Individual Answers

Bryan Green, England

Mike, I am sure you will agree that there is a substantial difference between attitudes and indeed skills of players in the lower leagues from the Premiership. Does your approach to refereeing say Spurs v Arsenal differ to say Barnet v Grimbsy and if so how?

My approach to a Premier League game or a Football League game is the same. What you have to understand is that players/supporters expect the decisions to be right because we are Select Group Referees. There is sometimes more pressure on you in lower league games as the expectations from the above people are high. I enjoy games in the Football League as it is where I did my hard work ready for the Premier League. I think that many referees should especially the younger ones should get as many games under there belt ready for the next step up. Referees need to be ‘streetwise’ so they can get ready for the Select Group.

clive medcalf, England

I understand that you have a team of psychologists involved, they must be a great support but how much do you personally analyse your own performance?

I watch what I need to watch. We have ProZone which I’m sure you are aware of and we use this to iron out minor faults. I watch all free-kicks, corners and critical incidents. I use this to help me in future games as we need all the help we can. I’m also very critical of my own performance if things don’t go well and seek advice from fellow referees. I use the psychologist only at meetings we have.

James Welsh, England

Hi Mike, I am a young referee and I’m just wondering if the referees decision is actually final because I have seen a few instances this season where the referee has gave a decision only to be over ruled by the linesman.

The thing is if a referee makes a decision and the Assistant Referee has a better view/angle then he has every right to come in and ‘Assist’ - the big picture is if the decision is correct between the officials then it doesn’t matter how they get the decision right as long as they do. A referee won’t be at fault for this it may look untidy but the decision is the correct one.

Jack Smith, England

Which sort of referee do players tend to respond to better; a firm strict ref or a ref that they know they can have a bit of banter and a laugh with ie Graham Poll?

I think players respond to both kind of referees. You can’t change the way you are on the field of play as it will effect your performance. I’m a referee who likes to talk to players and enjoys a laugh with them with a few one liners. Players most of the time respond very well but you have to be careful were and when you so it.