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STOP THE CLOCK 29-8-08
Last weekend saw Boro, Hartlepool and Darlington all lose to goals scored in the last minute or in added on time.
Boro have quite a habit of conceding late goals and obviously this problem needs addressing on the training ground.
Fans still though get confused by the amount of time that is added on at the end of the game, this situation is not helped by the wrong information being given on TV by both commentators and the so called "experts".
On Wednesday the "Toon" had an extra half hour of extra time with a goal scored after four minutes of added time when the fourth official had only shown three.
That indication is a minimum and if the Ref is going to play three minutes and 45 seconds, only three would be shown. All it would take for the Ref to add another thirty secs or more on would be some timewasting, a substitution, a goal, a caution or an injury in that added on time. So three mins could easily be nearer five.
Whatever the explanation is, it could be easily sorted out and save confusion and stop giving players, managers and fans another stick to beat the Refs with. We should take a leaf out of Rugby League's book, with an independent time keeper appointed. It happens in other sports too, with a stadium clock showing the countdown time. The clock would be stopped and restarted and then everybody would know exactly how long there was to go being the "hooter" brought the game to a climax.
The only problem with this system, apart from it being too much like common-sense for the authorities ever to consider it, is that games would actually run a hell of a lot longer than they do now. Previously it has been proven that on average the ball is only in play for around 60-65 minutes of the ninety. So if it was done properly games would take over two hours to complete. Either that or we make games 35 minutes each way, we would then get 45 minutes of action, a hell of a lot more than we do now.
Speaking to many Boro fans this week they are still gutted that Boro did not get at least a point at Anfield, late goal or not Boro should have had a penalty when Gary O'Neil was clattered in the box.
Tomorrow we can expect another great atmosphere at the Riverside with Stoke City set to pack the South Stand, let's hope "Delilah" is not ringing in our ears all afternoon as a they have some cause for celebration. The Boro fans have been magnificent this season and the club must take some credit for this, they have given the club back to the fans and 15,000 at reduced prices for a Cup tie against Yeovil shows just how much the supporters appreciate these incentives.
After Stoke's opening day hammering at Bolton, many might have thought that this will be an easy three points, but after their battling display in the victory over high spending Aston Villa and their style of play Boro certainly have a game on their hands. Watch out for Rory Delap's massive throw-ins especially in the 94th minute!
With the help of another packed stadium I am hoping that Boro can continue to build the Riverside into a fortress this season and I see goals a plenty tomorrow, so that means it will probably be goalless!
I am going for Boro to win 4-2, Hartlepool to build on their tremendous midweek defeat of West Brom by getting appoint away to Peterborough in a 2-2 draw and for Darlo to get their first win in the League this season 2-0 at Macclesfield. My tips last weekend were looking good until the "added on time".
If any of my predictions come true then thanks to our friends at William Hill in aid of The Great North Air Ambulance we can make some money.
Tomorrow I will have a pair of tickets for Sedgefield races next Tuesday to win as well as the normal meals. You can enter these competitions via my website now. I hope that you tune in tomorrow lunchtime on Alpha 103.2 for my pre- match warm up programme from 1-1.30 and then from 6-7 for the Phone-in.
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