Ref-Watch: Derby County (A)

Before David Coote took charge of MK Dons’ trip to Reading in August, my Ref-Watch for the game stated how the Nottinghamshire official "will be hoping that a chance in the Premier League will beckon soon" as he is one of the Football League’s most experienced referees. Unfortunately, David is still waiting for that opportunity, but did take charge of top flight Newcastle United’s League Cup game against Northampton later on that month. So he’s getting closer.

It was one of 16 games he has officiated in all competitions so far this season, and he has handed out 62 yellow cards and two red cards (both in the same game) along the way, as well as four penalties.

That aforementioned clash with MK Dons was Reading’s fifth game with Coote as the whistle-blower. In that time, we’ve won three, lost one and drawn one, whilst Kaspars Gorkss was sent off by the 33 year old against QPR in 2013. In Derby County’s most recent encounter when Coote was the man in the middle against Millwall last April, three penalties were given.

Orlando Sa was sent off when the Rams visited the Madjeski Stadium in September, so let’s hope that no Royals player suffers a similar fate and feels the wrath of Mr Coote.

The assistant referees at the iPro Stadium will be Richard Bartlett and Alan Clayton, whilst the fourth official will be Sebastian Stockbrige.