Howard Webb

[Bridge'srightfoot]

My issue with him is that he doesn't let the game flow at all. Blows for every fucking thing and makes the game so stop starty it's unwatchable.

It makes you notice him though. So mission accomplished.

It's just the little things which piss me off. Like at least five times yesterday he could of played the advantage but always chooses to blow for the foul. I like refs who give leeway, don't blow for every minute foul and at least give the game a chance to flow.

I agree in general although I do think you are better off having a free-kick in and around your own box rather than letting the game "flow" for the sake of it. Advantage should be a genuinely better situation than a free-kick to the team fouled.

I also like refs who get things right.

Refs who get things right? Now you're being silly.

[Tokyo Blue]

My issue with him is that he doesn't let the game flow at all. Blows for every fucking thing and makes the game so stop starty it's unwatchable.

It makes you notice him though. So mission accomplished.

It's just the little things which piss me off. Like at least five times yesterday he could of played the advantage but always chooses to blow for the foul. I like refs who give leeway, don't blow for every minute foul and at least give the game a chance to flow.

I agree in general although I do think you are better off having a free-kick in and around your own box rather than letting the game "flow" for the sake of it. Advantage should be a genuinely better situation than a free-kick to the team fouled.

I also like refs who get things right.

Refs who get things right? Now you're being silly.

Nah, there was one bloke reffing us for the first time in a match at the Etihad who had a really good game. I wish I could remember his name as I thought at the time that he was one to keep an eye on. He is probably reffing in the Conference now while shithouses like stuart fucking atwell get the Prem games.

[Ted Hughes]

I remember a new ref being ok, in the back of my mind. Probably been re programmed.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I believe Michael Oliver is the young ref you're referring to. He was fourth official at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

[Socrates]

It's not that he got decisions wrong as such, just that he didn't go far enough and get his cards out. Basically seems Stoke don't get bookings for things other teams get bookings for because it is known that that is "how they play!" Outrageous IMO but that is the situation.

[Tokyo Blue]

I believe Michael Oliver is the young ref you're referring to. He was fourth official at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

That's the one. Cheers, fibd.

[shortagain]

I believe Michael Oliver is the young ref you're referring to. He was fourth official at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

and he's doing the filth game tomorrow

[paddyblue]

i was surprised to read paul smith in the sun say stoke should have finished a few players short, and mentioned the treatment of balotelli by their centre half,instead of the usual tripe they write

[King Kev]

Webb used to be a very good Ref. Unfortunately he started to believe the hype and has turned to dog shit.

I hope and pray that fergie doesn't chose him for the Derby game.

[zuricity]

Webb used to be a very good Ref. Unfortunately he started to believe the hype and has turned to dog shit.

I hope and pray that fergie doesn't chose him for the Derby game.

In a perverse way , i'd take Webb to ref it. Then we know it's 12 against 11. Some unknown element would be worse.

[Swales4ever]

My only issue is the lack of protection for players at times.He gave the fouls but didnt treat some severly enough to stop them happening and as I said at the time the fould on Silva was basically a red and it only got a foul.I am almost certain Mario would have gone for that.

I believe Mancini didnt do a press briefing in case he said something he shouldnt and I expect that's what it would have been about.

Signore, that wasn't an elbow. It was leading with the arm. There's a big difference.

... That's at least what the moronic commentator said when they showed Mancini gesuring to the 4th official.
In my opinion it was at least a yellow. That said, I thought Webb did an OK job today. [highlight]We've suffered much worse refereeing performances this season[/highlight].

I ve discounted everything to Webb - including the ludicrous happening on Silva - since he didnt award them the Barry's bright penalty. Actually I did expect much worser by him, while I even noticed one occasion when he helped Mario to regain his cool instead of winding him up further.
Imo, yesterday game showed nothing special but the usual FA's attitude to back the right of the Poor and Brave Stoke City to fight for their survival in the Premiership. It happens almost every game they play at home, like it was a mutual, unwritten consensum to waive to the standard set of football rules.
As You said my sense of paranoia blimped much more in games like Chelsea away or the FA Cup derby.

Once again I am preaching for Michael Oliver to rule the derby. particularly if our strikers shall stike back from now on.

[feedthegreek]

good article here if you believe the conspiracy theories and i do.
http://footballisfixed.blogspot.co.uk/

[getdressedmctavish]

As you get older you realise more and more that reputation is based more on perception than reality. Webb looks the part and never suffers from self doubt. But he is shite. End of.

[Tokyo Blue]

Mike Dean would probably be the best we can hope for for the derby.

[john68]

good article here if you believe the conspiracy theories and i do.
http://footballisfixed.blogspot.co.uk/

That site makes compulsive if very scary reading. I used to follow it daily but it suddenly disappeared. I am so glad it is back, especially as I now have the wherewithall to check the accuracy of some of his refereeing stats and patterns.

[ross.mcfc]

[quote="King Kev"]Webb used to be a very good Ref. Unfortunately he started to believe the hype and has turned to dog shit.

I hope and pray that fergie doesn't chose him for the Derby game.[/quote

It is not the hype that got to him, it is motivation.

If my memory is correct you can only ever referee one FA, League Cup, CL and World Cup final. He has done it all. He should have retired after the world cup final and I believe he would have if his performence that night had not been so bad.

He is still the best referee in the country, it is not saying much mind but I'd rather have him on derby day than anyone else.

[DoomMerchant]

Webb used to be a very good Ref. Unfortunately he started to believe the hype and has turned to dog shit.

I hope and pray that fergie doesn't chose him for the Derby game.[/quote

It is not the hype that got to him, it is motivation.

If my memory is correct you can only ever referee one FA, League Cup, CL and World Cup final. He has done it all. He should have retired after the world cup final and I believe he would have if his performence that night had not been so bad.

He is still the best referee in the country, it is not saying much mind but I'd rather have him on derby day than anyone else.

realistically, outside of missing Nigel's obv. Red, he didn't do the worst job in the world that night given that one team just wanted to fall over and the other team wanted to play rollerderby.

[Ted Hughes]

As you get older you realise more and more that reputation is based more on perception than reality. Webb looks the part and never suffers from self doubt. But he is shite. End of.

He always looks as if he's tripping to me.

[Beefymcfc]

As you get older you realise more and more that reputation is based more on perception than reality. Webb looks the part and never suffers from self doubt. But he is shite. End of.

He always looks as if he's tripping to me.

He's fucking tripping on summat, the cunt!

Isn't he 4th official for tonights game as well. I can see him getting the call once Oliver gives a call against the Rags. Hooked off, stage right.

[Ted Hughes]

As you get older you realise more and more that reputation is based more on perception than reality. Webb looks the part and never suffers from self doubt. But he is shite. End of.

He always looks as if he's tripping to me.

He's fucking tripping on summat, the cunt!

Isn't he 4th official for tonights game as well. I can see him getting the call once Oliver gives a call against the Rags. Hooked off, stage right.

He always has a stoned/mental case type smile, as if he's in his own fucking world.