Tuned in to the England game this evening, as Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka were due to play.
I have to admit, England friendly matches can be somewhat boring - but tonight's game with Ghana was terrific - both sides having a go and plenty of meaty challenges as well.
Everton content: Jagielka clearly drew number 13 in the raffle on the team bus. First half, out of position at left centre back to accommodate Cahill, who can only play on the right. Second half, at right full back to accommodate Lescott. Okay - bit of a surprise here - Jags did not have a good night here.
As for Leighton Baines, first half was excellent going forward but second half the Ghana coach paid him the compliment of having him virtually man-marked when going forward.
Ashley Young had a productive match in midfield, showing guile and skill, although Wilshere produced little of value. Barry was combative and organised in a holding role, and Johnson had a decent half before being subbed.
I thought Ghana were worth a draw, and Leighton Baines was very good indeed.
And - here's a thing: an England side without Terry, Cole and Ferdinand [two serial shaggers and a drug test dude] played really well and entertained over 80,000 fans.
Over to you, Fabio.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Courtesy of John Cleese [apparently]
ALERTS TO DOMESTIC THREATS IN 2011 EUROPE : (BY JOHN CLEESE)
The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.
The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.
Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."
The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose."
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels .
The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.
Australia , meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be alright, Mate." Two more escalation levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is canceled." So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.
-- John Cleese - British writer, actor and tall person
The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.
The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.
Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."
The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose."
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels .
The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.
Australia , meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be alright, Mate." Two more escalation levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is canceled." So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.
-- John Cleese - British writer, actor and tall person
Friday, 18 March 2011
Things not to do
One: when you cease to have any use for the outer casing [about three feet tall and a foot square] of an old kitchen pedal bin, do not leave it outside in the garden, on the patio area, in the Autumn.
Two: do not on any account place in said pedal bin casing the remains of the canopy of a gazebo destroyed by a particularly windy day in October.
Three: do not leave said gazebo cover in said bin casing for the whole winter, so it fills up with water.
Because there will be a day of reckoning. A day when you have to get all of the water out of the casing, then transfer the dripping wet gazebo cover into the wheely bin, and then finally take said pedal bin casing to the tip - where it should have gone last year.
That day of reckoning, alas, is tomorrow.
Two: do not on any account place in said pedal bin casing the remains of the canopy of a gazebo destroyed by a particularly windy day in October.
Three: do not leave said gazebo cover in said bin casing for the whole winter, so it fills up with water.
Because there will be a day of reckoning. A day when you have to get all of the water out of the casing, then transfer the dripping wet gazebo cover into the wheely bin, and then finally take said pedal bin casing to the tip - where it should have gone last year.
That day of reckoning, alas, is tomorrow.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Tonight's News
Football -Balotelli - what an utter plonker. Appalling tackle, deserved red card. Looking at the subs City brought on, it shows the strength in depth that their money has secured. In the end, money talks, and although they went out of Europe tonight, they will be a major force in English football for the next few years.
Personal - Phil Pellow [aged 62 and three quarters] has obtained Open University Qualification in Creative Web Design, to go with his City & Guilds level 2.
Hurrah!
Another glass of Rioja, I think.............
Personal - Phil Pellow [aged 62 and three quarters] has obtained Open University Qualification in Creative Web Design, to go with his City & Guilds level 2.
Hurrah!
Another glass of Rioja, I think.............
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
I know it's worth pot loads of money, but............
Isn't the Champions League a load of KACK?
Boring boring boring.
Of course, if Everton were in it, different ball game.
Boring boring boring.
Of course, if Everton were in it, different ball game.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
A visitor
Beneath the holly tree and the apple tree at the bottom of the garden we have a whole bunch of rotting logs. We put them there to encourage creepy crawlies, which are good food for a number of garden birds, and they've been there for about six years now.
Early this morning, at dawn, I was in the kitchen making a cup of tea for Barbara, and saw a wren alight into the garden and poke around among the logs looking for grubs. Sheer bliss - they are such reclusive birds and what a pleasure to see one.
Taking the cup of tea, the arthritis in my left thumb gave me a sharp reminder, the cup went tits up and the tea was spilled over the kitchen floor. Twenty minutes to clean it all up.
