Albion blog: Seeing red
Wednesday 28th January 2009, 9:07AM GMT.
I have struggled to sleep due to my sheer outrage at what I witnessed at the Hawthorns last night, writes Albion blogger Jarrod Hill.
See also: Albion 0 Man Utd 5 – in pictures
As you know i don’t normally write a blog on Wednesdays, but I felt I needed to as some sought of therapy, and to give my fellow fans an opportunity to vent their anger.
I can’t put this any other way, it was the worst performance from a set of officials I have ever seen.
Rafa Benitez ranted a couple of weeks ago that Manchester United benefit from a number of refereeing decisions. I can only comment on what I witnessed last night, Rob Stiles gave every single decision to Alex Fergusons Champions.
The sending off was a joke and it completely ruined a game I was enjoying immensely.
We were playing well and although 1-0 down were still very much in the game. The reason I was so angry wasn’t just the sending off, if that was the only decision Mr Stiles got wrong I could possibly be more forgiving. But the fact is he did not give us a single decision, he booked five of our players, sent off Robbo and I did not witness a single bad challenge in the game.
I am seriously contemplating writing to the referees association and asking for compensation from them for Rob Stiles ruining my night.
What also infuriated me this morning is the fact the national media have completely glossed over the facts about the game. BBC1 radio reported we had been trounced by the Champions and did not even mention we were down to ten men and the majority of newspaper reports haven’t picked up on Rob Stiles blunders. It makes me feel like it is becoming accepted that referees will make errors on a regular basis.
I can remember a time when referees were not celebrities. The Premier League has made these guys celebrities and they have started acting like them to. It seemed like Rob Stiles actually enjoyed the attention last night when walking off at half time he was smirking, laughing and joking.
My nephew summed it up perfectly; he said to me, “they are the best team in the world so why did the referee have to cheat”?
It upset me greatly, he is seven and we should have been talking about the skills of Ronaldo, Giggs and Berbatov. Or how well Jay Simpson played but alas no, the topic of conversation was the referee and his performance, and that for me tells its own sad story.
The lads actually played well and it would have been interesting to see how the rest of the game would have gone had we had a referee capable of making correct decisions. Do not misunderstand me, I am by no means suggesting we would have won or even drawn, and let’s face it thanks to Rob Stiles we will never know.
I hope I have calmed down for Friday’s blog but I doubt it.
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
I was at the game last night and I have to say I thought for the two big decisions the ref got it right. Robinson went charging down the line (40yards) and jumped in with his studs up!! If you ask me out of frustration cause park was ripping him to shreds all night + the fact he had brunt in front of him who by the time he thinks what to do – he has last the ball made it worse. If that had been a Man Utd player who had done that on Robbo we too would have been moaning – how about that chap for spurs or Diggard for Boro! As for the ‘push’ on the goalie Carson simply dropped it. Come to think of it I can only rmember one save he made all night!!! If you are going to beat these teams you need everyone on top of their game not fullbacks who experience a rush of blood to the head or goalkeepers who cant do the ‘bread and butter’ stuff. Yes I feel hard done by by some of the bookings but I dont think we can blame Rob Styles for the defeat!, or the manner of it!!
Report abuse
Bomber you along with thousands of us feel the same still this morning, mugged by a referee who ruined the game which was nigh on impossible for us to win anyway.
My lad 10 yrs old said to me at 5-0 down with 14 mins or so to go “Come on lets go” so i said “no we’ll wait til the end” and he started to cry, i asked him why he was crying his reply…
“the ref is doing my head in”
Report abuse
THE GAME WILL EVENTUALLY KILL OF PLAYERS LIKE ROBINSON
Report abuse
Lord_shepherd
I have a feeling you might be in the minority of one kidda in thinking that Rob Stiles got the decision correct!!
Report abuse
Bomber, you know my feelings,i am writing to the premier league and the refs association. It was blatant, not even subtle. There were so many bad decisions that by the time time 90 mins was up it was so sad it was laughable. Blatant penalty on fortune, unbelievable decisions to give corners,goal kicks and throw ins when it was the wrong way. Your right that we should be talking about the class that they have and yes they have it in abundance, and if a better team comes and beats us, fair play, but anyone can win the league with 12 men on your side mate. And like you ive had to suffer the indignity of watching the media today NOT give an accurate report, Rafa was right, but there cant be any satisfaction in winning that way can there.Id rather not be a part of it if the only way you can win is by cheating,thay can have it mate, im sick of it all
Report abuse
What a surprise Paul Robinson got a red card. He isn’t well known for that is….
On all accounts(apart from WBA fans) he deserved it too.
Report abuse
Lord shepherd. if you were there then did you not think that Park also went “40 yards” and was to ground first with studs showing. If it was a red card for robbo then it was also a red card for Park. Are you sure you were there or are you a dingle or manc winding us up, cos that wont take a lot today
Report abuse
If players are getting sent off for tackling we might as well consign the game to the scrapheap,make it a non contact sportthen they’d be no need for idiots like Styles to be on the pitch in the first place
Report abuse
we always lose when we kick off late,aye boing boing styles
Report abuse
Lord Shepherd – spot on.
