Good Morning. It's Tuesday 26th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Referees appear to have lost focus on simulation Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has called out Swansea winger Ronald for cheating in the build up for their opening goal against Leeds at the weekend! The no nonsense ex PGMOL chief called out the young Brazilian, accusing him of simulation leading to the free-kick and Swansea's opening goal. With hindsight of replays, the footage shows that Ronald was already going to ground before contact with Tanaka was made. Simulation goes unpunished in 99 cases out of a hundred giving professional footballers free licence to bend the rules without consequence. How many times a game do we see players trying to claim a corner or throw-in that isn't theirs - it may seem inconsequential at the time, but not if it distorts the score-line. According to Hackett “No. No, I don’t [think there was enough contact]. He [Ronald] is going before he’s actually challenged. “As referees, the game has got to clear its act up and get hold of those players who are cheating. “These are acts of simulation. Referees appear to have lost focus of it. “Players go down for tactical reasons, players exaggerate the fall. Instead of dribbling with the ball, they go to ground. It’s not a foul for me.” please log in to view this image Will Wober get his chance against Hatters Max Wober may get his chance to impress on Wednesday night when Leeds take on Luton Town at Elland Road. With Junior Firpo suspended, and question marks over whether two matches in four days is still within Sam Byram's capabilities, Leeds boss Daniel Farke has an important decision to make. The versatile 26yo recently returned from International duty not only unscathed, but with 90 valuable minutes under his belt against Slovenia, promoting speculation that he is ready for first team action after injury. He impressed during his loan spell with Bundesliga outfit Borussia Mönchengladbach last season, but now has some making up to do with the Elland Road faithful. It's important that he is integrated back into the first team, and shares some of the burden put on Pascal Struijk, having played every minute of the league so far this season! please log in to view this image Luton star man ruled out of Leeds clash Luton Town will be without the services of star man Alfie Doughty when they visit Elland Road on Wednesday evening. The versatile 24yo is set to be out of action until the New Year with ankle ligament damage he picked up in their 1-0 win against Cardiff City earlier this month. His set-pieces and deliveries are an instrumental part of how Luton play. His absence will severely hamper his side both defensively, and creatively! He has already created 45 chances for the Hatters this season, more than any other player in the Championship. Former Manchester Utd apprentice Teden Mengi (usually a centre-back) is likely to fill in at left-back. please log in to view this image
Good morning everyone Simulation has been a big problem in the game for a long time now, this is something referees have got to get to grips with and hand out cards if blatant enough. One thing that raises my eyebrows, is that when a player goes down they start writhing in agony holding their leg/ankle, well in my opinion if they can do that, their not that hurt, so get them off to the touchline for two minutes to receive treatment whether they need it or not, it might just help put an end to that type of behaviour.
Its cheating. Let's stop using a euphemism like 'simulation'. I agree that players writhing about should be immediately stretchered off and subject to a minimum 5 minutes assessment on the sidelines. Even if that assessment is just raised eyebrows and a 'Really?'
But you have to remember that it is legal for every player to cheat in football at least once per match on most occasions.
Afternoon all The opening Swansea goal was never a free kick and it was also offside, we won in the end so on the scale of decisions evening out I hope we’ve two in the bank for our favour
Football is fast becoming a non contact sport. there was numerous incidents in that game that went against us. the freekick to the goal the foul on Dan James that could well of been a red never mind a yellow yet the lad got nothing at all. the fake injury which led to a tactical drinks break. the great tackle by Tanaka in winning the ball in which led to a yellow card its a complete joke right now. Var in the prem look at very slight touches on legs for pens and 9 times out of 10 are given every player waits for contact and go down like a sack of shyte. yet players get strangled, held, pushed, Manhandled on corners but there's nothing to see. if these slight nudges "fouls" on legs are pens nearly every corner in every game is a foul and a pen. so much cheating going on in the game today. just to get the better hand. should bring a panel in for simulation and get it out the game a 3 match ban would certainly make them think twice in doing it. The Beautiful game is broken. if a todays football team played a team of the 60s,70s one would have 11 reds. to much protection these days its a contact sport keep it a contact sport. every player pardon my french are pussies in todays game. Alice bands, gloves, dear me if your hands are cold run faster warm yaself up you.
Definitely wasn’t a foul though can’t say I thought it was offside, just poor defending on our part and though I really don’t want to dig Mes out, but beaten on his near post again.
Sheff United and Burnley both winning at home as expected, Sunderland held by WBA Sheffields next two games are WBA and Sunderland, Burnley home to Stoke then away to Boro, things are about to get interesting
