Summary
Overview
This episode of Let's Be Having You examines episode two of Sky's 'Big Ron Manager' documentary series, following Ron Atkinson's involvement with Peterborough United during their 2006-07 season. The hosts dissect the chaotic management style of Steve Bleasdale, Ron's brutally honest assessments, and various mishaps including a urine sample tampering incident and a gastroenteritis outbreak. The discussion reveals the amateur nature of lower league football operations through hilarious behind-the-scenes moments.
Opening Correspondence: The Worst VAR Decision Ever
The episode kicks off with a 'Noughties VAR' segment examining what may be the worst refereeing decision in football history. A listener submits footage from a 2008 Reading vs Watford match where Reading was awarded a 'ghost goal' that never came close to crossing the line. The ball was clearly wide of the post, yet the referee awarded a goal despite zero celebration from Reading players and complete confusion from everyone on the pitch.
- Michael Gilman submits what he believes is the worst refereeing decision of all time from Reading vs Watford, September 20, 2008
- The 'ghost goal' was awarded despite the ball never being close to the goal line - it was a yard wide of the post
- Not a single Reading player celebrated the goal, a clear indication it hadn't gone in
- The Watford goalkeeper refused to believe it was a goal and tried to take a goal kick instead
" It's not even close. The players, that header... It's so, none of it is close. There's none of it that's ever near the goal line. "
" That's a big clue when someone's not scored. This is before actual VAR now, where you kind of score and you can't really celebrate because you don't. But it's like, no one, there's not a reading pad that's like, what a goal! "
Big Ron's Brutal Assessment of Bleasdale
The hosts immediately highlight Ron Atkinson's savage opening assessment of Peterborough manager Steve Bleasdale. Within seconds of the episode, Ron dismisses Bleasdale's tactical knowledge by stating he needs to 'learn to make valid points,' essentially calling everything he says bollocks. Ron repeatedly criticizes Bleasdale for overwhelming players with too much information, while the editing deliberately shows Bleasdale doing exactly what Ron warned against.
- Big Ron opens by saying Bleasdale 'needs to learn to make valid points,' suggesting everything he says is nonsense
- Ron explains that Bleasdale says about 400 different things, overwhelming the players
- Big Ron emphasizes keeping things concise because players' attention spans can't handle long team talks
- The editing deliberately cuts to Bleasdale saying 'I need 10 minutes with you' immediately after Ron's comments
" He's got to learn to make valid points. "
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