I feel i approached this blog somewhat naively. I felt that some weekends, the supposed best referees in the land would have quiet weekends, get everything right and i could talk about trivial matters. Seems not.
The major incident of the weekend came from every refereeing blogger's best friend, Stuart Attwell. This was a crucial game for Liverpool after a poor start and i think was a show of faith from the PGMOL to give MR.Attwell the game. The now "infamous" freekick taken by Sunderland, shows Mr.Attwell's relative inexperience. While im not in a position to comment on experience, Howard Webb or Peter Walton would not have made this error. By the letter of the law, it was correct, the freekick had been taken. But, as we are so often reminded, it is our application of the laws that matters, this should, in my opinion include common sense. The common sense approach would be to bring play up, and let the keeper take the freekick. However, he was right to only award a yellow card to Steven Gerrard, as much as it may have been intentional, malice is completely different and it was a half hearted attempt to either win the wall or harm the player from Gerrard. Attwell - 5/10
Mr.Clattenburg's red card at Birmingham V Wigan is as ambigious as Alec Mcleish's answer to the question of Craig Gardner's red card. " A few years ago, thats a yellow card" were the words of Mcleish, this may be true, but doesnt excuse Gardner's over the ball, studs up challenge. I believe this is where the premier league differs from the grassroots. I gave a very similar challenge at the weekend, a yellow card. The calls of "that's soft ref" were inevitable but in the case of park football, a fair case. In the premier league however, with insurance on the players health a huge business, these tackles should not be tolerated.
Good decision Clatts - 7/10
Anothe referee who needs a mention is Michael Oliver - Unlike most 25 year olds, this man doesnt seem intimidated by anything, and can control games as potentially fiery as the West Brom upset of Arsenal. He is setting a new bar for young referees, a tough one to match.
Dean - 7/10 - great control of Blackpool cauldron
Dowd - 7/10 - Well handled, Potential for upset
Atkinson 8/10 - Tough game, well controlled by a top official
Webb - 7/10 - Quiet day, welcome im sure
Jones - 7/10 - Good performance, easy penalty call
Halsey - 6/10 - Overly fussy, but controlled well
Marriner - 8/10- justified faith shown in him by board.
Tuesday 28 September 2010
Wednesday 22 September 2010
Life at the top.
Another interesting weekend within the premier league. A comparatively small game in recent times for Howard Webb, proved the pgmol right to trust their star man yet again. The penalty, converted by Gerrard, was a simple one for Webb even if it did appear that Darren Cann made the call partially before him. Cann, the top assistant at the world cup (bar mauricio Episnosa!) would have acted with the faith that he had his colleagues trust to make such a big call. The freekick for Liverpool's second was clear cut, the decision also being right not to show John O'Shea a red card. With a classic Andy Grayism there was "sufficient doubt" as to whether Torres would have been through on goal. Webb - 8/10
Another of the big calls came at the Stadium of light where Sunderland scored in the 95th minute to get a point against Arsenal. You have to feel for MR Dowd, his consistency never seems to be truly rewarded by the board and yet again this criticism cannot stick on him. The added time is stated as a minimum of 4 minutes ending any argument MR.Wenger could have had, enjoying the White hart lane board room experience for his troubles. - Dowd 7/10
The final big talking point comes during Everton v Newcastle, controlled by Andre Marriner. Marriner, who may wish to blame the sheer presence of Stuart Attwell, seemed to get the big decisions wrong. The attempt at an elbow by Fellaini, should in most schools of thought be punished by a red card, especially when seen by an official. However, an argument led by Pierlugi Collina, the closest refereeing has to a saint, would suggest Marriner got it right. Fellaini's palm when striking the defender was flat, not clenched as it would be when trying to exert force, suggesting any contact was petulant rather than malicious. However, not even Sir Pierlugi can save Marriner from the penalty decision with the tackle on Kevin Nolan late on. The main clue we have to contact is the movement of the ball, this was minimal, which would suggest Marriner "bottled" the decision infront of the Everton faithful. This wont benefit his cause for a Cup final this year, but wont kill off his chances just yet. Marriner 6/10
Clattenburg - 8/10
Taylor - 6/10
Mason - 7/10
Jones 7/10
Foy 7/10
Dean - 7/10
Probert - 8/10.
