No ref justice for Cherries

AS a player, I had more running battles with referees than I care to remember – but I wouldn’t have missed them for all the world.

So I can’t get my head round Bournemouth lodging a complaint with the Premier League about the alleged comments Jon Moss made to their players during the 2-1 defeat at Sheffield United.

Do we want our refs to be human beings or robots? Given the amount of stick players give officials on a weekly basis, if Moss gave a bit back, then good for him. Dan Gosling has done himself no favours. With respect, I suggest the Cherries’ players look at their own shortcomings.

Never mind the ref, maybe Bournemouth should have paid more attention to tracking John Lundstram’s run leading to the Blades’ winner. As it is, Gosling (above) may have made a rod for his own back. Next time he plays, I would be in his ear with a few comments to see if he is up for the contest.

Dialogue between refs and players is part and parcel of the game. As long as it is laced with humour and not malice, why shouldn’t it continue?

From Dermot Gallagher to Paul Durkin, and even Graham Poll, I lost count of the times a ref would tell me, “Hey, Sav, you’re having one today”.

Yes, it wound me up and, yes, I had more respect for some officials than others, but they are human beings.

If we don’t cut Moss some slack, the disconnect between players and referees will only grow wider.

SO Pep Guardiola fears he could be sacked by Manchester City if they do not win the Champions League. Come off it, Pep — where are City going to find an upgrade on what you’ve achieved at the Etihad? I expect City to win the Carabao Cup again, they could win the FA Cup again and if you can’t win the title, there is no shame in finishing runners-up.

If they win the two cups then add the Community Shield in August, they would have won seven of the last eight domestic trophies – which can’t be bad.

Of the 20 Premier League bosses, I reckon only Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp feels more secure in his job right now.

MY WEEKEND PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS Southampton 1-1 Burnley Norwich City 0-3 Liverpool Aston Villa 0-1 Tottenham Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United