I've just watched the full match replay. Whilst I might come across as biased, in the first half, I actually thought Declan Bourne did a decent job. If anything, the decisions he got wrong were largely in Plymouth's favour; the bookings for McGoldrick and Shepherd spring to mind. Their fans were very vocal towards the end of the half about their displeasure for Mr Bourne, and booed him off at half time. He came back out in the second half and gave them everything. It was as though he was pandering to the home crowd. The decision that has bugged me the most, is actually quite an insignificant one. It didn't alter the course of the game at all (albeit I think Shepherd was sent of during the resulting counter attack), but it highlighted how much Mr Bourne was being influenced by the home crowed in the 2nd half. Luca Connell put the ball on the edge of the quadrant to take a corner. Their fans argued the placement of the ball. Mr Bourne asked Luca to move it back. Luca then beckoned the referee over to have a look. Despite the ball only needing to overhang the quadrant, Mr Bourne physically moved the ball back. Luca's placement of the ball was absolutely fine by the letter of the law, but I think Declan Bourne was trying to get some credit back with the home fans. It's disappointing to see that the standard of refereeing hasn't improved over pre-season. Still, that's 6 undefeated out of 7 with Mr Bourne in charge of us. Send him every week
Really poor refereeing performance. I agree he started well and got the disallowed goal call spot on. But soon lost control and it was a farce. Summed up by the fact he forgot he'd already booked Shepherd and then him faffing about to issue red.
I honestly think he wouldn't have given a second yellow had he realised sooner that he'd already booked Shepherd. It was a soft booking already, and the first wasn't even a booking. Possibly one of the softest red cards I've ever seen given.
Agreed, he lost the game totally and was flustered. Really harsh red card and Shep now has to needlessly miss a game due to the refs incompetence.
I said at the time the club should send it to the FA and make an official complaint. It's an inconsequential decision but it's inexcusable. It wasn't a question of his opinion, he didn't have to make a subjective decision, it was a clear cut 'is the ball in a legal position or not?' decision to make and not only did he ,ale the wrong one but he made it by a considerable amount which brings into question either his competence or his impartiality. Either way he shouldn't be in a position to abuse his power. What he did is actually very little different to walking over to the goal line, looking at the ball stood still hanging over the line, kicking the ball into the back of the net and giving the goal.
I do not have any high expectations of the refereeing standards this year. I am expecting the usual low levels of officiating and know that I will be getting very frustrated this season
Have a look on YouTube, at the Argyle press conference video. Both the player (Watts) and coach (Cleverley) bemoaned the officials. The player was particularly scathing. Saying he gave them nothing. And he believed we were time wasting, played slow deliberately, offered very little and were gifted everything. They were great apparently.
In his interview Watts almost admits to tugging Roberts shirt but doesnt understand why his goal was chalked off.
I'm just glad those two big decisions in the first half rightly went our way. We’ve seen it plenty of times before — that disallowed goal being given, and the keeper being sent off for rushing out. Still no excuse for his clown show in the second half.
Watts can do one the toerag. Watch him when Shepherd gets sent off. Right in his face clapping, waving him off and pointing him towards the touchline. Hate that sort of nonsense. Proper twassock that lad......
Defensively, as bad as we’re likely to see. But I do think they’re likely to get better as the season grows older, so we got them at a good moment. I thought we played hard but fair. It was refreshing to see after some of the soft s***e we endured last season.
Hourihane's influence is showing, then, if the opposition think we're getting all the dodgy calls from officials, and winning. Nothing will get rid of the shambolic decisions, though. Fully expecting a repeat of Burton-handball, Kitching style non-penalties, MDG-Brum-Reds a lot this year. Spoils the game, but unfortunately the corrupt clowns in black are beyond reproach. I really do hope Conor instils some of his own sly street wisdom in them...
