“I’m disappointed,” Hodgson said. “I thought it was a fierce challenge from young Raheem, not a foul challenge. He played the ball and accelerated into the ball. I’m disappointed with Antonio’s reaction, grabbing the player. "
Have to say, I agree.
Moving on, if Oxlade-Chamberlain proves to be ruled out, who would you bring in, if anyone?
Adam Johnson? No-one?
The way Chamberlain was playing last night had me believing he would have been a real threat in the competition. Real shame if he misses out now.
Football's gone soft, that's what I think.
Sterling got the ball first and it was a genuine attempt to get the ball. it was not a malicious tackle at all.
Smalling's tackle was much much worse. There wasn't even a free kick given for that. He did dive in recklessly.
'Got the ball' is a bit of a stretch - his calf brushed the top of the ball as he flew past. But getting the ball is irrelevant in the rules.
I would agree it wasn't malicious, but again that's irrelevant in the context of the rules. All the rules state is that a red card challenge is one that uses 'excessive force' and endangers the safety of an opponent. 'Excessive' is obviously a definition that's very much open to interpretation but for me it was a tackle that could easily have left Valencia with a bad injury. I think the referee made a reasonable decision. When Hodgson says it was a 'fierce' challenge I agree, but in my view that constitutes a red card.
I'm prepared to accept I'm in the minority on this one though.
Our defence is woeful aside from a couple of players.
I do think everyone is reading too much into yesterdays result given the experimental team we put out. It certainly wont be like that against Italy
Indeed.
We will put in the 'better,' older players and then play much worse.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?