Football Focus

[Bluerevolution]

RE Boyd, hard to say as I wasn't in the vicinity. Boyd clearly dived and Joe had a go, was it just and angry altercation and spittle flew ? I don't know but 3 three independent referees [who don't meet each other, just chosen at random by FA and sent video evidence to make their own judgement] They deemed it spitting on purpose.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1999750-george-boyd-banned-3-matches-for-spitting-at-joe-hart

[Alan Medic]

I knew who you were referring to JL but they aren't anywhere near Paris. But I was curious about the original Wanderers and googled it and lo and behold they play locally.

[Alan Medic]

StraferJack Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> We have had many feisty games over the years.

> That's ok

>

> Gameplay to target smaller players different in my

> book

George Best was small and boy was he targeted. That was because of how good he was. In the particular game you refer to, Keane wasn't even playing. If he was then perhaps a lot of hairstyles would have been put out of place.

[????]

I think Arsenal's (relative) decline can be summed up by the oft repeated cliche "they never replaced Vierra"

[ruffers]

van Persie out with a self inflicted injury. If he'd played the ball rather than trying to buy a foul he'd be fine right now, silly boy.

edit - Actually I just watched it and may be being a bit harsh. A bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EfMFy9ZGlc

[Otta]

???? Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think Arsenal's (relative) decline can be summed

> up by the oft repeated cliche "they never replaced

> Vierra"

This

No steel in midfield.

[ruffers]

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Anyone got an opinion on Boyd's 3 match ban for

> spitting at Joe Hart? (BR I'd be interested in

> your take).

>

> First of all, he dived, no question. But I thought

> Hart's reaction was out of order, and I thought

> when I first saw it on MOTD, that looks really bad

> in slow mo, but he's basically shouting in Hart's

> face, he hasn't gobbed at him.

>

> I still think that, and was surprised he got the

> ban.

Can I have a go? - I agree with you. One aspect of BT Sport coverage which is starting to annoy me is they seem desperate to find and provoke conflict, even more than Shreeves at Sky, and they were going right at this.

Shouty emotional people who've been running around may eject spittle - I don't think he spat though and it should have been left as the ref saw it. Hart leant in, but didn't nut, leave it to the ref.

[Otta]

Bloody hell, looks like Arsenal's midfield forgot to get on the team bus this morning! And poor Kieran Gibbs, the Ox was even telling the ref it was him!

[StraferJack]

Face palm

[maxxi]

That's a huge victory over local rivals!

Derby must be delighted.

[red devil]

I watched bits of that match, Derby played some nice stuff, the Wally with the Brolly returneth...

[Otta]

Genuinely thought Liverpool might do a Liverpool and ness today up after a great result kast week. After so many years of their inconsistency it's hard to believe they might have actually learnt to grind out results. Comfortable in the end, but first half had me biting my nails.

[Jah Lush]

Liverpool are definitely benefitting by not having to play in the Europa League. I'm not using that as an excuse for how shite Spurs are but I think it is an advantage over other teams who have had to participate in that competition. I'm rather hoping we finish 8th this season.

[Otta]

Yeah I don't think any red would deny that not being in Europe at this stage is probably a benefit. And any other cup for that matter.

At the end if the day, reds (me very much included) are dreaming of a league win right now, but 4th was the target at the beginning of the season, and it looked a big ask before a ball was kicked. So whatever happens now it's been a very successful season.

But I am really really starting to think we have a chance...

[red devil]

You probably won't get a better chance Ots. Next season you will definitely be in the CL, and unless you beef up your squad substantially over the summer, I can't see you having such a good season again. But whatever happens this season, both yourselves and Arsenal have had good seasons PL wise.

I'm with Jah on the EL, I don't care if some fans think it's disrespecting the competition, I don't want Utd in it.

Hands off Jah, 8th place is ours!...

[Otta]

I think that's probably a fair summary. We don't have much depth at this stage and whilst I think we will strengthen, the CL will be a big distraction assuming we get to the latter stages.

Still think we've got an uphill struggle, but in our (well the players) own hands with home fixtures so long as we can keep winning games like today.

[Mick Mac]

Jah Lush Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Liverpool are definitely benefitting by not having

> to play in the Europa League. I'm not using that

> as an excuse for how shite Spurs are but I think

> it is an advantage over other teams who have had

> to participate in that competition. I'm rather

> hoping we finish 8th this season.

Am I the only one who saw Jah The Man step/stagger out of a retro Mercedes outside the EDT Saturday afternoon...wearing the scarf of his new fav team.

[Parkdrive]

I had a sixth sense about yesterdays game,and can think of loads of reasons why we lost, but ultimately its six of one and half a dozen of the other. I'll get me coat.

[Otta]

Mick Mac Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Am I the only one who saw Jah The Man step/stagger

> out of a retro Mercedes outside the EDT Saturday

> afternoon...wearing the scarf of his new fav team.

The Mercedes of one Steveo.

[Mick Mac]

Parkdrive Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I had a sixth sense about yesterdays game,and can

> think of loads of reasons why we lost, but

> ultimately its six of one and half a dozen of the

> other. I'll get me coat.

Unfortunately it was six of one and none of the other.

[Parkdrive]

El Classico lived up to the pre-match hype. It was one those games were both sides were more interested in attack than defence. I still don't see what all the fuss is about with Neymar.

[Ladygooner]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26711403

Both Gibbs and Oxlade Chamberlain will not face ban - that's alright then

[Jah Lush]

How is Oxlade Chamerlain's diving save with his hand not a sending off? Poor decision by the FA. Surely, if the referee had got the right man in the first place the decision would have stood.

[StraferJack]

Yeah even with ball going wide the intent was clearly to stop a goal

Fa arbitration is weird

[Otta]

Agree, BUT he didn't block a goalward bound shot, even if he intended too.