MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h)

[Dirk Gently]

Just to add - I think they need to do something about head injuries. Cochrane held his head and faked a head injury at every opportunity, and remarkably recovered when Brum could break. I think the ref needs to show some concern and after 3 feigned injuries and send them off to get assessed for their own safety.

This has been going on for ages. Problem is it’s usually a sure fire way to stop the game.

Players without a head injury who hold their head should get a yellow card if the ref believes they’re trying to game it.

Be a very brave ref who makes a decision like that - if they get it wrong and the player does actually have a head injury and plays on to avoid the sanction then they face potential massive liability.

[Snowflake Royal]

It's wholly impractical, but it does make me think there should be an independent match doctor and physio, rather than ones for each club, who do medical and injury assessments, and can tell the ref when they think someone is faking, to earn them a post match sanction (post match so it can be properly disputed and countered with club medical evidence

[Stranded]

It's wholly impractical, but it does make me think there should be an independent match doctor and physio, rather than ones for each club, who do medical and injury assessments, and can tell the ref when they think someone is faking, to earn them a post match sanction (post match so it can be properly disputed and countered with club medical evidence

Just do what they do in rugby.

If a player has a head injury, or feigns one, then you are allowed a temporary substitution whilst the player goes to the changing rooms for a head injury assessment. If he passes, he can return to the game, if he fails it, then the substitution becomes permanent.

If a player knows he'll have to leave the pitch if he fakes a head injury, it will soon stop.

[Snowflake Royal]

It's wholly impractical, but it does make me think there should be an independent match doctor and physio, rather than ones for each club, who do medical and injury assessments, and can tell the ref when they think someone is faking, to earn them a post match sanction (post match so it can be properly disputed and countered with club medical evidence

Just do what they do in rugby.

If a player has a head injury, or feigns one, then you are allowed a temporary substitution whilst the player goes to the changing rooms for a head injury assessment. If he passes, he can return to the game, if he fails it, then the substitution becomes permanent.

If a player knows he'll have to leave the pitch if he fakes a head injury, it will soon stop.

Yeah. Also sack off requiring a ref stopping the game and just let physios come on when there's a concern. Then the ref can choose to stop the game if necessary.

[Sanguine]

It's wholly impractical, but it does make me think there should be an independent match doctor and physio, rather than ones for each club, who do medical and injury assessments, and can tell the ref when they think someone is faking, to earn them a post match sanction (post match so it can be properly disputed and countered with club medical evidence

Just do what they do in rugby.

If a player has a head injury, or feigns one, then you are allowed a temporary substitution whilst the player goes to the changing rooms for a head injury assessment. If he passes, he can return to the game, if he fails it, then the substitution becomes permanent.

If a player knows he'll have to leave the pitch if he fakes a head injury, it will soon stop.

This. Make it a minimum 10 minutes for that concussion assessment. After that time, if deemed fit, the player can return to the field.

[Snowflake Royal]

Stops all that nonsense when players are clearly unfit to continue but refuse to be subbed.

[Whore Jackie]

Thought Campbell did ok yesterday, best for a while

Yeah, I thought it was his best game post-injury. Granted he did a few frustrating things, but he's always done that even when he was at his best.

Really enjoyed the game, back four were immense and midfield played well. Much prefer Wareham up top to Kelvin. Think he was a little unlucky not to start. Have my doubts about him, but for me, he's looked really sharp since Smith left. Still can't work out what Camara's best position is, he didn't look particularly effective on either wing.

[Dave the rave]

It's wholly impractical, but it does make me think there should be an independent match doctor and physio, rather than ones for each club, who do medical and injury assessments, and can tell the ref when they think someone is faking, to earn them a post match sanction (post match so it can be properly disputed and countered with club medical evidence

Just do what they do in rugby.

If a player has a head injury, or feigns one, then you are allowed a temporary substitution whilst the player goes to the changing rooms for a head injury assessment. If he passes, he can return to the game, if he fails it, then the substitution becomes permanent.

If a player knows he'll have to leave the pitch if he fakes a head injury, it will soon stop.

This. Make it a minimum 10 minutes for that concussion assessment. After that time, if deemed fit, the player can return to the field.

Same for cramp. So much cramp around these days

Ally McCoist made me chuckle the other day with his reaction to a player getting cramp in the FA cup......"He's a sub that's just come on!"

[Dave the rave]

It's wholly impractical, but it does make me think there should be an independent match doctor and physio, rather than ones for each club, who do medical and injury assessments, and can tell the ref when they think someone is faking, to earn them a post match sanction (post match so it can be properly disputed and countered with club medical evidence

Just do what they do in rugby.

If a player has a head injury, or feigns one, then you are allowed a temporary substitution whilst the player goes to the changing rooms for a head injury assessment. If he passes, he can return to the game, if he fails it, then the substitution becomes permanent.

If a player knows he'll have to leave the pitch if he fakes a head injury, it will soon stop.

This. Make it a minimum 10 minutes for that concussion assessment. After that time, if deemed fit, the player can return to the field.

Same for cramp. So much cramp around these days

Ally McCoist made me chuckle the other day with his reaction to a player getting cramp in the FA cup......"He's a sub that's just come on!"

