Archive for the ‘Referees’ Category

Pooling Power

Posted: February 1, 2012 by thebhoymcclay in Football, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Referees, Uncategorized
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suarez

"Is it this way to the goal?"

Andy Carroll was a man in form and in demand last year – a goal every other game for Newcastle United, an England cap which alluded to a rising stock for the long-haired front man.

Now the much maligned young striker has failed to live up to the hype which surrounded his £35million move last January – A fee which Carroll immediately attempted to distance himself from, deep down knowing that the Anfield club had bowed down to Newcastle’s overzealous estimation of the player following his striking feats in the black and white.  I was of the belief that if Suarez and Carroll had a successful run in pre-season and both stayed injury-free, this could be a very rewarding partnership for Liverpool and a masterstroke from manager, Kenny Dalglish. The tall target man, initiating the knock downs for the wily and tenacious forward in the Uruguayan – a match made in footballing heaven on paper. In reality, it’s started off with nothing more than a whimper.

Luis Suarez @luis16suarez

Great win for keep gaining points! Last match that I can not play with my colleagues! A hug and thanks for all the support!

The partnership was already without a reasonable period of togetherness this season following derailment due to injuries and meandering form, prior to Suarez’s eight game sabbatical when found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United star, Patrice Evra during October’s Premier League clash at Anfield. Given the haste in which the Uruguayan was convicted, it seems the FA have pandered to their own Euro ambitions and desires by allowing John Terry the chance to captain the national team this summer – the evidence, witnesses in tow would seem more clear-cut than the aforementioned “altercation”.

Step forward the evergreen former Celtic forward Craig Bellamy, now in his second stint with Liverpool, to attempt and recapture some semblance of a strike force in the number sevens’ absence. Where the Anfield side would be without the Welsh hitman in his current purple patch is hard to say – but perhaps not sitting fifth in the league or still in the hunt for two trophies might be a starting point. He is also just one goal away from his total return at Anfield during his first tenure in the 2006-2007 season. When Bellamy is not in trouble with officials or on the treatment table, he is a veritable joy to behold – he can turn defences inside out and score a variety and abundance of goals. He probably scored one of the finest hat-tricks in modern-day history at Tannadice when in the hooped shirt of the Bhoys.  He is also not a penalty box striker – which could help propel his recent efforts to a whole new dimension when Suarez returns at Spurs next Monday evening.

One of the few times this season when all three were on the pitch, was at Goodison Park back in October – with Carroll and Suarez both on target late on following Bellamy’s introduction with twenty minutes remaining.

Their first league win of 2012 against Wolverhampton and a long-awaited goal from Andy Carroll completed a resurgence in form for Dalglish’s men after dumping the two sides of Manchester out of the League and FA Cup in the same week. But just prior to that, a three one defeat at lowly Bolton Wanderers had seemed to question King Kenny and his managerial capabilities. They have a League Cup final and the chance for silverware against Championship side Cardiff City to look forward to, along with the return of their captain and talisman, Steven Gerrard to full fitness, Suarez champing at the bit and a newly confident Andy Carroll – when your best players are all on form, it is nigh on impossible to drop them to the bench.

Liverpool have been reverting to a 4-3-3 formation and I believe for the club to build on their recent good form, a three-pronged assault with Bellamy and Suarez supplying Andy Carroll has all the ingredients for success. Part of the Geordie strikers repertoire is also laying on goals, and his flick on’s in previous matches for Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy have showcased this ability perfectly. The Reds, currently just outside the Champions League places, are on their day a tougher, and more consistent prospect than both Chelsea and Newcastle who sit above them currently. Also now installed as rightful favourites for the FA Cup, you wouldn’t back against a  domestic double trophy haul for King Kenny and his Merry Men.

Top Goal Scorers

  1. Bellamy
    9
  2. Suarez
    8
  3. Carroll
    5

City Show Staying Power

Posted: January 23, 2012 by thebhoymcclay in Football, Manchester City, Referees, Uncategorized
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Mario Balotelli again had the final say in a second half fuelled with controversy and goals as he extended his sides winning home record in the Premier League to eleven. He calmly slotted home an injury time penalty after a desperate Ledley King challenge - many onlookers, including Harry Redknapp, felt the Italian should never have been on the pitch to convert the spot kick. Just five minutes earlier following a determined block from Scott Parker on a Balotelli goal-bound strike, the Italian spiraling to find his feet after the ricochet had apparently “stamped” on the England midfielder. At the time, and after several replays I still find it inconsistent at best, but the FA have seen fit to charge him following a video review.

