I don't agree with this, we just seriously lack creativity. That being said, the only striker we have on our books that I think is good enough is Antenucci
Orion, not having a go at you, cos you're bigger than me... I took this link off the other forum, it gives a very close view from the back. From the other clip, which the camera zoomed out from, it looked like no penalty. After watching this clip I changed my opinion, this is what I wrote. A player running with the ball with an opposing player running along side in same direction, who then just cuts across/in front of the imposing player creating contact, or sticks his arm or leg out causing the opposing player to fall, stumble or change direction is committing a foul. From the other clip, I said from that angle it looks like it wasn't a foul; with this new clip I change my opinion. For me, they both committed a foul with intent. The push from the opposing player was obvious from the new clip however, Rudi did not try to move in front of the player to shield the ball, if he had of done he could've been blown for contact and obstructing the other player. Rudi actually stuck his right leg out which caused the other player to stumble and fall, Rudi's right leg was between the other players legs. Interesting in that it seemed Rudi had every intention of crossing the ball with his left foot. The actual movement and angle the leg went up, come around and down suggests Rudi made it intentional rather than being a natural movement of the body, also, Rudi leant into the player before each one committed their own foul. So for me, they both committed a foul with intent.
But it's outside the box. So no pen, given we wouldn't have crossed the freekick into the box, but we would have gone short and backwards it makes no odds.
Completely agree about the balance and creativity Elland, as well as the midfield and forwards scores however, I do differ slightly on defence in that, we haven't been getting hammered score wise, only performance / luck wise which suggests to me our defence has improved, not 100% there yet but we have become more solid with the additions of Berardi, Bellusci, Cooper, then better when Pearce was dropped and later Taylor seems a good prospect, still learning somewhat but improving. Berardi when playing has the least number of goals scored from, or originated from his side, earlier days we saw most goals coming from Warnock / Pearces side, then Byram / Pearces side. I know some don't, but I rate Berardi above Byram in the RB position. Bellusci in defence has a calm head and knows what he's doing, he also likes to take the ball out of defence rather than boot to clear, plus, he's an excellent addition up front occasionally when attacking the opposing goal, he's scored two goals and made one for Antenucci, which he was unlucky not to get himself. Bellusci only has a hot head off the ball when play has stopped. Cooper, a good solid more old style than modern defender, which I think we need, but he's learning all time and getting better with each game, he has off games just like every other player we have. Taylor, like I said, good replacement for Warnock, young with faster and stronger legs, learning with every game. Midfield for me just doesn't seem to cut it. They leave our defenders with it all to do on many occasions, and the feeding to our strikers has just virtually dried up since Redders tinkered with midfield and kept including his favourites. For me, Bianchi, Sloth and Adryan should be our midfield, Sloth on right, his natural position, Bianchi in middle with Redders restraints removed, and Adryan on left. Bianchi stats wise is way ahead of anyone else in midfield and is included in just about every stat for Championship midfielders. The team that played Sunderland in Cup showed our previous midfield up, which did include Austin, Murphy and Adryan, with Monty and Antenucci up front. That midfield stunned, and for most of match dominated the midfield, Adryan was causing problems for the Sunderland defence, the whole team played brilliantly despite losing only 1-0 to a prem side. Then Redders started tinkering again by including his favourites and dropping other players. 01 Silvestri 12 Berardi 35 Del Fabro 32 Cooper 21 Taylor 33 Sloth 04 Austin 07 Murphy Booked 09 Oliveira Tavares (Sharp - 62' ) 26 Montenegro (Doukara - 85' ) 34 Antenucci In all honesty, you'd think Redders would've learned something from that game, but he didn't, he set about tearing it apart, yet again. This would be my team and formation .......................Silvestri................... ..Berardi.....Bambi.....Cooper.....Taylor.. ..........Bellusci................Bianchi............ Sloth..............Antenucci.............Adryan.. ..........................Monty............................. I put Antenucci behind Monty because I'm not sure if he's a lone striker, but without the proper feeds we might never now. I put Monty up front because he's young, hungry and has faster legs, and to see how he'd go as a lone striker. Just my opinion mind.
Sorry, only just seen this. I take your points, but I am still not convinced it shouldnt have been a penalty. I've watched that little clip maybe 50 times now and I still think that on the balance of play Austin is bowled over. I'm perhaps now of the opinion that it may not have been as strong a shout as I made out earlier and I definitely why you see differently. I however feel that Austin only sticks out a leg, as you see it, after he has been shoved over with two hands. He is not nudged, it is a full on shove. Okay, so there may be reasonable doubt here, and the fact of the matter is that it was not given (and I've calmed down somewhat since then! haha). But my other point still stands. We see so many soft penalties given at the moment, like any number against us and that Huddersfield one on Sat, that is why I felt aggrieved that we didnt get one for Austin's appeal. I guess the only answer is referees should stop awarding silly penalties or they have to start giving all of these dubious ones. I wouldn't mind a quick video ref point referral but I know that will never happen. Sky wouldn't allow it for one, without charging the ref for the right to do it!
And yeah, it may have been outside the box. Possibly. But Austin's feet are inside at the moment of contact and IF the referee sees this as a foul I can see them giving a penalty on many occasions.
