Steve Bennet is a cheat AND a bad ref.

[ricflairandy]

Booking him for diving, when it was a clear pen. Last season he sent him off for slipping over despite having his back turned to the incident, and then reviewed the tv footage and claimed that he was absolutly correct in his descsiosn, (ignoring the fact that he had his back turned , didnt consult the lineo and xabi slipped and fabrigas wnet down holding his face) . He let ebou off tonigt far too much, and didnt give an even clearer pen when an arsenal defender went through kuyt in the box. And henry fouls carra for the 3rd (watch again, its quite clear).

 

All in all, hes a cheat AND a bad ref. Its hard enough when you are playing as bad as we did first half without officials being like that.

 

 

And is it just me, or do we tend to struggle against teams who cheat? We dont seem to know how to cope with cheating teams against us who play dirty, dive, feign injury and waste time (ala benfica last year).

[Guest JV]

I will say this again. He is a cvnt like the rest of em.

[Earl Hafler]

What was the difference between the incident with Gerrard at Bramall Lane and Xabi's ? Nothing really, just that Bennett is an appalling ref. Played the advantage when Kuyt shot after the foul on Crouch but called the ball back after Xabi had been fouled...then blew for a foul on Xabi even though we had the ball.

 

Inconsistent and s**t - that's Bennett.

[Hassony]

I will say this again. He is a cvnt like the rest of em.

no one talks about xabi this way

[Andy Mac]

Booking him for diving, when it was a clear pen. Last season he sent him off for slipping over despite having his back turned to the incident, and then reviewed the tv footage and claimed that he was absolutly correct in his descsiosn, (ignoring the fact that he had his back turned , didnt consult the lineo and xabi slipped and fabrigas wnet down holding his face) . He let ebou off tonigt far too much, and didnt give an even clearer pen when an arsenal defender went through kuyt in the box. And henry fouls carra for the 3rd (watch again, its quite clear).

 

All in all, hes a cheat AND a bad ref. Its hard enough when you are playing as bad as we did first half without officials being like that.

And is it just me, or do we tend to struggle against teams who cheat? We dont seem to know how to cope with cheating teams against us who play dirty, dive, feign injury and waste time (ala benfica last year).

 

I think that Xabi played for it. If you look at it closely he actually puts his leg towards the defender's tackling leg (nothing wrong with that in my opinion it was a rash challenge). In my opinion, it was clever play by Xabi and 9/10 times the ref would have bought it. Steve Bennett was excellently positioned and made his mind up on what he saw. He didn't cheat and he's not a bad ref. I thought he had a good game actually.

 

Just because we lost it doesn't automatically follow that the ref was s*** or that he cheated.

[Guest Kev]

From our Meet the Referee story for this game:

 

12th March 2006 - Xabi Alonso receives his only red card so far in his Liverpool career and Steven Gerrard gifts Thierry Henry a late winner in a 2-1 defeat.

[ricflairandy]

I think that Xabi played for it. If you look at it closely he actually puts his leg towards the defender's tackling leg (nothing wrong with that in my opinion it was a rash challenge). In my opinion, it was clever play by Xabi and 9/10 times the ref would have bought it. Steve Bennett was excellently positioned and made his mind up on what he saw. He didn't cheat and he's not a bad ref. I thought he had a good game actually.

 

Just because we lost it doesn't automatically follow that the ref was s*** or that he cheated.

 

 

so what if he played for it, as shearer said, he has a right to play for it. If the defender is flying in with his feet up nowhere near the ball he is impeding a goal scoring opportunity.

 

Too book him just adds insult to injury. Its not because we lost im saying this, but the guy is a cheat. If he had given that penalty, or the one with dirk it would have been a diferent gme. We might still have lost, but it would have been a totally different game.

[Guest Cameron]

Bennet is a c*** of the highest order. I will never forgive him for that unbelievable red card he gave Xabi last season. The arrogance of the man defies belief and it's amazing to think the FA didn't punish him for that Highbury sending off. An absolutely dispicable ref.

[Andy Mac]

so what if he played for it, as shearer said, he has a right to play for it. If the defender is flying in with his feet up nowhere near the ball he is impeding a goal scoring opportunity.

 

Too book him just adds insult to injury. Its not because we lost im saying this, but the guy is a cheat. If he had given that penalty, or the one with dirk it would have been a diferent gme. We might still have lost, but it would have been a totally different game.

 

 

As I said in my original post. Xabi played for it ( you seem to agree somewhat) Bennett just didn't buy it. It's not cheating, its interpretation.

