to all UK Arsenal fans

**King Edward** · 09-03-2004, 11:38

Originally Posted by Desiderata

True and that was an upset but did Arsene put out his top team? I thought some key players were injured or were suspended? But hey - good game - i remember watching it.

I used to like watch Man U play, as they really did play beautiful soccer. But know I have this incredible urge to throw things whenever Ronaldinho smirks, Ryan Giggs isnt the player he was and they really havent replaced Beckham with anyone approaching his quality - passes, crosses and deadballs. With Owen going to Real, they have to be the side to watch - jampacked with talent and skill. Plus the Spanish league is miles in front of the english premiership in terms of technic and skill. But we're gettin there

Bah the Spanish League is for Pretty Boys, you cant fart near someone without them falling ovwer clutching their knee in (supposed) aggony. They do have the best attacking players in the world, but i like the physical side of the Premiership its much tougher than the rest of europe.

I never got to watch Chelsea beat Arsenal as i was travelling round China at the time but read all about it on the net and emailed all my Gooner friends!! ha ha

**Desiderata** · 09-03-2004, 11:44

Originally Posted by King Edward

Bah the Spanish League is for Pretty Boys, you cant fart near someone without them falling ovwer clutching their knee in (supposed) aggony. They do have the best attacking players in the world, but i like the physical side of the Premiership its much tougher than the rest of europe.

I never got to watch Chelsea beat Arsenal as i was travelling round China at the time but read all about it on the net and emailed all my Gooner friends!! ha ha

Hmmm - it is a tendency that is creeping in to the British game; gamesmanship some call it, others call it cheating.

So do you think Clive Woodward could make it as a footy coach then?

**King Edward** · 09-03-2004, 11:58

Im not sure really, he will make a decent Manager as long as he has a solid football brain with him.

Woodward is a superb organiser and knows how to get thinks done so i dont think its impossible for him to make the transition. It will be interesting to watch anyway!

As far as 'Gamesmanship' goes, its cheating in my opinion.

**Desiderata** · 09-03-2004, 12:16

Originally Posted by King Edward

Im not sure really, he will make a decent Manager as long as he has a solid football brain with him.

Woodward is a superb organiser and knows how to get thinks done so i dont think its impossible for him to make the transition. It will be interesting to watch anyway!

As far as 'Gamesmanship' goes, its cheating in my opinion.

I agree - I think that he can make the transition and he is a superb organiser and he will bring those around him who know more about the specialist areas - he's done that at the ERFC.

I think that if someone has been fouled and they make more of it than it was, it's gamemanship - if there was no contact then its cheating and rightly should be carded. There probably should be more cards for diving than there is, but ref's can't be everywhere and see everything. Perhaps giving the those on the side more 'power' as was done in rugby? Now if you infringe in rugby, the ref may not see, but sodds law the guy on the sides will and he can recommend what the ref does. as for video referees - not in favour. It would slow the game down; timid ref's would resort to it far too often - its happened in rugby league and is creeping into union.

**King Edward** · 09-03-2004, 12:25

Yeah even at the level of rugby i play i've been caught, um 'manipulating' the rules once or twice. (Usually somthing to do with my boot and their body on the floor having some sort umm.. contact......)

I dont like play acting though, I think one of the worst things you can do is fake something to get some one sent off. See Rivaldo in the last world cup as an example.

Video ref should be utter last resort. refs are starting to rely on them too much.

Example of a Touch Judge ruleing in rugby was when Simon Shaw was sent off for England agianst The All blacks by that Blo*dy Aussie Touch judge.

Divine Wind, you were Robbed agianst Utd last week, utterly disgusting!!

**Desiderata** · 09-03-2004, 12:41

So I guess that you playas a forward the? Perhaps a flanker?

Oh Rivaldo's fakery was disgustin - as tho he'd been poleaxed *shame on him*

Yeah, ok Touch Judges don't always get it right and it also depends on the ref of course; there's one english ref (can't remember his name) uses his whistle far too many times - I think it's Steve someone

**King Edward** · 09-03-2004, 12:48

Actually Im a Winger but i still like to get stuck in every now and again. Sometimes its the only way to stay warm!!!

You need a strong ref in rugby or the players will take advantage of him.

**Divine Wind** · 09-03-2004, 15:38

Originally Posted by King Edward

Divine Wind, you were Robbed agianst Utd last week, utterly disgusting!!

I know

Blackburn seem to have had no luck for the past couple of seasons with the officials. I cant moan and gripe to much about the result, as a draw with Utd for us is good. But i can moan and gripe about having to waste 20 quid on a ticket to see the game and then have to drive 4 hours back home for a draw, when it should have been a win!