NoBlog Number 4 - Jim Lovetoy Throws his Thoughts into the Refereeing Debate...
October 7th, 2009
NoBlog
Media personality Jim Lovetoy writes exclusively for The Football Ramble. “This is no blog, it’s a column. It’s credible. Proper journalism that has an influence...”
There’s been a lot of talk in the news lately about the performances of referees since Lord Alex Ferguson criticised the fitness of one of them. I’d like to take it a step further and let out a chant of: “You don’t know what it is that you are supposed to be doing!”!
For too long now referees have been making mistakes. Even in Chelsea’s victory over Liverpool at London Bridge last weekend there were some shocking decisions. Jamie Carragher was offside in his own half on numerous occasions and the referee didn’t pull him up on it even once. I just don’t understand it. Obviously I was out with the lads so I might have had a few Magners down me but it was clear as day, though the same can’t be said for the next morning as the afternoon turned into the inevitable alcoholocaust!
Though I don’t like to admit it, Ferguson is a great manager who obviously knows what he’s doing. We’re talking about the man who brought through the Busby Babes, players such as Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and the Scholes brothers. If he’s saying something’s wrong, and I’m saying it too, then there’s a damn good chance something needs fixing. Rarely a week goes by where I don’t see at least a bit of footie and as an industry insider with friends such as Jamie Redknapp and David Bentley I’m well placed to give an objective but informed opinion on what needs to change. I’ve blue-skied a quick mind shower and here are some of the best ideas I had:
Sin Binning:
Jack Warner, the President of Jamaica, has recently suggested the idea of sin binning and I’ve always agreed. Sin binning is when a player commits an offence and has to leave the game for a while, it’s most commonly seen in F1 and you don’t get many disciplinary problems there. It’d also give fans a chance to single out divers and give them the stick they deserve!
Scooters:
For the referees, not scooters as such but those upright scootery type things you see in films. Refs clearly lack the pace to keep up with the modern Jermaine Lennon types so why not let them zoom about on those things? Same with the linesmen. Some peasant at the bar on Sunday argued that it’d be bad for the pitch but they had motor racing and the NFL at Wembley and the turf was fine after that.
Video Technology:
Eagle-eye works in Tennis but football is different. Stopping for replays would slow the game down. What I’m suggesting is far more visionary. Each player should have a camera attached somewhere on their personage with a personal referee watching the game from their point of view. Additionally, another set of referees should be watching each player via player cam, which Sky could easily set up. When an infringement occurs both groups watch the footage from the point of view of the players involved and the point of view of Sky, reach a verdict and phone it down to the referee who can then approve it or ignore it. With that kind of backing the ref would be considerably empowered and nobody could argue the decision. The same dickhead at the bar said: “Ooh, what about the lower leagues? They could never put that in place.” If you can’t afford to keep up with developments you shouldn’t run a football team is what I say to that, in hindsight.
While we’re on the subject of new technology, this weekend sees the first ever England match televised exclusively on the internet. You can watch the game for only £4.99 via my new website:
Visit the site to find exclusive content featuring me and my mates having laughs and banter. See you there! Chelsea, Chelsea!
Jim Lovetoy
« Return to blogs
Zach from Michigan
:::2009-10-07 17:44:15
Oh Jim Lovetoy... I think you need to stop toying around with your love utensils and be proper about football please. Actually I dont think you have love utensils.
Paul from Petersfield
:::2009-10-08 14:05:26
Dear Jim,
Upon reading this blog I was shocked that you actually think players should have cameras strapped to their heads. I mean what about when they need to header the ball ? What about that jim? you didnt consider that did you? You can nt write things until you have properly taken in to consideration each and ever angle.
I agree with everything else though. Especally Caragher he is rather lazy indeed. Dunno what his problem is. I mean I know he didnt want to play for England but it´s almost like he doesnt want to play for Liverpool, Pot calling the Kettle black, Apples and pairs, Raining cats and dogs. You know ! It´s just a joke.
Kind regards,
Paul
Jim Lovetoy
:::2009-10-08 16:20:10
Paul,
If players are that good they don´t NEED to head the ball, they head the ball with their heads, by which I mean they use their heads to think about how to get into a position where they won´t need to head the ball before they have to head the ball. It´s simple. Heading is boring anyway, apart from diving headers, give me a 90 yard screamer any day!
Paul from Petersfield
:::2009-10-09 15:12:06
Jim,
I agree that the pro´s should be able to cope with such demands, I mean why not its not that stressful. And it is their job. I think to level the playing ground (mind the pun) and to enable more dramatic feets in games ( such as diving headers and 90 yard screamers) the balls should just be lighter. A few less pumps would give them more time to consider what to do with it. It would also cause the ball to float more through the sky.
For example my mate Chris last week while at the park while playing headers and volleys scored a bicycle kick. He´s a big bloke and I belive the only reason he managed to actually turn it around and hit it was beacuase the, fat retard broke the needle for the pump before we started to play.
The way i see it is less air more cool stuff. everyone likes cool stuff.
Jim Lovetoy
:::2009-10-12 14:35:21
It baffles me that there aren´t more 90 yard screamers as it is. Have you seen how big a goal actually is? I´ve actually been to matches before and it´s much bigger than it looks on telly.
Paul form Petersfield
:::2009-10-13 13:12:25
I have to theories on that:
1) Players are told to not score such goals as it would make the lesser player look bad.
2) They are lazy. Too much money , too much sex with beautiful women, too many private jet rides, too much good food, too much nice champagne. the only exercise these people get is the match, bit of a kick about in the afternoons during the week. then the walk around expensive shops.
« Return to blogs
'Surreal brilliance.' - FourFourTwo Magazine
Catch up on the latest Ramble by clicking below. You can stream through our media player or subscribe through iTunes.
Catch up on the latest Ramble by clicking below. You can stream through our media player or subscribe through iTunes.
