What's up with the linesman (oh, "assistant referees") in the Prem

[kjksccr]

So many blown calls this weekend and all in favor of the defense. If you time the run perfectly and break clear the flag goes up. Henry was 2-3 steps onside in one call.

[tomwilhelm]

So many blown calls this weekend and all in favor of the defense. If you time the run perfectly and break clear the flag goes up. Henry was 2-3 steps onside in one call.
And this is different from most other weekends how?

Fact is, it's safer to call the offsides and be proved wrong later (oops, oh well, just one play...) than to not call it and be proved wrong later (oops, you directly caused someone to lose the game...).

Conservative calls are about job security.

[Clan]

It's always been this way - it's just with the amount of games on telly now, it's giving it a false look of being a recent problem.

[yasik19]

this is not intended to be a dumb question, but how often to refs get eye exams over the course of the season?

[Clan]

this is not intended to be a dumb question, but how often to refs get eye exams over the course of the season?

They are scheduled right after Wenger.

[King-James]

I'm sure it must be very difficult. Particularily with someone as quick as Henry. There could be like a 5 meter distance he runs from where his teamate makes the kicking motion (when does the ball leave his foot exactly?).

I don't remember that call though.

[yasik19]

They are scheduled right after Wenger.

too funny.:D

[superdave]

What happened to Crespo...that's absolutely typical for a Bundesliga match. The ARs in Germany are TERRIBLE.

The ARs in England, I believe, are very, very good. One guy had a bad day. As an outside observer, and an observer of a couple of leagues, you guys have nothing to complain about.

[Maczebus]

As others have said, there's not a lot to worry about really. It's not as though the instances of wrong calls have shot up of late - games are however more analysed and more televised (during which more replays happen than ever before).
Frankly I'd rather have them make this sort of wrong decision than the other option of someone actually being offside and not being called for it.

[RichardL]

referees are rubbish, and a linesman is somebody who's not good enough to be a referee.

[footykid]

And this is different from most other weekends how?

Fact is, it's safer to call the offsides and be proved wrong later (oops, oh well, just one play...) than to not call it and be proved wrong later (oops, you directly caused someone to lose the game...).

Conservative calls are about job security.

But they do cause people to lose games...the attacking side.

[tomwilhelm]

But they do cause people to lose games...the attacking side.
I'm in total agreement with you. Just pointing out the rationale that contributes to the current situation.