Boring and drab are not words usually associated with encounters between Middlesbrough against Manchester United. Something memorable normally occurs and the Carling Cup 3^rd round tie at Old Trafford was no different. It wasn’t the return of United’s talismanic winger nor the cracker scored against the run of play by another of Boro’s academy products. It was the horrific tackle by the Pogmonster that made the headlines and fuelled further debate over the rights and wrongs of the law of the game.

Firstly, as a Boro fan let me say that it was a terrible tackle and the red card he got was exactly what it deserved. It could have been a lot worse if Pog hadn’t pulled away slightly at the last moment after realising that the target of his affections wasn’t Ronaldo after all. Had it been, the red card issued would now be proudly displayed outside the Riverside along with the statue that would undoubtedly have been quickly erected in Pogs honour with the name of those who went before - James Morrison at the top - engraved for posterity in the base.

But had Pogatez made that challenge on the Portuguese star, he would still have been the target of vilification in the press just as some would have said that Ronaldo had it coming to him as a target of abuse and hatred amongst some who think his talent is betrayed by his diving alter ego. Yet if the powers that be had any guts no-one would have to worry. Both the cheat and the thug - general terms only as I ain’t calling Pog a thug nor Ronaldo a cheat - would get their due with the review that would take place after the event. Recent examples such as the Watford/Reading goal that never was and even Saturday’s penalty that never was at Old Trafford will continue to frustrate and anger until the Premier League finally drag their sorry backsides out of the 1960s and into the 21^st century joining rugby, cricket and almost any other sport that matters in using video replays or evidence for something more substantial and meaningful than merely taking goals off players through their dubious goals panel.

John Terry’s red card was recently, and in my opinion correctly, rescinded. He wasn’t the last man and according to the rules it was a yellow card offence. Whether he could have been booked for the offence and then also booked for un-sportsmanlike conduct given the nature of the challenge is a topic for another debate. Cynical though it was, the foul itself did not warrant a straight red under the rules as currently interpreted. Yet if they can change a referee’s decision that was inconsistent with the rules in one direction, why can they not impose additional sanction when a referee books someone who should actually have been sent from the field of play?

To get it right, they must surely go further though. Danny Guthrie may or may not turn out the be the subject of litigation following his abhorrent tackle on Craig Fagan. Many said that a red card seemed insufficient punishment. No doubt some would say the same for the brutal challenge from Pogatetz. Fine, don’t introduce video replays. Why should you? After all, they would only serve to improve the game which has never seemed to be at the forefront of the Premier League’s agenda. But the ability of a panel to add post-match sanction to that dished out during the 90 minutes will even out the disciplinary playing field where challenges like those of Pogatetz and Guthrie receive the same punishment as a trip 40 yards from goal or a handball on the goal line.

If I was a gambler I’d be putting the full value of any Bradford & Bingley shareholding on changes being made in this area. That would involve way too much thinking, consideration and willingness to change on the part of the Premier League. No doubt the status quo will remain and decisions both in accordance and at odds with the rules not to mention those at odds with the laws of physics (Watford vs. Reading again) will continue to frustrate fans, players, managers and pundits alike.

Stupid notion. Sorry. The game would never survive without those selfless souls like Scudamore and Parry before him. Problem is- they probably believe that.