Rovers v Swindon Town- 15/12/20- Paul Howard

[The Red Baron]

Referee: Howard, Paul
Assistant Referee: Newhouse, Paul
Assistant Referee: Brown, Conor
Fourth Official: Richardson, David

Referee in his first season. First game at the Keepmoat.

[Champagne Super Rovers]

Thought he was poor.  Got a lot wrong which I think was mainly to our benefit except for the two big decisions. He bottled the red card and in my opinion he got the pen wrong.

[Donnywolf]

I was into unprecedented 4 Point territory BUT the Ref saved my blushes with a horrendously botched "Red Card" which 99 pc of Refs would have given even before they arrived at the scene of the crime ....

AND ....

.... I completely sympathise with those who had Rovers to win 2-0 as that looked like a mighty mighty generous Penalty right at the end. Lucky you if you had 2-1

2 POINTS

[The Red Baron]

I thought by and large he was pretty good, but he will get seriously marked down for two Key Match Incidents (KMIs). The tackle by Fryers was a straight red (the fourth official could have helped him there) and the penalty at the end was as poor a decision as you'll see. So 2 from me.

[Donnywolf]

2 from you makes me feel "normal" with my own 2. Ruined his performance those 2 incidents

Also of slight concern was one of the Yellow Cards in the first half. I am quite sure he and others were aware of the recipients but surely Refs are required to make it "obvious" to those watching and playing who each Card has been awarded to ?

Found it strange that I did not know but neither did the Commentator as became obvious when the Red Card tackle went in. One of his first comments was something like " of and he's on a Yellow Card already" but it became obvious he wasnt

[The Red Baron]

Referees are usually told to make it clear who they are carding, although even some Premier League refs are not good at it. The players should know, because the ref will use their name or number. If ever a player genuinely doesn't know he's on a yellow, it's bad refereeing.