[churchman phil]

I agree with some of the comments about refs. I think the crowd can (and do!) sway decisions in favour of the home team. The thing is that the bigger the team is, the bigger the margin of decisions for that team. It isn't a question of cheating or anything (on the refs part) as we know that the ref can't see everything but rather that if he has a single ounce of doubt the voice of the crowd will play a part in his decision.
eg. Ewood's capacity is half that of Old Trafford (and usually only two thirds full!) so the noise volume of the crowd in the main part is much lower thus having a lower impact on any marginal decisions - regardless of the ref and/or his integrity.
Fans will always be wanting consistancy in decisions but the success of some teams makes that nigh on impossible. Those fans of the lower teams will always feel more aggrieved when playing the big boys away due to fan influence on marginal reffing decisions.
I'll get back in the shadows now....