Stoke City: City launch appeal against Delap red card
STOKE City have launched a vigorous appeal against Rory Delap's red card amid claims that football is heading towards ruin over the issue of tackling.
Assistant manager Dave Kemp fears the game is becoming a virtual non-contact sport.
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Rory Delap tackle on David Hunt
He says Delap's 17th-minute dismissal at Crawley Town on Sunday is just the latest example of a good tackle being wrongly punished.
"We are going down a very dangerous route here," he claimed.
"If this continues, somebody is going to ruin a great game. What are they going to turn to next? Rugby? Are we going to have touch rugby?
"Will they then turn to cricket and say you can't bowl the ball fast or you have to bowl it under-arm instead? Where does it stop?
"We have referees who haven't played the game implementing rules given to them by people who don't know the game. Ask any professional and they don't agree with what's happening.
"This is professional sport at the highest level. It's not just about producing skill, it's about producing skill when somebody is trying to stop you.
"When I played up front with my back to goal, you had to have eyes in the back of your head looking for challenges against you.
"For somebody who's been in the game all my life, I find the current situation very, very frustrating."
Kemp was told by fourth official Lee Probert that Delap was sent off at Crawley for using excessive force.
"It was a perfectly good tackle," claimed Kemp, "and every weekend we see tackles or challenges worse than that.
"How can he say it was excessive force? And who is going to decide how much force is involved? It is a contact sport for goodness sake."
Delap's appeal will be heard by the customary three-strong panel commissioned by the FA.
If it is rejected, he will miss the next three domestic games against Swansea City, Norwich City and Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Kemp said there was nothing mysterious in the decision to leave Jermaine Pennant and Wilson Palacios at home over the weekend.
"We've got four games in 10 days and it was decided they wouldn't be involved against Crawley," he explained.
"There was no point dragging them all the way down to Crawley and back, especially with all the travelling we are doing."
Kemp added that Peter Crouch's first goal in eight outings on Sunday was a boost to everyone.
"If we give him the service, he will score. Scoring is always good for confidence, both his and everyone else's."
DANNY Collins has been omitted from Chris Coleman's first squad as Wales manager for the friendly against Costa Rica on February 29.
The defender made his first start of the season for Stoke in Sunday's FA Cup victory at Crawley.
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by soccerfoot11
Friday, February 24 2012, 3:16PM
“Hey im here to offer up my opinion and thoughts about Stoke City. A forum like this allows types like me thousands of miles away to keep up ! I dont give a damn about names on a screen and if they agree or disagree with me or if they "fall out" with me just because they dont like what i have to say. I hate political correctness, overly sensitive people and those that get easily offended !Just like i live in the United States of the Offended, you lot live in the United Kingdom of the Offended !im just not one of them ! Im not here to gain popularity or cut someone else down for what they have to say ! Im a life long Stoke City supporter who happens to live in America for the last 30 years and i put my shirt on every game day !!”
by Davejjohnson
Friday, February 24 2012, 10:59AM
“Wotcher Frank. Rest assured I'm not Soccerfoot or Jayenne and it's getting a bit weird on here how everyone thinks everyone else has different identities. I suppose it's interesting the view we all have on each other since it's formed entirely by what we write on here. The reality of what we all are is probably a lot different. You are old school Frank with old school standards so I suspect you would be amazed at the common opinions we share. Sorry to disappoint you with respect to the insidious response. Soccerfoot should think more about what he writes, maybe he is a nice bloke but to many people fall out with him for it to be a coincidence.”
by soccerfoot11
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 9:56PM
“shudders at the thought of being compared to johnson or jayenne. Latthink, im actually a nice guy who does the sniping with those clowns for one reason and one reason only. to give back to them what they started by giving it to me and now others ! As you can see and as is the case with all people like them, they dont like having it given back to them one bit and that my friend is satisfaction enough for me !”
by 57OKE
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 9:54PM
“Soccerfoot- you've been away from these parts far too long! You no longer appreciate Potteries humour and wit. Deadly is having a laugh at ya.
Don't come back soon though!”
by Latthink
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 9:53PM
“Indeed they must be the Holy Trinity of Self Abusers, but alas theres nothing holy about them, they just render the Forum a Total Farce!
I await your insidious replies!”
by Latthink
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 9:50PM
“Soccerfoot, Johnson, Jayenne must all be one and the same!
How else could they self-abuse themselves,the mind boggles with the obvious annswer!”
by Haleswales
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 8:35PM
“Off to spain in the morning! some days are better than others!
Have a top day or 3 everyone and behave!!
I am the handsome git with red and white on - you should be able to spot me!
Mrs Deadly - can you make my oaees? my wife refuses!”
by JTFLINT2009
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 8:03PM
“I've said my bit before on here about how we can all make stuff up and no one would know, but supposing 'Mrs Deadly' is real, she chips in rather than sticks up for Deadly. Never see phrases like 'back off deadly' or any words I associate with protection.”
by Davejjohnson
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 2:37PM
“You are just envious because someone actually likes him. Why do you bother ? Who do you really think wants your opinion ?”
by soccerfoot11
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 1:36PM
“I have to say i get the biggest laugh when deadly sends his wife on here to stick up for him. I couldnt get past "MrsDeadly here" without falling off my chair laughing !! Im just waiting for his mother and grandmother to come on next !!
tooooooooooo funny thanks for the laughs !!”