Re: Discipline

By John Rogers20/8/2015 07:55Thu Aug 20 07:55:01 2015In response to Re: Discipline

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I've been fortunate enough to get to all four matches this season so far and more than half of the cards so far received have been, in my view, wholly unnecessary.

On Saturday, Scott Shulton was booked for continual dissent.
On Tuesday, Scott Shulton was booked for continual dissent. Although he'd been clearly fouled five yards in front of the assistant and not got the decision, he wouldn't leave it alone and picked up a yellow card.
Also on Tuesday, Maz Bettache was booked for standing over a Molesey free kick despite being told to walk away by the referee.

Why? What is the point? Scott is now three cards away from a suspension.

Last season I think we picked up eight or nine dismissals. The only one I saw that I thought was even slightly dubious was Morgan's in the play-off final.

This season we've picked up one already that was unnecessary and needless.

I'm all for players being wholehearted and commited (I despise the word passion), and players will pick up cautions along the way. However, there's a world of difference from picking up a yellow card for a mistimed challenge and picking one up because you can't accept a decision not going your way. At some point, all of these needless bookings and dismissals are going to catch up with us suspension wise.

Five or six years ago, when the FA introduced their much hyped and now long forgotten 'Respect' agenda, our discipline was excellent. When a decision went against us, Kirbs (captain at that point) would quietly have a word with the official, arms behind his back and it was accepted. Seeing players from both sides on Saturday surround the referee following the award of the penalty was dispiriting. Thankfully, on this occasion, we had an extremely strong official that knew his own mind.

Edited by John Rogers at 07:56:36 on 20th August 2015