COLIN Todd has backed a move that could see former top referees being recruited to coach today's officials. The Wanderers boss, who was fiercely critical of Whitley Bay ref David Laws after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Tranmere, welcomed the initiative that could see the likes of George Courtney, Gerald Ashby, Keith Hackett and Roger Dilkes brought out of retirement to take "master classes".

"We can't do anything as managers," he conceded, "but it looks like somebody has recognised that there is a problem, which is a good thing.

"If they are thinking of doing something like this they must see there is a problem." Todd described the performance of Mr Laws at Prenton Park as "an absolute disgrace", highlighting the second half incident when he awarded Wanderers a free-kick instead of allowing an Arnar Gunnlaugsson goal to stand then allowed Rovers' defender Clint Hill, who had earlier been booked, to stay on the field.

"Something has got to be done about the standards and inconsistency of referees," he stressed.

"It's happening every weekend that managers have serious complaints. We have had quite a few cases this season when we've been undone by bad decisions and on more than two occasions I have spoken to referees on Monday mornings after Saturday games and they have apologised to me because they've made mistakes. "It's happening too often and, although I try not to criticise officials, I can't just sit back and say nothing, although I think managers are powerless to do anything about it."

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