Source: Daily_Mail
GRAHAM POLL: Refs thrive under scrutiny in Premier League's house of horrors
Fabricio Coloccini's blatant elbow on Bolton's Johan Elmander was something that you don't see very often in the Barclays Premier League - thank goodness. [LNB]The elbow is a very dangerous weapon and it was fortunate that Elmander was not seriously injured.[LNB] Nasty: Johan Elmander is struck in the face by Fabricio Coloccini on Saturday[LNB] More from Graham Poll... Graham Poll: Modric and Bentley didn't dive and shouldn't have been booked14/11/10 Graham Poll: Fabregas and Dempsey should have seen red like Essien11/11/10 Graham Poll: No, Mr Pulis... relegating referees is such a crazy idea08/11/10 GRAHAM POLL: Referees must step up when players go down and keep booking the Premier League divers08/11/10 Graham Poll: Blame Heurelho Gomes not Mark Clattenburg for Nani goal 31/10/10 GRAHAM POLL: Wenger is winning his mind games with referees25/10/10 Graham Poll: Why Neville should have seen red on his landmark day at Stoke25/10/10 Graham Poll: Marriner's big mistake saved Neville from a red card24/10/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEWhat amazed me was the look of incredulity on the Newcastle defender's face when he was shown the red card by Howard Webb after some advice from his excellent assistant Andy Garratt. [LNB]You don't mind a small protest from a player when the decision against them is a tight one but when it is as blatant as Coloccini's you expect the player to accept his punishment without a word.[LNB]Hopefully his dismissal will confirm to players that the use of the elbow will not be tolerated. [LNB]One can't help but thinking that the same should be said of the two-footed jump tackle but we continue to see those week in week out. [LNB]Maybe it is because of inconsistent punishment or because some managers refuse to condemn their own players for making them. [LNB]I was surprised at Wigan boss Roberto Martinez's reaction as he likes skilful players to be able to express themselves and maybe he'll change his view when he looks at replays of Hugo Rodallega's awful challenge on Rafael. [LNB]It was the perfect example of a red card tackle. Both feet off the ground, all studs showing and out of control. A tackle which has no place in football and it was lucky that Manchester United's young full back was not hurt. [LNB]The challenge for referees now is to detect and punish all of those tackles consistently and strongly and surely the message will get through to players that they cannot tackle in such a way. [LNB]Martin Atkinson did well on Saturday, especially as the Rodellega tackle was made only two minutes after he had sent off another Wigan player. Well done to Martin, and Howard Webb at Bolton.[LNB] Nasty II: Hugo Rodallega jumps in studs first on fouls Man United's Rafael[LNB] [LNB]In fact, it was a really good day for the officials despite them having to make so many big decisions. [LNB]There were three red cards and six penalties in just seven games and it is pleasing that there appeared to be no controversy. From Phil Dowd's penalty for Cesc Fabregas's handball, to Chris Foy's two penalties for Stoke at West Brom.[LNB]Could the season be turning around for the match officials after some really inexplicable errors in the first third of the season? Time will tell - but it is really nice to be able to write so positively about referees. [LNB]GOOD WEEK FOR...Michael OliverBAD WEEK FOR...Stuart Attwell [LNB]Oliver continues to officiate well in his first season in the Premier League. On Sunday, he was excellent in the game between Blackburn and Aston Villa. He is the youngest ever referee at this level but shows great maturity and calmness at this level. Proving that if you are good enough, you are old enough.[LNB]Attwell's record as youngest Premier league referee was taken by Oliver. Attwell has gone missing since his decision to allow the Liverpool goal at Anfield against Sunderland two months ago. He missed seven weeks before getting games at Peterborough and Bradford. Proving that referees are accountable.[LNB] [LNB] Williamson and Coloccini facing the elbow after clashes with ElmanderJamie Redknapp: Gallas is one of the Premier League signings of the season[LNB] Explore more:People: Johan Elmander, Stuart Attwell, Martin Atkinson, Roberto Martinez Places: Newcastle, Liverpool