Welcome to my world.
Early this morning, at dawn, I was in the kitchen making a cup of tea for Barbara, and saw a wren alight into the garden and poke around among the logs looking for grubs. Sheer bliss - they are such reclusive birds and what a pleasure to see one.
Taking the cup of tea, the arthritis in my left thumb gave me a sharp reminder, the cup went tits up and the tea was spilled over the kitchen floor. Twenty minutes to clean it all up.
Welcome to my world.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Spingtime
I think it's fair to say that spring has arrived -over the weekend, we spent some time in the garden clearing away the rubbish from winter. Leaves from last autumn, now morphed into dark purple mush by [1] the dreadful snow of December, [2] the garden flood of Christmas/New Year caused by a pipe becoming disconnected in the outside bog while we were away in the far east, which left the whole back garden under 4 inches of water and [c] my general indolence. Also, the Barby which hasn't moved [or been cleaned] since last used late in September. Plus, removing all of the shrubs and plants murdered by the winter weather.
Still, the garden is now "tidy".
Plus, the garden birds are now arriving at the feeding station on the apple tree. A pair of blackbirds are nest building in the monster Ivy/Holly leaf mass, and a pair of tree creepers have set up home behind the ivy. Which is nice. There are some blue tits, great tits, thrushes, sparrows and starlings around and it's nice watching them all grabbing a feed and gassing to eachother in the trees.
Managed a direct hit on the tabby cat from three houses up on Sunday morning [twatted him with an ash tray] so hopefully he will not be re-visiting soon.
Finally, we have cleared the water fountain of dead leaves and rancid water and got it going again with clear, fresh water for the birds to have a nice bath.
Phil Pellow, News at Ten, Crosby.
Still, the garden is now "tidy".
Plus, the garden birds are now arriving at the feeding station on the apple tree. A pair of blackbirds are nest building in the monster Ivy/Holly leaf mass, and a pair of tree creepers have set up home behind the ivy. Which is nice. There are some blue tits, great tits, thrushes, sparrows and starlings around and it's nice watching them all grabbing a feed and gassing to eachother in the trees.
Managed a direct hit on the tabby cat from three houses up on Sunday morning [twatted him with an ash tray] so hopefully he will not be re-visiting soon.
Finally, we have cleared the water fountain of dead leaves and rancid water and got it going again with clear, fresh water for the birds to have a nice bath.
Phil Pellow, News at Ten, Crosby.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Poetry corner 3
From Satis? Fanzine, 1999:
The ghosts look down in sadness
As we drift from higher plains
They must recall their own careers
Where pride always remains
The tackles, passes, movement, goals
The roaring of the crowds
The sun, the rain, the wind and snow
Flat caps, and smoke in clouds
Gleaming trophies lifted high
oh-six, and thirty-three
Jimmy Dunne and Alec Troupe
Joe Mercer, Stein.........Dixie
Sleeves rolled up. passions high
when the going became tough
Giants who believed
Only the Best is Good Enough
And now we pray to lesser gods
with flash cars, agents, designer gear
Whose passion is for sound accounts
with cash to spare, no fear
They sit us down, they calm us down
they price the workers out
They sell us forty five quid tops
And dip their greedy snouts
And where is all the passion gone?
The love, the care? How come
They cannot understand it?
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
The ghosts look down in sadness
As we drift from higher plains
They must recall their own careers
Where pride always remains
The tackles, passes, movement, goals
The roaring of the crowds
The sun, the rain, the wind and snow
Flat caps, and smoke in clouds
Gleaming trophies lifted high
oh-six, and thirty-three
Jimmy Dunne and Alec Troupe
Joe Mercer, Stein.........Dixie
Sleeves rolled up. passions high
when the going became tough
Giants who believed
Only the Best is Good Enough
And now we pray to lesser gods
with flash cars, agents, designer gear
Whose passion is for sound accounts
with cash to spare, no fear
They sit us down, they calm us down
they price the workers out
They sell us forty five quid tops
And dip their greedy snouts
And where is all the passion gone?
The love, the care? How come
They cannot understand it?
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
Bodily harm - A Warning
What starts as a passionate cuddle can develop into serious damage to the body - if your wife has [a] significant fingernails, and [b] little control.
