Pogatetz sees red, Boro go out! - My view on the Poggy red card
By Shaun • Sep 24th, 2008 • Category: Match NewsMiddlesbrough crashed out of the Carling Cup 3-1 at Old Trafford last night thanks to a Pogatetz red card and some shambolic defending when down to 10 men.
United took the lead in the first half thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo header, slack marking in the Boro box from Digard allowed Ronaldo a free header and he buried it past Jones. The first half was pretty much a non-event for Boro, we couldn’t get hold of the ball and were very limited. As i’ve said previously sticking Alves up front on his own is not the way to go, he thrives off service and needs players close to him. This game just hammered home for me the fact that we cannot play him up front on his own.
The second half started much better for Boro with the introduction of Adam Johnson for Shawky. We saw a lot more of the ball, Downing and O’Neil were playing a lot better and Johnson struck the equaliser. A right foot volley that took a nick off the Manchester United defender and flew into the net. One all and game on, confidence was returning and the feeling that we could go on and win the game was there. It was, however, short lived as Pogatetz saw red shortly after.
I’d like to clear up my stance on the Pogatetz tackle. After having read a number of opinions from both sets of fans the polar opposites being that he played the ball, it wasn’t a foul just an accident that the lad got injured (Boro fans obviously) and that Pogatetz deserves a 25 game ban or even prison time for GBH (Man Utd fans), I can safely say my opinion falls somewhere in between these views.
Firstly it was a definate red card and Poggy can have no complaints whatsoever about the decision. He did play the ball with his left foot but for whatever reason he also brought round his right foot, his follow through caught the lad. It was a bad challenge, clumsy even but I do not believe there was ever any intent from Pogatetz to injure Possebon. His red card was just and he will serve his standard ban, no more no less. To say he should be banned for longer when Newcastle’s Danny Guthrie, who took an intentional hack at the Hull player breaking his leg, did not get a longer ban is nonsensical. I personally hope the Man United player is not too badly injured, reports that he broke his leg are yet to be confirmed at time of writing and wish him a speedy recovery. For what it’s worth Possebon was one of the more impressive players on display last night.
My main gripe with Pogatetz is that as captain he badly let us down last night. There was no need for him to be sliding into a challenge that high up the pitch for starters and then the way he went into the tackle was simple not good enough. Let the players, Southgate and the fans down.
What followed the red card was a comedy of errors at the back for Boro as Man Utd pressed for a winning goal. First Riggott, on for the disappointing Digard, slipped as he attempted to control the ball. The ball broke to Ryan Giggs who nonchalantly chipped it over the advancing Brad Jones. From there it was game over and United had a few chances to extend their lead until very late on (again) David Wheater intercepted a through ball and attempted to prod it back to Jones. He didn’t get enough power on the back pass and Nani intercepted it, rounded the keeper and slid the ball home.
A poor result for Boro, the only positives to come from the game are that for a brief moment in the second half we looked as if we were gaining in confidence and had a serious opportunity. That was until the red card ruined any chance we may have had. Out of the cup early, well at least we can concentrate on the league now 
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Shaun is A Boro fan and owner of BoroMania.com. Born and brought up in the North East. Favourite players are Juninho, Slaven and David Wheater.
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It was a bad tackle but talk of a longer ban is a joke. We were poor for the most part again, though i thought Hoyte was improved and Jones did ok.
Big game against WBA now i think
I have to agre with you on almost everything you have written, my one difference is that I feel the club should sanction Poggy as well as the FA, I think he cannot continue as captain when he let the team down so badly. He has always been an enthusiastic player and is often prone to careless and reckless challenges, though I don’t believe he is a malicious player. I would like to see Boro set an example in this case as Newcastle are clearly OK with their players running half the length of a pitch to maim an opponent we should not be and think that unilateral action by Boro is called for.
I see your point John but for me he’ll get a 3 match ban and that will put him out of the team. In my opinion he is the 3rd best CB and 2nd best LB at the club anyway and wouldn’t be in my team. I don’t see the club taking further action on him but i see your point
It was an horrendous tackle and just when we didn’t need it, i think we could’ve pushed on and got something from that game.
It was reckless but if clowns like Guthrie get away with a 3 match ban then the FA can’t punish Pogatetz further
He played the ball, no different to Davies tackle on Eboue that Shearer and Lawro said was a hard but fair tackle. Bad decision from ref cost us
come off it Gilly! I love Boro as much as the next fan but Poggy flung himself in to a recklass tackle and was rightly sent off. I’m sure there was no intent but the challenge was awful and he deserved to walk
We can sit and argue about it all day, really.
FA rules state that if you demolish the player on the follow through, its a red card… it doesnt matter whether you got the ball or not, you still caught the player.
It wouldnt have mattered if he stayed on or not, you were appauling last night.
Shocking challenge, Id be ashamed of myself if i was a “boro” fan!
Appalling yet it was 1-1 prior to the sending off, what does that make you?
I’m not ashamed in the least to be a Boro fan (at least you got that right this time), i’ve admitted it was an awful tackle but people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones mate. Keane on Haaland ring any bells? Were you ashamed after that or was it before your “20 years” of support?