Horsham Gull
H Block Offender
Right choice of referee for Leeds match
By Andy Naylor
Former top Sussex referee Martin Bodenham has backed the appointment of an experienced whistle blower for Albion's potentially explosive clash against Leeds.
Paul Taylor, who is in his 11th season on the League list, takes charge at Withdean on Saturday.
The Hertfordshire official will need all of his nous to cope with not just the players but also Dennis Wise, the Leeds boss.
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Wise and his team have already been involved in controversial incidents with referees this season.
Ex-Premiership ref Bodenham, now a regional referee coach for the FA, said: "Paul is very experienced and he has probably seen most things.
"Clearly you need an experienced campaigner for this match. You wouldn't put a first or second year guy in charge of it - that would be unfair.
"I came across Dennis many times, not as a manager but as a player during his Wimbledon days.
"He was fine. He was combative but he was also actually a good player. The game on Saturday will probably go off swimmingly well without any issues at all."
That could be wishful thinking. Wise may recall Taylor booking him when he was player-manager of Millwall and dismissing team-mate Danny Dichio in a 2-0 home defeat by Watford three years ago.
At Gillingham last month Wise clashed with Danny McDermid. He was sent to the stands before accusing the ref of swearing at him.
The game ended 1-1 after Leeds had strikers Tresor Kandol and Darren Beckford sent-off either side of half-time.
Wise, himself accused of using foul and abusive language, is facing his third misconduct charge in less than a year as a result of his row with McDermid.
If he is found guilty at a disciplinary hearing next month the FA are likely to impose a touchline ban.
Undeterred. Wise was at the centre of further controversy surrounding last Saturday's 1-1 home draw against Leyton Orient.
Leeds requested a different referee to replace Nigel Miller following a confrontation between the County Durham official and Wise at Southend last season, which led to an FA fine for the United chief.
The request was rejected and Miller made a series of contentious decisions. He sent-off visiting midfielder Sean Thornton, awarded Leeds an 8oth minute penalty - which Kandol missed - and incensed Orient striker Adam Boyd by, together with his assistants, failing to spot an 86th minute shot had crossed the line.
Boyd branded the request by Leeds to remove the referee as a "deliberate attempt to influence Miller's judgment".
He added: "It was on Teletext about Dennis Wise having a go at him beforehand and it worked. That's what he was trying to do - get him on side. I think he did it.
"Decisions went against us. There was no doubt in my mind that it was a goal."
All of which makes you wonder what tricks Wise has up his sleeve for Taylor.
Mind you, a couple of the Albion players will not be jumping for joy over Taylor's appointment.
He sent-off Tommy Elphick's older brother Gary for two bookable offences on his only start for the Seagulls at Reading two seasons ago.
Four months later Taylor dismissed Dean Hammond in the 2-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday at Withdean which condemned Albion to relegation from the Championship.
lets hope he gives us a fair game and hope he can control Dennis the menace
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