Talk of video replays and a retrospective ban for the player overshadowed the main headline – Manchester City, now 2/5 for the title, won again in the League to cement their rightful position at the peak of England’s top flight. Tottenham, who arguably created the better openings in the second period and could have won it with Jermaine Defoe going despairingly close near the end, did themselves no disservice and will surely take points from the majority of sides in the top half between now and May.  Spurs have a creative and dynamic midfield, and with fast-flowing attacking potency at Redknapp’s behest, along with their ever-improving backline,  you can be sure their title credentials will be respected in the remaining fixtures.

With the armory at both side’s disposal you would have envisaged a busy opening for both goalkeepers, but the first half was more like a chess match with both teams cautious and only probing gently to test the mettle of either defence.  Half chances fell for Aguero and Defoe but neither were troubling of Friedel or Hart respectively. As Howard Webb sounded his whistle for the break many were wondering, as per the two previous encounters, would a solitary goal to nil decide this cagey affair.

A great through ball from the mercurial David Silva, a player who has shown consistently magical close control and vision which is normally only praise reserved for a certain Lionel Messi, and a lightning strike from Samir Nasri put City ahead on fifty-six – and the flames ignited. With barely time to regroup, the home side doubled their advantage from a corner, a nick on from by Dzeko and Joleon Lescott bundled home. Panto villan, Stefan Savic’s backheader was appallingly short only moments later and Defoe rounded Joe Hart, and finished with aplomb. Another exquisite whipped finish from the left boot of Gareth Bale from the edge of the box two minutes later, now had the away side with the advantage - only ten minutes previously they had looked down and out. The pendulum swung back & forth before the last-gasp finale which capped off a truly mesmeric second half – Roberto Mancini’s side where able to show their staying power for the title race – following some below par performances the previous week – while the White Hart Lane team won’t be far behind.

The Dying Art

Posted: January 9, 2012 by thebhoymcclay in Celtic Football Club, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Referees, Travel, Uncategorized
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The majority of the football community were united yesterday afternoon in condemning the unjust red card which was brandished at Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany early in their third round FA Cup tie against their bitter rivals. The City defender cleanly took the ball with one boot in a committed challenge with the momentum of the tackle trailing his left leg in a similar motion. As Andy Townsend correctly noted shortly after on commentary, a players challenge cannot always be perfectly executed and the sole, or studs of the boot, are sometimes the first contact with player or ball.

The fact Nani yesterday did not react or shriek in horror at the Belgian’s force surely also tells a story – only the pressure and antics of Wayne Rooney seemed to bring the incident to the attention of the man in black.  The Portuguese star has been known to go down rather easily in the past with little or no contact and the honest  manner in which he reacted was a shock to many.

A two-footed challenge by the “letter of the law”, is deemed a punishable and illegal offence in the officials book – but how grossly it is viewed and how much excessive force is used in the tackle determines the outcome of the decision. Kompany was full-blooded and determined – but only to win the ball, & at no time did he make malicious contact or have any intent to injure the Manchester United player. A number of pundits, ex-pro’s and managers were lining up recently to condemn referee’s for being to card happy and insisting the art of tackling was dying – Mick McCarthy noted that,  ”The fabric of our game is based on tackles. That’s why people come and watch because it’s exciting. It’s part of our game. If they take that out, it’s gone”. Despite a spirited second half display, the decision was made and City were down to ten after only twelve minutes – gone with it was their chance of FA Cup glory.

After witnessing several “hefty” challenges in Celtic’s cup clash at Peterhead yesterday afternoon which did carry intent, you have to wonder which wavelength some referee’s are on when brandishing cards out – in some instances yesterday, a yellow card was not even produced with Anthony Stokes having to watch & protect his own back.  All we really need is some common sense from the official’s and for them not to react to players brandishing imaginary cards in their faces or the partisan nature of the crowd – with so much pressure though, some mistakes will be made.  In what ways can the strain or demands on officials be lessened?

Henry Winter of the Telegraph this morning made a call for the sin bin method adopted in Rugby to be adapted for the game – obviously not everyone yellow-carded can be sent to the bench for ten minutes, but a possible reflection time for incidents when a referee feels the punishment is not quite worthy of a sending-off but deems it more serious than an initial caution, could be an option. A possible video replay of the incident during this  period could give a decision on the punishment straight away not just for the remainder of the game in hand – but for any future penalty and which could eventually render the current appeals process null & void. Certainly, some moves have to be made before we enter a no contact zone.