Robinson was atrocious and Carson seems to be making an absolute howler every other game.
But there were many good points, especially how we are shaping up at the front. I can see 4 or even 6 points from the next couple of games.
Report abuse
I felt like crying, not that we were losing but, thats part of football, but that not only the referee the linesmen were blind too. If this is to be a future for any other teams to have a chance then fair play is essensial to the game. How dare he ahve the audacity to parade in such a manner. He spoilt a good game,referreed worse than a novice and I feel this morning robbed of money that was paid for the match. Rob Stiles is a disgrace. Thank God Benitez spoke truth.
Report abuse
Get a life LORD RED you must be a mank in disguise,Styles was also a Red last night even the most neutral of supporters could have seen this. Every descion went their way even when one of there players hit out at ours when in the wall for a free kick the ref told us off.Jarrod you are correct in everything you say, like you I`m so wound up it will take at least a week to calm down.We were never going to win but we were going to give a good account of ourselves only to be foiled by the ref.
Rant over BOING BOING
Report abuse
as for rob styles did anyone really expect anything else,aye boing boing donk
Report abuse
The person who has posted before has lost the plot, the Robinson tackle isn’t even a free kick let alone a sending off.
Most probably a bitter jealous dingle WUM.
Report abuse
spot on jarred,,rob styles is a complete joke,he spoilt a good game with hes biased reffing for man utd last night,i have never seen so many angry fans,this muppet ref should be sacked before he causes a riot,,the lady bottle thrower by us,if you tell us who you are i would buy you a drink,its just a shame you missed rob styles and hit a steward instead,,at 1-0 down halftime approaching it would of been interesting to see how we would of got on,cos we were still in it,,it was never a sending off,anyone saying different is blind..i hope we can regroup and put in a good performance at hull,hopefully under a fair referee…cech welcome back,now grab your chance with robbo out…STAYIN IN THE PREM THE MOWBRAY WAY,,OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH YES..
Report abuse
It was a joke Bomber, it was in fact beyond a joke. We were walking down the Brummie Rd back to the car saying the same things as you.
We said that we should’ve been talking about how Man United were excellent, about Simpson and Fortune building a promising partnership. How Valero seemed a bit more comfortable without Greening etc.
Instead we spent the 10 minute walk talking about an inept refereeing performance. I’ve hardly slept cos of how angry I was / am.
Report abuse
It was not a sending and he books 7 of our players, four or five for decent – just for speaking to him after another free kick to man utd, while ronaldo can throw a full blown tandrum proper kiddy style who cant have what he wants and the ref does nothing, he spent the night running round chatting to their players, for one his decisions would not have been given for us at old tradford, refs do not have the bottle to go against top players/clubs/managers, especially man utd as it would be debated all week in the press, other way round dont matter, sure he was thinking at least sir Alex will like me now. No sour grapes though, they were cut above and we gave poor couple goals away, it did look carson error. It just might not have been thrashing with 11 players.
Report abuse
1. Dingle Alert
Report abuse
regardless of the scoreline me n worcester had a great nite best atmosphere ive known in a long time lets lift the roof at hull on saturday aye boing boing styles
Report abuse
Spot on, 100% right Jarrod. I don’t think anyone is blaming Stiles for the defeat at all, but I will say I go to watch the Albion play football, not some egotistical twit in black who want’s to be the centre of attention.
I have never in my life seen such an inept and blatantly bias refereeing “performance” – because it was a performance, I actually think he enjoyed being the panto villain!
With all due respect Lord Shepherd, if those sort of chalenges are now being punished – and from my view in the BRE (you may have had a better view in which case your point probably over-rules mine!) BOTH players were diving in for a 50/50 challenge – then that’s the end of competetive football. Yes you can question the ‘intent’, but the ball was there to be won, and afterall, football as far as I’m aware remains a contact sport.
I don’t think Robbo would have seen red had Park not milked the challenge either, another part of Yanited’s game we all saw last night. They’re allowed to chat to the ref, get away with scoring after the whistle has gone, dive, commit countless niggling challenges, and we aren’t – simple as that. As you can probably tell I’m stil seething this morning…
Report abuse
Dingle alert – I am a season ticket holder in the East Stand and had a good view of the challenge. I just think most of you are seeing things from a one dimensional point of view!
Report abuse
No.6
I would worry about the wheels coming off your wagon if I were you.
The fact is Styles was a disgrace but it would never have changed the outcome.
One question I have though….If Zuiverloon was fit enough to play why didn’t he play at fullback ? We had 4 midfielders on the bench.
Report abuse
Hahaha, what are you people on, he charged over 30 yards to come in hard in Parks midriff, and your moaning that he got a red card??? No the days of players like Robinson arent gone, but the days of idiots that can do damage to other players are.
