English Premier League

Originally Posted by dauls

As usual Fergie managed to get 6 extra minutes in a second half without that many delays. It clearly wasn't enough, do you think he'll ask for 10 minutes next weekend?

A newspaper item this week said the stats show Man U get on average between 90 seconds to 2 minutes more time added on if the are looking for an equaliser or winner compared to when they are leading after 90 minutes.

I see he also had his usual moan about the ref - basically, he's doing a good job if the decisions are going their way, such as giving the 'controversial' equalizer (I haven't seen it yet, so don't know if it was or not) but then he's doing a bad job when they're not - such as sending-off Fletcher.

According to the papers today, it seems that he could be having a player clear-out as well, with Berbatov set to be the first out the door.

[dauls]

Originally Posted by Natalie_J

I see he also had his usual moan about the ref - basically, he's doing a good job if the decisions are going their way, such as giving the 'controversial' equalizer (I haven't seen it yet, so don't know if it was or not) but then he's doing a bad job when they're not - such as sending-off Fletcher.

According to the papers today, it seems that he could be having a player clear-out as well, with Berbatov set to be the first out the door.

It was a soft second yellow card for Fletcher. Whilst I enjoyed seeing them reduced to 10 men, I was surprised the ref thought it was worth a booking. Earlier in the game he failed to book Paul 'Dirty Bastrd' Scholes for a tackle that was much worse.

Unfortunately the replays did show that the Man U players behind Scott Dann were onside in the run up to Dann's own goal. The 'controversial' aspect was the referee overruling the linesman who raised his flag as the goal was scored. The ref went over to the linesman for a few words before confirming the goal. I wonder what they said? ["Did you get the envelope of cash from Fergie at half-time?" "Yeah." "OK, it's a goal."]

If they do have a clear out, I wonder how much of a loss Man U will have to swallow on Berbatov? No one will pay anything like the ?30M he cost. Surely a loss is covered by the Ronaldo profit, and if their finances are really stretched they can always sell Rooney.

[deaflad78]

Pity that you all don't talk about the championship. I still support Newcastle united and the number one club. I am so laughed so hard at Manchester united's loss in the face cup.

What a big headed team they are, and I think fergie should better get an retirement package very soon.

[sammivalentine]

Fergie is no idiot, whinging about injury time to the media dusts over the fact they really are struggling without Ronaldo, highlighting how he carried them for the last two seasons - fact.

It also papers over the "100 games+ of fergie rotating players", something that Rafa got publically "media raped" for... even when Rafa was winning..:P

Its pretty much nailed on that most of the money Man Utd get from a clear out will go the same way as the funds from our sale of Robbie Keane, Alonso and the current Anfield "mini clearout" went... to pay off ridiculous interest.

Hicks, Gillette, Glazer and co really need to be driven out of football.

Ahemmm. x

[Kylieam1]

Sammi i am from america and also wore moms underwear but no one in my house was a fan of soccer as we call it here. I played sinc i was 6 till igraduated college. No way would rooney be sold he is a red devil for life. Fergie let ronaldo leave.

[Kylieam1]

I would take tevez over berbatov any day. Ronaldo complained alot and dived but almost everyone dives. Mourinho even said he told his players to stay down if they fell lol look at drogba if a gust of wind comes he goes flying across the field.

[dauls]

Originally Posted by Kylieam1

I would take tevez over berbatov any day. Ronaldo complained alot and dived but almost everyone dives. Mourinho even said he told his players to stay down if they fell lol look at drogba if a gust of wind comes he goes flying across the field.

Players like Ronaldo don't need to moan and dive. And last season he clearly kicked out in retaliation and connected with the opponent twice (a red card offence) and got away with it both times. Once against Spurs, the other team I can't remember.

When you see Drogba really play, riding challenges and fighting off defenders, it makes you wonder why he bothers with all that diving.

Yet when a player is punished for diving (Eduardo getting the penalty for Arsenal against Celtic) they appeal and the punishment gets thrown out.

Post match reviews of video evidence should be used to punish cheats. That might stop some of the play acting.

[Kylieam1]

I actually really like drogbas skills. Diving is a big part of the game unfortunately. In regards to him kicking a player thats messed up but he isnt the only one guilty of that.

[dauls]

First Man U lose in the 3rd Round and now Liverpool.

For the first time in 50 years both Liverpool and Man U both fail to win a game in the FA Cup.

OK, it was a soft penalty for Reading, but there was 'contact' before the Reading player went down, and as most football pundits seem to say nowadays, "there was contact, so it had to be a penalty".

Reading's winner was a beautiful goal, nice work by Brynjar Gunnarsson on the right wing when he nutmegged Emiliano Insua before crossing for Shane Long to glance in a header from six yards.

The injuries to Gerrard and Torres, turned what was a bad night for Liverpool into a dreadful one.

The problem is, both players have been carrying injuries all season but Benitez always hurries them back too soon and then they break down again. If they need 4 weeks to recover he should give them the full 4 weeks.