Dont think Man U or Chelsea would have shrugged it off as easily as we did? Perhaps this is why we end up with such poor decisions going against us? Perhaps we need a stronger captain to make an issue of these shocking decisions that go against us week after week...
He was definitely out there at half time. Was having a laugh and a joke with the other players, as he was in the warm up before the game. Doesn't look to be the disruptive unpopular type some people are trying to make him out to be. Also made a couple of incredible saves in the pre-match warm up.
People are too busy recalling his bad press though he never has had any issue with teammates at past clubs well unless your names Aiden McGeady. He was very popular in Celtic dressing room and liked at the viola though they found him quiet
I thought it was well known now that Saints, in conjunction with the wishes of Markus Liebherr and Nicola Cortese, do not surround the ref and protest the bad decisions, from their point of view. I remember when Liebherr and Cortese first took the club over, and Markus asked Alan Pardew why his players surrounded the referee, when decisions went against them, and Pard's view was that Liebherr would learn that that is what players do. Well I guess, somewhere along the line, what Markus and Nicola wanted, they got. Personally, although I know that there have been clear decisions that have gone against Saints out there, I'm glad that the players take it on the chin, get their heads up, and go again. It's a good habit, and worthy of the Owner, Chairman and Manager. I hope it spreads throughout the League.
I agree and not arguing with the ref is better for concentration. Getting wound up can lead to players looking for trouble and getting cards. The Saints team remain calm. You can see them raise their arms to protest, lower them again and get back into position. In the heat of a game, players are even less likely to be right than the officials. Don't need the players to be as irrational as us fans with our 20-20 vision and the ability to see round corners and over vast distances. Puncheon protested twice yesterday and will be on the bench outside Cortese's room in the morning, sitting next to Adkins who when asked if we are being treated fairly by the refs said, 'No.'
But then how many times have you seen a ref respond to such protests with a "all right then chaps you can have a goal" ? I've never seen a decision actually overturned by players shouting/swearing/crying for mommy towards the ref. We may be looked at a little more kindly by officials if we don't berate them. Or visit the Refs room after the game and make threats!
It is opposite to last season! Last season Saints beat West Ham, Reading beat Saints. But Reading beat West Ham so maybe not!
Slightly off topic but related, did anyone see the events in the Sheff Wed v Bristol C game yesterday. Bristol had just gone 3-2 up, but Wednesday were attacking in the last minute. The ball hits a City hand in the penalty area but ref Andre Marriner waves the penalty appeals away, Weds player Llera runs towards the ref and (appears to) push him. Meanwhile play is going on and Gary Madine sticks the ball in the net for 3-3. Net result - goal disallowed, Llera booked, City win 3-2, Wednesday lose their 7th successive game and Dave Jones has a tough meeting with ol' Milan. http://www1.skysports.com/football/...icised-Manuel-Llera-after-Bristol-City-defeat
Just found the link - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...ll_League_Show_2012_2013_08_12_2012/?t=37m00s
No thanks - thats a large part of the problem with modern football ( and society in general ), a lack of respect. I must admit that some of the refs & linesmen that we have had in the Prem have been disappointingly sub-standard, but contesting their decisions is not right nor gainful. I went to the Saints v Man Utd u-21 game last Mon and the Utd young players were terrible moaning, argueing and contesting refs decisions all game - our players were much more respectful by comparison and i was chuffed to see this. All their complaining didnt get the ref to change his mind when we got our 2nd penalty and he sent their player off - it was our fault we didnt win due to Lee having his pen saved. I have also been impressed with Saints first team conduct this season, often in the face of bad decisions - we are doing OK and decisions will even out come May.
My god that is laughable! Although the referee is technically right to stop the game for the push. But Jones has a point on the red card thing.
Talking about making protests, I remember a story about a cricketer (someone will probably remember his name) who was renowned for walking without protest when out. In his autobiography he admitted that he walked when decisions were clear, because if it was important or not certain the umpire would give him the decision if he didn't walk because he was known as an honest man. After a few years in the PL rolleyes, refs will know of our saintly behaviour and give us decisions if we so much as raise an eyebrow.
When you see a game like that Manchester derby makes you realise how well we did to run them both so close earlier in the season.