Report abuse
i wonder could rob styles be the son of former manure player nobby,aye boing boing styles
Report abuse
I totally agree with Bomber.I have had very little sleep last night as I was far to angry. I don’t mind loosing to teams like Man U, it’s to be expected, you could probably buy our entire club for what Ronaldo costs, so it’s to be expected. I do however think I have the right to demand a fair game. This didn’t happen at all last night. Styles lost the plot 10 min in and never regained it. Up until the sending off the game was fantastic, then you get one of the worst decisions I have seen at the albion and the game is quickly reduced to a farce. I sit in the East stand and had a perfect view of the tackle, it will never be a red card, it wasn’t even a yellow. Robbo didn’t jump in with studs up, he slid in and played the ball. As usual the Man U player made a meal of it and conned the ref. I am presonally of the opinion that Styles should have saved time and just gave all our players a yellow card on the way out of the tunnel, it would have much quicker! Can you please explaint o me why our captain Koren was booked when I thought only the captain could speak to the referee? Also How come Man U players can raise their hands to the opposition players and not even be dragged to one side and told to calm down, that should have been a yello at least! Rob Styles was an utter disgrace as were Man U. Respect the ref, as far as they are concerned that’s only going to happen if the ref is the big baby Sir Alex. Mind you some would say that he was the ref last night.
Report abuse
19 – Terry. Well said mate, I think this should actually help us too, cos it’s us against the rest of the world now. Proper siege mentality.
Still up for a beer in the ground Saturday?
Report abuse
Lord Shepherd.
I don’t like abuse on here so I’ll just say ****** ******* ***** ******** ********. There that’s better.
PS Does anyone have the address/Email address for Keith Hackett?
Report abuse
23 – Andi (I presume you’re a girl, like Andi ‘with an I’ in the Karate Kid was).
Shut up love, you are wrong!! Watch the actual tackle, then comment…..muppet!
Report abuse
I’ve not seen a replay but the both players arrived at the ball at the same time. Robinson won the ball and Park decided to writhe around in agony making it ‘look like’ a bad challenge. As soon as the red card was shown Park was running around completely unharmed. The ref. was conned by a cheat.
Also made me laugh how the media went on about Man U’s injury crisis before the game. The side they put out: Van de Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, O’Shae, Carrick, Giggs, Park, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez … some injury crisis! Albion didn’t even have a fit centre-half for the position (Meite, Barnett, Ollsen, Clement all injured and Donk carried an injury into the game). 10 teams failed to score against Man U before us … they hardly needed the Ref’s help to beat us, but he decided to help them anyway. I hope he enjoyed his shower with Fergie after the game.
Report abuse
Jarrod the teams “hit the nail on the head” come to mind spot on!
Yes its was a hard tackle but they both “slid in”
Yes in this day and age of our non contact sport it was a foul (but never a straight red but neither was that lad who did valero the other week)
In no way did the sending off have any bearing on the outcome (possibly the scoreline) so these are not sour grapes.
but to book bedner for scoring after the whistle yet not book Ronaldo for the exact same thing up the other end.
to book Koren for allegde dissent yet not neville or ronaldo for there rants right in his face.
very very poor night of officiating but of course the Referees will stick together
Report abuse
RE. ROBBOS TACKLE park slid in so did robbo note ive said both players robbos won the tackle because youve only got to look at the direction of the ball afterwards.park rolled around squeeled like astuck pig.likeorthers who were ther last night we knew wed no chace of beating them but to have the rug pulled from underneath you by a star struck ref is so hard to take.
Report abuse
The real bully Hoo and anyone else
The email address you need is Ra@footballreferee.org
Ive already emailed them with my thoughts and i hope many others do too
Report abuse
28. I have watched it and regardless of him touching the ball, he caught Park with his studs, if your denying this then your a bigger fool than you had us all believe.
Report abuse
Point of Information:-
On the 28th September 2008 (this season), Styles gave a penalty to Man Utd at Old Trafford against Bolton, for them to open the scoring. It was PROVED to be the wrong decision, and I believe that he “apologised” to Megson.
This man should NEVER referee Man Utd again and I hope never to see him at The Hawthorns, no matter what Division we are in.
When the Premiership fixtures come out, most people look forward to certain games and Man U at home is on of those. Styles spoilt it for me and I am so disappointed.
On the other hand, I thought we did ok, but more “soft” defending led to the final scoreline – we’ll beat Hull if Mowbray can sort out the defence, although he has got his work cut out with the injuries.
Report abuse
O well guys, as much as we moan we’re not going to change anything – Cech looked good when he came on again. If Robbo is out then hopefully Mowbs will see the quality and keep in the squad…i doubt it but we will have to see.
Looking forward to the game on Saturday, I can actually see us winning – i’m impressed with the Simpson, Fortune pairing and it can only get better. Also good to see Morrison back, he gives us an extra dimension and is a definate attacking force.
