Jamie Carragher backs call for countdown clock and independent timekeeping

Jamie Carragher has thrown his support behind drives to promote the use of a countdown clock and independent timekeeping during football matches. Former FA and Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has called for the proposals after it was revealed that Arsenal's Premier League game with Newcastle United saw the ball in play for just 51 minutes on Tuesday in their 0-0 draw - with Toon players accused of wasting time to earn a well earned point. Jamie Carragher appears to have backed calls for a countdown clock at football matches The ball was only in play for just over 51 minutes in Arsenal's draw with Newcastle United Just two minutes were added on in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, while, to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta's fury only five were allocated in the second period - although seven were played. Yet to Mikel Arteta's dismay just five minutes were added on at the Emirates Stadium David Dein has led proposals for a publicly seen countdown clock to be introduced Dein also believes fans should be able to see the time being monitored via a countdown clock, telling The Times: 'The time has come for transparency via a countdown clock so the public can actually see how much time is left.