Are Football Managers Really This Dim?

Try as I might, I can’t let go of Foygate. It was the worst refereeing performance many of us have seen in a lifetime of watching football but the referee concerned, Chris Foy, escaped without comment let alone punishment as AVB was charged and fined and Chelsea FC were charged and fined by the FA. Not one of his fellow managers stood up for AVB and said (words to the effect of); “do you know, I think he has a point.”

Indeed the Clown in Residence at Loftus Road (Neil Warnock) stood up for Foy and chose to support the FA’s stance. So you must forgive me a snigger when last weekend Warnock himself felt the need to have a rant at the performance of a referee after QPR had a goal disallowed.  He had a point though, Sean Wright Phillips scored a valid goal but do I have sympathy? Not a jot!

It was a busy weekend for refereeing critics but I will single out Alan Pardew, Kenny Dalglish and Owen Coyle for a small amount of praise before I return to criticism.

I’ve yet to meet another Chelsea fan who doesn’t agree with Pardew that David Luiz fourth minute challenge merited a straight red card. We were lucky, Newcastle were robbed (makes a change for a decision to go our way though). Pardew’s reaction was exemplary; measured, honest and calm.

Dalglish had a little to say about a Suarez (alleged) dive and his gesture to Fulham fans but was honest enough to say that if Suarez did what he stands accused of; “I’ll have words.” Refreshing.

Owen Coyle saw possible Blues target Gary Cahill red carded for what wasn’t even a yellow card offence. No rant but a forthright, measured view afterwards and Bolton’s ensuing appeal has seen the card rescinded but that hardly returns the match (and score) to where it was (and might have been) does it?

Unlike AVB when commenting on Foy’s appalling performance, none of the above managers have yet been charged by the FA for their comments. Perhaps there really is an anti SW6 bias?

But why does all this make managers a bit dim?

Think about it. If the Loftus Road Clown had stood next to AVB over Foygate and said; “I agree, that wasn’t good enough,” or if Alan Pardew, Kenny Dalglish or Owen Coyle had said, “hang on a minute, AVB has a point,” we might have taken a step towards the FA taking the low standard of match officiating seriously.

Managers have the solution to the problem in their own hands. They must speak up for each other as well as their own clubs when the refs get it wrong (Wenger aside – he never sees anything). That goes for AVB too.

You can force change through strength in numbers and by displaying a unified voice or you continue to look a bit dim and complain only when it affects you. Take your choice!

KTBFFH