I HAVE had to smile to myself recently after reading the comments of our resident Whistle Blower after my last item about refereeing standards.

The slating he gave me does not surprise me at all as he speaks exactly how all officials do with a self centred condescending sarcastic attitude which comes with being a referee these days.

But no matter what he says in defence of his fellow officials, it is being proved week-in-week-out that these so-called professionals are making more howlers now than ever.

I was at the Bolton-Rovers game last week and I have to say Andy Cole had to go and should be heavily fined. But also Paul Durkin messed up badly by not sending Whitlow off. Also, contrary to our Whistle Blower saying ex-players never think any tackles are fouls that tackle was high late and very dangerous too. According to the rules any tackle from behind should be a straight red car so why did Durkin bend the rules?

He also made a rod for his own back because the rest of the game was littered with petty fouls and dissent. If he had done the right think and walked both players it would probably been a better game. Also contrary to our Whistle Blower, most people think ex-players would make good officials as they would read the game better and judge situations better such as diving and the contentious elbowing decisions.

Most referees are easily conned by players diving and faking being elbowed or caught in the face by fellow players, but a streetwise ex-pro would probably judge the situations far better as he would have been in the situations most of his career.

Also most pro's would command more respect from his fellow pros as they know he had played the game himself and knew what was what in a game.

Lastly, well done Graeme Souness and Rovers for giving 30 plus thousand Rovers fans in Cardiff a day to remember.