Styles is a joke, i find it amusing that a fool like him is actually able to ref in the “best league in the world” – but we all know nothing will change…
Anyways guys keep the faith and get ready to make some noise and get behind the lads on Sat! Come on you baggie boys!!!!
Report abuse
I watched the game on the net. I wasn’t able to make the game due to work commitments, plus I have to travel a fair distance..enough excuses from me. Styles was awful. There is no other way of describing his performance. The tackle was not a sending off or even a foul. Robbo did take off but he was along the floor by the time the tackle was made. Park was also off the ground when he started. Robinsons studs were not raised in the direction of park and it was his knee that followed through that caught him. Robbo got the ball and the clash was a collision after the ball was played. If this was the other way round I can tell you park would not have been sent off!
The Carson decision was spot on .. it was a mistake by Carson. The rest of styles performance was just outright inconstant. What about the foul that was never given on fortune? Ferdinand took him out and nothing was given. End of the day the night was spoilt by the ref, well done Mr styles. Lets move on to Hull and look to see if we can get something up there. It will not be an easy game at all!
Report abuse
27. Get real! If you think the ref cost us that game you are deluded we lost 5-0 nil.
Report abuse
also like to add look how pally he was to the manu players,not after the game but during at one time he was laughing and joking with a manu player on the right when the ball was 40 yards away on the left.how MOGGA was so calm on sky afterwards is beyond me if it were sir alex hed have popped a blood vessel.WE DONT WANT THIS REF AT THE HAWTHORNS EVER AGAIN,if banning orders work for the thugs lets get one for this pratt
Report abuse
i believe that it should’nt of been a red card a yellow card would of been fair, he went for the ball but got the player.
robert styles had a joke of a game but then again what ref doesnt these days?
I hope the albion stay up, it would be great to have more midlands teams in the premiership but i cant see it.
Report abuse
sorry guys i think Lord_shepherd has a damn good right to stand by his views, I got home from the pub and first thing I said to my housemate was about Carsons error, it was atrocious. i have felt sorry for him in the past but to see him throwing his arms around at other defenders after that mistake is simply placing the blame elsewhere, he should have held the damn thing, there was no shove in the back from anyone, he simply made contact. if his gonna make knee jerk reactions like a frightened cat then stick Kiely in goal until he has overcome this hurdle.
Stiles gave no good account of fair refereeing, it doesnt exist in that league, quite simple.
The only ray of light that night was Jay Simpson, mate you can hold your head up high today, you are looking to be an absolute gem.
Still can’t believe it, I only hope the players felt the embarassment and rage that I , alongside the thousands of baggies worldwide, felt.
Jarrod, I am glad you have given us all a chance to release a surge of hatred and anger against last nights performance, not just from us but from that **** Styles as well.
It has really disheartened me to hear that even children as young as 7 are reduced to tears because of a ref. I hope you sleep well at night Styles, you ****.
I fully expect an apology from the team today.
Report abuse
In my opinion the most annoying factor about last night is not that we had absurd decisions go against us, but the fact that the referee spoilt what was a superb and exciting game.
Realistically we were never going to get a point, let alone all three, and i dont think people are realistically saying that his decisions cost us points, but the fact is up until the sending off it was a superb end to end exciting game of football, and the Rob Styles show stopped that.
It just shows how absurd his decisions were when you remember the after the Robinson tackle the United players weren’t furious and demanding a red card. And if Utd players dont think a player should walk then it really says something
Report abuse
I have sent a strongly worded email to the ref’s association, I urge all true Albion fans who were a little narked last night to do the same and stop this sad excuse for a ref ever coming to the Hawthorns again.
Report abuse
Whether it was a sending off or not unfortunatly in todays football climate if you go bombing in for a challenge 40 yards away from the ball unless its spot on their is always the chance you will get send off. The ref was awful and so many simple descisions such as corners and fouls went manu way, it worries me that players like ronaldo feel they can chat to a ref during the game. But this doenst disguise the fact that we were bad, their movement off the ball was top notch.
Our downfall time and time again is the inability of west brom players to pick up the runner. This has cost us tonight.
Its quite well known to certain people on here that i dont like robbo, before he was sent off park was destroying him down the left, and it sickening me that so many fans gave him a standing ovation when he got sent off.
I must have spoke to 30 fans last night and not one wants to see robbo in our side, so why is it its the robbo fan club on here (exccetions matt82, mike somebody and lord is my shepeard)
ps are you reading cyril randle
Report abuse
Andi – please can you stop the silliness??
Did he win the ball first?
Was it that his trailing leg (therefore can’t have been a 2 footed tackle) that caught Park after winning the ball?
If you answer yes to both of these, you are therefore ruling out the 2 possible explanations for a straight red card and 3 match ban.
P.S. I have ruled out the possibility of Robbo lunging at Park whilst racially and sexually abusing him, but I’m probably wrong aren’t I Andi?
P.P.S. Are you Andi ‘with an I’ like the girl from the Karate Kid, or like Andi Peters and therefore a boy?
