Opening day results!

[petethegreek]

RoR, that's the human nature of the game you get some good ones and some bad ones. There is however no excuse for calling a match official a cheat. I prefer a quizical, non raised voice 'You sure about that one?'

 

Another example of differing views is in the highlights of our game against Hertford posted on here. I've seen red cards issued for the tackle our centre half did on Draper and the ref in this case didn't even give a foul. Personally I thought it was a foul and a yellow card.

 

One thing for sure is that officials do speak to each other and clubs and players can quickly get a reputation that can then see those decisions start going the wrong way for you. (I keep telling our manager this but he doesn't listen!!)

 

We do discuss teams and individuals, similar to managers doing their homework on the opposition. As an Assistant Referee I would like to know if a team plays a high line or sits back. This would help me with off-side decisions. A Referee would want to know if there are players who back chat a lot or players who are 'robust' in their challenges.

 

Are certain players very quick? Does a team play a passing game or prefer the long ball? This information will help a Referee with his positional play.

 

So we don't just turn up and get on with it.

[View from the Paddock]

For me the biggest problem is that if a club wins a game they will normally score the referee quite well even if he has had a poor game as they are happy witht the result, whereas the losing team mark the ref realistically and it looks like sour grapes. Clubs must remember if you are not honest with your feedback the refereees will not be made aware of areas they might look to improve in. Lets try and help them with relevant observations and suggestions