Relegate the bad referees, suggests Stoke boss

Pulis wants managers to be given the power to mark the performances of officials, with those scored the lowest demoted to the Football League. The Yorkshire Post understands such an idea will never come to fruition however, because the top 16 referees already officiate at all levels and not just in the top flight.

The Potters boss made the suggestion in reaction to what he branded another "abysmal" decision against his club in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Sunderland, where the visitors appeared to be denied a blatant penalty.

Spurs counterpart Redknapp said: "There's one or two that you'd relegate, isn't there, I suppose.

"But I don't have too many problems with any of them. Once every four years, I probably have a bit of aggravation over a referee."

He added of Pulis's suggestion: "It's worth looking at perhaps.

"Tony's a bright lad; he obviously feels it's a good idea. We listen to plenty of idiots who come up with ideas and we have to think about them, so if Tony's got an idea, it's worth thinking about."

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, whose own side controversially had a 'goal' chalked off in their 2-1 defeat at Blackburn at the weekend, said: "We all know there is a certain table in terms of referees' performances during the season, and that is there for the authorities to look into.

"I don't think it's a straightforward table where the bottom three get relegated, but I think it has quite an impact on the season.

"At the end of the season, it is good to get everyone's views and try to help the referees as much as we can.

"I can understand how Tony is feeling because it was a turning point in their game and we feel exactly the same way.

"Scoring a goal is always the hardest thing and doing it away from home and the manner that we did, and not having it allowed is really frustrating and really difficult to take.

"The players didn't deserve that, our fans didn't and it is something that we need to correct."

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton said: "I can very much sympathise with what Tony had to say.

"We have been through a little bit ourselves this season, but Tony has had a very raw deal when you see some of the incidents, so I can very much understand the angle that Tony is coming from and a fair amount of what he says is right. Referees have to be accountable."