Football Viewpoint

PLAY TO THE WHISTLE!

2009-08-11T08:29:00.006+01:00

In the aftermath of all the heated debate concerning the build up to Chelsea's second goal during last Sundays Community Shield match against Manchester United the F.A. have felt it necessary to issue a statement on their website to clarify the situation.

For anyone who hasn't seen the incident, Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack blocked United's Patrice Evra off the ball. But as United had retained possession the referee Chris Foy allowed play to continue. Correctly deeming that Evra was not seriously injured, the game was not stopped and Chelsea proceeded to win the ball back, launch a counter-attack and score.

Cue much hysteria from Sky's Andy 'grey area' Gray and Jamie 'could 'ave been a red card' Redknapp, not to mention an on-field rant at the ref from Sir Alex Ferguson after the final whistle (Respect campaign, anyone?).

I appreciate that it is in the media's interest to whip up controversy to persuade people to contact various phone-ins or to send in their 'thoughts' via e-mail, but is it too much to ask that the experts, and i use the term loosely, actually learn the laws of the game prior to each season.

This is not a new topic. Prior to last season it was agreed that to end the constant kicking of the ball off the field of play, so that an injured player could get treatment, it would again be solely up to the ref to determine if an injury was serious enough to halt the game. Put simply, play to the whistle.

As a postscript, for how many years have we heard from various pundits "do you understand the off-side law Richard? 'Cos i don't". Well i am sorry but bloody well learn it, it is your job!

Is Arshavin the answer to Arsenal's problems?

2009-02-01T12:49:00.003Z

With less than two days of the current transfer window remaining the protracted negotiations between Arsenal and Zenit St. Petersburg concerning the transfer of play-maker Andrei Arshavin continue unresolved.

The question remains however, with Arsenal having put all their eggs into one basket with this single signing, can one player really make that much difference for the remainder of the season?

Assuming the transfer goes through, Arshavin will have little time to settle into not only a new team but a whole new culture too. As good a player as he is this is asking a lot, especially as he will be severely lacking in match fitness. The 2008 Russian championship finished at the end of November and Arshavin’s last competitive game was the Champions League fixture at Real Madrid on December 10.

Emmanuel Eboue and Abou Diaby were added to an already lengthy injury list yesterday and Arsenal's squad is now looking thinner than ever. Though the addition of Arshavin would be a welcome boost, the relative lack of signings last summer and this January could very well cost Arsenal dear this season.

January Transfers - Premier League clubs just looking, not buying?

2009-01-04T12:02:00.007Z

With the January transfer window now open the usual frenzied media hype about who will go where is now in full flow.

But as yet the two Manchester clubs are the only ones to put their hands into their pockets, with England international full-back Wayne Bridge joining City from Chelsea and United signing Serbians Zoran Tosic and Adam Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade.

As when Roman Abramovich took over at Chelsea the Abu Dhabi United Group's purchase of Manchester City will see an extra few million pounds put on the price tag of any potential transfer target, which has a knock on affect for the rest of the teams in the league.

We have already heard this week from Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill and the Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger that they are both unwilling to pay what they consider over-inflated prices for players. However, it seems only natural to me that the clubs that are forced to sell in order to strengthen their own squads will try and get the best possible price for any departing players.

So at present we have somewhat of a stalemate, with plenty of speculation and rumour but little in the way of business. Has the Premier League bubble burst? It may be a little premature to say that but perhaps the money-men involved are feeling the pinch like the rest of the global markets.

Club Vs Country

2008-11-19T17:21:00.005Z

With a spate of withdrawals from the England squad in the days leading up to tonight's friendly against Germany in Berlin the usual debate about the validity of such matches has resurfaced again.

Naturally club managers do not want their best players to travel, play and risk injury in what to them is a meaningless game during a critical part of the season with Premier League and UEFA Cup/Champions League matches coming thick and fast.

Conversely from England coach Fabio Capello's point of view it is an essential exercise in preparation for next springs World Cup qualifiers, giving him a chance to experiment with tactics and personnel.

