Site Update: Matchday and 'Offside' Forums

Today is a matchday, albeit one not involving Everton. Does this mean there will be a live forum today, or only when Everton are playing?

Looks like only when Everton are playing, Rob.

I think for the time being, the plan is to have the live forum for Everton games only. We haven't been monitoring or vetting the posts there as closely as we should have, so part of the blame may rest with us, but when we took a closer look this last week, I think both Lyndon and I were taken aback by the incredible level of casual abuse and asinine garbage being posted by a small but dominant minority. It's discouraged others from sharing their thoughts on the Live Forum, and that is not something we want.

ItÂ’s a shame this has been binned. CanÂ’t you appoint a "live chat" moderator ?

The match day live forum is one of the jewels in the TW crown. I think of it as a sort of Internet Boys Pen of the 60s, well named the 'monkey house'. Then as now, it was / is, not for the physically or emotionally faint hearted.

It seems to be 'sort' of 'self moderating' and anything that crosses an invisible and it must be said, movable line is pulled up. It is like Vegas, what happens in Vegas etc.

It is not at all PC and can swerve from the sublime to the ridiculous via written Dali-esque surrealism that would put LSD to shame

The later rounds of the World Cup were classic live forum gold and should've been saved for posterity... or maybe you just had to be there.

Still having the same issue as I reported on the Site Issues thread Lyndon, can't access some threads (this one) from the comments link.

I'm using a Samsung note tablet so on Android if that's any help.

Disappointed (or should I say gutted!) about the lack of Live Forum access at my every whim, but I think deep down I kinda get it. As a more lighthearted, perhaps less invested (American, what can I do...), yet still obsessed Everton fan, the Live Forum was/is a truly valuable outlet for banter and a way for me to "interact" with and learn a ton from real, life long Evertonians.

And I agree with Derek, the World Cup forums were friggin great. No-one cared all that much so it was just pure chaos and glee. Colin Glassar and The Hoff!
MK and LL do us all a service with this site so if they feel this is necessary, so be it. See the regulars on Wednesday for those naughty, naughty Young Boyz!!

A reasonable decision – the forum reflects very badly on us, and will continue to do so even when it is closed on non-matchdays. If you witness some of the talk there on matchdays you can't possibly think it isn't a huge turn-off for newcomers. The better option would be to review the banter after each game (might be possible with a keyword search), and ban the users and IPs responsible.

I think if there is personal abuse then that is totally out of line and should be stamped on asap. However, there's some gems that come out on the spur of the moment! So it's a pity to lose that "instant reaction "

Regarding other threads there are 36,000 different opinions such as Man of the Match, how we viewed how we played, The Manager, the Club etc etc. Seems we're being vetted what we say and that is very disappointing.

No chance of a second chance then???

As a fairly regular user of the Live Forum, I can see why there are some concerns. Yet, as someone put it on here a while back, the Live Forum is hardly Mumsnet. Sometimes the line does get crossed, and I can appreciate that some people might not wish to post in case they are on the receiving end of abuse.

The real trouble is, that the Forum is the closest you can get to the match without actually being there. The humour, the banter; the instant opinions which sometimes have almost immediately to be retracted because of something which happens in the game; the fact that others' opinions can differ so markedly from your own. It's a bit like buying a season ticket, and then finding you are stuck for a whole season having to list to unwelcome opinions from the same lumphead sitting in the row in front. All part of life's rich tapestry.

If the site owners feel that some people are crossing the line, then why not follow the example of the game we all so love: yellow card for a first offence; banned for three games if you get sent off for abuse? The moderators can easily withdraw account privileges for a few games if they so wish, or even for life, in the case of a Suarez-style offence. These actions would control the abuse, whilst retaining the sorts of benefits the Live Forum brings.

As a reader of the Live Forum and a very occasional poster on there, I must say I became very concerned at some of what I was reading. It dissuaded me from commenting further. I don't know the solution tbh as it is great to have such an interactive forum and yet such a shame how it can be used for the wrong purposes.

Perhaps see how it goes on match days and if behaviour improves contemplate widening the offer to other days.... maybe selective at first, like a Saturday when Everton aren't playing or midweek when a programme of Premier League football is on.

The only thing is, if anybody wants to abuse another poster, they don't need the live forum to do it. Any other thread will do!!

Kieran was on the money, we need a live chat moderator, works a treat on other sites!

Not necessarily powerful comments, however, simply in seeking TW users wider opinion does speak loudly at the "Adult Way" that TW runs. May this long continue.

I've had my knuckles rapped a few times. Most offences fell in to my WTF category and a couple I looked back upon with someone else's viewpoint. Either way, I viewed the action as being a fair price to pay for what TW does best, namely to allow healthy, timely, relevant conversations about Everton and Evertonism.

TW has far more readers than posters. I'm staggered when I talk with the many regulars around me at the game just how many seek TW simply to judge the value of their own opinions.

We're Blues, Family, Chosen.
Chosen for our Blue Blood, not meekness or complicity.

I have never used the live forum but I imagine it is a kind of communal shout in for those who can't get to the match. Like watching the game in the pub with those who agree or not with you.

As such, surely there should be a bit of leeway. There is a huge difference between heat of the moment rage and reasonable debate. I have always liked that this site has room for both.

I am always surprised how people find the time to post on the live forum if or when they are watching the game.

It's a real shame that every arena has a section of them and conversations can disintegrate to the extent the forum needs moderating. I can't believe how much of their time Michael & Lyndon already devote to this site so to put greater demands and expectation on them is somewhat selfish and unfair IMHO.

Fellas, what you do is appreciated almost universally. I, for one, doff my cap to you.

I think it is a shame when others don't observe suitable courtesies to make your roles easier as well as giving due credit to their counterparts with like ambitions and passions but differing beliefs in the methods to satisfy both.

Now I'm off to go hug a tree!

Excellent!

CouldnÂ’t agree more Lee, what Michael and Lyndon have created here is terrific. I also completely agree with their decision. I have complained about the personal abuse, not aimed at me, I must add! But the fact that a couple of individuals see fit to insult simply because they do not agree with the comments put forward by others is not acceptable.

It is not often I agree with Colin Glassar but he has never used a different opinion to personally insult me. A more diplomatic response like his and the editors may have never had to take such a step.

As the only Everton fan I know in my area the Live Forum is a godsend for me before the matches start. Something about the posting of starting XI just sends the chills of anticipation up and down my spine. Thanks again to the Ed team!

I think the forum for the Chelsea game got out of hand and it's the first time I have ever seen either Michael or Lyndon step in to issue warnings on there. People need to understand that this is a season of frustrations and people let their frustrations out in different ways. Nothing generates knee jerk reactions like football does.

I can totally understand why this has happened. There are individuals who are completely out of order and they just look for arguments.

Ruins it to be honest.