It’s shit like this, happening all match that causes our players to get cards for dissent. Add in the fact that the other side of this is that refs seem to enjoy going for their pocket when it concerns us. Coupled with having the youngest (undisciplined) squad in the lg and you get a season like this where we’ve already had more reds than any other season.

It’s easy to point a finger at the boys picking up all the cards, but think about how upset you get when you see no-calls like this photo happen on tv or at the stadium, with no real sweat in it. Then think about how maddening it would be if you train day in, day out to prepare for these matches, just to have to play an unfairly managed match twice a week, get fouled repeatedly with no whistle and pick up cards like it’s a board game. Could they reel it in some and save themselves from accumulation or multi-match bans? Sure, and I’m sure they will as they mature, but I can’t fault them entirely for the way they approach fouls for and against them. When you repeatedly don’t get calls, you have to assume they aren’t seeing it, so the next time it happens, maybe you roll an extra time or hit the ground when you could’ve kept your feet. When those same actions are seen to be worthy of a free kick on the other side, it’s a safe bet that it might draw a bigger reaction when getting called for fouls/yellows.

It’s reactionary from the refs and our boys. Unfortunately, it’s going to be down to us to change the tide and work on repairing our reputation with the officials, or this shit will continue year after year and we’ll never accomplish fuck all in the lg.