Just home from Yeovil and all I can say is what an absolutely disgraceful performance from the officials. The first goal was about 6 yards offside and the linesman was quite clearly not up with play. Also Hoyte was clearly fouled first in the penalty decision, ridiculous decision that ruins the chance of 3 away points for is. To be fair, a point each would have been a fair result but it's not upto the officials to dictate the game, when will we get some decent ones who realise they are there to control the game not influence the result?!
I agree that the officials were poor - but so too were The Gills - particularly Hessenthaler. To clarify - there were TWO Yeovil strikers EXTREMELY clearly offside for the first goal, and Hoyte was fouled FIRST in the penalty incident -BUT In truth, Gills should have taken better control of the game - the midfield were very slow, thus allowing Yeovil a lot of possession. Yeovil had two glorious chances to score in the first half - when it was almost impossible to miss ! Gills were better in the second half - and when they got the lead with only a few minutes to go, they should have seen out the game - but then, these days I look to Mourinho for his expert opinion of the capabilities of the officials. ( REALLY awful ref for their game v Burnley ) A real shame we didn't get the extra two points - especially as the teams above us also slipped up - not that I am not grateful for the point in our 'realistic' quest for L1 safety. .. and it wasn't me that caused the coach to be boarded by the stewards to invite a fan and his other half to talk to the police regarding their 'encouragement' to the referee ! - not that I didn't feel their frustration - but there is a slightly less vulgar way to remonstrate with a referee and get a message across.
I agree, we were extremely poor in the 1st half, a lot better after the break but still nothing like we have been, I thought mcglashan would inject some much needed pace but he looked disinterested, and I agree on your report on Hess, the single biggest disappointment this season has been his performances. I drive to the games unless it's a very long distance so was unaware of the coach incident, what happened? I did however see your coach driver trying to park on his arrival at the ground, talk about making a mountain out of a molehill!
Also I've just watched the penalty incident again and the ref actually waves away the incident then changes his mind, what made him do that?! Edinburgh May face some action for storming onto the pitch and confronting the ref but I can't blame him, nice to have a manager who unfolds his arms and shows some passion.
I agree that the officials did not look to brilliant yesterday but the officials in the recent home games haven't been great either. The only difference was that they were bad in our favour. This has been the first time in a while that the officials were bad and they were against us. I guess it kind of evens out over the course of a season. My only worry is in my eyes most of the bad officiating has been in our favour as of late. If it's going to start evening out. We are in for some tough games!
Marcus you can't have been at any of the games I've been at this season then, and considering I've only missed 6 home and away that would be impressive. Just because we won our last 3 games doesn't mean the ref favoured us, against Sheffield United he was overly in their favour, against MK he was equally awful,and peterborough again in my opinion he very much favoured the home team, what have you seen to make you think we have had referees favouring us?!? Also, saying that 'the decisions equal themselves out' is a pet hate of mine, as it said in my original post it's not up to the officials to dictate the result, how hard is it to make the correct decision, I see more decisions wrong than right and no I don't think it is a hard job to do.
Hoyte not getting sent of, MK having a goal disallowed. I am a season ticket holder but lately o do feel that the decisions have been against us much. Also sorry to touch on a pet hate haha
Gills-manAnt-Dog The coach incident occurred because a couple of fans used foul language at the officials towards the end of the game. I understand that, when confronted by a female steward the same people told her where to go ! - and used a single digit hand gesture to illustrate their point. I'm not sure how I contained myself with the awful decisions that were directly responsible for Yeovil's goals, - but any sympathy they may have gained for remonstrating with the rubbish offiicials was lost by their attitude towards the stewards - it's not their fault that the referee was inept. The female steward then got onto the coach to identify the participants and called the police to deal with the matter. The 'fans' were not arrested - but as Peter Lloyd pointed out, the matter is far from concluded. .....should we feel relieved that it wasn't a racist incident ?
I knew you'd come back with the Hoyte incident Marcus, wish I'd put that in my post now! Fair point on that one, but I still believe the officials this season have been just as bad as other seasons. Alwaysright - shame about the incident of course, but it's unsurprising this sort of thing occurs and the arrogance that the officials show only infuriates people more. We all spend our money and time going to see our team who we feel extremely passionate for, the officials have no regard for this when they make their terrible decisions and the worst thing is there is nothing that is ever done about it. They get worst each week and all Mike Riley, the referees chief, can say is that this is the best crop of referees there has ever been! What!!!! It was certainly wrong of them to have a go at the steward, after all there only trying to earn some money, but we all get extremely emotional especially after an incident like yesterday so I can understand why it happened.
Having a look at the Football League, I thought that it was a penalty but it was clearly avoidable. The challenge/blocking of the player wasn't needed as Nelson was covering so either he didn't shout or Hoyte didn't hear the call, so simply a poor bit of communication. Nothing to get too worried about though, the last two away games (Peterboro' and Yeovil) we would have taken 4 points if offered them so all is good, lets not forget safety is still our primary concern not the playoffs
That's a bit like buying a lottery ticket and saying you don't really want to win the big one.........safety was our primary concern, but if the opportunity to reach the play offs is offered.........we shouldn't turn it down and say 'Nah......not this season thank you.' The 'goal posts' may have moved a tad.
I understand your view point Windy, but given how tight the division is we are not safe yet! The play offs would be nice but if or when we get safe we will look back at the Yeovil game as a point won not two lost
I still look to the teams below us first for their results so I'm with BSG in that safety is still the goal at the moment. Usually it's 50 points, so if we get to that quickly then it's just about seeing how high up we can finish playing the entertaining football that we have been (first half on Saturday aside) The better we finish the season, the more it will help us start next season strongly
I thought on the whole the ref against Doncaster was one of the better refs at Priestfield. Tried to let the game flow and not booking players for the hell of it.
Linesman on the Gordon Road side did a wonderful impression of Mr.Magoo today - and between him and the referee, denied us 2 certain penalties -- not that I'm sure either team deserved to win. We really need to improve our game in the last 4 home games if we are not to lose more fans
Not sure about the handball one, but there was definitely contact on McGlashen. Ref was generally woeful but then again so we were our midfield
The first was an absolutely clear penalty, can't understand why it wasn't given. The second one was not as obvious but their player definitely moved his hand up towards the ball, so again a penalty. Not good enough at all.
Keith Hill ( Rochdale manager ) - on Radio Manchester - complaining about the referee today - shock horror (not) Hill had the audacity to defend the No.27 ( Cannon) - claiming a penalty --- on which one of at least 6 occasions that he 'went' to ground ?? Cannon does appear to have some quality - but he was an embarrassment - I was surprised that the referee didn't book him for diving - perhaps Mr.Hill was right - maybe Rochadale should have had 3 players sent off --- we struggled enough against 9 men - against 8 we would have probably lost !
I agree Always, Cannon was a complete embarassement, most of the times he went down it was from absolutely nothing, pathetic. On Rochdale and Keith Hill's hipocracy, i noted most of their players harrying around the ref trying to get Loft sent off for a nothing tackle on (of course) Cannon, then when their keeper takes Cody out, as we surrounded the ref telling him it's a clear sending off the Rochdale players go mental because we're trying to influence the ref - taste of your own medicine i say.
