Back from the Game - Palace

[Svlad Cjelli]

From where I was in the corner between West and North stands, the second one looked about the clearest penalty I've ever seen in my life - the defender went straight through Long to get to the ball.

And that's why he didn't appeal or chase the loose ball down - it was always going to be a penalty.

What amazed me is that only a yellow card was given for that - if Long wasn't clear through with a clear goalscoring opportunity then I don't know how anyone could ever be!

[JC]

Have a look at the highlights. There are 2 defenders covering.

[Row Z Royal]

Have a look at the highlights. There are 2 defenders covering.

And the angle was narrowing with every stride.

[Woodcote Royal]

Sadly Reading fans think that if a new signing doesn't cost £10M, or isn't an 18-year-old Brazilian, then he must be shit.

+1

And the sad thing is they NEVER learn. Most of us remember countless posts about "lack of ambition" when we paid £200K? for Dave Kitson

[Woodcote Royal]

acording to the ep it was a 4231 he played

It is 4231 but many can't accept that and can't see past calling it 451.

THere are 4 disticnct lines on players on the pitch:
4 defenders
2 defensive midfielders
3 attacking midfielders
1 striker.

But for some reason there are many who can't understand that.

Spot on

[Svlad Cjelli]

acording to the ep it was a 4231 he played

It is 4231 but many can't accept that and can't see past calling it 451.

THere are 4 disticnct lines on players on the pitch:
4 defenders
2 defensive midfielders
3 attacking midfielders
1 striker.

But for some reason there are many who can't understand that.

Spot on

But they keep moving about. Inconsiderate bastards!

[bigmike]

The first pen was soft ... The second was nailed on from what I can see the defender came in from behind and took the attacker out.. If you look at the direction of the ball you can see that it never changed... If the attacker made contact with the ball it would have gone towards the corner flag but it carried on straight.. What does puzzle me is if the last defender takes a striker out from behind denying a goal scoring opertunity why was it only a Yellow card?

[Svlad Cjelli]

That's what I said - came right through him from behind.



No further quuestions, your honour - the prosecution rests.

[PEARCEY]

Fair play. Thats a great photo. I have to admit I got it wrong. Thats a pen.

[Royal With Cheese]

He clearly got the ball

[Sarah Star]

Must admit I thought the second penalty was clearer than the first, so I was surprised to see them arguing the opposite on The Football League Show.

[Tad Showbiz]

Kind of funny that a player from League 1, was our best player. All he did was the simple ball at the right time

Erm earlier in his career he played in the Premiership, Champions League and La Liga. Ok we signed him from League 1 but you don't lose the ability you had to play at the highest levels. Players who have or play at the highest level make the right decisions on passing and movement far more times than your average championship or league 1 players.

[Alan Partridge]

That picture doesn't really prove anything. That ball could be going back towards the 18 yard line having been hooked first by the Palace defender.

[handbags_harris]

But the fact is, AP, that we know it didn't because it carried on rolling forward, as proven by the tv replay. And anyway, that picture clearly shows that he's gone through the man to get to the ball. Free kick/penalty every day of the week.

[Mr Angry]

That pic is pretty conclusive; it even shows that Shane is actually in the process of taking a shot when the foul is committed.

As for the first pen, my first instinct was it was very soft, but seeing it on the BBC program its clear that the defender clips Shane's foot before clattering into him.

Well played ref.

[Avon Royal]

Mr Hill is about as anti-Reading as they come.

He must have been pretty sure that they were both conclusive pens, there is no way he would have given us the benefit of the doubt.

[Hoop Blah]

I've just rewatched that 3 or 4 times and I can't see the defender clip his foot at all, certainly not before Long starts to go down.

As for the ball not changing direction, it did. It went off towards the East Stand under the initial part of the tackle and Long wasn't in the act of shooting, so that tells you how misleading a still photo can be.

I do think the defender got man before ball, but a still photo which doesn't show how the ball or players got into those positions doesn't really confirm anything.

[loyalroyal4life]

I've just rewatched that 3 or 4 times and I can't see the defender clip his foot at all, certainly not before Long starts to go down.

As for the ball not changing direction, it did. It went off towards the East Stand under the initial part of the tackle and Long wasn't in the act of shooting, so that tells you how misleading a still photo can be.

I do think the defender got man before ball, but a still photo which doesn't show how the ball or players got into those positions doesn't really confirm anything.

who cares?

about time decisions that are dubious went our way, lets face it we needed them to get 3 points now on to the new den

[BenReadingFC]

Is the bloke with his arm out the same bloke that fell down the stairs in the ground, similar shirt.

[Stuka]

Great photo

Is the bloke with his arm out the same bloke that fells down the stairs in the ground, similar shirt.