Flamini seriously let the team down, absolutely no excuse for a guy with his experience. It wasn't even in a dangerous position.
Difficult to say what happened really, the pitch was wet, he could have slipped. That sort of think happens so fast. I have never gone in two footed in my playing career (I wasn't well-known for my tackling!) but I have seen hundreds of them and I can't remember anyone saying that they intended to go in two footed. Usually, it is just clumsy, or a slip or they just lose their balance. It doesn't clear him, because he shouldn't be clumsy, but I think saying he should of done this or that is a bit missing the point.
[video=youtube;RxZ-aU2UPqM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxZ-aU2UPqM[/video] [video=youtube;zz0sOpV3dXI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz0sOpV3dXI[/video] Completely intentional, just as it seems, and just as he's done before. Going in two-footed in that manner is not an "intuitive" movement that someone might accidentally end up doing.
In both those cases, just as yesterday, there was also no immediate danger to his team as well. Just reckless and irresponsible. I can't think of many better instances where financial punishment by the club is justified.
Financial punishment for a red card? Was it stupid? Yes. Would that be going too far? Yes. Despite it being a RC no harm would have been done to the opposing player so a monetary punishment is unjustified. He'll get a stern talking too but that's about right.
Players generally get fined for red cards as they're always to the detriment of the team. Exceptions may be under extreme circumstances - like when Mourinho asks you to get sent off.
I've told you before that I find your Jedi mind-reading tricks spooky. Seems to have a technique problem to me, gets going to fast and too square on, leans back, and then finds it difficult to slide with one leg. But I'm sure you would rather think that he is mentally unstable and needs to get himself sent off regularly.
I think it's more a problem of Flamini thinking he is a 'hard man' and therefore needing to show that by putting in these sort of tackles.
Ah yes, people are likelier to punch their fists up in the air in celebration (exhibit #2) when they do something as a result of "technique problem", as opposed to when the do exactly what they intended successfully. Makes absolutely 100% toledotrumpton sense*. * Disclaimer: toledotrumpton sense is not compatible with common sense, or anything other with sense in it. Didn't you make enough of an ass of yourself in the match thread, and every other thread you participate in? Hans/Kyle and some of the other attention seekers you can actually understand, as based on their posting history you can tell they employ hyperbole and are being facetious most of the time. YOU are actually serious in almost every ******ed comment you make, and that is ****ing scary.
Might I suggest some anger management classes. And you might find the world a happier place, if you went through it with a slightly better opinion of everyone else. If you are constantly trying to put everyone else down, it speaks of self-esteem issues. Much easier if you make yourself better, rather than attempting to denigrate everyone else. There, you made me get preachy and condescending and sound like an old man, shame on you!
Yes we saw who needed anger management classes on the match thread pretty clearly, and throughout years of posts in this board. Notice that it is you who made it personal with "jedi mind tricks" and "". "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" or however that goes. Now tell me are you personally likelier to celebrate when you do something as intended (like Flamini), or when you do something wrong as a result of "technique problem"? you seem to be avoiding the discussion on which stance is more reasonable.
Do you really need me to say which I think is more likely? I realize you think you are clearly right, but I find it difficult to believe that an experienced pro who has been sent of before for these challenges, believes that he will not be sent off again, and does them with a perfectly clear mind and intentionally. I don't think he realizes when he is making these challenges that they are two-footed. He thinks he has made a perfectly good challenge and won the ball. That is why I say that it is a technique problem. He probably doesn't even realize that the tackle was 2-footed until he sees it on the replay afterwards. If you think that Flamini fits Einstein's definition of insanity then that is up to you, but I just find it difficult to believe, maybe because I go through life thinking the best about people, and maybe because I just don't remember playing football with that kind of clear head or perfect control of my body. I have also coached hundreds of players, many of whom have committed dangerous tackles at some point, and I have NEVER heard any of them say that they intended to make one. This isn't just because it is Flamini. I hate Shawcross as a player, hated his tackle on Ramsey, but I never argued that he intended to do it. It was poor technique, wrong, reckless, and thoroughly deserving of a red card and a lengthy ban, but not intentional. Same here with Flamini.
Moving on Wenger says Rosicky should be fine for Sunday (if not Oxo should be enough) and he and Jack should suffice.
Our website is reporting Flamini out for 3 games, rather than 4, that's some good news too, at least he'd be available for the cup game. If there's any positive spin on these missing players, it's that they get a good rest before a lot of testing fixtures, say Ramsey comes back in March, he will be fresh and good to go. Flamini will be out now for 2 weeks, Wilshere is getting a good rest with this minor knock he's had, and Arteta coming back now should also be freshened up.
We need Wilshere back. He's our best 'all rounder' and can fill in a variety of positions. Also Rosicky should have been in the squad for the Saints game. It's only a broken nose!
Well we have Kallstrom to ease the issues in midfield now until our injured players are back. Hope he's good enough!
