will be an American franchise model in our lifetimes.

Why should the ref give a corner if he thinks it's a pen?

 

[Jazzy_Jeff]

Just now, filbertway said:

Why should the ref give a corner if he thinks it's a pen?

 

He didn’t - the Lino gave it 

[Super_horns]

I think the two handball decisions rather sum up the lottery and subjectivity of the rules and VAR does nothing to help that.

Also will we see free kicks ruled out consistently like the Palace one ?

[filbertway]

9 minutes ago, Super_horns said:

I think the two handball decisions rather sum up the lottery and subjectivity of the rules and VAR does nothing to help that.

Also will we see free kicks ruled out consistently like the Palace one ?

I still don't know how Forest didnt get a pen first half. It was just as clear as the Tarkowski handball.

[purpleronnie]

50 minutes ago, Super_horns said:

I think the two handball decisions rather sum up the lottery and subjectivity of the rules and VAR does nothing to help that.

Also will we see free kicks ruled out consistently like the Palace one ?

The issue i have with the palace disallowed goal is that I thought football wa supposed to be entertainment?  A game where the audience wants to see goals?, the rule as far as I can tell was brought in to discourage both of those things.  The rule adds nothing but takes away plenty.  I can imagine those in IFAB trying to justify their jobs, they've probably never really played the game or even watched the game as fans.

[filbertway]

1 hour ago, purpleronnie said:

The issue i have with the palace disallowed goal is that I thought football wa supposed to be entertainment?  A game where the audience wants to see goals?, the rule as far as I can tell was brought in to discourage both of those things.  The rule adds nothing but takes away plenty.  I can imagine those in IFAB trying to justify their jobs, they've probably never really played the game or even watched the game as fans.

The Palace one is incredibly clear cut and has been a rule for 4/5 years now. There's no excuse to get caught out by it.

 

It also stops the ridiculous pushing and antics that you used to see in the walls. For me it's one of the few rules that has been brought in recently and made an improvement.

[purpleronnie]

50 minutes ago, filbertway said:

The Palace one is incredibly clear cut and has been a rule for 4/5 years now. There's no excuse to get caught out by it.

 

It also stops the ridiculous pushing and antics that you used to see in the walls. For me it's one of the few rules that has been brought in recently and made an improvement.

Its not when it was brought in thats not an issue. 

 

 It was ruled out because the Palace player was standing too close to the Chelsea wall.....doesnt really stop players pushing etc.

[filbertway]

5 minutes ago, purpleronnie said:

Its not when it was brought in thats not an issue. 

 

 It was ruled out because the Palace player was standing too close to the Chelsea wall.....doesnt really stop players pushing etc.

Well it does as the rules mean the refs stop that happening before the free kick.

 

If a player is dumb enough to move as the kicks being taken then that's on them. Which is why its absurd he did it considering hes known the rule for at least 4 years.

[purpleronnie]

11 minutes ago, filbertway said:

Well it does as the rules mean the refs stop that happening before the free kick.

 

If a player is dumb enough to move as the kicks being taken then that's on them. Which is why its absurd he did it considering hes known the rule for at least 4 years.

How does the rule stop them?

[Leicesterpool]

Just been listening to Alan Shearer's thoughts on PSR and very much true what he is says. Clubs like Newcastle United and Aston Villa can get into a position when they are close to get into that next level of becoming more of threat to the usual top four guard but are prevented due to PSR. Even though both clubs have the money as do money other clubs in the league, you are not allowed to spent, whilst the usual six seem to spend and spend with no issues.

 

It would be interesting to know how the premier league would look without PSR, maybe certain clubs could have avoided relegation. Just imagine last season we could have gone out spent some money and brought some much needed quality that could have kept us in the league... whilst one of those top six powerhouses they love would have gone down.

 

I get the part about wanting to protect clubs from overspending and going into the red, like we seen with clubs like Portsmouth in the past. But the role needs to change if you got prove that your owners have got the cash to finance a deal, then they should be allowed to spend.

[Samilktray]

3 minutes ago, Leicesterpool said:

Just been listening to Alan Shearer's thoughts on PSR and very much true what he is says. Clubs like Newcastle United and Aston Villa can get into a position when they are close to get into that next level of becoming more of threat to the usual top four guard but are prevented due to PSR. Even though both clubs have the money as do money other clubs in the league, you are not allowed to spent, whilst the usual six seem to spend and spend with no issues.

 

It would be interesting to know how the premier league would look without PSR, maybe certain clubs could have avoided relegation. Just imagine last season we could have gone out spent some money and brought some much needed quality that could have kept us in the league... whilst one of those top six powerhouses they love would have gone down.

 

I get the part about wanting to protect clubs from overspending and going into the red, like we seen with clubs like Portsmouth in the past. But the role needs to change if you got prove that your owners have got the cash to finance a deal, then they should be allowed to spend.

Being able to spend money wasn’t our problem last season, what we spent it on was the problem 

[davieG]

[Bordersfox]

1 hour ago, Leicesterpool said:

Just been listening to Alan Shearer's thoughts on PSR and very much true what he is says. Clubs like Newcastle United and Aston Villa can get into a position when they are close to get into that next level of becoming more of threat to the usual top four guard but are prevented due to PSR. Even though both clubs have the money as do money other clubs in the league, you are not allowed to spent, whilst the usual six seem to spend and spend with no issues.

