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Time we all remembered football’s a contact sport
IT is one of England’s great footballing mysteries.
More perplexing than Paul Tisdale’s dress sense. As confusing as Sir Dave Richards’ rise through its corridors of power.
I am referring, of course, to the lost art of tackling.
Or, to be exact, why ex-players turned television and newspaper pundits have happily become complicit in its demise.
Thankfully, League One has so far escaped the worst excesses of this theoretical movement. The ridiculous notion that even the merest hint of contact from a defender attempting to dispossess an opponent in the penalty box warrants a spot-kick.
But if I was Neill Collins or Harry Maguire, the most combative members of Sheffield United’s rearguard, I would be fearing the day when, inevitably, this argument seeps down through the divisions.
Or, to adopt a more positive stance, they help the South Yorkshire club reclaim its place in the top-flight. Whichever comes first.
The day when centre-halves, full-backs or hard-working midfielders and forwards find themselves unable to challenge for anything other than a loose ball.
One victim of our voracious appetite for rolling news - the incessant debate and analysis it demands- has been, as John Terry’s loss of the England captaincy demonstrates, a fundamental tenet of law. Another is the physicality of our national game.
As far as I’m aware, the governing bodies have not re-drafted its rules and regulations. But ex-professionals who now earn a living commenting on games have.
Think I’m wrong?
Count the number of times in any given week you hear the phrase “well, there was contact so the ref’s got to give it” trotted out to justify another unjustifiable decision. It’s the type of stance which, to be totally frank, only encourages the likes of Adam Johnson to perform the type of swan dives we saw influence matches last weekend.
With many footballers happy to ride roughshod over the principle of fair play, managers can help to ensure football remains a contact sport.
An excellent disciplinary record and consistent selections have been the driving forces behind United’s climb to fourth in the table ahead of tomorrow’s encounter with Wycombe Wanderers.
Danny Wilson’s men average 1.4 cautions every 90 minutes this season. Last term, en route to relegation from the Championship, it was 1.5 despite the fact they played only 48 games. When the present campaign draws to a close, United will have taken part in 55.
Do the math and draw the obvious conclusion.
Turning a blind eye when one of their number cons an official one week and then complaining when they are harshly sent-off the next due to some dubious theatrics doesn’t cut it.
It would be nice if Roberto Mancini dropped Johnson and explained his reasons for doing so when Manchester City face Aston Villa on Sunday?
Failing that, the FA must use retrospective evidence to punish divers and cheats.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
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penthouseblade
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 08:51 AMMedal for Mr Shield! Modern football, for the large part, is rubbish and diving is to blame. I thought it was in the rules that players had a duty to try and stay on their feet? Fell out of love with the game a long time ago, still love the Blades though and our time in the third tier has been wonderful if only for one thing - an honest game of football. I went to the Liverpool match in our first season in the Prem, saw the Gerrard decision, I didn't go again. I blame the players, then the managers for turning a blind eye to it. Can you make this a regular feature please? Name and shame, no humiliate the divers, league table of the worst offenders, clubs and players. The FA will never do something sensible such as retrospective action so we will have to do it!
redalwaysablade
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:52 AMMaybe someone can help here ? Just how many 'players' have been sent off for Simulation. As opposed to sent off for 'Last man' foul.. If refs had the cojones to send these cheats off, I guarantee the number of incidents would decrease. It is within the letter of the Law, for referees to help eradicate this from the game, In addition Managers who complain about such decisions should be fined heavily, or under a totting up procedure see their clubs have points deducted, if we want seriously to remove it from the game, the punishment has to be fitting.
Dingle Dickie
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:28 AMCome on James. This is England, not California. It's 'mathS', not 'math'..........
mickles
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:17 AM"Failing that, the FA must use retrospective evidence to punish divers and cheats." Amen to that. I can't stand the culture of diving that's crept into football in recent years. If I were a manager, I'd fine my players for it.
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