: Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:27 am
Bonzo wrote:
Well when you consider that Brough deserved to be sent off for what he did, you can't exactly say it cost us our SL place. Every referee has to have a first SL game and being a match official is a constant learning curve - but how else are we to move forward if match officials from lower leagues with potential don't get a chance?
I agree with some of what you are saying and all ref's have to learn the trade, my point is that having Leahy take charge of this game, indirectly cost us our place in Superleague.
I'm not saying Brough didn't deserve to get sent off, as what he did was stupid and childish, I'm saying is that the ref had an abysmal game and made a catalogue of basic errors, the frustration was building in many of the Cas players on the day, in particular, Brough, who totally lost it and was sent off.
Whilst Brough has to ultimately take responsibility for this, the referee was so inept that I believe had a different ref controlled the game, this wouldn't have happened.
I believe Brough missing 3 games cost us our place in Superleague, wherever the blame lies.