Another of the big calls came at the Stadium of light where Sunderland scored in the 95th minute to get a point against Arsenal. You have to feel for MR Dowd, his consistency never seems to be truly rewarded by the board and yet again this criticism cannot stick on him. The added time is stated as a minimum of 4 minutes ending any argument MR.Wenger could have had, enjoying the White hart lane board room experience for his troubles. - Dowd 7/10
The final big talking point comes during Everton v Newcastle, controlled by Andre Marriner. Marriner, who may wish to blame the sheer presence of Stuart Attwell, seemed to get the big decisions wrong. The attempt at an elbow by Fellaini, should in most schools of thought be punished by a red card, especially when seen by an official. However, an argument led by Pierlugi Collina, the closest refereeing has to a saint, would suggest Marriner got it right. Fellaini's palm when striking the defender was flat, not clenched as it would be when trying to exert force, suggesting any contact was petulant rather than malicious. However, not even Sir Pierlugi can save Marriner from the penalty decision with the tackle on Kevin Nolan late on. The main clue we have to contact is the movement of the ball, this was minimal, which would suggest Marriner "bottled" the decision infront of the Everton faithful. This wont benefit his cause for a Cup final this year, but wont kill off his chances just yet. Marriner 6/10
Clattenburg - 8/10
Taylor - 6/10
Mason - 7/10
Jones 7/10
Foy 7/10
Dean - 7/10
Probert - 8/10.
Saturday 18 September 2010
When Saturday comes
Back on the promotion trail today.
Winterslow V Alderbury Res - Top vs bottom in division 1.
The whole purpose of this blog, was to share my dodgy decisions, the debates of the day, but it just didn't happen today. Having awarded about 20 free kicks throughout the whole game, I felt thoroughly under worked. With no assessor present it was easy to relax. One thing that has interested me this season, is the love of the advantage rule. Last week i was asked to play advantage more, this week i was congratulated from 80 yards away by a goalkeeper for a loud call of "advantage play on !". Players seem to like a flowing game, even if their play delivers anything but.
Onwards and upwards now, 11 games to go to LEVEL 5, fingers crossed !
Winterslow V Alderbury Res - Top vs bottom in division 1.
The whole purpose of this blog, was to share my dodgy decisions, the debates of the day, but it just didn't happen today. Having awarded about 20 free kicks throughout the whole game, I felt thoroughly under worked. With no assessor present it was easy to relax. One thing that has interested me this season, is the love of the advantage rule. Last week i was asked to play advantage more, this week i was congratulated from 80 yards away by a goalkeeper for a loud call of "advantage play on !". Players seem to like a flowing game, even if their play delivers anything but.
Onwards and upwards now, 11 games to go to LEVEL 5, fingers crossed !
Tuesday 14 September 2010
About time !!
Over the past two days, the FA appear to have become a different organisation. Perhaps they have succumbed to the new Tory government and the reduction in bureaucracy, who knows.
But anyway the Fa's new fast track system has undone both David Moyes and Gary Cahill in the space of twenty four hours. The misconduct charge placed on Moyes for his outburst at referee Martin Atkinson is absolutely spot on, no manager should be able to breach the much maligned "respect" campaign in such a way especially when Atkinson had done the right thing.
And then today ...
Bolton defender Gary Cahill's appeal against his dismissal in Saturday's loss at Arsenal has been rejected by the Football Association.
This is not the right course of action, Cahill did not deserve to be sent off, but it sends out the right message early in the season. The teams need boundaries around referees and here one has been clearly formed.
