Football 2013-2014

[The Nal]

It is going to be really hard to replace vidic and rio

[eFestivals]

One thing is for sure the answer is definately not jones and Evans.

Or Smalling or Donatello.

It's all a bit threadbare, isn't it?

[eFestivals]

Biggest summer at Old Trafford in living memory.

It's big when you win stuff, it's small-fry when you don't.

So it's the smallest summer at the Olde Tesco in living memory.

[zahidf]

Or Smalling or Donatello.

It's all a bit threadbare, isn't it?

[LondonTom]

West Ham granted 2nd appeal!

https://www.westhamtillidie.com/posts/2014/02/07/fa-cave-into-west-ham-demands-for-arbitration-panel-at-11am

Apparently this will be the end of it for West Ham regardless of the decision, which I think is fair enough.

I wonder if we have asked Sir Trevor to be our man on the panel

Edited February 7, 2014 by LondonTom

[eFestivals]

West Ham granted 2nd appeal!

https://www.westhamtillidie.com/posts/2014/02/07/fa-cave-into-west-ham-demands-for-arbitration-panel-at-11am

Apparently this will be the end of it for West Ham regardless of the decision, which I think is fair enough.

I wonder if we have asked Sir Trevor to be our man on the panel

I have to laugh, the club that had no issue massively breaking FA rules throwing their toys out of the pram at the FA trying to work to the rules.

It's a joke that they've been granted this appeal. Carroll deliberately struck a player. That's a red, no get-outs.

Edited February 7, 2014 by eFestivals

[kaosmark2]

I've been saying for 12 months Rio looks past it. Vidic is still a massive loss though. I think your best pairing this season has been Vidic + Smalling, but Smalling hasn't looked like he can think for himself, yet can do a job if Vidic is barking orders at him.

[TheGayTent]

I have to laugh, the club that had no issue massively breaking FA rules throwing their toys out of the pram at the FA trying to work to the rules.

It's a joke that they've been granted this appeal. Carroll deliberately struck a player. That's a red, no get-outs.

[eFestivals]

When is a club still the same club? Given all board members, managers, etc are different now to what they were at the time of the other incident to which you're referring. Plus what does it have to do with this issue?

It's part of the same arrogant theme (that not just WHU do, to be fair) of the rules not applying to them.

However, you're last line is bollocks. You have no idea if Carroll deliberately struck a player.

True. Only one person knows that, and i've made a point in saying that in my previous posts. The point is that 'the authorities' have to make their own judgement on it, and they have.

There's nothing about the incident that can possibly justify the decision that's already been made being overturned.

[lharris92]

And you could be right. The only person who knows for sure is Carroll.

The simple fact is that the ref has to make a judgement call on how he saw it. Having made that call in one direction, there's nothing about the incident that is likely to make a person think they called it wrong.

You jump one way, and you stick with it. That's what refs do.

[adam1234]

Or Smalling or Donatello.

It's all a bit threadbare, isn't it?

[eFestivals]

another thing i did notice though, is from some angles it looks as though he was swinging his arm around in frustration at not getting the foul, but others it looks harmless so the fa probably took the first stance.

will see where today gets it, but if you look at the gif that TGT posted then carroll wasn't even looking to see where chico was when his arm swung around - if he was then it could have been said to be deliberate 100% and deserved to be a sending off.

it's not anything about whether it was "100% deliberate", it's merely about whether those making the decisions think it was deliberate on the balance of probabilities.

I'm with the ref and the FA on that judgement, and plenty others will be too.

There's certainly nothing about it which makes it 100% innocent.

the problem i have though, is with the appeals system - you appeal then its either rejected or repealed. the decision done in private, nothing can be done to explain their side of what happened, they just look at the footage and make assumptions, most likely agreeing with the ref, especially if its webb.

The ref saw it at the time and judged it to be deliberate. So it's extremely unlikely that he'd change his mind on that even if he watched it back a million times.

There's no problem with the appeals system in this instance as far as i can see.... cos if Carroll appeared in person and said "it wasn't deliberate", he'd probably be the world's first honest footballer, eh?

[LondonTom]

the problem i have though, is with the appeals system - you appeal then its either rejected or repealed. the decision done in private, nothing can be done to explain their side of what happened, they just look at the footage and make assumptions, most likely agreeing with the ref, especially if its webb.

[eFestivals]

(Coincidentally the QC who looked into this for us, is the same one that managed to get Sheffield United the payout for the whole Tevez thing.)

did that happen? I missed that entirely.

Fucking good. You cheats got off far too lightly considering the extra che3ating after getting caught the first time.

[mrtourette]

I assume you're a Manchester United fan? I say it was a very deserved win. We hit the woodwork as many times as you, and had most of the pressure, minus a 20 minute spell.

As for injuries, Deulofeu is back, Lukaku will be back shortly and Coleman is back for Spurs. We're doing alright.

[mrtourette]

I loved Sam Allardyce and his "the last thing I want to do is go down the legal route, but we're going to do it anyway" stance. I hope the FA are just going through the motions and they still uphold the decision.

Edited February 7, 2014 by mrtourette

[LondonTom]

did that happen? I missed that entirely.

Fucking good. You cheats got off far too lightly considering the extra che3ating after getting caught the first time.

[eFestivals]

Cheers.

It was some slightly misplaced paper work in reality

Understatement of the year.

[LondonTom]

Government are willing to discuss safe standing: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/07/government-discuss-safe-standing-elite-football

Another positive of the truth coming out from Hillsborough I guess.

[lharris92]

also seems as though the fa have upheld the ban, am not surprised about that decision, because if they were going to overturn it they would have on the original hearing.

[LondonTom]

Ah bugger! I thought they might shorten the ban to 1 game, so the FA could still claim they was right and we go away. A shame as I am going to the Norwich game and wanted to see the big man in action!

Anyway Cartlon Cole has had a little break, so should be ready terrorize Aston Villa.

[eFestivals]

How many managers is fergie trying to ruin?

Rene Meulensteen: Fulham boss reveals Sir Alex Ferguson support

It's the new kiss of death.

Edited February 7, 2014 by eFestivals

[zahidf]

How many managers is fergie trying to ruin?

Rene Meulensteen: Fulham boss reveals Sir Alex Ferguson support

It's the new kiss of death.

[eFestivals]

Hmm, so guess Fulham wil do United a favour and roll over for them on Sunday.

If fulham are ever going to show any fight for survival, this is the week it should happen.

They got in a few players right at the end of the window, signed too late to play last weekend. I don't have a clue how good any of them might be, but I guess they were bought to try and make the difference.

[DomDom1984]

Who do you lot support?

I'm Greeenock Morton with a fondness for Blackpool.