Frankly, I do not think that this disjointed season has been a vintage year for our referees. They have through their leadership made a complete dogsbody of the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee. Some are lacking the fitness and movement [profile that we expect from our referees.
It is evident that we have fallen behind many UEFA European Elite Referees standards when we watch Champions League games. The referees certainly are more mobile and look more athletic in their appearance.
Yes I know it’s about the delivery of performances on the field of play, but with it is a requirement to ensure that Key Match Incidents are kept to a minimum.
Referees continue to struggle with their decision making on challenges. Is it just a careless challenge for which a free kick or penalty kick is sufficient? Is it a reckless challenge where the law requires a free kick and a yellow card or is it one of those excessive force challenges that players have recently not received the appropriate sanction of a red card? Those same referees on another day sit in Stockley Park and continue to fail to differentiate the sanctions and often do not bring to the attention of the referee a clear and obvious error.
Our referees are getting over-reliant on technology and often find themselves not in proximity to play having failed to react to an explosive sprint and attacking move by a player, or that fifty yard accurate pass that will test the fitness of any match official.
No, I am not going to come up with excuses some of our referees are just not good enough.
So here is my top ten:
Number One: MARTIN ATKINSON
Atkinson is long established in the Premier League having joined the list in 2004. The last two seasons he has achieved a high degree of accuracy in his decision making and rightly tops the list for having the most Premier League games to officiate this season.
Number Two: MICHAEL OLIVER
Oliver is rightly on the UEFA Elite list of referees and I still feel has more to offer. On those games involving teams towards the bottom of the league, he wants to coast and at times loses concentration.
Number Three: ANTHONY TAYLOR
There is no doubt that he is seen by the PGMOL as their top referee and in fairness, is probably ahead of Oliver for selection to the next World Cup.
He moves around the field very well and I have no concerns about his fitness and work rate. It is in the area of decision-making accuracy that he needs to improve.
Don’t trust your VAR colleague, go to the monitor at the side of the pitch and take ownership of some of the big decisions.
Number Four: PAUL TIERNEY
This is a referee who is generally a safe pair of hands and when doing his job, he remains calm and accurate with his decision making. His management of players is first class. He has been an excellent VAR operator and comes to the aid of a few of his colleagues this season
Number Five: MIKE DEAN
I still feel that Dean can handle any match and is a consistent performer who reads the game well. When placed on the potential tough games he then reaches his peak sorting warring players out. He reads the game well and has had a good season.
Number Six: STUART ATTWELL
This has certainly been his best season to date and he is continuing to establish himself and build a positive reputation. His movement around the field is excellent and I hope that his pathway to the top of the list will continue. Clubs and players are beginning to trust him.
Number Seven: CRAIG PAWSON
This has been a good season for Craig, he has increased his work rate on the field and this has paid dividends. He must ensure that he achieves a greater degree of consistency within the game and across his appointments.
Number Eight: GRAHAM SCOTT
Scott has grown in confidence and been appointed to some of the top games have helped his confidence. He is a referee that displays presence on the field of play. It is now up to his boss to show confidence in him.
Number Nine: PETER BANKES
Every time I watch this referee I am impressed with his movement, decision-making accuracy and his management of players. His proactive approach to managing games is positive and he deserves more appointments.
Number Ten: DAVID COOTE
Whilst I think his performance quality dropped towards the end of this season, he still represents positive potential. Coote needs to demonstrate his fitness during his games and be prepared to squeeze play more and not to drift.
CHRIS KAVANAGH AND KEVIN FRIEND need to get some consistency into their performances.
New boys ENGLAND, JONES. ROBINSON now deserve more appointments next season.
HOOPER, MASON, MOSS and MARRINER need now to be replaced and I would suggest Mason and Marriner take up VAR Roles next season.
KEITH HACKETT
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