Just watching the game on Sky. Must say that the referee has ruined this game. There are 3 reasons that I don't think Ben Hamer should have been sent off. 1) Where the 'handball occurred' The ref decided it was outside the area, there was no indication from the assistant to suggest anything untoward (ie. Hamer being out of his area) The referee can't know 100% that Hamer contacts the ball outside the area. As it happens, it is about a foot outside the area, after seeing about the 3rd or 4th replay. Initial contact around the actual line. 2) How deliberate was the offense. The ref thinks that Hamer is deliberately handling the ball outside the area. His arms are by his sides. Fair enough if he pulls out a sprawling full length dive, but he is just jumping to block with his body. 3) Was the ball going in / Did it stop a goal No, on both counts. A) Mooney just chips it (going wide, if it had made it to the byline), B) Morro is covering, and Mooney is peeling away to the left. In conclusion. The handball wasn't deliberate, the referee can't be sure that it was definitely outside the area from his position, and it is not necessarily stopping a goal. I think he's ruined what could have been a good game of football, and could quite easily have given Hamer a yellow card (which he would be guessing at) and carried on. Sorry to take this from the match thread, but I am absolutely disgusted at a very poor decision which has no doubt cost us a game, and our 7 point lead. What do you guys think? (Sky have done their usual agreeing with the ref, and thank God Garry Birtles isn't on, else I would have thrown the TV out of the window!) Yours, Ben
Ben. I'd love to agree with you mate but, much as I admire hamer, I've just seen the replays at half time and by the letter of the law the ref was right. It was a piss poor piece of decision making by big Ben. Dunno why he came for it as Morrison had mooney completely covered.
Just on the coaches waiting to come home and my main question is... Why did Morrison let the ball bounce, with Mooney so close behind him he should have kicked the ball into orbit
Agreed. Bad defending all round. Mind you Morrison has barely put a foot wrong all season so I won't be too hard on him.
Disagree Ben. Hamer's intentions were to handle the ball, inside or outside the area. And he did handle it too. Referee was left with the simple decision of whether it was inside or outside the area. I think the referee is well within his rights to say it was outside the area, therefore handball and red card. The incident, as you say, ruined the game, but I don't blame the referee for it. Well done Orient. Onwards to face Brentford.
Oh definitely - tbh I'm not blaming anyone, there were 11 players on the pitch (which became 10) who did the best they could - we're not gonna win every game and we will lose again before the end of the season In truth i really do hate the blame culture which seems to be out there these days i.e. everytime something goes wrong in life it always has to be someones fault rather than just it being a way of life (no one is peefect after all)
I blame me too. Must have just been me who thought the ref got it wrong. I will now cower away in the corner! Happy new year guys
It was handball ?!? It was a red card Not sure what the debate is about really Hamer made a mistake and was punished for it
Agree with DVDDD. But the process of appeal means Hamer is free for tomorrow and will miss FACup tie instead if upheld. Club getting its prioritiers right. Better watch out that there is o increased suspension for a "frivolous" appeal or whatever the technical term is!
AS IA states in another thread , it may well be a delaying tactic so he can play against Brentford tomorrow.
I cannot understand your applause for this appeal. It was a red card offence. End of story. I would think there is every chance of the FA considering it "frivolous" (remember Osei Sankofa?) and doubling or trebling the suspension. Is that what you all want? I have been thinking up to now that goalkeeper is one position we don't have to worry about, as we had two competent 'keepers. Now it appears that Powell has so little confidence in Sullivan that he has to resort to such desperate measures. Agreed Sullivan's performance against Orient was unconvincing, but that seems a quick about-turn on the strength of one match in unusual circumstances. If Powell really no longer trusts Sullivan to cover for a single match, maybe we can expect him to sign another keeper on loan in the window? There's a bright young keeper at Newcastle who needs some competitive games.
Maybe if the FA turn round and say that its a frivolous appeal then we can refer to the Notts County away match last season. For those who cant remember I'm refering to the first minute when Stuart Nelson the Notts Co. Goalkeeper came running out of his area took BWP out (who was one-on-one) and only managed to receive a yellow card??
I remember that Addick. As do I remember Preston at home this season when their keeper nearly broke Kermorgants neck and only received a yellow despite being one-on-one.
Yeh, I hear Cardiff are crapping themselves as well. One Kenny Miller, there's only one Kennny Miller.Come on you Bluebirds.........
Ah yes I'd forgotten that one as well WWOCB - Certainly feel we should use those examples in our case
To be honest the FA are far from rational beings, so the chances are the suspension will stand (possibly being extended to 3 games). I sometimes wonder if the FA actually even bother looking at the evidence, does anybody remember the Christian Dailly 'elbow in the face' which quite clearly was a clash of heads? Or else the Semedo sending off which we appealed where even the player he tackled said he couldn't see a problem?
