Uncertainty of Footballing Officials

We all know that officials are at football matches in order to make the match fair and flowing freely. However at present footballing officials are very inconsistent with the decision they give. In some circumstances ruining the game for the people who follow and have paid a large fee to attend certain matches. For example Manchester United against Real Madrid at Old Trafford, a big second leg in the Champions League against two giants of the game. The stadium packed with budding fans paying big money to attend. United leading 1-0 in the tie receive a ,what some could debate, harsh decision as Nani is sent off for a high foot. Nani was looking at the ball the whole time and was looking to bring it down, Arbeloa was on the wrong end of that boot but Nani had no intension of making contact with him. United go onto lose this game which is some what ruined by the harsh decision. Now the referee may state this is dangerous play, doesnt that mean any high foot in a football match in this day an age is deemed dangerous play?

Nani cannot believe it as he is sent off

Now just this weekend Newcastle played Wigan at the DW Stadium in an important Premier League clash. Wigan forward Callum Mcmanaman tackles Newcastle’s Massadio Haidara completely above the ball and makes contact with the studs to his knee. Haidara feeling the full force of the tackle had to go off with a suspected severe injury from that horrific tackle. The tackle however received absolutely no punishment, it wasn’t even deemed a foul by the referee. This is where the officials need to be more consistent if Nani’s tackle is deemed a red card surely this is too.

Shock tackle which isn’t even deemed a foul

Also this week we had the handball incident of Marouanne Fellaini as he clearly handled the ball in the box with the linesmen in clear view of the incident. This was a big moment in the match as Manchester City could have gone onto win the game against the 10-men of Everton thus keeping their title hopes alive. Again another decision which needs to be rectified to ensure the correct decision is made in the future.

Fellaini handball clearly inside the area, free-kick awarded

We see far too many decisions at present which are not justifiable ones. You could argue that the referee may not be able to make a clear decision in a split second but this is why we have extra officials such as linesmen to support him. A quick video replay on the incident and a correct decision could be made in seconds which is right and fair for the sport.

Premier League Players of the Week! (2nd Feb)

1. JIMMY KEBE (REA)

Reading have shown they will battle to the last-minute of every game with comebacks in their last few games. Most recently they came from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw against 3rd place Chelsea with Adam Le Fondre coming onto to rescue the points. This week was a little easier for the Reading supporters as they hosted Sunderland at the Madjeski. Kebe put The Royals into the lead after 7 minutes which was cancelled out shortly after following a Gardner penalty. The match stayed 1-1 until the last 5 minutes of the game when Kebe scored again to earn Reading all 3 points and continue their march up the table. Can Reading survive relegation?

2. MOUSSA SISSOKO (NEW)

Newcastle is turning into ‘Le Toon Army’ with various French players brought in during the January transfer window. One of which includes Moussa Sissoko from Ligue 1 who made a significant impact to his Newcastle career. Newcastle hosted Chelsea who have had a dip inform in recent weeks following a 2-2 draw with Reading. It didn’t get any better for Chelsea as they let a 2-1 lead slip to lose 3-2 with 2 well taken goals by Sissoko. It got worse for Chelsea early on as they lost Demba Ba with a suspected broken nose. Can the French revelation rescue Newcastle?

3. STEVEN GERRARD (LIV)

Liverpool are starting to show decent form with a good result away to Arsenal who should have won the game after letting a 2-0 lead slip against The Gunners. Talisman Steven Gerrard has been a vital part of Liverpool’s form bolstering the midfield and providing support for both Suarez and Sturridge. This week Liverpool travelled to champions Manchester City who went into the match 10 points off Premier League leaders Manchester United. City took the lead through Dzeko but was cancelled out within 5 minutes by January signing Daniel Sturridge. The ball then dropped to Gerrard on 73 minutes who chested and fired straight into the bottom corner past the despairing Joe Hart. Gerrard thought he may have won the match but Aguero finished superbly from a tight angle to take the shine off Gerarrd’s goal. However this looked like another 2 points dropped for Liverpool who looked likely to win the game. Can Gerrard be a significant player to Liverpool’s chances of a Champions League place.

4. MAROUANE FELLAINI (EVE)

Everton are still going strong this season who currently sit 5th place in the league. This week they played host to Aston Villa who are really struggling this season and look likely for the drop if they don’t pick up form. This was to be a free scoring game with 6 goals in total ending up in a 3-3 draw which is considered a good result for Villa. However Villa were 3-1 up when 2 goals from Marouane Fellaini including one in added time rescued a point of Everton. Can Everton push for a Champions League place?

5. CHRISTIAN BENTEKE (VIL)

Villa have been really struggling this season and have found no real form at all. With loses to Bradford City and Millwall in the FA Cup Villa’s only focus is now on Premier League survival. This week was to be a difficult game when they travelled to form side Everton who are pushing for a Champions League place. However Villa showed some great passages of play to earn a deserving 3-3 draw and would have felt hard done by following an added time equalizer. Villa striker Christian Benteke has been Villa’s key player so far this season who scored 2 goals in this game to earn them at least a point. Benteke’s goals will be a vital factor within Villa’s relegation battle. Can Benteke help save Villa from playing Championship football next season?

Premier League Players of 2012!

