StraferJack

The score reads like a tiebreaker in tennis. BONKERS 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0; 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4; 4-5, 5-5, 5-6, 5-7

Coquelin and giroud threw their shirts into crowd. Had to be told about extra time. Heh

scrutiny [of Clattenburg] would detract from the match and be unfair to the clubs and the supporters of both sides." that isn't exactly untrue tho is it? people in authority should be accountable in ways the general public/players aren't @MickMac "if the racist comment WAS made, then Chelsea post Terry/Ferdinand would feel more inclined to make a bigger deal of it." this is true, but I think there is cunning involved here and we are looking at the linguistic equivalent of a dive

That's what I think too Otta I don't think it was premeditated, but when the game and decisions went aganst them in heightened circumstances I think emotion got the better of them, and a quick pow-wow in dressing room deemed this course of action to be the most expedient

Quite so RD To be fair to Mikel he normally comes across as more laid back than most and not someone looking for a fight The allegation I read is that the word ?monkey? was used. Given the level of emotions in the match, I wonder if that was used as a racial slur, or if Clattenburg used the more common ?cheeky monkey? when players were appealing a decision. If it was the latter (speculation on my part) I can see how it might be taken in the wrong way when emotions are running high ? but that?s not the same thing as Chelsea doubling-down after the match Either way, someone is going to come out of this looking very bad indeed

Strafer jack-o-Lanterns - I like it for all the Apple non-lovers out there http://cultofandroid.cultofmaccom.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/androidpumpkin.jpg

Chelsea sound more and more like a club out of control http://mirr.im/QQScM9

Ok ok, Celtic lost, you're upset. I get it. No need to shout tho. ;-)

Video tech should help with majority of offside positions Diving judgments (even retrospective) would be more ambiguous much of the time, in which case no punishment Back to Torres second yellow yesterday, would anything change anything? probably not.. most ref's probably wouldn't have carded him but (whilst again saying I have no love for Clattenburg) I can see why he gave it. Fast game, apparent dive from a player who one isn't surprised to see go to ground. maybe he even thought he should have sent him off earlier and this was the opportunity to make amends (which isn't fair either I know)

Isn't there a difference between kicking someone (Torres' initial yellow) and a tackle missing the ball and brushing teh opponent? i'd say so

but if a player "chooses" to go down then the amount of contact should be incidental surely? A choice = a dive A player on his arse with no option about how he got there = a foul

Paul Hayward in the Telegraph today, whilst condeming Clattenburg's decision re: Torres makes the very good point below - coupled with red devil's observation, i find it understandable the card was produced: "You may have missed this in the stampede to analyse Fernando Torres? sending off on a second yellow card ? for simulation ? but when Chelsea?s ?50 million man collected the ball in the middle of the pitch with a clear run towards Manchester United?s goal he started looking wide for someone to offload the ball to. Torres found himself alone and was forced to stride on at a pace that seldom looks convincing. The initial dart of his eyes said that he was uncomfortable with the opportunity he had been given. As he rumbled into United?s final third, Jonny Evans thrust a boot at his shin and Torres went over as if the victim of a heavy foul. To send him off in these circumstances was plain wrong. But there was plenty in his all-round play to make Chelsea wish they could write Van Persie?s name on their team-sheet instead. The European champions traipsed away harbouring all sorts of grievances. Torres might have stayed on his feet under light contact but could not be accused of diving in the strictest sense. He is guilty, though, of sluggishness around the pitch and squandering a general blessing. For a striker to look up and see Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar in the same colours in advanced creative roles, is a jackpot-win. Most days, Torres is not worthy of this good fortune"

"that'd would inevitably lead to every near or in the box tackle going to the third referee/technology and would kill the flow of a game" couldn't you have something like tennis where you have a limited number of calls allowed per game/match? The offsides/non-offsides at the weekend could take seconds and a much fairer outcome ( I used to be anti-tech for the same reason you cite btw.)

"" Everyone knows a dive when they see it." " fair enough - sligtly too broad a brush there, but the thrust remains the same. your point about the pace of modern footballers is valid but too many players are aware of this and use it as a smokescreen At the top level I really can't see any argument against technology for these big decisions In the meantime, if enough doubt is introduced into cheaters minds by a sustained wave of cards then the net result should be broadly positive (Torres should have gone anyway for his first yellow IMO - and even with the second and the "slight" touch he clearly put on a show.)

As I said I can't stand the man (clattenburg) But that's not to say the main point is wrong

All video tapes? Or have you got some NTSC ones (American)? They will struggle with many vcrs

Offside is a different argument tho ( and I agree with your weekend conclusion) But not idealist 1) clamp down in game 2) retrospective video decisions Everyone knows a dive when they see it. Everyone hates it. Relatively easy problem to solve. It really really is

I can't abide clattenburg But I was happy to see the bookings for diving today (as I was gervinio booked for arsenal for same) More of that please. Yes there was some contact with Torres. Yes the rules says as long as there is some contact it's not a simulation But it was. So book em. All of em

pelnty of other forums (incl likes of youtube etc) have a like and unlike button does anyone pay the blindest bit of notice?

I've been using facebook since it started - I don't think I'm "snobby" about it and nor was I comparing it to any other "social" thingy when I talk about the facebook likes being icky I do think the quality of facebook has declined over the years as they crowbar more and more in there and if people are happy ignoring it fine but the amount of spam on there is making it less worth my while. People liking their friends comments and pics seems fine But for "likes" on a wider scale, this is worth a read http://daylandoes.com/facebook-like-scams/

Have all the likes in the world for someone like that if you want- they are still going to get banned. Admin might try and explain the root causes but without being party to the source you are still "liking" something without knowing all the facts As for "like" buttons, aspiring to be ANYthing like facebook these days? ick

ah, were we ever so young

No matter how many nappies I change, wipes will always remind me of camping at festivals so not too fussed about brands

But in that spirit, some more likely threads include: My child can?t sleep because of the fireworks My dog can?t sleep because of the fireworks My cat can?t sleep because of the fireworks Can?t believe local school can?t call it Christmas/Nativity have to call their play ?winterval? (or whatever) (followed by lots of people pointing out the obvious)

Sometimes the *bob* / Ted Max venn diagram is almost a single circle