CHAMPIONSHIP play-offs. Who is your money going on ?

[the other bob wilson]

I reckon Bournemouth can forget about the Premier League for a very long time if they do don’t go up next season.

Don’t mind who wins a Brentford v Barnsley final, but if it’s the jacks, then I’m a Bees fan!

[Citizen's Nephew]

I reckon Bournemouth can forget about the Premier League for a very long time if they do don’t go up next season.

Don’t mind who wins a Brentford v Barnsley final, but if it’s the jacks, then I’m a Bees fan!

I watched it up until just before 14:00 and thought that Bournemouth could have won right up until Mepham's cheating. I'm not a fan of Mepham when he plays for Wales let alone against us or anyone else. He's an accident waiting to happen from a strategic point of view and if there's a 50:50 decision you can pretty much guarantee he'll make the wrong one.

Should there be a change in the rules where the referee has the discretion to award a penalty in situations like that? How would we feel if it happened against us and the opposition went on to win? It's one of those that taking one for the team (as I've said - cheating) when an attacking player is through one-on-one seems unfair. I know there's no guarantee that the attacking player would score but that goes for a penalty too. We've had this rule in football for (?) but the game and players have changed, that's without throwing money and betting into the mix. There's a rule which states that if a foul is initiated outside the box, and then continues inside the box (i.e. initial contact is made just outside the box and contact continues into it) a penalty can be awarded. So it's not such a crazy idea.

Of course, this could be a rubbish idea and I may be wrong about the current rules. It would be interesting to hear yours and anyone else's thoughts.

[the other bob wilson]

I watched it up until just before 14:00 and thought that Bournemouth could have won right up until Mepham's cheating. I'm not a fan of Mepham when he plays for Wales let alone against us or anyone else. He's an accident waiting to happen from a strategic point of view and if there's a 50:50 decision you can pretty much guarantee he'll make the wrong one.

Should there be a change in the rules where the referee has the discretion to award a penalty in situations like that? How would we feel if it happened against us and the opposition went on to win? It's one of those that taking one for the team (as I've said - cheating) when an attacking player is through one-on-one seems unfair. I know there's no guarantee that the attacking player would score but that goes for a penalty too. We've had this rule in football for (?) but the game and players have changed, that's without throwing money and betting into the mix. There's a rule which states that if a foul is initiated outside the box, and then continues inside the box (i.e. initial contact is made just outside the box and contact continues into it) a penalty can be awarded. So it's not such a crazy idea.

Of course, this could be a rubbish idea and I may be wrong about the current rules. It would be interesting to hear yours and anyone else's thoughts.

Gabor Gyepes was hailed as a hero for doing what Mepham did today in that game with Leicester from 2010 I think it was, the difference being that we won and Gyepes’ foul probably saved an equalising goal whereas Mepham will be remembered by many Bournemouth fans as the man who cost them a place in the PlayOff Final. I like Mepham, but he’s had a poor season and looks to me like a footballing defender who has lost his confidence - Lawrence did well against the Czech Republic and, if Wales decide to go with Ben Davies as one of their back three, I can see Mepham missing out.

As for giving a penalty for the sort of foul Mepham committed? Why not, maybe the thought of being doubly punished would make players think again before doing it.

[Citizen's Nephew]

Gabor Gyepes was hailed as a hero for doing what Mepham did today in that game with Leicester from 2010 I think it was, the difference being that we won and Gyepes’ foul probably saved an equalising goal whereas Mepham will be remembered by many Bournemouth fans as the man who cost them a place in the PlayOff Final. I like Mepham, but he’s had a poor season and looks to me like a footballing defender who has lost his confidence - Lawrence did well against the Czech Republic and, if Wales decide to go with Ben Davies as one of their back three, I can see Mepham missing out.

As for giving a penalty for the sort of foul Mepham committed? Why not, maybe the thought of being doubly punished would make players think again before doing it.

Yes, that was another rugby tackle. I wasn't at the game as I was living in London and didn't get back to Cardiff very often back then but I think the real heroes were our 10 (plus subs) remaining players for hanging on. There have been way too many instances though when taking one for the team hasn't been punished enough.

Re. Wales, I agree with you about Lawrence and that it's probably a confidence thing with Mepham. It'll be interesting to see what the preferred formation turns out to be.