So, what of Aquilani?

[Exiled_red]

There's no way on earth that tackle could be deemed as 'violent conduct'.

His right foot was on the ground by the time he made contact with the defender, he wasnt high, his studs werent up and his feet didnt even touch the guy, it was only his momentum as he was sliding that took him into the guy.

What would the referee have classified it as then? For a straight red my would guess is that it comes under 'violent conduct' or 'dangerous play' if it's violent conduct it's an automatic 3 game ban. If it's dangerous play we might be able to get it reduced. Sky were suggesting it was violent conduct, but I guess we'll have to see.

[meffin]

If we want to stop him, we can. There's a little matter of a contract.

And if we sell someone else for decent money, it means we can sign a much needed striker.

And there's the other little matter of him leaving for free in a few years when is contract expires. We have been ****ed by that too many times, we need to cash in no while we can get a decent fee

[SB]

What would the referee have classified it as then? For a straight red my would guess is that it comes under 'violent conduct' or 'dangerous play' if it's violent conduct it's an automatic 3 game ban. If it's dangerous play we might be able to get it reduced. Sky were suggesting it was violent conduct, but I guess we'll have to see.

I doubt the ref saw it that well and may look at it differently when he sees a replay

[Vermilion]

Saw an interview with Iniesta the other day, where he was saying Torres had told him while in SA rooming together, that Gerrard was the best strike partner he had ever played with, Torres felt it was telepathic...said he was a better partner than David Villa...and Iniesta's conclusion was that Liverpool need to play them together up front again.

[SB]

What would the referee have classified it as then? For a straight red my would guess is that it comes under 'violent conduct' or 'dangerous play' if it's violent conduct it's an automatic 3 game ban. If it's dangerous play we might be able to get it reduced. Sky were suggesting it was violent conduct, but I guess we'll have to see.

I doubt the ref saw it that well and may look at it differently when he sees a replay

"I have seen the TV replays and they suggest Joe is a little bit unlucky," Hodgson declared. "He didn't dive at the player; he dived in front of the ball. Their player got hit in the leg. We are pleased to see it wasn't a serious injury to him because he was able to come out and play in the second half.

"He will be a big loss if he is suspended and maybe we will try and see if there is some way for the referee to have a look at it again, but I don't want to make a frivolous appeal, that's for sure. Joe has a great disciplinary record. He has never been sent off before and had only a few yellow cards. Anyone who watches Joe play knows he is not the sort of guy who goes in for bloodcurdling tackles."

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_6315353,00.html

[Fernandinho]

Saw an interview with Iniesta the other day, where he was saying Torres had told him while in SA rooming together, that Gerrard was the best strike partner he had ever played with, Torres felt it was telepathic...said he was a better partner than David Villa...and Iniesta's conclusion was that Liverpool need to play them together up front again.

Soo... lets sign Iniesta?

[SB]

Soo... lets sign Iniesta?

Be patient, we need to be sold first

[Craig_H]

How many times was this tactic by rafa slated last season. not attacking enough, lucas isnt worthy of a starting place yadda yadda yadda.

aqua in for joe with stevie and masher in the centre is the way forward if we want a goal threat.

It's Man City away mate, not Hull at Anfield.

[Exiled_red]

I doubt the ref saw it that well and may look at it differently when he sees a replay

I thought that at the time. I wasn't sure that he saw the incident properly, and thought he may have given the red card on the Arsenal players reactions

[Craig_H]

Slated by Craig in particular

Crikey, it's like trying to train Lassie at times...

Myself and others disagreed with two defensive mids for some games, such as relegation fodder at Anfield, but we didnt dismiss it completely, for every single game and scenario, forever eternally and universally.

For big games against top clubs, especially away, there's not much wrong with it. Rafa's problem was that he did it ALLLLLWAAAAYS!

[Craig_H]

What would the referee have classified it as then? For a straight red my would guess is that it comes under 'violent conduct' or 'dangerous play' if it's violent conduct it's an automatic 3 game ban. If it's dangerous play we might be able to get it reduced. Sky were suggesting it was violent conduct, but I guess we'll have to see.

Dangerous play, from where the ref was and from the Arsenal fans reaction, i can possibly understand. But there was nothing 'violent' about it. It was overzealous, late and daft but not violent.

[Craig_H]

And there's the other little matter of him leaving for free in a few years when is contract expires. We have been ****ed by that too many times, we need to cash in no while we can get a decent fee

This is one instance where i believe we'd be better to keep him, even if it means he goes for nothing in 2 years. By then, we'll have different owners and be financially secure.

[Exiled_red]

Dangerous play, from where the ref was and from the Arsenal fans reaction, i can possibly understand. But there was nothing 'violent' about it. It was overzealous, late and daft but not violent.

Lets hope so, as I think that represents our best chance of appeal

[lickedlollipop]

i am losing faith in him. i know it's unfair, but f*ck it. i hope we get a nice fee for him at least.

[RichC]

Horrible feeling the FA will try their typical "draw a line in the sand" approach at the start of the season and make the ban stand as a 3 match ban.

Wrong IMO as it warrented a yellow no more but they do like to be seen as backing their refs even when a mistake is made (certain beach ball springs to mind!)