but,but ,we want first

[ballantyne]

As a kid growing up watching Oldham Athletic in the English football league, I never saw a wrong refereeing decision, and each decision was warmly and politely commended by the crowd. The same is, and always has been, true at the World Cup Finals. Hardly surprising, as they are the world's best referees.
Sadly, here in the A-League, a combination of incompetence and a well-hidden conspiracy ensure that the Central Coast Mariners never prosper.

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

Haha, reminds me of the 'conspiracy theories' some local clubs love to cling to ;-)

Let's start being realistic; errors go both ways.

If the FFA had a conspiracy against us and all the referees had scheming little meetings about it, do you honestly think we'd be on the top of the league?

It's as ridiculous as saying that Gillett was told to make sure Nix lost in the GF. Think about it for a moment - if that was the case, dontcha think he'd have made sure of it well before THAT penalty?

Haha, maybe I should say that next time somebody accuses me of making sure one team wants to win: "If I wanted them to win I can assure you I would've found a reason to put down a penalty well before the 91st minute!"

Maybe not. Probably wouldn't go down too well. People tend to be funny like that

 

[Bex]

I don't believe there is a general, consistant conspiracy against the Mariners.

However, I also believe that I'd be niave to think that it were impossible for a game or two to be affected by corruption in the last 8 seasons.

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

Of course it's not impossible - the recent scandal proves that. But I've got no reason whatsoever to think that has actually occurred; absent of evidence actually supporting a conspiracy theory I'm going to do the rational thing and put bad decisions down to human error, consistent with what typically happens in our league.

 

[Gratis]

My 2 cents - extremely unlikely FFA would interfere with results. Clearly I don't know anything for sure but if they did it has been very inconsistent...and what would be the real gain?
The nature of the league has proven fairly erratic over the 8 seasons, with small teams topping and big teams bottoming out, then changing around the next season, and in fairness when you've looked at how the teams have performed it matches their positions on the table at the time. This would in truth suit the FFA the best as most fans get a chance at their team doing alright.
Indeed the mariners fans have been some of the luckiest with arguably one of the most successful teams of all A-League time.
Had a team played like the roar of the last couple of years but continuously lost on refereeing decisions, or vice versa, there'd be some suggestion. I just haven't seen that happen.
Poor refereeing decisions have, however, been a consistent theme and the most likely answer.

In the past I do believe the mariners have been affected by refereeing bias - Shields record against us was atrocious and says enough, whilst Green proved to be our most friendly ref in years past. This suggests perhaps individual bias but it's a long way from a consipracy to manipulate standings/results

 

[style_cafe]

The huge match fixing scandal in Europe may have extended to Australia after all

 

[midfielder]

We still have MEV, WSW, Bris to play but at least they are all at home…

1 Perth away
2 MEV home
3 WSW home
4 SFC away
5 Bri home
6 AU away
7 MEH home

 

[dibo]

I'd chalk up 3pts, 1, 1, 3, 3, 3, 3. I honestly don't see us losing again.

We'd only be dropping 2 points relative to either MV or WSW, so we'd win the league.

That'd have us finish on 59 points too, the best points per game ratio in the history of the league (2.19, vs Brisbane 2010/11 with 2.17 and Melbourne 06/07 with 2.14).

 

[finally retired]

I like this outcome

 

[MagpieMariner]

I'd chalk up 3pts, 1, 1, 3, 3, 3, 3. I honestly don't see us losing again.

We'd only be dropping 2 points relative to either MV or WSW, so we'd win the league.

That'd have us finish on 59 points too, the best points per game ratio in the history of the league (2.19, vs Brisbane 2010/11 with 2.17 and Melbourne 06/07 with 2.14).

At the moment, MV can get 60 points max, WSW can get 59. Your scenario here leaves them on 58 and 57, and they play each other in there as well. My only worry is AU at Hindmarsh; if we drop points there, we need to hope the other two draw. Mind you, AU could do us a huge favour by knocking off MV tonight!
And a huge favour they did!!! Thanks you AU.

 

[true believer]

uum uum uum f**k yeah

 

[Atomic]

Victory succumb to the barrel boys 1 - 0

 

[true believer]

slater "thats not a red card" as traore studs drag down the leg .3 weeks sir thats the set standard

 

[dibo]

It wasn't red. It was yellow, orange at worst.

 

[scoober]

I hate the fact ange the prick never acknowledges the other team being better or hungrier or more deserving. When he loses its one word answers only..... Stroppy ange

 

[Wombat]

Of course it's not impossible - the recent scandal proves that. But I've got no reason whatsoever to think that has actually occurred; absent of evidence actually supporting a conspiracy theory I'm going to do the rational thing and put bad decisions down to human error, consistent with what typically happens in our league.

Spoken like a true ref......lol.

Hard to argue that the games that matter....I.e grand finals have not had a touch of corruption about them. Either that or FFA finest are consistency diabolical ....and always in favour of the bigger team.....could be a coincidence??

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

Of course it's hard to argue against it if you've left your tinfoil hat at home.....

 

[MrCelery]

I hate the fact ange the prick never acknowledges the other team being better or hungrier or more deserving. When he loses its one word answers only..... Stroppy ange

He's always been like this. He never has a compliment for the opposing team when they shit all over his. Poor sportsmanship. And they dare to call Arnie a whinger. Angie has a PhD in Whinge.

 

[Fishsdad]

I'd chalk up 3pts, 1, 1, 3, 3, 3, 3. I honestly don't see us losing again.

The concern I have is whether the midweek ACL games will have a negative effect - especially if we have any 'Away' games during this period.

Without these we are close to a sure thing.

 

[midfielder]

Further to my post above...

MV have 3 home games in there last 7 matches … and only 2 in their last 6 matches at home … with Mariners & Roar away…

WSW 4 of their last 8 at home with, us, & MV away
1 Jets home
2 MLV away
3 PG home
4 CCM away
5 Nix home
6 MLH away
7 SFC home
8 Jets away

Our run just copied again...

1 Perth away
2 MEV home
3 WSW home
4 SFC away
5 Bri home
6 AU away
7 MEH home