Referees

He refereed our home game against Wigan Warriors when he sent two of their players off.

 

I do not have a problem with you, I don't know you personally at all but I do think you are very, very quick to defend the referees.

You didn't respond to my points that I raised regarding your opinion that referees seem to avoid decisions for their ease and may deliberately make wrong decisions.

So you aren't replying factually on this one then?

You've not seen it but obviously they are in different locations, different scenarios and seem dismissive of RTs appraisal of them...

 

I've not seen it no but I'm fairly certain the ref in the situations described in the Wrexham game will have had his reasons for distinguishing one foul from the other. Every single incident is different.

I'm happy to criticise referees. There's been some really poor decisions in the PL recently. Gabriel blatantly headbutting Haaland was a ridiculous decision not to send him off. I think Pickford was lucky not to give away what looked a clear pen. I'm sure there's others I have seen recently where I think the ref couldvevdone better.

What I'm not going to get into is the mindless berating of refs for giving decisions in real time that could go either way but he's gone against what we want as City fans. I think the criticism of refs is way over the top. Having said that, there haven't been too many games this season where this forum has been too critical of refs. If you or I or anyone else refereed an efl game we'd get absolutely slaughtered.

I'll read your earlier post again. I couldn't be arsed to reply and I don't mean that disrespectfully. It just feels like a waste of time replying to such a long post when you're not going to change your mind or give any consideration to what I've tried to say.

Having read it back I don't think I've said referees deliberately make incorrect calls. It's fairly likely that most decisions carry a certain degree of doubt in real time and it's only natural for a referee to hedge their bets towards the decision that has less severe consequences. It's the reason why they put a high bar in place for things like awarding penalties and giving red cards.

As for me defending the referees I don't do it to get a reaction or to wind people up. I just have an opinion on referees, officiating and the criticism they get. It's a position that seems to wind people up but I'll stick by it. The standard of refereeing will never be better than it is now. I'm afraid it's as good as the naked eye in real time will allow. What frustrates most fans is that the referee won't ref the game like he's a fan of their club.

 

The incidents in the Wrexham game weren't different, both instances were within a minute and i called it out straight away as did the commentators. Its gross incompetence that should not happen. Decent referees, and there are some out there, would have given a card for both.

 

Fair enough RT. If you're saying the two incidents were identical then I'll take your word for it.

 

I think in general refs have let a lot more go this season. Infuriating at times but as long as it works both ways it’s a good thing

 

Just seen that our ref for Saturdays game is Ollie Yates, the muppet we got for the Orient game who sent Baldwin off.
That in itself wasn't the worst decision he made that day, but he hasn't been great whenever I've seen him ref our games or others when on TV.

 

His stats are impressive if you like a stop start yellow card fest.
League One
2025/2026 (18 fixtures)
(97) Yellows
(3) Reds
Definitely consistent.

 

You'd hope the match official is part of the pre match team talk by either Alexander or Power, especially one we've had quite recently who sent Baldwin off.