IIRC he booted it into the stands after he blew the whistle and that's what got him the card.
I'd wager you recall wrong... I swear I remember it clear as day - I was fuming!
Yes. the ball had drifted a gnats arse over the line, Irwin played a legitimate pass unaware that the linesman had flagged behind him and Elleray sent him off for kicking the ball away. Completely farcical and even then Denis remained cool and calm.
The only things Cole was better at were self promotion and hiding the mobile phone
8:15 here. You'll see that it was a completely farcical decision.
The whistle had already gone. I don't think he's got much excuse.
Seriously? He got past a challenge and knocked a short pass to a teammate. A second after the whistle. Do you honestly think he was wasting time or acting petulant?
, I fail to see how playing a pass to a teammate is kicking the ball away, it's playing on when you don't realise the play has been halted.If he'd been Christened Denisson Irwinho and had thrown a couple of step overs into his game on the edge of the penalty area he'd have been a 10/10 every week.
If you look at how little the ball had gone over the line, how close to the whistle it was that he kicked it and how quick the ball is returned, its a joke of a decision.
Durkin was still refereeing then too wasn't he?Elleray was such a bad referee. I mean, we laugh at what we have now but the man was farcical
Tounge-in-cheek right?fcuk me Irwin clearly kicked the ball away he knew it had gone out it clearly went over the line
Roberto? No
Irwin was better
He didnt at all, he was running full pelt and the pass after the whistle looked completely instinctive.
Possibly, however, I can't quite shake the feeling that only a United fan would think so. Cole, on the other hand, is universally agreed upon as probably the best full back of his generation. Was Irwin held in the same regard through the mid 90's? Just curious, here.
By who? And yes he was always considered best full back in the league.
Well, I'm only going off my what strikes me as the general feeling - it's subjective, I know. I've always been given the impression that Cole has been regarded as one of the best, most consistent full backs in the game for a good decade. Personally, I can't think of a full back from that generation I'd pick instead.
Best LB of his generation.
Agree with this. I'd prefer Cole in a one-on-one battle with a top winger and his covering pace was invaluable in sweeping the defence. Never really rated him as a ball-player though, he was quick, nimble and adept at linking play up the flank. But Irwin had more refined delivery and made up for any physical limitations (compared to Cole/Carlos for example) with a lot of defensive nous. Definitely the standout pair of full-backs in the Premiership era.
