This week we are trying something new on Fridays and instead of bringing you a run down of the news stories you’ve probably already heard (did you know that Kevin Cyrill Davies is incapable of cooking a pop tart?) I would bring you a preview of the referee who will be in charge of Arsenal’s next match. Maybe you’ll like it, maybe you’ll think I’m just a whinger, either way, that’s what the comments are for. Have at it, I can take it.
The one thing you can say for certain is that matches with Phil Dowd in charge are rarely boring. In fact, there are quite a number of them that are fiery affairs marred by frustrated players making rash decisions. John Terry (above) has been sent off exactly three times in the last 5 years, twice by Dowd. He’s the referee who Wayne Rooney famously threw the ball at in frustration and was promptly sent packing. In that same game, he also sent off Paul Scholes and (of course) was roundly criticized by Sir Alex Ferguson. He was the referee who was in charge when Joey Barton assaulted Xavi Alonso and he was in charge when Karl Henry broke Bobby Zamora’s leg.
As shown above, contests with Phil Dowd in charge sometimes devolve into niggling affairs where frustrated players’ tempers boil over and he then punishes them for it. At that point, unlike many refs, he’s not afraid to show a double yellow card (ask Alex Song) and he’s not afraid to give red cards to English internationals.
With that in mind, I looked at the last 11 Arsenal and Tottenham matches with Dowd in charge and a few things popped out.
First, he’s not afraid of the early yellow card and has dished out 13 early yellows in his last 11 Arsenal matches — 7 to Arsenal’s opponents, and 6 to Arsenal players. If you throw out the Blackburn game where he gave three cards in 15 minutes to Blackburn, then he’s given 4 for Arsenal and 6 against. Meaning that he’s got a slight bias toward punishing Arsenal players early.
He’s given out 45 total yellow cards in those games, including two red cards (one to Song and one to Carlton Cole). Depending on how you count it, it’s either 18 or 19 yellow cards (because the Song red was two yellows) for Arsenal in those 11 games — which closely matches Arsenal’s season average last year at 1.72. The three he’s given this year (including the double yellow to Song) is above Arsenal’s current season average, though since he’s only been in charge of one game, that’s hardly fair. I’d have to say that overall, he might punish Arsenal players early but he evens things out.
Last season, he only dished 5 red cards and this season he’s already on 4. That said, all but the Song red were deserved and the total could have been higher since he was in charge when Karl Henry broke Zamora’s leg.
Up front, Arsenal have scored 25 goals in the games with Phil Dowd at the whistle and have only allowed 9 — four of which went directly to Chelsea. All told, though, that’s a good scoring record and reflected in our 7-3-1 overall record. In fact, until the draw against Sunderland this season, Arsenal romped our opponents with Phil Dowd on the whistle, a run of 5 clean sheets against Blackburn (H), West Ham (A), Sheffield United (H), Bolton (A), Villa (H) — winning 15-0 in the process.
As for particular players, he’s had an eye on Alex Song of late and has given him a yellow card in each of the last three league games that the two have been paired, he also gave Song the second yellow away to Sunderland that many felt was undeserved. Song is a good bet, then, for a yellow card on Saturday.
Tottenham’s record with Phil Dowd is not nearly as good as Arsenal’s at 5-4-2 and Dowd’s record of giving red cards in Tottenham matches should be something to keep an eye on. Last season he gave out a total of 5 red cards and 3 of them came in Tottenham matches: 2 against their opponents and 1 for Tottenham. From what I’ve read all three cards were thoroughly deserved but it’s still a strange record. In addition, all the Tottenham wins were scrappy (1 goal settling the dispute), with the exception of the 5-1 win over Preston.
Oddly, given that he’s been in charge of many Arsenal and Tottenham matches, he’s never taken charge of the North London Derby. Given his record and the history of the two clubs, combined with Tottenham’s irrational belief that “the difference in quality between the squads is paper thin” as Ben Rumsby put it on Arsenal.com leads me to believe that tomorrow’s match could spark some real controversy.
I wonder if you can put a bet on there being a red card in a game? If so, I might put some money on that. Hell, with his record, I might even put money on more than one.
[New Post] Meet the Ref for Saturday: Phil Dowd – via #twitoaster http://www.7amkickoff.com/2010/meet-the-…
RT @7amkickoff: [New Post] Meet the Ref for Saturday: Phil Dowd – via #twitoaster http://www.7amkickoff.com/2010/meet-the-…
I think that you had one of the best blogs on Arsenal not too long ago, but I find that sentences like these are almost a constant these days.
“If you throw out the Blackburn game where he gave three cards in 15 minutes to Blackburn, then he’s given 4 for Arsenal and 6 against. Meaning that he’s got a slight bias toward punishing Arsenal players early.”
