Attwell hits the headlines again...

Sunday's Championship encounter between Derby County and Nottingham Forest was significant for a number of reasons. First of all, it was a local derby, with the clubs having a fierce rivalry. It was the first time this rivalry had be fought out competitively for some 3 years. Brian Clough is inextriccably linked with both clubs, and the A52 road which separates the cities is named "Brian Clough Way". Suffice to say, it was a big occasion.

It was also a big and important day for the referee, who was Stuart Attwell. Yes, that's the one who didn't manage to tell that the ball hadn't gone into the net at Vicarage Road, even though his assistant said so. Oh yes, him, the Premier League's youngest ever referee, controlling his first live TV game since the Watford vs Reading debacle. The pressure and spotlight would once again be on the young man to see how he responded to all the criticism he has faced.

For most of the game, he refereed it well. He clamped down where necessary, controlled all the major flashpoints and, although there were a lot of bookings, most were warranted and necessary for his control. The first half was dull and tetchy, but things livened up after the break as Forest took the lead thanks to an own goal from Emanuel Villa. 11 minutes later, the same man drew Derby level (albeit from an offside position, something not noticed by assistant referee Shaun Procter-Green). But the big incidents were still to come.

The first came in the 74th minute, as Lewis McGugan lunged into a tackle on Paul Green. As soon as I saw it, I thought it would be a red card, and Attwell duly obliged. It was serious foul play, a dangerous tackle even if the ball might have been won. Its the sort of thing which is being clamped down on strongly. Attwell was passing the test.

The board went up to signal three minutes of stoppage time, with Derby pressing for a winner. They thought they'd scored it too, as the ball was headed in. Attwell had other ideas. He gave them a penalty instead, and a harsh one at that for a handball by Luke Chambers. The advantage would have been nice, but its not an easy one to call. Nacer Barazite's penalty was saved by lifelong Derby fan Lee Camp, in goal for Forest. Derby had suffered a cruel blow. Attwell had ruled out their goal to give them a dubious penalty which they then missed. If only Barazite had scored, then the next controversy wouldn't have happened.

But a couple of corners later, things got worse for Attwell. Miles Addison headed in Barazite's corner, but Attwell had spotted a foul. He was the only one. I could see absolutely nothing wrong with the whole thing. There had been no noticeable infringement. Players surrounded him, and the young referee who had controlled the match so well for the opening 85 minutes looked like a rabbit in the headlights, and he had frankly lost the plot. When the full-time whistle blew a couple of minutes later, everyone was staggered by what had happened. 1-1 it finished.

Would Derby manager Paul Jewell be sympathetic? Nope. And he had some justification to be annoyed. His opposite number Colin Calderwood was relieved to have escaped. He rightly pointed out that the sending off was correct, but Jewell would not be appeased. Attwell had made a total mess of those last few minutes.

For a referee to hit the headlines with the regularity with which Attwell has is not good for the individual or for refereeing as a whole. Only Rob Styles could possibly have eclipsed him this season. Having been involved in one of the worst decisions of all time at Watford, he has now made a mess of the end to a game which, for the most part, he had controlled well. It wasn't an easy game, but he seemed to be coping. Was he the right man for the job? I'm tempted to say not. He lacked the experience and authority at the end, and looked lost and out of control. Everyone can give wrong decisions, but the manner in which those last minutes unfolded suggests that these were more than just mere mistakes.

I have always thought that Attwell was promoted to the Premier League too early. He has had a very rapid rise through the ranks, and while he is undoubtedly a good referee, I don't think he is yet ready for the big time. He has failed on big incidents twice so far this season, and one wonders where he goes from here. He needs support from the bosses to rebuild his confidence - his career won't (and shouldn't) end here. What he needs now is a spell out of the limelight where he can regain the type of performances which got him to where he is now.

Unfortunately, referees are remembered only for their mistakes. Attwell is now remembered for two matches, and ones which he'll undoubtedly wish to forget. Sadly, I don't think he will ever be able to.