I don’t know if you are familiar with the “You are the ref” feature that started in Shoot magazine in the 70s and recently reappeared in the Observer, but it aims to provide refereeing conundrums and asks the reader to try and determine the correct decision according to the laws of the game. At times, it appeared fanciful with some of the more unlikely scenarios put forward for us to ponder on, but as time goes by, these scenarios appear less and less unlikely due to actual events on the pitch. Last season we had a goal awarded to Reading at Watford when the ball had clearly crossed the goal-line nowhere near the goal. Earlier this season we had Crystal Palace’s goal at Bristol City that was not given even though the ball clearly hit the back of the net, and now we have witnessed a beach ball scoring a goal at the Stadium of Light. I’m sure an earlier “You are the ref” had featured the question of a ball going into the net having hit a bird in mid-flight, with the answer being given that the goal should not stand and a drop-ball at the point of impact being the correct course of action. It is mystifying how a Premiership referee could fail to follow (or, maybe, know) the rules in this case and, by the time you read this, it may well be that Mike Jones has been told that for the next few weeks in the Premiership, “You are not the ref”.

The tight battle at the top and bottom of the Premiership table resumes on Saturday with:

1) Wolves v Aston Villa: The lunchtime kick-off promises to provide a stern test for the home side, as Villa maintained their bid to crack into the top four with a fine comeback against Chelsea last weekend. There is plenty in Villa’s favour whichever way you look at this match, as Wolves still haven’t managed to put two positive results together this season, and have also failed to beat Villa at Molineux for 31 years. At least they will be able to call on their first choice strike force of Doyle and Ebanks-Blake again, but the red card issued to Stefan Maierhofer at Everton after he had been on the field for just over ten minutes means he will not be able to warm the bench on Saturday. If I was Mick McCarthy, no pay would be warming Maierhofer’s bank account for the next couple of weeks either as he was guilty of two of the most petty and pointless fouls you are ever likely to see. 2-1 or 3-1 Villa.

2) Birmingham v Sunderland: I’m sure Steve Bruce will play down the significance of returning to his old club on Saturday, but even if he doesn’t admit it, I’m convinced that the points here will mean even more to him than last week’s victory over Liverpool. History isn’t on his side, however, as Sunderland haven’t won a League game at St.Andrew’s since 1997, but confidence surely can’t be higher amongst their players following fine performances to take four points from two of the best sides in the country in their last two matches. Birmingham are meanwhile on a worrying run of four consecutive defeats, including at Sunderland in the League Cup, and I find it difficult to imagine that they will end that sequence on Saturday.

3) Burnley v Wigan: Burnley’s season continues to depend on their home form, as they extended their miserable run on the road last Sunday. Despite having won four out of four at home so far, they will surely find it impossible to gain enough pojnts at Turf Moor to survive, and this match has the potential to give them a serious warning as to just how difficult that feat would be. Wigan are the sort of side who will feel rather more at home at Burnley than some of the previous visitors this term, but they do remain rather inconsistent, so much will depend on whether David Nugent can once again turn on the sort of form which put paid to Sunderland’s hopes at Turf Moor a few weeks ago, following a disappointing performance at Blackburn last weekend. Whatever the result, I expect an open, entertaining and possibly high-scoring game.

4) Hull v Portsmouth: I expect the opposite here. Two teams in dire straits could well produce a panic stricken, nervy, bad tempered match, but one thing is for sure. If Portsmouth continue to miss numerous gilt-edged opportunities of the sort that Aruna Dindane spurned against Tottenham last weekend, they will be relegated. Last season, these sides produced an unmemorable 0-0 draw at the KC, and while I think Hull are more than capable of repeating their side of the scoreline, a little shooting practice in training may just see Pompey scraping a narrow win.

5) Tottenham v Stoke: By the time you read this, Robert Huth should have learnt his fate over his cowardly assault on Matthew Upson last weekend, and if there was any justice, he will be starting a three match ban. As if hitting an opponent in the face for no reason wasn’t bad enough, he had to hide behind a teammate while carrying out the attack, and then ran away behind the other players like a naughty little schoolboy. How utterly pathetic. Spurs will also find themselves without an immature player for this match as Jermain Defoe starts his own three match ban, but with Peter Crouch to come into the side, I’m not sure his absence will necessarily cause his side too many problems. Much was said last season about Stoke’s admirable home form, but it is worth pointing out that they have only lost once away from home this season in four matches. It is also worth pointing out, however, that they lost this fixture 3-1 last season, and have also lost on their last five visits to White Hart Lane. Home win.

6) Chelsea v Blackburn: The anguish displayed by John Terry following Villa’s second goal last weekend was a clear indication of how frustrated he has become by his colleagues’ inability to defend set-pieces recently. It is striking that five of the eight goals Chelsea have conceded in the League so far have been scored by defenders, so I’m sure Sam Allardyce will be throwing his centre-backs forward at every opportunity to try and take advantage of the Blues’ newly discovered weakness. The way I view this match, though, they won’t get that many chances to throw everyone forward as I think Chelsea will be angry enough to be able to take Rovers to pieces. Blackburn haven’t even scored on their last three visits to Stamford Bridge, and they could be heading for a similar pasting to the one they received at Arsenal recently.

7) Bolton v Everton: Sunday’s opening match gives Bolton a cracking opportunity to gain their first win over Everton at the Reebok in five attempts. Despite the return of Louis Saha from injury and the addition of one or two decent signings, Everton are really making hard work of their progress in the League this season. Home draws against Stoke and Wolves fall far short of what the fans expect, and even their last victory, at Portsmouth, was rather fortunate. Bolton nearly pulled off a stirring comeback at Old Trafford last Saturday, with Gary Cahill in particular being left to rue an outstanding opportunity for a last-gasp equalizer, but the signs are generally good for the Trotters, and a first home victory of the season here would take them above their opponents in the table. It took an injury time goal from Marouane Fellaini to win this fixture for Everton last season, but unless they can raise themselves to score more than the one goal they have managed on each of their last three League outings, we may witness Wanderers getting their home campaign going at last.

8) Liverpool v Man.United: What a time to have doubts over the fitness of your two best (some would say only two) players. Four defeats from nine League matches have left Liverpool floundering in mid-table, and even an unconvincing United side have a great chance of providing further dismay at Anfield on Sunday. United have recovered well from the shock of defeat at Burnley in August to convincingly win their next three away games, and they also have a quite commendable recent record at Anfield, having won five and lost just one of their last seven League visits. It would be wise to check the line-ups and wait until the effects of the teams’ Champions League encounters are known before placing a bet, but assuming Wayne Rooney makes his return, and that Ryan Giggs plays some part, the result here could have Liverpool looking over their shoulders and seeing Portsmouth closer than ever.

9) Man.City v Fulham: A timely home fixture against Hull looks to have kick-started Fulham’s campaign, and they are one side who appear not to be daunted by a trip to Man.City as they have won their last two visits in the League. The same fixture also came out of the hat in the League Cup earlier this season, and it took an injury time winner from Kolo Toure for City to progress. For all of Mark Hughes’s protestations that he was happy with a point at Wigan last Sunday, I’m sure his club’s owners will be expecting far more convincing performances, but I see no reason to believe that will be forthcoming on Sunday, and City’s 100% home record may well be in danger.

10) West Ham v Arsenal: With no win since the opening day, and Gianfranco Zola having to fend off persistent questions about takeovers and his own position, these are worrying times for West Ham, and when events are conspiring against you, the last team you want to come and visit you is Arsenal. It is far from ideal in the Hammers’ current circumstances to face a team with the speed and skill on the counter-attack as Arsenal because nerves will surely be playing a part in every West Ham player’s performance at the moment. Nerves cause players to make unnecessary errors, which will undoubtedly be punished by Arshavin, van Persie and Fabregas in particular. At least Scott Parker will be available after one of the earliest bans ever recorded for having received five yellow cards in a season, but we’ve seen it all before………………a gallant and possibly unfortunate defeat for a side down on their luck.

OK, it’s about time we went for the big one this season, so how about combining Norwich, Port Vale, Rochdale, Queen of the South and Arsenal in a £10 accumulator that would return a whopping £135.37 with skybet if all won their matches.


Good Luck!