There were a few nasty challenges in the weekend's matches that could have resulted in red cards, but at the time only yellows were deemed sufficient. The main incidents I am talking about are Rooney’s ‘kick out’ at Jordan Mutch in United’s draw with Cardiff City and Kevin Miralles’ knee high pile driver that could possibly take the cake for worst tackle of the year on Luis Suarez. What interests me the most about these two much talked about moments is why the two guilty players were not red carded. Regarding Wayne Rooney’s ‘tackle’ a couple of points fell in his favour. The game was still inside 10 minutes when (after being harassed off the ball) he kicked out at Mutch while they tussled for possession. Refs don’t want to ruin the game so early on and this could be seen as one of those moments where the ref ‘pikes out’. He knows what he has seen, you either give nothing and say you didn’t see it, or you give a red. He did neither and deserves a week on the bench. Rooney has always had a temper and without doubt this incident reminds fans of the younger days of Rooney when these sorts of incidents were regular occurrences as his emotions got the better of him. These days he tends to be more controlled and his reputation is a lot cleaner. By saying he went home, watched the replay and still thinks it is a yellow is an absolute disgrace and typifies his character in my eyes. On another note if this foul was made by a smaller team, say Hull city, would the ref have still kept the red card in his pocket? I don’t think so. The smaller managers complain they don’t get as many decisions in their favour as the big clubs and this is another example of it. It’s not just Man United who will get these calls, City, Chelsea, Arsenal and the like get their fair share due to the number of stars in their ranks. Refs are scared to face the ire of top managers and sometimes this clouds their decisions. Once again they are only human and mistakes do occur, but subliminally refs have it in the back of their minds when reffing top clubs. When this decision is reviewed, he will know a red should have been given.

In the case of Suarez, his reputation preceded him. The tackle on Suarez was horrendous and could have seriously injured the South American and put him out for a long time, considering all the contact was made on the knee. People have come out and said if Suarez and had made that tackle would it have been a yellow card? Their point rings true as I’m sure if he was the one dishing out the punishment he would have received a red card. However due to Suarez’s reputation for rolling around on the ground and ‘play-acting’ at times, Phil Dowd may have thought that the challenge wasn’t as bad as first thought. He took a while to make his decision, but the way Suarez reacted was like any other challenge on him, rolling around on the ground even if most of them are hard but fair. He will obviously deny this but it is apparent in his game and could be considered a reason why a red was not shown.

These two incidents highlight the different reasons why some football decisions aren’t as black and white as they may seem in hindsight. Different players, different refs and the environment they are in will always make for different decisions to be made. That’s football, it adds to the drama of the beautiful game.

West Ham vs Fulham:

Considering the little clubs are struggling to get calls go their way, what better game to preview then two strugglers battling it out at the bottom of the table. West Ham have been a right old mess the last month. Big Sam has struggled to blend his young team together and their lack of firepower up front is exposed with a side wishing for a big name finisher or goal poacher. The Hammers have sorely missed Winston Reid since his ankle injury (so did the All Whites!!) and their defensive frailness has been evident, shipping 3 goals a piece in their last 2 games. With the Hammers only scoring twice in the last 5 games, they have to start turning round their fortunes. No better chance than against another relegation battler and a team struggling to defend stoutly as well. The key to West Ham winning this weekend is the experienced Kevin Nolan. It feels like he has been around for decades, and many will remember him strutting his stuff for the Magpies a few years ago. He is the heart and soul of the team and his tenacity and never say die attitude is something the whole squad needs to embrace if they want to be playing EPL football come the new season.
A few weeks ago I talked about Fulham having to pick up their game otherwise Martin Jol would get the flick. It has been two weeks since that report and I cannot believe how he still has a job. 2 games, 6 goals conceded and 1 goal scored. 10 points from 12 games is just not good enough for this side. They look like they are afraid of making mistakes and are always conscious of the repercussions of another loss. Playing in such fear stifles the attacking flair they can produce with the likes of Berbatov and Ruiz. It is infectious and seeps down to the younger players who are already out of their depth and scraping to stay ahead of the game at the best of times. This team needs an overhaul. A proud London club are putting in performances that the Wellington Phoenix wouldn’t even be proud of and something has to give. This could be another chapter in their book of what if’s or it could turn out to be a day that changes their fortunes for the year.

The Deciding Factor:

The perennial 6 pointer. If West Ham can stop gap their recent defensive woes then home town advantage might get them over the line. Fulham I have a small feeling might get up for this one. They showed signs of life in their last fixture and Darren Bent (yes, he still plays) created a few problems. If he and Berbatov get going, it could be another one of those days for West Ham.

Prediction:

Fulham to awaken from their slumber with Bent getting on the score sheet. Fulham 2-1

Chelsea vs Southampton

Two teams with a bit of a chip on their shoulder will meet early Monday morning to try and resurrect a troublesome week. Chelsea started the weekend well enough beating the struggling Hammers but followed that up with a dour display in the Champions League, where the Blues went down 1-0 to FC Basel. Some may say they were pretty much guaranteed a knock out spot before the game, but the way they performed has only left more questions on the table. Was Mourinho resting players for Southampton this weekend? Does he know his preferred line-up? I’m not sure he does. The depth in this side is amazing, but at times it seems like they may have an abundance in the wrong areas. They still lack a high scoring striker with Samuel Eto’o and Torres struggling for consistency. Just when Eto’o was starting to find form, he was pulled off before half time with a hamstring complaint, and so may be in doubt for this game. If the Blues can keep a clean sheet, they will create enough opportunities to put one in the back of the net. Or at least the fans would hope! The likes of Ramirez and Hazard need to provide the width and pace to break down the Southampton rearguard and give the likes of Oscar and Torres space to work their magic.
Southampton were the surprise team come the 10 game mark and still sit in 4th equal behind Man City on goal difference. They are coming off a loss to the Gunners (which isn’t shameful at all) last weekend where they will admit they failed to fire a punch at the Emirates. Maybe the midweek internationals took the sting out of some the Saints players’ legs as they looked half a yard off the pace. Lallana and Lambert were not on top of their game and failed to raise the level of their team like they have done so far this year. Some will say the honeymoon is over and reality is about to strike but I think this Saints team is built a lot tougher than people realise. This is not the type of side that is going to get blown away. If they can assert some midfield dominance over the Blues they stand a good chance of stealing a point or even 3 away at Stamford Bridge. They will have to be at their defensive best however to give themselves a chance of proving the doubters wrong early Monday morning.

The Deciding Factor:

What Blues team will turn up? If they turn up with the sombre attitude they have displayed too frequently this year, then they have the potential to be run over for periods at their home ground. However the start is crucial and if they can get on a roll quickly then it will soon turn into a canter as the momentum will be hard to turn once the Blues have it.