Football 2011-2012

[pink_triangle]

Predictions for the FA cup semis. Liverpool to win a narrow match against everton with a Gerrard winner, prompting the media to discuss if he is the greatest premiership midfielder of all time. Chelsea to beat spurs 2-0 in a dull match. Resulting in a boring liverpool v chelsea final, although as variety is the spice of life I would prefer everton v spurs.

[pink_triangle]

My problem with it is that contact does not always mean a foul.

[pink_triangle]

I think chelseas experience really told today, they got a bit of luck but took advantage and ended up with a comfortable win. I stand by my feeling that Arry has done a good job taking spurs as far as he has, but he is defintely not the man to take them forward. Looking at their performances against the biggest 5 teams in the league this season (2 manchester clubs, liverpool, arsenal, chelsea) if my calculations are correct its w2 d3 l6, I just dont think he has the tactical nous to beat these higher quality sides. Funny thing is England a country who pretty much consistently beat teams worse than them and lose to those better than them, seem to think the best way of changing this is to appoint a manager who seems to do exactly the same.

[kaosmark2]

At least he isnt going to ground under no contact at all like others this season.

[The Nal]

I've not seen today's one, but that's just bollocks. He's been diving without getting even the slightest touch in previous games.

[kaosmark2]

I think chelseas experience really told today, they got a bit of luck but took advantage and ended up with a comfortable win. I stand by my feeling that Arry has done a good job taking spurs as far as he has, but he is defintely not the man to take them forward. Looking at their performances against the biggest 5 teams in the league this season (2 manchester clubs, liverpool, arsenal, chelsea) if my calculations are correct its w2 d3 l6, I just dont think he has the tactical nous to beat these higher quality sides. Funny thing is England a country who pretty much consistently beat teams worse than them and lose to those better than them, seem to think the best way of changing this is to appoint a manager who seems to do exactly the same.

[pink_triangle]

.The goal that wasn't was harsh, and did change the game, but I don't think it impacted on which team won. Someone came out recently and said the FA should go it alone and introduce video technology regardless of what FIFA think. Anyone know if they can do that without forfeiting the right to participate in international tournaments (European club tournaments inc.)?

[kaosmark2]

Im a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to football and one of the few who are against video technology. Its always brought up in terms of goal line incidents and I personally feel they are too rare to merit bringing in a change. I also feel that while unfortunate when one of these decisions goes against you its no worse than an incorrect offside or penalty decision, sometimes decisions go against you and cost you goals, thats football. I remember the day that lampard scored the goal that never was, I think mexico scored a goal against argentina which was disallowed for offside. Why should technology have been used on that day to help england but not mexico who were both equally screwed. There also lies the problem once technology is brought in to prevent one type of injustice, fifa will be put under pressure to expand its use every time there is a further injustice. I think in the long term it will end up making football worse and not better.

[Jaybles]

I've not seen today's one, but that's just bollocks. He's been diving without getting even the slightest touch in previous games.

[lharris92]

but you have got the brute force of bristol city to take on tuesday. The best teams just can't handle our lack of talent and football expertise.

[Kyelo]

I'm more of a rugby fan than football but there are a few things I think football should take from rugby that would make it a bit better...

1. when the whistle blows the clock stops, it would mean no stoppage time and nobody could complain about 'Fergie time'

2. nobody speaks to the referee unless spoken to or they are the captain. If there is any back chat they get a yellow.

3. a yellow card leading to 10 minute sin bin. In football a yellow card is pretty meaningless, it would act as a deterrent with professional fouls etc

4. a video ref for when the actual referee needs assistance. How or what they look at I'll leave for you lot

[kaosmark2]

I haven't seen all challenges on him I'm sure, but I haven't seen Young ever go down without any contact this season. I'm sure someone can prove me wrong there though.

He has always dived after some form of contact, or made the most of a challenge. I know it is the lesser of two evils but I hate it even more when players go down without any contact at all, deceiving the referee.

I understand that some players feel they need to make the most of a foul sometimes to make sure it is given, which is a shame and plenty of players seem to feel this way. That has been stretched too far though. I want to see all aspects of diving taken from the game, It makes a mockery of our league. I feel that tackling those who deliberately dive without any form of contact with retroactive punishments is the best way to rid the game of the worst suspects, those that deliberately deceive the referee. It would also be a good start at trying to phase it out completely.

[kaosmark2]

I'm more of a rugby fan than football but there are a few things I think football should take from rugby that would make it a bit better...

1. when the whistle blows the clock stops, it would mean no stoppage time and nobody could complain about 'Fergie time'

2. nobody speaks to the referee unless spoken to or they are the captain. If there is any back chat they get a yellow.

3. a yellow card leading to 10 minute sin bin. In football a yellow card is pretty meaningless, it would act as a deterrent with professional fouls etc

4. a video ref for when the actual referee needs assistance. How or what they look at I'll leave for you lot

[The Nal]

Young aside, bit of a difference between the Utd performance today and the match vs Wigan!

Wonder why?

[strummer77]

I think picking Cudicini was a major error by Redknapp today.

Edited April 15, 2012 by strummer77

[lharris92]

put all the people who dive and go over easily in a rugby union match against proper rugby players. should sort them out in a couple of seconds.

[Alcatraz]

Hush all this Scholes talk.

All about Le Tissier

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtJeN96-6fw

[strummer77]

put all the people who dive and go over easily in a rugby union match against proper rugby players. should sort them out in a couple of seconds.

[kaosmark2]

Not sure why he played unless it's in his contract. It's the semi final. Play your best team and save your season.

[kaosmark2]

Supposedly Drenthe was left out for disciplinary reasons, and apparently Liverpool are lining up a move for him.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/7675401/Everton-explain-Drenthe-axe

Talented player, but clearly a bit of a pain. I'd like to see him in the Prem next season, preferably playing more regularly in a team that actually attacks.

[strummer77]

ITV reckoned it was sentimentality, or the idea that he's got them through the cup so far.

Don't agree with it though, it's one thing for Wenger to do that in Carling Cup quarters with his kids, quite another to drop your first choice keeper for one who's clearly happy sitting on the bench collecting a pay cheque.

Edited April 15, 2012 by strummer77

[kaosmark2]

Agreed. I don't even mind in early rounds, but the semi final? With the rest of the first XI?

[lharris92]

Gonna play devil's advocate: Isn't diving in many ways just football's version of hands in the ruck? Both attempts to gain an advantage illegally and deceive the referee?

[strummer77]

Forget football. this just made me teary:

Immense gesture from Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale, who has taken guardianship of the severely handicapped sister of Piermario Morosini.

Antonio Di Natale—"I will ensure that the sister of Piermario [who is severely disabled] is not abandoned. She has already lost everybody"

Morosini had been sole guardian of his little sister, who was orphaned as a child.

Di Natale—"I will be there to help his sister, not just for a day, but for her whole life. The girl needs us. This is for her and for Mario"

Edited April 16, 2012 by strummer77

[Ed209]

Could Chelsea really not sell out their allocation for an FA Cup semi-final 5 miles from the bridge? and they once again showed what a classless bunch of c*nts they are during the minutes silence.

I hate that club