Next game for me ... Bemerton harlequins on the line, thursday night (oh joy).
But anyway the Fa's new fast track system has undone both David Moyes and Gary Cahill in the space of twenty four hours. The misconduct charge placed on Moyes for his outburst at referee Martin Atkinson is absolutely spot on, no manager should be able to breach the much maligned "respect" campaign in such a way especially when Atkinson had done the right thing.
And then today ...
Bolton defender Gary Cahill's appeal against his dismissal in Saturday's loss at Arsenal has been rejected by the Football Association.
This is not the right course of action, Cahill did not deserve to be sent off, but it sends out the right message early in the season. The teams need boundaries around referees and here one has been clearly formed.
Next game for me ... Bemerton harlequins on the line, thursday night (oh joy).
Monday 13 September 2010
Appointments
Stoke V West Ham - Lee Mason
Aston Villa V Bolton - Mike Dean
Blackburn V Fulham - Anthony Taylor
Everton V Newcastle - Andre Marriner
Tottenham V Wolves - Mike Jones
West Brom V Birmingham - Chris Foy
Sunderland V Arsenal - Phil Dowd
Man Utd V Liverpool - Howard Webb
Wigan V Man City - Lee Probert
Chelsea V Blackpool - Peter Walton.
I suppose nobody should be suprised by the major appointment here. While nobody could possibly doubt the world cup referee's credentials for this game it still seems a rather hasty choice. This is only Howard's second game of the Premier league season, having refereed West Brom and Tottenham on saturday. Other senior referees; Mike Dean, Chris Foy (Martin Atkinson excluded due to his appointment to Man Utd last week) are both well into the season having both had at least 4 competitive fixtures. This is double the amount of games and these extra matches could be invaluable, should the game be as fast paced as many would like.
Other notable appointments see Chris Foy take a half hearted midlands derby and Lee Probert gets his second TV billing of the week, perhaps he is starting to live up to his billing as a FIFA official in progress.
Also, notable in his absence is Stuart Attwell demoted to 4th official at Everton V Newcastle - this i believe is wrong and shows no faith in his ability coming from the PGMOL, he needed at least a championship game to boost his own confidence if no one elses.
N.B - first league one appointment for my coach, Mr B Malone (salisbury), hopefully he will handle the step up in fitness ha !
Aston Villa V Bolton - Mike Dean
Blackburn V Fulham - Anthony Taylor
Everton V Newcastle - Andre Marriner
Tottenham V Wolves - Mike Jones
West Brom V Birmingham - Chris Foy
Sunderland V Arsenal - Phil Dowd
Man Utd V Liverpool - Howard Webb
Wigan V Man City - Lee Probert
Chelsea V Blackpool - Peter Walton.
I suppose nobody should be suprised by the major appointment here. While nobody could possibly doubt the world cup referee's credentials for this game it still seems a rather hasty choice. This is only Howard's second game of the Premier league season, having refereed West Brom and Tottenham on saturday. Other senior referees; Mike Dean, Chris Foy (Martin Atkinson excluded due to his appointment to Man Utd last week) are both well into the season having both had at least 4 competitive fixtures. This is double the amount of games and these extra matches could be invaluable, should the game be as fast paced as many would like.
Other notable appointments see Chris Foy take a half hearted midlands derby and Lee Probert gets his second TV billing of the week, perhaps he is starting to live up to his billing as a FIFA official in progress.
Also, notable in his absence is Stuart Attwell demoted to 4th official at Everton V Newcastle - this i believe is wrong and shows no faith in his ability coming from the PGMOL, he needed at least a championship game to boost his own confidence if no one elses.
N.B - first league one appointment for my coach, Mr B Malone (salisbury), hopefully he will handle the step up in fitness ha !
Sunday 12 September 2010
Pgmol
Match of the day's love of the dramatic made this weekends decisions just a little more dramatic.
