Football turns on Styles

What do you think of video refs?

After a weekend when the subject of refereeing by TV raised its head again, news emerges that Rob Styles has been dropped from next weekend's match list. Former referee Jeff Winter, interviewed on Sky News, stated that seven of the ten Premiership matches had result-altering decisions. The interesting point is that, like most people, he didn't agree with Rob Styles' decision at Anfield, and contrasted that with West Ham's Craig Bellamy penalty decision at Birmingham; which he acknowledged that most referees he knew would have given , even though he considered that Bellamy had clearly "played" for it.

We can all look back with hindsight and allow TV to influence what we think about refereeing. These decisions could be worth millions to a club. Referees are human. They make mistakes. Are we basically saying Rob Styles gave Chelsea a penalty for any other reason than because he thought it was the right decision at the time? If so, that is a different issue altogether. For sporting reasons, we have to believe referees are doing their best in an ever more pressured financial environment. Whatever we think of them when we're in the ground or in front of the TV, we have to accept they are trying to do the right thing. We believe Rob Styles is generally a good referee and just had a bad day. Does that entitle TV pundits to call for his suspension live on air minutes after the event? If so, how long before TV (currently the game's paymaster) intervenes to correct the referees' decisions?

In the 70s and 80s there were numerous calls for professional referees as the answer to eradicating all the contentious refereeing decisions (watch Jimmy Hill from old Match of the Day/Big Match broadcasts). Now that we have professional referees - and this hasn't solved these issues - we're now calling for video evidence. When we get that, where will it stop? Specified camera locations; processing power of a computer? At all grounds, at every level?

In all the discussions about video evidence, why is nobody examining experiences from Rugby League, Rugby Union, Tennis and Cricket? At least three observations from these spring to mind:

1) It actually isn't as foolproof as people first thought e.g. ask Roger Federer about the Wimbledon tennis final;

2) Referees end up feeling obliged to consult the video on all contentious issues which then slows down play unnecessarily and in many cases provides inconclusive evidence;

3) In an environment where referees are already subjected to constant badgering by players, it totally undermines their authority.

If this happens the day will come when players will contest every corner and throw-in (in fact what a great time-wasting technique). Pundits and fans are looking for a foolproof answer. There is none! How can you video a player's intent? How can you video the force behind an action? There is much merit behind goal line technology but will it really work?

Reclaim the Game! The Weekend Events

• What did we say in our first post? When the monetary stakes become so high, issues off the field become more important than the sport played on it. Because, remember, football is a sport. So we now have the situation where Sheffield Untied are now suing West Ham for estimated loss of earnings (£50 million) as a result of their relegation leading from the Tevez affair.

• Congratulations to Mel Slade (Theo Walcott's girlfriend) for getting two Bs and a C in her A levels. Thereby increasing the collective educational achievements of WAGs infinitely. Apparently she intends to take a gap year. Let's hope this takes the form of back-packing around the globe to increase her worldly wisdom, rather than taking a year to increase her celebrity profile, burn a massive hole in Theo's credit card or spending endless hours watching one of his ten plasma screen TVs. Let's face it, if she's going to be following his limited first team appearances she's going to be pretty bored.

• As the custodians of our live football coverage, Sky, we can put up with Richard Keys' hairy arms (just) and even his banal and long-winded loaded questions to fill up time (only just) but to try and get on the side of the pub pundit, discredits his impartiality. He clearly could not hold back his delight at Manchester United's failure to win a game this season. We want to see informed comment and opinion on why United may or may not be struggling, not just schoolboy gloating. P.S., Richard, no amount of your mindless hype is going to change what most supporters still believe: namely that the same four teams as last year will occupy those positions at the end of this season.

• Oh to be English! Desperate commentators seeking a talented English player have hoisted both Jermaine Pennant and Sean Wright-Phillips into the reckoning based on what appeared to us at least to be very average performances. Shame that neither are really first choice for their respective clubs. Someone should mention this to David Beckham as he embarks on a 6,000 mile flight with the intention of playing in a friendly for his country.

• Congratulations to the much-maligned Sven Goran Eriksson. Top of the pile after three games and a 100% record. He must surely be a contender for the England job if Steve McClaren gets the push. If only he could punch the air and chew gum with the aplomb of Stuart Pearce, he'd be a shoe-in for the job!

• Charlton have denied reports that they have asked Keith Harris (not of the hand up the duck fame) to broker a deal to sell the club to a foreign buyer. Most football supporters would have looked upon Charlton as a well-run, well-supported example of a community football club. Is this move in the interest of supporters or of the directors? Surely not both.

Hats off. Take a bow! (or not).

Player of the week - Micah Richards. As centre back, single-handedly stopped Manchester United (Jamie Carragher: we won't miss you).

Hero of the week - Martin Jol. Coped with the bullshit and hopefully prevented further talk of new managers after only two losses (but we doubt it).

Villain of the week - Steven Gerrard. Asking for, and getting an apology from Rob Styles for a bad decision. Shame the same apology was not forthcoming for your undeserved free kick (which led to your winner) the week before Stevie G. Just remember you win some and you lose some.

Cliche of the week - Video evidence: Goalline technology is being trialled - so just shut it!

Shock of the week - Clare Tomlinson in Rob McCaffrey's seat on the 'Goals on Sunday' sofa; but dressed like Kris Kamara!