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It’s football, these things happen and they can often happen in sequences from time to time and when it does then of course that’s frustrating. And I don’t subscribe to the idea that “these things even themselves out over a season” because more often than not they don’t. But it’s when people start going down the cheating/conspiracy route that annoys me and it’s only when it’s one of the Old Firm, one of them in particular does that start getting trotted out. Put it this way, had the ridiculous non penalty incident that we got against Falkirk happened against Rangers then everyone would be up in arms and howling about cheating Masonic refs and the like. I think even the dogs in the street know that.

To be honest, I don't see many people on here suggesting it doesn't matter what we do, but even if they were, it would be equally nonsensical to suggest it doesn't matter if other teams get dodgy penalties against us, while we are denied stonewallers. There are very few teams who can cope with those kind of decisions on a consistent basis, and we certainly aren't one of them. We're all frustrated right now. Maybe don't poke the wound quite so soon.

Best for both parties. A bit like Stama, just hasnt worked out. Also too injury prone to be serviceable for us. If the Saintees want him we should facilitate this.

Im under no illusion of my importance, or lack of, to the SPFL. But I would hope my club views it differently and makes representation to the authorities in conjuction with all the other clubs to try and sort this. As you say, football is an entertainment industry. In a season where we have enjoyed the best football many of us can remember, and attendances are up, we should be taking this one up on behalf of all supporters to improve the experience. It would be an act of utter self harm if fans are driven away from the game due to poor officiating....

Rumour on P & B that Callum Hendry may move back to St Johnstone in the summer.

Perhaps my style is over the top at times but I just get frustrated by grown adults coming out with absolute nonsense and schoolboy patter like “aww the other team will get a penalty so it doesn’t matter what we do” whilst completely overlooking the fact that we have shot ourselves in the foot by failing to make advantages count. I’m not saying that it’s just you or even that that’s what you were doing with that post, but when I see posts like that I just shake my head at the idea that people actually live their lives thinking like that. As for the “Penalty to Rangers” thing, it was something that caused a lot of hysteria a few years back when every single time Rangers were awarded a penalty, whether justified or otherwise, it was subjected to a ridiculous amount of scrutiny from the media and fans of every other club. The term implied that Rangers get favourable decisions and again you had grown adults just accepting that as if it were gospel even when all the evidence was there to show otherwise.

In very recent times, Gorrin. Plenty before that. Tam Forsyth, Willie Watson, Peter Millar, Gordon Soutar, Steve McLelland, Graeme Forbes......

The authorities don't care about you. Another thing is we are all paying money to fund these incompetents and be paid lip service from Collum... wouldn't happen in any other entertainment

Can't be 55/45 if laws say the hearts boy is committing the offence but they've given it and we need to suck it up again

Have we ever had a really good footballer who was a hammer thrower? We’d kill for someone like that now. he only one who springs to mind was luc nijholt. Can’t think of anyone else.

Hearts were indeed "robust" yesterday, as you would expect them to be when they are chasing down a title. I have no issue with that if both teams are refereed to the same standard. But, not for the first time, yesterday we were not. We are not as "robust" a team as Hearts, but time and again we were blown up for soft fouls that Hearts appeared to be getting away with more often than not. I dont want to see our players going down easily, but it just felt that it got to the point yesterday where the players were getting frustrated by the referee's performance that they were left with no choice. Said was probably the worst offender, but there was one challenge where he got sandwiched by 2 Hearts players and the foul was given against him. It was getting to the ridiculous stage. Edit: PS for a team who enjoys as much possession of the ball as we do, you would expect the number of fouls on our players to be higher and with the number of touches we get in the opposition box, that would mean penalties.

I understand your sentiment, but that would be a real shame. I think Im of the opposite view. A kind of "f#ck you" you wont make me go away that easily. The SPFL do really need to have a major review of refereeing and VAR at the end of the season though. Fans of all clubs feel the same way about the situation. At a time when attendances seem to be on the up, it would be crazy to ignore the paying punter.

