Epl 2013/14

**DannyInvincible** · 14/04/2014, 1:02 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

was he on a yellow when he took that blatant late dive? I couldn't believe Clattenberg didn't book him.

I think Clattenberg succumbed to the pressure of the situation and might have feared a firey Anfield backlash had he booked Suarez for the dive as it would have meant sending him off and potentially "being to blame" for derailing Liverpool's title challenge. He bottled a perfect opportunity to teach Suarez a long-needed lesson though. He'd already booked Suarez for the first hard tackle of the game and you couldn't argue with it really. It was a Keane-versus-Overmars-type tackle that many refs might usually let go in the early stages of a big game, but the type that would otherwise warrant a booking were it later in the game. By the letter of the law, it was a booking though, as was the later dive. Maybe Clattenberg was making amends by quickly brandishing a red to Henderson for his poor tackle in the final minutes.

**Stuttgart88** · 14/04/2014, 3:07 PM

Except the Henderson red was a nailed on red. Out of character, sure, but a bad tackle.

I'm disappointed that the ref bottled an opportunity to send a message to divers everywhere that diving comes with consequences if caught. Now the message is that they may be punished but not in big games, not if you're at home and not if it is potentially important.

**DannyInvincible** · 14/04/2014, 5:50 PM

The annoying thing about it is that if the ref had sent Suarez off, he'd no doubt have been accused of having ruined or spoiled the game, or the title-race even, God forbid. The reality, however, would, or should, have been that Suarez had ruined things through his antics and by putting the ref in a situation where he had no other option but to send him off.

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Now the message is that they may be punished but not in big games, not if you're at home and not if it is potentially important.

Another top tip to help avoid punishment for simulation is to go out and get booked first with a bad tackle early on; the rasher, the better!

**DeLorean** · 15/04/2014, 9:12 AM

I remember Roy Keane getting a second yellow for simulation against Blackburn years ago. It was an early season game but high profile enough as Blackburn were the defending champions at the time. Think it was kind of harsh but probably a dive alright.

I don't really agree that Clattenburg would have been accused of ruining the game or the title race, particularly because it was Suarez who would have taken all of the heat as only he can. And deservedly so. Once the referee makes the right call, and it's obvious it was the correct call, I'm not sure I know of many examples where they have come in for criticism.

**DannyInvincible** · 15/04/2014, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

I remember Roy Keane getting a second yellow for simulation against Blackburn years ago. It was an early season game but high profile enough as Blackburn were the defending champions at the time. Think it was kind of harsh but probably a dive alright.

Careful now! We all remember what happened to Alf-Inge Haaland after he once accused Roy of having taken a dive.

I don't really agree that Clattenburg would have been accused of ruining the game or the title race, particularly because it was Suarez who would have taken all of the heat as only he can. And deservedly so. Once the referee makes the right call, and it's obvious it was the correct call, I'm not sure I know of many examples where they have come in for criticism.

It's hard to know, but he did appear to buckle under the pressure. It was a blatant dive (under the nose of the linesman, if further clarification was ever needed) and Clattenberg was aware of this. Otherwise, it would have made sense for him to award Suarez a free-kick. It wasn't a red-card offence in itself, which is maybe why he was reluctant to send Suarez off.

**DeLorean** · 15/04/2014, 1:28 PM

Oh I have no doubt he bottled it.

**KK77** · 16/04/2014, 10:06 AM

I thought Sterling played well on Sunday. Seemed to be basically sitting on top of Fernandino at times. Gerrard also played out of his skin.

**DeLorean** · 17/04/2014, 10:05 AM

It is some title race in fairness, even if I'm not mad about any of the contenders.

The Liverpool fans I know (too many!) seem pretty chuffed with the City result last night. That's understandable enough I guess, as it leaves them knowing a draw against Chelsea will be enough to keep things in their own hands, assuming they win at Norwich which is not a certainty. The real winners last night were Chelsea though I feel. They should now be going to Anfield in a much better frame of mind, assuming Sunderland don't strike twice on Saturday. The way it was looking before last night, Chelsea thought they would be going to Liverpool needing a win, but still relying on other results to win the title. I don't think this would have been ideal for a team playing two CL semi finals either side of the Anfield match.

Now they know that one massive performance at Anfield should be enough to win the title. They have been pretty good at grinding out these kind of results of the years.

Obviously the timing of the match isn't ideal for Chelsea, but at least it's Tues - Sun and not Wed - Sat. That gives them an extra couple of days to get ready. They have won 9/10 of their league games which have followed CL ties this season, drawing the other one. They have won 5/5 on the back of away ties in Europe. Their 2-1 win over City and 6-0 demolition of Arsenal followed CL games so I think they'll be quite confident that they can get themselves right, regardless of what happens in Madrid.

