Lousy Linesman Peter Kirkup!
Oct 1, 2007 West Ham News
English linesman (Mainly Peter Kirkup) have an unhealthy love affair with their little flags. They think because they have them they have to use them. In particular when a player of an opposing team actually steps into the domains of the defending team. Then it is offside, whether it is or not. Usually not.
Mainly though they have a very personal interpretation of the offside rule. Not as I learned it, that a player has to be below the defender when the ball is hit. English linesmen seem to interpret that to be, if a attacker is below the defender when they get the ball, then it is offside.
Did they all grow up wanting to waive off trains? Or is it an involutarily muscle reflex when they see a player that does not wear the colour most others in that area wears? Is it something they are taught in order to get better service at the curry place? Up with the arm and waive.
7 Games into the 2007-2008 season it looks worse than the last time I addressed this issue. I have seen a fair amount of football now and the linesmen have shamed virtually every game. It is bad luck for linesmen that television show reruns.
There are several very trustworthy systems today that in all honestly could assist and even replace linesmen. The Swedish zoom-system is one, the hawkeye system tennis use is another. I am not an advocate of machine over man, but I do think it is silly not to use systems that help to referee the game better. English linesmen are right now doing the Premiership a disservice similar to what the British unions did to the car industry in the 60`s. Destruction from within.
I have a feeling that in the Chelsea games I watched so far (3) at least 40% of the offside waivings were wrong. Maybe more. Television reveals the incompetence immediately.
These frustrating faults and flaws in the game of football could so easily be eliminated by using available technology. So why don`t the FA do it? Other sports realise that the sport has evolved, just like football is way faster and more complex today than just 20 years ago. Hockey is trying a four ref system now. Football will not even discuss using technology or a two ref system.
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October 1st, 2007 at 10:46 pm
It’s funny ( in a sort of mock / ironic sort of way you understand) but immediately from the Bobby Moore upper, those around me were calling the Lundberg goal onside. You just get a feeling for these things sometimes don’t you?
A real pisser. Add to that the header that Deano simply had to place a yard either side of the Spanish ‘keeper and…….hey-ho; what might have been.
I suppose when you look at Green’s performance, not to mention Green’s performance at the Emirates last season, the Gooners were actually due one against us. I would certainly take two defeats to them if we can turn over the spuds and the russians from the west this season!!!!