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another example - the defensive wall at a free kick. If players were to hold their arms slightly aside from their bodies - you could probably make a wall the width of a 5 or 6 man wall with only three men. So as long as they just stand there like that if the free kick is then stopped by an arm as opposed to smashing them in the guts - not deliberate?
Clearly not - you deliberately put your arms there to increase your area, hence it's a 'deliberate' handball.
When throwing yourself at the ball the "natural" place for your arms to be is anywhere but at your sides.
Use long jumpers as an analogous example. They use their arms as leverage and they are invariably in positions that football pundits call unnatural for defenders diving in.
None of them were penalties because none of them were either intentional or the arms placed intentionally to block the ball.
The fact that very rarely are handballs punished with yellow cards for being deliberate, when by definition every single one should be, tells us all we need to know about how they are incorrectly refereed.
Anyway, just seen Brighton's line up vs United.
Hats off to Hughton for keeping that motley rabble in the Premier League.
Put a big screen and projector in the MalMaison hotel yesterday for Utd's pre match briefing today. Judging by the first half none of the team were bothering to watch!
Interesting stuff.
Would love to have been a fly on the wall at half-time. Jose had a right face on.
Goal line technology is fantastic.
If only they can get offsides down to a similar speed. That's the dream.
Steven Gerrard as the new Rangers boss, eh? That's a big job, lots of pressure. Hope he does well. Celtic were there for the taking this year but Rangers fluffed it each time.
Question is, will be be a Souness or a Barnes.
I see your point but the fact is that it is possible to jump without raising arms - you can't jump as high, or as far but you can. If you choose to use arms and as a result increase your body area, then you do so deliberately and take the risk if it hits your arm then it's handball. Other players nowadays put their arms quite consciously behind their backs to avoid handballing it. Take your choice?
The fact that very rarely are handballs punished with yellow cards for being deliberate, when by definition every single one should be, tells us all we need to know about how they are incorrectly refereed.
Sorry, but you're wrong. I assume after what i said you did read the Laws and the IFAB advice relating to them? http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-12---fouls-and-misconduct
I'll save you the bother:
Q3: Why has the wording for a caution (YC) for handball changed?Some referees were interpreting every handball as ‘denying the opponents possession’ so every handball was punished with a caution (YC) - this was not the intention of the Law. Where a handball affects the opponents it should be judged like a foul – if it stops or interferes with a promising attack then it is a caution (YC).
So the law is being applied exactly as directed by the board that sets the laws. Yes, there does seem to be a discrepancy in the use and definition of deliberate but that's why clarification is given. As I would frequently say to players as I refereed them - I didn't write the laws, I just apply them as directed.
More than a bit pleased with that tonight. Chris Hughton deserves an immense amount of credit but the players have really stepped up from the championship
WBA.....if they stay up it will almost rank with Leicester winning the league! Unbelievable run of results!
Hope they do stay up but still a long shot. Glad Stoke have gone, hopefully Southampton will follow.
Bad news regarding Fergie.....brain haemorrhage 🙁
Yeah just saw that....nasty!
Get well soon Fergie! I think it’s a measure of the man, the reception he gave Arsene last weekend. Hopefully we’ll be seeing him at OT for a good while yet
Agreed. Healing vibes to SAF from the blue side of the city. Be nice if he could get a big cheer from the etihad today.
Rockape - my Burnley supporting mates are down at your gaff today. They fancy their chances. And i’m sorry to inform you but Mrs Binners has stuck a fiver on a Burnley win, so you’re in trouble now! 😉
Reading stayed up. How can one man reduce a once great club to such humiliation. Yes, Jaap we're looking at you.
Blimey, Bolton's end to the season was, erm, intense!
Bad luck Mrs Binners....I did suggest we weren’t going to be bothered by Burnley, they went home with their tails between their legs! 😀
interesting times now for Arsenal...lots of work to do for the new Manager!
Reading stayed up. How can one man reduce a once great club to such humiliation. Yes, Jaap we’re looking at you.
Only because of the crapness of three (or four) other teams below us. We were awful. I also credit my Judas bet, placed around turn of the year. Which I increased when we won a couple of games and by the end if it came true would have netted me £400-odd.
a once great club
Tee-hee - you plastic 😉
Mrs Binners is a Bolton fan. To say that yesterday was traumatic would be something of an understatement! Talk about the skin of your teeth 😳
An interesting article (which requires a click-on to the actual story) about the making of a documentary about getting a forgotten football manager remembered. Bit of a strange story but interesting for those who like a bit of footie history...
https://twitter.com/guardian/status/993448415366348801?s=21
Muggomagic,
Great to the the Seagulls secure there premier future - really chuffed. Man City and Liverpool are going to be tough ... but I reckon another 6 points are in the bag ... 😎
the times are reporting the premier league are "fixing" the fixture list for the benefit of broadcasters (top 6 can't meet on first or last day of the season)
I thought the Prem league fixtures were manipulated around Christmas, its no surprise they want to manipulate the rest of it. Probably been happening for years.
