On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[Sandperson]

I think AG has finally lost it. Did anyone hear a bang in south London, if so, I think it was his head exploding. :))

[Atila Reincarnate]

Sandperson Wrote:

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> I think AG has finally lost it. Did anyone hear a

> bang in south London, if so, I think it was his

> head exploding. :))

Well, well if it it isn't the plastic manc and his so called sense of humour. Keep up the day job cos a comedian you ain't, although you're worthy of being laughed at.

[Annasfield]

Yes Atila all scousers are theiving scallies.

No matter what you say, trying to create an atmoshphere at the emirates in that manner is embarassing and no stereotypical retorts about Liverpool will change that.

[Atila Reincarnate]

What's more embarassing is the fact the Pool haven't won the Prem!!

[Sandperson]

I didn't realise that UEFA had actually charged Eduardo. I know they've stuck their oar in like this before but aren't they opening a massive can of worms here?

[matthew123]

For those that care... it's the FA Cup tomorrow, Dulwich Hamlets v Sevenoaks Town at 3 p.m.

If anyone thinks they've ever followed their Club on the road to Wembley.. which I have countless times with Liverpool.. I have to say there is nothing quite like following your local team from August through all the prelimenary rounds as I once did back in yonder until we reached the first round proper and faced the might of Cardiff City. Ahhh Hot Bovril in shitty paper cups, standing on the touchline and finally losing 4-2.. not quite Istanbul but still..

Tempted to attend but I'll probably give it a miss in favour of sticking my loyal ear to radio commentary from Bolton..

[mockney piers]

Or do both. I've regularly watched DH crash out the cup, but always an entertaining day.

Go, do eeeeet. I cant sadly as off on holiday v v early, else would join you.

[SimonM]

Despite Atila's typically umm....robust tone I agree with him about this Eduardo business. Diving for penalties has a long and ignoble history, and we can all name the usual suspects. Picking on Eduardo is just absurd. In addition I think Wenger's take on the whole business - that it was a penalty but not a dive, that Eduardo in particular is bound to be somewhat sensitive to the chances of incurring a serious injury and consequently there's going to be a fine line between diving and simply avoiding serious physical collisions.

But where scarves etc are concerned he's on his own, and cheap shots at Liverpool - both the city and the club - just remind us why it is so easy not to love Arsenal. :))

[Keef]

Atila Reincarnate Wrote:

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> What's more embarassing is the fact the Pool

> haven't won the Prem!!

And what's even more embarrassing is the fact that Arsenal haven't won anything full stop for a few years now!!! ;-)

[Keef]

On the subject of diving though, I am with Atila. It goes on at every level, and Gerrard has been guilty more than once. Either clamp down or don't, but don't just make a big thing of one case. That said, it was a blatant cheat the other night, which took the sheen off what could have been a fair and square result.

[red devil]

This has come from UEFA regarding a European game, it has nothing to do with Premier League games...

[mockney piers]

It really needs to he part of a debate about replay evidence. As long as FIFA prevaricate stupid bolas will be dis/allowed and 'gamesmanship' will be rife.

We need these decisions to be made quickly and for punishment to be severe, eduardo should have been sent off for instance (as in the past should have many many others).

Until there is this fundamental shift we'll be on this board until tibuctoolapolooza complaining about this.

[matthew123]

It's harsh on Eduardo but the clean up has to start some where and I believe this will send out a very strong message across Europe and can only be for the good of the game. Platini and UEFA are often maligned but on this occasion they have my full support... and if they want to take retrospective action on Gerrard and Ronaldo then do it.

[Annasfield]

Here's another one Atila

What ship has never docked in Liverpool? Yes, thats right the Premiership.

What did we do with ourselves before the football was invented in the 90s...................