 1. ROBIN VAN PERSIE (MAN U/ARS)

Robin Van Persie had a high scoring season for Arsenal last season. His goal helped his side to a respectable third place finish. This was something that didn’t look possible at the start of the season, following a big loss to Manchester United. Van Persie scored a total of 30 goals in the league for Arsenal which saw him finish the season as top score. Van Persie has continued his high scoring following a summer transfer move to Manchester United. Van Perise has currently already scored 16 goals for United and has aided his new team to a current position of 1st in the league. Will Van Persie continue his goal scoring form in 2013?

2. VINCENT KOMPANY (MAN C)

Vincent Kompany had a fantastic 2012 for Manchester City helping them to become Champions of the Premier League. His solid defending helped reduce the goals that City conceded and also chipped in with some vital goals. The most vital coming in a 1-0 win against Premier League rivals Manchester United. Kompany was voted the PFA Player of the Year for his magnificent performances throughout 2012. As far this season Kompany has struggled somewhat with City conceding what may be considered ‘too many for City’s quality’. Will Kompany aid City to a consecutive Premier League title in 2013?

3. GARETH BALE (TOT)

Gareth Bale is a consistently strong player for Tottenham and he showed this last season. Tottenham finished the season inside the top four only to be pushed out of the Champions League due to fifth place Chelsea qualifying because they won the tournament. Bale was a very influential player for Spurs last season and has continued his form this season with a possible top four finish on the cards. Bales pace and strength allows him to breeze past defenders with ease and contributes with both goals and assists for his club. Will Bale be a big influence in 2013 and allow Tottenham a top four finish?

4. SERGIO AGUERO (MAN C)

Agueeeerrrrrrooooo! The famous words from commentator Martin Tyler last season as Sergio Aguero scored one of the most crucial goals in Premier League history. His goal on last game and in the last minute of the season won City the title, snatching it away from arch rivals Manchester United. All season Aguero was a huge influential player chipping in with vital goals and his sheer work rate helped his club to become champions. This season has started too great for the Argentine struggling to find the goals but is sure to pick it up as the season continues. Will Aguero aid his club to another Premier League title in 2013?

5. LEIGHTON BAINES (EVE)

Baines consistently performs to a very high standard for Everton and has had a lot of interest from major clubs. He possesses a great ability with set pieces leading to the left-back scoring all types of goals. He has scored numerous free-kicks, penalties and also goals from open play. It is not just his attacking ability which has made him a huge prospect it is also his defending and overall work rate he constantly shows for his team. Baines is one of those players who rarely have a bad game. He has been leading the way for Everton this season with some fantastic goals included a superb free-kick against Newcastle United. His contribution to the team has led to possible top four potential for Everton this season. Will Everton be able to keep the full back or will Baines be moving to a new club in 2013?

Premier League Players of the Week! (1st Dec)

1. MICHU (SWA)

Swansea summer signing Michu has been in top form so far this season with his goal scoring power. The Spainard cost the Swans £2 million in the summer which looks to be a steal. Michu scored twice at the weekend with two thoroughly composed finishes in the last 2 minutes of the game to snatch a 2-0 victory away at the Emirates. The Spainard has displayed that he is the complete striker with some superb finishes as well as his aerial ability. Michu will be a key player if the Swans are to push higher up the league and ultimatley stay up for another season in the Barclays Premier League. The two goals netted at the weekend also sees Michu the joint leading goal scorer in the division with 10 goals.

2. JERMAINE DEFOE (TOT)

The in-form English striker has been in the goals for Spurs so far this season with another 2 goals to his name in Saturday’s victory over fellow London club Fulham. Defoe scored 2 goals in the space of 5 minutes after Sandro had put Spurs 1-0 up to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory at Craven Cottage. Defoe has shown as far this season that he questionably the best finisher in the Premier League with some well finished goals and a great success rate. Defoe has now scored 9 goals in 15 appearances for Tottenham this season. Defoe finds himself in this weeks players of the week for the second successive time. Can Defoe continue this rich vain of form?

3. MAROUANE FELLAINI (EVE)

The large figure of Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has had defences scared this season with some key goals for the Toffee’s as far. Fresh from his crucial goal against Arsenal midweek Fellaini netted again on Saturday as he helped his side to a fantastic 1-1 draw away to Champions Manchester City. Fellaini’s fantastic close control, heading ability and strength makes him a threat from any position. He has been the forefront to Everton’s great start to the season which sees them sitting in 6th position. There is also optimism within Goodison Park of a possible Champions League place come the end of the season. Can Everton push for that elusive Champions League place?

4. WAYNE ROONEY (MAN U)

This week Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson challenged Rooney to score more goals this season. Rooney replied to his managers challenge at the weekend with two goals in a high scoring 4-3 victory over Reading. The English striker netted once from the spot and made it two after comfortably slotting home from a low cross. The win now sees United sitting on top of the Premier League three points above local rivals and defending champions Manchester City. Can Rooney build on these two goals?

5. DEMBA BA (NEW)

Newcastle United Senegalese striker Demba Ba has been an important player for the Toon so far this season. Ba aided his team to a convincing 3-0 victory over ten man Wigan Athletic after defender Maynor Figueroa was sent off in the earlier stages in Monday nights fixture. Ba scored two goals for his side with a penalty and a pochers finish after Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi fumbled. The stikers two goals means he now has 10 goals for Newcastle this seaon making him the joint leading goal scorer in the Barclays Premier League alongside Suarez, Van Persie and Michu. Newcastle haven’t had a great start this season and are currently sitting in 14th position, 5 points off the relegation zone. Can Demba Ba help his team find form and push back up the table?