Hope springs eternal!

Before the start of each game, Mick, a fellow QPR season ticket holder in the South Africa Road stand, requests me to look in my programme and reveal the name of the match referee. My response is usually that of incredulity (do you really need to ask?), based on the observation that all referees are sh*t! Indeed, judging by the popularity, this season, of the terrace chant – “Sh*t ref, you’re just another sh*t ref!” my views are clearly shared by many a Rangers fan!

The frequently poor standard of officiating has genuinely surprised me. No one can deny that having to make split second major decisions in a sport played at breathtaking pace, where your every decision is tracked and recorded by numerous TV cameras, and immediately commented on, in no uncertain terms, by tens of thousands of partisan fans, is no easy task.  FIFA’s continuing reluctance to embrace technology, and so deny the referee welcome assistance in making accurate decisions does not help matters. But what is unacceptable is where obvious decisions are called incorrectly by officials with access to a clear line of sight to the point of incident. Where a game changing decision is potentially about to be made, surely a cautious, common sense approach is required from the referee and his assistants? Had that been the case in the Hoops away game at Man Utd, perhaps referee Lee Mason may not have made two major mistakes in a matter of seconds, and similarly, Mark Clattenburg might not have sent off Adel Taarabt in the recent home game against Spurs.  Perhaps what is most frustrating for many football fans is the frequent lack of consistency shown by the officials in their decision making. Again referring back to the home match against Tottenham, a must win game for both teams that, not surprisingly then, turned a little feisty in the latter stages, four Rangers players were booked but no Tottenham players. Scott Parker escaped punishment, save a severe reprimand from the referee, despite giving away free kicks for a heavy and late challenge, and for simulation. I would argue that either indiscretion merited a booking, but not, apparently, for Scott Parker,  current England captain. I am usually reluctant to even entertain popular conspiracy theories, but based on what I have seen in this season’s Premiership, there is no doubt in my mind that the higher profile players and clubs get preferential treatment from the officials.

My other big gripe this season has been the sheer level of gamesmanship that some Premiership players are prepared to stoop to gain their team an advantage. I can’t help feeling that the Championship, and probably the leagues below it, is far more honestly contested. It may well explain why Rangers, at times this season, have been rather naive in dealing with opposition players who are prepared to bend the rules as much as possible. Consider the recent ridiculous diving antics of Ashley Young, or Daniel Sturridge, and then compare them to Jamie Mackie’s determination to play fair and so stay on his feet during his frequent forays into the opposition’s penalty area. Mackie’s honourable approach to the game is refreshing to see, but sadly it seems increasingly out of place in the modern game.

My frustrations with the aforementioned poor officiating and the level of gamesmanship in the Premiership, together with a string of abject performances by a Rangers team seemingly consisting of largely underachieving, overpaid mercenaries has not made it a particularly enjoyable season. Indeed, not long ago, a return to the Championship seemed a relatively welcome prospect, as perhaps it would provide the club with a chance to regroup and rebuild. However, recognising that there was always quality within the squad expensively assembled by, first, Neil Warnock and then Mark Hughes, there was always hope that eventually the team would ‘click’. Sure enough, the last four home games have seen a remarkable upturn in form, where suddenly there is real shape and purpose to the team’s play, the tactics and team selection seem largely spot on, and finally there is the courage, team spirit and belief that has been lacking for so long. Roared on by a partisan Rangers crowd, the team have finally made Loftus Road the fortress that it always needed to be if we were to survive. It remains to be seen if, crucially, we succeed in maintaining this home form in our remaining three fixtures, but suddenly there is hope where previously there was solely despair!