Was Ben Foster Cheating With His iPod ?

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The FA will take no action against Manchester United on goalkeeper Ben Foster for using an iPod during the Carling Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Foster watched videos of Spurs players taking penalties on an iPod and then saved from Jamie O'Hara as United lifted the cup after winning the penalty shootout 4-1 following their goalless draw at Wembley Stadium.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has resisted the use of any form of video technology, especially to determine if the ball has crossed the goalline, for many years. But the idea of using an iPod as a tactical aid is new and not against the laws of the game.

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll told the Daily Mail that using iPod technology "had the potential to exploit a loophole in the laws which should be referred to FIFA".

What a load of b*llocks. I have heard some Spurs fans saying Foster is a cheat and that it is against the rules but that is ridiculous and laughable. The fact that Manchester United had the brains and the foresight to use modern technology which is not against any laws of the game, then I say well done to them. While Harry and his boys were busy kicking their heels after extra time finished Foster and his coach were preparing themselves mentally for the task ahead. And they got it spot on....Back To Home Page...

Spurs Forget To Practise Their Penalty Taking

Tottenham striker Darren Bent has revealed that he and his team-mates didn't practice penalties before their League Cup final shoot-out defeat against Manchester United.

In my opinion, in these days of tight cup final games where league position doesn't matter a jot, it is vital a team not only prepares the players for a penalty shoot out, but the goalkeepers too watch the oppositions players and study how they take penalties. Spurs seemingly did neither as Fergie got his boys to do both.

Ben Foster was wondering around watching O'Hara and Bentley along with the other Spurs players taking their penalties so he could work out his strategy should a shoot out take place.

Harry Redknapp's side created the better chances at Wembley on Sunday but couldn't beat United keeper Ben Foster. They fared little better against Foster in the shoot-out as Jamie O'Hara's effort was saved before David Bentley shot wide.

In contrast United converted all four of their penalties to win the shoot-out 4-1 and end Tottenham's reign as League Cup holders. Bent was due to take Tottenham's fifth penalty and, although the shoot-out didn't get that far, the England forward insisted he didn't blame Redknapp for not insisting on spot-kick practice in the week before the match.

"For me and the team, we thought there is no point practicing penalties because you can hit it in the same spot 10 times out of 10 and if the keeper saves it you can't really do anything," Bent said. "Sometimes it happens. I've seen the best of them miss penalties. It's an unfortunate way to lose a game. Obviously the lads who missed are going to be down but we got behind them afterwards. We know they are fantastic players and we are not going to hold it against them. When Jamie came on he did really well. . He knows he can put it behind him.".....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Take Carling Cup After Penalty Shoot Out

With the score 0-0 after 120 minutes, Manchester United triumphed 4-1 on penalties over Tottenham in the Carling Cup final. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his team had keeper Ben Foster to thank for the penalty shoot out drama.

Speaking to Sky Sports Ferguson said, "Well they took their penalties very confidently and Ben Foster made a fantastic first save which gave us a big lift."

Carlos Tevez, Vedran Corluka and Cristiano Ronaldo then all converted their kicks before David Bentley missed allowing Anderson to take the decisive spot kick.

The United boss added, "To be honest with you I could have done without the extra time, because we have a tough game on Wednesday (in the Premier League against Newcastle United) and I’ll need to freshen up."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admitted he feared the worst when the match went to penalties. "I thought we were terrific. It was a great performance. It comes down to a lottery in the end with penalties, I've got to be honest, we weren't that confident with our penalty takers. You looked at United and they looked like they had some great, confident penalty takers. That's how it goes. But overall they couldn't beat us in 90 minutes plus extra-time. We fought them. I thought we didn't deserve to lose today. I thought we were better.".....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Keeper Prepared To Wait

Ben Foster has not had the best of luck regarding his first team chances at Manchester United. He was out on loan at Watford for a full season and upon his return missed virtually all of last season with a cruciate ligament injury. Despite this, he is still willing to wait his turn and take his chance when it comes. He is often mentioned as a potential player to be included in each and every England squad.

Edwin Van der Sar has started to show his age with a few uncharacteristic mistakes and there is a possibility that either Tomasz Kuszcak or Ben Foster could force their way into contention, with the latter prepared to play a patient waiting game.

Talking to Setanta Sports Foster said: "I have got to take any chance that I am given, United are in a lot of competitions, like the Carling Cup, which gives the manager a chance to make changes. There are also other Premier League games where he might rotate a little bit and give either myself or Tomasz a chance. I just have to get my head down and keep doing the same things in training. Then if my chance comes along, hopefully I will be ready to take it."

"Yes, it probably is harder when you only come in for one game every few weeks. When you are the established number one keeper, you know you are going to be playing, you know what to expect and you can tailor your week to prepare. When you don't know whether you are going to be playing, or even involved, it is hard to prepare, you have to be professional, do the right things in training and be ready when the call comes."

Foster's attitude is rare to see these days. Put someone on the bench for too long and it doesn't take them long to begin the 'crying game' and demanding first team chances. I rate Foster higher than Kuszczak who has the ability to make me nervous every time a cross or corner is aimed any where near him.

Is Foster a future England goalkeeper?

I think so, yes.....Back To Home Page...