Referee James Bell… discuss

[RoversInSpain]

Let's blame the ref, the linesman, the pitch but let's not blame the squad for just not being good enough even though McCann put this squad together before any other club in league two. Do the players really want promotion, I don't think so? The simple fact is that now we have dropped into league two we can't get out of it.

Even a Chesie fan has dropped a comment on this forum saying the ref was a disgrace.
And I think you’ll find many posts clearly stating that the team was a shambles, few are solely blaming the ref for the defeat.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Watched man utd spurs yesterday. Thought it interesting the hand ball penalty was not given. How is it different to the one in our game?  Tried to explain it to my kids but had no idea how to.  I'm a bit lost on the rules.

[Filo]

Watched man utd spurs yesterday. Thought it interesting the hand ball penalty was not given. How is it different to the one in our game?  Tried to explain it to my kids but had no idea how to.  I'm a bit lost on the rules.

At our level its about the individual Refs interpretation, at PL level they have VAR, but there was no difference

[Dougiebulletheader]

Just watched the extended highlights and its got me mad again. As stated we got it wrong in midfield. Close is not up for it as I have said before he is a choccy tea cup just melts away. Obviously I would not run on pitch to smack the ref...that's just anger and I would not reach. Be blowing out my arse after I stuck the east side linesman's flag up his bum...lol

[Champagne Super Rovers]

I don't want to make things any worse but if you think this guy was bad then just wait for the clown that's coming up tomorrow night.

[roversdude]

I don't want to make things any worse but if you think this guy was bad then just wait for the clown that's coming up tomorrow night.

Made me look it up - oh great Scott Oldham the ref from the Crewe play off game (home) can’t wait

[Donnywolf]

https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=292351.msg1345011#msg1345011

It shouldn't have been a surprise given we panned him when we actually won this game

[colincramb]

I think a few folks have taken it a bit too far (with the whole ‘I wonder if he’s had a bet’ nonsense). He was very poor. But…

1. Molyneux only has himself to blame.
2. The handball is avoidable if you are concentrating and anticipating play
3. They passed it around our midfield at will in the first half. That’s not the referee’s fault.

If the Lino did his job correctly, Molly doesn’t get a second yellow, because he was miles onside, and did Molly even know he was on a yellow card?

If he didn’t know he was on a yellow, then serious questions need asking as to why our analysts haven’t made him aware. I can therefore only assume he knew.

Whether he was onside or not isn’t really the point (I haven’t seen any screenshots shots that prove this either way). The facts are that he knew the ref had stopped play and he still choose to kick the ball away. Whether we agree with the rule or not doesn’t matter either, it’s his responsibility to manage his actions on the field of play in accordance with the laws of the game.

We’ve got to wise up. Clifton equally as stupid the week before.

[Surrey Rover]

Saturday was Bell's first match officiating at league two level this season, previously he's been officiating in the Championship apart from the match at Goodison.

It would appear he is considered to be one of the EFL's better referees!

[drfchound]

Jeez, the standards really are falling.

[Dagenham Rover]

Saturday was Bell's first match officiating at league two level this season, previously he's been officiating in the Championship apart from the match at Goodison.

It would appear he is considered to be one of the EFL's better referees!

Maybe he was so bad at Championship level he was "punished" by being dropped a couple of divisions. That seems to be the norm

[donnievic]

Has anyone got a screenshot of Molys offside?

Molyneux was miles out of shot when the ball was played. Given the length of time it was in the air, I'd not be surprised if he was onside. It was right in front of us and my reaction was he was onside. But someone a couple of rows back said he was clearly off.

The fact Moly stopped, looked at the lino, then kicked it, was unbelievable.

Anderson lunged his head at Dunkley so can’t argue there.

The contentious one was the penalty. It his his and and it helped him control the ball but it was ball to hand wasn’t it??

im with you on this for me ball to hand for me his arms arnt outstretched demand me me he doesn’t lean into the ball and also all other little fiddly fouls he seemed to give chesterfield but not us but all other big incidents regarding cards can’t argue with even McGraths caution as it was because of his follow through,even doppy linesman putting his flag up and down you should still play to the whistle.

[DonnyOsmond]

Anderson's red card has been appealed.

[keyser_soze]

Interesting to hear that Grant spoke to the head of referees and gave his opinion that neither the foul on Molyneux or the handball by Yeboah were penalties. Also that Anderson's red will be appealed.

