Today's game

[Woody SUFC]

What do you think?

 

We once had half the beconsfield side get in for free recently!!

[Guest Anonymous]

They should pay like everyone else.

[charlie]

There's no need to be personal RWG - I don't go slinging cockney rhyming slang at you.

 

I didn't say it was "great" I said it was commendable, since losing his head is something Harper has been accused of before, and on Saturday he clearly didn't let that happen, that was all.

[Matt]

Harper was clumsy more than anything. Better in my opinion to be punished for a mistimed tackle than backchat. The former is an occupational hazard for a defender, whereas the latter is silly and can be stopped. Harper has done a good job stopping the verbals compared to last season.

 

The main problem with Saturday was that we had a dreadful start and as a whole the first half was poor. A long-range strike after just 17 seconds isn't ideal. I was standing behind the goal it went in and wondered if Jacko could perhaps have reached a bit further for it, but it was still a fine strike.

 

Playing three strikers is great if you're on the attack, but too many times Jordan and Platt had to drop back as Didcot looked very handy in attack.

 

However when I look back to the comparative result last season (3-6), it's clear massive progress has been made as the result was always in the balance up to the final whistle and I think Didcot, as realistic title contenders, were relieved to get out with the win.

[Guest Anonymous]

Talking about Referees and the respect campaign, when a supporter behind me asked the linesman at the totton game if his flag actually worked, the linesman promptly stuck one finger up his back at him!!

 

 

[BFR]

As a player I like Harper but his disciplinary record as a Rebel is pretty dreadful. He's received his marching orders at least 4 times whilst playing for us (I say at least as some stats are missing from the official website), which for 18 months service is not good. Yes you want committed players, but you also want players who will stay on the pitch for 90 minutes.

 

In terms of clapping off players after they've been sent off, it isn't something that I understand. The only time I did it was when Ricky Browne was sent off at Berkhamsted, and that was clapping the ref for doing us a favour, rather than because of admiration towards the player.

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

Originally Posted By: Windsor_Sec

A couple of points:
[1] For Don Juan - Wiz isn't Mudge as he [Mudge] was talking to our manager outside the clubhouse yesterday at the time his first post was made!
[2] Obviously I didn't see the two tackles by Harper but I do think it's time the FA had a rethink on this two cards and off business. Defenders by nature will have to make last-ditch tackles and I do honestly believe they get punished more for the same tackles than midfielders or forwards do. For example, yesterday a midfield substitute came on maybe 30 minutes from the end and in the space of 10 minutes committed the three worst fouls seen all afternoon - the result, a severe talking to each time and told it was his last chance! Now would the same decision have been made if it was a defender making those challenges? Do referees feel under pressure more to penalise defenders simply because of the area on the pitch that the challenges are made ie getting near the goal?

Your thoughts please.

A fair point defenderdo seem to get the raw end of the deal, however i feel the greatest crime is the over protection keepers recieve (especially as they are usually the biggest guys on the pitch) Keepers can come out feet first everyrime and whereas (if it was an outfielder it would be a a staright booking (even iof the won the ball) Keepers always get off scott free. I have had 3 mates of mine suffer horrendous leg breaks due to keepers coming out feet first. How many card were recieved? None. If these were outfielders doing the tackles all three would have been red cards.

And i completely agree with comments re: the respect campaign.

Respect should be earnt not given.

Ps was mudgie on an iphone at the time though??

I think with so many cards being flashed aroudn its time for the FA to get some REAL consistency.

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

Originally Posted By: Anonymous

Talking about Referees and the respect campaign, when a supporter behind me asked the linesman at the totton game if his flag actually worked, the linesman promptly stuck one finger up his back at him!!

I imagine thats the same 'wideboy' lino who swore at the Totton keeper!

[Matt]

Originally Posted By: King Tut

He's received his marching orders at least 4 times whilst playing for us (I say at least as some stats are missing from the official website)

As I recall, the website only started recording cards after the new version was implemented midway through last season.

But yes, Harper's record as a Slough player is not great. For all those stat-lovers out there, his record stands at 55 appearances, 10 goals, 5 red cards (last season's were against AFC Hayes in the League Cup and Winchester and Paulton in the league).

I still think he was more than a bit unlucky on Saturday though.

[GlenW]

I think referees if this respect thing is going to work should be respected without question.If they are not up to the job then assessors can decide they shouldnt referee.

what spoils the game for me is players constantly arguing and bickering about decisions.Unless a ref is very experienced heShe is going to make errors.It isnt an easy job when you are on the field as opposed to supporting your team from the terraces.

Im all for only the captains talking to the refs,would make for a more enjoyable game.

I cant understand why people get so worked up about it. Football should be played for enjoyment and if you win then thats extra.

[BFR]

It wasn't a criticism of the site Matt, more a sign that fatherhood has impinged on my memory!

 

The goals tally for a defender (albeit one who takes penalties) is good. The red cards is not.

[Guest Radder]

I agree that while 4(?) sendings off in a year and a half is not great, the red card on Saturday looked harsh and as others have pointed out, didn't really correspond with the punishments the ref had dished out in the game (the tackle on Yash). When Harper got sent off last season in a game we lost 2-1 (honestly can't remember who against but it was after the final whistle for mouthing off) I was as pissed off as everyone else because what he did was needless and cost us an experienced player for 4 matches at a crucial stage of the season. This situation is much different. I can't comment on the first booking as I never even saw him get it, but the second was for a committed challenge at a point in the game where we were scrapping for every ball to try and get back into the game. It wasn't a reckless tackle, it was one that had it been ever so slightly better timed would have drawn applause from all round the ground. Stupidity you can have no sympathy for. In this instance you can.

 

In terms of saying there are only so many times a player can get sent off before he is let go. Tell that to managers of Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, David Batty, etc. Some of the best players of a generation have shocking disciplinary records. Fair enough some of this is down to stupidity. But most of their bookings and sendings off were down to full blooded commitment to a winning mentality drummed into them by their managers. I would much rather have Deano playing for us than some of the players we have had over the last few years who couldn't give a damn.

[Chris]

Very well put Radders agree totally, espcially with the last sentence. Particually as we've had a lot of mercenaries over recent years which some seem to have fogotten.

 

As I've said before Dean's sending off against Paulton probably cost him the player of the season award last year, so I think he's learnt from that this season.