Tonight's football thread

[dominion]

I was surprised it was more than a yellow, but going in with your studs up at chest height is a risk.

[Danbert Nocurry]

So red or no?

For me it wasn't.. and I was very clear last night that clark screwed up.. football is football..


This was awful.. But I do think.. for the first time in 18 months.. the title is ours.. the anger is huge.. This was a poor call for you...

He could have damaged his eye socket, his foot was that high.

The league's yours. All we can hope for is we cut the deficit to something respectable, and a slip up by you lot could allow that to happen. If that slip up is going to happen at all, this is when it will happen. you lot will be low and there is definitely a problem between Baconface and Shrek. Chelsea will smell blood at the weekend and if they beat you too, your next league match will be very interesting.

[Witton Park]

How come he didn't see the punch to Vidic's head by the keeper that floored him i the first half - I take it that's also dangerous (regardless of intent) as the keeper could have broken his cheek bone. In fact punching the ball by goalkeepers should be banned as dangerous - full stop...

You see how stupid the decision is? Almost every challenge and action on the pitch is potentially dangerous so unless there is some element of recklessness or intent it cannot be even a yellow card.
No intent - and it can only be deemed reckless if every time someone raises thet foot so high it is deemed an offence and then we kill the game - no overhead kicks etc...

I thought Man U were the better team, even for the last 20 minutes with 10 men they could have got back in it, but I do think that Madrid and Mourinho behaved with a lot of class.

[IainR]

How come he didn't see the punch to Vidic's head by the keeper that floored him i the first half - I take it that's also dangerous (regardless of intent) as the keeper could have broken his cheek bone. In fact punching the ball by goalkeepers should be banned as dangerous - full stop...

You see how stupid the decision is? Almost every challenge and action on the pitch is potentially dangerous so unless there is some element of recklessness or intent it cannot be even a yellow card.
No intent - and it can only be deemed reckless if every time someone raises thet foot so high it is deemed an offence and then we kill the game - no overhead kicks etc...

I thought Man U were the better team, even for the last 20 minutes with 10 men they could have got back in it, but I do think that Madrid and Mourinho behaved with a lot of class.

awful awful decision..

I do wonder if SAF's reaction means that's it.. this is his last season..

Read on the BBC comments people comparing it to De Jongs foot high.. ludicrous.. that was intentional this was just a high foot. With no intent thats a yellow.

[that_fjell_guy]

I did feel sorry for Nani, but it was always potentially a red card depending on where the ref was and his perception. Intent isn't really an issue I don't think. It did change the game and even as a Leeds fan I felt for Man U. Witton...I agree with the goalies punch! Keeper are far too protected and never get fouls against them unless they stop goal scoring opportunities! The next couple of games for Man u will be interesting, but i think Man u will cope, even if its just scraped draws.

More importantly I think our season will officially end on Saturday v. Crystal Palace, had a chance after 90 minutes last night, but after 95 it is pretty much gone.

[Muddy Retriever]

awful awful decision..

Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the sending off, don't you think Man U played into Real's hands in the 10 minutes immediately afterwards. Up to that point they'd looked good value for the 1-0 lead and I could see Man U winning. But then they sat back on the edge of the 18 yard box with no outlet ball, which Madrid exploited ruthlessly. The loss of Nani (who I thought was your least effective player) shouldn't have prompted such a reaction and I doubt if the boot had been on the other foot that Madrid would have played like that.

[Wheeze]

Not a red IMHO.
Most impressed by Ronaldo's reaction to scoring...muted, apologetic even. Very unusual. Clever kid!

[Danbert Nocurry]

I do think that Madrid and Mourinho behaved with a lot of class.

Mourinho is a self-serving individual. He's one of the most calculating and manipulative people in football. he's never knowingly been sincere. :w00t:

[Witton Park]

Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the sending off, don't you think Man U played into Real's hands in the 10 minutes immediately afterwards. Up to that point they'd looked good value for the 1-0 lead and I could see Man U winning. But then they sat back on the edge of the 18 yard box with no outlet ball, which Madrid exploited ruthlessly. The loss of Nani (who I thought was your least effective player) shouldn't have prompted such a reaction and I doubt if the boot had been on the other foot that Madrid would have played like that.

I'm not sure they did sit back with any intent. They were a man down. Real were a man up and a goal down and played a pressing game for 10 - 15 minutes - they had to score or they were on their way home.
Prior to the sending of Real couldn't press that way as Utd were passing through them and hitting them fast.
Mentally Real went back in to a shell after the 2nd goal and why not as Utd then needed 2 goals with 10 men.

Fergie got it spot on after over 2 legs, just can't account for a decision like that.

[Witton Park]

Mourinho is a self-serving individual. He's one of the most calculating and manipulative people in football. he's never knowingly been sincere. :w00t:

I do like Mourinho. I liked the respect he gave to Fergie when he started at Chelsea for what he had achieved whilst at the same time asking who is this Wenger guy, what as he won? That tickled me - and was absolutely right.

Still it will be interesting to see if Fergie calls time this year and takes the Premier League and FA Cup Double as his swan song - wouldn't be a bad finale would it? and is Mourinho in place? Is it a deal already done?