MIKE DEAN: Rest assured referees do their research too
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MIKE DEAN: Just like Sean Dyche all those years ago, I expect the new crop of players and managers to have done their research on officials… but rest assured referees do their reconnaissance too
- I walked into a dressing room years ago to see my name all over a whiteboard
- Sean Dyche – as is his right – had been doing research on me and my ways
- New arrivals in the Premier League will be doing their research on officials
- Rest assured that referees do the same on players they are due to take charge of
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After the close of the transfer window, new players have arrived and I have no problem with them wanting to know what to call us referees, where we’re from and if we’re open to chatting on the pitch — I’m Mike, from Tranmere, and your team-mates will probably tell you I loved talking to players — because it’s nothing new.
Nowadays, referees are emailed what colours the home and away teams will be wearing, so we know what to wear for the game. Back in the day, though, we’d head into the dressing rooms to find out.
I walked into Burnley’s dressing room once and Sean Dyche had my name written on a board, with my statistics and my likes and dislikes. But I don’t blame anyone for doing their homework. You want to be as prepared as possible, and that’s why referees conduct their own research, too.
Referees – like players and managers – do their research on those they are due to take charge of
Sean Dyche, years ago, had my name and my stats plastered all over a whiteboard in a dressing room
Once an official’s fixture lands in his inbox, he can start to make notes. We might start by predicting how the two teams will set up. Who will be marking who. Whether they try any time-wasting tricks.
It’s simply so we aren’t caught out by any surprises.
Sir Alex Ferguson famously used press conferences to turn the referee’s attention towards something he wanted to focus on. Like in April 2003, when he talked up Real Madrid’s ‘dirty tricks’ before a clash and called for ‘strong’ officiating.
Rest assured, referees do their research, just like I’m sure the Premier League’s new players are now doing on us.
Sir Alex Ferguson used press conferences to turn the referee’s attention towards something he wanted to focus on