I thought we were very lucky tonight

[selby]

  To not have McGrath and Bailey sent off. Bailey in particular would have been sent off at Rugby league for that very dangerous clothes line tackle in the second half.
 And McGrath when he was left standing just outside the penalty area hanging on to the players shorts as he breezed past in the first half saved by an offside decision that would otherwise could have been stopping a chance of a goal, and then sailing in trying to be the billy big bollox  when losing his head, and leading with the elbow in a for arm  smash tackle meant to injure a player.
  Two lucky boys for me, if I had been the referee and seen it as I saw in the game their feet would not have touched the ground on the way off for dangerous play.

[Filo]

  To not have McGrath and Bailey sent off. Bailey in particular would have been sent off at Rugby league for that very dangerous clothes line tackle in the second half.
 And McGrath when he was left standing just outside the penalty area hanging on to the players shorts as he breezed past in the first half saved by an offside decision that would otherwise could have been stopping a chance of a goal, and then sailing in trying to be the billy big bollox  when losing his head, and leading with the elbow in a for arm  smash tackle meant to injure a player.
  Two lucky boys for me, if I had been the referee and seen it as I saw in the game their feet would not have touched the ground on the way off for dangerous play.

Olowu should have gone long before them

[Fal]

The problem was the ref set the scene with only giving Olowu a yellow so they knew they could get away with it thus us starting to lose our heads.

[Thorney]

Christ Selby.

How can you write that without mentioning the blatent red for olowu.

That set the tone for owen. 2 games on the bounce a player has gone in on him with a season ending tackle. so hows about sticking up for our players instead of bringing them down with that nonsense.

I like your pre game posts but this one is shocking. Stockport set the tone tonight. The tag team on billy was a dirty one.

Any chance to bring mcgrath down and you will.
If it was bobby the write up would of been so much different.

[CJK]

The problem was the ref set the scene with only giving Olowu a yellow so they knew they could get away with it thus us starting to lose our heads.

Never mind in real time, when you see the replays, you cannot understand how thats not a straight red card. No excuses, the ref has completely bottled it. And like you say, from there, loses control of the game.

[selby]

  I don't disagree Olowu should have walked, but it doesn't change my mind about those two cheap shots by our players.
  Bailey would have been sent off straight away in any Rugby League game and served a suspension.
  And only McGrath knows what he was trying to do.

[Thorney]

But yet you failed to mention it in the dammin assesment of our players.

Stockport was much the dirtier side tonight. They came with that plan and it worked.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I haven't seen the replay, but that foul on Bailey looked like a cast iron red from the stands. High, braced leg, studs up. You have to walk for that.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I've seen the replay now.

f**k me that was an awful challenge.

Exactly what it looked like in real time. High, late, studs up, braced leg. Made contact halfway up the shin. It's the worst sort. If Bailey had his foot planted, that's a career-ender.

The ref has absolutely shite that one. You'll not see a more certain red card all season. Fleck's wasn't half that bad on Saturday because he didn't have his leg braced.

[BillyStubbsTears]

There was a blatant foul on Crew seconds before that the ref was 5 yards away from and ignored. He really was as bad as I thought at the match.

[BillyStubbsTears]

By the way. The Bailey boiling was not remotely a clothesline foul. It was a booking, sure, but he didn't smash his arm into the lad's head and there wasn't the closing speed you have to make a clothesline foul so dangerous.

I once saw a REAL clothesline foul at Tattersfield. Dons' winger (might have been Neil Turner who was like shite off a shovel when he accelerated) cut infield on a breakaway and wrong footed the covering centre. The opposition player threw up an arm and I swear when he made contact with the Dons player's head, the lad's head stopped dead, while his legs and body went horizontal in mid air before he hit the ground unconscious.

THAT is a clothesline foul.

[Colemans Left Hook]

If Oluwo hadn't been an x-rovers player he would have been sent off and it would have been a different game. The ref bottled it due to Olowu's baggage.

Marquis got sent off in less than 30 seconds when two opposing players both challenged him from the back for a high ball- how was he to know there 2 players

Obviously we wasn't to know there was no void space either side.

[Colemans Left Hook]

Thinking about it because he didn't send Oluwo off he didn't send any of ours off

[GazLaz]

I've seen the replay now.

f**k me that was an awful challenge.

Exactly what it looked like in real time. High, late, studs up, braced leg. Made contact halfway up the shin. It's the worst sort. If Bailey had his foot planted, that's a career-ender.

The ref has absolutely shite that one. You'll not see a more certain red card all season. Fleck's wasn't half that bad on Saturday because he didn't have his leg braced.

Where did you see the replay? Not seen it. Looked a horror tackle live.

[SydneyRover]

Stockport highlights and full match are available on DRFC club site.

[GazLaz]

Stockport highlights and full match are available on DRFC club site.

Just seen it on the extended highlights. Terrible challenge.

