1.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 06:23:22
LMAO, that picture says it all.
I'd be interested to read what the ed/ s make of a proposed Winter break for the Premier League too. Perhaps tomorrow?

{Ed001's Note - I just don't see the point of it. If there is the space for one, why not just spread the season out a bit further to use the space within the season to give more rest time?}


2.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 07:09:08
exactly ed001, i don't see why having no break is seen as the problem, when the problem is cramming up all those games in that short period?

if games weren't crammed up like that would we even be talking about a winter break? just spread out some of the games and it would solve the issue.

{Ed001's Note - it is odd they are considering it.}


3.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 07:26:33
This says it all ‘I felt contact and I went down’ - not ‘I felt that the goalkeeper stopped me from getting the ball and I went down’

I don’t understand how the rules aren’t being enforced properly - it’s not that any touch at all = a foul, it’s if they are impeded, and clearly artificially dragging a leg (or jumping in someone’s way) to initiate a slight contact and then falling to the ground is absolutely not a foul. not to mention both were offsides.


4.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 09:07:59
This is nothing new SGRed. It has been going on for years and i don't think any forward reacts differently in the same situation, including Liverpool forwards.


5.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 09:24:19
Yes agree Irish, hence why I’m pointing to the way it’s officiated, not necessarily Kane (who I actually think did dive but it’s not being officiated that way) .

As far as I’m concerned if you go to ground when the touch is so slight it doesn’t impact your balance or impede you in any way that is a dive.


6.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 09:57:59
I think in cases where a player has blatantly taken a dive after minimal contact in order to win a penalty they should get a penalty for the contact but also a red card for the dive, yellow isn’t enough of a deterrent. All dives missed by the referee should also be punished with a 3 match ban as well.
That’s how you stamp out this problem immediately.


7.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 10:45:53
Jeez u lot still harping on about those penalties? If we had seen out the game properly would Kane even have been in our box? If Klopp didn't make ultra defensive changes would Lamela even have got on the pitch?
Would Wanyama? 2 subs 2 goals. Whens the last time Klopp made and impactful substitution in a match?


8.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 11:24:28
Personally, i think they should do away with penalties in the 18 yard box and replace them with indirect free kicks wherever the foul was made in the box. The amount of players who deliberately go down when their touch takes them wide, because they know they have no chance of scoring, is astonishing. Give them an indirect free kick at an impossible angle and you'll be amazed how many players suddenly figure out the art of balance and manage to stay on their feet.

If the foul stops a clear goal scoring chance, then I'd still give out a red card to the offender, but an indirect free kick would do just fine.

Anything in the 6 yard box would still have to be a penalty because an indirect free kick from 2 yards would just be ridiculous 😂

It is just too easy to go down knowing full well if you con the ref your team has a good 90% chance of scoring. The potential reward outweighs the risk. So take away the reward and you watch strikers suddenly find their feet!

Personally i don't think any amount of punishment will eliminate diving for as long as there is such a high chance of a player winning the game for his team by going down in the box. Kane's touch was so bad there is almost no chance he would have scored. So to him, diving to win a penalty greatly increased his chances of scoring.


9.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 12:38:21
If offside was discarded as a rule, that would make an assistant referee's job a little easier, they could then focus on the actual player on the ball instead of the last line.

What are the drawbacks to removing offside?

Has it ever even been tested out in junior tournaments in recent history?

I know that it might promote having a striker hang around the opposition goalkeeper, maybe even obstruct him, but maybe it's worth trying out and then we'd know?!

{Ed002's Note - They have tried moving the offside point from half way the the edge of the area in the past.}


10.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 13:17:15
Oh yes, I just about recall that.

I can't remember the outcome of that experiment though other than it being scrapped.

The only drawback in my mind would be that we'd see quite a scrappy situation in 18 yard boxes, obstructing of the keepers and so on - might lead to new cheating tactics and maybe even new positions being created on the field, which could be even more of a nightmare to officiate.

I have a lot of sympathy for referees and assistants right now.
Never has there been more confusing rules, player and manager abuse pretty much being ignored and there's more scrutiny on them with TV tech now like what was used last night to show Lamela was definitely offside for the 2nd penalty on Sunday.

Then you have idiot fans with their abuse and death threats, I just doubt that the powers that be take it all seriously enough as it's not them directly involved and most are dinosaurs near the top.


11.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 14:47:40
Look, the 2nd pen should not have stood, and the ref and linesman trying to work out both possible pens was a joke, and once again, we were on the wrong end of it .


12.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 15:11:32
A dive should result in a red card it’s as simple as that. It’s the only way to stop people


13.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 16:52:34
Both incidents were offside 🤝.


14.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 19:12:30
Spot on, Ron.


15.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 19:17:22
Slimz, what is your beef with Klopp, for heaven's sake? You blame Klopp for everything. The two goals Spurs scored should NEVER have stood if we had a competent ref and lino who knew the rules of football to begin with. Is that Klopp's fault? You are starting to sound bitter as if you want Klopp to fail so you can gloat or something. Take a day off, man!


16.) 06 Feb 2018
06 Feb 2018 20:37:52
If we eliminate the offside then I suspect a lot of teams would adopt long ball footy.


17.) 07 Feb 2018
07 Feb 2018 00:53:04
Because Sky controls the narrative of football and they have their presenters saying 'there was contact so it's a penalty' like those guys are out there playing basketball.