Why bother having a pitch inspection at 2pm? The pitch was never going to get any warmer after 11:15 so if the referee had any doubts he should have postponed the game there and then. Once he made the decision to go ahead with the game it should have finished. The players had no real problems with their footing. The only one that seemed to be complaining to the fourth official was Mogga! Perhaps because he had fielded a weakened team he wanted the game called off and eventually he got his wish. Its an absolute farce from the referee, I notice that he hasn't had the balls to come out and explain his decision to the media afterwards! He will get his match fee and expenses unlike the poor Boro fans who have travellled 300 miles and back! We played the whole game against Leicester in far worse conditions for heavens sake! As usual its the poor fans from both teams that have to pay the price for a farcical decision from the referee.
Totally agree johnny . The whole thing is a ****ing joke . And just to put the icing on the cake(pardon the pun ) clegg is now saying there will only a 50% discount and paying fans will have to stump up for the replay . I will be going as a season ticket holder but if i had to pay i would be thinking **** that . not doin a lot to bring new fans through the gate . I wont be goin on about calling the game off cos nothing will change that . Bet Tony is pleased tho .
I feel really sorry for those that had to travel any distance. The poor Boro fans who probably had a 10 or 11 hour journey for nothing - that cant be good. Surely it would be best to make a decision at 9 in the morning. A wather forecast could tell you that it wasnt going to become a tropical heatwave even if your own common sense cant. It amazed me that the pitch inspection was carried out with the warm air blanket still in place. Surely you cant tell what going to happen when the pitch is enveloped in 30 degrees but its 0 outside.
I played on a rock hard pitch at the wanderers ground, broke my arm on the pitch and played for another half hour and I'm paid f*** all to play football, don't see why the ref couldn't ask professionals who are paid a sh*t load of money to play on for another hour or so. I did not appreciate him abondoning the match, what with being extremely hung over and still throwing up at 1pm, to make it to the ground hold down my sandwiches and then be told I may as well of stayed in bed!
i thought your pitch looked ok to be honest! however, the game below definitely should have been called off... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ_M3ORl4mU
