RateTheRef

Plym-Nick, you make your argument in a very reasonable and cogent way although personally I do not accept your conclusions. Many referees allow their decisions to be influenced by what they can "sell" and what will not attract too much anger. Mike Dean is not one such. He calls it as he sees it regardless of the consequence of others opinions of him. When I was plying the refereeing trade ( albeit at a much, much junior level to Mike Dean ) we were always encouraged to referee in a style which suited us and not try to ape anyone else whose style didn't. I would never referee in the style of Mike Dean ( my role models were Ron Challis and Joe Worrall ) but it works for him. I believe that he is quite popular among many of the players; that maybe because he has been around at the top level for so long and also because he is firm but fair and they always get what they expect.