That was the point when it all started to go wrong for them, so it was clearly his fault

I'm going to Tweet Gibson and swear at him and accuse him of being a coward and blame him for Ah Van's ban, and Betts outburst, and the disciplinary
........oh wait, too late, someone already did that.

Oh no, all in the Championship did a small jig when he got 'promoted' - you can keep him.

Though it has been noted he isn't reffing any Challenge cup ties this coming weekend.

You could tell he is weak and not ready by his handling of the Leigh Bradford game at LSV 1st game of last season. 6 sin binnings and a rash of bad decisions! Caused fight after fight. Why a Leigh lad and Leigh fan had that game was ridiculous

Maybe what went on the previous week got to Joe Cobb a little and he had a bit of an off night? Plenty of players have plenty of off nights, are refs not allowed to get anything wrong?

Can't really comment on the whole game as I didn't go but video evidence and subsequent disciplinary results have proved 3 of the 4 cards correct decisions, although Ah Van could arguably have been red carded?

Why doesn't Denis look at those as contributing factors to their defeat other than the easy option of blaming the referee? He can't even get a decision right when he's seen a replay, claiming they scored a perfectly good try when it clearly wasn't!

Joe Cobb didn't spear tackle anyone, punch anyone, trip anyone in the last 10 minutes when Widnes were in front. He didn't drop any balls, miss any tackles, do any high shots etc...maybe the reason for the loss was a bit closer to home?

The game needs referees and they should be helped and supported not constantly slagged off by coaches when their team loses. He had fantastic game when we played Salford at home...the video of the game is there for anyone to watch on YouTube...he was near on flawless...excellent communication with the players (something you don't really appreciate at live games)....lets get behind young refs like him because without them we wouldn't have a game to watch!

Denis Betts is no serial complainer of referees. This is an exceptional circumstance. The refereeing wasn't good enough on Friday night and the fact that Cobb doesn't have a game this weekend speaks volumes about what his employers think of his recent performances.
Let me start by saying I have no problem with the Ah Van yellow and whilst surprised he got five games instead of four I'm not arguing against the suspension either. It started off as a great hit but he lost control of the tackle and it ended badly. I'm disappointed for Gibson as I would be for any player injured and facing a lengthy lay off.
I'd question why Moore didn't go to the bin for his running in and retaliating?
I'd love to know why you think the Marsh try was clearly a no try too? The fact that Sky have posted the video the way they have tells you that there is at the very least a decision to be made. Or are they posting videos of all no trys now? For the life of me I can't find a reason for it to be chalked off. Houston jumps with his eye on the ball. Miller barely challenges at all. The reaction of the Wakefield players tells you everything you need to know about that clip. Not a single protest just shared resignation. No hands in the air complaining of an unfair challenge. They expect it to be given andiIf that is handed to the video ref then it's certainly given. Widnes are 10 points clear and go on to win the game. Marsh's trip becomes inconsequential. Absolutely the referee was responsible for us losing that game. And he's paid this week by being dropped.
Finally... I've no interest in slagging off referees. I'd much rather never have to mention them but they are paid a sum of money to be evenhanded, consistent and accurate. Rugby league games are a product and we are consumers. Imagine going to the cinema and the film presentation stopping and starting and being out of sync with the sound and the customers thinking.. 'It's alright cos the projectionist is only a young lad learning his trade.' More has to be done to support them to be better in their job but they shouldn't be given a free ride to make as many errors as they can. If there is a problem recruiting them then maybe they should be paid considerably more.

To be fair, he isn't the one who decides which matches he is in charge of.

Can someone please give Widnes the 2 points, so we can all get a rest from the bitching and whining of their fans?

Are we not allowed right of reply?



I was under the impression that if one of your fans was willing to keep the conversation going then we would be able to offer the counter view or does that run out if we don't respond within a 2 hour deadline?

I'm glad I started on page 3. If the bitching & whining on the previous 2 pages is even too much for a Wakey fan it must be insufferable.

Just listened to Carney who said he just watched the whole match and as he points out even leaving aside whether Miller was taken out , the players who chased and Marsh were in front of the kicker anyway. Go watch it and look where they are when the kick goes up, well in front.

The fact it's on Sky might be because you're Coach made such a big song and dance about the whole things, thus making it newsworthy

As for the referee was responsible for you losing the game, get a grip.

It's blatantly clear to me why the try was disallowed....can you not see it? Houston interfered with Miller when challenging for the ball....Cobb was in an excellent position to see it....Houston may have had his eye on the ball but at the same time had his left, leading knee 'too high' and in the chest/rib area of Miller and his following right knee clearly strikes Miller on the backside....Now correct me if I'm wrong but on any blade of grass, or any inch on any playing field, if you jump into an opposition player and your knee hits them a) in the chest/rib area....and/or....b) on the backside....I'm pretty sure that's a penalty....or is that allowed now?....I'd love to know why you think it ok to jump into a player with your knees...

Well in front? Really.. Cahill, Leuluai and O'Carroll are all behind the kicker. The one camera angle available on the night (it wasn't a sky game so only the club cameras are present) doesn't show Houston or Marsh in shot when the kick is put up so I'm amazed that Carney who only has access to this one camera angle is so certain? Or could he be doing what he's normally doing and that's a really bad Adrian Durham impression.
Also... Cobb doesn't signal for offside.. he signals for impeding in the air. So even Cobb wasn't aware of the offside?

Ha ha ha ha ha... ace!! 2.435546875:5