Blood will flow.
you have been warned.
Blood will flow.
you have been warned.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
What a load of tosh!
Just trundled upstairs to the home office after consuming a few cold ones watching Braga - Liverpool in the Europa.
Gawd, it was dreadful.
Lump it to Andy - the new Anfield mantra - was the order of the day for the last half hour after Carroll entered the fray. Unfortunately, he is a way short of match fitness and [hard as he tried] he made little difference apart from changing the tactics of the team.
Thought Joe Cole looked a sad shot pony this evening, and mystified as to why Mereiles was exiled to the right wing for the latter part of the game.
Mystifying tactics, no organisation or cohesion, the Reds were very poor.
Suspect that 40,000 screaming scousers [well, some of them will be scousers, anyway] can help Liverpool through in the second leg, but as the competition develops and the opposition becomes more taxing, Liverpool will have to work out how to score some away goals if they wish to progress much further.
Gawd, it was dreadful.
Lump it to Andy - the new Anfield mantra - was the order of the day for the last half hour after Carroll entered the fray. Unfortunately, he is a way short of match fitness and [hard as he tried] he made little difference apart from changing the tactics of the team.
Thought Joe Cole looked a sad shot pony this evening, and mystified as to why Mereiles was exiled to the right wing for the latter part of the game.
Mystifying tactics, no organisation or cohesion, the Reds were very poor.
Suspect that 40,000 screaming scousers [well, some of them will be scousers, anyway] can help Liverpool through in the second leg, but as the competition develops and the opposition becomes more taxing, Liverpool will have to work out how to score some away goals if they wish to progress much further.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Poetry Corner 2
An Ode to Goodison Park, written in May 2000.
She stands alone, aloft and proud
Amidst a sea of dross
Never moving, ever true to all who come inside
A place of love and worship, a place where lovers bide.
Her stands are strong, like towers
Above the terraced lines.
She ushers in her children, she drives their parents mad.
She welcomed my grandfather when he was but a lad.
Sam Chedzoy, Young the first,
Dixie, Mercer, Jones.
All had pause to look around in awe when first they came.
And later, in my childhood, too, others sought their fame.
Royston swerved, Alex soared,
And Gordon, caked in mud.
A hundred thousand woodies, a half a million teas.
The smoke would billow round her roofs. The roars, the groans, the pleas.
And now her paint is faded
She shudders in the cold.
They say it's time to leave her be, to try another field.
She's past her best, she's lost her looks. It's time for her to yield.
So build your concrete monster.
Build your village theme.
Pull the lady down, you fools, and make another start.
Take away the history, pull the lady down. Go on, then, break my heart.
You'll never build another,
When Goodison goes down.
You'll never, ever, recreate that lovely lady's soul,
Which lies upon the terrace, when many years ago
My father, just a boy of twelve, saw Dixie score THAT goal.
I've been to all the others
Those soulless, heartless holes.
Edifices made of sand, cement and no-one's love.
Surrounded by the open fields; roomy and forlorn.
No corner shop. No Chippy. No pub and no queues.
No push and shove.
A hundred years of history
A million billion dreams.
She holds them all within her arms, and that's where they will stay.
If you remove the lady, the dreams will fade away.
Little Bobby Collins, Labby - calm and in command;
Davie Hickson, locks akimbo, charging at the Street.
Pull her down.
Go on, then.
For hope, defeat.
She stands alone, aloft and proud
Amidst a sea of dross
Never moving, ever true to all who come inside
A place of love and worship, a place where lovers bide.
Her stands are strong, like towers
Above the terraced lines.
She ushers in her children, she drives their parents mad.
She welcomed my grandfather when he was but a lad.
Sam Chedzoy, Young the first,
Dixie, Mercer, Jones.
All had pause to look around in awe when first they came.
And later, in my childhood, too, others sought their fame.
Royston swerved, Alex soared,
And Gordon, caked in mud.
A hundred thousand woodies, a half a million teas.
The smoke would billow round her roofs. The roars, the groans, the pleas.
And now her paint is faded
She shudders in the cold.
They say it's time to leave her be, to try another field.
She's past her best, she's lost her looks. It's time for her to yield.
So build your concrete monster.
Build your village theme.
Pull the lady down, you fools, and make another start.
