Topic: Raheem Shaquille Sterling

[vicgill]

Nice story but it wasn't what I asked though Vic, and not really applicable.
What would Tommy Smith have done if George Best tried to tackle him like Sterling did on Valencia?

Well I am not convinced that it was a bad tackle, my opinion on what Tommy would have done if he had a bad tackle done to him then I suppose it would have been sorted in the dressing room after the game or in those days players carried little black books with names of players who had done the dirty tackle on them and justice would have been dished out later on in the season, but again I don´t think it was a bad tackle by Sterling, if the truth be told I was totally gobsmacked when the ref sent both off.

[newterp]

vietliev has posted the clip in the audio video thread - showing all the angles.  Even the announcers were baffled at the red card for Sterling (they agreed that it could have been a card - not red though), the linesman is flat out looking at the play from start to finish, and Sterling gets the ball first.  Valencia simply lost it and was quite violent - he knew he was getting a red card as he immediately took off his arm band and left.

Credit to both Hendo and Stevie for talking to Raheem as he was leaving.

[RideTheWalrus]

The incident last night angered me to the core.

Loads of photo's kicking about making it look like an absolute leg-breaker when infact Sterling clips the ball, misses Valencia's leg, and his back leg is the one that makes contact.

Absolutely no excuse for Valencia's reaction and it's frustrating that he won't face any action.

Loved Sterling's reaction - or lack of. Completely had him off.

It had unnecessary force in it for a friendly, that's why. Touched him or not, it's irrelevant, he shouldn't have tried that.

Both reds were deserved. Though I think if Valencia hadn't throttled him, and acted more calmy, Sterling probably wouldn't have been sent off.

[Cantona]

Well I am not convinced that it was a bad tackle, my opinion on what Tommy would have done if he had a bad tackle done to him then I suppose it would have been sorted in the dressing room after the game or in those days players carried little black books with names of players who had done the dirty tackle on them, but again I don´t think it was a bad tackle by Sterling, if the truth be told I was totally gobsmacked when the ref sent both off.

That was my point when I said if it had happened back then, a red card and being grabbed around the neck would have been the least of his worries.

[Paul JH]

It had unnecessary force in it for a friendly, that's why. Touched him or not, it's irrelevant, he shouldn't have tried that.

What are you supposed to do in a game of football now then? Friendly means nothing is riding on the match, it doesn't mean fanny around on tip toes all game not going within 10 feet of any other player.

[telekon]

To be honest, I really like the fact that Wilshire is sticking up for Sterling there when he was assaulted. Good man, Wilshire.

[pudgethemidget]

"IF VALENCIA'S FOOT HAD BEEN PLANTED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SNAPPED".



A lot of soft people floating around the sport these days. Every second day people come out with this sort of nonsense. ANY tackle can snap a leg, if a leg is planted.


Ref bottled it.

Not true. Sterling had his full body weight, at speed, going through his trailing leg. Was a rash challenge.

[God's Left Peg]

That was my point when I said if it had happened back then, a red card and being grabbed around the neck would have been the least of his worries.

If he had been out of order. But he wasn't. He got the ball first.

[Paul JH]

It really wasn't that bad. Baffled by people saying he deserved the red. It was a yellow at best.

[DefJack]

He's a great young player who let enthusiasm get the better of him, he'll learn and grow as a player from this mistake i'm sure.

Tackles like that are made all the time in international football are they?
I think some need to take their blinkers off, Liverpool players are capable of making silly challenges occasionally too you know.
The ref was spot on, i'll leave it there because i've no wish to go round in circles.

I think you need to stop being blind and delusional. And go back to Redcafe while you're at it.

Tackles like that are a dime a dozen, his leading leg is ankle height and misses his planted leg by a foot, harmless challenge. Looks like nothing in any real time shot you see, the linesman didn't even flag for a foul ffs.

Valencia's idiot reaction got them both sent off, and has potentially denied Sterling a starting place at the World Cup.

[wemmick]

Yup, I think the linesman had the best view, so I will defer to his judgment. I think Valencia should tread softly when we play Utd next season. I can't imagine Gerrard, Henderson or Flanagan forgetting this anytime soon.

[spider-neil]

Valencia's idiot reaction got them both sent off, and has potentially denied Sterling a starting place at the World Cup.

Rooney will do fuck all AGAIN on Saturday and the entire nation will be baying for the inclusion of Sterling.