So £100m game tonight, with the Swans against the Saints. The last two fixtures on Sunday are Swans V Stoke and Man City V Southampton. So its looking a bit shit for the Saints, but stranger things have happened!
I can't really see any situation that would allow WBA to stay up, but they've certainly given it a go since dispensing with Pardew. That should ensure no Prem League Club ever offers him employment again! 🙂
@caher - saw this today, quite a good read / interview
actually, quite a good read about footballers at the end of their career in general (no spoilers)
Whoop whoop whoop Saints! It'll be a shame if Swansea go down though (no slight on Huddersfield intended, I've not seen them play this season) as they set the swashbuckling mid-table standard that we followed when we came up. It's a crying shame that the prem turned us both into dogshit just-try-not-to-lose teams like the rest of the also rans.
As an aside - what in the name of Dion Dublin happened to popping down the local to watch the footy? I bollocked out the housework to get down for the second half and ended up walking a couple of miles around the neighbourhood as the first two locals were shut. And the one I found open is showing aussie rules and playing Phil Collins at full blast. **** you Coventry, this is why no one likes you...
In other football news, I'm sure there can be absolutely no truth whatsoever in the further allegations of a racist culture at Chelsea
And on that note, we’ll see you all next year 😁🔵⚪️🔵⚪️
And on that note, we’ll see you all next year
+1
(Staying) Up The Town. Our corner of the Bridge was nuts.
the times are reporting the premier league are “fixing” the fixture list for the benefit of broadcasters (top 6 can’t meet on first or last day of the season)
behind the pay wall I assume, whats their statistical analysis on that - there is a probability of the fixtures happening (I CBA to work it out here) but it's not that important is it? In fact top 6 clashes would probably generate more TV revenue which is a good thing - Chelsea Vs Liverpool would be a cracker for Sunday, it assumes that you know the top 6, which games actually matter and what they implicate in a few weeks time - again does it actually matter? If you didn't do enough in games 1-37?
Edit...
Given the top 6 include 3 london teams which will have police restrictions on games together, 2 manc teams where police will have an input the statistical comparison is certainly stretched there
I see Wayne Rooney popped in to see Fergie.
His speech is improving and he’s able to string a few words together...,,..said Ferguson!
Just typical, the clock ticks to 90 and I stop watching the game, then they pop up with a goal.
The other teams can take one consolation, city don't quite purr when either D Silva or De Bruyne are not on the pitch, and Silva is getting to the end of his football career.
But a fantastic record breaking season, won in style.
IMO both city and Liverpool are creating something that players will want to be part of, they stand a good chance of keeping and attracting players that currently few other clubs can. Ok they will be competing with barca and madrid which still have the biggest pull, but I reckon they currently have more to offer in football terms than the traditional European giants (utd, juves and munich)
Wunundred!
🙂
See you next season!
Fantastic last day up in Newcastle, Chelsea didn't really turn up but Newcastle didn't let them really.
Lol at rockape.get well soon Mr Ferguson.
motd tonite for Motty’s final commentary.
what happened at Chelsea ?
Looking forward to the transfer window....Heres hoping Man U buy Neymar & Jose extends his contract. 🙂
All round to my house on 26 May. 🙂
what happened at Chelsea ?
That may have been the problem, nobody told them the game was in Newcastle .. 😂
Now comes the interesting bit for the toon ..
I've seen reports that Fatman is going to give Rafa £80m to spend ....😁😂🤣😅😆 .
Well hush my mouth but haven't we heard this all before ?
I fully expect Rafa to be there next season as there is a sizeable compensation clause which works both ways between himself and the club ..
Will he be there when his contract runs out in 12 months time ..not a chance unless Ashley fulfils the promises he has made in the past and stops blatantly lying to both his manager and the fans .
I'm not holding my breath ..I absolutely despise the man
The only way Rafa is getting 80 million is from euro millions.
I expect to see him there next year, as you say the compensation clause will see to that.
Oh and thanks Garth
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44093575
I was asked recently who were my top three managers this season. Without a moment's hesitation I said Rafael Benitez, Sean Dyche and Chris Hughton - in that order.
I never expected Burnley to qualify for Europe, for Brighton to survive a season in the Premier League, or for Newcastle to finish with 44 points, ensuring safety with games to spare having started the season with seven Championship players in the team.
Anyone who has watched Newcastle United this season will have observed Benitez and his boys refusing to compromise one iota on the brand of football their fans want to see.
I wish I could say the same for Jose Mourinho and Manchester United. If Newcastle have lost a game they have done so with their dignity intact. They have taken the opposition on trying to play.
