Holland: We can't put blame on ref

13 April 2012

Ipswich captain Matt Holland was wise enough not to allow a highly suspect penalty decision to obscure the broader picture of the season for the Tractor Boys or their highly illustrious conquerors.

'Whatever happens to us, relegation or survival, will not be because of this decision,' he said of Ruud van Nistelrooy's spectacular tumble to win a spot-kick. 'But it doesn't help when you are down to the wire and need a result.'

Now, if Sunderland take a point from their final home game against Derby, George Burley's men will slip into the Nationwide League.

David Sheepshanks, the progressive Ipswich chairman, had called the staff together in midweek to remind them that relegation would cost £33million in lost revenue, hoping, no doubt, that stark economic reality might carry the occasion.

Premiership status will be lost, however, not because of Rob Styles' erroneous decision that led to the goal, but Ipswich's predictability in a troubled season and the club's financial shortfall in being unable to consolidate after a promising first campaign at the top.

Manager Burley can insist that professional referees should have no margin for error, but one blunder does not encapsulate their season. How about the home defeats to Southampton, Bolton and Charlton? These were of more significance than one Dutchman's theatrical dive. Indeed, there was always the impression that United would find an extra gear. For sustained periods they appeared to keep the ball for personal gratification.

Instead, Van Nistelrooy continued to refute suggestions that he had dived when he told MUTV last night: 'I went to head the ball but the defender pulled me down so I could not head it. It was a clear decision to me. I just focused on scoring a penalty after that. At least we have kept the pressure on Arsenal. We have to make sure we keep going and win our last two games.'

Sir Alex Ferguson can be much more exact about the turning point for his club if a record-breaking fourth consecutive title is lost to a resilient Arsenal.

The United boss will point to the home defeat by Middlesbrough a few weeks ago as the decisive game. Titles are won and lost much more on results than on the injudiciousness of a referee in one incident.

It is not without relevance that Roy Keane was missing that afternoon against Boro and his return at Portman Road proved significant. Ferguson is able to compensate for the loss of Fabien Barthez, Gary Neville, Laurent Blanc, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes - for the first half, at least - if the Irishman is at the heart of his side.

This was the kind of exercise Keane needed ahead of tomorrow's Champions League semi-final return against Bayer Leverkusen because he was not overextended by Ipswich's midfield yet dominated the game.

Whenever and wherever he took possession, there was always more than one option available to him. He barely broke sweat and had no need to fully test his left hamstring.

This is a big week for United and Arsenal, whose task at the Reebok Stadium tonight may be easier because Bolton are safe, ensuring that all three of last season's promoted teams survive at least another year.

' It is hard to imagine Arsenal will lose that game, but you never know,' said Ferguson. 'Bolton will be relaxed but I know manager Sam Allardyce, and his teams embody what he is like as a person. They will do their best and that's all we can ask for.'

What a finale it would be on May 8 if Bolton were to win tonight, placing everything on Arsenal's visit to Old Trafford.

' It would be massive,' agreed Sir Alex. 'There will not have been a bigger game for 10 years.'

Ferguson has been boosted by the news that Beckham could be fit for the Champions League Final at Hampden Park on May 15. The England skipper broke a bone in his left foot two weeks ago and it was feared he would miss the rest of the season.

But Beckham's father Ted said: 'David thinks he now has a real chance of making the Final if they get there. It will be touch and go, but David believes he can make it.'

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