I thought Martin Atkinson had a great game - Rooneys sheer presence as a Man Utd player makes it a heated encounter even if he was spared the firing line on this occasion. The game ended as a thriller, with just two yellow cards. This only adds to the lunacy of Moyes' actions at the final whistle, running onto the pitch to remonstrate with Atkinson. How Moyes could think that Jagielka had heard the final whistle when his shot was saved by Van Der Saar is baffling, due to the sheer roar of the Goodison faithful as Everton raced on the counter.
Another of the big decisions came from Stuart Atwell - handing a straight red card to Boltons Gary Cahill for his foul on Chamakh. This was a yellow card due to the pace of the play at the fact that the tackle came from "behind" only confirms this. However, Mr.Attwell had a great chance to play an advantage following the foul and could have returned to book Cahill. I believe the red card was a mistake, but a very cautious and human error and one all referees have made or will make. The argument will of course be inexperience, something which may of course be true, but Mike Riley cannot accept this argument, due to his promotion of Micheal Oliver, who is 2 years Attwell's junior.
I think good games were had by messers Foy,Mason and Clattenburg and also by Phil Dowd and Andre Marriner who also handled potential "red card" controversy with minimal fuss.
Finally, a mention must go to the low key return of Howard Webb, this will have been chosen carefully by the appointments commitee, for Webb and his team and it paid off. Keeping his profile low may only add to his impact in his inevitable "big match" appointment by the end of September.
I thought Martin Atkinson had a great game - Rooneys sheer presence as a Man Utd player makes it a heated encounter even if he was spared the firing line on this occasion. The game ended as a thriller, with just two yellow cards. This only adds to the lunacy of Moyes' actions at the final whistle, running onto the pitch to remonstrate with Atkinson. How Moyes could think that Jagielka had heard the final whistle when his shot was saved by Van Der Saar is baffling, due to the sheer roar of the Goodison faithful as Everton raced on the counter.
Another of the big decisions came from Stuart Atwell - handing a straight red card to Boltons Gary Cahill for his foul on Chamakh. This was a yellow card due to the pace of the play at the fact that the tackle came from "behind" only confirms this. However, Mr.Attwell had a great chance to play an advantage following the foul and could have returned to book Cahill. I believe the red card was a mistake, but a very cautious and human error and one all referees have made or will make. The argument will of course be inexperience, something which may of course be true, but Mike Riley cannot accept this argument, due to his promotion of Micheal Oliver, who is 2 years Attwell's junior.
I think good games were had by messers Foy,Mason and Clattenburg and also by Phil Dowd and Andre Marriner who also handled potential "red card" controversy with minimal fuss.
Finally, a mention must go to the low key return of Howard Webb, this will have been chosen carefully by the appointments commitee, for Webb and his team and it paid off. Keeping his profile low may only add to his impact in his inevitable "big match" appointment by the end of September.
Second game of the season
My second game of the season in the middle - Alderbury v Durrington Dynamos.
If the football hadnt been so poor, this would have been considered a thriller - 3-3
As for my own performance, a day when you worry theres an assessor lurking in the trees ! Every debated decision seemed to inadvertently lead to a key decision, a feeling every referee will know.
The classic lines of "are you new referee" made me feel at home, at a club where i have played for 10 years.
Still decent club marks, so can not complain - another obstacle overcome.
If the football hadnt been so poor, this would have been considered a thriller - 3-3
As for my own performance, a day when you worry theres an assessor lurking in the trees ! Every debated decision seemed to inadvertently lead to a key decision, a feeling every referee will know.
The classic lines of "are you new referee" made me feel at home, at a club where i have played for 10 years.
Still decent club marks, so can not complain - another obstacle overcome.
Saturday 11 September 2010
What better place to start than at the beginning
Hi, firstly let me tell you a bit about what i do. I referee in the salisbury and district league,wiltshire league and wiltshire floodlit league. And this is the start of my blog.
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