Sanchez Has His Head Up His Arse-nal

Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez reckons that had referee Phil Dowd issued yellow cards for diving the the Gunners wouldn't have gone down in the box so readily.

When I read his comments I had to ask the question: 'What the f*** are you talking about?'

Ok, first of all lets have a look at Lawrie's comments.

'I was at the same meeting with Arsene Wenger and Keith Hackett, and they did say that simulation was going to be a big no-no this year.'

'If Phil (Dowd) had booked someone with it, people wouldn't have been as ready to go down in the box.'

'There were at least three claims in the first half for penalties. If they weren't penalties, then they were simulation. It's either one or the other.'

I can understand the Fulham gaffers frustrations at coming away with nothing after it looked some promising for so long, but looking for others to blame just ain't the way to go. Just accept it and move on.

Aside from the fact that van Pizzle's penalty and the Alex Hleb shout in the first half were nailed on, stonewall, definite, certain penalties, Lawries' claims that if it's not a penalty it's simulation is just plain wrong, it's not always black and white.

Let me give you an example.

In the first half of yesterday's game Sanchez spent at least 10 minutes screaming at the referee after Fulham had a penalty shout turned away. After viewing the replay it was clear that the player (I forget who) had tripped over his own foot. Did Fulham appeal? You bet your arse. Was it a penalty? nope. So by Sanchez' logic the ref should have booked his player. But that clearly isn't the case is it.

I would expect a former professional and FA Cup winner to know the score.

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