Report abuse
I was at the game last night and repeatdly witnessed RONALDO dive on the pitch and hold his knee as if he had broke it, wot a pansy!!!!!!!
What RAFA said is right Manchester united control the ref you will never win a penalty against them and rarley a foul. Discusted witht the ref how he managed to apparently miss the fouls on our team is madness!!
Report abuse
i feel for you we had him sat and the linesmen they here really bad, there first goal was ofside the second should never of been, as a foul before they scored. but rob styles didnt or didnt want to see it.
Report abuse
Bloke from work who is a Villa fan took his lad to the game and sat in row C of the East stand. He phoned me at half-time and said “The ref’s killing you. He’s giving everything to United. You’ve got no chance”. And that was before the flurry of ridiculous bookings. When I asked about the sending off, he said “I didn’t even think it was a foul, but if it was it was a yellow at worst”. I remind you, this guy is a VILLA fan, an independent.
Last night was the most one-eyed, biased display of refereeing I have ever had the displeasure to witness. Whilst after seeing replays on Sky the linesman got the offside decisions right, Rob Styles was not even subtle in his bias. Here’s a couple of examples as viewed from the Smethwick end: -
Bednar puts the ball in the net after the whistle goes for offside. Outcome – Booking.
Berbatov puts the ball in the net after the whistle goes for offside. Outcome – None.
Donk asks the linesman from 30 yards in a calm manner why he didn’t flag for offside. Outcome – Booking (plus one for Carson for having the nerve to utter “What? You’re joking!”).
Eckersley aggressively abuses the linseman from 5 yards because he believes he was obstructed. Outcome – None.
Koren (wearing the captains armband after Robbo is dismissed) calmly asks the ref why he gave a free kick. Outcome – Booking
Three Man U players (Giggs, Park plus one other) surround the ref demanding to know why he has had the audacity to award Albion a free kick within 50 yards of goal. Outcome – None.
I personally feel that Albion should appeal ALL of the cards that Styles awarded so that the FA have to review them and use his failure to book Man U players for identical or worse offences as their defence case. If nothing else, it will force the FA to see how biased their referees are and how obvious they make it. When the whole ground is chanting “Super Robbie Styles” at the end of the game, it’s obvious who has been the centre of attention.
The real disappointment for me is that at worst Styles will get a slap on the wrist and have to ref in the Championship for a couple of weeks. In such a tight Premiership season where goal difference could be critical (even Ferguson said so last night) not only could this result cost us survival it, could cost Liverpool or Chelsea the title. And that’s without taking into account the bans looming for accumulated yellows on our already injury ravaged squad.
The Smethwick end fans got it right when responding to the Man U fan’s chants. Rafa is right.
Report abuse
Lord shepherd needs to move seats cos his view of THAT GREAT TACKLE is obviously distorted!You only need to look at the replays.Also lets get zuvvi back at right back cos the hoff is out of his depth,simpson and fortune looks a promising partnership and it was also good to see valero getting his tackles in although a holding midfielder is still required,the clock is ticking!
Report abuse
does anyone remember a forestvspurs match agood few years ago when stuart pearce & pat van den hew (THE TWO HARDEST PLAYERS OF THEIR TIME)HAD A PRETTY SIMULAR TACKLE they both put everything into it.so hard was the impact i swear it shook our house how do you the refs of today would handle it? cos him last night wdve lumpped his shorts…
Report abuse
27 Try http://www.refworld.com/
EXPRESS AND STAR DO NOT REMOVE THIS LINK it is freely available in the public domain.
Report abuse
Man Utd have some wonderful players and pass the ball around fantastically, their work rate on and off the ball play was incredible. So why do they need to cheat? Ronaldo is one of the most gifted footballers of his generation, however if he had an ounce of sportsmanship he would be one of the greats.
I’m disgusted with the ref’s decisions and mirror what most people have said about his performance, but I feared the worse when I knew he was in charge. He couldn’t wait to send Robbo off. Neville/Giggs/Ferdinand/Ronaldo are always protesting at the referee so why doesn’t they get booked? The inconsistency in the decisions are atrocious
I thought under the circumstances the lads kept their cool.
When we first got promoted I really looked forward to the “big games” playing against the top teams in the league, but I cannot remember ever having a fair referee. Even when we beat Arsenal with a Carter wonder goal the ref gave us nothing, it’s so easy for them to give the bigger teams the advantage.
Bring on the hull – take 7 points out of next 3 games please.
Rafa’s got it right,
Report abuse
33 YOUR NOT THE FAMOUS ANDI PETERS ARE YOU
Report abuse
ME and my mate were only talking about styles before the match and the conversation were along the lines of worst ref in premier and likes to be centre of attention so no change there then!
Report abuse
The games worst foul was by Vidic on Simpson but no yellow card or even a word , just a smile from the worst referee in football. Mr Mowbray must take some measures to improve the goalkeeping situation. Scot Carson’s confidence is shot and Kiely should be brought back. If he considers Kiely is not good enough he must try and get another keeper in the window.