Take away the history, pull the lady down. Go on, then, break my heart.
You'll never build another,
When Goodison goes down.
You'll never, ever, recreate that lovely lady's soul,
Which lies upon the terrace, when many years ago
My father, just a boy of twelve, saw Dixie score THAT goal.
I've been to all the others
Those soulless, heartless holes.
Edifices made of sand, cement and no-one's love.
Surrounded by the open fields; roomy and forlorn.
No corner shop. No Chippy. No pub and no queues.
No push and shove.
A hundred years of history
A million billion dreams.
She holds them all within her arms, and that's where they will stay.
If you remove the lady, the dreams will fade away.
Little Bobby Collins, Labby - calm and in command;
Davie Hickson, locks akimbo, charging at the Street.
Pull her down.
Go on, then.
For hope, defeat.
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Consistency - and Good Management
One of the measures of a Team is how well they respond to adversity, and whether their manager can pick them up after a defeat and get them on the right track straight away. I was intrigued to note that Manchester United suffered a second consecutive league defeat at Anfield this weekend and wondered which Clubs have gone the longest since losing two League games in a row.
Here ya go:
Everton 52
Arsenal 21
Fulham 20
Manchester City 19
Tottenham Hotspur 18
Chelsea 13
Newcastle United 10
Aston Villa 10
Liverpool 8
West Bromwich Albion 8
West Ham United 6
Bolton Wanderers 5
Wolverhampton Wanderers 5
Blackpool 3
Stoke City 2
Sunderland 1
Manchester United 0
Blackburn Rovers 0
Birmingham City 0
Wigan Athletic 0
Not that I'm biased, of course. Perish the very thought.
Just thought I'd mention it, though.
Here ya go:
Everton 52
Arsenal 21
Fulham 20
Manchester City 19
Tottenham Hotspur 18
Chelsea 13
Newcastle United 10
Aston Villa 10
Liverpool 8
West Bromwich Albion 8
West Ham United 6
Bolton Wanderers 5
Wolverhampton Wanderers 5
Blackpool 3
Stoke City 2
Sunderland 1
Manchester United 0
Blackburn Rovers 0
Birmingham City 0
Wigan Athletic 0
Not that I'm biased, of course. Perish the very thought.
Just thought I'd mention it, though.
That is better.....
Very pleased to see that David Moyes switched Michel Arteta out wide at Newcastle - and the impact was sensational. Give the guy a little room and he will cut opposition defences to ribbons.
The centre of Midfield in the Premier League these days is virtually always crowded and cluttered: you win matches by getting the ball wide, and having talented players who can exploit width.
Simple.
Memo to David - keep him out wide please! With Phil Neville looking to have pulled a hamstring, Johnny Heitinga can slot into centre midfield and perform the same role, leaving Arteta and Osman wide.
The games are coming hard and fast at Birmingham City these days, with three in 8 days following a draining Wembley final. I expect an Everton win on Wednesday.
Memo to Leon Osman - very silly haircut. Let it grow properly like a grown up and stop this sillyness.
Memo to Marouine Fellaini - hope the operation goes well tomorrow and see you next season. And tell your dad to put a sock in it. ["Tais-toi, cher papa"]
The centre of Midfield in the Premier League these days is virtually always crowded and cluttered: you win matches by getting the ball wide, and having talented players who can exploit width.
Simple.
Memo to David - keep him out wide please! With Phil Neville looking to have pulled a hamstring, Johnny Heitinga can slot into centre midfield and perform the same role, leaving Arteta and Osman wide.
The games are coming hard and fast at Birmingham City these days, with three in 8 days following a draining Wembley final. I expect an Everton win on Wednesday.
Memo to Leon Osman - very silly haircut. Let it grow properly like a grown up and stop this sillyness.
Memo to Marouine Fellaini - hope the operation goes well tomorrow and see you next season. And tell your dad to put a sock in it. ["Tais-toi, cher papa"]
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Poetry Corner 1
I am your latest signing,
You won't believe the fee.
My Agent's in the corner.
He looks after me.
I'll give you fourteen Matches,
And then my groin I'll strain.
I'll bugger off on holiday,
And not be seen again.
I am your latest signing,
You won't believe the fee.
