Joanna: some referees are power mad

Joanna Taylor, Danny Murphy's wife, writes in today's Times about his sending off against Arsenal: 'Technically, he deserved that second yellow card against Arsenal, but some referees are power-mad. They love flexing their muscles and having such an impact on a game. I also think some referees just don’t like certain players. As for Steve Bennett, well, he does have a reputation.'

'Some referees use their initiative and might have thought, in that situation, “this is a team that are 1-0 down, in the middle of a losing streak and that was just frustration”. Others do everything by the book. The inconsistency is the annoying aspect, but I think it would be better if referees concentrated on the players who get away with maiming others.'

'I do not believe players should get away with behaving in a stroppy fashion, though. Danny was stupid and deserved a warning, but I’m not so sure about a sending-off.'

Joanna also express sympathy for the Addickted who went to Newcastle, using it to argue for a winter break, although part of the agenda here appears to be a week away for her and Danny in sunnier climes. The problem with the winter break argument is that the bad weather doesn't arrive at the same time each year.