James Child

Quote: Superted "Whilst I agree 100% that the players have ultimate responsibility, I think that's a bit of a cop out to protect the ref.

It's the refs job to facilitate the game - it's the nature of combatative sport that adrenaline will be high and tempers may fray in the heat of the moment - that's where the ref is vital in dealing with situations adequately and trying keep the tempera down.

Child does have form for ruining games with pedantic penalties - often applying the rules inconsistently and not allowing the game to flow. One thing I always think about Child is that he seems like a Ref who's never played the game and doesn't understand how certain situations can occur naturally, but he just applies the rules 'black and white' with no common sense applied. eg players being trapped in the tackle accidentally - this then raises frustration amongst the players.

There's also a real arrogance with Child and little in the way of any kind of rapport with the players - he speaks 'at' the players and can often be very condescending, again adding to the players frustrations.

Now this is the point where the players need better control, but they're already wound up, Child then exasperates the situation, and bingo, you've got a ratty, ill-tempered and disjointed game. This then becomes self fulfilling as more frustration means more penalties, means more James Child interjection....

It's got to the point that players now expect it from Child, so are probably in the wrong frame of mind as soon as they enter the field knowing Child is reffing.'"

I wrote this at the beginning of the season after another game ruined by Child.... I stand by it all....

Though I would add - he's not the reason Leeds lost tonight - far too sloppy as a team throughout.