Time for Players to Take Responsibility

The major talking point form the weekend was Nani’s goal against Spurs. Harry has been quoted as saying it was farcical and a real mess, which it is true it was but not on the refs part.

From the very first time you start playing football you are taught the basic lesson of playing to the whistle, why then does Harry feel that Gomes and his Spurs team should play to their own imaginary whistle?

True, Nani handled the ball when he was on the floor but Gomes picked the ball up and looked to play on, so Mark Clattenburg was well within his rights to not blow his whistle and let the game flow. Spurs are arguing that there was no advantage but Gomez didn’t even drop the ball close to where the handball happened, he threw the ball about 12 yards forward. Was he expecting the free kick to be taken form there?

The ref got it right, he never blew for a free kick and let the game carry one as Gomes had the ball in his hand, Gomes then threw the ball 12 yards forward and assumed he had a free kick. This is where players and managers need to take responsibility for their actions. Players can’t go deciding they should have a free kick or start making referring decisions otherwise it would be more like a kick about in the play ground with no ref.

It amazes me that professional players think they can blame the ref for their own stupidity, it is a similar situation with the goal Liverpool scored against Sunderland after Michael turner had nonchalantly back heeled the ball towards his keeper from a free kick. 

Maybe the players should take a break from training for a session or two and actually get to know the basic rules of football, they can’t just change them mid game to suit themselves or because they think they know better. It is indicative of the way the game is going where players do all they can to cheat and con the referee and then managers moan when the ref gets a decision wrong. Players no longer accept responsibility for their own actions on the pitch and it is time they did.

Note to Harry, moan and criticize the ref all you want but you should know the rules and so should your players. Maybe he should stop talking to the press and actually teach his players the rules of the game.