Stuart Atwell doesn’t quite rank alongside Barry Knight in the Wanderers Referees’ Hall of Shame — but he won’t be getting any Christmas cards from Owen Coyle or Gary Cahill this year after two woeful decisions within the space of 10 seconds which cost us dear on Saturday.

First he missed a blatant foul on Chung-Yong Lee on the edge of the Arsenal box — then, as Wanderers appealed and Arsenal quickly broke away down the pitch, as they do, he inexplicably red-carded Gary Cahill for a silly but soft sliding challenge on Marouane Chamakh.

The odds weren’t in our favour before the sending off — 2-1 down away to Arsene Wenger’s rampant Gunners — but Atwell’s bizarre call left Wanderers with no chance at all.

There would be no come back this week. Playing Arsenal at the Emirates with 10 men — especially against 12, including the ref — is an altogether different proposition to being a man down at home to Birmingham.

Coyle, to his credit stuck with two up front, as he did when Jussi was sent off two weeks ago, but the Gunners quickly extended their lead.

Petrov was again sacrificed, but in truth, this covers for what has been a disappointing start to the Bulgarian’s Wanderers career.

He arrived at the Reebok with high hopes — Coyle proclaimed him as one of best free signings of the summer, second only to Joe Cole’s transfer to Liverpool — but he is yet to produce the goods.

Chungy hasn’t quite hit his stride yet, either — maybe World Cup fatigue is to blame — although his assist for the rejuvenated Elmander was sublime.

It goes without saying that Adam Bogdan again acquitted himself admirably.

The rookie keeper must have been gutted, picking the ball out of the back of the net four times, when his performance deserved so much more.

Four games in and we’re looking okay. I say bring on Aston Villa next week, then Man United at the Reebok.

And I'm sure Wanderers fans will give Wayne Rooney a "rousing" reception in his first post-scandal away game. I can't wait!