After a dismal run of poor performances, it is only fair to reflect on the excellent showing of one individual during the World Cup 2010. An Englishman showing how it should be done, outperforming his peers, and with a very good chance of reaching the World Cup final. His name?

The English refereeing representative has consistently shown what always seems to happen in World Cup’s. After four season of swearing, moaning and screaming at them, English referee’s prove that they are a cut above almost all the rest. With a flurry of red and yellow cards, diving and play-acting, goals and non-goals – let’s not go there - the sight of Webb giving a Brazilian defender the type of stare of which only Pierluigi Collina used to be capable brought a little national pride back.

 

Sure, come the first week in the Premier League, he’s bound to make a right hash of an important decision. But at least he hasn’t booked someone three times in the same match so far.

There is a very good chance, especially given that our English Premier League ‘stars’ are now sunning themselves instead of training, that Webb could follow on from his excellent Champions League final performance by officiating on the biggest stage of all – the World Cup Final itself.

Imagine the scene. Next season at Old Trafford, Webb has just blown for an offence against Wayne Rooney and the player reacts in typically respectful fashion with a flurry of expletives. Webb calls him over and simply says to him ‘Where were you on July 11^th Wayne?”

That would be worth a bit of time learning to lip-read.