Archives for April 2012

Once again we took to our Facebook page to ask you what rants you had – and perhaps unsurprisingly referees cropped up as one – but Jason Stagg had an interesting response to Reon John’s initial point.

Reon John

Why is the FA protecting referees and not making then accountable for their mistakes?





Jason Stagg

Reon, to be fair I have the greatest respect for referees. Let's not forget that when watching a game on TV, we’ve got a better view than the man in black. And you know what, it still take me at least one replay to call the easiest of decisions.



I know there’s the argument that ‘what if the fans in the stand can see it?’ Well that's exactly why.



The fan's go into the game with their hearts, not their heads. I mean just count how many times you’ve heard fans cheering when the ball hits the side netting?



Rather than criticize the referees I believe that the FA need to introduce something to assist them. And no, I do not believe goal line technology is the answer.



I like football for what it is, something everyone can take part in - mistakes and all. But then again, tens of thousands of fans should not be punished for a mistake.



It's a no win situation for the referee.



Which, again, leads me to this point. Surely the FA should be the ones looking into what alternative measures they can take?

We thought it was about time we made another 606 XI and so asked you on Twitter what we should base the XI around. We had some good suggestions such as Cavemen and One Season Wonders - but we instead decided to go with the Spartan Army XI.

The response from you on Facebook and Twitter was awesome - and we're delighted we managed to get Patrick Viera and Roy Keane in the same team - but have put General Vinny Jones in the middle of them to make sure they don't fight themselves.



Then we've got a keeper who played through a game with a broken neck, warriors, hard men and people who wouldn't step backwards if a spear was put through them.



Given the nature of the players - we've packed out the midfield and gone for a 3-5-1-1 formation with very little width, on a pitch which could see the left and right midfielders hold hands.



Spartan Army XI

Bert Trautmann



Martin Skrtel

Nemanja Vidic

Sotirios Kyrgiakos



Karl Henry

Patrick Viera

Vinny Jones (the General)

Roy Keane

Gennaro Gattuso



Frank Ribery

Adebayo Akinfenwa