Southampton crafty or a coincidence?

[Mulletperm]

Planned "energy gel" tactics or pure coincidences?

"In 14 of Southampton’s 24 Premier League games this season, a Saints player has gone down injured between the 60th-70th minute. Their team-mates then go & consume an energy gel/drink," noticed The Athletic reporter Dan Sheldon.

 

[markysimmo]

Clever

 

[superspurs]

Very clever, the Broja "injury" was when they did it to us recently.

 

[monkeybarry]

Cheating
Faking injury is a scummy thing to do ever.

 

[ShipOfTheseus]

Cheating
Faking injury is a scummy thing to do ever.

Absolutely. Glad Harry’s back is better, as well.

 

[monkeybarry]

Absolutely. Glad Harry’s back is better, as well.

This is a really interesting point.
Kane definitely did take a whack in the back and wasn't faking....this time. But we certainly have/do.

That brings up two interesting points:
I. If you can't beat them, do you join them?
On principle it's very clear. But sadly football is won and lost on the pitch, which is a loooonnggg way away from principles.
II. What is the line between gamesmanship and cheating?
Downright faking an injury is dispicable and is cheating.
But is over exaggeration cheating? If an opponent has a "little dig" that isn't a foul, but has nothing to do with winning the ball, they buy themselves a little bit of time when they know you are not at full capacity. So going down for a couple of minutes reduces the unsporting advantage the opposition have gained themselves.

In the Southampton case, it looks premeditated. If so, it is cheating. If so, it's a deliberate attempt to get an advantage for the whole team by manufacturing a break in play for refueling. That's the same principle as doping.

 

[jts1882]

Agreed, if planned and simulated it is cheating, akin to doping.

However, how often do players go down and need treatment during a game (especially the second half)? The 60-70 minute span is long enough that there's a reasonable chance of an incidence, although I don't know if over 50%. Planning to take an opportunity when it arises is not cheating.

That all the incidents are a Southampton player going down injured is suspicious. If there are no incidents where they take the drinks when opposition players need treatment, that would be damning