Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur: In game and Post Match discussion

When was he ever up in your estimation?

Two ex players of this parish went on Sky last night to debate diving and cheating on air. I won't name them, but those who watched it know who I'm on about. It was sad to see neither of them condemn it. To them it's part of the game, one of them now coaches young players and congratulates them if they've "bought" a penalty. The other thinks it's "clever", and says Kane "used his brain" when going over . And we wonder why football is in the state it's in?

If they think it's here to stay, well they're going to have to think again, because the VAR clean up is going to be a major culture shock to them.

Pochettino is Argentinian, isn't it seen as part of their football culture to hoodwink refs to win?

So safe to say he's passing that attitude onto his team.

When was he ever up in your estimation?

Two ex players of this parish went on Sky last night to debate diving and cheating on air. I won't name them, but those who watched it know who I'm on about. It was sad to see neither of them condemn it. To them it's part of the game, one of them now coaches young players and congratulates them if they've "bought" a penalty. The other thinks it's "clever", and says Kane "used his brain" when going over . And we wonder why football is in the state it's in?

If they think it's here to stay, well they're going to have to think again, because the VAR clean up is going to be a major culture shock to them.

The FA will delay the "clean up" for as long as humanely possible.

The FA will delay the "clean up" for as long as humanely possible.

I have a feeling VAR will rule out the no contact dives but continue to reward the minimal contact and 'could stay on his feet if he wanted to' dives.

The type Luis used to pull off for us.

I have a feeling VAR will rule out the no contact dives but continue to reward the minimal contact and 'could stay on his feet if he wanted to' dives.

The type Luis used to pull off for us.

Kicking someone on the leg, however accidental, is a foul. Falling over a keeper is a dive. And catching him with a "trailing leg" doesn't change that. Next year, the VAR will have 4-5-6 different angles to judge the difference.

At last year's Confed Cup, VAR was used and diving was non existent. Pushing and shoving at set pieces from attackers and defenders was rare. Goals were correctly ruled offside while offside calls were overturned. Conning a ref is easy. Conning a camera is impossible.

Pochettino is Argentinian, isn't it seen as part of their football culture to hoodwink refs to win?

So safe to say he's passing that attitude onto his team.

Obvious isn't it that he doesn't exactly tell them it's wrong. Their conduct showed their true dirt colours when they lost their minds in that Chelsea match when they lost the title to Leicester. Filthy behaviour throughout.

Also it's interesting to see that their cheating antics haven't been lost on Mr Wenger.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42986662

English players the 'masters' of diving he says. And he's probably right. They hide behind the English/moral superiority schtick bandied about by English pundits that they are too 'honest' to dive but it quickly dawns that they are as bad as the 'foreigners' they so love to hate. Coupled with Pochettino's encouragement, it's no surprise that the worst of it has manifested itself within Tottenham's ranks.

When was he ever up in your estimation?

Two ex players of this parish went on Sky last night to debate diving and cheating on air. I won't name them, but those who watched it know who I'm on about. It was sad to see neither of them condemn it. To them it's part of the game, one of them now coaches young players and congratulates them if they've "bought" a penalty. The other thinks it's "clever", and says Kane "used his brain" when going over . And we wonder why football is in the state it's in?

If they think it's here to stay, well they're going to have to think again, because the VAR clean up is going to be a major culture shock to them.

I have less of a problem with players diving, than I have a problem with referee's not booking players for diving. I have a problem with a dysfunctional FA refusing to take retrospective action if a referee sees an incident and incorrectly calls it. Players are exploiting a weakness in the system and so long as it exists, players will continue to attempt to win by any means possible. Given what's at stake, you can't really blame them for that. What's needed is the system tightening up so that retrospective action on diving is introduced. VAR needs refining so that TV footage can assist referees in making the correct call in the first place. Do that and you'll soon see diving disappear.

Kicking someone on the leg, however accidental, is a foul. Falling over a keeper is a dive. And catching him with a "trailing leg" doesn't change that. Next year, the VAR will have 4-5-6 different angles to judge the difference.

At last year's Confed Cup, VAR was used and diving was non existent. Pushing and shoving at set pieces from attackers and defenders was rare. Goals were correctly ruled offside while offside calls were overturned. Conning a ref is easy. Conning a camera is impossible.

Lamela dived and conned the cameras. If that went to VAR and he stayed on his feet it would be no pen. When he goes down under very minimal contact the situation is highlighted and I believe VAR would act in his favour. If he stayed on his feet then nothing would be given.

IMO theres grey areas with VAR as every referee applies the law in their own way and one mans dive is another mans penalty.

The ref is there to apply the laws of the game. If it's in the book you apply it, and if it's not you disregard.

I just needed one replay before the pen to acknowledge that he was fouled. It wasn't shown at the time, but all a VAR would need is one replay and he would have seen that Robbo played him offside, which would have rendered everything that followed irrelevant. It will work against us at times too, such as the Firmino goal at Bournemouth. I can take it though, if it's off it's off. Fair enough.

One thing that needs refining is the levels of communication which are currently abysmal because FIFA rules have it such. Fans in the stadium don't necessarily have to see replays, but they have to be told that incidents are under review. At the WC, the fans will be told when an incident is under review, on the stadium screens.

Players, pundits, coaches, and fans have been calling for consistency for how many years now? They'll have it from next season. Unfortunately it's not going to get the 2 points back but better late than never.