Comments on: Jumping, stamping, screaming, pushing, kicking, abusing, protesting. Yep: its the Birmingham City management team

By: walter

walter — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:34:06 +0000

Well I must say that even in my country the bullsh*t proclaimed by reporters concerning referee decisions is so immens that at times I really do not know if I should be laughing myself untill I can breath no more or should I start crying over so much dumb talk.
When, the refs of our region meet like on our weekly training, we have suggested that if you would want to do anything in football like being a player, manager, reporter or pundit that you should be obligated to follow a referee course.
And I will be the last to say that refs are saints, that they know best and the rest knows nothing but it makes my hair fall out to listen to what the experts say sometimes.

By: LRV

LRV — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:18:09 +0000

The Birmingham Butchery Club needs to prove that it belongs in the football arena. Enough of this nonsense of clobbering people in the guise of playing football and maiming true football players.

The so called pundits know next to nothing. How can the media keep paying mediocre ex-foot-whatever to so mediocrely dish out mediocrity to us discerning football fans in the guise of punditry? They are so stuck in the past, they make Neanderthal seem positively alive. They all need to go for refresher courses. Actually, we should set-up a qualification base for punditry, without which no-one should be allowed to pundit. They must also be tested regularly to attest their background knowledge of the rules (& interpretations) of the game.

By: Fem Dee

Fem Dee — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:42:18 +0000

Poor Vito Manone. Not only was he obstructed going up for the catch, Larsson held him back from blocking Bowyer’s follow up shot. The goal should have been disallowed.
I am sure more would have been said about this if the game had ended up a draw and, thanks to Manone, he denied Birmingham the chance of that possibility. Wenger should do more to accelerate Manone’s development as our long-term stopper. If it means fewer games for Alumnia, so be it.
Overall, I liked the way we won against a team that pressed us hard at a time (post World Cup break) when we were lacking full sharpness. It is a testimony to our improved overall playing skills against the Birmingham types. I also liked Walcott’s aggressiveness, sharpness and directness. I prat we get to have more of him this season – though, it must now be obvious to him that he needs to listen more to Wenger’s advise on when he plays and for what cause. What I take from his been so badly fouled was that he eventually got up and returned to the fray…He is a brave young guy going places.

By: walter

walter — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:22:12 +0000

I also read it, diceman. Just makes you sick. How low can people get.
Well the last time a chinese person took over a club in my country it ended in big problems. The guy was just a person from a betting sindicate and they just came for some match fixing but got caught.
It really could turn out to be the empire of evel.

By: diceman

diceman — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:36:35 +0000

I just read Wenger’s comments to the Birmingham thugs’ chants for the assault man martin taylor during the game, is this true? I watched it live and couldn’t hear a thing but it has to be true cause Wenger blasted them calling them stupid – and I guess it’s true cause they re stupid and that’s what I expected of them.

Human being sinking that low is a big disgrace. Karma isn’t so far away these days and they should not forget that…

By: walter

walter — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:26:58 +0000

Tony said: “Tonight my partner demanded that I get on with writing the follow-up to MAKING THE ARSENAL because she really wants to know what happens afterwards. So it looks like I must have to start writing again.”

Always listen to your wife, Tony. Well that’s what my wife always tells me anyway. So you better get started.

And again I learned something today. I really didn’t know that you called the street atlas like that.

By: IndianGooner

IndianGooner — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:58:39 +0000

Walter, I would be waiting for such an article. The views on tackles from a referee.

As for the match, I cannot comment much as I was on a 15hr flight journey!! Only saw the highlights and read few reviews and am happy that We earned the 3points without playing like we are used too..

