MATCHWATCH : Wrexham (h)

[windermereROYAL]

Savage channelling his da.

Exactly my thoughts when I saw him seemingly go in two footed and win the ball in front of the west stand sending the Wrexham player flying.

Biggest disappointment and my only complaint was the PA guy saying something like "We've got Hollywood here today" before the game. Should have just kept it about Reading and downplayed/ignored the Wrexham hype and give opponents the same level of respect and recognition whether it's Shrewsbury Town or Manchester City.

Sending off was ridiculous, but also something we need to learn and avoid again. I assume the referee had somewhere to get off to quick after the match?

Harvey Knibbs was MOTM in my opinion, even based only on the first half.

Sam Smith was in the pocket of our defenders

I learnt a new rule which everyone else probably knew already (Maybe I did too and forgot), about how many times you can make substitutions (3 times), which I assume is why we didn't make any towards the end when we were hanging on and had a couple of players in bad shape.

Indeed, you only have 3 windows to make subs unless you do it at HT.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

We have the best academy (being cat one) in league one which is a big advantage because we can cover injuries far better, players can just step in and do a job; the most recent being Stickland. Other sides don't have that quality coming through at this level.

We've been without an entire back line recently, Yids only just back, Dean, Dorsett, Craig & Mbengue and sold our only experienced forward in Jan yet have maintained our average PPG.

Just hope the new owner sees this and doesn't do anything drastic.

[Snowflake Royal]

Seen the red card now, as blatant as described, absolutely no complaints.

[AthleticoSpizz]

A bad management trait?, totally needless and absolutely no need to reduce ourselves to this.

It’s what ‘other teams’ do

[RoyalBlue]

Seen the red card now, as blatant as described, absolutely no complaints.

Disagree. We decided to switch who tactics and therefore who would take the kick. You see it happen in pretty much every game of football involving every team and in most cases it is not being done to waste time. We had no need to waste time at that point as we were giving as good as we got and looked as likely to get a third as they did of getting a first. Pereira and Stickland were even both jogging to switch positions Furthermore, if the intention had been to waste time, we would probably have used our right back, who hadn't been booked, to place the free kick to be taken.

If yellow cards are dished out for that then what about all of the occasions when teams, including ours, set to take a goal kick short within the area and then change their mind as the keeper pushes the defenders up and prepares to launch it long?

[Mr Angry]

Seen the red card now, as blatant as described, absolutely no complaints.

Disagree. We decided to switch who tactics and therefore who would take the kick. You see it happen in pretty much every game of football involving every team and in most cases it is not being done to waste time. We had no need to waste time at that point as we were giving as good as we got and looked as likely to get a third as they did of getting a first. Pereira and Stickland were even both jogging to switch positions Furthermore, if the intention had been to waste time, we would probably have used our right back, who hadn't been booked, to place the free kick to be taken.

If yellow cards are dished out for that then what about all of the occasions when teams, including ours, set to take a goal kick short within the area and then change their mind as the keeper pushes the defenders up and prepares to launch it long?

Its the context of the state of the game; if that team is leading and hanging with 10 mins to go, the ref in that situation may very well give the keeper a yellow card, whereas if the score is 0-0 after 15 minutes, he won't. Refs aren't stupid; they know when players are taking the piss, and if the line is crossed, they will act. I thought the yellow was fair for time wasting; however, I didn't think his 1st yellow was fair, but there you go.

[Mr Angry]

With regard to the game (having watched it on the Sky Sports channel) I thought we fully deserved the 3 points and when we did go down to 10 men the character and determination the players showed was fantastic.

Loved the second goal; a great team goal, and a just reward for some really good football the team played.

[Snowflake Royal]

Seen the red card now, as blatant as described, absolutely no complaints.

Disagree. We decided to switch who tactics and therefore who would take the kick. You see it happen in pretty much every game of football involving every team and in most cases it is not being done to waste time. We had no need to waste time at that point as we were giving as good as we got and looked as likely to get a third as they did of getting a first. Pereira and Stickland were even both jogging to switch positions Furthermore, if the intention had been to waste time, we would probably have used our right back, who hadn't been booked, to place the free kick to be taken.

If yellow cards are dished out for that then what about all of the occasions when teams, including ours, set to take a goal kick short within the area and then change their mind as the keeper pushes the defenders up and prepares to launch it long?

Come on.

Stickland is standing there with the ball in his arms whilst the ref signals to play. He then puts in on the ground imitating that he's about to take it, and the ref blows to indicate he needs to restart, then he just walks away.