WARNING CONTAINS LOTS OF SWEARING
United fan Paul's view of the season..skip to 1:38 for synopsis
Mike ..
I'm assuming you posted Garth's comments because as usual he is talking out of his arse ..
Of course we bloody compromised our playing style ..Man City at home is probably the best example of that when we gifted possession completely and the mission was to frustrate and keep the score down ( just in case goal difference became an issue at the end of the season ) .
The way Mr Crooks is talking you would think we had played in a Keeganesque style trying to outscore every team we played ...
It's been a great season for our first one back in the premiership ..but let's not get too carried away !
I was posting because he gave Rafa the credit and praise he deserved for the job he did this season with all the restrictions placed on him.
Garth Crooks really is a nob of the highest order!
Although Paul Merson runs him close!
Benitez and the team have done an incredible job ..Im 100% with you there ..
It's the bit where he says that we haven't compromised our playing style one iota on the brand of football our fans want to see ..we did ..I didn't enjoy one or two games ..but I understood why ..
( I wasn't having a pop at you btw)
Good to see the 3 promoted teams stay up (especially Brighton 🙂 ) we are constantly told how big a step up the premier league is from the Championship, which it is when playing the top 6 teams, but beyond that I think there isn't much in it between the rest of the premier league and the top 4 or 5 teams in the Championship.
They're discussing who will or won't be in the Engerland squad to be announced today, which raises the obvious question...
Who cares?
It'll be the usual hopelessly over-optimistic, embarrassingly xenophobic build-up in the press (probably even more fist-chewingly awful than ever in our Brexity times) followed by the the usual predictably insipid, pitifully dull and uninspiring display of Sunday league level ineptitude, occasionally enlivened by the usual St Georges Cross-bedecked nobheads starting fights with the locals and trashing bars, then the usual early flight home.
If the England team were a dog, it'd have been put down by now as an act of mercy
Good to see the 3 promoted teams stay up (especially Brighton) we are constantly told how big a step up the premier league is from the Championship, which it is when playing the top 6 teams, but beyond that I think there isn’t much in it between the rest of the premier league and the top 4 or 5 teams in the Championship.
Seventh down is a study in mediocrity in the prem - as bad a two tier situation as I've ever seen. Wolves should be comfy mid-table next season. Obv clubs are operating with different resources, and you have to take the hat off to Burnley, Bournemouth etc, but the football is still rubbish in the bulk of the prem.
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If the England team were a dog, it’d have been put down by now as an act of mercy
Don't let 12 months under Jose ruin your day 😉 The rest of us can be optimistic...
Come on Mike. Even you must be looking forward to the feast of adventurous, creative, attacking, free-flowing football we're bound to see from both sides on Saturday at Wembley 😉
I saw lots of free flowing attacking football in the last Chelsea game 😉 Courtois was doing a great rabbit in headlight impression
And while we're on the subject of adventurous, creative, attacking, free-flowing football
The premiership will sadly be without Big Sam next season
Perfectly placed to take on his next big project, the November Jose implosion?
Just heard some good news ..Joe Hart has already been told he won't be going ..Wilshire too
now just need to get Henderson added to that list...
Agreed !
On the domestic front Allardyce & Moyes on their bikes ..should be more power to Rafa's contract negotiations as both West Ham & Everton have expressed an interest in his services..but our dopey owner probably won't be arsed ..
Sam to West Ham and Moyes to Everton?
now just need to get Henderson added to that list…
The captain of the team in the Champions League final ?
Hmmmm
Henderson?
Some noises about Alexander Arnold being in there
Never liked Henderson ..but that's more to do with my daughter seeing the bloke for a while when he was just breaking through at Sunderland ..
Being a Mag I still haven't forgiven her for that ..not least for the fact that she was way way to gorgeous for an ugly **** like him ..
If the England team were a dog, it’d have been put down by now as an act of mercy
Every dog has its day, and this time it really could be us 😉 - just get Mrs Binners to back us and they may as well send us the cup now.
Seventh down is a study in mediocrity in the prem – as bad a two tier situation as I’ve ever seen.
I've said this for years - not least when we were there last - but survival in the Prem comes down to there being really 4 leagues in the league.
There's the top 4 (or 3, or even 2) - City, Liverpool, Spurs, Utd really.... who are the only ones with a hope of winning it (and yes, I know Leicester = exception that proves the rule)
Add to them another 3 or 4 who might potentially get into the top 4 and jostle for a European slot, but aren't really contenders overall.
At the bottom there's maybe 5 or 6 who are relegation fodder. And in the middle the rest, who aren't really any good but are a bit better than the relegation teams.
