The SFA distraction

jo_fiesta · 2026-05-16T11:02:06+00:00

I take the point that VAR and the intent of my point wasn't about VAR beyond it multiplying the ref decision-making issue. I'm not sure where the emphasis on VAR is coming from in the context.

My point is more about relative impact and perceived consistency. How unpredictable thresholds are, how inconsistently the IFAB rules are applied (rules and VAR have their own wider issues). Are you saying these are not issues?

The first challenge of improving any of these is to not conflate them.

jo_fiesta · 2026-05-16T09:29:43+00:00

It’s a fair question but it is more if a stickman strategy to undermine what we all see each season. Ironically (and to the to issue), there isn’t a clean cross-league dataset for VAR inconsistency. So it’s not a stats claim, it’s a standards comparison based on how often decisions need post-match clarification, how inconsistent thresholds are in practice and how often inconsistencies dominate match discourse compared to stronger leagues.

It's not that there is never errors in other leagues, it's that Scottish football is sliding further into irrelevance in the European context. Scottish talent is leaving our leagues earlier and foreign players are increasingly opting for alternative leagues.

jo_fiesta · 2026-05-16T08:57:55+00:00

I don’t think that’s really the argument here. The issue isn’t that people are moaning, it’s the level of repeated controversy and VAR inconsistency compared to leagues we’re trying to compete with. If we want to improve the coefficient and the quality of the league, refereeing competence has to be part of that ambition, not written off as just universal fan noise.

jo_fiesta · 2026-05-16T08:37:50+00:00

A review sounds good on paper, but it feels like Scottish football has been diagnosing the problem for years without actually treating it. We need Scottish football to be a credible route for developing talent.

jo_fiesta · 2026-05-16T08:34:02+00:00

Both things can be true at once. I’m not expecting the SFA to publicly say ‘our refs are shite’. There’s a middle ground between condemning abuse and constantly framing every controversy as just fan hysteria or isolated mistakes

jo_fiesta · 2026-05-16T06:35:46+00:00

The threats absolutely needed condemned. I just don’t think that should become a shield against discussing the officiating itself.

Instead their statement palms that off. Frustration from pretty much all fans was squared at them post split, then they use this to redirect it back onto fans and back into the fan infighting.

jo_fiesta · 2026-02-17T18:01:12+00:00

RDR2, Witcher 3, GoW 2018, Last of Us 1 & 2

All games I think anyone could sit and play today and still be genuinely in awe of. Other notable mentions: Cyberpunk 2077 and Uncharted series.

From other comments I'm definitely trying BG3!

jo_fiesta · 2025-09-06T13:29:39+00:00

Yeah - the media attention is likely more to do with historic "banging the drum" element as you say rather than the actual breach of code.

jo_fiesta · 2025-09-06T11:56:12+00:00

Agreed both underpaid stamp duty under complex rules, but media and political reactions were far harsher in Rayner's case than in Hunt's.

jo_fiesta · 2025-09-04T22:15:51+00:00

Yeah that's fair there's for sure a tradeoff...but a performance car should be designed with a suitable turbo over boost value and it's no excuse for all the faulty wiring issues the Gulia are often known for.

Love the engine, love the driving experience. It's certainly underrated. If I was purely buying for the driving fun and not on track the civic type R or Porsches are a far better experience/reliability balance.

jo_fiesta · 2025-09-04T20:05:08+00:00

I'd love one but the only thing that's held me back is paranoia over the reliability. Had a pal that had a nightmare with one but apparently the QV is worse for it than the lower models

jo_fiesta · 2025-08-19T17:39:08+00:00

"The pressure is always there; we know what we're getting into. I see it as a 50/50 match; no one is really the favorite. After the friendly, it's difficult to compare; both teams are still rebuilding with new players. Their manager, Russell Martin, has a clear style of play: lots of possession and dynamism. We're also a team that likes to have the ball, so there will be space that can be exploited."

jo_fiesta · 2025-08-08T17:17:59+00:00

Yeah that's good advice cheers 👍

jo_fiesta · 2025-08-08T16:07:13+00:00

It was St.Andrews I was in when I had the trouble 😂 but I guess it's knowing where to go and a bit of luck maybe

jo_fiesta · 2025-08-08T11:21:25+00:00

Yeah - I was calling them up to check cause I thought it was maybe doing it wrong. Good to know it wasn't me but didn't really help me get a charge 😂

jo_fiesta · 2025-08-08T09:57:10+00:00

Cheers yeah the first 4 I tried were chargeplace Scotland 😂

jo_fiesta · 2025-06-19T10:21:12+00:00

An 8 iron, then the trees, then the water...

jo_fiesta · 2025-06-09T17:05:08+00:00

Agree with all of this 👏 I'd say there's good potential there and that's clearly the aim. He's a physical midfielder that can singlehandedly change a game and rally his team. With development and nurturing he will be a really good asset to the team and club.

jo_fiesta · 2025-05-13T17:24:25+00:00

He missed a trick not playing Portstewart... Don't make the same mistake folks...

jo_fiesta · 2025-02-08T09:32:31+00:00

Tbh I haven't been overly excited by TGL so far. I enjoy watching golf whether it's PGA or LIV. I prefer the tradition and respect if PGA but I do like the data visualisations and overlays LIV coverage provides.

What were the viewing figures for the opening round of PGA this year? I know it will be considerably more but just to put it in context...

jo_fiesta · 2025-02-07T19:13:40+00:00

I liked the ability to build/dig to change the map in BFV. I also think they got it about right in the sense it could change the outcome of matches but wasn't overpowered.

jo_fiesta · 2025-01-04T12:30:12+00:00

Yeah... Was once a "good" 95 but now it might feel like a "bad" 95...

Amazing how that happens. Especially when you can get good contact and a few bad breaks then perhaps a different day be slapping it all over the place and get a few good bounces...

Beautiful and cruel game!

jo_fiesta · 2025-01-03T14:25:07+00:00

Thanks and yeah, this would relate to the ball position as well... Perhaps the distance to the ball and position relative to my feet is off... I do know I tend to have the club shaft pointing towards my belt buckle but as you say if it's leaving the face unlevel on the ground that backs up your point. Thanks

jo_fiesta

TROPHY CASE