YOU wouldn’t necessarily ask a top footballer to play in three huge games in a week – so why would you do that to a top-class referee?

Martin Atkinson was referee at last weekend’s Merseyside derby then travelled to do the Bayer Leverkusen and Benfica game in midweek, so why was he in charge for Chelsea v Arsenal?

Let me say this from the off, I don’t blame Martin Atkinson for mistakes he made in the game at Stamford Bridge.

I think Gary Cahill’s challenge on Alexis Sanchez should have been a sending off, and evidently, so did Arsene Wenger judging by his reaction.

But I blame the PGMOL for putting Atkinson – who had done two big, big games in the build-up – back into the mix so soon.

I think he had made a few errors in the Liverpool derby and for that reason alone he could have done with a little time out of the spotlight.

Some games you know are going to be tough. Why not give him Tottenham v Swansea? Or make his fourth official somewhere? Anywhere but Chelsea v Arsenal.

When you do a big game like a derby you end up physically and mentally drained. I know from experience that the Liverpool v Everton game is one of the most demanding in the English game.

When you go out to Europe in midweek you have to do all the travelling, the game, then they drag you to dinner afterwards and you might not get in bed until the early hours of the morning. And then you can have an early flight back.

How are you supposed to be at your very best after all that?

You rely on your concentration levels as a referee, not to mention your fitness levels to keep up with play and I just can’t see how Martin could have been at his best for that game.

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SOMETIMES you’ve got to be brave being a fourth official – especially when you dive between two fiery Scots.

I remember separating David Moyes and the man he’d eventually replace at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson, on the touchline at Goodison Park in 2005.

There had been some bad feeling after Paul Scholes and Gary Neville got sent off and all hell broke loose at one point, they went ballistic, meaning I had to intervene.

They went back to being friends after the final whistle and Moyesy being Moyesy invited everyone back for a glass of red after the final whistle.

I think Jon Moss did really well to diffuse the situation between Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger at the weekend because the last thing that Martin Atkinson would have wanted would be to go over there and send someone off.

It’s a passionate game and managers get frustrated at decisions all the time but while the fourth official’s job looks a thankless one at times, it is a very important one nevertheless.

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IT was great to see Andre Marriner back in action at Bolton last weekend and I thought he got the sending-off of Yann Kermorgant spot on.

Andre has recently returned from injury and by all accounts he managed the game well in a difficult atmosphere.

In those circumstances you need to keep your focus on the job of being a referee and not get distracted by what might be happening around you.

It has been difficult at Bolton this last few weeks, as fans air their frustrations. Last time at the Macron Stadium we saw a couple of fans get on to the pitch to make a point.

Of course you have to be careful as a referee but you leave it up to the stewards to complete the job of removing anyone from the field of play. You might then file an extraordinary report into the Football Association, who then take whatever action they deem necessary against the individual or the club.

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BRENDAN Rogers would have been spitting fire had Michael Oliver’s mistake cost him points on Saturday.

Dejan Lovren had a penalty given against him for a foul on Saido Berahinho that most could see had happened outside the penalty area.

Liverpool went on to win 2-1, so not much was made of it, but I think if Michael had any doubt in his mind – which there must have been some – then he cannot give that penalty.

You have to have the courage of your convictions sometimes and with a decision that tight, right on the edge of the box, then I’d rather give it the other way as a free-kick.

There was a similar incident in the Bolton game against Bournemouth on Saturday where Matt Mills went in on Callum Wilson right on the edge of the area and Andre Marriner made a good call.