My Agent's in the corner.
He looks after me.
I'll tell the press you hate me,
I'll carp and I'll complain.
I'll tell my lovely agent
It's Italy or Spain.
I am your latest signing,
You won't believe the fee.
My Agent's in the corner.
He looks after me.
I am your latest nightmare
You won't receive a fee,
And still you'll pay a million pounds
to see the back of me.
I am ANOTHER signing
You won't believe the fee.
My agent's in the corner.
He looks after me.
It's just a case of Deja Vu
You all know the score.
Get rid of one plonker,
then go and sign one more.
You won't believe the fee.
My Agent's in the corner.
He looks after me.
I'll give you fourteen Matches,
And then my groin I'll strain.
I'll bugger off on holiday,
And not be seen again.
I am your latest signing,
You won't believe the fee.
My Agent's in the corner.
He looks after me.
I'll tell the press you hate me,
I'll carp and I'll complain.
I'll tell my lovely agent
It's Italy or Spain.
I am your latest signing,
You won't believe the fee.
My Agent's in the corner.
He looks after me.
I am your latest nightmare
You won't receive a fee,
And still you'll pay a million pounds
to see the back of me.
I am ANOTHER signing
You won't believe the fee.
My agent's in the corner.
He looks after me.
It's just a case of Deja Vu
You all know the score.
Get rid of one plonker,
then go and sign one more.
Technology
I see that FIFA & UEFA are meeting this weekend to discuss the introduction of some measure of goal line technology into the game.
About time too, if it happens.
Here is an article I wrote in my fanzine [Satis?] in the summer of 1998.
Technology – Satis? Summer edition 1998
When Sky TV got their teeth into football, they made an early decision which was to change the way British TV treated the game for ever. Sky put in multiple camera angles, and added state of the art technology to assist the commentators and pundits in their analysis of the action.
The simple old action replay was just not enough; now we were to get five different views of each critical moment, computer tracking analysis, total overkill. And what happened?
Something any football fan could have told you - the deficiencies of our referees were exposed time after time, with sometimes crucial decisions shown to be totally wrong, and important games shown to be decided by the incompetence of the officials, instead of the skill of the players.
And, of course, the debate about the use of technology and the fourth official began to grow.
The initial response of the football insiders was predictable. “We should leave the game alone, the decisions even themselves out over the full season, referees do a great job in very difficult circumstances..blah blah blah” The usual litany on Match of the Day from the Hills and the Hansens.
Utter drivel.
Decisions cannot “even themselves out” over the season. Just imagine that in one game, the referee wrongly disallows a goal, but the team in question are leading 3-0 with only a few minutes to go. Tough deal, but so what? In another game, a Cup semi-final, the referee wrongly disallows a winning goal in the last few minutes, and the team in question lose the replay. No way can you compare these two decisions. In the latter case, the club could lose millions, the fans are heartbroken.
The FA must act now to introduce the use of technology and help make the game fairer. A fourth official, linked to the referee by radio, is seated with a bank of TV monitors and a technician, and can give an alternate opinion on crucial moments in the game.
When should the fourth official be used?
Satis? offers the following blueprint.
The fourth official can only be used in the following circumstances:
1 If there is a “tight” offside decision, the referee should wave “play on”. If the result is a goal, then the referee will call for a replay to check whether it was offside or not. If the result is a goal kick, corner, throw in etc, then the referee takes no further action. Play continues.
2 If there is a penalty appeal, but the officials are unsure or unsighted, then play continues until the ball goes dead. The referee calls for the fourth official to adjudicate on the penalty. If his decision is that it was a penalty, then play is taken back and the penalty kick awarded. If not, play continues.
3 If there is a claim that a goal has been scored, but the officials are unsure or unsighted, then play should continue until the ball goes dead, by which time the fourth official will have decided whether it was a goal or not. If no goal, then play just continues.
In each of these cases, only a major decision is affected - a goal or a penalty. And by the time the ball has gone dead, the fourth official may already have reached a decision, so there should not be much in the way of time delays. Moreover, the above situations don’t often happen during a match, so the total amount of time taken by the use of the technology would amount to no more than a few minutes per game.
If you take the time we spend in going to and from the match, plus the time in the stadium, and mayhap the odd glass with friends before and after, what difference would a few minutes make?
