Chesterfield boss Paul Cook calls for more ‘consistency’ over refereeing decisions

Chesterfield boss Paul Cook calls for more ‘consistency’ over refereeing decisions having grown frustrated by errors and misjudgement.

This is something now costing his side, all starting from the very first game back in the EFL when they were denied a stonewall penalty against Swindon. Then last week Chey Dunkley was given a second yellow in the game against Gillingham last week, with referee chiefs saying it was a harsh decision.

Now Paul Cook is getting his side ready for the next game, against Grimsby this weekend, which Chey now won’t be part of.

On Dunkley’s sending off, Paul Cook said post-match, per Derbyshire Times: “It is ridiculous, I have known Chey a long time, and I love Chey, he is one of my lads I love, but I don’t get it. Why do you bring chaos to a game that is over? We have got to bring calmness and that is my disappointing thing.”

Cook this week, per Derbyshire Times: “We have not really had the rub of the green with referees, that has been a real disappointment. We accept that referees make mistakes.

“We have had the reports back now and Chey Dunkley should never have had a second yellow and the referees have admitted that but he (Dunkley) is suspended tomorrow. I get disappointed, for example, when referees say that they have seen something that hasn’t happened. That frustrates and worries me because you can’t see something that hasn’t happened – it hasn’t happened!”

“As disappointed as we are, we will keep going like everyone does, every club has the same gripes as I am having, and hopefully as every manager says, the decisions should balance themselves out over the season but we will watch this space with that one.

“I just want the referees to be consistent for both teams, that is all I ask. I am not asking for anything else other than referee the game properly and consistency for both teams – it is a simple formula that makes both managers be happy.”

Paul Cook slams stonewall penalty not given before Chesterfield concede stunner to Swindon

After seeing a stonewall penalty not  awarded in the game against Swindon Cook said to Derbyshire Times: “My biggest gripe is the penalty. I just don’t understand how the referee hasn’t given it.

“I genuinely feel I am a fair person and my first reaction was that it was a stonewall penalty and people are telling me it was a stonewall penalty.

“I just get disappointed because if the penalty is given and we do go 2-0 up you do feel that would have been us in a really good position to go on and win the game but it wasn’t to be.

“I do respect that referees make decisions in a split moment. I am disappointed but I do accept the decision.”

Questioned on the decision, Cook added: “He has two assistants and a fourth official. I said to the referee ‘I just don’t know how you haven’t given it.’

“Michael Jacobs clearly touches the ball and the defender takes him out. As I say, there is not a criticism but I just felt it would have changed the game. The reality is officials make mistakes and they have made one tonight. If he has made a mistake, surely my (yellow) card should be rescinded and he should be given a yellow card.”

This is how fans reacted as the Chesterfield boss Paul Cook calls for more ‘consistency’ over refereeing decisions…

@TomTress: Gills fan here, that definitely wasn’t a 2nd booking for dunkley, the ref was shocking today

@AndrewWake79: Absolute joke! Never a card. This ref is poor! But ultimately we can’t score 🤷🏻‍♂️

@OliverCrowther4: Not even touched him, what a joke

@Notts18622: Ref couldn’t wait to even that one up.

@SthrnSpireite: Honking officiating all game

@MoodyKerryl: Absolutely nothing in that! 🤬

@ChrisTingay: Refs had a shocker

@LSpireites: Criminal. Appeal…..

@saltergate1: This is genuinely one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in over 30 years watching football – the standard of refereeing is destroying football – they need to pay them a lot more to attract better talent and/or get more ex pros in

@OllieMachin4: Absolutely disgusting decision

@AndrewMellor10: That’s absolutely shocking refereeing

@13evoo: should definitely appeal that

@StevoJW: Abysmal performance by the ref

@FTurner90: It’s not even a foul

@ORodge20: Officials again shocking

@AFowler_35L Worst red card decision I’ve ever seen 🙄

@Beachy0134: refs lost the game

@Gubbed__: That will get reversed

@jimmyT_08: Shocking decision!! Players throwing themselves around, Gillingham were very anti football!!

@keelan_____: Filthy cheat

@jorgeelliott99: what a joke 😂😂😂

@bluejean1983: That is pathetic. He didn’t do anything!

@OliverCrowther4: This ref, ffs

@Danmee93: Ref should be shot on fucking site… itching to give that. Never even touched him.

@alexw094: shit refs every match