Report abuse
H.wednesburybaggie
very true the referee last night was totally influenced by the fact that park was rolling about and the fact man u’s players decide to crowd around the ref
Hopefully we will appeal and the FA will see sense.
Report abuse
I was in the ground at 7 o’clock, had to wait an hour and a quarter for the kick off, the the game effectively ended when Robbo was sent off.Did’nt get home till 11-15. Felt gutted and cheated by that excuse for a referee. I have been watching football for over fifty years and I can honestly say that that was the worst refereeing performance I have winessed.
Report abuse
26 ned, i,ll be there mate aye boing boing styles
Report abuse
Let’s face it, Styles was not the reason we lost. He is a joke, is not fit to be a Premier League ref and nearly every 50:50 went to them. I don’t think Robbos tackle was a sending off by any stretch.. Just a 50:50 challenge. However, Carsons error was a howler, but need to see it again to be sure, they cut us apart far to easily through the middle. The defence was very naiive last night. If you noticed, every time we had the ball, they were hounding us, whenever they had the ball we gave time and space.. We weren’t in their faces enough. Also, they should have had a pen went Brunt fouled Neville.. So I reiterate, Styles is a joke and I was reeling at him last night, but let’s not let itdetract from the fact than definsively we were terrible. On a plus, we’re looking much better going forward!!
Report abuse
Neddyboo, maybe you should get out more, maybe you’de just accept this defeat and move on. I dont know, its just a thought. Robbos positioning for the first goal was a joke, experienced pro, yup, thats right, shame experience doesnt increase quality in this league. As for Park, he was caught, end of. And for your last comment, does it matter?? Get a life cocka.
Report abuse
the sickening site of rob styles standing infront of the brummie road shaking hands with every manure player tells its own story.aye boing boing donk
Report abuse
how come nobody as said we missed greening,aye boing boing donk
Report abuse
We were always up against it. United the best team in the world at full strengh only minus a fit Rooney – Albion minus many first teamers too many to mention, aquited themselves nicely for the first 15 minutes That was that really after a clinical Berbatof finish, followed by the ridiculous red card brandished so theatrically and recklessly by the incompetent Mr Styles who realy should not be refereeing at this level. Until the Premier League/F.A. deal with inept officials appropriately by sending them on action plan improvement programms and not dropping them for a few weeks in the fizzy pop league where they will just make the same errors this will only continue. Off Soap Box
Now we all move on to Hull City away and leave Mr Syles to inflict misery frustration and do his best to incite crowd disorder elswhere.
Report abuse
I have never hidden my lack of faith in Robinson as a player but the incident was right in front of me and it was not even a foul. Further more from the angle that Styles was he could not possibly see if the contact was with the ball or the man. As has been said it may not have change the outcome but it surely changed the goal difference and that could be crucial at the end of the season. I do wonder why we still played with such a high line having gone down to 10 men it was inviting trouble. Still I was proud that the lads kept going under such biased officials and at least the badge kissing idiot will now be out for three games
Report abuse
I came over here for a break as the Mick haters are having a field day. Haven’t seen the tackle but the Sky guys last night WITH the benefit of action replays said it was not a red card.
Report abuse
37 Lord Shepherd.
If you think I’m a fool so be it but please don’t put words into my mouth in order to strengthen your theory. Nowhere did I suggest that the result would have changed but the scoreline could have been very different, which may cost ourselves as well as other teams at the top at the end of the table. Obviously you’re happy with Mr Stiles performance, so good luck to you in your world.
PS What colour is the sky where you are?
49 H.wed.
I remember that game, I think it was a cup replay on a Wednesday night. It was the sort of tackle that made you wince. The difference is that it was between two MEN. They both got up and got on with the game, unlike last night when one MAN got up while the other participant writhed around on the floor until the referee had done his bidding.
Report abuse
just read Steve madeleys match analysis. SAYS IT ALL…
Report abuse
Ive been to many of the great games against United,1968when we beat there best team 6-3ASTLE perfect hatrick,when we won 5-3 at old traford and good matches when weve lost .We was robbed last night of a good game of footbal,we would of lost could have been 4-2 but we have all been talking about a good game of football, not the rob styles show.STAYING UP COME ON YOU BAGGIES ANND THE BRUMMIE IS BACK.
Report abuse
Andi.
I know it’s got nothing to do with football but how’s Gordon?
Report abuse
Much as I hate unwarranted criticism of referees, having been one myself, decisions do seem increasingly to go in favour of so called bigger teams, particularly Man U. Is there something sinister going on afoot or is it just the sub-concious influence of money and influence. We had this ref on Saturday against Boro (not a big team, granted, but probably bigger then us)and every deceision seemed to go their way.
Report abuse
unless robbos ban is overturned this is a great chance now for cech and to terry fortune no we didn’t miss greening
Report abuse
59 – Andi ‘with an I’, by your lack of response to the questions, I presume that is your acceptance at being found to be incorrect?
