Exactly my thoughts Smiggs. The thought of Steve Bennett being the ref does make you want to shout, REFEREE!!!
These were my thoughts today before the game about Bennett. And when I found out it was him reffing the game, I was worried. I've never really thought he's a decent of fair ref. He's too much like a school teacher - in fact, didn't he used to be a teacher?
My point is, I was worried about him being in charge of this game today, because there's always a massive chance things will get heated. So anyone getting patience or the benefit of the doubt from the ref with a calm talking to, would probably have been a small possibility.
So the Mascherano incident was doomed. It was the most important incident of the game where the ref was concerned and just as he was asking Mascherano if he wants to be sent off, the hand was already writing his name in the book for the second time.
But. In fairness, Mascherano should have known better than to protest nearly every decision that went against us after he got booked. Passions one thing but having the brains to go with it is another. He should have known better today. I'm sure he'll learn from it though.
As for the trivial fouls, you have to expect that. Good teams know the devious way, where and when to foul a dangerous player. You win some, you lose some.
At the end of the day, the ref could have been better. But then so could we.
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