In defence of Jermaine Jenas
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 3:15PM So JJ is in trouble with the FA over his choice of words in the aftermath of the 5-2 defeat in the 'Theatre of you must be Dreaming if you think you’ll ever going to win here'.
What did JJ state exactly?
"I think it was a case of a referee crumbling under the pressure at Old Trafford really. The atmosphere, the occasion, the importance of the match, a lot of factors take their toll when making decisions."
Along with:
"One thing which struck me about it was that he [Webb] didn't even think [about the penalty decision]. It was like he'd already made his mind up when he came out for the second half that he was going to give something."
So what did he state exactly? The bloody bleeding obvious. Did Howard Webb not admit to making a mistake? Although he won’t admit to the reasons behind why he found it so easy to blow a whistle and point to the spot we all know that he did so because it’s what you do if you struggle to hold your nerve.
But then, objectively, it’s impossible to say one way or another if the referee had made a premeditated decision to give something to the home side. But there is a culture within the game that sees some refs more inclined to be influenced by the big clubs. I know it’s pretty much hearsay and theoretical but had that penalty shout come from Spurs players in the opposite box – would he have blown the whistle? He obviously – through his own admittance - got it wrong and knew at the time he had made a mistake. Explains the yellow card (rather than red) for Gomes. So what makes a professional, whose job it is to officiate a professional game, make such a glaring amateur mistake? If he didn’t see it, if he wasn’t 100% then speak the assistant ref. Or better still, don’t give it.
What Jenas is getting at is that you have to be in a particular frame of mind to be so easily susceptible to a penalty incident and to a degree, at a subconscious level, you sort of know what you are going to do before you do it.
Decisions like these are given all the time, in games that do not carry the same weight of importance as the one on Saturday did. It’s because it was Utd and because it was an important league game and the fact that we were 2-0 up that it’s riled the players and fans alike.
In reality, its probably down to the fact that refs are just human...and rubbish. But they always seem to be less human and more rubbish when its a little club versus a big club.
Yes, we collapsed pathetically straight after it – and this should be the priority to JJ and the rest of the players rather than dwelling on the injustice of the incident. Can’t change it now. But maybe his words will linger in the thoughts of other refs. Much like when Moyes called Mike Riley a United fan.
Seems if you want decisions to go your way, you need to influence the refs yourself.
Either that, or change your team to Man Utd.
Reader Comments (13)
If I was JJ I'd sit down and watch the match again. I'd note down EVERY poor or dubious decision by Howard Webb (An example would be
Woodgates booking when Ronaldo's blatant and crude trip of Lennon was let off)
I would then piece all this information together on a DVD and go
Into the hearing and state my case picking out these decisions throughout.
I'd make sure I had every possible view of the penalty, I'd show how far Webb was away from the incident by using 'Hawkeye' and also show that the Linesman did not give it as a foul. I would then get a view on the goal line to indicate that the ball never crossed the line for the 4th (or was it the 5th?).
I'd make sure that EVERY SINGLE incident was analysed to the Nth degree & and where possible state the laws of the game (especially in incidents where Man Utd players were NOT booked).
I'd make sure that the hearing lasted for absoloutely ages, I'd go
Into every last minor detail and really make the FA examine it. I'd drag them through it because it's about time SOMEONE, ANYONE took them to task for a change!
JJ may not win the hearing BUT he may just show the FA that they are
a bunch of idiots and that their supposed TOP ref is an absolute shambles.
SOMEONE GET ME JJ'S MOBILE NUMBER! WE'RE GOING TO NAIL THE FA TO THE
WALL!!
we should all get together and make complaints to the FA by email or phone, i have already done this and told them what i think of it all. If so many people do it they have to listen at some point. There should be an independant investigation of refrees and their links to certain clubs. It doesn't just happen in Italy. The FA is pro UTD and so are most refs that is evident by now and people can argue against it as much as you like but the evidence is there
The FA should be sending a letter to Webb to explain his actions not Jenas for simply stating his opinion which is less harsh of an opinion of most people bar UTD fans.
Lets all get together on this one and make ourselves heard because complaining and writing about it no one is going to care or listen and our game is being ruinied by these incompetant officials. Wonder how the table would look now if we had action replays, i doubt UTD would be top for a start
This is what i got from the FA when i complained about the refs, they pointed me onto keith Hackett who i took pleasure in making him aware of my feelings
The Select Group officiates in the Premier League and is the responsibility of Keith Hackett, General Manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). Premier League refereeing enquiries should be addressed to Keith Hackett, The Premier League, 30 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8PL or via info@premierleague.com <mailto:info@premierleague.com>
FA looks the other way when it's Utd.
