Ref for Bolton Match is ....

[Neil Young]

I thought the foul by Nolan was marginal and wouldn't have been surprised if it hadn't been given. Having said that there is also a good argument Styles got it right, because Nolan did definitely lift his leg to obstruct Reina, so it becomes a matter of individual interpretation.

Chris Kamara made a good observation (which inevitably was almost hidden by all the rest of his stupid 'analysis' surrounding it) that Gerrard drew Styles' attention to Nolan before the corner had even been taken. Nice work by the captain.

[Craig_H]

I don't think so.

If you are standing still before the ball is played, and somebody has to go around you, it isn't obstruction. You're just standing your ground. Would you really expect Nolan to say

'I'm sorry Pepe, I didn't realise you were trying to get past. Here you go old chap'.

It was far less innocuous than the umpteen times defenders shield the ball out of play during any game.

He wasnt just randomly standing his ground and his blocking of Pepe wasnt by sheer coincidence. His sole purpose and objective there was to block Pepe off, it's a clear foul.

[Shanks]

Gerrard drew Styles' attention to Nolan before the corner had even been taken.

Well done Stevie..

[cled the red]

The rule on obstruction

"Impeding the Progress of an Opponent". Generally, a player cannot use his body to impede another players movements, even if it is not deliberate. This can be called if a player is not within "playing distance" of the ball (i.e., 3 feet) and block's an opponent's movement or screens an opponent from the ball. However, if a player is within playing distance & able to play the ball (meaning not laying on the ground), the player can legally screen an opponent from the ball. (You usually see this when a ball is going out of bounds & the player whose team will get the throw-in screens the opponent so the opponent can't save the ball). Impeding the progress of an opponent used to be called "obstruction". The rule also applies to "innocently" impeding the goalkeeper by standing in front of him when he has the ball.

So based on the above, Robe Stlyes was spot on!!

[dom9]

The rule on obstruction



So based on the above, Robe Stlyes was spot on!!

Fair enough. So there should a fould any time a player shields the ball out of play.

If it was Liverpool who scored that goal, there would have been an outcry on here - especially if it had cost us points.

[cled the red]

Fair enough. So there should a fould any time a player shields the ball out of play.

If it was Liverpool who scored that goal, there would have been an outcry on here - especially if it had cost us points.

Yes there should if a player is trying to shield a ball out of play when he not within "playing distance" of it.

[dww]

Fair enough. So there should a fould any time a player shields the ball out of play.

If it was Liverpool who scored that goal, there would have been an outcry on here - especially if it had cost us points.

I've said that for ages. It's one of my pet hates about how the laws are interpreted. 'Sheparding' the ball out is just so irritating.

In regards to the Bolton decision while it probably was the letter of the law I think that in reality that would be given only about 60-70% of the time. We were to some degree lucky to get it but if as Neil pointed out Gerrard drew the referees attention to it then that would increase the odds of it working. You have to think though that Reina's blatant push on the player in front of him has to count as a foul too and added attention on that could have back fired.

[Reece]

Quick someone e-mail that to Megson

[Neil Young]

Fair enough. So there should a fould any time a player shields the ball out of play.

If it was Liverpool who scored that goal, there would have been an outcry on here - especially if it had cost us points.

Great title, dom.

[dom9]

Great title, dom.

I assure you it had nothing to do with me. I assumed it was your handywork.

[Neil Young]

Could be.

[dom9]

Could be.

I kinda predicted that might happen.

[Neil Young]

I kinda predicted that might happen.

A prediction is a sublimated wish.

[dom9]

A prediction is a sublimated wish.

Well, if I had a wish, I would certainly wish for something better than that, sublimated or otherwise.