I hate to agree with Ferguson...

[bibblebub]

... but shouldn't timekeeping be done by the fourth official (or someone else) rather than the referee in games at football's higher echelons?

If it were then it could be displayed for all (players, managers, spectators) to see just how long is left. Other sports do this without a problem so why shouldn't football, which usually claims to be the world game, do likewise?

p.s. I have thought this for a long time so it's not just because of yesterday's comments.

[VHG]

Trouble is Ferguson has benefited plenty of times in the past from goals scored in injury time.

We all rememebr the 7 minutes injury time a few years ago when they won the match in injury time.

I think Ferguson should try to learn to be a good loser. He may have to get used to it!

[bibblebub]

I can't stand the whinger because that is what he does whenever they don't win, more than just about any other manager.

The timekeeping problem, though, isn't just limited to ManUre games.

[albaqwerty]

I don't follow football, but from I gather, as a whole they seem to be slow on the uptake of many ideas. This goal-line technology being one example.
I wonder when they'll have the time displayed?
Probably after Blatter no longer dictates and Fifa, UEFA amd all other FA's agree.

[theshedman]

It's already done by the fourth official, he holds up a board just before the end of the game to show how many minutes should be played. The ref just adds on time after this if any other injuries occur during this time.

[bibblebub]

The fourth official only shows the amount of time that the ref tells him is left. The match time, including stoppages for injuries etc., should be controlled by someone other than the ref, as done by other sports such as rugby. They don't have a problem with the official timekeeper knowing when the ref has stopped played and pausing the clock accordingly.

[Stephen_G]

http://www.theanswerb...4.html#answer-7166215

In that thread (First page, about four or five comments in) by FredPauli, you mention using the Rugby timekeeping method instead. I agreed with you.

[bibblebub]

yay, at least that's two of us who know what's best

[Stephen_G]

All it takes is a countdown clock and the Ref to call "Time off," like they do in Rugby League. Any injuries or dubious decisions can then be reviewed and the game continues. At the end of 45 minutes you sound the hooter and the team in possession gets one more chance to score. If they do, the goal stands. If it gtes cleared, the Ref blows the whistle and it's half/game over.

There'd be no moe arguments over "Fergie time"

[theshedman]

Yes they could learn a few things from rugby including the bit where they don't argue with the ref as he isn't going to change his mind. Fergie never seems to want the fergie time when his team are winning though. He is usually happy with the timekeeping then.