Source: FOOTYMAD
Atkinson again, two weeks on
When Burnley won at Hull two weeks ago the referee was Martin Atkinson, and just fifteen days, and two games, later he will be in charge again for our home game against Liverpool this afternoon. Atkinson will referee at Turf Moor for the first time since the 2008/09 play off game against Reading when he sent off Andre Bikey although this is his fourth Burnley game of the season.I don't think there can be too many complaints from Burnley fans about his performance at the KC two weeks ago when he awarded us two penalties, the first time we've had two spot kicks in a game since the last league game of last season against Bristol City.Not even Hull's Management Consultant Iain Dowie could say too much, and accepted both penalty awards were bad decisions by his players and not the referee. There were six yellow cards in the game, but Tyrone Mears was the only Burnley player to get one, the others going to Hull's Jozy Altidore, Bernard Mendy, Craig Fagan, Nicky Barmby and George Boateng. Perhaps the only criticism was how Mendy managed to stay on the pitch after the second penalty award.Since that game he's refereed twice more, and the last of them was the Manchester derby at Eastlands last week. There were three yellow cards in that game: Adam Johnson and Vincent Kompany (City) and Patrice Evra (United).Those recent games have taken his yellow card totals to 136 in 37 domestic games this season. With the recent rush of home bookings it is almost level with 67 going to home team players and 69 to away team players.The assistant referees today are Robert Madley and David Richardson (both West Yorkshire). The fourth official is André Marriner (West Midlands) who is still to referee a Burnley game this season. He was in charge of Manchester United's win against Spurs yesterday lunchtime. Previous Burnley games:SeasonOppsVResYRBurnley players cardeda2004/05Crewea1-110Whittingham2004/05Sheffield Utda1-220Cahill2006/07Norwichh2-020Caldwell2008/09Tottenhama1-410Duff2008/09Readingh1-011.2009/10Wolvesa0-230Gudjonsson2009/10Boltona0-150Elliott McDonald2009/10Hulla4-160Mears
