Hodgson opposes timing change

22 September 2009 18:03
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Fulham boss Roy Hodgson thinks that changing the method of time-keeping in football could lead the game down a dangerous route.[LNB] Mark Hughes, whose Manchester City side face the Cottagers in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, has called for clarification of stoppage-time rules following Michael Owen's late winner at Old Trafford.[LNB]But Hodgson fears that stopping the clock and timing matches to the second could lead to the frequent interruptions that are a feature of American sports.[LNB]"If you want to have absolutely no discussion ever about time adding on, or if time is being wasted, you need to play effective time and that would change the game radically," he said.[LNB]"That would move us away from football as we know it and into the realms of ice hockey and American Football.[LNB]Old School"An American Football match is played in four quarters over an hour - but you can be there for four hours.[LNB]"That suits America because the adverts come in every time there is a stoppage. I would be disappointed if football went down that route.[LNB]"Of course I have great sympathy for people like Mark Hughes. When you have played well and you think you have got a great result it is awful to lose a game in the last minute, whether that is the 89th or 98th.[LNB]"You just have to learn to live with it. I am of that very old school that believes referees must be given the right to referee the game and make decisions. It is not an exact science.[LNB]"For me, referees are the arbiters and we have to abide by their decision."[LNB]ChangesThe 62-year-old manager also confirmed that he would be ringing the changes for Fulham's midweek contest with City.[LNB]Hodgson cited the need to prioritise certain competitions in the midst of a congested fixture list as the reason behind the second-string line-up that will likely take the field on Wednesday. [LNB]He added: "We would like to do well in all competitions but we need to make priorities and we won't be the only club to prioritise the Premier League and the Europa League over the Carling Cup.[LNB]"The chance to put out a different group of players can be advantageous.[LNB]"I was really excited by what the players who played CSKA Sofia were able to do and a lot of them will be available tomorrow night.[LNB]"This is a moment for some of the players who have been trying to persuade me that I should not forget them to stake their claim."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports