That's not really an argument though, is it?

"Without the players..."
"Without the fans..."
"Without the owners..."

Just because we need them in order to play the game (just like we need the others to play/finance it), doesn't excuse the fact that we really need GOOD ones - After all, they're supposed to be professionals.

In recent years, it just feels as though they've been forced to rush through a good number of poorly prepared referees, just to make up the numbers for those leaving/retiring & to now provide Video Refs for every game.

Didnt realise it was an argument I was just stating a fact.
The players are professionals and they also get things wrong also another fact.

More facts...

The players also get graded (certainly in Wigan Today) for their performance out of 10. They get built up, knocked down, dropped etc. Look at the analysis/chatter on Snyed's short kick off. People are happy to knock him and then, in the same breath, tell you to lay off the ref as "everyone makes mistakes". It's hypocrisy at best. At worst it's robotic RL thinking that the ref is some kind of god, not to be questioned.

You're absolutely spot on.

And when a player gets something wrong, what's the first thing he generally does?... He apologises to his team-mates.

How often do referees apologise for anything?

And this isn't only on the individual referees - Most of the current crop just seem to be robotically applying the most inane of the rules right now, which has to have come from higher up.
But also, maybe some/a lot are just too inexperienced/unsure of themselves to stand up and question either whether it is correct to do so, or more importantly, whether the rule should be applied in that way (e.g. Defenders stand square, attacker takes a step to the side, the defenders are penalised for not being square at the PTB, just as an example)?

Ok what can we do to have better refs,I for one don't know maybe you could inform the refs where they are going wrong.
Refs have also been demoted aswell that my friend is also a fact.

As pointed out I dont know the answer so what can we do to improve the standard of the refs,maybe if more people apply to become a ref then the pool would be bigger for choice and quality.
And no II wont apply because it is very difficult to be a ref as in every game 50% think you are wrong and 50% think you are a cheat . Good luck to them I say.

This is such a good point and probably forms 90% of my frustrations with refs.

Like you said, a player makes a mistake and 90% of the time, say sorry. If they didn't, then it would be heavily frowned up. Blaming others and not owning up to your own mistakes is a big no no for most teams.

Use Mago no try as a perfect example. The ref got it wrong, simple as that. Instead of owning it and going to the screen, he doubles down on a bad decision. Quite simply it's wrong and is, imo, a massive FU to everyone else in that ground & watching at home. To them, they are the most important person in that game.

Back to Thompson I wonder if it's worth playing him on Friday, the slap on the wrist is on his record now and it'll be gutting if he misses GF with a one match ban over a grade A/B offence

I'd leave him out along with a few other lads. I know there is an argument for us needing to get some momentum going, with our first choice team but I've absolutely zero worries in terms of why we have been off our best in large parts of the league campaign so far. We've clearly put an awful lot of focus and energy in to that Penrith game and we're just doing enough currently to get the wins. I expect we'll see a totally different energy about the side at Saints on Good Friday and I don't think a game against Sheffield will impact that in any way. I'd just keep the risks of injuries and suspensions to a minimum on Friday.

Id be inclined to play Douglas, Eckersley, Farrimond, Hampshire and Nsemba for the full 80 this week

Agree,

Hampshire
Douglas
Keighran
Eckersley
Marshall
French
Farrimond
Byrne
Leeming
Dupree
Nsemba
Isa
Ellis

Mago
Hill
Forber
Chan

Resting Wardle, Miski, Field, Thompson, Farrell, O’Neill, Smith

Although I think Peet will go for a much stronger team given the poor performance last week