[MachoMadness]

Selby talking down two players who play in Flint and Faulkner's positions, what an unforeseen turn of events.

[Donnywolf]

And a Stockport fan yelled from his car ... Thanks for the 3 points , were taking 'em home to Stockport

I said in the same spirit " can you take the Ref with you " .... No need he said he was totally biased towards you for first 60 minutes . Wtf

Stockport highlights and full match are available on DRFC club site.

Just seen it on the extended highlights. Terrible challenge.

[Donnywolf]

There was a blatant foul on Crew seconds before that the ref was 5 yards away from and ignored. He really was as bad as I thought at the match.

Was that the one that was seconds after Sharp had picked up a Yellow when their player who was rubbing his back complained to the Ref

Not sure whether Ref saw it or ( once again ) 4th Official intervened but within a minute one of our players was hammered just outside our area left wing back area and amazingly the Ref gave no Card and the Lino stood 6 or 7 yards away must have had a good view said nothing

And the cretins must have been wondering why they were roundly slagged as they walked off at Half time.

[selby]

  The OP was not about any Stockport player or the game, an observation of how two of our players lost their heads and the situation where they committed two bad fouls that could have resulted in sending's off in other games, and could have resulted in them missing important games coming up.
  I am  the first to admit that Olowu should have walked, I also think our two players  should also have been sent off, and with a better referee could well have been, but the subject in the thread at the start was not looking at tit for tat and Olowu's foul. 
  The referee was poor as were our team as a whole, and I don't go to football games to watch one team and think we can do no wrong. like some seem to do.
  We were out thought, out fought, and worse lost concentration on the game against a side that were not exactly world class themselves last night, but pulled us into the sort of game they wanted us to play.
  One thing is for certain, some players are not up to the standard of Division 1, and if we don't improve the good work of last season will be undone.
  Last night we lost in every part of the game , tactically, skill wise and mental concentration on our own game and the game set out by the manager, that added to players poor form, and in some cases lack of class is worrying and heading nowhere in this division.
   

[ncRover]

  The OP was not about any Stockport player or the game, an observation of how two of our players lost their heads and the situation where they committed two bad fouls that could have resulted in sending's off in other games, and could have resulted in them missing important games coming up.
  I am  the first to admit that Olowu should have walked, I also think our two players  should also have been sent off, and with a better referee could well have been, but the subject in the thread at the start was not looking at tit for tat and Olowu's foul. 
  The referee was poor as were our team as a whole, and I don't go to football games to watch one team and think we can do no wrong. like some seem to do.
  We were out thought, out fought, and worse lost concentration on the game against a side that were not exactly world class themselves last night, but pulled us into the sort of game they wanted us to play.
  One thing is for certain, some players are not up to the standard of Division 1, and if we don't improve the good work of last season will be undone.
  Last night we lost in every part of the game , tactically, skill wise and mental concentration on our own game and the game set out by the manager, that added to players poor form, and in some cases lack of class is worrying and heading nowhere in this division.
 

Another game in which it was evident we were lacking pace all over the pitch.
Hanlan has that and is a good forward to run the channels, but he needs quality and goalscoring ability from the players around him.
Crew offered some legs in midfield but he was shoehorned in.

[In the box]

  I don't disagree Olowu should have walked, but it doesn't change my mind about those two cheap shots by our players.
  Bailey would have been sent off straight away in any Rugby League game and served a suspension.
  And only McGrath knows what he was trying to do.

The game was not properly refereed , too many decisions left ignored causing persistent bad tackling and petulant behaviour from both sides . Stockport are on a mission to win and it showed . Rovers over all have a smaller stature on the pitch and it looks more aggressive when a smaller player tackles with intent . Billy Sharp imo can’t be relied to run the gauntlet upfront week in week out as his temper is starting to mask his inability to reach the level he once could ie speed or dribbling and tackling and winning possession.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I've seen the replay now.

f**k me that was an awful challenge.

Exactly what it looked like in real time. High, late, studs up, braced leg. Made contact halfway up the shin. It's the worst sort. If Bailey had his foot planted, that's a career-ender.

The ref has absolutely shite that one. You'll not see a more certain red card all season. Fleck's wasn't half that bad on Saturday because he didn't have his leg braced.

Where did you see the replay? Not seen it. Looked a horror tackle live.

Full match replay was available from last night on the Rovers site.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Stockport highlights and full match are available on DRFC club site.

Just seen it on the extended highlights. Terrible challenge.

It is just beyond credibility that the ref got a clear view of that and didn't send him off. If that's not a red card offence, what do you have to do? Actually break someone's leg?

[GazLaz]

Stockport highlights and full match are available on DRFC club site.

Just seen it on the extended highlights. Terrible challenge.

It is just beyond credibility that the ref got a clear view of that and didn't send him off. If that's not a red card offence, what do you have to do? Actually break someone's leg?

