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I do wonder whether part of the reason teams coming up from the championship are woefully out of their depth is due to the gulf in refereeing.

We’ve seen in the championship that you are rewarded for thuggery. Get to the PL and it’s a yellow the first time you touch one of the established guys.

We’ve got our work cut out here. Preston are given a foul every time they fall over, and allowed to time waste whenever they feel like it. Which is always.

Unless we are absolutely smashed, we’re not being given fouls, and it would probably take a GBH to earn a yellow.

Abysmal refereeing. #ncfc

I see it’s yet another game against a bunch of thugs enabled by piss-poor refereeing. #ncfc

That pass from Mahovo was delightful. #ncfc

Really rough games for Crnac and Marcondes today. Got some subs to use for once, wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of half time changes. #ncfc

Another referee petrified of making a decision, I see… #ncfc

I think my issue with the #ncfc academy is that we give way too much time to players who were bang average for the under 18s.

Particularly when our under 19/ under 20 recruitment has been excellent in the last few years.

We just end up with a 21s squad bloated full of mediocrity.

About to say that Caleb Ansen had a brilliant half - 4 excellent saves - then he got tackled on his goal line. My bad.

#ncfc second choice xi once squad is fully fit… 😳

Jacob Wright has a bit of a Billy Gilmour look to him? Except no-one, including himself presumably, will think he has come in to save the club…

And he can play his way into the side in the championship, not have to try and dominate PL games from the off. #ncfc

According to the stats sites, Emi Marcondes won just three free kicks yesterday, including the, ahem, ‘forceful and violent shove to his throat area’ that saw Bayo sent off.

Here is a compilation of him “diving”, including a foul not even given… #ncfc

Watford fans appear to think they’re experiencing some grand conspiracy, whereas I’m wondering how many FA charges they should have for surrounding the referee after every fucking decision.

Found Watford clumsy and/or thuggish throughout. Thought the ref let them off very easy. #ncfc

I’m mean, I’d be all for rinsing SexPest FC for a few million, taking Rowe back, giving him a new contract and improving the team…

Onel said on his TikTok he’s out tomorrow. Might be bullshit. #ncfc

In talks with Newport County for a free transfer

Shame for Jaden Warner. Excellent passer about three years ago, always been quick. Just never kicked on, and probably regressed, honestly. Hopefully he can get settled and start his career in earnest now. #ncfc

Ofori-Manteaw, Daley, Williams and Adelusi probably should be looking for new clubs tomorrow morning. Pretty sure two of them at least will be here next season though.

I think you watch a game like this, and think that Fisher and Mahovo were in cat 3 academies at this age, and just wonder…

Can’t even blame Greg Crane for that one! Just let down by some stinking performances from some of the senior lads. Two in particular that have golden tickets to the 21s especially abysmal.

Shame for Myles, Sealey and Bullen to end their 21s careers like that. #ncfc

Should probably be 5-1, that. Defence is pretty much just out there for cardio. Myles not looking particularly enthused by the experience. Sealey being held in check well. #ncfc

No idea how you can spend ten years in a Cat 1 academy and end up not having even a pub league level first touch or ability to pass ten yards.

#ncfc 21s game could be interesting tomorrow. Palace usually make games available to watch, which is nice. Midday KO 👍🏻

Sorensen and Cordoba minutes?

Myles, Sealey, Adelusi, Chilvers etc have youth cup game next day, so probably out?

I think Lewis Dobbin may actually be the player that Onel Stans think Onel is… #ncfc

Sounds like Sargent will be vice-Captain once the window closes. JHT effusive in his praise of his voice, tactical nous and general influence. #ncfc

Probably give this lot another go against an opponent more our level on Saturday, but reckon Chrisene and Dobbin are on very thin ice. #ncfc

Very tough to win games against a superior opponent.

Tougher when the ref fucks you.

Pretty much impossible when a bunch of your players put in 5/10 performances. #ncfc

Remember when the WBA fans said there was a reason Dobbin lived on the bench… #ncfc

Possibly at the point where Fisher being played all over the place, and having to be in a competition with the far inferior Stacey, is resulting in him losing a ton of confidence. #ncfc

Ridiculous decision by Fisher.

Not remotely convinced that Dobbin is meaningfully better than our wingers in the 21s #ncfc

I mean, if #ncfc can keep this one nil until ~75 mins, and start spamming long balls at Sargent and Crnac, this could be vaguely interesting I guess. Definitely looking like a cardio night so far though.