I don't think it is a biased view. I was neutral up until that event and then just wanted him to save it on a point of principle. I always think that when watching games on the tele and decisions are given wrongly. It was obviously a dive and deep down you all know it was. I know full-well people go down easily in the Premier League - as I should - we were there more recently than you remember.
Yeah, but you weren't there long. I said it was a dive. But it was also a foul. Wes Morgan was sent off for a similar thing against Millwall (actually, that wasn't as bad, that WAS shoulder to shoulder). And actually, I DIDN'T think it was a foul when I first saw it. But I've watched it many times from different angles this afternoon/evening and have changed my opinion. It was a fantastic spot by the ref, who had a great game overall.
No, disagree with that. He purposefully puts his hand on Knockaert's shoulder and pushes down. It's a clear penalty. If Keane had done it in the same circumstances i'd be ****ing livid. But the fact that a 35 year old, who has been everywhere and done everything, has done it is pretty shocking. He should know better.
You don't actually see that happen in the area as often as you'd think. Defenders are very cautious these days.
The truth about knocky is, he has been indulged too much for my liking..culminating in what happened today...he needs to grow up a bit more..this is not the school playground where the spoiled kid always grabs the ball for free kicks ,corners and penalties..he lacks discipline and needs to be told its not all about him but its about the team... something like this was inevitable in the end...bad management for me..
Something like what... winning a penalty? Or missing a penalty? Either way, don't see how it's bad management! I do kind of see what you mean about Knocky though, I hope he learns from this experience. It's the sort of emotional experience that makes men of boys...
Agree with this, but I don't think it's bad management. It's something he has to learn himself. The greatest manager in the modern era played his last ever home game today. It's fair to say that if he couldn't handle an ego, he got rid. He didn't spend time 'managing' him about it, because he knew there was nothing he could do. If Knockaert is going to put self before side then he will be more of a hindrance to the side than an aid to the side.
Its the adel taarabt mentality ...where did it get QPR in the end? I don't think knocky was the prematch nominated penalty taker. he took it on himself, that should not of been his decision .... clearly there was a lack of forsight and pre planning by the management..I find that appalling with our history of penalties in playoffs... To allow a immature hyped up 20yearold lad to carry the whole future of this great club on his shoulders was crass.. not his fault.. if he was the nominated taker thats worse...
To be fair, the 'Adel Taarabt' mentality got them promoted. He was their main man. I can see the same sort of thing coming next season. Also Taarabt has been woefully managed. Under Redknapp he's been half decent to be fair, he'll get another Prem club without a doubt.
Taarabt seems to be a luxury player to me - don't know if he will leave the Dramas - depends if Harry loves him or not
The ..."he has been badly managed" theory .. I think is a bit of a cop out.. players like him are almost impossible to manage,.. their ego's are their downfall.. god almighty would struggle with him.. the other players resent them for their special treatment.. and in the long run it implodes..,
I really don't like this "nominated penalty taker" stuff I've been hearing all day. Knocky is a skillful lad, he's more than capable of taking a peno. When I saw the peno awarded, I thought "Knocky's gonna score in the last minute.. it's Forest all over again!". I never thought anyone else would take it. Players miss penalties. It happens to the best of them. That's the whole concept of a penalty shootout, take enough penalties and someone will miss eventually. Knocky has a big future (hopefully for us) ahead of him and he's been great in the last three matches. I honestly think he deserved that glory. Sadly, it's a heavy price to pay when you don't take your chance. But as I said, hopefully he'll learn from this experience and be a bit older and wiser next season. Maybe some good will still come out of it.
Personally I think Knocky went down all too easily and if a Watford player had won a penalty like that against us in the last minute we would have been outraged and fuming - and rightly so. IUTBJF has a good point - for every good set-piece that Knocky takes well there are four or five bad ones - he needs to improve those stats markedly - and we do seem to indulge him - how often do you see him turn around making a dismissive hand gesture and blowing an imaginary gallic raspberry after screwing up something simple - because he has either over elborated or simply chosen a poor option? Too many times this season. We do seem to indulge him too much - but we have suffered all season from a lack of decisive leadership on the park. Now as most of you know - I'm not a big David Nugent fan - but he should have taken the penalty yesterday. Why? - because he has an uncanny knack of scoring against Watford (as shown in these two games) and can you imagine the effect him stepping up to take it would have had both on their players and fans? I had visions of Knocky skying it beforehe took it - the reality was worse.
Why are people bothered whether it was a dive or not, fact is that it won Watford the match, so it really doesn't matter. If we hadn't got that pen, it would have gone to extra time.
