How long did Manchester United go wthout a penalty being awarded against them at home? It is still a rarity today and we all heard about 'Fergie time'. Ferguson could influence a game simply by being on the touchline because the officials were in fear/awe of him. At Everton every decision against them is greeted with a mighty roar from the crowd, some referees will be influenced and some won't and that's the same at every ground. We could influence the linesman on our side from the Kempton at Boothferry Park, and the referee if he ever came near enough. Don't tell me it never happened because I have witnessed it many a time. I've also seen it work against us v Derby when the ref sent off Bobby McNell for time wasting at a thrown in when we were losing but the reaction from the East Stand afterwards certainly changed the game in our favour and we won 3-2 in one of the best games of modern times at BP, ask anyone who was there for it was memorable. Even at Preston, look at their stats and how many goals, free kicks and penalties they get awarded when kicking towards the home end. Of course a voicerous home crowd can influence officials, anyone remember Spurs away when the ref was swayed into giving them a late penalty against us when a cross hit Elmos arm from point blank range? The roar from the crowd won them that one. Happened at Arsenal in the PL and certainly at Liverpool when we were two nil up and they were kicking towards the Kop. Haven't you ever heard the expression of a 'homer ref'? They are 'homers' for a reason, as not to upset the home support. Its a huge part of football at every level.
Derby was memorable for me, hit on the head by a lump of concrete thrown by a Derby git when our second went in. Still, no sense knocked into me whatsoever. The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.
I’ll never forget that Derby game. Kempton was in full voice that day, and although two down and with ten men, I think we believed we were going to win.The crowd certainly played their part. When I think of the Ark, apart from my first few games in 1970, that is the one that sticks out.
Of course the crowd can affect decisions, I never said otherwise, I just said the claim that 80% of our crowd just sit there doing nothing simply wasn't true.
Indeed. Then again I never did quite understand why City choose to kick towards the ‘Ultras’ in the North Stand first half? Most other teams always kick towards there own Kop or lively section behind the goal second half. Appreciate it’s been that way for ages but if we turned it round and kicked towards the North Stand second half it would take away the glee of any opposing team running over to that NE corner and giving it large in front of there own lot second half and allow our more vocal Home fans to go nuts with a potential winner in front of them rather than the more placid South stand. Just a thought like..
They tried that a few times last season and lost, so changed back. Too many in the north stand groaning early doors when playing out from the back apparently.
Its not far off though. Acun wants the stadium to be like a fortress and it isn't. Good example is the way the referee v Norwich and Gunn, their keeper, literally got away with murder. Our players should also have been in the referee and the keepers faces after the assault on Connelly and all the crowd should have been howling abuse at them both all game. After that was the elbow to Lewie Coyles face right in front of the East Stand, does anyone seriously think the Norwich player would have got away with that in front of the Kempton? Good point about our players warming up pre game in front of the North Stand. Again v Norwich I watched all the Norwich players and coaching staff come out early and warm up in front of their own supporters. They completley took over the pitch early doors so when our lads came out they were squeezed into the corners at the South Stand end, like the away team should be. Norwich were actually taking the piss out of the DJ's choice of pre match tunes and laughing at him waving his arms and fingers in the air. It was about as intimidating to them as attending a 5 year olds birthday party.
'Howling abuse', be careful as that's not what 'some' want to hear at a modern day football match. The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.
Re phrase that to....reminding the referee that he's having a stinker and the keeper that he's not a very good sportsman.......
Nah, 'you're a blind useless **** ref, and Gunn is a dirty bastard', at 120 decibels. The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.
We did pretty well kicking that way in the second half of the second leg of the Play Off game v Watford. My best memory of the ( then) KC Stadium so far. That's how it could be every week.
