Former Liverpool defender Mark Wright has lambasted referee Mark Friend over his 'embarrassing' decision to send off Jay Spearing against Fulham last night.
Wright, who was commentating on the game for LFC TV, was enraged by the sending off:
"It's becoming a non-contact sport. It's embarrasing, I feel for Jay tonight because he did not deserve to be sent off in that match.
"If two feet are off the floor and he's jumping in like that then you could understand it, but that wasn't the case.
"He's taken the ball cleanly, and his other leg has followed through, but the lad wasn't hurt; he made a meal of it, which didn't help Jay's case.
"It's a very disappointing decision, and that's what cost Liverpool.
I think many fans would agree with Wright here; common sense would seem to dictate that a yellow card would suffice, but a straight red? It seemed harsh.
Wright also argued that Liverpool should've won the game:
"I thought Liverpool dominated. They controlled the first half; they controlled the second half until the sending off; they've hit the woodwork twice, and had two blatant penalties turned down".
To be fair, Fulham were just as much of an attacking threat at times, and actually ended up with more shots on target.
Irrespective of decisions that went against Liverpool, it was, ultimately, the same old story: a fatal inability to convert chances, a problem that continues to cost the club valuable points.
Jaimie Kanwar
Wright, who was commentating on the game for LFC TV, was enraged by the sending off:
"It's becoming a non-contact sport. It's embarrasing, I feel for Jay tonight because he did not deserve to be sent off in that match.
"If two feet are off the floor and he's jumping in like that then you could understand it, but that wasn't the case.
"He's taken the ball cleanly, and his other leg has followed through, but the lad wasn't hurt; he made a meal of it, which didn't help Jay's case.
"It's a very disappointing decision, and that's what cost Liverpool.
I think many fans would agree with Wright here; common sense would seem to dictate that a yellow card would suffice, but a straight red? It seemed harsh.
Wright also argued that Liverpool should've won the game:
"I thought Liverpool dominated. They controlled the first half; they controlled the second half until the sending off; they've hit the woodwork twice, and had two blatant penalties turned down".
To be fair, Fulham were just as much of an attacking threat at times, and actually ended up with more shots on target.
Irrespective of decisions that went against Liverpool, it was, ultimately, the same old story: a fatal inability to convert chances, a problem that continues to cost the club valuable points.
Jaimie Kanwar
If Jay Spearings tackle was not a red card then Jack Rodwells challenge was not a red card. We gained 3 points at Goodison due to the advantage, we lost 3 points at Craven Cottage due to the disadvantage. We have no right to complain about the decision, the rules worked for us in one game and then against us in another and it also shows some consistency in the rules of lunging tackles.
ReplyDeleteWe are so poor when it comes to scoring goals and finishing teams off. The one thing we have going for us is our defensive record, but tbh without Lucas we will be a fair bit weaker there for the rest of the season. Unless we play 'big' clubs every week I can't see us finishing higher than 6th, which is really poor for the amount of money we've spent. We just seem to always under-perform against the 'smaller' clubs. I would say that throwing more cash at the problem in January could be a solution, but judging by the way the cash has been spent in the last 2 transfer windows, that could seriously backfire! YNWA
ReplyDeleteAlso after the Everton game KD said he did not see Rodwells tackle so couldnt comment, after the Fulham game he is 100% sure Jay won the ball. Either his eyesight improves with age or there is no dignity in what he is saying - he wants refs to clarify the rules but has no complaints nor sympathy when they work for him.
ReplyDeleteJay's studs up on the slide tackle and he also lunged at it. FIFA rules officially rules that as a red card offense but in English football, the rules on tackling tend to be more relaxed for the excitement of the English fan base. Having said that, as the FA try to get more and more congruency between match officiating in England and continental Europe tackles such as Spearing's and Rodwell's are now more difficult for referees in the Prem to get right on. In the end, it was Liverpool's profligacy in front of goal, Spearing's exuberant tackles and Dalglish's management decisions that left us wanting. On form, Maxi Rodriguez is our biggest goal scoring threat, but I don't know what he has to do to get into the side.
ReplyDelete"Spearing's exuberant tackle" I should have said, not tackles.
ReplyDeleteI don't completely disagree but the game at Goodison could have gone either way before the sending off, that game last night was only going to be Liverpool win until the sending off. Can't complain too much as you say, Rodwell's was never a red either.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was harsh when it happened but looking at the replays you have to agree that it was dangerous play. Even though he cleanly wins the ball, both of Jays feet are clearly in the air with studs up and he has made contact with the player. He obviously did not mean to go in like this but unfortunately it has happened. I don't believe that the ref had much option other than to send him off as it was reckless. I think if we are all honest with ourselves we would agree that it could have been a lot worse and we could have all been discussing how "Jay did not mean to injure the player so badly" etc.
