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MONDAY NIGHT LIVE ONLINE 26-8-08
Here's the transcript of last week's Monday Night Live Online Session on FansOnline.net
250kandout
Respect Campaign
Hi Jeff,
Do you think the recent RESPECT campaign aimed at getting players to respect the officials will last?
Dundee Utd had a stonewall pen against Celtic on Sun but the ref never gave it, it also happened to poor old Craig Levein last year and he got a 5k fine after him and his chairman came out slating the ref in an interview on TV. Ok they got punished but what happens to the ref if obvious stone wall decisions go not noticed?
Thanks in advance.
Craig.
Blackpool Fan (Can we have Brad Jones back on loan!)
Jeff_Winter
The first weekend of the season showed that it can work but before we get carried away, there has been so much hype around the Respect campaign, perhaps it was bound to be better than in the past. I am sure that when the big games come along and vital decisions are perceived to go against a side, then a lot of players and more likely, their managers, are going to return to type.
What we must not get carried away with is that the Respect issue is going to change the fact that referees will never ever get every decision correct. Also, even if they do, there will always be fans, players and managers of clubs on the receiving end of decisions, that will not accept them. What is happening, and not before time, is that there is an education process taking place on television to try and explain why decisions are made and also the difficulty that officials have in making them.
I have not seen the Dundee United v Celtic game personally but have read that Craig Levein was far from happy with the decision that you talk about. I am afraid that it is always going to happen that decisions will be made that people do not agree with. The lack of respect to officials has to improve and this weekend has shown potential. We have though created a new phrase on the terraces that goes "How are we supposed to respect referees when they get decisions wrong?". What I think people have got to learn to do, like in other sports, is accept decisions, even if they are think they are not correct. That will take time, probably it will never, ever happen in football.
No, you can't have Brad back. Enjoy the season.
250kandout
I tend to find a bad decision sits with me for about thirty seconds I have a shout and moan from the terrace then that is it don't dwell on it as you cannot change the past.
I think the odd bad decision is good in a way shows you refs are human after all!
Good to see ref's having banter with players. I think that breaks the ice a little.
keenos
Peanuts
Are you a salted, roasted on honey roasted man?
Or do you prefer Nobbys Nuts - chili with their shit coating?
Jeff_Winter
At last - a food related question!!
Favourites are the roasted but of late I have tried the honey roasted and they are not bad at all. Don't mind the salted when slipped inside a bag of salt and vinegar crisps. Kinky, you might suggest, but we all have our perversions.
Have yet to experience the enjoyment of taking Nobby's Nuts in my mouth. Not so sure the chilli would be that enjoyable, either for me or for Nobby's Nuts.
keenos
how long do you think it will be until the owners of FansOnline sell out?
Jeff_Winter
I am sure if you are prepared to make them an offer of a couple of million quid, they will consider. Wouldn't you?
ayresomemark
You got to be kidding me!
Alright Jeff,
Good chatting at mackro. Thing is our lass goes "is that that ref bloke from the book."
"Yes" said I.
"Hes LOST weight hasn't he..."
"Yerjokinarnyer" came my reply. So just to make your head swell, there you go.
see you later.
Jeff_Winter
It's nice to know your lass has got good taste. However, she is wrong. She probably based her assumption after glancing at my trolley. She no doubt thought that the low fat Magners, whiskey and brandy that I had purchased were all part of my calorie controlled diet.
sawyer
Is The Boro Squad Strong Enough?
We all know Boro played well against Spurs on Saturday but with a fairly small squad. Do you think we still need to strengthen or is the current crop of players strong enough to sustain a strong challenge for the mid-table to top ten places? If not who do you think we should realistically sign? Cheers.
Jeff_Winter
Only time will tell if the current squad is adequate, especially as injuries and/or suspensions kick in. I think that the current squad, coupled with some excellent youngsters, have the potential to challenge for a top ten place. Obviously, there are players out there who can improve the squad and hopefully the Boro's new scouting network will unearth some more gems. Many domestic players that look to have potential are overpriced and in recent seasons, we have seen players like Tuncay, Alves, Digard, Emnes come to the club who in fairness, not many of us had even heard of. If we are to get more players in, then maybe they will be replacements for players going out rather than drastically increasing the size of the squad.
Hercules
When You're Refereeing.....
...absoulte bellends like Cristiano Ronaldo and you know he goes down extremely easily, are you ever tempted to just never give him anything?
Or even better, tell the opposition you're not going to give him anything so they know they can kick the shit out of him?
I would be.
Jeff_Winter
That's probably why you're not a referee. As a ref, you have to judge each incident on its merits and give what you believe to be right. It perhaps would be funny if a fan refereed and gave the decisions from the heart rather than from the Law Book.
number41
Hercules, it`s you that`s the bellend.
loislane5
Can SG keep his stable of strikers happy? Mido, Alves, Tuncay, Aliadiere-none (etc Ali) are used to being on the and none of them will be happy there, Can Boro really hope to operate a rotation system?
Jeff_Winter
This is where I think the Boro could have problems this season. Clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United etc are used to having big squads. The mega wages coupled with the squad rotation over many competitions seems to keep all the players satisfied. Also, at those clubs, there is the strong likelihood of some form of silverware.
At clubs like the Boro, we have become accustomed to having a first team with a few other players capable of slotting in. The Boro bench on Saturday was probably as strong as I have ever seen it. Already though Gareth has the nice problem of knowing who to select/leave out for the Liverpool game. Boro have spent millions on the likes of Hoyte, Emnes, Digard, Aliadiere and Alves. In years gone by, it would have been inconceivable that the Boro would spend such sums on players and then they not feature automatically in the first team. This cannot now be the case.
