Polltergeist
Monday, 13 December 04, 01:19 PM · Comments (8)
A few Monday morning reflections on the game.
I've no problem at all with a team taking a quick free-kick. Where I think Poll is guilty of misjudgement is in his handling of the situation, which appeared biased. The idea for a quick free-kick came from Poll in the first place, which is wrong. The referee should not be suggesting ways for one team to take advantage of another. If Henry asks then Poll can agree to the request, but the referee should not be putting ideas into the attackers mind. Would you complain if the referee pointed out to Henry there was an unmarked player he could pass to? What's the difference?
Poll also held up his whistle which every professional player takes as a sign to indicate 'you will play to my whistle', in other words the kick will be taken after I whistle -- but then Poll gave no signal at all. It's all very well for the attacking team to create some deception of their own but for the referee to be a willing and active participant in the deception is no longer impartial. Poll also waved Gudjohnsen back as if he was moving him ten yards and stood over the ball as Henry kicked it, all of which made Poll a willing participant in the deception. Whatever he says that is not impartial, there is no way you can act like that and not be accused of bias. (I can tell you now if England had lost a World Cup game as a result of a referee acting like that there would the Mother of all Fusses.) The only surprise was that Poll didn't take the free-kick himself and then cartwheel away into the North Bank in celebration. I hope OPTA gives him credit for the goal assist when they compile the match stats.
It does not bother me whether it was strictly illegal or not, but it was most definitely not fair play and not in the spirit of the game. That said Eidur is an oaf for moving back, he should have stayed in front of the ball, which according to Poll's interpretation would have been fine as Henry didn't want anyone ten yards back. However I can't be too harsh on Eidur, overall his game was top class and if he had even a small amount of pace he'd be one of the very top strikers in the world.
Anyway, sod the referee, it's all wrong that games like this are dominated by what they do; football is supposed to be about what the players do, not the officials. Gallas looked much more at home when he was restored to central defence; I hope Jose keeps him there. Bridge, one-footed though he is, gives far better balance at left-back. Drogba played like a pudding (did he say 'I'm back' or 'I'm cack' after he scored against Newcastle?) and I think he's a good few weeks away from being match sharp. Parker, who I admire greatly, needs to watch a few tapes of Makelele in action, especially in regard to when to tackle and when not to tackle. He may be more 'competitive' but his positional sense is lacking; technically he's a class below Makelele and so he still has work to do before he can expect to oust the Frenchman.
You have to be happy with a draw away to the Champions but I felt the absence of Vieira, Ljungberg, Edu and Gilberto gave us a chance to win which we couldn't quite take. We didn't need to win but Arsenal couldn't afford to lose and it showed in the last twenty minutes when we settled for a draw. But overall I'm very happy with the team. Great stuff.
by Blingo Starr
*Related links:*
* Terry tells off Cech after his lapse * Henry's quick thinking [Or was it referee Poll's quick thinking? -- Ed.] * Visitors fume at injustice of Henry free-kick * Poll explains free-kick decision * Cech fumes at Poll * Terry talks up Chelsea title push * Stubborn Chelsea showing the guts to reach for glory * Terry takes blame for Henry free-kick * Coleman: Chelsea will win it * Referee reneged on free-kick promise, says Cech * Gudjohnsen wades in to ref row * Chelsea hit back at Cech reports * Loose talk puts Cech at centre of FA inquiry
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Anti,
As far as I can tell, the scrolling issue is present in some, but not all, versions of Internet Explorer for Windows. It’s possibly related to graphics cards. It doesn’t affect the site in any way—it’s just annoying. It’s caused by the transparency of the image used as a background for article titles.
Why not get yourself a decent, standards compliant, fast, secure browser? I highly recommend Mozilla’s Firefox.
NICE ONE FULHAM!
Guys, look on the bright side – our next matches are norwich, villa and portsmouth. We can go a long way to winning the premiership if we can get 9 points out of 9 (and we should!)
Personally, I feel the draw was a fair result, and a good result for us. I just love Eidur (as a player of course)... the entire team’s movement is that much better with him in the team. I would put him above drogba right now.
Listen…. what is a free kick given for in the first place?? It is meant to be advantageous to the team who were fouled, so why not let them take it quickly?? Im not a big fan of Graham Poll, but i have read that it was him that initiated the idea, so full credit to him!! I think what is unfair is the fact that the defensive side can faff about for ages until ready. When this occurs, it is just another version of cheating as they have committed a foul and broken up the run of play, now… who has the actual advantage gone to there?? So the quick free kick is a superb idea. Also, Gudjohnsen’s actions showed that he knew Henry was going to take it, if Cech did not respond to his waving then that is Cech’s look out, so for him to come out and blame the ref is just his way of trying to deflect the attention off his own error!!
Ben,
“It is meant to be advantageous to the team who were fouled …” Pires wasn’t fouled! He dived, which he has a penchant for doing—as do a number of his team-mates.
Cech didn’t have time to respond to Gudjohnson’s warning; but Gudjohnson should’ve stayed stood over the ball once he heard Poll instigating the quick free-kick, even if it meant receiving a yellow card.
I agree with Blingo; Poll initiated Henry’s actions, and that is unfair and biased. Players should initiate actions on the field; they’re paid enough to think for themselves.
well bugger me….the Firefox thingy works perfectly.
There is life after IE6.
Another thing to consider is Scott Parker was let off for a push in the back in the penalty box which was dead set penalty no argument so Poll giveth and Poll taketh away. I wonder how many points clear we will be when we play the Arse next time :~D
8 Comments · Add yours
I hadn’t given much thought to the fact that the ref initiated the quick free-kick, Blingo. But you’re right—that does seem a little biased to me.
I too was fuming at Eidur’s lack of thought at the free-kick. Even if it meant he got a yellow card, he should have stood practically on the ball until Cech finished lining up his wall.
What also surprises me is Mourinho’s unpreparedness. You would have thought that his attention to detail would’ve picked up on the fact that the instances of taking quick free-kicks when the opponent’s not ready are on the increase in the Premiership.
But hey, we drew, it was a great match, there was no belligerence like that seen at Old Trafford, and we’re still 5 points clear of the Arse. All good, and a great day.
you’ll have worse things to worry about, although I still remember Liverpool getting an underserved equaliser on a phantom corner against Luhzny.
Anyway, I notice I have some problems scrolling on your site. Maybe it’s my card, I use a Radeon.
Perhaps the other readers will let you know if it’s just me.
Cheers!