Saints manager George Burley's exclusive column appears in the Daily Echo today.

Among the topics he talks about is the current refereeing crisis.

This is what he has to say ...

The big talking point in football at the moment is referees and managers.

Managers have got a responsibility to the game - you're not going to agree with some decisions and that's always been the case.

At times you've got to say a referee got it wrong but I don't advocate running on the pitch and pointing fingers and putting a referee under the spotlight when they have made a mistake.

There is a responsibility and I wouldn't expect my players to behave like that either and put themselves in a position where they could be sent off.

For the game as a whole, you need discipline - and that goes for a manager as well.

As a manager you go in and see referees within four walls and say what you think maybe half an hour after the game.

It's important the over the top public behaviour is stamped out of the game.

Because whatever you might think, the job of referees is getting more and more difficult.

There are more mistakes made now than ever before, but a manager won't help by putting the referee in the spotlight.

The LMA have got to stop that for the sake of the game.

It's becoming more difficult for referees because the game is faster.

There's more at stake and players try and make the most of situations more then ever.

Mistakes are also highlighted more than ever and that's why it's very important to try and help the the referees as best you can.

Like everything, you're not going to agree with every decision and they will make mistakes.

But highlighting it by going over the top on the pitch doesn't help referees - or football generally.

Referees have always made mistakes and they have improved. But the game has got more difficult and, as a manager, you have a responsibility for your players to act in a responsible manner on the pitch.

As a manager, your conduct is important.

There has been a lot said about comments made by Mike Newell about a female official a couple of weeks ago.

In this day and age, you've got to have an open mind - whoever is the best at the job deserves to be there.

You might say referees should never be top class unless they've played the game or been professionals, but I don't feel that is right either.

Whatever happens, and whatever decisions are made, it is important managers remember their responsibilities to the game in general.

For the full column, see today's Daily Echo