This feels unhelpful in every way...
He knew it was a foul but didn't send the ref to the monitor (for whatever reason) and ended up 'costing' Chelsea 2 points. I hope it was just a one off but that hardly makes it better.
Very good post TimThe problem is that referees on VAR are mostly making subjective decisions, as are referees, and like all humans we are not rational and we don’t act like robots and always make the right call. So that thought process, (getting into psychology and behavioural economics here) could often be based on social norms, confirmation bias, rules of thumb, as this is why Wolves probably didn’t get a penalty, as it was the last minute at Old Trafford, or Harry Kane didn’t get sent off for his tackle on Robertson, as he is England Captain, or the person on VAR, is less experienced or friends with the ref on the pitch. This is what needs addressing, so the decisions are make more rationally, to avoid all this nonsense.
Thank you. Yes, the Twitter chorus of 'corruption' is just ridiculous and needs to be ignored, but an admission that decisions could be influenced by 'non-rational' factors should be discussed. Maybe full-time VAR operators who are completely independent of referees may be the way forward.Very good post Tim
Any suggestion of 'bias' on the Forum gets shot down by the Mods, but we're all complicated beings with biases and thought processes we usually don't understand about ourselves in the moment. Some of us (seemingly, like Mike Dean) can be honest with ourselves after the event, whereas many of us are blind to our motivations and prejudice
However, I don't see what MD is achieving by admitting to this publicly. I'm guilty of being too open about myself in the same way and I see it as a narcissistic trait in myself. Not saying we should keep such things completely to ourselves, but better to only discuss with trusted friends and family, otherwise it has a feel of talking about yourself in Public to make oneself the centre of attention
This revelation does not help the VAR process as most people lack self-insight and will only use this as a 'ref bashing stick'
Yes, very weird logic, as he said in the interview that Anthony Taylor didn’t sound impressed, and said that he should have sent him to the screen.Naturally as a Chelsea fan, I was p'd off about the decisions that went against Chelsea in this game. Always been a big fan of Mike Dean and steer clear of ref/Mike Dean bashing stories especially on social media as trying to reason with people can be like p'n in the wind. I don't get how deciding against recommending a review is protecting your on field mate, if anything with the extra scrutiny VAR brings to the game, by ignoring the incident you're making yourself look incompetent and not fit for the job.
He candidly admits that he wasn't the best VAR. His self-awareness meant that he left a role he wasn't suited for and didn't enjoyNaturally as a Chelsea fan, I was p'd off about the decisions that went against Chelsea in this game. Always been a big fan of Mike Dean and steer clear of ref/Mike Dean bashing stories especially on social media as trying to reason with people can be like p'n in the wind. I don't get how deciding against recommending a review is protecting your on field mate, if anything with the extra scrutiny VAR brings to the game, by ignoring the incident you're making yourself look incompetent and not fit for the job.
I think this is ridiculous and ageist. Referees have also spent their career making judgment, applying the LOTG, and understanding the guidance being given on how to apply them. Not every R is going to make a great VAR, but the technology is hardly a problem, as they have technicians to deal with the tech. And you don’t think top level refs don’t spend a bunch of time watching videos to learn?On a separate point I believe retired referees should not be VAR specialists, many have spent their entire lives running around on grass and have zero experience of working with technology and sat in front of a tv or computer screen. Just compare a young person using tech/IT to any person of a certain age (generalisation accepted).
I think the PL needs to push for more open communication. Fans are always going to think refs are terrible and getting worse. But at least releasing the audio of all checks will show they aren't bent.Just make the audio from all incidents available and we'll never have this issue