Proves that some players can't be intimidated. Intimidation works only so long as you can adjudge that it'll work. When it fails, you deal with the outcome. Messy I know, and there is the argument that in encourages bad challenges, but certain players over the years have used the aura of intimidation to their advantage - Keane, Ince, McMahon, Souness to name but 4. WHenever they went into 50:50s, they mostly came out with the ball because their opponent tended not to commit to the challenge... These days you don't get that type of player. I guess the rules are weeding them out...
But there is another side to that argument, Dembele never actually stuck his leg in at all, quite the opposite in fact, he tried jumping out of the way of a challenge he was never going to win, Spearing then needlessly left the ground after clearing the ball, yes he cleanly cleared the ball first with a good one footed challenge but then raised his second foot leaving the ground putting his studs into Dembele's ankle while he was off the floor, this made it look more malicious in my opinion as it was completely unnecessary.
Disagree. Football is a contact sport yes. You have to be brave. It is not ballet but it is not boxing. Football has really moved on since the days of Revie's Leeds where tackles were hard and when skillful players were always at risk of being put of the game by "hard tackling" players. Now we have the likes of Barcelona where it is all about passing and skill. You really do not have to intimidate opposition to play good football. As for Nani, I have no doubt that if he had gone into the challenge himself and not jump out of it, he would have been injured.
Or Kompany would have been injured. You can't determine which. Generally when you overstretch, you are the one who gets injured, as you're locking out joints to make the stretch. No give available in you, so you're likely to pick up an injury, especially when the other player isn't stretching as much. I'm not suggesting a return to tackles through the back of a player who doesn't see it coming; that was the main bugbear in the 70's teams of hard men. I love the passing and skill, but silk without steel is just flaccid footie to me. A couple of blood and thunder challenges make a big difference in a atmosphere and enjoyment of a game...
Either way, it was Kompany's actions that put both players in potential danger of injury. Same with Keane on Haaland (the original challenge where Keane injured himself) - Keane deserved a booking for that and he got it. I agree with you, but you can make a blood and thunder challenge without serious risk of injury. If you leave the ground, showing your studs and throwing all your momentum into another player then you are going too far imo. Many players have made similar challenges but without showing their studs and keeping control of their momentum. And I think most players and fans would rather have a bit less thunder in the game if it meant no more Eduardo, Ramsey or Holden esque injuries
In 12 FA Cup ties with Liverpool, United have lost just once in the past 91 years that was in 2006. The record is United won 9, Liverpool won 3, two of which were in 1898 and 1921. Not including replays of which there have been 4. They have contested 2 FA Cup Finals in 1977 and 1996 both of which United have won.
Thanks for that. Your point being? You're the crew who invariably discount 'history' as invalid and bunk. What does you history lesson have to say about the forthcoming clash?
The lad asked a question you silly bastard. Did anywhere in my post say because of this fact United are going to win? No you ****.
I think that it's fairly clear that I was unaware you were responding to an earlier question. I made an assumption, which was clearly incorrect, if understandable, you vicious manc twat.
What was Mancini saying with his gesture after the Skrtel incident, was he suggesting that if he didn't give him a red the owners would charge him more for his petrol?
Wow, didn't realise our record against them in the FA Cup was so good! Not that it's going to have any bearing on the 4th round, but that's pretty impressive Maybe he was asking the ref if he'd received his Christmas card yet?
How can you be unaware you thick bastard? The quote box with him asking the question was right above my post. Good lord. Talk about selective viewing. It's the normal for Liverpool fans isn't it?
Nah. I just genuinely missed it, which is highly unusual for someone with my massive degree of intellect
No Mancini was asking for him to be sent off, but because we hadn't offered a fee, unlike the scum, it was turned down. We have so much to learn!
To a degree I agree with you. With Spearing's challenge, his momentum wasn't going to take him into the player until Dembele crossed his path after the ball had gone however. But minutiae really. When sliding in, its very difficult not to have studs showing; you'll probably be horizontal and at full stretch. About the only thing you can avoid is being two footed.