[Jah Lush]

Blackburn 1 West Ham 2

Bolton 0 Liverpool 2

Chelsea 2 Burnley 0

Man Utd 2 Arsenal 2

Stoke 1 Sunderland 2

Tottenham 3 Birmingham 0

Wolverhampton 1 Hull 1

Aston Villa 0 Fulham 1

Everton 2 Wigan 0

Portsmouth 1 Man City 2

[Annasfield]

Agree with you on the Eduardo saga, however like Matthew has said UEFA are involved with this one. Feel sorry for Eduardo as he's being made an example of, however hopefully it will act as a detterent in future.

[Mick Mac]

Keef Wrote:

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> On the subject of diving though, I am with Atila.

> It goes on at every level, and Gerrard has been

> guilty more than once. Either clamp down or don't,

> but don't just make a big thing of one case. That

> said, it was a blatant cheat the other night,

> which took the sheen off what could have been a

> fair and square result.

Well said Keef. All this Arsenal "we would have won anyway" talk is probably true - but we will never know - a fair contest was all that Celtic deserved, and they did not even get that. That takes the shine off the Arsenal win.

I think where there is a blatent case of diving you DO have to highlight it - it makes other players think twice.

[Mick Mac]

Wenger fumed: "It is a complete disgrace. It singles out a player to be a cheat and that is not acceptable. We will not accept the way Uefa have treated this.

"There is a complete lack of logic in this case. Why? Because people have reacted emotionally. That I can understand in this case, first.

"Secondly because this case has been ruled by the media and three emotionally by the Scottish FA. Scottish people are working at Uefa. This case is more sensitive because they have more influence there."

If Eduardo is suspended he would miss Standard Liege away on 16 September and the home match with Olympiacos on 29 September.

Wenger added: "I believe you can debate whether it is a penalty or not. But this charge implies that with intent and with a desire to cheat the referee, Eduardo did act.

Yes - that's right Arsene - that is what UEFA is saying. They are saying he is a cheat.

[Mick Mac]

Blackburn 1 West Ham 1

Bolton 1 Liverpool 2

Chelsea 2 Burnley 1

Man Utd 1 Arsenal 3

Stoke 1 Sunderland 1

Tottenham 3 Birmingham 0

Wolverhampton 1 Hull 2

Aston Villa 2 Fulham 1

Everton 2 Wigan 0

Portsmouth 1 Man City 1

C'mon the Arsenal.

[SimonM]

They can allege he was a "cheat" but it is surely impossible to be certain? It's not like the guy who clutched his head when the ball had clearly hit his body, or Eduardo performed lots of melodramatic rolling and writhing after going down. I am all for systematically trying to eradicate the diving culture, but I don't this is a good example with which to launch such a campaign.

[Mick Mac]

Injury is not in question here Simon. He fell over without being touched to gain a penalty. That makes him a cheat. Its nothing to do with feigning injury.

It's been highlighted by the press and a UEFA ban will highlight it further. Players will think twice in future. Good result. I have no sympaty for him - He should not have done it.

[matthew123]

Would he have gone down like that if he was running for the Bus...

[Mick Mac]

Good point Matt.

Fabregas out of MU match.

[lard]

matthew123 Wrote:

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> For those that care... it's the FA Cup tomorrow,

> Dulwich Hamlets v Sevenoaks Town at 3 p.m.

>

> If anyone thinks they've ever followed their Club

> on the road to Wembley.. which I have countless

> times with Liverpool.. I have to say there is

> nothing quite like following your local team from

> August through all the prelimenary rounds as I

> once did back in yonder until we reached the first

> round proper and faced the might of Cardiff City.

> Ahhh Hot Bovril in shitty paper cups, standing on

> the touchline and finally losing 4-2.. not quite

> Istanbul but still..

>

Got all a bit jumpers for goalposts there. "Marvellous, wasnit"

[SimonM]

Blackburn 0 West Ham 0

Bolton 0 Liverpool 2

Chelsea 3 Burnley 0

Man Utd 1 Arsenal 0

Stoke 2 Sunderland 1

Tottenham 3 Birmingham 0

Wolverhampton 2 Hull 1

Aston Villa 3 Fulham 1

Everton 3 Wigan 0

Portsmouth 0 Man City 2