[fowlermagic]

The ref was a bit of a tit to send both lads off as it was a friendly and he could have easily had a stern word with both, gave them a yellow and got on with the game. Sterling was looking lively again, showing some nice vision and tremendous pace / strength for a lad his size. The WC may be a season too soon for him to really shine but if Roy gives him a chance I don't think he will regret it. 

[Melbred]

It was a borderline bad tackle, and that's enough for ref these days,

Valencia is a twat though, even despite his previous injury, there's absolutely no need for that.

It won't cost Sterling a starting berth in the WC, he wasn't likely to get one. Hodgson has stated that he though Sterling was unlucky didn't he?

[lea7kewell]

It had unnecessary force in it for a friendly, that's why. Touched him or not, it's irrelevant, he shouldn't have tried that.

Both reds were deserved. Though I think if Valencia hadn't throttled him, and acted more calmy, Sterling probably wouldn't have been sent off.

It's reckless at absolute worst. Put it this way, if Chris Smalling put in a half hearted challenge on someone, you'd be calling him every feminine-based insult in the world - so why Raheem is getting criticism for going in full-blooded is beyond me. No-one was hurt for gods sake.

Why is irrelevant if he touched him or not? It's wholly relevant. If he touches him, it's a red. If he doesn't (which he didn't) then it's not a foul, or a yellow if you adhere to your "unnecessary force" rule.

[pudgethemidget]

It's reckless at absolute worst. Put it this way, if Chris Smalling put in a half hearted challenge on someone, you'd be calling him every feminine-based insult in the world - so why Raheem is getting criticism for going in full-blooded is beyond me. No-one was hurt for gods sake.

Why is irrelevant if he touched him or not? It's wholly relevant. If he touches him, it's a red. If he doesn't (which he didn't) then it's not a foul, or a yellow if you adhere to your "unnecessary force" rule.

Not entirely true, though. You can still give red malicious intent as well.

[Cochise]

I feel sorry for people who think like you.

Don't. The post was a bit OTT I agree.

I'm a lovely person.

I think Valencia is a massive twat for grabbing Raheem by the neck, shoving him and then grabbing his throat again. The least Sterling could have done was give him a reason to do it. A fucking dead hard tackle right through his legs. Nothing career ending obviously but hard enough to make him wake up today with sore knees.

[Elzar]

Probably not going to get a chance in the starting line up for the first game now.

Welbeck will play there instead

[mgs88]

did jack "british bulldog" Wiltshire take a sly punch at someone during the melee or did my eyes deceive me ?

I'm pretty sure he did

[Welshred]

I'm pretty sure he did

At Valencia I believe for his reaction to Sterling. I'm alright with that.

[Anywhichwayicant]

If that's excessive force then tough, aggressive football is dead. Flanno would have been sent off about 5 or 6 times last season.

Quite right.


The sooner they officially declare it a non contact sport, the better.

[Anywhichwayicant]

Not true. Sterling had his full body weight, at speed, going through his trailing leg. Was a rash challenge.

Happens every single week around Europe. Players goes in strong for a tackle, sending the ball into row z and the opposition player flying, and nobody bats an eyelid because the tackled players doesn't jump up and act like a bad fanny. You'll find hundreds of tackles every year that are potential leg breakers, yet everyone classes them as good/excellent tackles.

[B0151?]

Happens every single week around Europe. Players goes in strong for a tackle, sending the ball into row z and the opposition player flying, and nobody bats an eyelid because the tackled players doesn't jump up and act like a bad fanny. You'll find hundreds of tackles every year that are potential leg breakers, yet everyone classes them as good/excellent tackles.

Agreed



"There's no need to dive in like that in that area of the pitch, Sterling will learn from this"

[Elzar]

Isn't that tackle after the QPR player went in hard on Sterling aswell?

[pudgethemidget]

Happens every single week around Europe. Players goes in strong for a tackle, sending the ball into row z and the opposition player flying, and nobody bats an eyelid because the tackled players doesn't jump up and act like a bad fanny. You'll find hundreds of tackles every year that are potential leg breakers, yet everyone classes them as good/excellent tackles.

The ref has discretion to determine if a tackle has malicious intent worthy of a red. Just because it might happen elsewhere unpunished doesn't mean that this was the wrong call. It was a silly challenge for a friendly and leaving his trailing leg like that was not smart.

Valencia's reaction was way over the top and unnecessary, but Sterling really could've done better there.

