Comments on: Heurelho Gomes exposes what has become a worrying trend

By: Noraa

Noraa — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:18:17 +0000

I don’t see why divers can’t be punished after the game, though prehaps the club should be fined for each incident and not the player. That would force managers to get on players backs about it and would also make players prone to diving far less valuable (and rightly so). Ronaldo wouldn’t have been bought for 80million if this were the case thats for sure. This should only be for clear-cut cases, however, as even with replays a dive is often difficult to spot.

By: TonyTott

TonyTott — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:06:26 +0000

Well, firstly I do think Sunderland were dominant! I saw this because Spurs played poorly and scored their only 2 chances. Sunderland hit all shots at Gomes. Secondly, Shearer correctly said that the penalty incident shouldn’t be a red card – especially since Bent had NO intention of trying to score and there were defenders covering. The last point (that no one mentions) is that every time Gomes has a one on one, it ALWAYS ends up with him bringing down the player. I am most worried about that. Conceding a goal is preferable to getting sent off (apart from in dying mins of game…)

By: Geoff T

Geoff T — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:09:17 +0000

The worst thing about the incident was Alan Shearer on Match of the Day, praising Bent for “winning the Penalty” “yes he was already on the way down but he made sure he made contact with the keeper”

Is it a wonder diving is inherent in football if kids get to see this type of play praised on TV

By: whatsnew

whatsnew — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:56:17 +0000

It’s all the same old story. Look who are the worst cheats in the EPL. Manure, Cheatski and the Arse. Now look at who has one all but one of the EPL championship titles since it began. It’s no coincidence!

By: Oh dear!!

Oh dear!! — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:28:44 +0000

The whole of the Man ure dive and whinge and moan,they are encouraged to do it by the bosses at the theatre of corrupt dreams,as a fan of a non top four team it was good to see Man u get whipped on Sunday,they don’t like it up em..

By: rob cooper

rob cooper — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:29:19 +0000

Obvious contenders for divers of the year so far Drogba, (asn’t it great to see him acctually get kicked on the wkend ((Well done Jonny)) and still get a yellow for it, his reputation preceeds him). Faubert, Eduardo?

In my opinion each contentious decision should be review by a group of 3-5 referees. If the player is found guilty of simulation he should be banned for one match and be forced to donate a weeks wages (regardless of how much he earns) to a charity of the FA’s choice.

By: Erc Yapper

Erc Yapper — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:56:18 +0000

I agree with Fuzzy dunlop on your sound comments.
I can’t believe too that some sunderland players like Reid after the game keep on going that the game would change significantly if Gomes was sent off for bring Darren “Cheat” Bent down. In perfect slow motion, Bent brought his own hind leg to trip the other going down before Gomes reach him and drag his legs to catch Gomes’ hands & body which was already doing avoiding actions to not touch him. All EPL refs should be trained to see this, if not able to catch one but at least catch one or two. Then FA will need to review each case and set a standard punishment for this cheating acts.

By: Mark Greenwood

Mark Greenwood — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:33:50 +0000

Ah, I didn’t mean this incident with Bent when I referred to referees trying to avoid media storms, I instead refer to when they completely ignore the player flying about in the penalty area. In this case the referee gave the penalty so it couldn’t have been a bottling case as he made a firm decision, wrong though it may have been

As for who dominated the game, it’s irrelevant in the end as the scoreline’s the important factor. Spurs have had a poor few games which left confidence low but this win over Sunderland’s the perfect confidence boost and could lead to improved form

By: fuzzy dunlop

fuzzy dunlop — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:19:02 +0000

I don’t think the ref in the Spurs game wanted to avoid a media storm, or had bottled anything.
He had been deceived and did what he thought was right from what he saw.
Phil Thompson and others after the game were still bemused why Gomes hadn’t been sent off, even with the benefit of the replays!
It seemes that sometime after the game everybody suddenly cottened on and stopped the tedious “Sunderland were robbed@ angle and opened their eyes to see what actually happened.
Now Steve Bruce is only complaining about his team being wasteful and it’s all gone quiet from them regarding the penalty incident.
Says it all.
Also whilst I acknowledge they played well, I don’t subscribe to the issue of them being SO dominant. I mean in two areas Spurs came out on top. Firstly our keeper versus their attack, and secondly our attack versus their keeper. Gomes being the best player doesn’t ‘not count’ just because he’s a keeper. The scoreline shows we defended better and ultimately our attack was better – that’s how you get a 2-0 scoreline.