Late change of referee

Last updated : 23 January 2007 By Tony Scholes

Until yesterday Russell Booth, who was the allocated referee on New Year's Day, was scheduled to referee the game, but that's changed and Pike, who had such a poor game the last time we turned out at Turf Moor against Derby, will be back tonight.

That performance against Derby was very disappointing, he hardly got a grip on things allowing far too much to go, he missed a clear penalty (but that's now par for the course no matter who the referee might be) and worst of all he didn't let his assistants take any responsibility and it was evident that they were constantly waiting for him rather than making a decision.

He's always been a referee to let things go rather than having a heavy handed approach, but that hasn't caused him problems previously in Burnley games, other than his reluctance ever to award free kicks for hand ball.

Since the Derby game he's had two games and issued seven yellow cards, that takes his total to 39 yellows in 18 games, 19 to home players and 20 to away players. He hasn't sent anyone off in those games. Hopefully a better performance from Pike this evening.

He will be assisted by Craig Barker and Paul Varley (both Yorkshire) whilst fourth official duties will be carried out by Bob Roberts (Lancashire).

Previous Burnley games:

Season	Opps	V	Res	Y	R	Burnley players carded
a
2006/07	Derby	h	0-0	0	0	.
2005/06	Ipswich	h	3-0	0	0	.
2004/05	Watford	h	3-1	0	0	.
2004/05	Ipswich	h	0-2	4	0	Duffy Roche
2003/04	Reading	h	3-0	3	0	Chaplow
2001/02	Grimsby	a	1-3	0	0	.
2001/02	Sheffield Wed	h	1-2	1	0	Gnohere
2000/01	Norwich	h	2-0	5	0	Ball Branch
1999/2000	Man City	a	0-5	1	0	Crichton
1998/99	Wycombe	h	1-1	4	0	Cooke
1997/98	Millwall	h	1-2	1	0	Cooke