This is the catch-all thread for all things referee-related in England, including EPL, EFL and cup competitions. Old news, but a substantive way to get things started: https://www.thefa.com/news/2022/jul/05/fa-community-shield-match-officials-confirmed-20220507#:~:text=Craig Pawson and his team,between Liverpool and Manchester City. FA Community Shield Liverpool : Manchester City - PAWSON
I will try a new way to keep track of "big" matches. - The following matches are "big" no matter what: Man City - Liverpool, Liverpool - Chelsea, Chelsea - Man City, Man City - Man Utd, Man Utd - Liverpool, Liverpool - Everton, Chelsea - Tottenham, Tottenham - Arsenal, Arsenal - Chelsea - From Matchweek 10 onward, matches between the top 3 are "big". - From Matchweek 20 onward, matches between the top 4 are "big". - From Matchweek 25 onward, matches between the top 5 and between the bottom 3 are "big". - From Matchweek 30 onward, matches between the top 6 and between the bottom 4 are "big" (unless the match becomes less important, for example because one of the teams is already relegated). - From Matchweek 35 onward, matches with an implication on the title, top 4, or relegation are "big". The hope is that this will be more reflective of "big" matches than using the static "Big 6" list.
It's an improvement. I think any match between Man City, Liverpool, Spurs, and Chelsea should be treated as big no matter what. For example Spurs play Man City in MD7, but it wouldn't fall in your list. I'd argue the same thing with Arsenal v Liverpool for example. I'll let others put their opinion in.
The only thing I’d add is that after MW20 (2nd half of the season, any matches involving teams either in the top 4 or relegation spots OR within six points of those spots should be considered a “big game”. Those games are “six pointers” that can have a big impact on UCL or relegation spots.
Very good! I am pleased to see this modification, as it will more correctly reflect the realities rather than just the big name clubs against each other. Interesting to see how it pans out compared to your previous system. It will be especially revealing now that 4 of the experienced guys have retired. Certainly Dean and Atkinson always got a good share of those high profile matches. Also the change in the boss position at PGMOL could bring a new perspective as well. PH
There are certainly good arguments for why these matches are "big" (same goes for local derbies). However, I do not want the list to get too long - the aim is to have about 40-50 "big" matches in the whole season.
Mike Dean will be a Daily Mail columnist this coming season, on top of his VAR duties. Expect some more fun https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...onal-Premier-League-farewell-celebration.html
Time will certainly tell! Just like Moss replaced Mason. But there is always our old standby Stuart Attwell, although I also think Coote and Kavanaugh are contenders! PH
For those who with a subscription to The Athletic, a really interesting and data driven article by Mark Carey regarding tactical fouling in the Premier League. https://theathletic.com/3456545/2022/07/29/most-fouls-premier-league/?source=user_shared_article
i think part of my attraction with Moss was the unworthiness of his appointments. Like “what is this guy doing on this game?”
The new Nike ref kits look better on the officials than they do in photos. But I will say that Jon Moss probably picked the right year to retire, as the shirts wouldn’t look as good on the, uh, stockier refs.
Probably one of the easier "Yellow, Yellow, RED" all-at-one-time incidents you'll ever see. (Bradford City game) Donny red card #bcafc 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/6eXDkqEEyA— Matty Parkinson (@Mattyp45) July 30, 2022
Some assignments of note from England as I was flipping through ESPN+ during my Covid isolation. Anthony Taylor was in the middle for the Southampton-Villarreal friendly at St. Mary’s. Simon Bennett (one of Michael Oliver’s assistants) is running a line for Middlesboro-Norwich City. Graham Scott has the whistle for Birmingham City-Luton Town.
If he had booked him for the second instance of kicking the ball away, sure. Waiting until he actually got stepped on and then, I imagine, booking him for simulation or game disrepute? Not as good. Seems like it works here and understanding match context probably helps explain things. But strictly speaking, that second caution doesn’t look good with the benefit of replay.
I disagree I think absolutely every fan would be cheering this because they're sick of players acting like numpties and getting away with it. I mean come on, he's faking that crap we all know it.
This potential City goal is an interesting one for VAR. Seems clearly onside but then the question of a foul on the goalkeeper comes into play.
What do we disagree on? He should have been sent off for kicking the ball away the second time. Fine. But he clearly gets stepped on. Studs onto foot. It’s there on video. We normally punish that with a caution for the guy who ran over to step on an opponent. You can be happy with the result without believing the referee handled it perfectly.
Wow. Huge call in the community shield. Goal called off. VAR reviews and it is shown to be onside. Little discussion however on keeper possession
I’d like to think that the combination of the offside and the check on a potential foul caused the lengthy review. For the record, I think the right outcome (City goal) eventually occurred. For me, Adrian never had possession and was not fouled.
I guess that's what we disagree on, I think the referee handled it perfectly haha. I agree that it's not exactly the best looking encounter of all time. It's just the result I would prefer when a player is acting like an ass.
It’s actually a fascinating test case for VAR. Because offside was the decision, Pawson never made a public determination on goalkeeper possession. So the decision defaults to no call and the VAR then needs clear and obvious possession to call off the goal (once it’s shown to be onside). If Pawson had whistled and called the possession foul over the offside, I think the goal never gets awarded. There’s this grey zone after delayed offside flags where no one really knows how it’s supposed to be handled (outside penalty decisions).