Re: Phil Clarke : Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:21 pm  

In a lot of knock-ons that are given by referees, the ball actually ends up going backwards eventually. The ball moves forward from his hands. 90 -95% of the time the ref would blow up for a knock-on.
Leeds fans would have been equally annoyed if a similar incident had occurred with a Wigan player and the VR decision had been made in Wigan's favour.
I hope you are going to agree that you have had the benefit of any doubt more often than not in recent weeks with VR decisions.

Re: Phil Clarke : Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:26 pm  

Fames wrote:

In a lot of knock-ons that are given by referees, the ball actually ends up going backwards eventually. The ball moves forward from his hands. 90 -95% of the time the ref would blow up for a knock-on.
Leeds fans would have been equally annoyed if a similar incident had occurred with a Wigan player and the VR decision had been made in Wigan's favour.
I hope you are going to agree that you have had the benefit of any doubt more often than not in recent weeks with VR decisions.

I was annoyed that Wigan got 2 points from a penalty when McIlorum just threw the ball at Watkins trying to avoid being in the way. A sh*t tactic that McIlorum has tried before.

Re: Phil Clarke : Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:28 pm  

craigizzard wrote:

We'd have been annoyed if that try was given against us, but whatever. In another incident, it was never a knock-on by McGuire after the Peacock offload that let Wigan back in it at the start of the second half.

Fair enough if that was the case - on the field refs do make mistakes. And Leeds fans will no doubt quote the Wigan try from the DW game that Wigan won 26 - 24, that came after a blatant knock-on by Smith. That was an incorrect decision but could not be referred to the VR as it happened in back play.
The difference here is that the VR yet again came to a decision that the vast majority (90%?) would disagree with. This has happened a lot recently and, dare I say it, Leeds seem to have been the beneficiaries more often than not.

Re: Phil Clarke : Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:36 pm  

Fames wrote:

Fair enough if that was the case - on the field refs do make mistakes. And Leeds fans will no doubt quote the Wigan try from the DW game that Wigan won 26 - 24, that came after a blatant knock-on by Smith. That was an incorrect decision but could not be referred to the VR as it happened in back play.
The difference here is that the VR yet again came to a decision that the vast majority (90%?) would disagree with. This has happened a lot recently and, dare I say it, Leeds seem to have been the beneficiaries more often than not.

Where exactly? Thing is if that try had been disallowed there is still no way you can state that was the reason Wigan lost. Anything literally anything could have happened....you cannot state that might not have inspired Leeds to go onto an even greater winning margin. It was far too early in the game.

Let us Leeds fans enjoy our sweet victory and I suggest you take time to lick your wounds. Wigan are a young team and they will be there or thereabouts next season. (They should get rid of Smith though...but please keep Club if only for his comedy kicks )

Re: Phil Clarke : Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:53 pm  

Very true what you say. Leeds have undoubtedly been the best team in SL 2015.
Also agree about Smith and have been saying this all year. And lots of fans on the Wigan forum are again saying SW has to give Rocky Hampshire a chance to form a half back partnership with Williams at SL level - they were excellent together from U16s -U19s.

Re: Phil Clarke : Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:00 pm  

Fames wrote:

Very true what you say. Leeds have undoubtedly been the best team in SL 2015.
Also agree about Smith and have been saying this all year. And lots of fans on the Wigan forum are again saying SW has to give Rocky Hampshire a chance to form a half back partnership with Williams at SL level - they were excellent together from U16s -U19s.

Williams was superb for Wigan and so was Farrell.

On Phil Clarke...rewatching he puts in the most petulant bit of commentary after Leeds' third try. Everyone else saying what a good try it was, but Clarke ignoring that and focussing on it leaving a difficult kick and Sinfield not being a good kicker from the right touchline(!). He shut up for a good twenty minutes after Kev put his kick through the middle.

Re: Phil Clarke : Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:17 pm  

His pre-match conviction regarding a Wigan win was a huge gamble on his part. He'd just been shown up by Carney and the replay of his post Cas prediction. But he stuck on message about Wigan being a better "team" as opposed to a bunch of individuals like Leeds.
In fairness he made some not unreasonable observations and many "pundits" had Wigan for the win, but it is his almost religious enthusiasm to back against Leeds at any opportunity, and his willingness to go into extraordinary detail as to why they will fail (which ultimately turns out to be total bulls**t ) that sets him up on a podium all on his own. Ever hoping for the day he can, uncontrollable with excitement, shout at the top of his lungs "TOLD YOU!!!!!".
Not tonight Phil. Not tonight.

Re: Phil Clarke : Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:26 pm  

Actually, seeing as Jon Wells and Carney do all the intelligent match analysis and Clarke couldn't accurately predict sex in a brothel I'm assuming he's in line for Stevo's job end of next season.

Re: Phil Clarke : Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:32 pm  

Anyone know if Clarkey is ok tonight?

Sam Tomkins cuddling him to sleep?

Re: Phil Clarke : Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:48 pm  

Thank you for beating the pies tonight. The fact that they are whinging over an apparent knock on makes it sweeter. Last year, it was Lance's unconscious face that got in the way of Flower's fist that robbed them of a certain victory.

Dirty, cheating pies with their spud headed coach gettin their just desserts.

You deserve your title. You play the game in the right way. Enjoy!