Former Premiership referee Gary Willard has handed moaning managers a red card.

Worthing-based Willard is fed up with Premiership bosses who blame him and his fellow match assessors for controversial performances by referees.

Willard said: "I've heard some of them talking about a referee and insisting the official only made certain decisions to please the man in the stand, which is the assessor. Nothing could be further from the truth. We don't put pressure on referees.

"They are just trying to run the game using good and fair practice as they see it. When I refereed I did it my way and that's what the current crop do as well.

"They can't afford to be distracted by thinking that doing certain things will impress the assessor.

"People in the game are looking for scapegoats and officials are easy targets, but the system is balanced. There is a delegate, usually a former manager or player, at every game who speaks to the managers and puts their observations on the officials in a report. I saw Peter Shreeves, the former Tottenham boss, at a game I assessed doing just that."

Willard is as busy now as he was when he refereed at the top level for seven years before retiring four years ago.

On Sunday he ran the rule over Phil Dowd who was in charge of Chelsea's game against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

He has already assessed five top referees this season: Chris Foy (Crystal Palace v Chelsea), Barry Knight (Portsmouth v Fulham), Rob Styles (West Ham v Ipswich) and Graham Poll (Fulham v Southampton).

He said: "Phil put in a good display on Sunday, although the game was quite a quiet one from the officials' point of view. I've been fortunate this season because all the referees I've watched have put in excellent performances. It makes my job easier."

Willard, who does two assessments a month, reckons the referees don't object to the system which includes a post-match dressing room de-brief.

He added: "They don't see it as undermining them. It is just like anyone who is employed, there is a performance management system.

"The de-briefs are designed to clear up any queries assessors might have over certain decisions. After all, although I've always got a good seat I only get to see an incident once. I give my initial thoughts on their performances. I try to be positive and critically constructive. It gives me a clearer picture when I write up my report.

"The referees are very much in favour. It's not for the assessor to be destructive but to recognise good practice and reward it and to see what areas there are for improvement.

"At Fulham-Southampton I had a decent meeting with Graham (Poll) and he did very well in what was potentially a difficult game.

"Fulham had been been involved in a lot of well-publicised incidents such as the brawl at West Brom when striker Andy Cole was sent off."

The assessors also explain edicts handed down from FIFA, like pulling shirts off while celebrating goals.

Willard said: "I'll talk about it to officials at the beginning of the season to try and iron out any misunderstandings, although there can still be problems."

Referee Steve Bennett was criticised by FIFA president Sepp Blatter for issuing a second booking to Everton's Tim Cahill when he pulled his shirt over his head after scoring the winner against Manchester City.

Willard added: "Sepp Blatter said Cahill's was not an example of what was meant. Well, I'm sorry, that was what was meant judging from the slides of examples referees were shown at the beginning of the season. What he said was unhelpful because it led to further confusion."

Willard has 36 hours to compile a four-page report after every game.

"There are related issues such as the use of advantage, positioning, fitness and movement," he said. "I comment under each section on those different aspects. Then I give an overall mark based on control, management of players and empathy for the game."

His remit includes reports on the assistants and the fourth official.

He said: "Officials are more accountable but, although full-time officials have come in and standards are higher, mistakes can happen."

It's hard work, but Willard is doing his bit to ensure officials get decisions right as often as possible.

Gary Willard's job description:

Works for Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, run by former referee Keith Hackett and formed by the FA, Premiership and Football League to organise officials for the professional game.

Assesses Premiership referees twice a month. Gary has already done five games this season including Chelsea v Liverpool last Sunday.

Coach mentor to five of the ten new Football League referees this season, plus 18 referees' assistants.

Coach to six referees, including Sussex's Dave Phillips, who officiate in the Conference, Premiership Reserves and Football League Combination. He will attend Crawley's Conference match against Northwich on Saturday as coach to referee Gary Evetts (Hertfordshire).