Wright and it's not Brighton

Last Updated : 24-Nov-2006 by
His two previous Burnley games have both been away from home, and have in fact both been at the Withdean Stadium when we've played Brighton. The first of those games was two seasons ago when the only player yellow carded was Frank Sinclair as the Clarets won 1-0 with a Robbie Blake goal. There were certainly no problems with his performance that day, on a miserable wet day that was hardly enjoyable sat out in the open.

He was in charge of the same fixture last season. On this occasion there were three yellow cards and again Brighton got away card free with the three going to Jon Harley, debutant Michael Ricketts, and once again Sinclair.
It was difficult to judge his performance that night, it was difficult to judge anything to be honest with us seated so far away from the pitch that I believe it has been placed in a different postal district.

Yellow cards for away players were not particularly a feature for him last season, and his 110 yellow cards in 36 games were fairly evenly spread between home and away players. That's not the case this season. In 12 games he has issued a total of 44 yellow cards with just 14 of them going to home players and 30 to away players. Those 30 include two Guinea born ex-Clarets Drissa Diallo and Mo Camara.

The only red card he's handed out went to Derby's Giles Barnes at Sheffield Wednesday. Derby won the game but there needless to say Billy Davies was not happy. Derby had five players booked to Wednesday's one as well as the straight red for Barnes. They appealed but the appeal failed.

I don't know too much about Wright, he certainly wasn't a referee that wanted to dominate proceedings when I have seen him, and I cannot recall anything controversial. And if he upset Billy Davies then he can't be all bad. After the last three weeks of Joslin, Walton and Beeby I would think we have something of a better chance tomorrow with this referee.

He will be assisted by Chris Brumwell (Cumbria) and Scott Duncan (Tyne & Wear) and the fourth official will be Gary Stott (Greater Manchester).

Previous Burnley games:

Season

Opps

V

Res

Y

R

Burnley players carded

a

2005/06

Brighton

a

00

3

0

Harley Ricketts Sinclair

2004/05

Brighton

a

1-0

1

0

Sinclair