It's clear as day deliberate timewasting. Yes, you see it quite often without being penalised. But when the ref has already shown a yellow and is clearly already telling you to get on with it, then hurry up with a whistle blast, you're taking the piss and asking for a card when you ignore them and walk away.

Footballers. Think! Context is King.

[Hound]

Seen the red card now, as blatant as described, absolutely no complaints.

Disagree. We decided to switch who tactics and therefore who would take the kick. You see it happen in pretty much every game of football involving every team and in most cases it is not being done to waste time. We had no need to waste time at that point as we were giving as good as we got and looked as likely to get a third as they did of getting a first. Pereira and Stickland were even both jogging to switch positions Furthermore, if the intention had been to waste time, we would probably have used our right back, who hadn't been booked, to place the free kick to be taken.

If yellow cards are dished out for that then what about all of the occasions when teams, including ours, set to take a goal kick short within the area and then change their mind as the keeper pushes the defenders up and prepares to launch it long?

Come on.

Stickland is standing there with the ball in his arms whilst the ref signals to play. He then puts in on the ground imitating that he's about to take it, and the ref blows to indicate he needs to restart, then he just walks away.

It's clear as day deliberate timewasting. Yes, you see it quite often without being penalised. But when the ref has already shown a yellow and is clearly already telling you to get on with it, then hurry up with a whistle blast, you're taking the piss and asking for a card when you ignore them and walk away.

Footballers. Think! Context is King.

We wasted far more time over the penalty where we switched who took it tbh

But yeah it wasn’t the wrong decision from the ref. Just one that is inconsistent with what we normally see

None of us know exactly what is being said on pitch either. The ref may or may not have given ample warning

Still felt the initial JP yellow was incredibly harsh and that’s what’s kind of set that red card up. I reckon the ref arguably should have sent off JP rather than Stickland, bottled it then realised Stickers had a yellow as well, but too late by then

[PieEater]

It's a contender for "What happened next?" on Question of Sport.

[Snowflake Royal]

Disagree. We decided to switch who tactics and therefore who would take the kick. You see it happen in pretty much every game of football involving every team and in most cases it is not being done to waste time. We had no need to waste time at that point as we were giving as good as we got and looked as likely to get a third as they did of getting a first. Pereira and Stickland were even both jogging to switch positions Furthermore, if the intention had been to waste time, we would probably have used our right back, who hadn't been booked, to place the free kick to be taken.

If yellow cards are dished out for that then what about all of the occasions when teams, including ours, set to take a goal kick short within the area and then change their mind as the keeper pushes the defenders up and prepares to launch it long?

Come on.

Stickland is standing there with the ball in his arms whilst the ref signals to play. He then puts in on the ground imitating that he's about to take it, and the ref blows to indicate he needs to restart, then he just walks away.

It's clear as day deliberate timewasting. Yes, you see it quite often without being penalised. But when the ref has already shown a yellow and is clearly already telling you to get on with it, then hurry up with a whistle blast, you're taking the piss and asking for a card when you ignore them and walk away.

Footballers. Think! Context is King.

We wasted far more time over the penalty where we switched who took it tbh

But yeah it wasn’t the wrong decision from the ref. Just one that is inconsistent with what we normally see

None of us know exactly what is being said on pitch either. The ref may or may not have given ample warning

Still felt the initial JP yellow was incredibly harsh and that’s what’s kind of set that red card up. I reckon the ref arguably should have sent off JP rather than Stickland, bottled it then realised Stickers had a yellow as well, but too late by then

Again, context is King though isn't it.

Penalties always take a while to organise, it's far earlier in the game, 0-0 and our time we're wasting. And the have someone else hold the ball to take the flack from the keeper isn’t really delaying things. We can't take the pen until the keeper is settled on their line, everyone is organised outside the box and the ref has indicated to take it.

I don't think you need the ref to be micced up and access to his earluer instructions to see that he's clearly indicating to get on with it, and you're pissing him off.

If the ref isn't indicating get on with it, then of course you're more likely to get away with the exact same actions than if the ref is already telling you to get on with it.

[Hound]

Come on.

Stickland is standing there with the ball in his arms whilst the ref signals to play. He then puts in on the ground imitating that he's about to take it, and the ref blows to indicate he needs to restart, then he just walks away.

It's clear as day deliberate timewasting. Yes, you see it quite often without being penalised. But when the ref has already shown a yellow and is clearly already telling you to get on with it, then hurry up with a whistle blast, you're taking the piss and asking for a card when you ignore them and walk away.

