Bleacher Report - Articles by Jack Milne

A Call for Technology on the Goal Line

Jack Milne — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:35:34 -0400

The use of technology in football has been debated for a good few years now, with tempers seemingly rising in regard to referee performances. The argument to introduce the use of cameras has never been so strong.

Goal line incidents.

I propose what would appear, with the money revolving around football in the modern era, a seemingly feasible solution to the phenomenon of goal line incidents.

Hawk-eye.

With only a very short history in tennis, it has become a successful justice enhancing addition to a game heavily dependent on the human eye, and its close partner, human error, acting as a back up to calls from line judges and umpires.

Hawk-eye response time in tennis is fairly quick, matching perhaps the time it takes for a ball to be collected from the stands, placed, and kicked into play.

I do not foresee any major issues regarding time through the introduction of this kind of system. How many close calls on the goal line do you see in any one match?

I've heard many people say that even with goal line camera replays, the decision as to whether a goal should be awarded will still never be clear at every time of asking.

Even with slow motion replays in football, sometimes it is difficult to see, if the whole ball, did cross the line. An adoption of the Hawk-eye system would provide unequivocal evidence, resulting in the correct decision being made, 100 percent of the time.

Considering the rarity of the event itself, there should be no limitation on the amount of times a referee can call for Hawk-eye, communication through voice or hand signal.

If, through conversation with the concerning linesman, a decision cannot be made, then Hawk-eye comes into play.

I feel this approach would effectively eradicate goal line uncertainties and bring justice to teams and players who may otherwise feel hard done. There does, however, remain the question, where do we stop with the use of technology?

An adoption of a successfully developed system would act to test the waters of technology safely.

Calls for the implementation of technology for more frequently occurring incidents including; hand balls, touchline decisions and fouls, remain subject to widespread debate, a fundamental concern being the multiple interruptions that would occur and ultimately stop the flow of the game.

Hawk-eye would act as a first step in utilising technology in football. It should be introduced first at the elite level of football.

Didier Hear Drogba On TV?

Jack Milne — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:52:36 -0400

Frustration, ego, adrenaline, heartbreak, disbelief.

An understandable reaction to a game? Yes.

One that should be brushed under the carpet and forgotten? No.

This behaviour is accepted in modern day football. Referees exist to be demeaned and ridiculed by superior games men. If I were a referee I would yellow card every swear word that came my way; two would be reprimanded with a red card.

Granted, Drogba's eruption was post final whistle. Even so, he should be warranted with an internationally groundbreaking punishment.

I do not remember seeing an outburst of this magnitude ever before, during or after a football match. Chelsea should have had at least one penalty awarded during the game, which may have been enough for them to see themselves through to the final.

Michael Ballack became particularly irate during the final minutes of the match.

By all means, make your point, shout till your chords shatter. But do not harass the referee as if he spent the night with your wife.

I literally thought he was going to punch him. I don't think Hiddink could have played Chelsea out of that one.

I don't know many people who do not enjoy a bit of controversy in football; it adds to the excitement, the emotion, and the phenomenon that contribute to all that is the sport. However, the intimidation and bullying that was apparent at this spectacle was far beyond what I would deem forgivable.

I expect pounds to be taken from certain individuals' pockets, but this will do nothing to change player attitudes and will do nothing to improve the working environment for referees.

When will football come to terms with the state it is in?

English Premier League: Top Two, Bottom Two, Big Four: Mind the Gap

Jack Milne — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:19:20 -0500

Arsenal Chelsea Liverpool Man Utd

Aston Villa W West Brom W Bolton W Stoke W

Man City W Newcastle W Fulham W Aston Villa D

Chelsea D Arsenal D West Ham W Man City W

Wigan W Bolton W Blackburn W Sunderland W

M'brough D West Ham W Hull W Tottenham D

Liverpool D Everton W Arsenal D Stoke W

12 16 16 14

Home Away

Up and coming 6 matches for the top four in the Premier League

(Single letter denotes predicted result and final number is total points)

United, currently eight points behind Chelsea but with a game in hand, face two tough away games in coming weeks.

Aston Villa held Liverpool in a goalless draw earlier in the season and have only lost one game at home, taken by Chelsea (2-0). With recent mistakes haunting the Villa defence, focus should be exemplary.

The Manchester derby provides a second challenging tie where player emotions and crowd amplitude can mean all sorts. United may lose between one and four points from these games.

Subsequent fixtures include Sunderland at Old Trafford, Spurs in London and Stoke at Stoke. From these three games I'd expect a run of victories, although an upset is possible at White Hart Lane.

United may only pick up 14 points from 18, a few realistic draws or a loss could dent any further progress.

Liverpool look towards a seemingly brighter future.

Two home games, hosting Fulham and West Ham, should see Benitez pocket six points. The big match at The Emirates in the closing fixtures of the six match run represents their only real hurdle, although Hull's remarkable form may frustrate.

Liverpool can be expected to take 16 points, with a defeat at Arsenal lightening numbers.

Arsenal will face two of the 'big four' in their run of six matches, these are potential crunch games. With an away game at Middlesbrough nestled between these clashes, maximum points may prove hard to come by.

Chelsea's fixture list suggests a relatively straight forward stretch of opponents, making them tied with Liverpool as majority point takers.

In reality there may be many more draws than predicted and the big games may benefit one of the top teams the most (Arsenal pulling out two wins against rival opponents).

Looking at the short term future of the Premier League, I'm not hesitant to say Arsenal and Manchester United will not make significant head way in closing the gap between themselves and the current top two. If anything the leading duo will extend their superiority.

A Breath of Brazilian Air

Jack Milne — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:23:21 -0500

Rafael Da Silva announced his arrival in the 90th minute of United's defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.

The chest down and volley screamed Brazilian brilliance, the effort shaping into Fabianski's bottom right hand corner.

With Anderson currently cementing his place in the centre of United's midfield, the squads South American contingent is growing in confidence.

Ferguson seems content on picking Anderson regularly this season, a decision I agree with. Recent performances have highlighted his strength on the ball, especially under intense pressure from opponents, showing an uncanny ability to keep and win back possession. His long range shooting however leaves a lot to be desired, the majority of his attempts flying far from the posts.

With Rafael's brother, Fabio, also on Fergie's books, the future of the club's up and coming talent looks to be full of flare and finesse. As a fan I am extremely excited about Rafael and look forward to watching him develop over the next few seasons. A natural, attacking mentality and a clear ability to defend make Rafael a future first team regular.

Which Sport Is Hardest to Master?

Jack Milne — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 08:47:59 -0400

Some sports seem to be much more difficult to become reasonable at than others. Take for example, snooker.

I believe this ball game must be one of the most time-consuming activities in the world, in order to become competitive at a professional level.

If we expel talent from the equation, and focus only on developing skills and the level of difficulty of what is involved, experience tells me snooker has to be up there.

Individual sports such as tennis and golf also rank highly in my mind, but how many of the top sports men and women of this world are made up of more talent than experience and training.

Is it talent that sets these athletes apart, or just a hell of a lot of effort?

There are people out there who could be the next Tiger Woods, or the next Roger Federer, but simply have never tried and tested that one sport that would naturally apply to them!

I call for all people of the world to put down their pens, swords and spoons, and take up more sports.