posted Dec 5, 2007

Fergies quite right to be furious.Rob Styles and his compatriots Bennett,Riley and the guy who sent of Robbie Keane(can't remember his name) are totally incompetent!!!If these guys are watched week in week out it is obvious ,certainly to me,that they are not fit for purpose.And Riley is mentioned as a European ref..Do me a favour.I used to run an amateur team in Edinburgh and I wouldn't allow any of them to referee at that lowly grade.Kick them out!
Michael J Gilmartin

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Dec 5, 2007

Surely the important part of this story is not if Ronaldo dived or not, he's a professional footballer, and most would go down if they could get away with it. I do think it is highly unprofessinal and inappropriate for SAF (or any other football manager) to publically criticise referees. Football could do with taking a leaf out of Rugby's book. The referee is in charge and should be at all times be treated with respect. What he decides is what has to be played to. Referees should not be crowded, bullied or harassed. Of course they get things wrong, but in the heat of the moment I am amazed how much they get right.
There is no excuse for moaning about such petty things - especially when 2-0 up - when even the replays are inconclusive. SAF (plus a lot of others) should GROW UP and SHUT UP. I'm glad he doesn't talk to the BBC any more.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Dec 5, 2007

ronaldo could have got his fiorst hat trick if the goalkeeper didnt foul him, and he wants to keep scoring. so why would he "dive" when he can score another goal? the referee was shite and was a joke.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Dec 5, 2007

Im afraid the diving incident is due to previous actions. CR was brought down very easily during his first season at United but things have changed and the Ref's need to realise this, instead of victimising him all the time.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Dec 6, 2007

swiss jim suck an egg SAF gets paid to look out for his team. so when he see they been lable wrong he will bit your head off if he has too and I look for no less : believe it or not but quit a few reff don't like Man United ....... but you know what we don't care...... keep it SAF we love you and don't forget
egg sucker when we win the cup give me a POB and will send u a dozen to suck on

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Dec 6, 2007

Can't believe Man U fans are still twisting about that cheat Ronaldo diving. Get over it.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Dec 6, 2007

Although Ronaldo comes by it honestly (Portugal players ALL seem to flop) - that call looked to be off. The play acting does catch up. I did notice though, all season, that Ronaldo loves to shoot, even when a team-mate is in a better positon, but when he passes, he has a high percentage of 'flubs' versus a good pass. Could it be that he doesn't want anyoned else to be the star?
That's how I see it

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Dec 6, 2007

omg your still discussing this match!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Dec 6, 2007

comment by GordonDelicious
posted Yesterday

So what you're saying is that Ronaldo was NOT in possession of the ball after all then, after knocking it sideways? Most people on here seem to think that he did! Hmm, curious that. Just adds weight to what I said about running 20 feet out of your way to collide with someone. Obviously he WENT for the penalty. And not everyone was so easy to con.

So are you therefore going to argue that Niemi couldn't change direction after falling to one side?

I still think we should find out from Mr Styles what he saw and why he gave a yellow card.

And to your other question, yes indeed, I played football at semi-professional level for over 17 years, and managed to play in the 2nd round of the FA Cup in the early '90's. So please don't patronise.

--------------------------

So, if you've played football... have you ever reached a ball, running at FULL speed, right before the goalkeeper and either tried to turn or managed to jump over him AND land? Methinks not!

He didn't playe the ball 'sideways' and he didn't run out of his way. He got to the ball a second ahead of Niemi, and barely had time to plant one foot on the floor before he had to hurdle him. And people are saying he should have gone around him? He would have had to turn at a 90 degree angle, going at full speed.... ludicrous! The only way he could have gone is the way he was already going. And the ball was played roughly towards the goal and just past Niemi, nowhere near sideways. If you want to put an angle on it, then it was probably about 20 to 30 degrees to the left. Sideways would be 90.

Yes, the ball was a few yards away from him. But had Niemi not come sliding out and forced him to have to go down, he would have had the opportunity to get to it first. The ball is also a few yards away from lots of players, on lots of occasions when they have passed it and then a player comes in with a late challenge. It is STILL a foul. This is basic!

Should I say Niemi couldn't change direction? I have no idea what you're meaning here... but once he's sliding out, no he couldn't do anything because he was committed. If goalkeepers COULD change the direction they're going in, then they would never get rounded!

I think we know why Styles gave him a yellow card, I don't see what this adds to anything? Lots of us (including the commentators and analysts I've heard) think he was wrong with the decision he made.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Dec 10, 2007

Lads this is the effective home of the Matchday Threads, where new features, chance for suggestions and archive are posted:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A30028222

add comment | complain about this comment