Football

[SS4]

Well the way Arsenal are at the moment, I would give the whole team the red card, send the Manager to the stands and make the team play the remaining games behind closed doors.

Such was my interest in this game (if your referring to the game against Manchester United) I didn't even bother checking for a score until the game had ended. Then I found out that the club went ahead after two minutes (by a blatant offside goal well my Manchester United friends tell me), and that we conceded yet another penalty against Man U, scored by our former talisman (and I use that term very loosely).

Was it a penalty and who conceded it ? I think it was Sagna he has been woeful this season............... Oh wait a minute the whole team has been woeful.

It gets odd how one's expectations change depending on how well (or not) the team has been doing recently. I'd bite your hand off for a chance to play in Europe (guaranteed safety will do for me!)

 

[JoeH]

Was it a penalty and who conceded it ? I think it was Sagna he has been woeful this season............... Oh wait a minute the whole team has been woeful.

Yes it was Sagna. Under pressure from Nani he tried to pass the ball to Mertesacker but applied roughly a quarter of the power required to reach him. Van Persie picked the ball up and took it in to the box where Sagna was forced to make a clumsy challenge to try and recover. He was booked for that and was extremely lucky to avoid a second booking later on for what was easily the worst tackle in a match that saw seven yellow cards.

 

[313103]

Apart from the comments about Sagna, I think your being very harsh on the team as a whole. In the last 11 games (including today, and going from commentary from MOTD2), Arsenal have won 9 and drawn 2. Not bad for a 'poor' team. I just wish Scunthorpe United could play as poorly as that!

And yes, it was a penalty which Sagna conceded when he brought down van Persie, and yes, it was an offside goal, as Walcott was 1-2 yards past the last defender.

It is always the same with Arsenal go out of every competition by February and when you have nothing to play for go on a unbeaten run that means absolutely nothing. So it was lucky Arsenal today then!

As you can see it is not the last 11 games that I am unhappy with, it was the previous 23.

 

[Butts]

Newcastle 0 Liverpool 6 but Newcastle had player sent off in 75th mins when score line was 5-0

Without that incident Newcastle would obviously have won 6-5

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

In what was a "tempestuous" match, David Beckham was sent off for what was described as an "overly aggressive tackle" when playing this weekend for Paris St-Germain when only having been on the pitch for six minutes. The match ended in a mass brawl.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

All season long, we've had a certain member berate Manchester United and criticise all the decisions (in)correctly given in their favour. I notice that he is extremely quiet this evening seeing that Man Utd had a decision go against them as Walcott was offside when he scored. :P

Ref had a poor game (I think I am almost agreeing with Ferguson - who won't be charged with anything after critising the ref again), Arsenal should have won by a few, but as always one big mistake cost them dear.

At least the ref realised he is permitted to book them (but still forbidden from doing so more than once) :P

It'll take a brave ref to brandish a red to a United player this season or give a Penalty against them (did I hear right that it is three years since that has happened in the league?) and unfortunately I think the only one who would, won't be given a big game any time soon (he has to be indoctrinated first).

Who other than Sagna do you think should have been shown the red card in this match?

Not really a question to me but I believe one of the United players *could* have been sent off, not sure if it was Evans or Jones now, for a second bookable offence. There was a charge from behind that the ref had penalised and booked in the first half, but failed to even give a free kick for in the second.

Well the way Arsenal are at the moment, I would give the whole team the red card, send the Manager to the stands and make the team play the remaining games behind closed doors....

Harsh, Arsenal haven't lost in the league since the defeat to Spurs I think and are well placed to finish above Spurs and/or Chelsea. They are still making small errors, but they are much better than the team that started the season.

....Then I found out that the club went ahead after two minutes (by a blatant offside goal well my Manchester United friends tell me)....

Your Manchester United friends would say that though wouldn't they?. It was only as blatant as the three United got away with recently, of course, they were allowed the benefit of the doubt, heaven forbid an Arsenal player should be given the same treatment as them.

....and that we conceded yet another penalty against Man U, scored by our former talisman (and I use that term very loosely)....

I wouldn't go as far as a talisman, not even very loosely.

....Was it a penalty and who conceded it ? I think it was Sagna he has been woeful this season....

It was Sagna, and as much as I hate to say it, it was a penalty. Sagna hasn't looked good this season, the weak part of the team I think.

....yes, it was an offside goal, as Walcott was 1-2 yards past the last defender.

I must admit, at first, I thought he was miles offside, but looking at replays and stills, his speed is very deceptive and he wasn't that far off.

http://www.101greatgoals.com/wp-content/gallery/gimages/thumbs/thumbs_bi8ocyyceaau6rt.jpg

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It'll take a brave ref to brandish a red to a United player this season or give a Penalty against them (did I hear right that it is three years since that has happened in the league?) and unfortunately I think the only one who would, won't be given a big game any time soon (he has to be indoctrinated first).