You posted a point, I disagreed and now you’re only come back is to tell me to get out more as I’m correct…..well done you, I’m a broken man.
At least I go to the football don’t I little miss armchair fan??
Say hi to Edd the Duck for me, you could talk to him cos you’re obviously quackers (or just Rob Styles using a girls name to hide your shame).
Report abuse
At the end of the day only 3 things matter.
1) We would have taken no points from this game with or without Mr Stiles (maybe not the same goal differece).
2) Robbo will now miss 3 games unless an appeal is successful (with all the other missing defenders not at all helpful).
3) The Ref taking the limelight will Hopefully allow the players to still have belief and pick themselves up for the next game (at 11 a side would this have been the same).
Report abuse
do manegers give marks to the marks to fa like they do in sat/sunday football cos if they do id give him 10 so that hed progress to the highest level and watch him mess up on the world stage.maybe then the powers that be might start to take some notice of the inconsistant standards of our refs…
Report abuse
57 – Terry, lovely jubbly. I’ll haver a warm pint of Apple juice please kidder.
We did miss Greening by the way, although I don’t think Valero had a bad game at all.
Report abuse
Are some of you lot real – “I didn’t get much sleep because I was so upset at the refereeing performance”
For goodness sake get a life & don’t sleep for real problems – football is not now or ever will be a reason to not sleep or get stressed
Report abuse
The refs awful performance has taken away from the critism of the team performance, the defence and goalie had a mare.
1st goal- robbo never picked up runner
2nd goal- less said about the better
3rd goal- awful marking from routine corner
4th and 5th nobody picked up runners
On a positve note valero had a go, and simpson and fortune caused them a few problems in the first half. Plus zuiverloon and morrison had a chance to get fitness up for hull which is a must won if ever their was one.
Baggie boy G point 2 on your list is a positive.
Report abuse
Rob Styles needs to be investiated by the refs association and F.A. Can you please print the e.mail address for these.I don’t wan’t to say too much,too angry and will only end up typing a load of swear words.I will send my views to the appropriate governing bodies.THANK YOU
Report abuse
75 stick to rainbow zippy talks more sense
Report abuse
Even the Sky Sports commentators couldn’t tell whether we employed zonal or man to man marking at set pieces. We need to keep it simple mark man to man and everyone to concentrate right to the end and stay with their player. Can’t be that difficult can it?
Report abuse
Even I could see, sitting from the back of the Smethwick End that it was never a sending off.
Rob Stiles is a total disgrace, does anyone know the address for the Referee’s Association??
No.6, i’d worry about you’re own team that throwing away their lead like they always do, infact I hope you do go up, I’ve been waiting to see a team that will finish worse than Derby did!
Report abuse
lets get onr thing straight these days teams like us are not allowed to compete with the big4 IT,S IN THE RULE BOOK “RULE NO MUFC 1-11 LOL LETS HOPE THE EURO LEAGUE ARRIVES QUICKLY then we can get rid of the top 4 and hopefully some of the refs .
Report abuse
I actually think we can take some pluses from the game last night.
1. The whole ground (except Man U)where one voice and built up a decent atmosphere
2. We will not be getting Rob Styles at the ground again this season.
we could have had this idiot against one of theams we are targeting to beat
80… its in my post number 50
Report abuse
Firstly, we may have lost anyway and Carson gifted them the second, but I was outraged by Rob Styles display last night. I will write to the referees assocaiation to strongly complain. I urge fellow baggies to do the same. As far as I saw it, apart from the sending off, the ‘corners’, ‘throw ins’ etc, he was basically picking on our players and randomly booking them for trivial things, one after the other. Shocking!! We are not even a dirty team but one that tries to play football, even against a team like united. Styles’ performance was the worst I have ever seen from a referee. Unfortunately, the game is going to stick in the memory for the wrong reasons.
Report abuse
67 – Good point, the Brummie Road was definitely audible during the 2nd half from the Smethwick.
Keep it going now, it’s us against the World and we need EVERYONE to be making noise and getting right behind the team at every match home and away.
Report abuse
I agree with majority Styles should be investigated its not the fist time. PLEASE write
to the powers that be ask them to review the whole match. I agree Carson should get some velcro
on his gloves.Just remember they had only Looney
missing we had to field a pub team of a defence.
Jonnos abscence might just be the making of Valero
Finally tremendous admiration for TM hes a true
gent he has a bright future in the game hopefully
with us.
Report abuse
I watched the game on TV here in Canada, as I have every game this season.
Styles was awfull but so was Robinson, Park had run rings around him all day. I hope Chek can take advantage of a good run in the side, Robbo is not good enoyugh at this level.
Simpson and Fortune look really promising up front.
Boing Boing from Canada
Report abuse
i looked at this blog with eagerness as i also was at the game last night,80 comments i aint got time 2 read through but not surprised at the responce the ref,s performance was unacceptable he as to be punished 4 this,rafas rant was spot on,if a ref dnt give everything 2 united he will get the hairdryer after the game this putting him in the spotlight then if he makes another error he,ll b in the championship so no surprises really that he gave everything uniteds way as 99% of refs always do!!!
