The Round Ball Game

[Beef Oven!]

I see Preston goalie Stuckmann says Rooney apologised to him after the match - "Sorry, it was my chance to get a penalty, I had to use that..."
Truly a looking-glass world where United go on in the cup after their "thrilling victory against Preston..." etc.... where the England manager can speak of "evasive action" as justification... where getting a penalty is now a game of wits between ref and player (!?)... and cheats can prosper.

The only way out of it remains retrospective suspension from video evidence. Why don't we get it?

I think you've summed up the biggest threat to the game, in a mere 17 words.

If it's all the same with you, I will be using your summary in discussions

[teamsaint]

I think you've summed up the biggest threat to the game, in a mere 17 words.

If it's all the same with you, I will be using your summary in discussions

If FIFA acted on live video evidence for refs, much of the threat would be eliminated.

Financial corruption at higher levels is a bigger threat, and more difficult to solve, IMO.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Yep,nope,not good.

"I didn't see any contact Play on!"

[Beef Oven!]

If FIFA acted on live video evidence for refs, much of the threat would be eliminated.

Financial corruption at higher levels is a bigger threat, and more difficult to solve, IMO.

Although this diving is seriously affecting the method of playing. Corruption doesn't, necessarily.

The number of penalties awarded each week is ridiculous. We did not have that number in the 1970s, 80s...... (anecdotal, I know - but it'd be interesting to look at the statistics). As Jayne says, the game in the box is a battle of wits between professional athletes who have nearly perfected (we're not all fooled) their cheating method, and the referee, who remains relatively unsophisticated, year on year.

[johncorrigan]

"I didn't see any contact Play on!"

Yep! No question! He dived! Where's Mick McManus when you need him?

[johncorrigan]

Football Pink is here.



Aberdeen 3 St Mirren 0. Well beaten,Ross County won too but Motherwell's defeat keeps us off the bottom,just.

Well, Rob, in the pink we ain't. Still, defeat yesterday expected (as it is most Saturdays). Big weekend next week v a struggling Hamilton who've gone awry since their manager upped sticks to sort things out for Fry and Delia - hope we can extricate 3pts from that one. Jags are starting to get pulled back and are in trouble too.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

we are counting the minutes

as an aside the Hammers were robbed of a win by a very dubious penalty; Harry Kane obviously following Rooney's example

[Beef Oven!]

Aren't Southampton playing today, or is it tomorrow?

[teamsaint]

Aren't Southampton playing today, or is it tomorrow?

what an absolute joke. The refs first half performance almost certainly cost us the game.
Very, very disappointing. video replays just can't come soon enough.

you just have no chance against good sides when so many massive decisions go against you.

Fiasco.

[Beef Oven!]

what an absolute joke. his first half performance almost certainly cost us the game.
Very, very disappointing. video replays just can't come soon enough.

you just have no chance against good sides when so many massive decisions go against you.

Fiasco.

Playing Liverpool, weren't you?

Did you go?

[teamsaint]

Playing Liverpool, weren't you?

Did you go?

I was being nice through gritted teeth there !!

no, my day off.


off to WBA next Saturday though for a rare away day.

[Beef Oven!]

I was being nice through gritted teeth there !!

no, my day off.


off to WBA next Saturday though for a rare away day.

That's near Wales, isn't it?

[teamsaint]

That's near Wales, isn't it?

Did you have a long lunchtime session at all?

its IN wales, obviously.

[Beef Oven!]

Did you have a long lunchtime session at all?

its IN wales, obviously.

Then Southampton will win, easily.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

what an absolute joke. The refs first half performance almost certainly cost us the game.
Very, very disappointing. video replays just can't come soon enough.

you just have no chance against good sides when so many massive decisions go against you.

Fiasco.

Agreed, an absolute shocker. Mignolet should have been off for that handball.

Not convinced by Juricic though. No doubt he'll be after a money-spinning move to "a big club" at the first opportunity.