Just seen the Tottenham penalty that was given and the Leicester one that wasn't. They serve to heighten my disillusionment of the penalty area officiating at the top table of English football (FAC I know, but still two PL teams).
The first decision was harsh. Watching the replay, I'm not sure that Moore caught him, rather that a theatrical 'collapse', not a dive to the floor conned the ref into what was a very iffy decision. But he gave it, so that should have set the tone.
Then there was the one for us that wasn't given. In isolation it too might have been harsh, but following the first decision it was nailed on. The keepers attempt to win the ball was over the top, at pace and out of control. Anywhere else on the pitch and it would have been a straight red, whether he caught the man or not, so just because he's the keeper why does he get the benefit of the doubt?
I've kept quiet on this topic all season, even after the Liverpool debacle, but it's starting to get to the point where I totally despair. Our admittedly soft penalties against Man U clearly upset someone at the FA to the point that we've been cursed.
Penalties!!!
posted on 24/1/15
Referees ave always been "homers".
posted on 24/1/15
I have to admit that I've just looked at several replays of both incidents in the BBC highlight package and have found it difficult to draw a conclusion - so I can see why the ref would have difficulty. However, my conclusion is this: Both defenders look a bit clumsy, but both pull out of the challenge at the last moment. So both attackers are half-simulating, in that it looks for certain that they're about to get cropped so they jump a bit to make sure their feet aren't planted, so as to avoid a potential injury. I'm not sure that either is a dive as such, although Soldado certainly makes the most of it. Having said that, there is slightly more of an obstruction argument in the Tottenham penalty; however, both should have been waved away and played on, so for me Tottenham got more than they deserved in both decisions, but I do think they were both difficult decisions to make.
And regarding the two Man U penalties, only the first could be considered dodgy - the second one was a stonewaller by an inexperienced centre back. But given the sheer fuss made about it at the time, you do wonder.
posted on 24/1/15
Who would be a Ref the quality of footballers these days would bypass RADA and stright in for a Oscar nomination. Blame the players and managers not the Ref's
posted on 25/1/15
The verdict, as far as this quarter is concerned anyway, is:
1.(Soldado)-Doubtful
2. (Kramaric)-Penalty. Vrom took his ankle or leg out.
posted on 25/1/15
Nev your constant defence of refs is admirable,but sadly misplaced.As Keith Hackett said, half the prem refs are not good enough.Far too many matches are in my opinion decided by the officials.
Yesterday i think both decisions were penalties. But the worrying issue is that for ours the ref was 40 yards away and gave it as a dive.That is not acceptable.
It clearly wasnt a dive , and highlights the ludicrous situation when yellow cards cant be rescinded.
We all know that diving goes on ,and always will,however this does not take away the fact that refs get far too many decisions wrong, and at times give what they want to see rather than what actually happened
The biggest problem in the game today is not cheating players, but incompetant officials who seem to get away with unacceptable performances.
Madeley yesterday was.dreadful, yet he will still get a big salary and carry on.
posted on 25/1/15
Let's face it, most of the time the bigger team get's the decisions and that worked out reasonably for us in the Championship, but this year pft