Meet The Ref - Everton v Latics - Michael Oliver

Wigan Athletic visit Goodison Park this weekend to face Everton in a game that will undoubtedly be a tense affair with both clubs in the lower reaches of the Premier League and the boy, sorry man in the middle will be 25 year old Michael Oliver.

The Northumberland born official took charge of his first Premier League game in August this year when he refereed the Birmingham v Blackburn early season fixture. This will be only his second ever Latics game having been in the middle for last seasons defeat in the Carling Cup at Blackpool.

According to a recent interview on refworld.com , Oliver considers the skills needed to be a top class referee are man management and awareness, all sounds very `The Apprentice` to me, let`s hope he is aware and manages to have a good game on Saturday.

Below is an excerpt from that interview:

How did you get introduced to refereeing?
From watching my dad referee locally when I was younger (i.e. 14)

What skills do you think you need to become a referee?
The two main ones I believe are: Man-Management, Awareness

Who has been the biggest influence in your career and why?
My Dad, Clive. Perfect coach to have having refereed at the same level. Willing to listen and lend a hand, but not afraid to tell it like it is.

In your opinion who is/was the best referee?

Pierluigi Collina - He had a presence.

Michael Oliver Card Watch 2010/11

Games - 14, Yellows 39, Reds 6

He certainly likes to flash the cards






















Latics and Proud

Fancy writing an article about the Latics? Why not get in touch, we are always looking for new contributors, after all we are all Latics fans here and want to get the Latics message to the world, so if you have a favourite match or Latics memory get it jotted down, or whatever you want to say put it into an email and send it to us here at Vital Wigan

To get your article published just click here and we will put it onto the site

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.