Footballers. Think! Context is King.

We wasted far more time over the penalty where we switched who took it tbh

But yeah it wasn’t the wrong decision from the ref. Just one that is inconsistent with what we normally see

None of us know exactly what is being said on pitch either. The ref may or may not have given ample warning

Still felt the initial JP yellow was incredibly harsh and that’s what’s kind of set that red card up. I reckon the ref arguably should have sent off JP rather than Stickland, bottled it then realised Stickers had a yellow as well, but too late by then

Again, context is King though isn't it.

Penalties always take a while to organise, it's far earlier in the game, 0-0 and our time we're wasting. And the have someone else hold the ball to take the flack from the keeper isn’t really delaying things. We can't take the pen until the keeper is settled on their line, everyone is organised outside the box and the ref has indicated to take it.

I don't think you need the ref to be micced up and access to his earluer instructions to see that he's clearly indicating to get on with it, and you're pissing him off.

If the ref isn't indicating get on with it, then of course you're more likely to get away with the exact same actions than if the ref is already telling you to get on with it.

Likelihood we’ll score though and then we’re one up and just eaten up 2-3mins of what’s left of the game. Ref indicated to take it and then we switched - he didn’t seem to realise what was happening tbh.

It’s inconsistent imo. You either book someone for delaying and changing taker or you don’t, even if the circumstance is different. That’s when the grey areas set in. We’ve deliberately delayed the game. That whole penalty took forever to happen

[mikey_1871]

Disagree. We decided to switch who tactics and therefore who would take the kick. You see it happen in pretty much every game of football involving every team and in most cases it is not being done to waste time. We had no need to waste time at that point as we were giving as good as we got and looked as likely to get a third as they did of getting a first. Pereira and Stickland were even both jogging to switch positions Furthermore, if the intention had been to waste time, we would probably have used our right back, who hadn't been booked, to place the free kick to be taken.

If yellow cards are dished out for that then what about all of the occasions when teams, including ours, set to take a goal kick short within the area and then change their mind as the keeper pushes the defenders up and prepares to launch it long?

Come on.

Stickland is standing there with the ball in his arms whilst the ref signals to play. He then puts in on the ground imitating that he's about to take it, and the ref blows to indicate he needs to restart, then he just walks away.

It's clear as day deliberate timewasting. Yes, you see it quite often without being penalised. But when the ref has already shown a yellow and is clearly already telling you to get on with it, then hurry up with a whistle blast, you're taking the piss and asking for a card when you ignore them and walk away.

Footballers. Think! Context is King.

We wasted far more time over the penalty where we switched who took it tbh

But yeah it wasn’t the wrong decision from the ref. Just one that is inconsistent with what we normally see

None of us know exactly what is being said on pitch either. The ref may or may not have given ample warning

Still felt the initial JP yellow was incredibly harsh and that’s what’s kind of set that red card up. I reckon the ref arguably should have sent off JP rather than Stickland, bottled it then realised Stickers had a yellow as well, but too late by then

Genuinely think the ref was going to book Stickland instead of JP - knowing that JP was on a yellow and not wanting to send anyone off - and didn't realise he was on a yellow as well before it was too late

[Snowflake Royal]

Come on.

Stickland is standing there with the ball in his arms whilst the ref signals to play. He then puts in on the ground imitating that he's about to take it, and the ref blows to indicate he needs to restart, then he just walks away.

It's clear as day deliberate timewasting. Yes, you see it quite often without being penalised. But when the ref has already shown a yellow and is clearly already telling you to get on with it, then hurry up with a whistle blast, you're taking the piss and asking for a card when you ignore them and walk away.

Footballers. Think! Context is King.

We wasted far more time over the penalty where we switched who took it tbh

But yeah it wasn’t the wrong decision from the ref. Just one that is inconsistent with what we normally see

None of us know exactly what is being said on pitch either. The ref may or may not have given ample warning

Still felt the initial JP yellow was incredibly harsh and that’s what’s kind of set that red card up. I reckon the ref arguably should have sent off JP rather than Stickland, bottled it then realised Stickers had a yellow as well, but too late by then

Genuinely think the ref was going to book Stickland instead of JP - knowing that JP was on a yellow and not wanting to send anyone off - and didn't realise he was on a yellow as well before it was too late

That's not my view from the replay. I didn’t see any pause, hesitation, surprise or confusion between the yellow and red.

