Lamps, Scholesy or Timmy Cahill?

[Speedy]

He's had his moments, there's no denying it. And he admits as much in his book, though doesn't appear too proud of it. Always seems to get picked up on by the pundits too, strangely enough (e.g. that England game before the World Cup).

However, I'd suggest that:
a) Scholes has got away with diving consistently, over a longer period, with barely a whisper from the 'experts'. And as Shaggy says, each career-threatening tackle he produces is laughed off as if he were a gauche 16 year old.
b) Apart from Deco I can think of no player other than Joe Cole who has made diving an intrinsic part of his game, a technique that he has added to his repertoire to deliberately (and sucessfully) cheat referees and opponents.
c) Gerrard plays for Liverpool. He doesn't play for United or Chelsea. Therefore anything he does is beyond reproach.

Are we talking about the same Paul Scholes? Could you name two of his dives? Would anyone else class Scholes as a diver? He hasn't ended a career and he hasn't nearly ended a career either. Scholes' stupid challenges tend to swipe the feet from under opponents which is in no way dangerous. Stevie G however - Naysmith and Boateng.

Let's not start making up things.

[Redlife]

Scholes is past his best, but he was and is a cut above the other two.

[andyinswinton]

Its Paul Scholes by an absolute mile isn't it?

[zimbo]

Are we talking about the same Paul Scholes? Could you name two of his dives? Would anyone else class Scholes as a diver? He hasn't ended a career and he hasn't nearly ended a career either. Scholes' stupid challenges tend to swipe the feet from under opponents which is in no way dangerous. Stevie G however - Naysmith and Boateng.

Let's not start making up things.

I have neither the inclination nor the energy to make things up. Just observations based on watching Scholes go about his business for more than 10 years. During which time he has consistently dived when the opportunity has arisen.

And I remember him doing it against Celtic this season to win a free kick (which I think they scored from, but I may be wrong on that). And a ridiculous one against Arsenal at Highbury a couple of seasons back.

But the fact that you don't see him as such underlines the point that it is never highlighted like with other players. And it pisses me right off.

And if you go along with the rather quaint view that Scholes just accidentally mistimes his tackles before helping his upended opponent to their feet in some gesture of sporting solidarity then you're deluding yourself. He puts in more than his fair share of reckless, dangerous challenges that would shame any Conference yard-dog.

[Owen20]

Scholes

[Speedy]

I have neither the inclination nor the energy to make things up. Just observations based on watching Scholes go about his business for more than 10 years. During which time he has consistently dived when the opportunity has arisen.

And I remember him doing it against Celtic this season to win a free kick (which I think they scored from, but I may be wrong on that). And a ridiculous one against Arsenal at Highbury a couple of seasons back.

But the fact that you don't see him as such underlines the point that it is never highlighted like with other players. And it pisses me right off.

And if you go along with the rather quaint view that Scholes just accidentally mistimes his tackles before helping his upended opponent to their feet in some gesture of sporting solidarity then you're deluding yourself. He puts in more than his fair share of reckless, dangerous challenges that would shame any Conference yard-dog.

But he doesn't dive

His challenges aren't great but i've never seen him do one that's dangerous a la Stevie G. To be honest i couldn't really care less. He's a fine player who we'd have loved to have in the shirt.

[Bob]

To but the trend i gave it to Lamps...

Just an objective decision based on the here and now. However, Scholes is and was sheer class. Seen him play against my home town years ago and he walked around like Jan Moby spaying balls all over the shop. They hammered us 6-0 and Scholes bagged four of those i think. Passed his very best now though.

[Red_Al_77]

Scholes. Model professional to boot as well. Lampturd isn't fit to shine his boots.

[AFII]

I agree with Al.

If you look at the times United have dropped points then most of the times Scholes hasn't played. He is their most important player IMO.

[Speedy]

I'd be inclined to agree if it weren't for Ronaldo. It so happends the game where Ronaldo is average and Scholes 'steps up' as it were, they draw. When Ronaldo performs they do not drop points.

[zimbo]

But he doesn't dive

His challenges aren't great but i've never seen him do one that's dangerous a la Stevie G. To be honest i couldn't really care less. He's a fine player who we'd have loved to have in the shirt.

Watch him closely during a match. Particularly when he's around 5-10 yards outside the penalty area.

[Speedy]

He dived once i recall, when he thought he was going to be fouled against us in the League cup final a few seasons ago (Didi).

He is not a diver, how you can categorise him up there with Joe Cole, Deco etc is beyond me.

[zimbo]

He dived once i recall, when he thought he was going to be fouled against us in the League cup final a few seasons ago (Didi).

He is not a diver, how you can categorise him up there with Joe Cole, Deco etc is beyond me.

Watch him closely during a match. Particularly when he's around 5-10 yards outside the penalty area.

I repeat. Although it seems fairly pointless.