Law 18 anyone?

I defended referees yesterday and said they need to make the most of their positions: "they are always right."

They were absolutely right again yesterday when it comes to the 17 laws of football. But perhaps the biggest rule in the game is Law 18: the rule of common sense.

Step forward Mr Hall and Mr Miller.

Hall refereed the QPR v Reading game and sent off Ben Watson in the first-half for taking a free-kick too quickly. Watson, the QPR player, had indeed taken it too quickly, was on a booking so should have been carded. But people are human.

Similary Miller sent-off Guy Moussi of Nottingham Forest after the French midfielder netted a winner in the dying seconds against Barnsley. Second booking, red card. Human emotion does not seem to come into it.

Mr Hall and Mr Miller should maintain their public stance that they were right (indeed they were by the rule book). But at the same time they should review their only performances and think about law 18 (a rule explained to trainee referees on training courses).

Loyalty?

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has been rightly praised for his loyalty to managers. He has kept faith with Bryan Robson, Steve McClaren and Gareth Southgate during the hard times. Most other chairmen would have sacked Southgate when Boro were relegated to the Championship in May. But not Gibson. Which makes the decision to sack Southgate now all the more staggering.

The former England defender (famous for that miss against Germany in the Euro 96 semis and the subsequent Pizza Hut commercials) was given his P45 AFTER Boro had comprehensively beaten Derby 2-0 at home to put them up to 4th in the Championship, just ONE point off top spot. In any other industry, it would be unbelievable. But to take a well-worn manager's cliche, "that's football."

Already we have seen Ian McParland sacked as Notts County manager despite being four points off the lead, Wycombe manager Peter Taylor fired the day before the game and Darlington boss Colin Todd sacked just four months into his reign.

It's time for a bit of loyalty in football. Just look at the managers who have stayed around the longest. Manchester United and Arsenal were not doing too badly the last time I looked.

Respect the ref? They should respect themselves

The FA's respect campaign has long been derided as a complete waste of time. And the situation with referees this season is getting even more ridiculous.

The one golden rule of football I grew up with was "the referee is always right, even when he's wrong." But sadly that adage is no longer true as the referees and the authorities are setting precedents.

Referees have been apologising to managers for making mistakes this season. How very noble. The referee's chief Keith Hackett has been calling club's up to apologise. How very polite. Referees are getting dropped for minor mistakes. These are referees for goodness sake. How can they earn respect if their bosses are blaiming them for every single thing they get wrong?

Sir Alex Ferguson has jumped on the bandwagon with his disgraceful outburst about Alan Wiley's fitness. The authorities should throw the book at him but managers can get away with any criticism of referees they like - because referees are not prepared to stand up for themselves.

Darren Bent's beach-ball goal at the weekend takes the biscuit. Who really knows the football law concerning beach balls? The attention seeking Jeff Winter and Dermot Gallagher should know all about respecting match officials. Their criticism of Mike Jones is appalling.

Football players make mistakes. Managers make mistakes. Aren't referees allowed them without fear of retribution? Stand up for yourselves guys please (and that goes for your bosses and former colleagues) ... or you'll make things worse.

The problem with blogs...

is you can just get bogged down with work commitments and get out of the habit of updating them. I have been met by a fiercely busy start to the football season, combined with an exciting end to the cricket season. But I'm back, with abject apologies.