We all know there are lies, damn lies and statistics, but no regular Fulham follower needs convincing since joining the Prem referees have been doing us down. When's it going to stop?

It all began in match one at Old Trafford in 2001 when we really took the game to United, only for Mike Riley to swing the game the way of the mighty reds and ensure 'little' Fulham were kept in their place.
And it continues ten years on, although we're now a well established Premier side. Not only that, we are officially the friendliest ground for away fans to visit, red cards for our players come along as regularly as Haley's comet, from Tigana to Hodgson we have a tradition of playing the game in the right manner.

That is the way we want it to stay, and why following FFC is such a privilege for us all. For all his playing reputation as a hard man, so far Sparky - despite the provocations - has not sought to change our style. I predicted in my preview last week the derby with West Ham was unlikely to be a bruising affair.

Yet post match we had Dempsey showing remarkable self-control in interviews while his face resembled someone who'd just sparred 10 rounds with Tyson having forgotten his headguard. A flailing elbow from da Costa did the damage, Duff also got cut above the eye, Parker put in one typically nasty challenge (par for the course).

For the second time in 7 matches this season MOTD's cosy knitting circle of pundits were forced to admit Fulham had been denied a clear penalty - after the Vidic manhandling of Dembele was missed v United, at Upton Park the ever feeble Marriner failed to see EJ bowled over in the box. A goal then would have sent us in at half-time two up, surely enough to take the win.

Not only have refs missed two blatant pens that have cost us an extra four points, in every game this season we are being out-fouled at a rate of 2-1 by opponents (bar Blackpool). Two of our most valuable players have left the field on stretchers, and while Wolves protested his innocence at the time, Karl Henry showed his true colours Saturday with a truly appalling lunge at Wigan inside the first ten minutes. Again we see another terrible leg break at the weekend (tibia and fibia) from a player with 'form' in De Jong that reignites the debate on reckless challenges across the media today. This issue already blogged here last month, guys.

Fans dig deep to come and watch football. If you prefer blood and guts go to ice hockey, cage fighting or rugby league. If I was the club CEO I would be writing in the strongest terms this week to the Premier League, the League Managers Association, and, above all, the head of the Referees Committee insisting Fulham players start getting some protection. We are not asking for a special dispensation, for favouritism, we are asking for fair play and the chance to compete ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.

Success and simply staying alive in the Prem is a tough enough task for clubs outside the big boys. Our lads are not in the habit of crowding match officials or moaning constantly at dubious decisions in the vein of Wenger and Ferguson. It's time to make a stand at FFC!