Talking to refs 'before' the game?

SoundAsa£

Saw something in the post match views V Orient that has prompted me to ask this question.
Do managers or coaching staff get much of an opportunity to speak to the officials and say something like the following (and this is just an example folks, so it could be said in many different ways) "Ref we've been noticing that of late our striker Yann Kermorgant has been coming in for some extra stick from our opponents. So I'd just like to point this out to you, because we feel the word has gone out that if you can stop him, by fair means or foul, then you can stop us. Can I ask you to keep an eye on this and give him the protection we think he deserves.
Would this be ethicly Ok or is it considered (in the proffesional game) 'bad form' to approach the officials in this way before a game? And what would the likely reply be if one did so?

WSS

"Don't tell me how to do my job Powell, you've only been in the management game for five minutes. P*ss off."

SoundAsa£

"Don't tell me how to do my job Powell, you've only been in the management game for five minutes. P*ss off."

Errr well........yes, that's one answer I guess!!!

Saga Lout

I hope they don't allow this - imagine the kind of manipulation some managers we know would try and pull off! Some managers thrive on mind-games.

Granpa

I think we ought to be more subtle. CP and others should talk whenever possible about the treatment that Yann is getting until it is widely known, putting it into referees minds before the game.

Bournemouth Addick

I think we ought to be more subtle. CP and others should talk whenever possible about the treatment that Yann is getting until it is widely known, putting it into referees minds before the game.

This is exactly what the top boys do. How many times do we read about so & so Man U/Chelsea/Arsenal player isn't getting any protection from the ref, regardless if they are a cheating, diving so & so...

SoundAsa£

Given that we get nothing like the media coverage that the top boys do this might not work....at least in the short term.

MuttleyCAFC

There are ways to bring this to the refs attention and I'm sure we do it. I hope so anyway as this is becoming a clear tactic of late and opponents are getting away with foul play.

Spankie

I would imagine in the professional game this isn't allowed as it would unfairly influence the officials. In the FL and PL the officials will meet before hand and have a chat about potential flashpoints around the field of play and phyiscal battles, potential grudges between players etc. Obviously this sometimes doesn't work as 99% of fans think Yann was given no protection whatsoever on Saturday so the referee was clearly failing in his job of protecting players' safety.

ThreadKiller

i did have a word myself to the match ref before the game, told him that i was expecting a good performance from him. he seemed alright even handed me the match ball. i sensed a bit of trouble when he wanted it back though.

shine166

"Don't tell me how to do my job Powell, you've only been in the management game for five minutes. P*ss off."

Errr well........yes, that's one answer I guess!!!

It should be the only answer

Happy Valley

A few years ago, when we were under the 'stewardship' of Pardew in the Prem, he admitted after a match that he had been communicating via sign language to the ref about Alex Song, who was on loan to us from Arsenal. Song was fouling at will and had already been booked. Pardew enquired whether he was likely to be sent off. The ref nodded. Cue substitution of Song.

I wondered at the time about the ethics of this, but at least it was addressing an actual situation. Canvassing the ref before the game about a potential situation cannot be correct.

Henry Irving

How would we feel if Russell Slade had said to the ref.

"Watch that big lump Kermorgant, Ref. Always backing in and having a sly dig. Got James Beattie and that bloke at MK Dons sent off."?

Carl Leaburn

If anyone is under the illusion that this sort of thing does not go on before and during the game from both side, then they are very misguided. This sort of thing happens at every level of football and Soundasa£ and Henry Irving sum up opposing Managers / fans view of any situation perfectly :-)

Rizzo

"Watch that big lump Kermorgant, Ref. Always backing in and having a sly dig. Got James Beattie and that bloke at MK Dons sent off."

By viciously thrusting his neck between their grasping hands?