Report abuse
1. Mate if that was a sending off then god knows what you think about half the proper red cards he didnt jump in or go in with malice. Were not moaning about the fact that we were going to win or even get a point out of it its just were getting sick of awful officiating week in week out from people who are suppost to control the games it could have turned into a riot the way he managed that game.
Rob Styles is a shambles and the papers would have been jumping up and down if Man Utd were treated the same as us and this is the point were trying to make but obviously nothing will change until the FA get a spine and do something about this farce.
Rant Over
Report abuse
66. Agree with you. Steve Madeley’s report is excellent and sums up perfectly what I witnessed last night.
Report abuse
I’m amazed we got such a lead in the first place. Still, nice to be top (still) rather than bottom..
Looks like we might be swapping over – again -next season!
Haven’t seen the sending off but the radio WM guys thought it was a travesty. If we want our game to move back to being a sport rather than a business this sort of refereeing needs to be exposed and shamed..
Report abuse
#1 Lord_Shepherd – If you look, you might find his studs were down and in fact Robbo got off the ground before the challenge to tuck his boots under his leg and he lead with his knee. My view – it was a challenge, the ref saw it as a red and gave him a red. We go to the FA to challenge it and see if they agree with Style’s or not. end of.
It was the rest of his very one sided handling of the situation – reminded me very much of cricket umpire Darryl Hair.
Report abuse
I won’t mention that idiot of a referee,enough said already.Is it not time Carson was given a rest.The goal count from his mistakes alarms me!
Report abuse
Living in the NE now only see Baggies games courtesy of Sky. Watching on Tuesday night wasinfuriating Why? because of Styles’ Even Fergusson alluded it wasn’t a sending off. How Ronaldos’ second was onside beggars beleif. It is usally said that when your down you never get the rub of the green. Should be when you get Man U & Styles you’ve lost before you start. He’s a disgrace to football.
Report abuse
Lukey Boy (76) – Robbo’s 3 match ban is only a positive if we have plenty of cover for him. Ok no-one will argue with you that Cech probably deserves the chance to show if he can do a better job than Robbo. But then who does that leave on the bench as defensive cover if we have an injury/sending off???
Report abuse
absolute rubbish!! we had no chance! newly promoted team against a top team, never! the ref deserved man of the match! never a sending off in a million years! Worst ref i have ever seen!! he needs to go back and learn the rules of the game and stop being so bias! he wont have a job left soon! looking forward to hull! oh and well played reading for beating the scum! STAYING UP THE MOWBRAY WAY… IN STYLE OF COURSE!!
Report abuse
Baggie Boy G we would be very unlucky to have cech injured or sent off in the next 3 games before robbo would be back. He also has shown he can do a better job than robbo against spurs and city and little good that did him to be dropped against villa and then see your replacement cost us the 1st goal, the equaliser against burnely and the 1st against united thanks to his awful positioning sense.
On a positive he wasnt at fault in the 2-0 win in the cup and scored that night.
Report abuse
Hmmmm… I see robbo has had his card overturned.
andi Andi give us a wave… Andi, give us a wave….
You’re not moaning any more…..
Report abuse
Great news about robinson but Cech will be unhappy
because he will not get a run in the side
TMs a great manager but he has been unfair to marek. I see albion have found some dosh under the
sofa can Mulumba be any good for £250k still hes
an extra body lets hope Styles gets a job in the
FAtoilets.
Report abuse
AGREE WITH JARROD.HOW COME PLAYERS AND MANAGERS ARE PUNISHED BY OFFICIALS DECISIONS NO QUESTIONS ASKED.BUT OFFICIALS ARE NOT PUNISHED FOR THEIR ACTIONS WHEN PROVED WRONG.TALK ABOUT RESPECT.OFFICIALS SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE LIKE PLAYERS AND MANAGERS ARE.RESPECT GOES BOTH WAYS MATE.
Report abuse
I had a comment removed from the 606 live action thread as “inappropriate”.
It may have suggested an inappropriate level of affection between Styles and Ferguson.
Report abuse
Lord_Shepherd
Still think it was a sending off do you? I’d go to specsavers sonny if even the inept FA could see it wasn’t a red lol!
Report abuse
Well, the first step to getting any kind of justice has been done. We were beaten by a better team, we’ve all said it, and red card or not, we still would have lost but at least the FA can see that Rob Styles was wrong.
All we ask for is consistency and a fair playing field for all teams, whether they are the World Champions, other Premier League teams, or Sedgley White Lions
Report abuse
Lets face it baggies the team is not good enough for this division,we are going down and will come back up next season.??? will Peace spend money when we come back up or will he stick with the baggies being a yow yow club.If you don’t spend in this division you don’t stay up
Report abuse
No that Robbo has had is red card overturned,will sytles be band for 3 matchs
Report abuse