Southampton vs Bournemouth

Richard West down injured and Kavanagh had to go on the line, less than 24 hours after refereeing Brighton vs Chelsea.

Don’t think this is first time West has gone off this season.

West also got injured before Wolves vs City earlier in the season. Kavanagh must be exhausted.

Wonder when Kavanagh last lined, probably going back close to 15 years. I've said this before, but with all the money there is in the EPL I don't see why they shouldn't have reserve assistants on league games just like they do for finals. Be a good experience for Championship and promising EFL assistants, getting them ready with experience of EPL match day. I know it isn't very often that an official gets injured, but it is far from ideal that someone who refereed last night has to run the line the following day.

It seems to be much more regular this season that officials are getting injured. I know it’s probably coincidental but I do wonder why it is.

RustyRef said:

Wonder when Kavanagh last lined, probably going back close to 15 years. I've said this before, but with all the money there is in the EPL I don't see why they shouldn't have reserve assistants on league games just like they do for finals. Be a good experience for Championship and promising EFL assistants, getting them ready with experience of EPL match day. I know it isn't very often that an official gets injured, but it is far from ideal that someone who refereed last night has to run the line the following day.

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I'm having a look through MOAS (yes I'm bored) - I reckon it was probably Chesterfield v Fleetwood on 3/5/14.

ARF said:

I'm having a look through MOAS (yes I'm bored) - I reckon it was probably Chesterfield v Fleetwood on 3/5/14.

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So nearly 11 rather than 15 years, but it is still ridiculous that someone is expected to just pick up a flag after all that time.

Gabriel said:

It seems to be much more regular this season that officials are getting injured. I know it’s probably coincidental but I do wonder why it is.

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There's certainly evidence that players are getting injured more than in recent years, that is being put down to the load of additional games. Not sure I buy that, given one of the worst affected teams are Bournemouth who aren't playing any more games than they normally would.

I don't think referees are officiating more games than in previous years, but games keep getting faster and more demanding. And some of the officials are no spring chickens, Richard West I think turns 50 this month, ARs have to sprint more than referees so it is understandable that 50 year old men are going to struggle chasing 20 year old wingers and the body is likely to complain. I noticed on the Brighton vs Chelsea game on Friday night that Mark Scholes was really struggling to keep up and almost looked like he was injured, he must be well into his 50s and it is no surprise that someone of that age can't keep up with young footballers.