Post by petef on Jun 21, 2021 11:59:29 GMT
For a lark I very nearly titled this thread "Bribe investigation opens into National League play off final officials".
The reality though is there are no avenues for investigating inept or biased officiating, something that was so blatantly on show yesterday.
I don't begrudge Hartlepool their glory day but the officiating was biased and in their favour for whatever reason. Extremely frustrating for all involved with the club, especially the manager - asking for an answer but sadly will never receive one.
We are unfortunately the "bottom feeders" as far as officials are concerned. Throughout the season, week in week out in this godforsaken league we witness decisions that really do beggar belief and yesterday was a clear example of the poor and inconsistent standards at this level and below. As bad as I've seen, NLS was even worse.
On another day we would have won that game comfortably with such a committed and high standard of performance but once the die was cast in the opening few minutes with a soft first of many decision's to disallow Cams completely legitimate, in many referees eyes, opener we were on a longest road to defeat.
The referee, it seemed to all of us was trying to engineer our defeat and succeeded in the end.
The game and it's importance and implications for both clubs deserved better and higher level officials should have been appointed.
Inept or dishonest? I think just inept of course and with no help from replay technology as we see now at the highest level of the game. Once he made his mind up that instant decision was final. With three clear and extremely controversial events to go against us it almost seems that there was some form of conspiracy behind his decision making. Both of Cameron's goals on another day would have been given the second for certain and CLE would have won us a penalty for sure (Why did he point to the spot and suddenly change his mind?) and I wouldn't be sat here writing this little officiating appraisal.
I wrote on here before a ball was kicked that I hoped it would be a hard fought match won in normal time with no controversy and not going to a penalty shoot out.
I could accept defeat If it happened, with a fair hard fought contest. I was prepared.... . FFS
It's gone now, history. Our brave warriors will be feeling it emotionally for a few days as we all lick our wounds and regain our belief and strength for next season challenge which is sure to be be even tougher.
It feels like a bereavement in some respects but you have to get things into perspective. I would have been in tears and angry in my youth as many were yesterday but have learned to move on quickly which the players and manager must do or we will be in danger of having a backlash with the not to distant season looming fast on the horizon.
We now find ourselves at a bit of a disadvantage. Where other clubs have had a few extra weeks to prepare their squads decisions now have to be made and contract talks speedily opened and decided on in preparation for an even tougher challenge. GJ and his team have surely been preparing for both scenarios and the retained list will be interesting as one or two are fast approaching the twilight of their careers and you have to ask yourself who will have another season in them to really compete and produce to the high level Garry Johnson demands.
Last pre-season I was confident Jamie Read would be signing a new contract - are their one or two surprises in store regards our best players with rumors already popping up regards Ben Whifield?
My conclusion to the whole affair is I really hope its yesterdays "hurt and injustice" hasn't damaged belief but I do fear the squad may lose one or two key players due to our success. Adam Randell for sure we all know that one but I see football league clubs being interested in a few more of the younger players and as we all know from past experience once your best players start to migrate a downward spiral is a distinct possibility.
Whatever happens we are fortunate indeed to have the best manager on contract again for another season and I'm still hopeful he can find some more player gems to replace the ones we may lose.
The reality though is there are no avenues for investigating inept or biased officiating, something that was so blatantly on show yesterday.
I don't begrudge Hartlepool their glory day but the officiating was biased and in their favour for whatever reason. Extremely frustrating for all involved with the club, especially the manager - asking for an answer but sadly will never receive one.
We are unfortunately the "bottom feeders" as far as officials are concerned. Throughout the season, week in week out in this godforsaken league we witness decisions that really do beggar belief and yesterday was a clear example of the poor and inconsistent standards at this level and below. As bad as I've seen, NLS was even worse.
On another day we would have won that game comfortably with such a committed and high standard of performance but once the die was cast in the opening few minutes with a soft first of many decision's to disallow Cams completely legitimate, in many referees eyes, opener we were on a longest road to defeat.
The referee, it seemed to all of us was trying to engineer our defeat and succeeded in the end.
The game and it's importance and implications for both clubs deserved better and higher level officials should have been appointed.
Inept or dishonest? I think just inept of course and with no help from replay technology as we see now at the highest level of the game. Once he made his mind up that instant decision was final. With three clear and extremely controversial events to go against us it almost seems that there was some form of conspiracy behind his decision making. Both of Cameron's goals on another day would have been given the second for certain and CLE would have won us a penalty for sure (Why did he point to the spot and suddenly change his mind?) and I wouldn't be sat here writing this little officiating appraisal.
I wrote on here before a ball was kicked that I hoped it would be a hard fought match won in normal time with no controversy and not going to a penalty shoot out.
I could accept defeat If it happened, with a fair hard fought contest. I was prepared.... . FFS
It's gone now, history. Our brave warriors will be feeling it emotionally for a few days as we all lick our wounds and regain our belief and strength for next season challenge which is sure to be be even tougher.
It feels like a bereavement in some respects but you have to get things into perspective. I would have been in tears and angry in my youth as many were yesterday but have learned to move on quickly which the players and manager must do or we will be in danger of having a backlash with the not to distant season looming fast on the horizon.
We now find ourselves at a bit of a disadvantage. Where other clubs have had a few extra weeks to prepare their squads decisions now have to be made and contract talks speedily opened and decided on in preparation for an even tougher challenge. GJ and his team have surely been preparing for both scenarios and the retained list will be interesting as one or two are fast approaching the twilight of their careers and you have to ask yourself who will have another season in them to really compete and produce to the high level Garry Johnson demands.
Last pre-season I was confident Jamie Read would be signing a new contract - are their one or two surprises in store regards our best players with rumors already popping up regards Ben Whifield?
My conclusion to the whole affair is I really hope its yesterdays "hurt and injustice" hasn't damaged belief but I do fear the squad may lose one or two key players due to our success. Adam Randell for sure we all know that one but I see football league clubs being interested in a few more of the younger players and as we all know from past experience once your best players start to migrate a downward spiral is a distinct possibility.
Whatever happens we are fortunate indeed to have the best manager on contract again for another season and I'm still hopeful he can find some more player gems to replace the ones we may lose.