ReplyDeleteAs for the game as a hole I thought it was a very good game to watch with both teams playing well. Overall I thought we were the better side and were very unlucky to score (especially from Downing & Hendersons superb shots hitting the posts).
Not to change the subject but is anybody else getting a little fed up by how quickly Suarez goes to ground and looks for the foul? Don't want him becoming another Heskey...
Couldn't agree more about Suarez - no end product in too many games that have cost us.
ReplyDeleteHis reputation is currently bigger than his contribution and is actually costing us decisions.
What's embarrassing is that teams like BOLTON and BLACKBURN have scored more goals than us..they are fighting for survival and we are TITLE CONTENDERS???
ReplyDeleteKK is the one to blame but lets all bury our heads in the sand and BELIEVE IN KK. and when we get our heads out of the sand in May 2012 Andy Carroll will have scored 25goals and Downing will have created and scored 20 goals. Charlie Adam will be player of the year and Henderson will be a regular in the England team.
Errr! if you do a check, you will see that Rodwell's card was recinded, therefore it was a good tackle, so there goes your argument of the consistency in 'reckless' tackles, because after that game, Rodwell was praised for the tackle and Suarez criticised for rolling on the floor (see no mention by the media about Dembele on the floor last night) So your argument is saying the refs are right to consistently make bad calls?? Hmmm!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAre you for real??? do you go the game? The man has got us where we are this season almost on his own, its not his fault the wrong players have been picked around him. Suppose you want NGOG back? or Stevie 50 yard pass to the crowd dont you? Some of our fans are right Dxxx Heads, go the game and support the team instead of slagging our players on here! Even the editor of this site needs to get a grip, all he does is moan moan moan and slag MY team.
ReplyDeletecarrol is lazy he never runs after the ball? y put him
ReplyDeletecharlie adam oh god his back pass are scary he did on many times against city and at fulham too
kk is to blame. if he is not out by january he will sure waste more money i know
Bigred_76 my comment was in regards to his going to ground far too easily. I agree that he is a gifted player and certainly one of our biggest attacking threats this season but he is already getting a name for himself when it comes to how easily he goes to ground and personally I find it embarrassing that one of our players is using that tactic so blatantly at times.
ReplyDeleteHe is a handful and will likely be fouled at times but if continues to make such a meal of every little bit of contact (or no contact) then the refs will get wise and he will likely miss out when he is truly fouled.
Surely somebody should be taking him to one side and telling him that he is in the premiership now so needs to stop all the amateur dramatics and get on with playing the amazing football he has been showing us all.
Just watched both tackles - Rodwell did not leap off the ground, yes studs were showing but the studs did not make contact with Suarez so it was recinded. Ball was cleanly won
ReplyDeleteSpearing wins the ball but leaps and his studs make contact with the leg, I doubt the FA will treat it the same but lets see... if the FA do what they did with Rodwell then you have a point that refs make bad calls, if they decide not to then you dont and it was a good decision.
LFC fans should not be complaining about this as the incidents in both cases effected the outcome in the games (regardless of post match replay benefits for the FA) which worked for us and then against us. Sometimes you get the rub of the green sometimes you dont. Thats football for you.
Here's my view. If Liverpool are so confident and capable of beating the likes of Man utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and City, then the reason why they fail against weaker sides just really comes down to a pyschological problem. They love being the underdogs against the big teams but when they are favourites against mid-low table underdogs, they seem to always have a mental block or 'choke' and their performances are obviously affected. They seem unable to cope with the pressure and expectation to beat the smaller teams, but when they battle the big teams they play like they have a massive point to prove. People will moan about KK's tactics in those games that had dropped points, but the fact is, if we converted chances, we would have comfortably won that despite 'tactical flaws'. We hit the post AGAIN- TWICE, suarez was unfairly denied a superb goal and their shooting just needs to be tinkered with. We were quite robbed today, but to prevent the situations of being robbed, they need to just simply score more goals. The amount of points they have dropped is just inexcusable as they have created plenty of oppurtunities for themselves this season, they have chances in and outside the box, unlike spurs who seem to score a f***load of goals outside the box. As with Carroll, I thought he was actually a bit improved as his passing was better. I'm so fed up with him falling to the ground though, and he still looks a bit lethargic at times, and he especially needs to convert more chances. The thing that is actually annoying me the most is the amount of talk Liverpool players, especially Kuyt, dish out during the week, and we almost always drop points after they do it. ' We need to be more consistent', ' We are still in race for top 4', 'Suarez is unbelievable', 'Kenny makes me believe' ' Let's be more consistent now', 'Training with Suarez inspires me'. I wish they'd just shutup and do all the talking on the field!! I'm pretty optimistic, if they start to reward their creativity more frequently with goals I think we will really contend and push for even maybe 3rd place. We don't want to peak too early though
ReplyDeleteEveryone is targeting Caroll but failures are not only because of him. There are tactical failures and the lack of quality in midfield is costing us. We have not been able to crack open any decent defence this season. Most of the goals have come from set-pieces or counter attack opportunities which do not come every match.
