Dowd, Marriner and Jones get what some might classify as the truly huge matches, given that the results are viewed as truly in doubt and the financial ramifications are massive. Foy also gets a pretty huge assignment as Bolton must win away to have hopes of avoiding relegation. That said, the attention will be on the two Manchester matches. If United miraculously turn the goal differential around with the help of two or more penalties, I'm not sure Howard Webb will ever referee in Manchester again. Dean is a smart choice for the City game, I think. Very, very, very surprised that Clattenburg gets a match that does not seem to matter (or am I missing something?). Also, isn't it expected that Halsey is to retire? If so, he doesn't even merit a whistle on his final matchday? Perhaps this is a clue that he actually intends to hang on one more year.
They need to turn around a GD of 8 at the current time. City must win or it's moot, so that's at least another goal. I don't see a 9-0 route coming. It's only been done once and though it was United that did it, it was against Ipswich Town on 4 March 1995. This United team doesn't want it THAT bad. Earlier this year it was 1-0 to United on an OG. Fulham - Tottenham seems to me to be the best match of the day.
Oh believe me, I used "miraculously" for a reason. I'm just saying... it IS possible. And if it was done with any sort of significant assistance from Howard Webb, I'm pretty sure our board would collapse in minutes.
Right. This was the analytical point that I was trying to make with some humor. Though, to be fair, if he was given the City game and City lost on a penalty or other controversial decision, it'd be even worse. I guess I don't see why Webb wasn't given one of the games for a UCL spot instead of a Manchester match. Though I suppose it has to do with who has seen which teams how many times and against which opponents throughout the year. You'd have to really analyze it to figure out how much wiggle room Mike Riley really felt he had. I still, though, don't understand how Clattenburg isn't on one of the 6 matches that really matter.
Looks to me like it's just the "big guns" with whistles: Lee Mason Andre Marriner Mike Dean Martin Atkinson Chris Foy Howard Webb Mark Clattenburg Phil Dowd Mike Jones and then there's Michael Oliver which is really odd to me as he has done nothing aside from one fourth in the past month.
Right, it's one thing to support your referees. It's another entirely to put them in a situation they can't win in. If Webb had been put on the City game, Riley would need his head checked. Webb needs to work his share of ManU games; this just isn't the one I'd pick.
If I remember correctly, Oliver was sat for some sort of perceived error a few weeks ago. That said, I think you're right that they just went with the top 10 performing referees over the course of the season--or something close to it. I'd quibble with Mason over Probert, but it's hard to argue aside from that (unless you think Atkinson's season was so terrible that he's only in this group on reputation).
Halsey has been switched to the whistle for the Swansea-Liverpool match, as Clattenburg has sustained an injury. Good for Halsey. Hopefully not too bad for Clattenburg. Will have to wait to hear how serious it is, as it could affect EURO 2012.
Because of the perceived bias, the FA is asking for trouble appointing Webb to either of these games. Clearly, City/QPR is the most important match of the day. After that, it's Stoke/Bolton -- Webb should have been placed on that match.
If you are in to your Serie A memes, the Bolton game is key because QPR may have nothing to play for.