Why do our managers insist on showing us up and giving the opposition even more excuses to take the piss?
I actually thought that PR-wise, Scolari had done alright this season. Despite his fierce reputation and complete aversion to journalists, he’s never taken the bait and certainly hasn’t lost his head – until he saw United pass us in the table that is. Now, with the pressure on at the business end of the season, he seems to be turning into Rafa’s sidekick on the paranoia front.
Ok, so he didn’t turn up with a prepared script ranting about ‘facts’, but his take on referee bias at Stamford Bridge sounded every bit as much of an excuse for poor management to me.
Prior to our game at Anfield, where there’s every chance of us seeing the two managers swapping notes on the sidelines by the sounds of it, Scolari says “I came here to say what I feel. I’ve waited 23 games to have a look (at the Premier League) and we’ve had maybe five chances to be given a penalty. None. Or, maybe, a red card or yellow card (for the opposition)? No. Now is the time for me to say this.”
Of course, we could have anticipated this coming after we’d seen his frustration starting to build up, with him waving imaginary cards during the game against Boro. And on the subject of Shawky getting away with a second yellow, the Chelsea irate boss says “If that was my player, it’s a red card, so that is why I suggested it. Two yellows is a red card for my players, but not for other players. It’s time to change. All the clubs who come to Stamford Bridge make 20, 50 or 60 fouls and don’t get cards, red cards. Nothing. Asking for a player to be booked is not a good example, I know. But, when they kill my team, it’s good for me (to protest). Crosby said I was trying to interfere in the game. All I said was that the rule is there. A handball is a yellow card. I do not have a problem with specific referees, but it has been a problem. My players try to help the referees but, many times, for us is one thing while, for the other clubs, it’s another.”
And whilst I agree with him on the Shawky incident, these things happen – to all teams – it’s swings and roundabouts and it usually evens itself out over the course of a season. Besides, the odd bad or missed decision doesn’t make a conspiracy. Although according to Scolari it does, because when asked whether this sort of decision has cost us this season, he says “Yes. Away from home, (it is) no problem, but at Stamford Bridge, every time. Look at the statistics. Have we had any penalties until now? The other teams? 10, 12, 15? Any players red carded against my team? No. Look at what my team receives and what other teams get here.”
And this is where it gets embarrassing, because if he’d looked at the ‘facts’ before he went on his rant, he’d have found out that whilst it’s true we’ve only been awarded one penalty at home so far this season, so have Liverpool and Arsenal, and up til yesterday so had United as well. Not only that, but the ‘facts’ also indicate that whilst visiting sides get an average of 2 yellows per game at the Bridge, that’s still more than the visitors get at either Anfield or Old Trafford.
Time to stop reading Rafa’s notes and start concentrating on beating him today I think!
Blue is the colour
