That isn’t logical. Why should any game in the PL matter any more than any other? I assume the same rules apply.
Well, let's be honest, some games do matter more than others. You're saying a title or relegation decider doesn't matter more than a nothing to play for, mid table clash? Games between the top 6 teams tend to be of a higher tempo, more intensity so it's not fair to chuck in a referee who lacks PL experience.
So what you're saying is that the so called bigger games are seen as more important than the rest. Incorrect decisions are more acceptable in the Fulham v Brighton game than Man u v Arsenal because he is still working his way up? That would imply that decisions involving Liverpool, Utd, City and the rest are more important to get right than for the rest of the league. Something we have always complained about so it's good to have a fellow referee agree that the refereeing in the PL is bent.
You have more time left to recover...theoretically, but if you are relegated by 3 points, who can say which loss caused it....first of season or last. All games are important.
No, it's that you cannot chuck a referee who has only reffed a handful of PL games into a Merseyside derby or the Manchester derby, or Liverpool v Man United. First of all you have to earn those games through good performances - it's not a coincidence Taylor or Oliver tend to ref those games. Every ref wants to referee those games so it's only fair you have to work for them. Second of all, the refs chosen for World Cup or Euros duty will get the big games in preparation for the tournament. Happens in every league around the world. So as we're less than 3 months away from the World Cup now, Taylor and Oliver will get allocated the biggest games. Not all the time though, e.g. Oliver did Forest v Bournemouth on Saturday.
Also, at the end of the day the PL is a global brand. You're not going to want to put, say, Simon Hooper on a big game on a Sunday afternoon, which will attract huge viewers. Like it or not, that's the way it is. The PL is widely viewed as the best and most competitive league in the world and the powers that be want to keep it that way. Why do you think the PGMOL have been ordered to review the use of VAR? because the Premier League said so. We all want the best refs on Saints games but TBH, with VAR it shouldn't really matter. Unfortunately they've made such a hash of VAR that you can't trust some refs to make the correct decision, even with a bloody replay. Like most things these days, lots of politics involved with the PL.
Good point. The goal against Villa which didn’t get awarded early on a few seasons ago would have seen them relegated.
The Premier League shouldn't just be about looking after the big teams or for that matter rewarding referees with what is seen as fair to them. All the teams in the league should expect an even handed application from the PGMOL and with all respect, the referee's ambitions should come second after all the teams have been treated fairly. The PL is after all about the football first and foremost.
I wasn't expecting to change anything, just having a moan about the situation we know exists. And really in your post above you're agreeing with me, so we're all good. I knew you'd come around eventually.
I do get what Tom is saying (and as always, it's unfair to lay into him about this), but what you say here is absolutely correct. Morally and logically.
Don't get me wrong, in an ideal world there would be no politics involved, PL referee assignments would be completely random. Unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world. The PL is such a huge global brand that naturally, politics does get involved. Hence the introduction of VAR, goal line technology. It's also why the PL stepped in after the absolute farce of the use of VAR on Saturday. On the flip side, I don't think it's unreasonable to give a rookie ref Saints v Brentford TBH. I'm not sure why people are getting so worked up over it. He might be a good ref for all we know. Bit harsh to judge him before we've seen him ref.
Tom is agreeing that it happens, where we differ is that he thinks it's ok. I think that not only is it unjust but that it discredits the PL, not that it would bother those in charge it would seem. As I said to Tom, I was just bemoaning the fact it happens and other than Tom jumping in to defend all things refereeing, I wasn't expecting much else. As to laying into him, on this occasion he did jump in to back the league so not really unfair I think. But generally I quite like his input and the response he gets is at times pretty funny. My impression is he loves all the rage he creates by defending refereeing decisions.
No nor do I but he could be moved around a bit, he might be a good ref for all we know . In any case, it shouldn't be just the smaller teams responsibility to give him the experience so that one day he might be good enough to ref the Liverpool or Manchester derbies.
In an ideal world, refs new to the EPL would be blooded towards the end of the season, officiating in games between mid table teams where the result won’t harm either club’s chance of getting into Europe, or place them in danger of relegation. Maybe they already do that? The biggest issue is the scrutiny they come under from the clubs, fans and media, which goes with the job, although much of it is extremely unfair and unnecessary. Especially the unfair pressure from big name clubs and managers, who always seem to be trying to influence refs decisions, even before a ball is kicked.
Sally Sue has been called up for the Ghana friendlies for the first time. This doesn't worry me as much as it might have once done, seeing as we actually have other players that are competent in that position now!
He absolutely will be unless injured. In terms of saints at the World Cup I would expect : Salisu DCC Maybe Ward-Prowse since the squad size has been increased I don’t think others are likely to go. Lavia might have been a surprise late entry for an ageing Belgium but his six week injury might put that at risk