Seriously, what has happened to your sense of logic? it used to be impeccable just a few weeks ago.
@feygooner, it’s illogical to say that a game could have been an aberration?
Really?
@Tim, Firstly, the sample is way to small to carry out many conclusions, and secondly, why would you ignore a game? The blackburn game was a game of football under Dowd, wasn’t it?
@feygooner, Maybe better to say “a slight tendency toward punishing Arsenal” and if you think about Dowd’s recent history with Song then this tendency begins to look a bit like a bias (although perhaps more against cheeky repetitive fouling than against Song or Arsenal). Apart from that I don’t see anything wrong with Tim’s statement.
Your Ref analysis has been spot on for the last three games.Hopefully it continues with an Arsenal win(with clean sheet)tomorrow
Not sure you can make calls about referees being ‘slightly biased’ for or against teams based on a small sample of red/yellow card statistics taken out of context.
The respective teams’ records with a particular referee could have more merit though, because a style of refereeing can clash with a style of play (eg. if the ref halts play a lot it will interrupt our rhythm, or if he has a higher tolerance for rough-house tactics we might suffer).
Maybe you could look generally at how many fouls a ref calls per game (regardless of who is playing), or how often he allows advantage?
Our record with Mike Dean (?) is pretty bad if I recall. Why is that?
I was a coach for 18 years, mostly boys 13-17, rep level (I quit now because I have two little ones of my own at home.)
A big problem at competitive levels is teaching these young men to have some self-discipline and focus, and not get hung up on the referees, the bad calls and start jawing at the refs – next thing you know you’ve gotten a yellow card for dissent, and I’m sitting you on the bench for being a fucking dumb ass.
I used to always lecture them that the ref was like the weather – sometimes windy, rainy, cold, sunny, hot etc… but the bottom line was; you have no control over it (him), so shut up, grin and bear and deal with it (him).
I’d say the same thing here – I don’t think Dowd or Atkinson or Clattenburg or Dean or whoever are corrupt or malicious, but they are human and they’re going to have subconscious biases and will make mistakes. So what? The Arsenal will just have to deal with it. They know Phil Dowd likes to give out cards, so they should adjust their approach, the same way they’d put on longer cleats if the field were soaked by rain.
@Brahmabull, I’m not saying that they won’t have to deal with it.
@Brahmabull, Sound advise that applies to every age.
I just came across another new name for Bale and its called “The white Pele” Funny guys!
@Bala, You’re a little late……that’s already been given out to Rooney
@PJ, I did not give him that name.I just came across a blog in which they called him like that
@Bala, Is Bale better than Messi…. Talkspite and all that……. irony……
Tim, you are a closet Spurs fan. Admit it. You like to get into small closets with Craig.
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I am not connected or related to the previous reader’s commnents. Although I have seen Tim enter the aforementioned closet with Craig.
Gareth Bale looks like an albino baboon
This just in: Gareth Bale has won the World Ballerina of the Year award
Tim, I think your analyses of referees and refereeing this season has been very valuable and insightful. I do think we can obsess too much though about the referee ahead of a match and often after it too. I would much prefer a regular tactical preview that might account for some of the refereeing context but focus on what to expect from our opponent and the like.
I think that is of broader interest and value–for example, your preview of Arsenal at Wolves was really illuminating and had me very well prepared for watching that match and able to concentrate on some of the tactical issues you highlighted. It enhanced my appreciation and undertanding of the game while watching, which wouldn’t be the case always when you focus your remarks ahead of the game on the referee.
You’ll write what you want, of course, but consider this an appreciation of your tactical previews and suggestion that your talents are even better employed on the game overall.
Arsenal will play Chamakh and Van Persie upfront together tomorrow….. you’ll see.
Wenger stated after last home game that he was going to change his approach. 4-4-2 is a change and also solves problem of how to involve VP when he doesn’t deserve to take Chamakhs place.
@Donut, Can’t see 4 4 2…Cham got drenched in Ireland on Wed… he may have a cold…. RVP will play..
I have to agree with Limestone. I look fwd to your analysis before every game. Not to say that this article did not make for an interesting read but I would much rather have this as a side-dish than the main course.
For a clueless yank who doesn’t understand the game, you certainly seem to understand the game! The angles you go for are detailed and fairly unique in the arsenal blogosphere. Now my abuse directed towards the ref can be honed appropriately.
For a clueless yank who doesn’t understand the game, you certainly seem to understand the game! The angles you go for are detailed and fairly unique in the arsenal blogosphere. Now my abuse directed towards the ref can be honed appropriately.
