Relatively speaking, after he admitted his mistake re. sending Shearer off.

Poll, au contraire, commands f*ck all respect. This is indicative of why.

Never admits he might just feasibly, once-in-a-while, being human and all, occasionally be wrong.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

Answers

he is a prat

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

Oh well, it's all perfectly clear now - he didn't send of Sol Campbell because in chopping down Laurent Robert from behind he didn't prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity!!

What planet is this loon really from?

I still reckon the real reason is that he felt another red card to Arsenal at that point could have caused a riot, ie. he bottled it. QED.

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2001

In fairness, like, anyone remember how impressed we were at his exactitude with the keepers at Boro? That was Poll wasn't it?

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2001

I don't think many on here are really criticising Poll that much, dougal. I felt most of his decisions were OK - at least in line with the nonsense that masquerades as "FA policy" on various issues these days.

The issues I had a problem with were:

* there was certainly a handball by Pires just before their goal. Some observers reckon O'Brien pushed him so it may have been a reaction to that push.
* I felt Bellamy's red card was very harsh. A 2nd yellow would have been more appropriate, but still harsh.
* I felt Campbell should have sent off for hacking Robert down in the penalty area, and quite clearly denying him a clear goalscoring opportunity.

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2001