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       #Post#: 99578--------------------------------------------------
       manchester city v chelsea - michael oliver (VAR: darren england)
   DIR By: gooner
       Date: January 4, 2026, 12:35 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       hi,
       money for old rope for MO in the first half [emoji106]
       nice goal from reijinders [emoji122]
       regards,
       gnr
       #Post#: 99579--------------------------------------------------
       Re: manchester city v chelsea - michael oliver (VAR: darren
       england)
   DIR By: Microscopist
       Date: January 4, 2026, 1:25 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: gooner link ---
       >
       > hi,
       >
       > money for old rope for MO in the first half [emoji106]
       >
       > nice goal from reijinders [emoji122]
       >
       > regards,
       >
       > gnr
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Do you mean he should be paid in old rope?
       #Post#: 99580--------------------------------------------------
       Re: manchester city v chelsea - michael oliver (VAR: darren
       england)
   DIR By: gooner
       Date: January 4, 2026, 1:44 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Microscopist link ---
       >
       >
       > Do you mean he should be paid in old rope?
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       hi,
       quite the opposite - it means someone makes a task look easy or
       that something appears to require little effort.
       more of the same in the 2nd half - all of the major incidents
       dealt with superbly.
       enzo rightly cautioned after entering the crowd - in fact he
       went so far up the terraces i thought he was getting a pie
       [emoji16]
       regards,
       gnr
       #Post#: 99587--------------------------------------------------
       Re: manchester city v chelsea - michael oliver (VAR: darren
       england)
   DIR By: Whistleblower
       Date: January 4, 2026, 3:28 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: gooner link ---
       >
       > hi,
       >
       > money for old rope for MO in the first half [emoji106]
       >
       > nice goal from reijinders [emoji122]
       >
       > regards,
       >
       > gnr
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       You are rightly being very complimentary about Michael Oliver's
       refereeing.  I think the "old rope" expression was originally a
       naval expression and something to do with oakum. It does indeed
       mean something that is executed so well it appears to be
       accomplished with little effort. I would say that is down to
       Michael Oliver's excellence as a referee. For instance if I
       tried to referee that match, the only old rope I would incur
       would be a noose with which I would, metaphorically, hang
       myself.
       As in most walks of life, apparent effortlessness comes about
       through ability, dedication and application. Michael Oliver
       shows these in abundance.
       #Post#: 99589--------------------------------------------------
       Re: manchester city v chelsea - michael oliver (VAR: darren
       england)
   DIR By: TheThingFromLewes
       Date: January 4, 2026, 3:34 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Whistleblower link ---
       >
       > [quote author=gooner link=topic=7586.msg99578#msg99578
       date=1767551732]
       > hi,
       >
       > money for old rope for MO in the first half [emoji106]
       >
       > nice goal from reijinders [emoji122]
       >
       > regards,
       >
       > gnr
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       You are rightly being very complimentary about Michael Oliver's
       refereeing.  I think the "old rope" expression was originally a
       naval expression and something to do with oakum. It does indeed
       mean something that is executed so well it appears to be
       accomplished with little effort. I would say that is down to
       Michael Oliver's excellence as a referee. For instance if I
       tried to referee that match, the only old rope I would incur
       would be a noose with which I would, metaphorically, hang
       myself.
       As in most walks of life, apparent effortlessness comes about
       through ability, dedication and application. Michael Oliver
       shows these in abundance.
       [/quote]
       Indeed. Another match with Oliver in total control and another
       flawless performance of the highest order.
       #Post#: 99609--------------------------------------------------
       Re: manchester city v chelsea - michael oliver (VAR: darren
       england)
   DIR By: Ref Fan
       Date: January 5, 2026, 8:32 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I did think Palmer was a bit lucky to not get cautioned for a
       challenge near the touchline but can't think of anything else.
       With the Delap incident, I wasn't sure whether Nunes was
       cautioned for his involvement or for dissent - I suspect the
       former - but he was in danger of complaining too much and I
       liked the way Oliver called the City Captain, Silva over, to
       explain the decision and presumably to tell his player to cool
       it.  Experience and respect for a referee can count for a lot.
       #Post#: 99615--------------------------------------------------
       Re: manchester city v chelsea - michael oliver (VAR: darren
       england)
   DIR By: El Referee
       Date: January 5, 2026, 9:28 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       If I was being nitpicky, I think James could/should have been
       cautioned earlier than he was. There was a text book ‘standing
       on top of someone’s foot’ that you normally see cautioned for
       each and every time. But other than that, can’t fault his
       performance.
       Although it does look like he’s carrying a few extra pounds at
       the moment.
       #Post#: 99616--------------------------------------------------
       Re: manchester city v chelsea - michael oliver (VAR: darren
       england)
   DIR By: Ref Fan
       Date: January 5, 2026, 9:43 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: El Referee link ---
       >
       > If I was being nitpicky, I think James could/should have been
       cautioned earlier than he was. There was a text book ‘standing
       on top of someone’s foot’ that you normally see cautioned for
       each and every time. But other than that, can’t fault his
       performance.
       >
       > Although it does look like he’s carrying a few extra pounds at
       the moment.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I tended to agree with Dermott and Bothroyd that the James foul
       where he caught the back of his opponent's foot was not a
       mandatory yellow card.  Only seen the write up of Ref Watch and
       assumed they were discussing that and not the later challenge
       for which he was actually cautioned.
       If MO has put on a few pounds, he wouldn't be the only person to
       do so on reaching 40! Still manages some fast sprints though. By
       the time you get to my age there's a chance you may be shedding
       a few.
       #Post#: 99636--------------------------------------------------
       Re: manchester city v chelsea - michael oliver (VAR: darren
       england)
   DIR By: Jake the Peg
       Date: January 5, 2026, 11:02 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Hands up anyone who hasn’t put on a few pounds over Christmas!!
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