[Armadillo Roadkill]

We wasted far more time over the penalty where we switched who took it tbh

But yeah it wasn’t the wrong decision from the ref. Just one that is inconsistent with what we normally see

None of us know exactly what is being said on pitch either. The ref may or may not have given ample warning

Still felt the initial JP yellow was incredibly harsh and that’s what’s kind of set that red card up. I reckon the ref arguably should have sent off JP rather than Stickland, bottled it then realised Stickers had a yellow as well, but too late by then

Genuinely think the ref was going to book Stickland instead of JP - knowing that JP was on a yellow and not wanting to send anyone off - and didn't realise he was on a yellow as well before it was too late

That's not my view from the replay. I didn’t see any pause, hesitation, surprise or confusion between the yellow and red.

Fully agree with Ian. On the highlights you can see the ref signal repeatedly to Stickland to get on with it. When he steps away the referee goes straight to him - there was no confusion at all.

It really is incredibly one-eyed to try and claim it shouldn't have been a second yellow, or that it was a mistake, or that the referee shouldn't do it because it's a young player, or because other referees aren't as firm on time wasting as we all want them to be.

[Fezza]

Can't disagree with the red, I hate time wasting and am always whinging when it's done to us - seemed a fair cop. However I would question what our senior players were doing, they should've got someone else to take it who wasn't on a yellow, that's the bit that frustrated me - brainless.

[Sutekh]

Can't disagree with the red, I hate time wasting and am always whinging when it's done to us - seemed a fair cop. However I would question what our senior players were doing, they should've got someone else to take it who wasn't on a yellow, that's the bit that frustrated me - brainless.

Yes this! But then why, if you've got a yellow - whether rightly or wrongly previously - how stupid must you be to annoy the ref by playing about with time wasting - esp. one who appeared to be a bit "hotter" than normal on that sort of thing. Oh well as long as he learns and doesn't do it again.

[Hound]

Genuinely think the ref was going to book Stickland instead of JP - knowing that JP was on a yellow and not wanting to send anyone off - and didn't realise he was on a yellow as well before it was too late

That's not my view from the replay. I didn’t see any pause, hesitation, surprise or confusion between the yellow and red.

Fully agree with Ian. On the highlights you can see the ref signal repeatedly to Stickland to get on with it. When he steps away the referee goes straight to him - there was no confusion at all.

It really is incredibly one-eyed to try and claim it shouldn't have been a second yellow, or that it was a mistake, or that the referee shouldn't do it because it's a young player, or because other referees aren't as firm on time wasting as we all want them to be.

Disagree - it’s 100% fair enough to be annoyed about inconsistency

I think most viewers would say it’s fair enough solely in the context of that game to be a yellow but if the ref is the outlier and none of the other refs are the at strict then there’s a problem

[Hound]

Can't disagree with the red, I hate time wasting and am always whinging when it's done to us - seemed a fair cop. However I would question what our senior players were doing, they should've got someone else to take it who wasn't on a yellow, that's the bit that frustrated me - brainless.

Yes this! But then why, if you've got a yellow - whether rightly or wrongly previously - how stupid must you be to annoy the ref by playing about with time wasting - esp. one who appeared to be a bit "hotter" than normal on that sort of thing. Oh well as long as he learns and doesn't do it again.

The other players are hardly going to have a chat and say x should take this free kick from Sticklands position and then timewaste coz Stickland is on a yellow

It was a mistake from Stickland through inexperience and some distraction from JP telling him to leave it. Third pro game wasn’t it? Understandable esp as he sees players get away with this all the time on tv etc

[Snowflake Royal]

That's not my view from the replay. I didn’t see any pause, hesitation, surprise or confusion between the yellow and red.

Fully agree with Ian. On the highlights you can see the ref signal repeatedly to Stickland to get on with it. When he steps away the referee goes straight to him - there was no confusion at all.

It really is incredibly one-eyed to try and claim it shouldn't have been a second yellow, or that it was a mistake, or that the referee shouldn't do it because it's a young player, or because other referees aren't as firm on time wasting as we all want them to be.

Disagree - it’s 100% fair enough to be annoyed about inconsistency

I think most viewers would say it’s fair enough solely in the context of that game to be a yellow but if the ref is the outlier and none of the other refs are the at strict then there’s a problem

Complaining about consistency is fine, but the complaint should be about the other refs doing it wrong, not the one doing it right.

And again, if the ref isn't repeatedly signalling to get on with it, it's different... but this, you’re not only timewasting, you're ignoring the ref's instructions.