Out of curiosity

The two on Kane and Luke Thomas being far worse yet only "merited" yellow cards, apparently. Not to mention the several instances of Shrewsbury players leading with elbows resulting in several head injuries.

 

You can't help but think it sometimes, with the list of poor decisions we've been on the end of. I'd love to be a fly on the wall at some of these referee meetings

 

You needn't be that small mate they wouldn't see an elephant...

 

Lol true

 

I dunno, I haven’t seen a team in League One anywhere near as bad as Shrewsbury for crowding the officials. After the Cadden tackle there were about 5 players straight in his face. You’d think they were a Premiership team, the way they acted. The ref couldn’t help but feel intimidated, but it was his own fault, as they had been building towards that all match. He should have stamped that out the first time they did it, by getting his book out. They’d have soon stopped.

if you look at the foul on Kane three Reds players went towards the ref, but soon backed off.

 

Can you imagine what it would have been like if one of our players had handled the ball on the line and the ref waved it away? I think he would have been mobbed by all 11 players and the manager. I think the incident at Burton speaks volumes for the discipline instilled in the team by Duff. To be honest, the relative lack of reaction from our players at the Pirelli made me doubt what I'd seen.

 

Its a difficult one re:,refs because they are human beings. They make decisions, they make mistakes, they're sometimes not up to speed, they sometimes get in the wrong position, they have different personalities/psychologies, and they react to their circumstances and to pressure. They have different qualities of 'linesmen' assisting. They effect games, they upset fans, they delight fans. They bemuse fans There are always therefore fans who are unhappy and so therefore they get criticised all the time. They rarely get praised. They get racist abuse if theyre black,they get misogynistic abuse if they're female. They get ridiculed if they're bald, have skinny legs or some other 'quirk'. And yet they still do the job. Good on em I say and well done.
The only proviso I would add is that long-term performance should be vetted occasionally by a 'ref panel' to keep them ALL on their toes.

 

I don't think there's any conspiracy against us but I do believe in general that it would be crazy to think there aren't back handers going around for isolated games or incidents. Whether that affects us or bit I don't know but they absolutely do happen, the temptation is just too great.

I remember back in the days of the big breakfast Jonny Vaughan interviewing an fa cup linesman and telling him he'd put a bet in him doing something specific (and bit normal) within the first 5 minutes and can he help him out. Sure thing he said, split the money with ya?. 2 minutes into the game the linesman did exactly what he'd said he would. Kerching!!!