James the gooner, Tim does his research, which more bloggers ought to do. But I think, Tim, you apologize too much about being a Yank newbie to football when you’ve gone onto podcasts, the Fan Forum with Tom Watt, etc…Your work speaks for itself, and analysis here has been outstanding as well as unique. Could anyone else in the football blogosphere have written that Heart of Darkness/Henry Winter post–would anyone try? Just one of a number of very memorable, creative posts, not just on football culture but on strategy and tactics of football as well–like the Wolves preview. This is not a niche blog even if it has a distinctive perspective and voice as an American Arsenal blog. I am not saying this to flatter you, but to appeal to your ambition–you don’t have to narrow your approach to a regular referee preview (if there is something very dramatic worth saying on occasion, well, why not?!) in place of your match previews to have something distinctive to contribute.
@Limestonegunner, Yes I hope my comments came across as tongue in cheek. This has been the first blog I go to for a while now. I think that where you come from is utterly irrelevant, particularly for a club like Arsenal. Apolgies for double comment.
Tim: I am your greatest fan; you know that- however, I expected a different flavour to your blog today. Yes the Referee is important but no football derby comes close to this match between ARSENAL V SPURS and I expected a rallying call the night before the game from your blog. However your analysis of the referee has precedence and gravitas, so I am hopeful for a few goals for us and red cards to the opposition. LOL
There is a great debate started by “It’s up for grabs” podcast crew: BETTER THAN BALE? (Richard Keys SKY SPORT). Don’t get me wrong he is a very good player, but the high height he is being propelled to by English press is ridiculous. ALL DAY LONG ON TALKSPITE IT’S ALL ABOUT: SAGNA v BALE. The boxing match was last week. Harrison lost……Haye won…..
Anyhow, following my final and disappointing last game at the Emirates (Newcastle game}; I thought it would be great to see a game of football whereby I would feel satisfied. I went to Wembley on Wednesday with five girlfriends to watch ENGLAND V FRANCE…. Nasri………. he bossed that midfield. Our little Marseille star was great… I feel he is the one player Spurs should be wary of on Saturday…… As for Sagna…In him we have the most in-form defender in the league. He has been excellent… he even scores goals… Yes Gale may outrun him, but he will never outclass him…..
Team selection options:
Arsenal (from): Fabianski, Clichy, Squillaci, Koscielny, Sagna, Arshavin, Fabregas, Song, Wilshere, Nasri, Chamakh, Szczesny, Djourou, van Persie, Rosicky, Eboue, Walcott, Gibbs, Denilson.
Tottenham (from): Gomes, Cudicini, Hutton, Corluka, Bale, Gallas, Bassong, Kaboul, Jenas, Sandro, Assou-Ekotto, Palacios, Kranjcar, Lennon, Bentley, Modric, Van der Vaart, Crouch, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe.
Gallas is returning and will play, Spurs has no one else… what will the crowd reaction be……
Defoe has not played for 5 weeks and may play
Van der Vaart is an excellent player
I cannot see Arshavin playing tomorrow…. we need a player that defend his position…..Theo
On another related matter: Bendtner have been speaking:
“I have been talking to Arsene Wenger and he has told me the same things that he said publicly, that I have to be patient.”He is right and I have known that all the time. I just want to play, like any other player. “But I am aware that my team-mates have been playing well in my absence and some have been scoring goals as well, so it won’t be easy for me to regain my place among the starting XI.” END OF
Don’t worry everyone, I have a preview of the match that will go down today as well. It’s just that I wanted to try something… new!
@Tim, So you are saying it WAS a side dish? Cheers!
@Tim, great news, Tim. Plenty of appetite for new things from you, but tbh you have been analysing refs already. Looking forward to the preview, as LC points out, it is our derby with Spurs!!
Last Sunday 22 year old German Sebastian Vettel became the youngest ever F-1 world champion after winning the penultimate Grand Prix at Abu Dhabi and firmly established his name among some of F-1′s greatest ever and winning no less than 10 poles on his way to glory. But the big question in everyone’s mind is: Is he better than Bale?
Drat! Knew the injury estimates about Alex and Terry were too good to be true. They won’t be out all that long.
But it’s long enough for them to cough up a couple more points.
I predict we’ll be 3 points clear of Chelsea by end of December. Try the BBC predictor, where you punch in your predicted scores of matches and it updates the table. Chelsea have some tests coming up.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/predictor/default.stm
The key matches are Dec 13th (away to ManUre) – I think we can pull it out given ManUre’s form, and Dec 27th at home to Chelse – I think we pull that out too.
@Brahmabull, i agree, we will beat chelsea but draw with manu
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DE-JA-VU!
Hahahahahahaha. DE JA VU!
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