Did anyone think that for the last corner of the match, when he committed himself for the cross, that he pulled his hands back?

I have seen the goal several times, live and on our version of MOTD and the replays. One of the angles, from behind the kicker of the cross, you can see James launch himself, however, he did not extend his arms towards the ball. As a keeper of several, OK many years I found this unusual to say the least.

The last time I saw the replay, about an hour or so I was watching to see where Hartson was and who was supposed to be marking him. As a keeper I know there is ALWAYS someone else to blame in this situation!! It was clearly shown that he only had to place either of his arms up as the ball only cleared him by inches.

The only other thing I can think of was that he kept his arms in, to protect himself on the way down.

This is a query not an accusation. Oh bollox it is an accusation I think he was on the take. He was nobbled at half time by the Wombles new owners.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2000

Answers

One of the angles I saw on Sly Sports show that he was taken out by Cort (or Euell?) in full flight. It was craftily done, but just as he was about to extend his arms, Cort body-checked him and shifted him about three foot sideways.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2000

I just caught a snippet of the goals this morning, as I've been away. What occured to me strangely was that the second goal Wimbledon conceded looked a bit fishy, rather than the Hartson goal. Sullivan (it was him in goal I assume) just didn't seem to challenge for it. But I haven't had the benefit of any further replays or analysis, so it was purely first impressions.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2000

Did that jumped up little tosser and all-round gobsh*te Hendrie shove Eull in the box and he in turn knocked James off balance? Just say 'yes', anything that causes that gimpy little nerk heartache is fine by me :-)

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2000

The answer to the original question is most definitely and irrevokably YES.....he bottled it big time.

He seemed to realise that if he got it, then the Womble b@st@rds were almost certain to go down, so he held back and gave them the equaliser.

Bloody big girls blouse......he was always a tw@t

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2000

Dunx, I know he was interfered with (ooeeer missus), but keeping his arms down is not what you do when you jump, you normally have time to adjust on the way down.

Windy

I think that was just bad goalkeeping, he was waiting for the ball to bounce. I think this is point we should remember before people start saying we should sign him.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2000

I seem to remember seeing somebody in a Villa shart involved in the fracas. Probably was Hendrie. I think James was "interfered with" and I don't think he was culpable.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2000

I think he was interfered with long before he joined Villa!!

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2000

Do you recall the day Everton played Wimbledon on the last day of the season and had to win to stay up? Wimbledon were 2-0 up, only for Everton to win 3-2. Was it Hans Seegers in goal for Wimbledon? I've never seen a more obvious case of a keeper diving over the ball in my life! Everton or some bookie, payed him that day and I've wanted Everton to go down ever since. I also want Wimbledon to go down but as I pointed out yesterday - cheats always win!

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2000