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Football - The Beautiful "Physical" Game?
Question is,
Is it?
Recently, mainly since the recent crackdown on respect by the FA, it appears that
EVERY little nudge, push, tug, stumble, trip whatever is being pulled up by these
supposed trained officials. Back in the day, tackles that "could" result in serious
injury, would be waved away if no contact was made and deemed a brilliant
challenge. The player would get up and hound the ball down and possibly deliver
a similar crunching blow. Nowadays, a simple, fairer then fair and most basic of
tackles, the shoulder is becoming an illegal attribute to possess. If two players
are running for the ball, they should be allowed to shoulder each other in a bid to
beat the opponent to the ball. If they both brush each other's shoulders it should
be allowed, and likewise, if they both go clattering into each other. If its shoulder
to shoulder then its a perfect tackle! Isn't it? Well, all refs will blow it up now if
that happens and it ruins the passion of players and the drive of the game. Not to
mention the heated atmosphere in the crowd dies quickly when a bone crunching
challenge (fair) or a shoulder is called upon.
The advantage rule is also seemingly being left out of the reffing courses. If a
player is clearly tripped, and fouled, but he manages to play on, or the ball breaks
to a team mate then its an advantage moment and play should continue. But it
doesn't happen now does it? Its free after free after free and so on, disrupting
the game. The perfect example of this is United's visit to Stamford Bridge last
week, 7 bookings for us, and every nudge a free kick.
Its about time the physical side of the game was introduced now. Soon players
will have to have knee and shoulder pads to protect themselves from a bruise!
We all want it, players included I'm sure, well most of them yet it appears that the
refs aren't liking the contest. Is it because they're afraid of decisions they might
have to make or something stupid like that? United players through the ages
have been renowned for their fiery play and physical elements. Kevin Moran,
Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney just to name a few. But Rooney has
been asked and told to curb his aggression, and its dulling himself and he shows
it. He wants to battle for the ball and win it rather then standing off and maybe
getting a throw.
Man City played Wigan earlier today and I saw one of the most disgraceful
decisions in my life. (No it wasn't the Wigan penalty) Micah Richards and
someone, I think possibly Zaki were running toward the corner for the ball,
Richards being a big beast of a man used his presence to shoulder Zaki and Zaki
fell. It was shoulder to shoulder no doubt, yet the ref thought, "Oh, he fell! Maybe
he cut himself on a blade of grass. Time to blow my whistle again!" Why?? He did
nothing wrong. ts an element of our game that's creeped in for a few years now,
and every season, it seems to be cut out more and more. What the game needs
is few Roy Keane's and Patrick Viera's to show them how to play the game,
because if this keeps up, refs and officials will destroy the physical side of the
game.
So what do you think?
- Are the ref's ruining it?
- Is the FA to blame?
- Is it modern society fitting into football?
- Are there no more of those so called hard-men about?
- Are players/managers afraid of injury?
- Am I ranting about nothing here?
Whatever it is....discuss..............