ReplyDeleteAdam and Henderson are very ordinary mid-table club players. I don't see any creativity or surprise element in their game. All of their expected offences are covered by the defence of opposition then they look trapped.
Yesterday, Dalglish put Carroll upfront without a winger who can provide him the crosses. He must play Carroll and Downing together whenever he does. Bellamy and Henderson both are always gonna cut-in from the wings where you need a striker who can exchange one-two with fast movement and tap one in. Carroll not suitable for that game.
No disrespect to Dalglish but he looks out of depth as far as tactics are concerned. Certainly not anywhere near Rafa. Seems he has no certain plan about where on pitch he expects his goals to come from. Neither he has a plan B required for specific situation. Always reluctant to make substitution until the game slips away out of hands.
So far, I am not impressed with the liverpool's progress this season. We are going a step forward and a backward. No consistency.
It's embarrassing that anybody can mount fake uproar at the red card - we all know how football is these days, and that challenge will lead to red cards more often than not. Pleading injustice on this occassion is pitiful imo
ReplyDeleteJust on the face of it, he threw himself very aggressively into the tackle, and wound up planting his studs on dembele's shin. That he won the ball is neither here nor there. he could have broken his leg, and that is pretty much the definition of reckless and dangerous play and a straight red card.
ReplyDeleteIt would seem that spearing had a month to show that he was able to cover for lucas, cement his status as a player who could slot into the first team, and prevent liverpool from having to go into the market. But now he's pissed away his best chance of making it at liverpool, by getting himself banned for 3 games.
Bull... all games stand alone. If not, where would you stop? A game from last month, last year, or longer???? The decisions for this game are only relevant to this game. The ref had a bad night. End of!
ReplyDeleteAll games stand alone? what does that mean? It was a sending off because the ref gave it and just because it didnt go our way does not mean the ref had a bad night. That is the point, ref got it wrong at Everton and we gained the advantage so we should quit moaning at the ref, after all its not the fault of the officials that we did not score prior to the tackle.
ReplyDeleteDxs78 my comment was not at you pal, i agree with what ur saying, but the guy redrome77 saying thre is no end product with Suarez is a joke, surely he can see that Suarez is the only player trying to assist as well as have to score! Maybe this guy thinks Suarez should be filling in for Lucas too!
ReplyDeleteKenny was a brilliant player and a superb manager first time around. This time he's doing badly. Rodriguez is treated shamefully, as is Kuyt. The signings were utterly dreadful and there's no hope of an improvement. But with fat face we'd be in the same situation AND out of the Carling, so we're no worse off. Trouble is, we never make any progress. It's just excuses, excuses and more excuses. Lok for a nil-nil bore againts QPR - it's got all the makings.
ReplyDeleteSuarez's disallowed goal should have stood, we should have had a pen for Sendoros fouling Suarez in the box, Sendoros and Dempsey should both have been sent off. If you don't think the official completely ruined the game with their incompetence your blind.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable comments by a bunch of ill informed wind bags - keep the faith those of you who are capable of not having some sort of 'knee jerk reaction' - with the focus being on the the second word as a plural....
ReplyDeleteWith that attitude we will get nowhere, blaming officials for our deficiencies.
ReplyDeleteYou say Suarez should have had a penalty from Senderos, but a chelsea fan would argue Luiz should have had a penalty against Coates - whats the difference? We failed to score and that was not down to the ref and he got the red card right. I am a LFC fan but I am not blind and will call a spade a spade. Suarez was being unfairly treated but that is down to a number of things on and off the pitch that have shed him in a negative light and it seems that refs are carrying this conception into games and he is suffering for it.
Madness.. you keep saying we but nothing would suggest that you are fan so stop with the mockery. There is no way that Spearing challenge was worthy of a red card. Yes, it would in our favor against Everton, and didnt last night. But until Rodwell, it was clear that Spearing won the ball with it going 30 yards down field. Friend was shocking last night and was influenced by the crowd. I am not saying that his performance was awful because of the card, but there were several other decisions that he got wrong and was very inconsistent. Senderos should have been show a 2nd yellow for the blatant pull down of Carroll. We were not good enough on the night, but didnt derserve to lose the game.
ReplyDeleteMaxi is our biggest goal scoring threat????? R you mad wat games have you been watching surarez is the biggest threat some people have no idea these days
ReplyDeletenot a red for me, if it is a red then that can be acceptable if referee decisions are consistent. which they are not.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of converting chances this is no new problem, its been a similar case for a number of seasons. Torres and Gerrard aside we have struggled to convert chances when infront of goal.
the good news is we are making the chances but we need a poacher which we are lacking.