Looking at other sports, where match officials are monitored, I am somewhat at a loss to understand how referees in the English Premiership who, from what I gather from both this forum and from other sources, can be regularly shown to show a most unusual amount of tolerance to offences committed by the players of Manchester United over a number of years, when the laws of the game that they are supposed to uphold are in contravention.

If everyone knows of this and one considers the amount of monies involved in English Premiership events, has anyone considered influences that may be exerted by the bookmaking fraternity from the South Asian region, who have been proved to have conspired to affect other professional sports in the past. Is it assumed that both the British police force or Interpol are in some way acting conspiratorially with regard to this matter by not opening criminal investigations and proceedings ?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....(did I hear right that it is three years since that has happened in the league?)....

I guess I must have heard wrong, been doing some stat finding and apparently they got three given against them in the league last season (and 11 given in their favour).

 

[JoeH]

Regarding Manchester United supposedly having more than their fair share of refereeing decisions in their favour, I seem to recall a newspaper, possibly the Guardian, publishing an analysis of refereeing decisions at the end of last season. They determined that Manchester United would actually have won the title rather than losing on goal difference if not for the numerous refereeing decisions that went against them.

In the 2009-10 season where Chelsea won by a single point over United there were controversial decisions in Chelsea's favour in both head to head games that might otherwise have given United an 11 point victory in the league.

If in other seasons Manchester United got most decisions in their favour it's unlikely to have changed the Champion as United have won by a good margin in most of those seasons. In the only two recent seasons where United have lost they have lost by a very small margin and in both cases decisions against them may well have cost them the title.

So despite what some posters here might think if not for refereeing decisions it's quite likely that Manchester United would now be celebrating their seventh consecutive title.

 

[steamybrian]

Little mention for..
One of my local teams are playing at Wembley this coming Saturday (4th May) in a cup final. ..

....Tunbridge Wells...

playing Spennymoor in the FA Vase Cup Final

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Regarding Manchester United supposedly having more than their fair share of refereeing decisions in their favour, I seem to recall a newspaper, possibly the Guardian, publishing an analysis of refereeing decisions at the end of last season. They determined that Manchester United would actually have won the title rather than losing on goal difference if not for the numerous refereeing decisions that went against them.

In the 2009-10 season where Chelsea won by a single point over United there were controversial decisions in Chelsea's favour in both head to head games that might otherwise have given United an 11 point victory in the league.

If in other seasons Manchester United got most decisions in their favour it's unlikely to have changed the Champion as United have won by a good margin in most of those seasons. In the only two recent seasons where United have lost they have lost by a very small margin and in both cases decisions against them may well have cost them the title.

So despite what some posters here might think if not for refereeing decisions it's quite likely that Manchester United would now be celebrating their seventh consecutive title.

It is really only a few types of decision that can be given the wrong way by a referee, they couldn't give a blatantly onside goal as offside or a blatantly offside goal as onside. Of course, what people consider 'close calls' will vary by person (take the Man Utd fans opinion on their three offside goals and Arsenal's one offside goal for example). The problem is that some of those decisions can have lasting effects.

I personally don't think it is a case of 'what if the refs got it all correct' because I think the correct call could be made from a biased point of view.

As an example, a 'home side' ref sees a challenge that, at first glance, could be called either way, he calls it in the home team's favour. TV replays later show he is correct to give it to the home side, but did he give it because it was the right call, or because he wanted the home team to have the decision?

Imagine the ref is completely neutral and he sees that challenge, he calls it 50/50 and plays on. The stats would later show this as the wrong call.

 

[richw]

As a Liverpool supporter with regards to the penalty count last season 11 to United and 3 to Opposition, how many times did United enter the penalty box compared to their opposition. I wonder how close the ratios actually are.
A team dominating will enter the penalty box many more times than their opposition, and without dispute Man Utd enter the penalty box considerably more often than the opposition

 

[SS4]

There's only one Benteke, one Benteke

Ramp up that goal difference!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Six?!

 

[Butts]

There's only one Benteke, one Benteke

Ramp up that goal difference!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Six?!

I bet you thought you were dreaming

When did you last score six ?

 

[SS4]

I bet you thought you were dreaming

When did you last score six ?

Can't remember

 

[Butts]

Can't remember

Just heard it was EIGHTEEN years ago

 

[JoeH]

A very good display from Villa.

Seems like Wigan will probably be the third team to go down now but they still have time to save themselves. Should make the last few weeks interesting.

 

[valenta]

A very good display from Villa.

