GRAHAM POLL: Why Gary Neville needs to take off his red-tinted specs

18 November 2009 02:01
So, Gary Neville wants only a few referees to be able to handle the top Manchester United games.[LNB] I wonder who he'd include in that list? Surely Howard Webb, our No 1 FIFA-ranked referee but then who? [LNB] The second in the list is Martin Atkinson, who displeased the Old Trafford faithful with his display at Stamford Bridge earlier this month. [LNB] Talking points: Neville has a word with Mike Riley at Chelsea last year[LNB]Mike Dean might be included as No 3 but then Mark Clattenburg and Andre Marriner who occupy slots four and five, are also unpopular with United. [LNB]The superior attitude displayed by Neville's remarks is what makes United so unpopular with all other fans and his words are not new. [LNB]I remember going up to a United training session at Carrington at the behest of Sir Alex Ferguson, who wanted me to speak with the players who were having difficulty with the attitude of certain referees. [LNB] [LNB]Gary Neville: Refs should earn right to officiate matches involving top Premier League clubs This followed a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town when Jeff Winter cautioned Dwight Yorke, David Beckham and Neville for dissent back in August 2000.[LNB] [LNB]  More from Graham Poll... GRAHAM POLL: Play-off contenders aren't alone in bid to reach World Cup16/11/09 Graham Poll: The Official Line - Sir Alex Ferguson's verdict is a total sham12/11/09 GRAHAM POLL'S OFFICIAL LINE: Germany could hold the answer to combating divers like David Ngog11/11/09 GRAHAM POLL'S OFFICIAL LINE: Diving David Ngog should hang his head in shame10/11/09 GRAHAM POLL: Stop bleating United and Co - it's NOT always the ref's fault09/11/09 GRAHAM POLL: Branding Darren Fletcher a cheat was a terrible slur04/11/09 GRAHAM POLL: Record nine red cards show inconsistency in refereeing... just ask Liverpool and Aston Villa02/11/09 Graham Poll's verdict on the nine Premier League red cards01/11/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE What became clear then, over nine years ago, was that the senior players struggled to respect referees who they felt were not good enough to share a pitch with them. [LNB]Then they asked why they shouldn't only be refereed by Champions League referees. [LNB]I explained that only the top three referees in their own countries qualified to referee Champions League games and that it was unworkable as well as disingenuous to suggest that only those three were good enough to referee our champions. [LNB]The question for Neville remains the same now as it was back in 2000 - how do referees learn and improve? [LNB]If there are only three or four referees who do all of the big games, what happens when they retire or lose form? [LNB]A completely inexperienced referee is forced to handle big games. Furthermore how does Neville feel he is qualified to determine who is good enough to referee his team?[LNB]As it is there are currently only 15 active referees on the select list and of those at most 10 would be considered for a so-called big four clash - in all likelihood all will be refereed by five referees this season. [LNB]There is already a filtering of officials which is forced upon the Professional Game Match Officials Limited due to the lack of strength in depth of the referees lists in England. [LNB]Many consider this to be damaging to the standard and morale of the national list of referees.[LNB] What Neville really wants is for referees to stop making mistakes which he perceives as costly to United; what he fails to see is that he is so ensconced with the champions that his red tinted spectacles are giving him a very one-sided view. [LNB]Something a referee would never entertain!  [LNB] Neville: Refs should earn right to take charge of big Premier League clashesMan United, Chelsea and Liverpool set for fight to sign Palermo defender Kjaer Chelsea move for 'New Kaka' - but Man United and Arsenal also eye Brazil kidNew dad Wayne Rooney proves a born leader for England in QatarEvra refusing to start the party as France hold narrow lead over IrelandMANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail