Video Technology - Football Needs You

Video technology is a subject that always divides the football community, and something I have always been against, until now.

I finally accepted this season that football is not what it once was, it is a business, it is corporate, and the clients, 'formerly known as fans' are taken for granted, especially in the premier league.

The financial reward for being a premier league club has bred, a win at all costs mentality, which seems to have been accepted in the football world by everyone, accept the fans (unless it is their club of course). A player will blatantly cheat during the game, but participates in a handshake at the end of the match from the team he has sinned against.

Football is evolving, It has come along way in the last 20 years, fitness, tactics, facilities, pitches, stadiums, safety, salaries. I could go on, but the one thing that has not matched this progress is the officiating. There is still one guy in black running up and down the pitch with a whistle and a couple of cards, but those two cards and whistle now come with a hell of a lot of more pressure, and with pressure comes mistakes, huge ones, season defining ones, confidence and moral shattering decisions, that ruin our weekend, and our partners, and could potentially bankrupt your club.

So what is the solution? I personally do not see anything other than video replay technology, controlled technology that is. Now, there is the obvious HawkEye goal line technology, that should in theory be self policing, I.e a signal is sent to referee if the ball goes over the line. This is a given, and I do not think we need to elaborate. What we do need is a solution for offsides, dives, off the ball incidents also needs something, and this is where I think we take inspiration from Rugby, Cricket & Tennis.

Each captain has the right to challenge three decisions each, during a game, you would think/hope the officials are not going to balls up many more decisions that that. These challenges can only be used for handballs, fouls (free kicks, penalties), yellow & red cards & off the ball incidents.

An example of where this could be used was the QPR Vs Spurs on Saturday (21-04-2012). Sandro goes in for a legitimate challenge and Clattenburg gives a ridiculous free kick for handball, L King could then challenge the referee to go to 5th official in Video Room to review the decision, which will take all of 15 seconds. Drop Ball. I think any defending team would prefer a drop ball 25 yards out, than a direct free kick.

Other examples of use: Ghost Goal in Semi Final, Cahills Red Card @ White Hart Lane, numerous goal line cock ups, Ivanovic escaping giving Maloney a kidney pinch, Balotelli's Stamp.

Offsides would also work, a ball is played through, team go on to score, captain challenges, replay shows offside, goal disallowed, where this would fail, is if a striker was wrongly flagged offside, but 4th official should give slight advantage to striker, knowing too much of an advantage will result in a challenge.

There are flaws of course, if a captain challenges a penalty decision where he suspects the opposing team player has taken a dive, it's possible, as we have seen before, that the replay is inconclusive, the refs original decision must then stand.

This is something I have thought of whilst away from home, in a hotel, so I doubt I have covered all the angles, but surely a starting point ?

The usual response to video technology is "But, it will slow down the game (mocking whiny voice)". Really, will it? Let us look at the evidence, from taking note of the last few games, it has taken on average 45 seconds from a corner being given, to it being taken, and longer for a goal kick (unless of course we are in injury time), taking that into consideration, I do not see that being an issue at all.

The officials pretty much carry on as normal, but have the luxury of knowing that if a decision isn't challenged they are not going to get crucified by the fans and press the following day.

What do you think, we need to do something, surely?

Willis Earl Beal - Acousmatic So

Rating: Don't Like It (2/5)




Year: 2012
Genre: R'n'B, Pop, Indie, Blues Soul
Style: See any of above
SF Stand out Track: N/A
Album's Spotify URL: Willis Earl Beal – Acousmatic Sorcery
Pants Rating: NA% (% of album tracks that are simply making up the numbers)


Review/Opinion


You will notice I did not spend much time on this, it's because by the end of the second track, I had become agitated. I do have a saying of "Don't just an Album by it's Intro", but I most definitely should of, as the very first bar put me on edge.

I couldn't give it a Pants rating, as I never made it to the end of the album. This isn't necessarily bad, but for me, it is agitating.

Doomtree - No Kings

Rating: Like It (3/5)


Year: 2011
Genre: Rap
Style: Underground Rap, Midwest Rap, Alternative Rap
SF Stand out Track: Punch-Out
Album's Spotify URL: Doomtree – No Kings
Pants Rating: 25% (% of album tracks that are simply making up the numbers)



Review/Opinion


Spotify is where I found Doomtree, on one of the many, very useful playlists I subscribe too. I find searching for new rap music very similar to searching for a Plumber, most are crap at what they do, and even recommendations are a disappointment, however, every now and then one surprises you.

The surprise was it is a little different to the rest of the blinging, hoe slapping, hummer driving, crystal popping Satanists who release utter tosh, endlessly.

No Kings is dirty, rough, I would go as far to say it's a bully. The only album I know of that's awaiting a court case for GBH. No, I'm exaggerating, but it is most definitely mood music, when you are in the mood for kicking the fuck out of your (Insert current, most disliked person)

The give this album a pretty impressive pants rating, there is only a couple of dud tracks. Punch Out stood out straight away for me, but as I've listened a few more times, some others have grown on me..


Give it a go, just not in the background whilst having a romantic meal with the other half.....

Miike Snow - Happy to You

Rating: Not a Classic (2.5/5)


Year: 2012
Genre: Pop/Rock
Style: Alternative/Indie Rock/ElectroPop
SF Stand out Track: Devil's Work
Spotify URL: Miike Snow – Happy to You
Pants Rating: 50% (% of album tracks that are simply making up the numbers)




Review/Opinion


Miike Snow's first album was a bit hit & miss, despite it's, almost cult following, Happy to You follows suit, with half the tracks being quite disappointing (hence the pants rating), however, there are a couple of good tracks, that I'm sure will get some airplay, The Wave will no doubt be one of those, and possibly God Help this divorce. I quite like the two mentioned, also Devil's Work & Bavarian #1.

It is a very Electro Pop sound, some of which I imagine is aimed at the commercial market, some good tracks all the same. Happy to You is most definitely worth a listen, unless of course you hate Electro Pop, or disliked Miike Snow's first album.