By: lordgunner

lordgunner — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:35:17 +0000

off topic
http://store.liverpoolfc.tv/products/souvenirs/giftsandmisc/beach-set/pid-28099
i was going to order a beach ball to my friendly boss (Liverpool fan)but they run out of stock .and then i read comments of the product and it was hilarious that MU and everton supporters can post joke about it on the official website lol

About Theo challenge i thought a red would be too much but yellow it s should have been:too strong but he got the ball first .
But that’s sort of challenge is not a surprise for me .when the media continue with idolising the talentless J.Terry (include the Neville sisters and Carragher)as old fashion defender with british grit(thug more like it)other players with even less talent will be thinking it s OK to do it but they finish by injured other players if the England captain do it week week out why not them

By: walter

walter — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:49:15 +0000

A little bit late on the reply but went to a Status Quo concert this evening and still full of adrenaline on not able to sleep.
Yes Fungunner as a ref you have to look at the potential danger of a tackle as well.
As someone correctly said the rules have changed over the years and the meaning of the changes was to prevent good players to get bad injury’s. To get the butchers (as we call them over here) out of the field and to keep the players safe and sound.
To tell you wich tackle is allowed or not is maybe a bit long because I should give examples of what is meant in the laws.
When I got the time I am willing to give you some details and explain the rule book how a ref should apply it (and this is the difficult thing… I know… the “human” touch…. ).
I will see if I can write it down and when Tony has a black out or a writers block (please not if possible) he can publish it here if he feels it could bring something to his site.
Maybe that we would know the rules and the interpretation of the rules better than the pundits. Because they seem to get stuck in the century they played football and it did change a bit you know.

By: eduardo

eduardo — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:36:41 +0000

the one thing yesterday’s games proved is that the media pundits spout rubbish and do not actually know the rules, take the two big talking points from yesterday – beach ball goal and theo assaulted,

Beach ball goal happens and none of the hacks or pundits know the rules so say it is just one of these things and it was right for goal to stand, but ex refs come out today and tell them all that under the rules it should have be cancelled and a drop ball – so now on to the Theo assault, all the hacks and pundits say Ridgwell done nothing wrong cos he got the ball first, some did mention that he then took Theo totally out of it, today ex refs come out and say Ridgwell should have got a red as he endangered Theo and used excessive force, which by the way is now in the rule book, to endanger an opponent is a red card offense even if you take the ball.

Also on the Theo assault I seen some brum fans say its just more moneing from gooners and saying that we have short memories and have forgotten Adams, Bould and Keown etc and their tackling, but like alot of the pundits and hacks these brum fans have missed that the rules were changed a couple of years ago to stop these dangerous fouls, once goalies could be barged over the goal line and a goal would be allowed, so by the pundits, hacks an brum fans view we should still allow it happen as it once was under the rules.

By: Finsbury

Finsbury — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:11:54 +0000

If Arsenal do win the title this year (after 07/08, I shall never again sing that song, until the fair lady comes home) I think many pundits & their devotees may just go into irreversible meltdown. Some hacks have still never forgiven us for winning the league without a conventional CF, a converted RB, a converted CB etc.etc.etc. How they laughed when AW said his squad could go unbeaten in 03. They’ve tried their best to stick the knives in whilst the squad and club have readjusted to cope with the post-oligarch/national bankruptcy age.

They better up the security at the Grove, I can see Alan Green, Hansen and pals tearing up paving stones and throwing molotovs when we do win something. They’ll be going mad and bad, in no particular order.

By: don't believe the hype

don't believe the hype — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:07:11 +0000

diceman, the ‘Wenger out’ brigade fail to realise that when they start their nonsense. There is no other manager who could achieve what Wenger has achieved the last few years on Arsenal’s budget.

By: diceman1984

diceman1984 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:41:44 +0000

I have always been saying that we’re doing great as a club especially comparing to the so called ‘title challenging’ team liverpool. They’re by far the most overrated team in Europe – they rarely if ever play wonderful football, relying SOLELY on their ONLY 2 stars, paying stupid wages to tons of average players, buying players for stupid fees (Glen Johnson transfer was unbelievable stupid, when does a team win something with a ‘great’ right back? and he’s not even that good apart from his eccentric offensive movement, we have Eboue to do that too)……and always winning big matches controversially or by pure luck, they rarely beat us fair and square in the past decade.

And they were the only big 4 team to not finish in the big 4 since there were a big four.

And WHAT KIND OF A BIG TEAM BROUGHT IN GERRARD AND TORRES to hold a 1-0 lead against a 3rd division team? I laughed so hard it hurt when I saw that.

But it’s always the Arsenal who will fall out of the 4th spot according to many fans and “journalists”.