I just wonder if and when Gareth has a fully fit squad if some players will become restless at not being selected. Competition for places is vital and you would hope benefits the team but conversely, unrest in the dressing room caused by players who are not being picked can have a counter effect. With the transfer window shortly closing, it would not surprise me to see a player possibly leave the club.
Despite the fact he scored a goal on Saturday and looks fit and up for the task, I don't think Mido will be Gareth's first choice for a striker's role. He is the sort of player who I feel would not be happy and possibly show his feelings. We saw on Saturday, Tuncay's disappointment at being taken off so imagine what he would be like if not selected. I sincerely hope that Gareth manages to keep everybody happy but realistically, it is probably an impossible task.
Bassboy88
Boros chances after a cracking start....
Let's have the opinion of the man in black... After years of finishing mid table at best, what's the Boro's chances of finally creeping up the table this season? Are we in a better position now than we were last season or under Steve?
Jeff_Winter
As I said before the start of the season, it can go either way for Boro. On Saturday, we saw evidence that Gareth is getting the type of team that plays attacking, flowing, exciting football. The top four still appear light years away for virtually all of the division and several other clubs now have the financial clout to challenge for the UEFA places. Potentially though, we have the quality and the pace to mount a serious challenge to be in the top half of the table.
My problems are with the size of the squad and also keeping those not playing happy. I certainly think we are in a better position than we were at this time last season. Think back, Yakubu was making noises and evidently did not want to be at the club and we had new signings like Aliadiere and Tuncay who needed time to settle in. They are now both performing well, Alves looks as if he has settled into the pace of the Premier League. On Saturday, Digard looked very good when he came on so all in all, I think we are a stronger side and hopefully that will be proven by consistent performances.
Liverpool away will be a major test but they do not appear to be firing on all cylinders at the moment and may just be surprised if we go to Anfield and have a go.
With two home games in a week against Yeovil and Stoke, there will be chances for Boro to prove that they can turn their attacking play into goals. I think we will be much better placed to make a decision on how the season is likely to go by the end of the month. I think we all have very good reason to be optimistic.
wolfsboy
Spurs To Finish Fifth?!
This is what most pundits seem to be predicting. Where's the logic in that (apart from the fact they are the media's darlings)? They were impotent on Saturday and they could lose Berbatov too.
lineker
Its a bit early to make predictions about who will finish where. As for being media darlings, I would say that is Man Utd. And as a Spurs fan, the media has done nothing but cause trouble at Spurs so far. The media are more enemies to Spurs by the constant hype, and Berbatov trasfer rumours. Hardly beneficial to us really.
Jeff_Winter
Oy lineker, I answer the questions!! Having said that, you are right, it is not sensible to start making predictions after ninety minutes. Spurs are a brand new side and it will take time for them to settle. They looked very good going forward but the defence did not appear to have gelled.
This season it would not surprise me if Chelsea don't become the media favourites as Scolari seems to have a certain charisma that the press enjoy promoting. As I said, it is too early to make predictions but Stoke just might end up getting relegated and I fancy Villa to challenge for a top four place.
billturrett
And Then He Followed Through...
Did you really follow through on Cup Final day? How did you get home without embarrassing yourself?
Jeff_Winter
Mr Goldby has a very vivid imagination. How on earth he could suggest that a grown man may accidentally follow through after a night on the piss in London is beside me. My legal advisors have suggested I make no further comment on this issue as they intend to sue the arse of the long haired Iron Maiden loving knob. When all's said and done, it was only a runny fart. Last time I tell him anything in confidence.
billturrett
I Think You Are Very Rude...
Jeff's Meat And Two Veg where you get contestants to sort the meat from your veg on your radio show. Oooh matron...
Jeff_Winter
I think it's you that's rude, Bill. I am merely looking for the odd one out in a food based scenario linked to the excellent Sunday Carvery that is available at the Darlington Arena. How on earth can you suggest that I am being rude, merely by making such gastronomic suggestions that people look for my pork loin, my succulent breast, my steaming meat or my juicy thighs. No doubt if I suggest next weekend that you push my stuffing balls to one side to see my meat, you will also suggest sexual innuendo. I cannot believe the perverted minds of some of my listeners.
Prince_Kropotkin
Referees and Authoritarianism
Jeff - I have heard it said that many referees choose to become referees because they are nasty, right-wing authoritarian shoites who like to run around barking orders like tin-pot dictators.
Personally, I'm not too sure about this. Obviously I have witnessed countless referees acting like "little Hitler's" (a frequent occurrence in the lower divisions, as I'm sure you're aware!), but I have always believed this to be an affliction that develops after they've started refereeing, rather than being a motivation to actually become a ref! I'd always assumed that referees are simply blokes who love football and wanted to be involved in the game but who were never good enough to play at anything other than a lowly level.
Just wondered what your take on this is, Jeff? Were you are frustrated footballer, or an aspiring tin-pot dictator?
And what about authoritarianism in a wider context? Clearly, in football, rules and and the ref are essential, but what about society in general? What are your views on authoritarianism in society? -Do you think we could all benefit from a little less authoritarianism and a little more libertarianism?
Many Thanks, Jeff.
Jeff_Winter
Gotta be honest, your Royal Highness, there are a lot of big words in there that I don't really understand. Maybe you are correct and some people become referees/traffic wardens/policemen because they like being in control. From my experience though, the other suggestion is more likely to be correct.
I started because I loved football and was not good enough to play at a decent level. I don't think I was a frustrated footballer, just a crap one. All the rest of what you talk about is political or to put it another way, a load of bollocks.
I can't even rule the roost in our house, let alone in some Third World country.
Jeff will next appear on Monday Night Live Online Session on FansOnline.net on Monday 1st September 2008.
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