enjoyed the game at Sunderland earlier in the season but a bit concerned how easily our offensive boys were brushed aside and knocked off the ball. Watching the season unfurl on tv, this is a remaining issue, with the newer europeans keener to wave arms in the air and imaginery cards than chase back - or even learn to stand up for themselves. Good old English refs don't like it and seem to allow good old english defenders the benefit of the doubt. Now I've also been watching our little magician, Sami, getting a bit of the georgie best, diego maradona treatment from players he's running rings round with his tricks and turns: endless tugs, pushes, nudges and kicks and yet he prefers to hang on to the ball, he's about beating them and looking for a pass (though too often there's no pass on) or making space for the shot, only finally does he generally lose the ball and end up in a frequent ball of frustration...frustration at losing the ball, at lack of options from his team, from too many defenders and too little protection from the refs. And this worries me. If I were he, maybe I would be pining for a land where he'd get the fair share of free kicks he warrants. So, dear Santa, for New Year I want SS to fall in love with us as much as PJ and stay, I want the refs to be more understanding of him and for his team-mates to rise their game for him. (And I want Alioski teaching how to stand strong to a challenge - would have wished the same for Pierre too, but can't be bothered with him anymore.)
xxxx _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: https://mailman.gn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email leedslist-unsubscr...@gn.apc.org Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/leedslist/ FLAME WARS 'R US
