Michael the Ref

THE last time Michael Naylor officiated an Argyle fixture, it was more than a little memorable.

It was at Roots Hall, in September 2011; Southend won the game 2-0, thanks to goals from Liam Dickinson former Pilgrim Peter Gilbert. Dickinson, who almost became a Pilgrim himself, got his goal from the penalty spot. In a game littered with ex-Argyle connections - Chris Barker, Ryan Leonard and Blair Sturrock were all in a team coached by Paul Sturrock and Graham Coughlan - it would turn out to be the last game associated with the Pilgrims for Peter Reid, who was relived of his duties as Pilgrims boss after this game.

His replacement, Carl Fletcher, would start his reign as player-manager with a suspension, as Naylor sent off the Wales international for a headbutt on Michael Timlin of Southend. Five other Argyle players were booked.

Michael Naylor's other game in charge of Argyle also saw a 2-0 defeat for the Greens. Early goals by Scott McGleish and Dean Cox gave Leyton Orient all three points at Brisbane Road on that occasion.

This season, Michael has refereed 24 games this season, issuing 58 yellow cards in all. He has only sent one player off - Djamel Abdoun of Nottingham Forest being dismissed for serous foul play - and awarded four penalties.