I love his manner but surely he should be highlighting the lack of penalties we get awarded, rather than continually siding with the refs obvious tough job. We have had absolutely zero penalties, despite the many bad decisions, 50/50s etc. In the words of Platini...not selfish enough! Can you imagine baconface standing for that! This could be the difference come Wembley, but I am splitting hairs cos I think he is almost perfect!
It crossed my mind this evening ... that I couldn't remember if we had had a penalty awarded to us this season in any competition. I don't think it does any good to bemoaning the situation - clearly there have been situations when we could have / should have been awarded a penalty. We had two shouts denied against Stoke for hand ball; same day Wigan were penalized for a similar situation. No consistency. We're either too quick, or not challenging enough in the box to draw a penalty; not sure which it is. But it seems strange that we could go a whole season without getting one. Come to think of it - have we given one away this season?
Makes you think how much we relied on the 6 pens we were awarded last year (scored 5) under the lesser offensively minded previous BR. ML obviously believes goals should be scored in open play, but I would take a 1-0 win on a penalty in normal time in any final rather than concede one and stay stoic. Fingers crossed it wont come down to that!
For the record .... multiple penalty tables are supplied ! http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Premier_League_Penalty_Statistics.html Is there any coincidence that both us and Spurs had dubious diving yellow cards in the first handful of games when contact happened, yet we both have had 0 pens? Has Swansea's game changed that much that we no longer get in the box (no), or are refs just not allowing the pens because we /ML are quiet, or is there a lack of knowledge on how a highly skilled player only needs a clip? I seem to recall this time last year some vociferous manager complaining about the pens we recieved. It seems really bizarre that 2 clubs in the top 8 of the Prem (sounds awesome to say that about my Jaxks) have yet to have a penalty. That is beyond the standard deviation of statistical normality, Any coincidence that the big clubs with vocal managers get a disproprtionate amount of pens? It is obvious ML has the respect of all since coming into the Prem. He personifies Respect in football. Go on Sir Mike, let them know how you really feel!
If we run Bradford ragged we could get a shout or two at Wembley. Also I think that we don't shoot enough in crowded box situations, which would cause players near the goal to handle if only from reflex.
He is what he is. I for one hope he never resorts to the ranting and raving that so epitomises Ferguson,Warnock,and many others.
I touched on this on my thread "Should Managers Reflect..." I'm sure that those managers that rant like Ferguson get the benefit of decisions, particularly at home, but that's not Laudrup's way. He rightly says they only have a split second to make a decision so they're bound to get it wrong sometimes. It's common sense. I remember when Sousa used to moan that refs were against us and sometimes I used to cringe because he used to do this even when we never had a shot on target - quite common in those days. The Manager is the face of the Club, the man that gets interviewed, the man who conducts press conferences. Do we really want a whinger who may get us the odd pen here and there? Personally I'd rather have a Manager that is respected by referees rather than feared by them.
Exactly and great point, that way the Managers actions are one less thing so called journos can pick at I mean imagine having a Colin type ( Warnock for the uninitiated ) as the manager!
