A Knob Named Poll

Yes. Graham Poll. The John Nash of the Premiership, except the good at math part.

Indeed.

I cannot recall being too upset at Poll last season for any performances. Granted, this is mostly due to the fact that I was learning the game and couldn't really tell my ass from a hole in the ground as it related to the skills of a ref. Now that I have a decent amount of gamewatching under my belt, I have come to the conclusion that this man has absolutely lost it. It almost seems that showing the third yellow to that Croatian in the World Cup caused something in his brain to wind down if not altogether shut down. I would have hoped that the rest of the summer sitting in a dark corner clutching a childhood blankie chanting "2 yellows for a red" would solve this problem, but it has transferred over into my beloved Premiership.

Basically, 2 games that had a profound effect on my season were against CSKA London and Olympique Londonaise. Both were blessed by having Poll oversee the proceedings in a rather clueless manner. Against Chelski, I was excited for John Terry to be shown a second yellow card, but I didn't see what the raucous was about. Did he say something? Who knows, but there was no physical action that warranted a red, and with Poll's recent track record, that sending off was always going to be in question. Also, that disallowed goal by Drogba was rather curious. I saw absolutely nothing wrong with it, but, again, was very happy that it did not count. A game that turned out amazing for me was a bit tainted by a man who looks lost on the pitch.

In Al-Emirates Stadium, Poll clearly lost the plot. Apparently, making an amazing saving tackle in the box to save a goal earns a penalty. Good job. In addition, handling the ball doesn't matter if, seconds later, you get fouled in the box. The earlier foul cancels out, and the penalty is henceforth awarded. As official as that rule apparantly sounded in Graham Poll's head, IT WAS BLOODY WRONG! OPEN YOUR DAMN EYES!

Sorry for raging there, but this guy has got to go. Footballers have a shelf life, as do officials, especially when said official has all the competence of an organization that can't get a country's national stadium up in less time than it takes for the bad luck to wear off after breaking a mirror. Wait, who hired Graham Poll anyway?

2 more and you're off, ya hear?