Wednesday, January 2, 2008

KEANE CALLS FOR TV TECHNOLOGY

Sunderland manager Roy Keane is convinced there are "enough experts out there" to introduce goal-line technology to top-flight football.
The Irishman is convinced his side have been particularly hard done by this month with Reading's controversial stoppage-time winner at the Madejski Stadium the latest decision to go against them.
Referee Steve Tanner, having consulted with linesman Steve Rubery, ruled that Black Cats goalkeeper Craig Gordon had not been able to stop a shot from Stephen Hunt from crossing the line and as a result Sunderland now find themselves in the bottom three.
Television replays did not clearly show whether the decision had been the correct one but Keane, who had seen a last-minute goal for his side ruled out in last week's drawn game with Aston Villa, was convinced the time has come for officials to get help from the cameras.
He said: "People, punters and fans enjoy the indecision of officials, probably, but it doesn't help when you feel it is affecting your club.
"We have to be open minded. It would have made a difference today and probably last week. I'm sure there are enough experts out there. I know people are constantly looking at the game.
"You have to keep looking at the game because of the amount of money involved. Decisions have gone against other clubs; I think it was Fulham not long ago, against Middlesbrough and the ball was over the line.
"You just keep hoping that over the course of the season these decisions will even themselves out. It hasn't for the last few weeks but we hope, come May, that we look back and say 'well some went for us and some went against us'. At the moment they are all going against us.
"I'm not just on about the goals, I'm on about every decision, tackles, like today, like last week, the second goal against Chelsea. We could be here all night..."
The Premier League have been testing goal-line equipment at Reading's Hogwood Park training ground and manager Steve Coppell, who had seen his side dominate and take a deserved lead through a rare goal from defender Ivar Ingimarsson, admitted Hunt's winner had been fortunate.
That was especially so given that Sunderland had been the better side in the final minutes. Michael Chopra converted a penalty won by Kenwyne Jones, who then had a late chance to win the game for a side yet to taste success on its travels this term.
But home goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann saved when Jones would have been better served by setting up substitute Anthony Stokes for a tap-in, and Reading's reply was Hunt's winner.
But Coppell was also adamant that if anyone deserved a decisive goal it was the Irishman, who is apparently coveted by Everton and had played in the unfamiliar position of right wing.
He said: "It capped what was a terrific performance from Stephen Hunt. He was exceptional all game. I can understand why people would want him. He has been terrific this year. He really has been a bundle of energy and not just that, has skill as well.
"Good players can play anywhere. They obviously prefer the specialist positions but if you put Maradona on the right wing he would do a fair old job."
Source: sportinglife.com

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