And your goal really is to be the best in your little league, try to pick up points here and there against the next set (or if you're in the higher set, don't drop points against them) and try not to get humped for GD against the top teams. It's a strategy for survival in the Premier League for the smaller teams but it's not living for most people; we want to see good games where you try to win against whoever turns up, and after having seen 3 seasons of Reading in the PL I'd honestly swap season after season of play-offs or thereabouts in the Champs for just surviving in the PL.
Seventh down is a study in mediocrity in the prem – as bad a two tier situation as I’ve ever seen.
How does it compare to France, Germany, Italy and Spain? The European money delivers the same thing, if you are in the club you stay there unless somebody with a lot of cash rocks the boat (Man City) the best players want to be in the CL so will swap between the top clubs in Europe to get that. You might get 1-2 seasons if your contracts are good out of some players if you finish 5/6th Aresnal/Chelsea. So that is your first Quality split, the number of teams with decent backing is showing in how tight 8th-17h is - 13pts.
Below that it's those in freefall who have done something very wrong along the way.
Top of the championship is getting very tough, so the bounce back clubs need to either get in and go for it or restructure fast to survive.
Maybe Moyes has got his eyes on Gareth's job after the world cup implosion?
I would find it somewhat hilarious if both Everton & West Ham got relegated next season, both have 'ambitions' both had solid mid-table managers & mid-table positions will be interesting to see what happens next.
unless somebody with a lot of cash rocks the boat (Man City)
& with the Financial Fair Play rules they've put a stop to that...
& with the Financial Fair Play rules they’ve put a stop to that…
It doesn't seem to be stopping City though. 191m at the last count....
Talking of truly appalling football (and not just Jose's) looks like Villa are still in with a chance of promotion (ironically on the back of a 0-0 draw - how fitting).
How on earth they managed to loiter around at the fag end of the premiership, like a fart in a lift, for as long as they did, grinding out spirit-crushing, last-game-on-MOTD 0-0 draws every week, I'll never know. But I was delighted to see the back of them, and truly believed they'd never bother the Premiership again
Here's hoping I was right
No Shelvey in the England squad. Not even on standby. 😥
Yep a big mistake there I feel, though some youth that will hopefully do more than sit on a bus for the duration.
I lived in hope regarding Shelvey ..but deep down knew he never really stood a chance ..England's loss I fear ..
Binners ..hope you are right about Villa ..the most hated team after Sunderland in the eyes of toon supporters ..( mocking us going down a season or so ago )
I was chuffed for Mitro at Fulham ..even though it's obvious he has no future at Newcastle ..now just go and replicate that form in the playoff final & the world cup old son so we can squeeze every last million out of your transfer fee ..
Let's just pretend I care - what is the benchmark for 'success' this time?
Getting out of the group?
Not being bottom of the group?
Not getting humped 3-0 by a team from a country with a population of less than Manchester?
I like World Cups because you do generally get some entertaining football played by various national teams. But never by England.........
It’s always so frustrating as our players tend to freeze at WC’s and won’t take chances. They play it safe rather than take on a player and we then just get picked off.
I live in hope that we can put out a team that plays without fear and goes for it....but I’m not holding my breath!
What's the predictions for the Champions League final then ?
I'm going for 3-1 Liverpool with 2 early goals from Firmino and Salah.
I'll be sitting in a bar by the river in Cochem Germany rather than in Kiev though.
Wouldn't like to predict a score ..I hope Liverpool win ..but don't think they will.
I like Gareth's squad. I'll now probably watch it . I think success would be quarter finals.
Liverpool to win. please &if they could have it wrapped up by the first half all the better. You just know it'll be manic defending for the last 15 mins,with me behind the sofa.
If real give bale any time on the pitch in the final I think he will do Liverpool serious damage,if he can stay injury free I think whoever gets him for next season will have the bale of a few years ago.I still find the madrid fans a joke tho so I am hoping for a bale hat trick in a 4-3 madrid defeat:) (and the way they both play that could easily happen.)
I think Real win 2:1... but i prefer Liverpool.
Jordan? Is that you?
I think Real's European experience will show and they'll just edge it
I think it'll be a fantastic final though, and expect Liverpool to do what they always do. Straight out of the blocks attacking them, score a couple, then end up losing by shipping late last-gasp goals. Ronnie to score the winner in Fergie-time
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<div class="bbp-reply-content">I think Real’s European experience will show and they’ll just edge it
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Imagine that? 🙂
Don't get me wrong ..I think he is a fantastic footballer ..but just to restore some football Karma.
I hope Salah is clean through on goal ..Ronnies running back gets alongside him and gently makes contact about 30 yards out ..but Salah throws himself theatrically to the floor and poor old R ..gets a straight red ..
Picking himself up after he "recovers " Mo then throws a wink in Klopps direction ..places the ball for the free kick and rifles it straight into the top corner of the net to score the winning goal.
Karma restored .
( Yes I know it was in an international match ..but what goes around n all that and I've never found it in me to forgive him ) 😁