22 Oct 2024 09:10:44
I said after the Arsenal - City game the PGMOL needs to get a handle on this blocking and grabbing at set pieces because all teams will do is have 9 blockers and 1 attacker like Arsenal do. Just clear the way for your best header of the ball.
If you are purposely moving towards another player in an attempt to stop them getting to the ball and are not going for the ball yourself it’s a foul. Always has been, always will be.
22 Oct 2024 10:52:07
I still can't get my head around the 2 shoulder to shoulder challenges the ref gave against us on Sunday (1 was Darwin can't remember the other)
22 Oct 2024 13:23:30
The other was Gravenberch on Neto which was absolutely insane. John Brooks is a dumpster fire of a ref BUT that we already knew.
@BP, I think it is okay for players to stand wherever they want during a setpiece including in an offside position. However, the refs in the PL have decided that it is now ope season regarding the grabbing and blocking people off hence, there is NO order whatsoever.
This is why we now have chaos in these situations whereas in other leagues I watch, you can do the same things BUT they have limits and the ref has the right to intervene hence, players can't just start throwing each other around cos they will get penalised with fouls and penalties actually get awarded. Just my take.
22 Oct 2024 19:40:16
The reaction to slot and his staff to that Nunez shoulder barge was fabulous.
Known for being a very calm and level headed man and he spends 8 games in the premier league with our crop of refs and he’s going mad.
22 Oct 2024 20:57:21
Wassa, pretty sure the calm and level-headed fans sitting at the ground or watching the game on TV had the exact same reaction as Slot and his staff and players did. I know I had it.
22 Oct 2024 22:04:23
I had it too Oli it was beyond belief!
On the set piece debate I totally agree that you can stand wherever you want and you don’t have to get out of the way. However, if you make a move towards another player to purposely block them from getting to the ball when you are not trying to get to the ball yourself it’s a foul.
I gave an extreme example in another thread of a team taking a kick off and just all linking arms and forming a circle around the player with the ball as he runs to the goal. Blocking all of the defenders from getting to the ball all the way to the goal. It’s a silly example but the premise is the same.
If we are now allowed to block and grab players at set pieces to stop them getting to the ball then why can’t we do it elsewhere on the pitch?
It’s like American Football with the wide receiver running to the endzone whilst his team mates just block the opposition from getting to him. In fact Arsenal’s set pieces are very much like American Football plays. They probably have names for each play in training and write them on whiteboards, who is the runner and who are the blockers.
I really can’t understand people who defend these tactics and don’t see anything wrong with it. It goes against the most basic rules of football.
22 Oct 2024 22:51:52
That referee was possibly the worst I have seen. Yes the worst ref I can remember just got literally every decision wrong. Even our players where looking at him as if he where a parody or a Harry Enfield character.