2025/26 James Tarkowski

[ElGato]

Looked mighty suspicious in real time and he looked guilty af - which probably tells you that he knew what he was doing. Regardless, the laws are so murky and the change of directive means that I'm surprised it was given. Think the officials were wack last night, massively swayed by the crowd.

Regardless, I thought he was ok last night - was unfairly exposed with the personnel around him and the tactical directive to go and press the ball high; leaving a lot of gaps behind the midfield and the full backs that he did well to cover.

That being said, he is prone to making rash decisions or playing a hot blooded game at times. Often goes to ground unnecessarily and has been lucky on a few occasions not to give penalties or red cards away. I think the 'handball' was one of those occasions he didn't get away with playing on the edge.

For a defender that does play on the edge (think a Romero or Murillo type player) he needs an ice cool calm head alongside him at all times. Branthwaite is perfect foil for him. Keane is definitely not!

 

[GrandOldTeam]

It's a penalty nobody wants or likes to be given.

That penalty isn't given against Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd etc.

It shouldn't be a penalty, but I understand why it was given. I'd be calling for it at the other end. Sure, where is he meant to put his arm? But the ball doesn't just hit him - he makes the choice to try and block the shot/lean into the flight of the ball and misjudged it.

 

[mahermi1]

Never a pen
Tarkowski needs to cut his arms off apparently ahead of the next game

Agree if he would have tried to get his arm any further behind his back he would have dislocated his shoulder.

 

[mahermi1]

It's a penalty nobody wants or likes to be given.

That penalty isn't given against Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd etc.

It shouldn't be a penalty, but I understand why it was given. I'd be calling for it at the other end. Sure, where is he meant to put his arm? But the ball doesn't just hit him - he makes the choice to try and block the shot/lean into the flight of the ball and misjudged it.

Another thing it was coming at him fast after being deflected on the way, it's a joke of a decision in my opinion, given by the same Linesman who missed that corner.....

 

[Shibbywiggles]

It's a penalty nobody wants or likes to be given.

That penalty isn't given against Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd etc.

It shouldn't be a penalty, but I understand why it was given. I'd be calling for it at the other end. Sure, where is he meant to put his arm? But the ball doesn't just hit him - he makes the choice to try and block the shot/lean into the flight of the ball and misjudged it.

I don’t disagree with your last paragraph but the first two sentences say everything wrong with the premier league

If nobody wants it and there would be different rules for other teams why is it given?

 

[radiostar]

It's a penalty nobody wants or likes to be given.

That penalty isn't given against Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd etc.

It shouldn't be a penalty, but I understand why it was given. I'd be calling for it at the other end. Sure, where is he meant to put his arm? But the ball doesn't just hit him - he makes the choice to try and block the shot/lean into the flight of the ball and misjudged it.

Exactly this. Its a penalty. He shouldn't have tried to block the ball and let the goalie do his job. Soon as he made a movement to block the ball he's bang to rights, doesn't matter where his arm is.

He was desperate to get a block in which is maybe commendable at times but its cost us here.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

I don’t disagree with your last paragraph but the first two sentences say everything wrong with the premier league

If nobody wants it and there would be different rules for other teams why is it given?

Football mate.

Inherent bias at best, corruption at worse.

See Alcaraz get booked for calling for a yellow?

You'll see Bruno Fernandes or Van Dijk do that 20 times and never get booked.

 

[SJB]

 

[Yarrgh]

A central defender of any note tries to block a shot if they can. Penalties happen. I personally am not impressed by it being given, but if you ask the question to the ref, expect them to give an answer you don't like some of the time. The fact that they had so many attempts is what worries me.

Until the team collectively steps up and the manager works out a way to play with what we have in the squad, then the defence is going to get battered and the teams we play are likely to be better than Leeds so the likes of Tarkowski are going to be under the cosh and no one is going to withstand that type of pressure.

We were so bad yesterday that I don't want to be too overcritical of anyone - they need to forget that tomorrow and move on pronto. We need to be behind them as much as possible this year from the off, otherwise we could be in the mire.

Oh Everton - how I dispair of you.

 

[Bez2k2k]

It's a penalty nobody wants or likes to be given.

That penalty isn't given against Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd etc.

It shouldn't be a penalty, but I understand why it was given. I'd be calling for it at the other end. Sure, where is he meant to put his arm? But the ball doesn't just hit him - he makes the choice to try and block the shot/lean into the flight of the ball and misjudged it.

I would never want a penalty such as that given to us. As much as it won them the game it will always be known as a sweaty decision and I don’t want Everton involved in that. I feel like we have to graft for our wins, we very rarely get gifted anything from a player, a ref, var etc. The last time it happened against Forest at home where they didn’t get say 2/3 pens, the media were all over it for weeks. Let’s see if it happens about us.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

I would never want a penalty such as that given to us. As much as it won them the game it will always be known as a sweaty decision and I don’t want Everton involved in that. I feel like we have to graft for our wins, we very rarely get gifted anything from a player, a ref, var etc. The last time it happened against Forest at home where they didn’t get say 2/3 pens, the media were all over it for weeks. Let’s see if it happens about us.

Mainly because their club caused absolute chaos over it mate. Too much so, really - but Everton don't cause up a stink.

I mean, we actually thanked the premier league/panel for a points deduction. Compare that to Forest/Leicester an Man City's attitude.

 

[Bez2k2k]

Mainly because their club caused absolute chaos over it mate. Too much so, really - but Everton don't cause up a stink.

I mean, we actually thanked the premier league/panel for a points deduction. Compare that to Forest/Leicester a Man City's attitude.

I actually believe and I have believed for many years now there is a clear agenda with these decisions. I have zero doubt in my mind the ref’s discuss Everton and I have no doubt in the future it will come out. We are already seeing it with big mouth I love myself Clatterburg now.

There have just been far too many decisions like this for it to just be unlucky. This just gets added to the long list of poor/irregular decisions.

 

[blulouie]

Mainly because their club caused absolute chaos over it mate. Too much so, really - but Everton don't cause up a stink.

I mean, we actually thanked the premier league/panel for a points deduction. Compare that to Forest/Leicester an Man City's attitude.

No sir

That was all left behind with the departure of Moshiri , Kenwright & Dyche.

New Sherrif with his hard nosed deputy's in town now

 

[TheBigIguana]

A central defender of any note tries to block a shot if they can. Penalties happen. I personally am not impressed by it being given, but if you ask the question to the ref, expect them to give an answer you don't like some of the time. The fact that they had so many attempts is what worries me.

Until the team collectively steps up and the manager works out a way to play with what we have in the squad, then the defence is going to get battered and the teams we play are likely to be better than Leeds so the likes of Tarkowski are going to be under the cosh and no one is going to withstand that type of pressure.

We were so bad yesterday that I don't want to be too overcritical of anyone - they need to forget that tomorrow and move on pronto. We need to be behind them as much as possible this year from the off, otherwise we could be in the mire.

Oh Everton - how I dispair of you.

I mean Tarkowski is part of the problem here

 

[Yarrgh]

I mean Tarkowski is part of the problem here

I don't actually disagree - but he is a small leak compared to the iceberg sized hole immediately causing the ship to sink.