Whilst i would like to think that no English player would willingly give up the opportunity to represent his country, i do wonder how much pressure is put onto them by their respective club managers to withdraw from international friendly squads.

It will be interesting to see how many of the missing players names miraculously appear on the team sheet for their clubs Premier League fixtures this weekend, or am i just being cynical?

Violent conduct charge for Chelsea striker

2008-11-15T15:31:00.004Z

Didier Drogba has officially been charged by the Football Association with violent conduct. The charge is a result of the coin throwing incident during the Carling cup tie with Burnley last Wednesday at Stamford Bridge.

The flash point came after Drogba had scored for Chelsea and celebrated in front of the away fans. Objects were thrown onto the pitch and Drogba reacted angrily, firstly by making an obscene hand gesture and then by picking up a coin and hurling it indiscriminately into the crowd.

The F.A. have also requested further information from both clubs and are liaising with the Metropolitan Police in an attempt to identify the missile throwing Burnley fans, who if caught could be banned from attending football matches for life.

So what punishment can Drogba expect? A similar incident occurred in 2002 during a F.A. cup tie at Highbury between Arsenal and Liverpool. Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also threw a coin back into the crowd after missiles were thrown at him, but he was sent off by the referee and the F.A. decided that the three match ban for the red card was a sufficient punishment.

Drogba was yellow carded by referee Keith Stroud who reportedly informed the F.A. that this was for celebrating in front of the Burnley fans and that he did not see the coin throwing incident.

In my opinion the F.A. set a precedent with Carragher's ban and Drogba should receive no more. Whilst not excusing his behaviour, especially as he could have no idea who the coin might hit when he threw it back, footballers should not have to deal with objects being hurled at them and i can understand his anger in the heat of the moment.

What punishment do you think Drogba should receive? Is a life ban excessive for any fan caught throwing a missile?

Van Nistelrooy injury blow for Real Madrid

2008-11-13T16:27:00.004Z

It was confirmed today via the official Real Madrid website that Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy will miss the rest of this season after undergoing knee surgery.

With Van Nistelrooy out of action for anything up to nine months Real Madrid will surely be active in the transfer market come January.

A possible target for the current La Liga champions could be Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez. Since Dimitar Berbatov arrived at Old Trafford the diminutive Argentinian front man has found his first team appearances limited. A move to Madrid would also keep him fresh in the thoughts of his new national team boss Diego Maradona.

Quite who would benefit from any transfer fee i have no idea and i certainly wouldn't want to do the paperwork, just ask West Ham!

ARSENAL'S YOUNG GUNS SHOOT DOWN WIGAN

2008-11-12T15:34:00.006Z

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger continued his now familiar policy of selecting youth and first team squad players for Carling cup ties last night, as his young gunners took on Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium.

With Wigan fielding a near full strength side it appeared to be a baptism of fire for the inexperienced Arsenal players. However, seemingly unfazed by the occasion and no doubt buoyed by the presence of numerous first team players in the crowd to support them, Arsenal put in a stunning performance.

Totally confident in their ability, they played with pace and skill creating numerous goal-scoring chances. Only a string of fine saves by Wigan's England international goalkeeper, Chris Kirkland, prevented the tie being over by half-time. Arsenal did eventually take the lead three minutes before the interval when striker Jay Simpson latched onto 16 year-old Jack Wilshere's defence splitting pass and calmly poked the ball through the legs of the advancing Kirkland.

Two more goals in quick succession in the second half, Simpson again and an excellent chip from Mexican forward Carlos Vela, sealed the victory and booked Arsenal's place in the quarter-finals.

Arsene Wenger insists that the young players will continue to be selected however far they progress in this competition and i believe this can only be good for their footballing education.
Testing themselves against more experienced players and playing in front of large crowds can only be beneficial to their development.

It is also encouraging to see a good mixture of young English and foreign players and just goes to show that if you are talented and dedicated enough you will get a chance. Even if, as is likely, the majority of these young players do not become first team regulars at Arsenal i doubt that they could have received a better grounding for a successful career in professional football.