[Clyde1998]

It's wholly impractical, but it does make me think there should be an independent match doctor and physio, rather than ones for each club, who do medical and injury assessments, and can tell the ref when they think someone is faking, to earn them a post match sanction (post match so it can be properly disputed and countered with club medical evidence

Just do what they do in rugby.

If a player has a head injury, or feigns one, then you are allowed a temporary substitution whilst the player goes to the changing rooms for a head injury assessment. If he passes, he can return to the game, if he fails it, then the substitution becomes permanent.

If a player knows he'll have to leave the pitch if he fakes a head injury, it will soon stop.

Not sure about a temporary sub personally, but certainly think the player should have to leave the pitch. If the player actually has a head injury, they'd be getting physio treatment and have to leave the pitch anyway.

[Stranded]

It's wholly impractical, but it does make me think there should be an independent match doctor and physio, rather than ones for each club, who do medical and injury assessments, and can tell the ref when they think someone is faking, to earn them a post match sanction (post match so it can be properly disputed and countered with club medical evidence

Just do what they do in rugby.

If a player has a head injury, or feigns one, then you are allowed a temporary substitution whilst the player goes to the changing rooms for a head injury assessment. If he passes, he can return to the game, if he fails it, then the substitution becomes permanent.

If a player knows he'll have to leave the pitch if he fakes a head injury, it will soon stop.

Not sure about a temporary sub personally, but certainly think the player should have to leave the pitch. If the player actually has a head injury, they'd be getting physio treatment and have to leave the pitch anyway.

Fair enough.

They currently leave the pitch and come back on almost immediately. I'm suggesting giving a player a full check over to ensure they are OK to play - this can take 5 to 10 mins and needs to be done by an independant doctor. If football truly wants to take head injuries seriously, this is, in my mind, the best way forward - anything else is lip service.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I think it makes obvious sense. Takes head injuries seriously while disincetivising fake ones. Go down to slow the game down? Off the pitch you go for a proper check and the game restarts immediately.

At the moment the ref has to stop the game for this behavior in case it's genuine.

[katweslowski]

What really drives me mad is hearing commentators saying the following - after about 3 replays showing it was a brush on the shoulder:

"Contact was minimal there"

No, there was no oxf*rd contact you arsewipe

[bcubed]

What really drives me mad is hearing commentators saying the following - after about 3 replays showing it was a brush on the shoulder:

"Contact was minimal there"

No, there was no oxf*rd contact you arsewipe

This is a big bugbear of mine. Commentators and experts, especially ex players should, imo, be highlighting play acting not supporting it. It has sadly become the norm that people think a slight touch warrants a foul.

[Sutekh]

What really drives me mad is hearing commentators saying the following - after about 3 replays showing it was a brush on the shoulder:

"Contact was minimal there"

No, there was no oxf*rd contact you arsewipe

This is a big bugbear of mine. Commentators and experts, especially ex players should, imo, be highlighting play acting not supporting it. It has sadly become the norm that people think a slight touch warrants a foul.

Being saying it for years, it’s ridiculous the obvious feigning you get from some incidents yet the feigners very rarely get punished for it. Would much rather the authorities cracked down on that than yet more arsepiddling with handball interpretations and the offside law.

Always remember that footage from the early 70s where Francis Lee deliberately throws himself to the ground trying to make a point to the officials after the ref gave a free kick to Man United.

[katweslowski]

This is a big bugbear of mine. Commentators and experts, especially ex players should, imo, be highlighting play acting not supporting it. It has sadly become the norm that people think a slight touch warrants a foul.

Being saying it for years, it’s ridiculous the obvious feigning you get from some incidents yet the feigners very rarely get punished for it. Would much rather the authorities cracked down on that than yet more arsepiddling with handball interpretations and the offside law.

Yarp... and that's why I have absolutely no sympathy or time for players or managers complaining about referees or bad decisions. Even when they're right.

Stop the cheating, stop trying to trick the referee as it seems absolutely ridiculous that they do this, then blame officials for not giving a decision in their favour.

[leon]

What really drives me mad is hearing commentators saying the following - after about 3 replays showing it was a brush on the shoulder:

"Contact was minimal there"

No, there was no oxf*rd contact you arsewipe

This is a big bugbear of mine. Commentators and experts, especially ex players should, imo, be highlighting play acting not supporting it. It has sadly become the norm that people think a slight touch warrants a foul.

Being saying it for years, it’s ridiculous the obvious feigning you get from some incidents yet the feigners very rarely get punished for it. Would much rather the authorities cracked down on that than yet more arsepiddling with handball interpretations and the offside law.

Always remember that footage from the early 70s where Francis Lee deliberately throws himself to the ground trying to make a point to the officials after the ref gave a free kick to Man United.

"Foreigners" FFS

I remember plenty of UK players chucking themselves on the floor. The Sainted Shearer used to alternately elbow and collapse in a heap.

[rabidbee]

_Feigners_ Leon, FEIGN-ers.

[bcubed]

_Feigners_ Leon, FEIGN-ers.

[Jinx]

What really drives me mad is hearing commentators saying the following - after about 3 replays showing it was a brush on the shoulder:

"Contact was minimal there"

No, there was no oxf*rd contact you arsewipe

This is a big bugbear of mine. Commentators and experts, especially ex players should, imo, be highlighting play acting not supporting it. It has sadly become the norm that people think a slight touch warrants a foul.

Alan Shearer et al - "there's definitely contact, so he's entitled to go down"