This might not be the most popular thing to say and we all bitch and moan when other teams do it, but the fact of the matter is we need to get street smart and quick... At 1-0 against Manure, Hoillet got the ball in the left channel and was off to the races in a potentially strong position. Van Persie came across and cynically hacked him down, earning a deserved yellow but stopping our flow. Yesterday, we were crying out for one of our players to do the same. For the first goal, either Yun or Traore should have been standing on top of the ball when the free kick was given so we could regroup. For the second and third there were opportunities for a cynical foul in the midfield that would have allowed us to come back and defend in an organized way. Similarly for our free-kick before their third, we should have taken longer over getting it in play, then hit it in a way that made sure that the only result of the free kick could have been the final whistle (or a Rangers goal).
For me, not retreating is an acceptable game to play - it still seems a bit of a grey area (used to have to ask the ref if it was OK to take a quick one) so making sure you don't get punished twice seems alright. I've said before, and I think I'm in the minority, that I don't like "take one for the team" fouls although appreciate they are ingrained in the modern game. Personally, I would be furious if, to compound our midfield injuries, Henry was now facing a ban because he'd hacked Sterling, 100 yards from our goal with 3 or 4 of our players behind him.
Henry had no choice. I was yelling at him to chop him but it's would have been a red card. I keep mentioning this. 70 plus games each since either rio or caulker got booked. Shocking in my opinion for a center back.
My youth team played against such a team at the weekend. It destroys the game. Let's not go too far down this line. We could end up like Stoke or Aston Villa (allegedly)
Unfortunately it is part of the game. A lot of people were screaming at Henry to clip his heels at the half way line and take a yellow card. He didn't and the rest is history.
It's a good point. I saw a Man United player, Rojo I think it was, do it last night. West Brom were about to break in the final few minutes and he cynically brought the player down, earning a yellow card but preventing a breakaway and possible last minute winner. I wouldn't have minded if Henry had been sent off as we were in the last few minutes. Sometimes you've gotta take one for the team.
90th minute Henry should have taken the 2nd yellow. If he did the likelihood is that we would have got a point. After Coutinho got a yellow he gave away two more fouls worth a yellow and the ref didnt give it. Henry might even have got away with it of he did it early enough.
Henry should have stopped Sterling and taken the 2nd yellow. I can understand why he didn't though, as the fact that he was already booked would have been on his mind and with the speed that Sterling was disappearing he only had a split second to decide.
Agree and had we then conceded with 10 men he would have been berated for an awful decision when on a yellow
Point taken but there are 17 other PL teams we could emulate. There's always going to be a bit of this carry on but it can go too far and wreck the sport. In both goals there were plenty of legitimate ways to close down the movement.
Anyone got it on tape? I have to admit at that min - I was in the ground - and shouting like all around me that we should go for the winner - our tails were up/...... all very well for HR to be saying that we need to be defending and looked like amateurs but was he directing the team to shunt it to the corner flag or for Fer to take the shot - he is the manager - if he shouted for them to defend and they did not fair enough - the whole ground was baying for a win - anyone got it on tape to see Harry's gestures - of course he is teflon... in retrospect - I know the point was more important but in the mo - I was shouting for another goal and the win.....
I think Henry would have taken Sterling out if he was the last man but he did have a few players back covering him. It reminded me a bit of Fenwick v Maradona in '86.
Sadly, it is a part of today's game and, but for a cynical professional foul, we'd still be playing the likes of Millwall and Brentford...