"It’s Phil Dowd, so what do you expect?” - Ferguson.
Did he get charged?
Jenas will get charged.
The FA are losing the arguement re the game requires an overhaul
stupid to lean on jenas who is obviously correct in his opinion........
to deny a truth shows ignorance! and lack of maturity in dealing with the problem
decisions like webbs penalty could obviously affect team postions and vast amounts of money
at the end of a season .....
sort instead of denying
Jenas made stupid insulting comments about the referee which were in no way "right". He was an idiot to make the comments and should apologise immediately or risk a fine and even possibly a suspension. The argument that "Please Sir, he says naughty things too and you let him get away with it" will not, I predict, cut much ice with the FA.
The referee made a mistake and has been man enough to publicly admit it. Harry Redknapp has been reported as admitting that he too was wrong when he publicly ridiculed Darren Bent for missing an open goal. Jenas needs to show the same strength of character as those two.
What I find most worrying about Jenas's comments is that they display the thought in his mind that things would go wrong in the second half ("caused" by the referee), when he and the rest of the team should have been in a positive winning frame of mind as a result of both Tottenham's first half performance and the scoreline at the time.
Twice in the last few weeks, (also against Blackburn) Tottenham have thrown away winning positions because they feel a particular incident was unfair. This is not the response of a top-class side, and this negativity needs to be rectified if we are going to be winners.
Actually if I was JJ, ie living the life of Riley with bundles of free time, I'd do exactly what Jamiespurs has suggested. How many times have people said this sort of thing and not been hauled over the coals for it? It's bollocks.
'This is not the response of a top-class side, and this negativity needs to be rectified if we are going to be winners.'
Well said John White (watch out for any lightning).
Yes, the ref got it wrong, but the ref also got it wrong when giving us a penalty at Ewood. OK, the Palacios sending off was equally as wrong, but let's not kid ourselves, this team (maybe the whole club, as it keeps happening) is weak willed and I think losing in the way we did might be a blessing in disguise. It's there for all to see that we need players with belief and not a bunch of whinging girls who are ready to chuck the towel in at the first sign of injustice.
I'm tired of hearing about it now to be honest.
"Twice in the last few weeks, (also against Blackburn) Tottenham have thrown away winning positions because they feel a particular incident was unfair."
Our run since 'arry took over has been exceptional. To drag us up to where we are now is some achievement considering the form of the players when he took over. But that form comes flooding back when these "unfair incidents" happen in matches. We turn into the team we were at the start of the season. These things happen to all teams but when it happens to us we loose our bottle.
what i'm trying to say is Howard Webb's a c**t and we need more bottle god damn it
Former Premier League referee Graham Poll believes Webb was looking to make a "big call" after being appointed for the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Everton next month... - source... click below
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1784_5251204,00.html
Graham poll's a fine one to talk, he was a mess with his whistle and cards lol, but he speaks the truth here!
If the F.A. can't respond to fare criticism, & look at new ways to fix this age old problem, instead of calling JJ to book. Then maybe they'd listen if all away fans next season buoycott Old Traford. The fans pay their money for the matches & sat. t.v. viewing, they're entitled to have their point of view, not only heard, but also acted upon.
Or would they prefer the buoycott.
john white!....... no way is the ref to blame for spurs post penalty display.......the standards and requirements of a top ref were not met which has nothing to do with thfc or any other team..........simply a ref has blown the game Away into a different possible outcome as was with palacios in his sending off.........
so the question is..............how many times is it acceptable that a ref decides in error ?
well the minimum in my book ............................and the idea that opinion is swept aside as a concern by the FA
regarding JJ is ..........besides the point! and looks stupid on the part of the FA
it is OK to constructively criticise!
in a year of respect campaign the passion and efforts of football clubs should not be undermined by refs actions
or at least looked at with the objective to put an end to such poor decision process.......video ref?
at key moments in game or are we still kissing FIFA 's arse
Webb demoted.
Sums it up.
Webb's a retard with a chip on his shoulder.
Take his appearance for instance. A sad attempt to look 'macho' by shaving his head. Check out the shadow. He's 37 and his hair's fallen out! My grandad has more hair. This sad individual then shaves what little he has left to try and fool us he's 'more of a man'. He does it coz he knows he's running around in view with younger, fitter and wealthy athletes He is a total fuckin' joke!!