Considering the stick he got for that no goal, I'm surprised not more has been said about the first penalty awarded to Wycombe against Crewe. Ainsworth made it clear to the referee that he wasn't caught and it was not a penalty. How many players do that in a friendly let alone in a "must win" game? Re the unfortunate decision against Shrews I suspect he was not in a position to claim categorically that it was not a goal and, on seeing the linesman flagging a goal, was entitled to celebrate, even if he thought it hadn't gone in. I doubt if there is a player in any League that would have refused that goal. Against Crewe he could categorically say it wasn't a foul against him. It was very unfortunate but I think the linesman should be the one who takes all the stick. Ainsworth is a gentleman and it was a very proud moment for him to represent the Football League in the war memorial ceremony in France. I hate to see him associated with the word "cheat".
The linesman, and ref to some degree, should get the stick. Ainsworth is not Thiery Henry with his magic handball is he?
Ainsworth was the only Wycombe player to approach the linesman and claim a goal. The others in the vicinity knew quite well that it wasn't.
The ball hit his outstretched hand and went into the net. At no point did Henry admit to it until the press asked.
How can you say Ainsworth is not a cheat when he was the only one in the ground celebrating .The ball was nowhere near over the line and he knew it .What was more of a disgrace was Gary Waddock saying it was an excellent call from the linesman, how insulting is that. Not cheating? more like rubbing our noses in it. I would love to get our own back on saturday but unfortunatly I don't expect to. These two should be embarrased.
By Ainsworth approaching an official and claiming it was a goal is without doubt cheating. It totaly stinks that because of that Wycombe will go up in 3rd place instead of the Shrews.
They'll come straight back down anyway, unless off-field issues catch up with them beforehand. Ron, bringing up this issue is nothing more than inflamatory. The fact is, Ainsworth was the only person who saw the ball 'cross' the line. Blatant cheating (or professionalism), as simple as that. But it's water under the bridge now, therefore no point bringing it up (other than to cause a stir). Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Whats done is done now but if you are promoted on saturday, I hope Mr Ainsworth has a pang of guilt in the back of his mind. Anyway alot Wycombe supporters seem to think they are already up and they only have to to turn up on saturday for the celebrations! This really is a good time for CARMA! come on Southend!!
The good news is that sources close to Bill Turnbull say that he went to a fortune teller last August as part of BBC research. He was told by her that Wycombe would lose in the play-off final at the end of the season.
i am not one of them fans who think we are already up,in my opinion southend will be a tough game as will yours against oxford
Funnily enough, when I saw that penalty against Crewe I didn't think it looked like a penalty but, in the context of that game, it didn't seem to matter. If Ainsworth disclaimed it then good for him, that's very commendable. Perhaps though, he felt a pang of guilt about his "goal" at Shrewsbury. I agree the linesman (for guessing, wrongly, and perhaps for lying if he told the ref he was certain) and the referee (for being too weak to overrule him) deserve the flak for a far worse decision than that for Lampard's goal against Spurs (which, by comparison, was a Bobby Charlton net-bulger). Nevertheless, Ainsworth invited criticism and ridicule for claiming the goal as he did and it seems to me the weak officials must have been swayed by the "goal" celebrations. I accept that most players might have done the same in the circumstances but that's hypothetical and it's Ainsworth that did it in reality. Any opposing fans would be angry and hold it against him. Bad decisions happen, players make critical mistakes etc. The poor penalty decision that cost us 2 points against Vale is easier to accept as one of those bad things that every team suffers from now and then, for example. The current league positions of our two teams and the fact there'd be a 3 point difference in our favour but for that non-goal does make it a lot harder to accept. My anger is directed towards the incompetents - Wigglesworth and Linington. Wycombe simply took advantage of it and are set to reap a huge benefit. But maybe karma could yet ensure that these things do even out over the season. I retain a sliver of hope.
if we win and you lose then all this talk of the ainsworth goal will not have made any difference.whatever happens on saturday i will congratulate the shrews if its you lot that get promoted
Agreed Rocky. You played well that day and I didn't think we'd win until we scored, but the reffing was unbelievable after that. Fair's fair though, that was a great win at Bury, especially having been behind. Perhaps, like Brighton and Chesterfield, they'd lost 5% from their game having already won promotion but it was still a great result. I could almost agree that a 4 point gap would be better for us in a way, except that we need to keep up this good run into the play offs if needs must. Wouldn't want to pass up the chance of getting our own back on you lot next season!
