From Stuart Laws
Interesting couple of weeks for refs. Howard Webb in a ManU shirt. I do wonder sometimes if he does have a bet on Rooney to score a pen.And the United players all swearing at the ref v Spurs. As usual.
Arsenal players are bought up differently…and trained to speak to the press (re: Fabregas after Ipswich – I went too…I thought Wilshere was subbed to stop him getting sent off).
Maybe Arsenal need a good old English player or two to get passionate and swear at refs?
But it’s not the ethos…and I would prefer us to win something the purist’s way (Wenger’s way). Playing good football, and not cheating, diving and hounding refs.
I remember Lampard having a spat with Fabregas 2/3 years back. Lampard waved his hand in front of his face as though Fabregas stank. He and Terry have done that several times to Arsenal’s foreign players I don’t want players like that in an Arsenal shirt in 2011+.
I refereed a mini soccer game on Saturday. U10 girls. 25 minutes each way. Highly competitive, good skills. I didn’t have to give one foul or a one handball. Not one player or parent questioned any of my decisions. Watched a boys U12 game after. The linesman threw down his flag and walked off after 10 minutes due to the abuse he was getting. That’s where we have to change things. Industrial language is fine. Lack of respect to fellow people is not.
I hate most English footballers these days. Kids are essential good eggs…look what we turn them into. I gave up coaching after two games. Lack of respect when telling someone where to stand for a corner. And some of the coaches who do their badges have no idea about the game…but can put on a fun training session.
We either create footballers who play for fun (Walcott) or want to win at all costs (Terry). Not much in between.
Where are the tactical intelligent players? We teach the kids nothing other than how to shake hands, and that cheats and bullies ALWAYS win. Not just in football.