Something needs to be done about the standard of officiating.

[PDX_Rover]

It never ends does it? The piss poor standard of officiating by part timers ruining the professional game.

Last week was infuriating. Today is just rubbing salt in the wound. Marquis sent off at the request of the Wimbledon players.

It stinks.

[drfchound]

We apparently have to just turn the other cheek as referees make mistakes all the time and we are not allowed to complain.

[PDX_Rover]

I mean, it's been an issue for decades of course, but it seems to be getting worse. It's outright inept.

[dknward2]

We need to start scoring then we won't give a shit about useless refs

[drfchound]

I mean, it's been an issue for decades of course, but it seems to be getting worse. It's outright inept.

Yep, totally agree.
We get the dregs officiating at our level most of the time.

[the vicar]

3-1 Bradford

[PDX_Rover]

We need to start scoring then we won't give a shit about useless refs

Agree, but it doesn't detract from the OP. Losing your top scorer for the reason we did today affects our ability to score.

[dknward2]

Agree but had he actually had a shot on target before he got sent off

We know he needs at least 5 chances before he scores. Hopefully this forced break will sort him out

[Superspy]

Similarly, we did score last week, twice, and both were ruled out. Today wasn't great in terms of chance creation but it's difficult to accept that we should just start scoring goals to deal with crap officiating when the officials are directly stopping us from scoring.

[karlos]

Load of rubbish you make your own luck, the rubbish refs are same for all sides in this league but score your chances and you stand a chance of winning miss them like we are from 6 yards out and you don't win games.

[PDX_Rover]

Load of rubbish you make your own luck, the rubbish refs are same for all sides in this league but score your chances and you stand a chance of winning miss them like we are from 6 yards out and you don't win games.

Why is it rubbish? Of course goals win games. Having 11 players on the pitch increases your chances of scoring goals. It’s all relative.

Time and again games are ruined by imbeciles.

[since-1969]

It never ends does it? The piss poor standard of officiating by part timers ruining the professional game.

Last week was infuriating. Today is just rubbing salt in the wound. Marquis sent off at the request of the Wimbledon players.

It stinks.

This probably the only thing I liked about Fergie when he said the Refs should be shot !!

[Chris Black come back]

They were not too bad today. Certainly not biased against us.

We lost because we persisted with hammering balls into touch when we had eleven men, Marquis getting two bookings for pointless stuff and only in last five minutes did we realise that Smith and May had to have ball played to feet rather than hammered at them to win in air against their 6”4 centre backs.

Blair and Copps played well. Rest varied 5/10-6/10. Marosi has at least one mistake in him each game.

[drfchound]

Didn't Marosi make two or three really good saves today?

[Chris Black come back]

Yep, certainly two good saves.

[Dutch Uncle]

I mean, it's been an issue for decades of course, but it seems to be getting worse. It's outright inept.

My take is that players are getting more experienced and clever in their cheating, making Referee's jobs more difficult.

IMHO the only real answer to that is a combination of technology (some sort of VAR) and greater use of tough penalties for cheating. When it can be proven that cheating does not help, and leads to a ban for the protagonist then it will dramatically reduce.

[mushRTID]

Bad mistake for their 1st goal. Was it Downing’s header back?

[ravenrover]

And replace them with whom? Some forced to retire would be good refs

[Campsall rover]

I’d like them to bring back the mandatory retirement age.

Both our last 2 refs are well under the old retirement age. I would think they are both well under 40.
Age and ability don’t always go together do they.
It’s the big decisions they are getting wrong week after week. Nothing to do with how old they are.

[Barmby Rover]

As I said in Lucky Pint, the Dingles go down to ten, and win at a canter, we just were not good enough. We will get caught out for pay-off places unless there is significant improvement.

[Donnywolf]

I mean, it's been an issue for decades of course, but it seems to be getting worse. It's outright inept.

My take is that players are getting more experienced and clever in their cheating, making Referee's jobs more difficult.

IMHO the only real answer to that is a combination of technology (some sort of VAR) and greater use of tough penalties for cheating. When it can be proven that cheating does not help, and leads to a ban for the protagonist then it will dramatically reduce.

Agreed - the Ref gets one look at everything. I dont think they are necessarily worse than the 60s they just have so much going off. The Players COULD help but they need an edge against the opposition and so we have what we have - wholesale cheating (gamesmanship) by Players and Clubs

The Refs could be helped in several ways including moving asap to a fixed 30 Minutes timed action in each half. That would take out the timekeeping element - the timewasting - the bleating about added time and the fake injuries. Someone would be stopping and starting the Clock and everyone would benefit

It is as annoying as hell being 1 down and watching the oppo keeper taking a minute each Goal Kick - or the fake injuries to waste time (and get the ball back) and that could solve most of the problems DEAD and help the Ref no end

There are no end of other things that could relieve the Refs - so what others would you reckon - and would some Rule changes be advantageous ? Time to abolish Offside ? What would that do

People in all Sports react to comply with rule changes - Cricket is almost unrecognisable so would abolishing Offside enhance the Game (and leave the Linos / Refs with more free time to do what they do) or would it ruin the game

I have no idea just wondeed what would happen ?

[Colemans Left Hook]

We apparently have to just turn the other cheek as referees make mistakes all the time and we are not allowed to complain.

or in Looserpools case turn the other cheek shoulder as Burnley take a 1-0 lead as a foul on the goalie's shoulder  isn't spotted shame not

Mane accidentally headbuts phil bardsley !! yes it was accidentally if it had been yesterdays ref mane would have been sent off !?

in the very unlikely event pool lose this game obviously klopp's excuse is the wrong type of time  (12 o'clock kick off) score 1-1 now

[esdailles left foot]

Something needs to be done about players cheating to gain an advantage. Making the referees job impossible.

[Donnywolf]

They were going to review dives fouls etc on a Monday each week and I think they started but is it still going ?

Also why not get Refs to give EVERY push pull they see in Penalty area from Fee Licks or Corners. They started that and it too fizzled out. Strat again and if the games are 12 -11 then so be it. The Players would eventually get the message

Weds v United the other night the Owls player (name bagan with A - Arras ?) wrestled a Blade a full 10 yards before finally throwing him down. Ref simply not interested - if they jumped on it it would stop

[esdailles left foot]

It's the wrestling in the area when the defending player is not even watching the ball should be outlawed

[Campsall rover]

Arsenal just given a penalty v Man U. It was never a penalty in a million years. Blatant dive and ref fell for it.

[Donnywolf]

... and did not Book Pogba for what in Rugby Union would have been a high tackle NOR Ashley Young for a stamp "tackle" on some Arsenal Player on Half way line

[albie]

VAR will become the new normal once it is used in the Prem next season.
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/premier-league-var

It will then become standard in the Championship shortly after (the next season).
It might be a bit longer migrating down the divisions to Rovers, unless we step up.

[tyke1962]

I wonder how former tyke and Rovers midfielder Alan Little would go on these days ?

My word Alan was a hard lad , could play as well mind .