For those interested stats show; Shots on target 10:1 Shots off target 8:2 Possession 61% : 39% Corners 7:1 Fouls 11:13 Offsides 1:2 Subs 2:3
Not quite sure how we lost that one, but well done Sunderland for converting your ONE chance! Confidence slowly returning so let's take the points from West Brom on Wednesday!
Stats didn't highlight that Sunderland were denied a stonewall penalty that would have undoubtedly put the game beyond doubt..
Its all part of the game, happens to us all. Could have been 1-0 to the Swans - "Ki controversially had an earlier effort ruled out by referee Phil Dowd; TV replays indicated Ki's effort should have stood"
Alvarez' theatrical jump / dive / drop - call it what you will - was probably enough to persuade Dowd contact was marginal or none existent. Was he making up for not allowing Ki's effort in the first half? Very unlike Dowd to give us anything so I was surprised he was so even handed.
With the benefit of MOTD, Ki did seem marginally offside. It was a penalty every day of the week too, but the way he went down swayed it away from him...
They should rename the Sunderland team the Swallows,as they dived at every opportunity to gain free kicks. Biggest culprit was the well known diver Jordi Gomez, who spent more time writhing on the floor than playing football, and should have been sent of for the bad tackle on his "friend" and compatriot Rangel. Amazingly the blinkered Dowd kept on giving free kicks to them, although perhaps not surprising given his previous inept performances when reffing us. MOTD last night, in their analysis, preferred to focus on Sunderland's penalty shout, where their players theatricals to William's tackle swayed the ref not to give it,rather than the other controversial decision,where our "offside" goal was disallowed.
"Amazingly the blinkered Dowd...given his previous inept performances when reffing us". Swansea City 4 Reading 2 - Championship play off Final. Sinclair scored 2 penalties. Referee that day was Mr. Phil Dowd. Thank goodness for Dowd's ineptness that day,else The Swans' would be goodness knows where.
Just because he gave correct decisions a few years ago still doesn't cover the fact that he is an inept ref. He's about 2 stone overweight and struggles to keep up with play.
Offside is very interesting, Ki head neck and shoulders were off side yet his feet were clearly behind the man. So i ask If his little finger had been infront of the player would that be offside. I have checked my own quetion here and it is any part of head, body and feet, arms however cannot be offside.
So,what you are saying is that he hasn't always been "inept"? His alleged ineptness could well have affected his decisions in the Reading game. Perhaps he incorrectly awarded those penalties. Bottom line here then is that,a) Dowd WASN'T inept when awarding two penalties that put The Swans' into the P.L.,but,b) now he IS inept simply because he doesn't give you what you want. Priceless logic.
So we should applaude him for doing his job correctly? He's a ****e ref, the fact that he occasionally gets a decision correct doesn't mask that fact. He's a very poor ref, and there'd be plenty of fans on this forum alone prepared to say the same thing. You don't half come out with some posts Vetch.
The "plenty of fans on this forum",well,if I want to get a reasoned,impartial,unbiased opinion on anything football related,I wouldn't consult many on this,or other forums. One eyes rule,period. Still can't deal with someone having different opinions to yours. My case rests.
Let's be honest it would have been a travesty of a result if we'd have lost that game so justice was done. Sunderland hardly created anything at all. It can happen though, because we did that to Southampton last week. Bob - not sure why you're questioning my assessment of Cork. At least I think you are by the use of a single smiley, not sure. I thought he was very good. Broke up play on numerous occasions and looks a good signing. Made the odd mistake but he wasn't alone. If you disagree perhaps you should say why?