Just seen the KMI Panel outcomes from last weekend are available: The panel unanimously agreed that the on-field decision was incorrect. The panel highlighted VAR should have intervened to recommend an OFR and a penalty should have been awarded. They class this as a difficult decision where the referee needs the help of technology to make the correct decision, yet in this case VAR didn't get involved. Why? Slattery payback? I'm sure the VAR Review show for April will clear it up 🤔

I concur 100% Starsail. Im actually at the stage of seriously considering not renewing my season ticket next year which I've had for over 50 years and just going to watch local WOSL games. I just can't stomach anymore the obvious mistakes, the resulting apologies from Collum, not being able to celebrate a goal until VAR tries their best to find anything in the build up to disallow it, and seeing goals disallowed because a fingernail is offside. Kills the enjoyment stone dead for me in a season where we've played our best football in years. Not an on the spur feeling but one that has grown over a couple of seasons till I just think **** it what's the point.

There's no doubt that in recent months, refereeing/VAR performances have deteriorated from an already low base. We seem to be on the receiving end of continual poor potentially game changing decisions or 50/50s going against us week in week out just now. Yesterday was just another example. The old adage that things even themselves out over a season will certainly not apply this time round. I have no problem with VAR, although it could be improved. What I do have a problem with is how its being used to rereferee games. I often thought that fans complaining about referees were simply being biased and paranoid (I include myself in this). However, Graeme McGarry recently penned an article in the Herald questioning whether we're being refereed differently since the Callum Slattery iincident. A sound article which I believe has basis in fact. Despite our style of play, we seem to be awarded far fewer fouls than the opposition. Maybe thats why we go down so often? A physically robust Hearts side were penalised a mere 7 times yesterday. Now as I wasn't at the game, it may well be that Hearts were extremely sporting in their treatment of us. But it seems like a trend. Its certainly affecting our results and brasses me off no end but we shouldn't let it get to us Starsail and San. https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/26008883.motherwell-refereed-differently-slattery-row/

With five games without a win, an unchanged XI and substitutions only being made if we go a goal down is likely to lead to a sixth. We need to shake things up a bit and be stronger for this one. Will JBA make such changes?

We should 100% stick with the footballing principles we’ve developed this season, but it’s now clear we need to introduce a bit more pragmatism to that approach in order to improve our overall performance and results against stronger opposition.

HD on Pie and Bovril commented that some of our players have tailed off a bit in recent weeks. McGinn and Welsh being mentioned. I'd also add Watt to them. For this game I'd like to see us shake things up slightly. Nicholson is surely due 45/60 minutes and why not give Jordan McGhee, a tried and trusted Premiership performer some game time. JBA certainly seems to stick to his favoured 11-14 come what may.

Good post. Its a definite weakness in the squad, which has cost us. We are soft as a team both mentally and physically. I suppose JBA could go one of two ways for next season. Stick with his principles and try to sign more/better pure footballers or become more pragmatic and sign some stronger/more aggressive individuals. Maybe the two aren't mutually exclusive. .

Would happily see him back and Maswanhise out wide........must dash......spiderpig has just read this message! 🤣🤣

Yes, although we've scored a fair few goals this season, all too often we've been powderpuff in front of goals and yet again its cost us. We also have defensive frailties that Wellfan pointed out above. If officials are going to be pernickety they could have looked more closely at Hearts' opener. It seems to me that Findlay (No 19) was holding/pulling our defender when he headed the ball back across goal. As for the penalty, I'd say it was 55/45 not a penalty. A very close call which, once again, went against us. You could argue that the lad's heading of the ball of the ball was involuntary, but I'd say that according to the laws of the game it shouldn't have ben awarded.

Collum will, of course, contort to defend the penalty decision, which only serves to perpetuate the problem and normalise poor officiating. That’s to be expected when you’ve got a renowned incompetent as the chief clown.

His reasoning is he doesn't know the rules, not alone in that.

With the standard of officiating we’ve got, and these clown officials again deemed not good enough by FIFA for the World Cup, another controversial red card feels inevitable in this game. You could put money on it.

I can't see us taking anything from this game and arguably, the Hibs V Hearts encounter will be of more significance in our tussle to retain 4th place. No red cards or bad injuries please.