REFWATCH: Reading v Arsenal

[Barry the bird boggler]

Anyone remember how we lost to M'boro in the League Cup in 1996 (?). Are we destined to be the brunt of bad refereeing at key times in our history? Unlike, say Man U, we don't get many chances to get to Wembley.

That did enter my head yesterday, I can remember being on the South Bank, but can't remember why I was pissed off . Think Gazza might have been involved somewhere but I am not sure if that wasn't a league match later.

George Cain, the butcher of Bootle. Name still sticks in my memory as does a certain Tony Morrisey, the ref who was barged to the ground during a post match pitch invasion at Elm Park (was that against Lincoln).

Why you were pissed off was that one of our players was clearly fouled, near the touchline in front of the Southbank, fisticuffs ensued and when order was finally restored, Reading pushed up to take their freekick. Bootle had other ideas, indicated that the kick was going to M'Boro who took it quickly with most of the Reading team out of position and unable to defend. As a consequence M'Boro scored the goal that took them through.

I think my memory is correct?

You are more or less correct except that Mr Cain initially indicated the award of the free kick to Reading and when the handbags were over Middlesbrough were suddenly taking it.

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

Does the incompetent twat not realise that the ball does not have to go dead before he can blow for full-time?

All referees wait for a "convenient moment" to blow the whistle, which is why so many games end either with a goal kick or a ball just been cleared from an area.

Really, take a note of the exact time injury time starts, and you'll see that nine times out of ten, the game will end on the first such moment after the minimum time is up. Had he done that, the whistle would have gone with them taking a goal kick just after four minutes had been added.

I made it 4 mins and 28 secs which would have allowed for the sub as well so perfect.

It was one second over five minutes, which is where the press got their "in the 6th minute of stoppage time" from.

what we'll never know is the exact amount of time he ought to have added on.

[RoyalBlue]

What is frustrating about this is that once again football is failing to use the technology that it already has and is using to assist players, management and supporters in understanding how much added time is to be played.

The ref is already in radio communication with his assistants and his fourth official. So why the hell can't he radio through to let them know the actual minimum amount of time to be added after the 90 minutes have elapsed e.g. There will be a minimum of 4 minutes 39 seconds of additional time? That way it won't come as a surprise to anyone when nearer 5 than 4 minutes of added time are played. Furthermore, if the game then runs beyond 4 minutes 39 added time, everyone will know that it is due to the referee adding extra time for stoppages during that added time.

[RoyalBlue]

That did enter my head yesterday, I can remember being on the South Bank, but can't remember why I was pissed off . Think Gazza might have been involved somewhere but I am not sure if that wasn't a league match later.

George Cain, the butcher of Bootle. Name still sticks in my memory as does a certain Tony Morrisey, the ref who was barged to the ground during a post match pitch invasion at Elm Park (was that against Lincoln).

Why you were pissed off was that one of our players was clearly fouled, near the touchline in front of the Southbank, fisticuffs ensued and when order was finally restored, Reading pushed up to take their freekick. Bootle had other ideas, indicated that the kick was going to M'Boro who took it quickly with most of the Reading team out of position and unable to defend. As a consequence M'Boro scored the goal that took them through.

I think my memory is correct?

You are more or less correct except that Mr Cain initially indicated the award of the free kick to Reading and when the handbags were over Middlesbrough were suddenly taking it.

Yes, you're right. I forgot to mention that the 'Butcher from Bootle' had initially clearly indicated that the free kick was in Reading's favour.

[maffff]

The 'injury time' bit doesn't concern me. We were or own undoing.

There is the point of the Hunt penalty shout. Should have been given, but in hindsight so could the Chris Gunter handball (harshly?). Plus Koscielny shouldn't have been on the pitch.

The Hunt penalty shout was our last chance to put the game to bed just as before they started to find some real momentum. If we'd had that go our way we would have been a different game.

After the Ba handball, Torres offside goal and in hingsight Stoke and Fulham where we could, and probably should, have won I don't think we're as bad as our position indicates.

However, this game may well have broken us.

[Elm Park Pasty]

Anyone remember how we lost to M'boro in the League Cup in 1996 (?). Are we destined to be the brunt of bad refereeing at key times in our history? Unlike, say Man U, we don't get many chances to get to Wembley.

That did enter my head yesterday, I can remember being on the South Bank, but can't remember why I was pissed off . Think Gazza might have been involved somewhere but I am not sure if that wasn't a league match later.

George Cain, the butcher of Bootle. Name still sticks in my memory as does a certain Tony Morrisey, the ref who was barged to the ground during a post match pitch invasion at Elm Park (was that against Lincoln).

Why you were pissed off was that one of our players was clearly fouled, near the touchline in front of the Southbank, fisticuffs ensued and when order was finally restored, Reading pushed up to take their freekick. Bootle had other ideas, indicated that the kick was going to M'Boro who took it quickly with most of the Reading team out of position and unable to defend. As a consequence M'Boro scored the goal that took them through.

I think my memory is correct?

Now I knew I had a vague memory of it.

[Elm Park Pasty]

The 'injury time' bit doesn't concern me. We were or own undoing.

There is the point of the Hunt penalty shout. Should have been given, but in hindsight so could the Chris Gunter handball (harshly?). Plus Koscielny shouldn't have been on the pitch.

The Hunt penalty shout was our last chance to put the game to bed just as before they started to find some real momentum. If we'd had that go our way we would have been a different game.

After the Ba handball, Torres offside goal and in hingsight Stoke and Fulham where we could, and probably should, have won I don't think we're as bad as our position indicates.

However, this game may well have broken us.

I hope it hasn't. What doesn't kill me, makes me stronger and all that. We don't seem to be getting any luck this year. I know people say the season evens itself out but I haven't seen any evidence of that yet!! We will get a good indicator on Sunday into what the team mindset is, I hope they did in but we shall see.

Must try and look on the bright side though, if Clattenburg had been reffing Noel would probably have been sent off for div.... sorry, simulation!!!

[Man Friday]

It was one second over five minutes, which is where the press got their "in the 6th minute of stoppage time" from.

The goal was. I'm talking about the ball being "dead" in the air from the (Arsenal) goal kick. In other words, a good time to blow the whistle.

[Man Friday]

You are more or less correct except that Mr Cain initially indicated the award of the free kick to Reading and when the handbags were over Middlesbrough were suddenly taking it.

Spot on. The ref didn't have the bottle to stop play and enforce his decision. Incredible. Well, it's only "little 'ol Reading", they won't make a fuss and if they do no one will listen to them or care.

[The Cube]

George Cain, of Rawson Road, Seaforth, was charged with failing to provide information subject to a Council Tax Liability Order requested on August 15. Cain was convicted in his absence by North Sefton magistrates, fined £50 and ordered to pay £20 costs.