Well, was it over the line , or not?

[martin driver]

As Fergie appears to have lost his tongue this week,    He's probably got it stuck firmly in his cheek.     I'd be most interested to hear your comments.   

[Maart]

HOW DARE YOU!
The FA has finally responded to the national outcry: A statement from the FA re: last night's game at Old Trafford:

An FA spokesman after the game absolved the linesman of any responsibility for the apparently mistaken decision not to award a goal to Spurs after a shot from the halfway line crossed the goal line by at least a meter.

"The shot came in from an unusual distance and as such caught the linesman out of position forcing him to race back towards the goal as the play developed", explained the spokesman, "As he ran, the United scarf he was wearing under his shirt came loose and fluttered up into his face obscuring his view and preventing him from making the call. It was just one of those things."

In response to further questions from the Press the spokesman explained "If they don't already have a United tattoo most officials on game day try to wear a scarf or a replica shirt under their regulation kit to show their support for the worlds greatest club. The linesman in this case had chosen to wear a United scarf, a common choice that is in keeping with FA guidelines. The root cause of the problem lies not with the linesman but with the players and management of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club who broke one the most important unwritten rules of the English FA: They placed a shot on target at Old Trafford. Martin Jol is new to this country and perhaps he's not yet familiar with some of our finer traditions. Fortunately if he doesn't yet understand that for the greater good of the game visiting teams, by tradition, are not expected to try to score at Old Trafford then our officials are in a position to help Mr Jol make that cultural adjustment."

Chuckling to himself the FA spokesman added "The goal had to be disallowed to avoid us descending down a slippery slope that would be bad for the national game. It's a fine line the officials have to walk. If they award a goal this week, next week someone might expect a penalty or ask that Van Nistelrooy be booked for diving. Can you imagine? That would just never do. No no no. Shocking, just the thought of it." 

Maart

[martin driver]

Thanks to you and the FA spokesman for clearing that up for us Maart. 
Oh! and by the way congratulations to your lads for scraping a nil, nil draw at home to Conference side Exeter City.   

[Maart]

Well it gives the kids something to do. Same with Villa and Sheffield United. I was rejoicing before I remembered that I prefer Brummies to South Yorkshire (with a few exceptions).

Maart

[Maart]

I think this says it all...

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[martin driver]

Sheffield Utd looked a good side to me, they completely outplayed Villa. On that sort of form they will be a real threat to the promotion ambitions of my team,
C'mon you Tractor Boys.
At least the boys in Blue can now concentrate on winning the Championship, after losing so convincingly to Bolton Wanderers in T'cup at weekend.

I'd just like to say a big thank you Maart for finding the time, despite your busy schedule, to answer our questions/comments so interestingly. Your helpful, humorous and enthusiastic contributions are I know, greatly appreciated by all.

Let me close by wishing you and Jan a very Happy New Year, I look forward to seeing you both again soon.

All the best
Martin

[James SftBH]

C'mon you Tractor Boys.

Martin

G'man yerself!

[martin driver]

Now Ipswich have been knocked out, it has to be United for the cup James.  Colchester that is Maart !