Comments on: Time for Sir Alex Ferguson to zip it up

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:07:57 +0000

Sir Alex with this quote is basically saying that a Liverpool vs Manchester United match is more important than other matches over the weekend, and should have got the best (most experienced, yet still fittest) referee.

Ideally, every referee would be perfect, but we know that is not the case, and my issue lies with Ferguson’s reference that this game was more important than others.

Every match in the Premier League should have equal weighting in terms of importance until such a time where teams cannot finish in European Qualifying positions or be relegated are facing each other. Every match is potentially worth 3 points to every team, and the value of these 3 points is unknown until such a time that a team’s position in the table cannot change.

For Ferguson to suggest that the more experienced referee should have been at his game, and not at Hull vs Portsmouth, or West Ham vs Arsenal is ludicrous. Who is to say that because of the mistakes the referee in the West Ham vs Arsenal game will not cost Arsenal the title, or by Scott Parker missing the next match for West Ham, they get relegated, are less important than the mistakes of refereeing in the Liverpool Manchester United match?

Ferguson should count himself lucky that because of the referee’s inexperience, Vidic didn’t get a straight red card and see him banned for 3 matches.

By: Colin N

Colin N — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:31:28 +0000

For what?

By: Freud of Football

Freud of Football — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:10:17 +0000

“Sheens wants pow-wow with referees” – http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=921070

The Roar should sue them for plaigarism.

By: Guy Smiley

Guy Smiley — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:36:13 +0000

Anything Ferguson says to the press is calculated to achieve a specific end-result. He is a master at bluff and bluster and unsettling his enemies, perceived or real. He’s been in the hot seat for 23 years because he is equally adept at managing his team off the park as well as on. Like Luke W said, very smart.

By: wes

wes — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:29:37 +0000

The selective questioning of decisions is what amazes. In every match of football there are always going to be some decisions that don’t go your way but I think at the end of the day it evens out. Its part of football and I don’t think its not something that has to be highlighted too which Sir Alex sometimes does.

By: Freud of Football

Freud of Football — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:43:27 +0000

Having just watched the game against Barnsley I have to report it was one of the best refereeing displays I’ve seen this season. Foy did a fine job, the da Silva’s were constantly being fouled as was Obertan in the first period and he didn’t miss one incident but didn’t brandish any unnecessary yellow cards either, even though the young brazilians in particular were whinging about the constant attention.

Neville’s red card was deserved, studs up and although he’ll argue that he couldn’t stop his momentum and there was no malice intended (which is true, on another day Neville would have tried to end Hamill’s career) it was still a red card. Perhaps Hamill should have seen yellow late on for his slide tackle from the side/behind but all-in-all a very good performance from Foy.

If there was going to be any hint of bias I certainly didn’t detect it in this game.

By: Luke W

Luke W — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:56:15 +0000

It’s all part of the mind games. As a lot of people correctly pointed out, Ferguson always makes a controversial comment to put the spotlight on himself when his team is performing badly. Rather than all the papers running stories all week about how the Manchester dynasty is over, they are all talking about Sir Alex. He is a very smart manager.