They should probably take a calculated gamble against Sunderland on Saturday though and rest some of the key guys.

**OwlsFan** · 17/04/2014, 4:53 PM

I am not sure about this "resting" business. It was something brought in by Ranieri and all the EPL managers followed suit. Play your best team every game and win. It did the English teams no harm in the 1980s/90s.

**DeLorean** · 17/04/2014, 7:50 PM

That was when they all had small squads and everybody was in the same boat. The major advantage Liverpool have had this season was their lack of games in comparison with their rivals, they've had a real freshness about them all season.

**Charlie Darwin** · 17/04/2014, 8:07 PM

geysir will tell you all about the perils suffered by Martin O'Neill playing the same 11 rain, hail or shine for an entire season.

**BonnieShels** · 17/04/2014, 9:53 PM

I'm uneasy at this supporting Man City and Chelsea thing.

My Facebook is unbearable when the Pool win.

My uneasiness is tempered by the fact that I'm a Shels supporting Dub.

I'm used to the dislike.

**Charlie Darwin** · 17/04/2014, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

I'm uneasy at this supporting Man City and Chelsea thing.

My Facebook is unbearable when the Pool win.

My uneasiness is tempered by the fact that I'm a Shels supporting Dub.

I'm used to the dislike.

The trick is to support every Shels game like a Liverpool one. Every time Jordan Keegan or whoever scores, you have to celebrate it as if Suarez has just scored the winner against Norwich. Preferably with a couple of Andy Grayisms or "you beauuuuuuuuttyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!" thrown in.

**bennocelt** · 18/04/2014, 4:04 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

geysir will tell you all about the perils suffered by Martin O'Neill playing the same 11 rain, hail or shine for an entire season.

Didnt do with Villa though, and messed up their chances of getting a really good league finish and a decent FA cup run, that ultimately got him the boot

**DeLorean** · 18/04/2014, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

I'm uneasy at this supporting Man City and Chelsea thing.

It has come surprisingly naturally to me when faced with the bleak alternative.

In fairness to Liverpool, they'll more than deserve it if they see it through, but that's neither here nor there really.

**OwlsFan** · 19/04/2014, 10:52 PM

As I said before on this thread, if a team goes in to a game expecting to win and rests players, then they sometimes end up like Chelsea today. They never really looked like winning that game and I think Alan Smith half way through the game predicted a Sunderland win. The winning penalty was dubious ok but I can understand why it was given. Chelsea were lucky to have 11 men on the pitch but all managers ever see are the decisions which go against them - apparently the first penalty awarded against Chelsea all season. The rant of the assistant manager was pathetic and Mourinho's after match conference, bizarre. Talk about damning someone with praise or sarcasm, whichever you prefer. He hinted there was a conspiracy to make sure everything went down to the wire. He may be a great manager but it will never outweigh his human frailties but then I am not a Chelsea supporter, and certainly not after today's soap opera.

Well done John O'Shea and Sunderland.

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/04/2014, 11:00 PM

That's pure Mourinho to be honest. He's completely shameless but he'll do anything to take the heat off his players and put it entirely on himself (or certain scapegoats within the team, as at Real).

**DannyInvincible** · 20/04/2014, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

He hinted there was a conspiracy to make sure everything went down to the wire.

I just find him very childish and graceless. What exactly did he say in the press conference to imply this? Surely, if there was such a conspiracy, a Chelsea victory would have helped in keeping the run-in more competitive. Mourinho's sarcastic post-match interview was so embarrassing, even Jamie Redknapp broke out of his usual platitudes on Sky Sports and said something interesting for a change:

Just saw this story this morning and it looks like there'll be a fair bit more to come from it: http://www.theguardian.com/football/...dal-major-club

Originally Posted by The Guardian

A major football club in England has been rocked by a drugs scandal that has gone as far as the police and the English authorities, the Observer can reveal.

The police were called in to investigate after senior members of staff started suspecting some of their colleagues were regularly using class-A drugs inside the stadium. The allegations go to the top of the club and involve at least one high-profile figure with a considerable reputation within the sport.

On one occasion, two prominent officials were allegedly caught snorting cocaine in the boardroom of a rival club during an away fixture. Rumours of the incident have spread among other clubs in the same division. Officials of the league in question have been made aware and are treating it as a first within the sport.

...

Weren't two Villa officials dismissed from their posts during the week without any public explanation? I don't suppose it could be related?