They can suck it ’cause this season we are in for the title(s)……
never doubt Wenger or else you’ll get a Benitez or worse, a Mark Hughes as a manager.

By: Tony Attwood

Tony Attwood — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:23:38 +0000

Thanks everyone for the comments – and for the link to the News of the World piece on Liverpool. That was almost as if they have gone back through the last two years of UNTOLD ARSENAL and pieces together all the articles on Liverpool, and made an article of their own.

Surely not?!!!

I do think, after watching the game against Birmingham City yesterday the notion of Birmingham Evil is correct. But let’s not forget that two or three years ago they might well have got away with a draw at the Ems.

I would add one more thing – the VP goal was a sensation – but watching the final goal from behind and just to the right of that goal Arshavin was magnificent. The obvious thing was to pass, but he has the style and confidence to get the goal.

We are now 4th, with a game in hand, and our two defeats are not looking that disastrous after all.

I can remember all the negativity about Arsenal in the last few years – the thoughts that we were bust, that we desparately needed to buy… all that. But can you imagine what it must be like to be a Beachball supporter now?

And as for us, we still haven’t seen much of Vela. How about a start on Tuesday against the London street atlas*

Tonight my partner demanded that I get on with writing the follow-up to MAKING THE ARSENAL because she really wants to know what happens afterwards. So it looks like I must have to start writing again.

Tony
* For overseas readers, whose readership and perspective I really do value, I should explain. The classic street atlas of London is known as the A to Z. Not a very funny joke, I know, but it is sunday. More tomorrow.

By: notlager

notlager — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:44:51 +0000

I hate Birmingham City, from management, players to their socalled support.

Their f*ckung fans singing M**** T****’s name while Theo was lying injured on the pitch.

Go back to the Stone Age Brummies, you disgraceful club, the Colaship would be too decent for you Neanderthals.

By: steww

steww — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:40:38 +0000

Looking forward to the book. As for the match, a couple of points. Great how Theo skinned the thug after the assault, obviously a shame he couldn’t continue. We often talk of the young players needing to gain experience, it’s why I’m so glad to see TR7 back and playing well, they can learn from him. neither he nor Arshavin are huge muscle bound hunks hut both showed how anticipating an opponents attempt to foul you, leaning into them and knowing when to suddenly spring away can be used to devastating effect. Little Jack and Rambo (what a midfield pairing waiting in the wings) will learn so much from these kind of players.

By: Valentin

Valentin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:29:41 +0000

Enough said about the referee who asked for Arsene Wenger to be sent to the stand at Old Crapford in the middle of the baying crowd for kicking a bottle of water but did not censure Ferguson when he tell the refere to F*** off.
Has anybody read the financial article by the News Of The World on the real financial situation at Liverpool Bankrupt.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/554495/DOOMSDAY-SCENARIO-FOR-LIVERPOOL.html
It looks like if RBS had not been so scared of the potential backlash by the Kopites, they would have been forced to accept Manchester Arab offer of £70 millions for Torres.
It looks like that may just be delayed respite.
At the beginning of next season clubs will need to apply for a license to be allowed in European competition. Assuming that Liverpool qualifies for Europe next year (in view of their current league position that may not be the case), they will not be able to prove their credit worthiness without a massive injection of cash.
The wheels have really come off.

By: prick

prick — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:48:55 +0000

RVP. Hell of a goal. Superb control, grace and finish. We’ve got a winner ladies and gentleman

By: FunGunner

FunGunner — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:24:26 +0000

Always good to read your responses as a working referee, Walter. There are many misconceptions about the rules of football which have gained currency amongst pundits and fans. Are you saying that what matters is whether the tackle was potentially dangerous and whether the player who was challenging was in control of the tackle, NOT whether he got the ball?

By: stuartlondon

stuartlondon — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:09:30 +0000

A really enjoyable game yesterday. We weren’t intimidated by City’s brutal tactics, nor were we distracted by some poor refereeing decisions. We always looked like we were going to win, and the crowd was good humoured, positive, and vocal in support of our boys and in protest at City thuggery. It seems clear that we need Walter to come and referee for the EPL. How about it? Stu