Our players need to learn to cheat

[PeterG]

Cheats do prosper, at least short term but that doesnt mean I want our players to cheat

I know it goes against the grain in the modern world but I would rather us play it straight and get relegated than cheat and stay up

Its easier to get promoted than clean a tarnished reputation and its a lot easier to sleep with a clear concious. I was very impressed with Cisse for not rolling around just a shame he grabbed Johnson chin afterwards

[abbeylands]

interesting comment - we are top of the league in terms of fouls won - i.e most fouled against team - but middle of the table for those conceded. Can't find out where we are on penalties given or conceded. Perhaps we should fall over a little more.

[abbeylands]

and some stats:

http://www.football-lineups.com/tourn/FA_Premier_League_2011-2012/Stats/Penalties/

[vanhoop]

Cheating is the way to go.very sad,but they do prosper.only have to look at world cup winners,Spanish ,Italians,argies play nice football but love a dive.its all about winning

[jmelanie]

Maradona was a good player but will always be remembered for his handball (at least in England).

[silvercue]

Yes, but it will never happen as the FA are in collusion with the refs.

errr....the refs work for the FA.

[LoftusRoadLad]

Another day another ref Cisse may have just got booked.....just wish the refs are more clued up about players like his busted legs and understood his reaction instead of going by the book.

[Jeffro]

Everyone waxing lyrical about that Oliver ref last night l'pool v spurs... He was the prat who gave Villa everything including the ridiculous penalty at LR.

[QPRbob]

100% with you.

Jeffro, I know what point you are making, but not for me. Not at all.

I can't have that. Not into seeing us cheat.

We just need to grow a pair, and stop making silly mistakes. The players need to use their heads and put more effort in.

[Kimimar0]

It's a little different like that. The second wasn't a clear pen, but he did catch him. That much I know. The forst which was given...Well, he went into the back of him, and if you do that in the area, you're always running the risk. That was far more a pen than the one given against us.

Plus, it was against Chelsea, so it doesn't count.

Doesnt really matter whether they were or werent penalty. Both Man U players were clearly looking for it and both initiated the contact and went down arms flailing. Well done Man U on mastering that technique. Won them a point.

[KLOS]

Rodney and Stan knew how to use the rules to their advantage.

I agree with Benny and Silver. The fact is we need to up our game not cheat. Barca don't need to cheat.

Does it bug anyone else that when mangers go on TV and complain about penalty shouts 'costing them the game'? I want to ask them what was their team doing for the rest of the 90 minutes plus. If one decision costs you the game you aren't good enough.

[Jeffro]

I agree with Benny and Silver. The fact is we need to up our game not cheat. Barca don't need to cheat.

Does it bug anyone else that when mangers go on TV and complain about penalty shouts 'costing them the game'? I want to ask them what was their team doing for the rest of the 90 minutes plus. If one decision costs you the game you aren't good enough.

A) We are not Barca, nor do we have their players.

B) Do you watch "el classico" ?

C) If answer to B is YES, are you serious, Barca dont cheat??

[MattyRangers]

A) We are not Barca, nor do we have their players.

B) Do you watch "el classico" ?

C) If answer to B is YES, are you serious, Barca dont cheat??

Spot on.

[KLOS]

Spot on.

Whenever I have seen Barca ( mostly in the Champs League) they have been so good that they have never had the NEED ( and I did use the word deliberately) to cheat.

It does not matter what our level of skill is vis a vis Barca. What matters is whether we have sufficient to survive in the Prem and we do not have to be Barca so to do. If our team were performing to the level I believe they are capable AND not committing suicide, there would be no need for this conversation or to advocate cheating.

[MattyRangers]

For the record: I dont condone cheating. I think is massivley hippocritical to when we've all moaned and whinged at Johnson for getting Barton sent off: you cant have your cake and eat it *insert weight related comment here*.

I can see Jeffro's angle, without doubt, in that these days its a cut throat business and people need to do what they ened to do to win games. But me, personally, would rather we helped ourselves out and eliminated the need to cheat by cutting out our sloppy mistakes (ie Bartons passing) and needless reactions (Djibril...).