OFFICIALS ARE UNDER MORE SCRUTINY THAN EVER BEFORE...
THE pressure on referees is growing all the time in our modern day, social media world – and that’s another reason officials need to spend more time working on their skills.
If a referee makes a major blunder these days, it will be highlighted by the likes of television, radio and twitter. Managers will vent their fury, fans will have their say.
Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett said:“The pressure on referees seems to increase every season – there seems to be more at stake.
“I don’t think the standard has changed that much in recent years, but a poor performance seems to mean much more.
“Managers have less time in their jobs and more pressure on them to win games, and we live in an instant society now.”
Managers live and die by their results – and wrong decisions by officials could cost them their jobs.
But Rowett believes more dialogue between managers and officials could help the relationship between them – and highlights the work of national list referee manager David Allison.
“David is always very open to calls to help us understand some of the decisions that have been taken,” he said.“The fact you can call him on a Monday morning and get an explanation has been really helpful.That could be used more.”
Hull boss Steve Bruce said: “Refereeing is a daunting task and it’s becoming more and more difficult. However, it has got better. Referees have had to get in better shape, physically they are much fitter. Certainly, if you look at the top refs in the Premier League, they’ve got the ability to get around the pitch.
“The one thing I disagree with in the Premier League is referees being assessed all the time.
“When referees are being marked down by people in the stand when they haven’t given a yellow card when they should have done that causes a bit of extra pressure.”
Rotherham boss Neil Warnock added:“There are some good refs, but they have to step up a gear.
“The Championship is now a very tough and quick league.The games are very fast.”