[ricflairandy]

As I said in my original post. Xabi played for it ( you seem to agree somewhat) Bennett just didn't buy it. It's not cheating, its interpretation.

I dont see your point. At the end of the day it was a foul, the guy was no where near the ball, and took xabis legs. Are you saying that deserves a booking?

 

Whats next, bennet deserves a knighthood?

 

 

And I agree with the point about the FA. If they had any balls they would have sacked the guy for incompetence and lies after last season. Claiming he seen the xabi fabregas incident when he on tv replays was looking the opposite way, turned rould after xabi had slipped and seen fabregas holding his face(cheating c***) and issued a red card.

 

 

And as i said, we cant seem to play against cheats, We need a plan C which would involve playing cheats at there own game.

[jimmylibel]

As I said in my original post. Xabi played for it ( you seem to agree somewhat) Bennett just didn't buy it. It's not cheating, its interpretation.

 

Playing for a foul and then being fouled doesn't negate the fact that it's still a foul in the first place. There shouldn't be any interpretation.

[Guest Kev]

Two things from the world or myths and legends.

 

Poll and Bennett are Brothers-in-Law having married sisters.

 

Bennett's father is a Chelsea season ticket holder.

 

Both in my book are punishable by public flogging followed by being sat on by Big Wayne whilst Will farts in his general direction. He must then right in no less than 50,000 words why Anny Roads' way of supporting the club is better than anyone elses.

Edited January 6, 2007 by Kev

[Guest flaps]

it's a conspiracy i tells ya, there all out to get us

[Andy Mac]

I can't possibly win this one . All I'll say is Xabi moved his leg/foot to ensure it hit the defender's leg, it was clever of Xabi to do it and the majority of Refs would have given it. Bennett was really well placed to see it ( too well ) and didn't buy it/give the pen. The booking (in my opinion) was harsh. I still don't think Bennett cheated.

[Noel Street]

actually its bennett who never gives us penalties against chelsea and orpington really is very close to london and is full of arsenal fans,its like having a ref from the wirral or warrington

[ricflairandy]

I can't possibly win this one . All I'll say is Xabi moved his leg/foot to ensure it hit the defender's leg, it was clever of Xabi to do it and the majority of Refs would have given it. Bennett was really well placed to see it ( too well ) and didn't buy it/give the pen. The booking (in my opinion) was harsh. I still don't think Bennett cheated.

No you cant win, alan hansen and alan shearer both said he played for it and therefore in there eyes it was a pen. Xabi didnt move his legs towards the player, he went straight forwrd, what do you want him to do , move out of the way? Therfore the player not touching him and not fouling? Ill tell you what, next time someone tries to foul him when hes through on goal, xabi should just turn around and run towards his own goal.

[hideNseek]

It was a pen, anyone thinking diff is an idiot.

[SkippyjonJones]

and there I was hoping that the steve bennett that was lynched in India was this one.

 

oh will - maybe its just a sign

[Gomez]

It was a pen, anyone thinking diff is an idiot.

 

Cooled off now.

It was a pen, it was accidental, Xabi tried to hurdle the player, who clipped his foot,

 

The speed at which with Bennett booked Xabi, made me think he was intending to book someone for diving before he went out on the pitch.

 

Kuyt should also have a penalty, he made a meal of it and went down too easily, but he was still pushed.

[bax]

Of course Xavi played for it! That's what good players do. He chipped the ball over the defender, waited for the challenge and when he was caught he went down. Definite penalty. Surely we can appeal the yellow card as it is an absolute joke of a decision. BTW - if we'd scored the penalty then we'd have won by 2 or 3, I'm sure of that.

[Elisha_Scott]

Kuyt should also have a penalty, he made a meal of it and went down too easily, but he was still pushed.

 

by Henry?

I thought that was blatant

[slapnuts]

 

Kuyt should also have a penalty, he made a meal of it and went down too easily, but he was still pushed.

 

 

and kicked.

 

 

If only big Harry Kewell was fit he could have taken it.

 

[Cheesecake]

It was a pen, anyone thinking diff is an idiot.

 

agree but no way was the challenge on Kuyt a peno

[Elisha_Scott]

and kicked.

If only big Harry Kewell was fit he could have taken it.

 

 

I tell you what mate, we miss his big time. He is a quality player.

[Hassony]

I tell you what mate, we miss his big time. He is a quality player.

any idea when he is coming back?