Not a lot.
After the games, the FA can look critically at specific incidents involving player discipline, and get the right answer every time. Suspensions can be retrospectively applied if necessary, to cut down the
cheats.
More importantly, football would get the result right more than it does now. Fans would not leave the stadium fuming about dreadful decisions which have slaughtered their teams’ season, and would be far more inclined to accept the result, in the knowledge that everything possible was done to help get the right result.
And no more Clive Thomas, David Elleray etc to play the film star at our expense.
Isn’t that what everyone wants?
About time too, if it happens.
Here is an article I wrote in my fanzine [Satis?] in the summer of 1998.
Technology – Satis? Summer edition 1998
When Sky TV got their teeth into football, they made an early decision which was to change the way British TV treated the game for ever. Sky put in multiple camera angles, and added state of the art technology to assist the commentators and pundits in their analysis of the action.
The simple old action replay was just not enough; now we were to get five different views of each critical moment, computer tracking analysis, total overkill. And what happened?
Something any football fan could have told you - the deficiencies of our referees were exposed time after time, with sometimes crucial decisions shown to be totally wrong, and important games shown to be decided by the incompetence of the officials, instead of the skill of the players.
And, of course, the debate about the use of technology and the fourth official began to grow.
The initial response of the football insiders was predictable. “We should leave the game alone, the decisions even themselves out over the full season, referees do a great job in very difficult circumstances..blah blah blah” The usual litany on Match of the Day from the Hills and the Hansens.
Utter drivel.
Decisions cannot “even themselves out” over the season. Just imagine that in one game, the referee wrongly disallows a goal, but the team in question are leading 3-0 with only a few minutes to go. Tough deal, but so what? In another game, a Cup semi-final, the referee wrongly disallows a winning goal in the last few minutes, and the team in question lose the replay. No way can you compare these two decisions. In the latter case, the club could lose millions, the fans are heartbroken.
The FA must act now to introduce the use of technology and help make the game fairer. A fourth official, linked to the referee by radio, is seated with a bank of TV monitors and a technician, and can give an alternate opinion on crucial moments in the game.
When should the fourth official be used?
Satis? offers the following blueprint.
The fourth official can only be used in the following circumstances:
1 If there is a “tight” offside decision, the referee should wave “play on”. If the result is a goal, then the referee will call for a replay to check whether it was offside or not. If the result is a goal kick, corner, throw in etc, then the referee takes no further action. Play continues.
2 If there is a penalty appeal, but the officials are unsure or unsighted, then play continues until the ball goes dead. The referee calls for the fourth official to adjudicate on the penalty. If his decision is that it was a penalty, then play is taken back and the penalty kick awarded. If not, play continues.
3 If there is a claim that a goal has been scored, but the officials are unsure or unsighted, then play should continue until the ball goes dead, by which time the fourth official will have decided whether it was a goal or not. If no goal, then play just continues.
In each of these cases, only a major decision is affected - a goal or a penalty. And by the time the ball has gone dead, the fourth official may already have reached a decision, so there should not be much in the way of time delays. Moreover, the above situations don’t often happen during a match, so the total amount of time taken by the use of the technology would amount to no more than a few minutes per game.
If you take the time we spend in going to and from the match, plus the time in the stadium, and mayhap the odd glass with friends before and after, what difference would a few minutes make?
Not a lot.
After the games, the FA can look critically at specific incidents involving player discipline, and get the right answer every time. Suspensions can be retrospectively applied if necessary, to cut down the
cheats.
More importantly, football would get the result right more than it does now. Fans would not leave the stadium fuming about dreadful decisions which have slaughtered their teams’ season, and would be far more inclined to accept the result, in the knowledge that everything possible was done to help get the right result.
And no more Clive Thomas, David Elleray etc to play the film star at our expense.
Isn’t that what everyone wants?
Thursday, 3 March 2011
While you're waiting for the microphone to return.....
Enjoy this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwV8rXahuao
Ahhhhhhhh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwV8rXahuao
Ahhhhhhhh
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
And now, the Weather.......
It will be cold and gloomy on Merseyside for the next few weeks, with no sign of Fellaini until August, and Cahill for about a month.
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