[Filo]

No point in appealing if there is no evidence apart from the Fourth officials word

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Maybe rovers have extra evidence we haven't seen?

[danumdon]

Lets hope the fella who walks up and down the goal line with his video cam has caught this altercation and its enough to warrant an appeal.

[Dagenham Rover]

Interesting to hear that Grant spoke to the head of referees and gave his opinion that neither the foul on Molyneux or the handball by Yeboah were penalties. Also that Anderson's red will be appealed.

And no doubt gave his opinion of Mr Bell as well

[donnyguy]

James bell sent Luton substitute off last night within a minute off him coming on. So that’s 4 red cards in his last 3 games

[VivaRovers]

Say it every week about refs- they are all corrupt

How?

And more to the point, why would they be?

Who exactly would be looking to chuck enough money at bribing officials in the fourth tier to make it worth anyone's while?

[Reg of the Rovers]

I don't think it's about bribery, it's about referees not being impartial - James Bell for whatever reason - loyalty to Sheff Wed, personal bias, reaction to crowd jeers, or perverse arrogance (which I think drives many refs - that feeling of smug satisfaction about being centre of attention and having the power to upset so many people) - deliberately and routinely favoured one team over another on Tuesday. That is corrupt.

[drfchound]

James bell sent Luton substitute off last night within a minute off him coming on. So that’s 4 red cards in his last 3 games

He brandished the yellow card six times as well.

[VivaRovers]

I don't think it's about bribery, it's about referees not being impartial - James Bell for whatever reason - loyalty to Sheff Wed, personal bias, reaction to crowd jeers, or perverse arrogance (which I think drives many refs - that feeling of smug satisfaction about being centre of attention and having the power to upset so many people) - deliberately and routinely favoured one team over another on Tuesday. That is corrupt.

That's a nonsense. There is absolutely no incentive for referees to be biased in any way or form.

The reactions to referees performances are blown way out of proportion. They're an easy target, and are held to account much more rigorously than anyone else on the pitch, despite being paid the least. We've got players making really stupid decisions that are getting them rightly carded, yet the referees get their credibility questioned for rightly issuing those cards.

Refereeing is tougher than it's ever been – television has massively skewed the expectation of them and what they're there for; they're bound by very exacting assessment criteria which limits their ability to let games flow; and then you've this increasing celebration of 'shithousery' whereby refs have to contain with 22 players, managers and subs trying to influence every decision they might make.

Referees will always perceive a game differently to everyone in the stands because they've got a different perspective aspect of the game to everyone else. I think there are some excellent referees, I think there are some less good ones, and yeah there are some who I whince at the prospect of, but either way they don't deserve the level of nonsense that gets hurled at them just because they read a game differently to people watching.

[Reg of the Rovers]

I don't think it's about bribery, it's about referees not being impartial - James Bell for whatever reason - loyalty to Sheff Wed, personal bias, reaction to crowd jeers, or perverse arrogance (which I think drives many refs - that feeling of smug satisfaction about being centre of attention and having the power to upset so many people) - deliberately and routinely favoured one team over another on Tuesday. That is corrupt.

That's a nonsense. There is absolutely no incentive for referees to be biased in any way or form.

The reactions to referees performances are blown way out of proportion. They're an easy target, and are held to account much more rigorously than anyone else on the pitch, despite being paid the least. We've got players making really stupid decisions that are getting them rightly carded, yet the referees get their credibility questioned for rightly issuing those cards.

Refereeing is tougher than it's ever been – television has massively skewed the expectation of them and what they're there for; they're bound by very exacting assessment criteria which limits their ability to let games flow; and then you've this increasing celebration of 'shithousery' whereby refs have to contain with 22 players, managers and subs trying to influence every decision they might make.

Referees will always perceive a game differently to everyone in the stands because they've got a different perspective aspect of the game to everyone else. I think there are some excellent referees, I think there are some less good ones, and yeah there are some who I whince at the prospect of, but either way they don't deserve the level of nonsense that gets hurled at them just because they read a game differently to people watching.

I agree mostly, like all things in life there are a few that give the majority a bad name. But those few - Bell included - must have some reason to be biased. There's a short blonde ref we keep getting who is the epitome of arrogant pr*ck, always puts on a performance that riles up the crowd and means he gets to walk off with a smug grin to a barrage of abuse. He loves it.

