Going undercover to the game today as was able to get a mate’s season tickets off him for the game. Never sat in the opposition end before it’s going to be a real test to fight my supporter’s instincts and keep quiet when we score but looking forward to experiencing a different stadium (even if the London Stadium is supposed to be a bit crap for atmosphere).
Conflicts of interest in most professional circumstances aren’t usually defined only by explicit acts of bribery or financial incentive though. Any organisation worth their salt will take a policy of removing situations where there could be a non-ridiculous perception that there is a conflict because they invite questions and present the potential for these more explicit circumstances to arrive.
My personal frustration is that a body that is vitally important in running the biggest football league in the world isn’t being held (whether internally or externally) to the same standards that any other similar industry of this financial size would be. I do not believe Michael Oliver has been paid by City or even that there is any unconscious bias in his decision but it’s another example of how amateurish the whole organisation is.
OK so a thought I’ve had over the last few days but does anyone else think there could be a chance we see Rice at LB at some point this season? We have fantastic depth at DM when people are fit and we all know Zinchenko will likely miss some time this season with injury problems. When I look at the strengths Timber brought to the role in pre-season - great in duels, strong 1v1 defender, great ability to drive the ball forward along with good progressive passing - Rice has all these qualities and has already shown great tactical flexibility. Not saying it’ll end up being ‘first choice’ but I could see it happening if Zini goes down and Jorginho and Partey are both fit and in good form.
Having been at the game last night - I hope Lens get a serious fucking fine for their away fans last night. I was in the North Bank so was on the opposite side but when they started firing flares into the home sections that was fucking shameful. Did they show/mention this on the TV coverage? Also hearing reports they were tearing up the seats later on but couldn’t see them doing that from where I was sat.
How do people even get that many flares into the ground?! I know the patdowns are fairly performative at least in the home end but surely it can’t be hard to stop people bringing in what must have been bags of them?