Howard Webb

[DannyMan2006]

That said, one of our draws was a result of a poor referee decision against Stoke.

[Craig_H]

If we don't win the league it'll be primarily because of a series of poor home draws and not Howard Webb or any Premier League referee.

One of which was due to a poor decision by the ref.

Mancs beat Bolton at home due to a poor decision from the ref.

They beat Spurs largely due to a poor decision from the ref. I'll even say they may have drawn today and not lost, if Webb hadnt given the pen.

So that's 4 points they shouldnt have had and 2 more that we should have.

The thing is, in this type of title race, the small margins decide the big issues.

We have every right to feel aggrieved that we're not currently 3 points clear of them, and that we would be, but for completely scandalous decisions.

These arent 50/50 incidents where the decision could've gone either way.

[dom9]

My observations:

Howard Webb - Awful decision, It was probably a huge mistake, and I think he has had quite a few of those this season, and he is terribly overatated. That said, he is an improvement on the egotistical cunts he has succeded such as Graham Poll and the like. They made mistakes too, but rubbed a now, like he was ever any good).

Fredo - I see where you are coming from

Fredo and Craig_H - I wish you wouldn't hijack threads so often with justifications to your own arguments rather than arguing the points in hand. It becomes quite tedious. A debate is one thing - can be interesting too, but you guys bore me at times.

[TheElephantMan]

Webb having had it wrong doesn't make it a 'corrupted' game IMO. Split second decisions are incredibly difficult to make. He made one and he has to live by it, no matter how many Liverpool supporters are incensed and that doesn't make as if he's cheated also. He's got the whole crowd going manic and I've got to put myself in his shoes trying to make a decision and ignoring all that.

Maybe Rafa should do the same and play Fergie's game, though I think he's started to do that. Still, there were some people criticizing him for his outburst against Fergie in December thinking it had backfired, but he was obviously mindful of how Ferguson does his tricks. All fair game IMO, unless the FA starts banning people doing that.

I couldn't agree more if I'd written that myself, you Fredo are a genius.

[Leyton388]

Howard Webb is a cunt! Think this sums the thread up perfectly.

[lfc for life]

He won't be banned because he's doing what he's told.

aint that the truth totey had that in the bag,as soon as that was given there heads went down,there manager lost the plot and it was all down hill from there ,they came out fighting and they were buzzing but when they found the ref was playing for the mancs that was it game over something has got to be done!No one can say they are a bad side but having the ref in there pocket is doing them no favours:bird:. Ferguson said in his interview nce we scored the first goal we were electric ,talk about take the piss,i can see why every one moans about them nine times out of ten the comentators are backing them it makes me sick. lets see if that result ****s our title chance

[Infadel]

People on here have just got to get over it - it was a bad decision, no more, no less.

Generally speaking, refs give what they see - they are human, and will make mistakes. These mistakes even themselves out numerically over the season, but obviously some will have more impact on a game than others.

We have had our share of decisions for us and against us, but when we get one for us I don't hear people on here saying that the ref is in the pay of LFC. It's just part of life, so get over it.

[Guest]

Or use video technology like they do in rugby.

[Leyton388]

**** howard webb the bell end

[Exiled_red]

People on here have just got to get over it - it was a bad decision, no more, no less.

Generally speaking, refs give what they see - they are human, and will make mistakes. These mistakes even themselves out numerically over the season, but obviously some will have more impact on a game than others.

We have had our share of decisions for us and against us, but when we get one for us I don't hear people on here saying that the ref is in the pay of LFC. It's just part of life, so get over it.

I agree that people are over reacting but I don't believe these mistakes are random, the pressure and influence of the bigger clubs mean they are more likely to get decisions than the smaller clubs because the referees in these games are under more pressure (if they make a high profile mistake they are more likely to be disiplined)

I don't agree with the assumption that these mistakes numerically even themselves out over the season, I think some teams are far more likely to get decisions given for them than against them. And some are more likely to get dubious decisions given in their favour than others.

Even if you believe the number of mistakes even out the value of them certainly doesn't. A penalty given when you are 1-0 has more impact than a penalty when you are 4-0 up

[chelseafc]

Just another game where the match officials have been influenced by the Man Utd coaching staff to help turn the game in their favour.... disgraceful.... not o mention the fact that the FA have scheduled the games so United will have that game in hand to play.... The amount of extra time that was added on to the Man Utd v Aston Villa game was shocking as well... without any of these 'get out of jail cards' then we all know Liverpool would be at the top of the league.... with Chelsea a close second!

[Shanks]

Just another game where the match officials have been influenced by the Man Utd coaching staff to help turn the game in their favour.... disgraceful.... not o mention the fact that the FA have scheduled the games so United will have that game in hand to play.... The amount of extra time that was added on to the Man Utd v Aston Villa game was shocking as well... without any of these 'get out of jail cards' then we all know Liverpool would be at the top of the league.... with Chelsea a close second!

Welcome to the madhouse.

[Neil Young]

I haven't seen the decision but I reiterate my recent post where I withdrew my previous comment suggesting Howard Webb is not a bad referee.

I agree with the point above that somehow he's not as odious as the likes of Graham Poll. I don't really know why that should be because recently (at least) he's been awful.

[Neil Young]

I agree that people are over reacting but I don't believe these mistakes are random, the pressure and influence of the bigger clubs mean they are more likely to get decisions than the smaller clubs because the referees in these games are under more pressure (if they make a high profile mistake they are more likely to be disiplined)

I don't agree with the assumption that these mistakes numerically even themselves out over the season, I think some teams are far more likely to get decisions given for them than against them. And some are more likely to get dubious decisions given in their favour than others.

Even if you believe the number of mistakes even out the value of them certainly doesn't. A penalty given when you are 1-0 has more impact than a penalty when you are 4-0 up

The idea that luck evens out over a season (or even longer) is one of the biggest myths in football.

[Elvoz]

good ref made an error
**** me get over it - he hasnt won the league for them - if they do win it blame all our form around christmas