But you're right - all things being equal - most refs do their best to be fair, and red and white tinted glasses can get in the way can cloud how we see a ref!

[RoversInSpain]

Thought last nights ref was excellent. Definitely not in the drama Queen category.

[Donnywolf]

James bell sent Luton substitute off last night within a minute off him coming on. So that’s 4 red cards in his last 3 games

He brandished the yellow card six times as well.

Didnt see any of it. Was he favouring one side .... the home Team or the BIG Team (if they are not one and the same)

[drfchound]

James bell sent Luton substitute off last night within a minute off him coming on. So that’s 4 red cards in his last 3 games

He brandished the yellow card six times as well.

Didnt see any of it. Was he favouring one side .... the home Team or the BIG Team (if they are not one and the same)

I don’t know mate, I just looked on the bbc website stats.
Three yellows for each team.

[Donnywolf]

Yes , I should have known !

[McCammon egg n chips]

I don't think it's about bribery, it's about referees not being impartial - James Bell for whatever reason - loyalty to Sheff Wed, personal bias, reaction to crowd jeers, or perverse arrogance (which I think drives many refs - that feeling of smug satisfaction about being centre of attention and having the power to upset so many people) - deliberately and routinely favoured one team over another on Tuesday. That is corrupt.

That's a nonsense. There is absolutely no incentive for referees to be biased in any way or form.

The reactions to referees performances are blown way out of proportion. They're an easy target, and are held to account much more rigorously than anyone else on the pitch, despite being paid the least. We've got players making really stupid decisions that are getting them rightly carded, yet the referees get their credibility questioned for rightly issuing those cards.

Refereeing is tougher than it's ever been – television has massively skewed the expectation of them and what they're there for; they're bound by very exacting assessment criteria which limits their ability to let games flow; and then you've this increasing celebration of 'shithousery' whereby refs have to contain with 22 players, managers and subs trying to influence every decision they might make.

Referees will always perceive a game differently to everyone in the stands because they've got a different perspective aspect of the game to everyone else. I think there are some excellent referees, I think there are some less good ones, and yeah there are some who I whince at the prospect of, but either way they don't deserve the level of nonsense that gets hurled at them just because they read a game differently to people watching.

Talking of nonsense, how are refs "held to account much more rigorously than anyone else on the pitch"?

In his last three matches alone, James Bell has given:

21 (TWENTY ONE!!!) yellow cards
4 red cards

Yet he'll never be held to account in the media because they aren't forced to give media interviews. Crowds can chant, but they are powerless - they can never hold him to account.

Who's holding him to account?

[donnievic]

I don't think it's about bribery, it's about referees not being impartial - James Bell for whatever reason - loyalty to Sheff Wed, personal bias, reaction to crowd jeers, or perverse arrogance (which I think drives many refs - that feeling of smug satisfaction about being centre of attention and having the power to upset so many people) - deliberately and routinely favoured one team over another on Tuesday. That is corrupt.

That's a nonsense. There is absolutely no incentive for referees to be biased in any way or form.

The reactions to referees performances are blown way out of proportion. They're an easy target, and are held to account much more rigorously than anyone else on the pitch, despite being paid the least. We've got players making really stupid decisions that are getting them rightly carded, yet the referees get their credibility questioned for rightly issuing those cards.

Refereeing is tougher than it's ever been – television has massively skewed the expectation of them and what they're there for; they're bound by very exacting assessment criteria which limits their ability to let games flow; and then you've this increasing celebration of 'shithousery' whereby refs have to contain with 22 players, managers and subs trying to influence every decision they might make.

Referees will always perceive a game differently to everyone in the stands because they've got a different perspective aspect of the game to everyone else. I think there are some excellent referees, I think there are some less good ones, and yeah there are some who I whince at the prospect of, but either way they don't deserve the level of nonsense that gets hurled at them just because they read a game differently to people watching.

Talking of nonsense, how are refs "held to account much more rigorously than anyone else on the pitch"?

In his last three matches alone, James Bell has given:

21 (TWENTY ONE!!!) yellow cards
4 red cards

Yet he'll never be held to account in the media because they aren't forced to give media interviews. Crowds can chant, but they are powerless - they can never hold him to account.

Who's holding him to account?

it’s ok saying that but how many of those were justified as certainly the last 3 reds that he has given was and most of not all in our game was so as bad as he was for us the cautions were correct in law