Seems like Wigan will probably be the third team to go down now but they still have time to save themselves. Should make the last few weeks interesting.

Wigan have a game in hand against Swansea at home. Very worrying.

 

[Donny Dave]

Bloody hell! What happened to Villa tonight? hock:

I think now that Wigan will join Reading and QPR in the Championship next season. Yes, they have a game in hand. Away to an in form Arsenal and home to Villa will be very difficult matches for them.

 

[JoeH]

Wigan have to play Arsenal but so do Newcastle. Villa have to play Chelsea and Sunderland have to play Tottenham. Norwich who have an extra point over those teams have to play Man City.

If Wigan are able to gain points on Saturday and in their game in hand on Tuesday (away to West Brom, then home to Swansea) then it could lead to a very interesting conclusion to the season. Especially considering they play Villa on the final day of the season.

If they do badly in both those games then they could be all but relegated by next Tuesday.

By playing around with the BBC Predictor you can easily see how four, five or maybe six teams could take that last relegation spot without too much out of the ordinary happening.

 

[Donny Dave]

Anyway, moving onto League 2 matters now (), we finally know what is happening in the boardroom at Scunthorpe United.

Steve Wharton has retired as chairmain with immediate effect, with Dennis Hobson taking over as chairman in the short term. In August, Peter Swann (who is currently the chairman of Gainsborough Trinity), will step down and become the new chairman at Scunthorpe United.

Oh, Peter Swann has already come out and said Brian Laws will be the manager at Glanford Park next season, in the process killing rumours started by The Sun that he would be sacked and Danny Wilson getting the job in his place.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

There's only one Benteke, one Benteke

Ramp up that goal difference!

Six?!

Did you notice how very nice to Aston Villa we have all been tonight. No-one was there, full of malice, ready to "rain on your parade".

No-one querying how many goals were offside (in their minds).
No-one saying any red cards should have been given.
No-one being rude about your manager.

Doesn't it make a nice surprise to see nothing but congratulations...

 

[andrew bell]

I bet you thought you were dreaming

When did you last score six ?

Didn't Villa score 6 in the league cup in 2009/10 season in Semi Final against Blackburn? And also 8 (7 in 2nd half, 6 in last 20 mins) in 2005 against Wycombe (after being 3-1 behind at half time) or was that question just related to league games?

 

[Geezertronic]

There's only one Benteke, one Benteke

Ramp up that goal difference!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Six?!

You got lucky

 

[Oswyntail]

Some people obviously just can't help it
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22351486

Smoke bombs were let off and seats ripped up by rival fans during Monday night's Glasgow Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers under-17 teams.

The match, at Partick Thistle's Firhill Stadium, was delayed for safety reasons to allow smoke to clear from the pitch.

Police Scotland made three arrests at the game, which Rangers won 3-2.

A 19-year-old man for arrested outside the stadium over an alleged assault. Two 17-year-old men were arrested inside over alleged pitch incursions.

At an Under-17s game?! Really big stakes in that one - one can understand the violent passion:roll:

 

[SS4]

Did you notice how very nice to Aston Villa we have all been tonight. No-one was there, full of malice, ready to "rain on your parade".

No-one querying how many goals were offside (in their minds).

There were none.

No-one saying any red cards should have been given.

The one sending off may have been questionable but I've not seen it

No-one being rude about your manager.

Our manager doesn't throw his toys out of the pram when decisions do not go his own way.

Doesn't it make a nice surprise to see nothing but congratulations...

It does, three points have not been forthcoming very often. In a touch of irony your post is the one raining on the parade

 

[Oswyntail]

.... In a touch of irony your post is the one raining on the parade

I think you misunderstand. I suspect Paul was genuinely pleased that there were none of the petty hatreds apparently endemic to the discussion of football.

 

[SS4]

I think you misunderstand. I suspect Paul was genuinely pleased that there were none of the petty hatreds apparently endemic to the discussion of football.

That would make more sense. I shall leave my original post up as a sense of stupidity. My apologies Paul

 

[bb21]

Some people obviously just can't help it
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22351486
At an Under-17s game?! Really big stakes in that one - one can understand the violent passion:roll:

Any excuse my friend, any excuse.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I think you misunderstand. I suspect Paul was genuinely pleased that there were none of the petty hatreds apparently endemic to the discussion of football.

You read my posting in a most erudite manner and saw the points that I was trying to convey in the manner of bonhomie and genuine pleasure at a wonderful team effort by Aston Villa in such a critical match against another team in the relegation zone where points were needed by both teams.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That would make more sense. I shall leave my original post up as a sense of stupidity. My apologies Paul

Apology accepted and I hope the team spirit shown by Aston Villa can be repeated in all their remaining league matches this season.