[fredfrop]

Raheem "Honey Badger" Sterling - he don't give a shit.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/4r7wHMg5Yjg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/4r7wHMg5Yjg</a>

[Pelé as a Comedian]

Agreed

that gif you're posting, the tackle there is very different from the tackle Sterling made, i wouldn't even classify this one as "hard"

[jameshay]

Rooney did exactly the same kind of tackle towards the end of the match against Peru. Didn't hear any mancs saying it was excessive force then...



Wasn't given as a foul just like Raheem's wouldn't have if not for 'Tony V'...

Any clever types photo shop a steak bake/yum yum/selection box into that photo it would be much appreciated.

[B0151?]

that gif you're posting, the tackle there is very different from the tackle Sterling made, i wouldn't even classify this one as "hard"

I wouldn't classify Sterling's as hard, he just didn't get enough of the ball.

[IamSpartacus]

It had unnecessary force in it for a friendly, that's why. Touched him or not, it's irrelevant, he shouldn't have tried that.

Both reds were deserved. Though I think if Valencia hadn't throttled him, and acted more calmy, Sterling probably wouldn't have been sent off.

talking pants mate. Rodgers picks his starting team based on how intense and up for it our lads are in training. do you think he would have thought a commited tackle to get the ball was that bad? nah I don't think so. Ref bottled it, Valencia lost it, linesman bottled it.

[Draex]

Anyone see earlier in the match where Sterling proper just bounces Valencia off him? Valencia flies about 5 yards! Sterling is built like a tank, so much upper body strength for someone so small add that to his low center of gravity he is near impossible to get off the ball bar fouling him.

p.s. fuck Valencia the dispicable twat, just another Evra.

[Zoomers]

Valencia is a thug, he's just jealous he's not as good as Sterling. Wanker.

[Pelé as a Comedian]

I wouldn't classify Sterling's as hard, he just didn't get enough of the ball.

i dont follow, they more you get of the ball the harder the tackles are ?

[Pelé as a Comedian]

Valencia is a thug, he's just jealous he's not as good as Sterling. Wanker.

this kinda thinking i dont get, why would you want to factor that kinda stuff into this? whats he gonna do then when he's up against Messi or Ronaldo? bring a tire iron to the game ?

[Pie Eyed]

this kinda thinking i dont get, why would you want to factor that kinda stuff into this? whats he gonna do then when he's up against Messi or Ronaldo? bring a tire iron to the game ?

No, but maybe Stewart Downing could lend him his flick-knife (to pick his teeth with, obviously). 

[Carlito Roberto]

Absolutely laughable the owl is likely to start Wellbeck ahead of Sterling at the World Cup. I suppose no more laughable than his criticism of Barkley the other night and praise of Lampard. What was it he once said?

"Young players get you the sack"

Just hope the likes of Sterling and Flanagan haven't been brainwashed too much and had the life coached out of them, by the time the owl returns them to their rightful home.

['Mondzz']

Hope the sending off doesn't knock his confidence in any way for the Italy game. Was a great challenge IMO.

[Gods_Left_Boot]

Nothing wrong with that challenge. No wonder that the lino, who was 2 yards away and had perfect vision, only signalled for a throw in. It'll be interesting to have Valencia at Anfield next season.

[vicgill]

Absolutely laughable the owl is likely to start Wellbeck ahead of Sterling at the World Cup. I suppose no more laughable than his criticism of Barkley the other night and praise of Lampard. What was it he once said?

"Young players get you the sack"

Just hope the likes of Sterling and Flanagan haven't been brainwashed too much and had the life coached out of them, by the time the owl returns them to their rightful home.

They will do anything he tells them, they want to play in the World Cup, can't blame them

[Yorkykopite]

Anyone see earlier in the match where Sterling proper just bounces Valencia off him? Valencia flies about 5 yards! Sterling is built like a tank, so much upper body strength for someone so small add that to his low center of gravity he is near impossible to get off the ball bar fouling him.

Yes, I noticed that. It was humiliating for Valencia and probably that was at the front of his mind when he tried to choke Sterling. At least the first time. What was going through his mind when he had a second go is anyone's guess.

I saw it live and it never occurred to me that Sterling would get a red for the challenge, or even a yellow (and I'm a pessimist when it comes to these things). The ref bottled it.

Some say it was a little warning to players about what they can expect in Brazil. The threshold for fouls will, apparently, be lower in the World Cup. Maybe. But I'm not convinced.  The last World Cup game I saw featured a Dutch boot into the thorax of a bloke called Xabi Alonso. The ref, an Englishman I believe, waved it away. As he did with virtually every other Dutch assault on their Spanish opponents that day.