Originally posted by monkee
Ronaldo's diving... I didn't see the game unfortunately, but, from what's been said, it seems that he went to ground too easily a couple of times. Now I'm not a huge fan of this sort of thing in football but it happens and, unless it happens against Man Utd, I'm not going to get particularly worked up over it.
Having said that it's kinda funny seeing Arsenal fans complaining that Ronaldo dived in a game that didn't even involve them and then saying Ferguson should sort it out. Not too many moons ago I remember Pires' theatrics to earn Arsenal a point and does Wenger sort it out? I don't think so. I also remember Ruud being prone to the occasional tumble not so long ago and it seems as if he's stopped it now, so it's obvious that Ferguson sorts out the cheating and unfair play in his team unlike the mole in charge of Arsenal. So really, just concetrate on sorting it out at your club, because people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
As for the Ronaldo's ability, that is something that I do not doubt. It comes in patches admittedly, but consistency and the right mentality will come with age and experience. He'd just come off the back of a winning performance against the French U21s in a Euro playoff, which consists of some of the most highly rated youngsters in the World, for which he received all the plaudits. But an 18yr coming back after a couple of days from a game like that and producing the goods again happens rarely. Which is why Ferguson doesn't want him playing week in week out.
I've seen him play his better games as well as his not so good games and in his better games he looks very good, although he needs more top level experience to aid his decision making on the pitch, and imo he has improved considerably since the start of the season.
For some reason (maybe the price tag? But I think he is worth it) people expect him to produce performances like the more senior players in the World. Like your Figo's, Zidane's, Giggs' and Totti's. He's not there yet by a bit but it's coming. With a bit of luck and hard work (he has the right manager, just look at the other players to have come through the ranks and be nurtured right and kept away from the media spotlight (the same spotlight which seems to be stifling Rooney's potential)) he'll realise his potential which would see him as one of the best players in the World, because potentially, he is.
From the highlights it looks as if Kleberson showed his ability. As far as I'm concerned (although this is only from watching the highlights) he looked better than Veron in the game. His passing was accurate and well thought out and he didn't need to take any extra touches to control it, like Veron's passing, but his work-rate and endeavour is what impressed me and that was where Veron was always lacking. It seems that Kleberson could be a good addition to the squad, much the same as all the players Ferguson brought in over the summer.
Blackburns disallowed goal... It depends on the definition of interfering with play, which I think needs to be cleared up. On seeing the replay it is my opinion that the ball was put into an area where the offside player could have been deemed to have been the target and could have run onto the ball and shot. But the ball passed him and went to Yorke who was onside.
Imo, offside was the right call. Why's this? Because the offside player wasn't moving away from the ball; the ball had to cross his path to reach Yorke; and he was standing in the 6yrd box which I'd consider to be encroaching on the goalkeeper. Had he been standing on the other side of Yorke then I would think the goal should be allowed.
Now, a few weeks ago Liverpool scored a goal in similar circumstances which I thought should have been disallowed for offside, as did others on here that claim that this goal should have stood. I think it was against Leeds when Murphy crossed the ball and there were 3 Liverpool players offside, in the 6yrd box, when the ball was crossed. One of them was undoubtedly the target but the ball missed them all and Robinson failed to save the cross. Imo it should have been called offside, but wasn't. I think that this is a similar situation and feel that the right call was made. I wouldn't have argued against it had it been us who had scored the goal of this type and had it disallowed.
From shokz' picture Yorke was offside when the ball was played through to Emerton. What's the difference between this and the disallowed goal? Imo the differences are subtle but they are vital. This is where the ruling should be cleared up.
The differences in the 2 situations...
1) It appears that Yorke is walking away from where the ball is played, and in not making moves towards the area where the ball is played he is not causing any confusion for the defenders. Had he turned sharp and gone for it, noticing that the pass was coming then he should be called.
2) He is no where near an area that could be considered to be encroaching on the goalkeeper. I think if you are standing in the 6yrd, or near the 6yrd area and the ball is crossing your path then you are offside.
i have a feeling pires will try to dive at san siro...