Jack Rodwells was a red , what is Louis supposed to do keep on his feet and get his leg broken ?
ReplyDeleteI am a fan but not one who is going to blame the ref - we conceded because of Johnson and Reina. The red card was given and it happens, some go for you and some against you but I cannot understand the hypocrisy of the modern day football fans who just back their teams with short memories - we had the benefit at Everton, yes Suarez goal may have stood but in another game the opposition will suffer a dubious decision in our favour, only people who have been watching football over a number of years understand this - its called objectivity.
ReplyDeleteIf we are growing a mentality of feeling sorry for ourselves because of officials then I want no part of that - we were not good enough to win and that is the bottom line.
who is louis? you mean Luis? read the post before you comment as I cannot actually understand what you are attempting to say, I am not arguing about suarez. I am saying both were red cards.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of shite I'm sick of hearing so called Liverpool fans having a go. Go back a year and look at the comments regarding Lucas. He was slated by the majority of fans but fast forward a year he is our saviour and his injury is the reason we wont make top four. Why cant we get behind a team that has been performing really well all season and the players there have a lot of improving to do so the future is bright. KK has made some mistakes but so do a lot of managers over a season. A bit of luck here and there and we would be right up there. As far as the red card goes I'm not having that i would have shook his hand when i played with him as it was a cracking tackle. Rodwell's was never a sending of either but so far this season we have had more than enough bad decisions against us to even the score. Lets remember we cannot live in the past and there are a lot of teams who are better than us at the moment and have been getting better over the years so just to compete with the top four teams from last year is a boost. Give it time and we will be right up there again Y.N.W.A
ReplyDeleteVery few Liverpool fans ever thought Jack Rodwell's sending off was correct!
ReplyDeleteJust going to say its nice and simple, jay spearing is experienced enough to know if u go in like that in todays game,theres a chance of being seng off.....end of, bosh bosh goodnight. Pity......he waz having a decent game till then. God...... same old same old, we need gerrard back asap.
ReplyDeletei agree 100 percent perfect coment
ReplyDeleteNeither did I think Rodwell should have seen red, but it was given and we won the game right? So why when it expectedly happens again (but not for us) is there suddenly a blame on the officials for losing the game and not on the real issue of us not converting chances or creating a goal.
ReplyDeleteWhether it was a straight red or not does not overshadow the fact that we continue to stink in the final third. We should have buried Fulham in the first half. Plus, when the Reds earn 10 corners and can't stick one in, they don't deserve any better. Possession does not mean squat when you can't score. Adam takes all the corners and has been ineffective. He should have passed the ball on the break rather than keep it. He did not deserve a penalty. I am sick and tired of all the lame excuses by Kenny and others. Just score!!!
ReplyDeletemaxi has scored twice in his last two games where as suarez is struggling to find the net! Maxi and Suarez must play together as much as possible if we are to finish top four!!!!
ReplyDeleteit makes my whole body cringe when i see him going to ground and then complaining about! i love him but it is cringe worthy!
ReplyDeleteWell said Mark Wright. British referees are now anti Liverpool and being trained by none other than Howard Webb. It.s becoming like a non-body contact sport like bedminton. Sorry, I mean badminton.
ReplyDelete"only people who have been watching football over a number of years understand this - its called objectivity."
ReplyDeleteyou truly are an enlightened individual, let us all praise your superior knowledge of football as a result of your years of study
ha! love the attempted sarcasm, that aside I just find it hard to believe some fans do not understand the concept that ref decisions will work for you and against you over the course of a season... It is the same for every club...
ReplyDeleteBased on the posts we have developed a mentality where we blame the official for the result.. we did not score and that is the real issue. Not the sending off which was correct and as I have argued helped us get 3 points at Goodison
Totally agree, Madness. Blaming the ref for Liverpool's failures is becoming an increasing feature of this season. It's just an excuse that masks the real problems. And as you say, decisions have gone our way too. As we as the Goodison red, there was the Man City red card, which gave us the ideal opportunity to capitalise and go on to win the game.
ReplyDeleteThe club have not appealed the red card spearing got - why is that I wonder? (considering post match replays in Rodwell and Cahill's case showed it was unfair and the clubs appealed and won, is it possible KD saw it and thought that was red and we would not win?) So it was a red card after all
ReplyDeletemadness dude u are sure one annoyin madman the ref got it all wrong he seemd more pleasd when decisions wer givn against us
ReplyDeleteOk so why havent we appealed the red card?
ReplyDeleteSuarez certainly needs some extra support. We just seem to be struggling to get the ball in the net and when you have Carroll his supposed strike partner lolloping around the half way line it is no wonder we are struggling to convert the chances. Carroll is a good player and will improve but at the moment we really need someone with the pace and stamina to be attacking along side Suarez not 20m behind.
ReplyDelete