First Cup Final today

[RustyRef]

Look flash? With the subtle buzzer technology allowing discreet signals?

The one thing buzzers aren't is flashy!

Yes, but all three (or four) officials need to know how to use them. They can be more of a hindrance than a help if they aren't used properly.

 

[Ben448844]

Sounds like in hindsight, it was a pretty straightforward 3-0 and would actually have been a great opportunity to get some experience with the buzzers?

Referees love to study form/league tables and use their experience with teams to predict how a game will go, but I'm sure I've heard more wrong predictions than correct ones. Two of my last games this season were supposed to be one-sided walkovers according to other officials I was working with, but neither of them worked out that way until well into the second half. And I also recall being recently warned by an AR that a team's striker likes to draw in fouls and go down easy - we got in at half time and I thanked him for pointing the number 9 out as I had been able to wave away a few soft appeals, to which his response was "oh no, it was the number 5 I was talking about, he's playing in midfield today"!

Anything can happen in any game. If you insist on waiting for the perfect opportunity to use them, they'll just gather dust in the bottom of your bag for years until you retire.

I not waiting for an opportunity, I won't be buying them.

fully aware of the pitfalls of pre-empting games, it's more an awareness due to refereeing these team during the season and looking at the league tables

 

[Big Cat]

I not waiting for an opportunity, I won't be buying them.

fully aware of the pitfalls of pre-empting games, it's more an awareness due to refereeing these team during the season and looking at the league tables

I pay no attention to where teams are in the league, their form and try to ignore past experiences as much as humanly possible
Every game should be a 'blank canvass'. I don't care what happened last week or who the top goal scorer is or whose allegedly mouthy etc.
Even in the EPL, I see 'names on shirts' being sanctioned. Not intentionally I hasten to add, but sub-conscious bias is an enemy

I'd get some 'touchline buzzers' for the 'normal price', only on the basis that they retain their value, but I won't be paying over the odds because they'd only benefit my game very marginally. Other brands are a nuisance in my view because of their sensitivity etc.