Referee Andy Haines ruined what ought to have been a great spectacle at The Banks’s’s’s Stadium when Walsall took on high-flying Charlton. In a display of petulence, embarrassing in it’s one-sidedness, he assisted Charlton to an ill-deserved away point. Haines is a prime example of a referee overawed by perceived big teams.

Blowing at least 16 times (BBC foul count), Haines managed to find enough space in his little book for the names of Dwayne Mattis, Clayton MacDonald, Troy Deeney (straight red) and Jamie Vincent.

There’s already a petition online to stop him refereeing in the Championship (he offended Plymouth when they played the Wendys last month). I urge people not to sign it, as that’ll mean we’ll see more of him in League One.

His stated aims (source: http://www.refworld.com) as a referee are “to demonstrate high ethical and moral behaviour, have unquestionable integrity and be off (sic) a strong character and that’s without be able to show empathy with the players, gaining there (sic) respect and being very fit”. From that list, I’m sure he’s very fit.

At the game, matt-thesaddler describes the team as follows:

Just got back. The WORST referee we have had in a long long time. Mattis booked for a perfectly good tackle, Vincent booked for time wasting, Deeney sent of for 2 so called fouls. First one should of been a good talking too, not a booking. 2nd was maybe a booking. But because the first wasnt a yellow, he shouldnt of been sent off.

Ince- Did ok, couple of good saves. But why he picked that backpass up I dont know.
Weston- Injured early so no chance.
Vincent- Did well for a left back. Solid, no mistakes.
MacDonald- Another class performance. Solid, good in the air (as we expect) and sprayed the ball round well. My MOTM.
Sansara- Not to bad but i prefer Vincent there.
Till- Quiet and backed out far to often.
Mattis- Booked early for a good challange so he couldnt really put some tackles in. Got picked up a couple of times by the ref for nothin before getting booked.
Taundry- Good game. Had a few quiet spells but he was very good today.
Richards- Did well against Norwich, not the best today.
Deeney- Took his goal well. Good performance. Can tell hes getting stronger. Daft sending off.
Byfield- Ran himself ragid again. Does seem to run around pointlessly at times. Did ok though

Westlake- Good performance. Better than Weston. Not MOTM though.
Nicholls- Had a couple of runs but didnt have much of a chance.
Parkin- Not on long enough.

Talk about it on the messageboards match thread