The referee, although he shouldn’t really be, is usually the talking point of many a match, and in a clash of Sunday’s magnitude, a bad call, or calls, that don’t go our way can go down in history. Just ask Barry Knight.
In any case, Scott Duncan will be reffing our crucial game this Sunday. If you’re into omens, then they aren’t good. Duncan has refereed one other Bolton game this season, the 2-0 defeat at QPR in February when Mark Little was sent off.
On the other hand, those of a red persuasion may well be thinking the exactly the same thing, as Forest have drawn one and lost two of their three games he has taken charge of.
Duncan has averaged around 3.5 yellow cards per Championship match officiated this season, and has sent seven players off (five of those straight red cards) – so while he’s lenient in terms of bookings compared to the rest of the Championship regulars, only Jeremy Simpson has given more players their marching orders this season.