 

It would be interesting to know how the premier league would look without PSR, maybe certain clubs could have avoided relegation. Just imagine last season we could have gone out spent some money and brought some much needed quality that could have kept us in the league... whilst one of those top six powerhouses they love would have gone down.

 

I get the part about wanting to protect clubs from overspending and going into the red, like we seen with clubs like Portsmouth in the past. But the role needs to change if you got prove that your owners have got the cash to finance a deal, then they should be allowed to spend.

Agreed.  Businesses, particularly large ones, run at a loss frequently when growing.  Speculate to accumulate.  Whether we like it or not football has become first and foremost a business operation.

 

If Newcastle's owners want to pump in shed loads of cash in the hope success, Champions League qualification and trophies etc lead to increased commerical revenue and business value later why should they be prevented from doing so?  It is anti-competitive.  

 

I truly believe PSR is first and foremost about protecting vested interests. People often say to prevent another Leicester.  That's b9llocks, it's to prevent another Man City.  

[whoareyaaa]

21 hours ago, Bert said:

Looking on the replays it’s a really harsh penalty and another reason why I really hate the “refs call” because they simply just won’t turn them over. To be fair to the ref I think he acted on assistance from his lino. 
 

But Tarkowski has tried to move his arm out of the way and I also think it’s high enough up to be considered on the shirt line. Everton will be fuming I’m sure. 

If we have VAR why does t he ref even blow his whistle

[whoareyaaa]

1 hour ago, Samilktray said:

Being able to spend money wasn’t our problem last season, what we spent it on was the problem 

Why did we go for Cooper then ?

[Lionator]

PSR was an issue for us around 20/21, only two words will explain. Ryan Bennett. PSR doesn’t explain the incompetent rot that has set in since. 
 

But the original poster is correct. 

[Dan]

Pretty crap opening weekend on the whole. You just knew Forest after not scoring all summer would go and do that.

[Lionator]

This Isak crap is going to be very funny when Liverpool won’t stump up the money and he has to play again for Newcastle 

[Super_horns]

From last season obviously 

 

PFA Player of the year - Mo Salah

PFA Young player - Morgan Rogers

 

Team:

 

Sels; Saliba, Van Dijk, Gabriel, Kerkez, Rice, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Isak, Wood
 

Edited 19 August 2025 by Super_horns

[AjcW]

I have some possibly unpopular opinions on the Isak situation. After his statement. The point on broken promises doesn’t surprise me at all.
 

Eddie Howe seems a nightmare to work with, he’s got through 3 highly rated directors of football in 2 years, fallen out with them openly, basically got them sacked and didn’t even attempt to work with them. In that time they’ve barely signed anyone and not built a squad at all. You only have to look at the players bought in to know it’s all been him. 
 

Newcastle have also gone downhill massively since Amanda and Merdad left, seems like a total lack of off field leadership. Wouldn’t surprise me if they’d made a promise that he could go if he helped them win a trophy/get champions league and now they’ve gone against that. 

Edited 19 August 2025 by AjcW

[urban.spaceman]

4 hours ago, Super_horns said:

From last season obviously 

 

PFA Player of the year - Mo Salah

PFA Young player - Morgan Rogers

 

Team:

 

Sels; Saliba, Van Dijk, Gabriel, Kerkez, Rice, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Isak, Wood
 

Absolutely gutted for Ward. 

[LCFCCHRIS]

4 hours ago, AjcW said:

I have some possibly unpopular opinions on the Isak situation. After his statement. The point on broken promises doesn’t surprise me at all.
 

Eddie Howe seems a nightmare to work with, he’s got through 3 highly rated directors of football in 2 years, fallen out with them openly, basically got them sacked and didn’t even attempt to work with them. In that time they’ve barely signed anyone and not built a squad at all. You only have to look at the players bought in to know it’s all been him. 
 

Newcastle have also gone downhill massively since Amanda and Merdad left, seems like a total lack of off field leadership. Wouldn’t surprise me if they’d made a promise that he could go if he helped them win a trophy/get champions league and now they’ve gone against that. 

I appreciate there are two sides to every story but there’s a minimum standard to uphold imo. 

If he wants to leave so bad he could hand in an official request and forego the (speculated) financial loyalty bonuses. 

Instead he’s refusing to be part of the team. Can you imagine doing that in literally any other walk of life, or most other sports? Most of us would be homeless if we refused to work for 3 months. 
 

Hope Newcastle hold firm and also that he doesn’t get his move. 

Edited 20 August 2025 by LCFCCHRIS

[urban.spaceman]

4 hours ago, AjcW said:

I have some possibly unpopular opinions on the Isak situation. After his statement. The point on broken promises doesn’t surprise me at all.
 

Eddie Howe seems a nightmare to work with, he’s got through 3 highly rated directors of football in 2 years, fallen out with them openly, basically got them sacked and didn’t even attempt to work with them. In that time they’ve barely signed anyone and not built a squad at all. You only have to look at the players bought in to know it’s all been him. 
 

Newcastle have also gone downhill massively since Amanda and Merdad left, seems like a total lack of off field leadership. Wouldn’t surprise me if they’d made a promise that he could go if he helped them win a trophy/get champions league and now they’ve gone against that. 

He's going down the Saido Berahino route I see. 

 

 

Should have just done a Mahrez/Viktor Navorski and camped out at the airport for a few weeks.