As co-president of the Marcelo Bielsa Not606 Saints Fan Club (alongside LTL), I'm not upset with this result.
Yep. If you're going to wrap someone in cotton wool, keep them wrapped. Don't risk them, whether it's for 90 mins or 10 mins.
My opinion for what it’s worth - he went to clear it up the field, followed through (cos you can’t stop your momentum) and caught Jesus accidentally. A yellow but no red, If that was a red and the laws were reasonable that ridiculous challenge by Fernandinho should have been a red too. It’s a physical game and there was no intent with Cooper’s challenge. The Fernandinho challenge was cynical and could have really injured Raphina .... I’d have given him a red for that. That’s why I’m no referee .....
I haven't seen the Cooper incident yet, so can't comment on that. But I agree about Fernandinho. Cynical in the extreme, zero attempt to win the ball. 100% about taking out someone heading towards goal.
It was a red for Cooper. He was completely out of control and his studs went into the back of his knee. Fernandinho's was cynical but not serious foul play.
Unfortunately there's no red card offence for that. I do remember a Cardiff player getting sent off at Spurs for a ridiculous challenge on Lucas Moura but that was so far off the ball it had to be red. This one wasn't as bad.
I absolutely agree Fernandinho should have gone, that really was cynical, and Raphinia had to leave the field injured.
With nine man benches, it's pretty difficult for any senior PL player to not make the squad. Regardless of whether the manager ever expects to use them. Pep could have named a kid or two of course. But maybe he thought that if someone like Bernardo got injured after 30 mins, he'd rather reluctantly unwrap KDB? I dunno.