The ref had a great position.

[Usher wide.]

That shocking tackle on Bailey by Olowu which should have been a red (you could see the rip in Owen’s right sock a good 4 inch above his ankle where the studs had gone in) but the ref giving a yellow ‘set the tone’ for the game not only officiating wise, but in the mindset of both sets of players.

Stockport quickly recognised as the game progressed that the ref could be ‘manipulated’…..no, let’s not mince words, conned.

When they scored it was a full 4 minutes (I timed it) before the Stockport players were back in position to start the game. Everyone (including the referee) were in their positions for the restart except for one Stockport player who had not yet reached the centre circle but was allowed to simply stroll back while the ref just stood & watched. I’ve seen pall bearers move quicker.

Stockport used this as a ‘marker’ for their time wasting tactics for the remainder of the game.

The ‘scissor’ action of their two centre backs’ coming together on Billy was cynical & deliberate. He was caught on the Achilles by studs & that bloody hurts, more to the point it could have finished the game for him but again it went unpunished.

As has been pointed out, Billy’s ‘flashpoint’ is a lot shorter these days because of his frustration at his own diminishing attributes as he gets older but that is then compounded when he gets no protection from the officials & he is quick to admonish the ref at every opportunity to the extent where I thought he might be shown a red as he approached the referee at the half time whistle & remonstrated. The ref stopped walking & signalled for Billy to leave the pitch. It was touch & go.

Billy & to a lesser extent Mols & Broadbent, then look to take matters into their own hands to shake off players tugging at them & more yellows are handed out as a result.

Possibly the worst exhibition of officiating a game involving the Rovers we’ve seen this season.

All that having been said, we had absolutely no cutting edge up front. No speed of foot or thought, no conviction, nothing.

We desperately need that addressing in January.

[Padge_DRFC]

I've seen the replay now.

f**k me that was an awful challenge.

Exactly what it looked like in real time. High, late, studs up, braced leg. Made contact halfway up the shin. It's the worst sort. If Bailey had his foot planted, that's a career-ender.

The ref has absolutely shite that one. You'll not see a more certain red card all season. Fleck's wasn't half that bad on Saturday because he didn't have his leg braced.

Where did you see the replay? Not seen it. Looked a horror tackle live.

Full match replay was available from last night on the Rovers site.

For anyone suffering with insomnia

[Filo]

Stockport highlights and full match are available on DRFC club site.

Just seen it on the extended highlights. Terrible challenge.

It is just beyond credibility that the ref got a clear view of that and didn't send him off. If that's not a red card offence, what do you have to do? Actually break someone's leg?

And Olowu didn’t even go to check if Bailey was OK, I’d love to see the assessors view on that hatchet job given the ref was 3 yards away and looking right at it

[drfchound]

That shocking tackle on Bailey by Olowu which should have been a red (you could see the rip in Owen’s right sock a good 4 inch above his ankle where the studs had gone in) but the ref giving a yellow ‘set the tone’ for the game not only officiating wise, but in the mindset of both sets of players.

Stockport quickly recognised as the game progressed that the ref could be ‘manipulated’…..no, let’s not mince words, conned.

When they scored it was a full 4 minutes (I timed it) before the Stockport players were back in position to start the game. Everyone (including the referee) were in their positions for the restart except for one Stockport player who had not yet reached the centre circle but was allowed to simply stroll back while the ref just stood & watched. I’ve seen pall bearers move quicker.

Stockport used this as a ‘marker’ for their time wasting tactics for the remainder of the game.

The ‘scissor’ action of their two centre backs’ coming together on Billy was cynical & deliberate. He was caught on the Achilles by studs & that bloody hurts, more to the point it could have finished the game for him but again it went unpunished.

As has been pointed out, Billy’s ‘flashpoint’ is a lot shorter these days because of his frustration at his own diminishing attributes as he gets older but that is then compounded when he gets no protection from the officials & he is quick to admonish the ref at every opportunity to the extent where I thought he might be shown a red as he approached the referee at the half time whistle & remonstrated. The ref stopped walking & signalled for Billy to leave the pitch. It was touch & go.

Billy & to a lesser extent Mols & Broadbent, then look to take matters into their own hands to shake off players tugging at them & more yellows are handed out as a result.

Possibly the worst exhibition of officiating a game involving the Rovers we’ve seen this season.

All that having been said, we had absolutely no cutting edge up front. No speed of foot or thought, no conviction, nothing.

We desperately need that addressing in January.

It was even obvious from the South Stand how bad that tackle by Olowu was.
I was straight away calling for a sending off but was astonished that the ref was even quicker in pulling out the yellow card.
He didn’t allow himself even a few seconds to consider what had actually happened or to even see the rip in Owens sock.
I suppose the assessor will say he got all the big calls right though.

[bpoolrover]

Baileys looked worse than is was, never a red