Thank you for the comments on here about this match! Really really interesting read.
It does seem to be PGMOL's internal view that Smith was good in this match - another PGMOL 'insider pretending to be an outsider' like Gallagher, Chris Foy, also wrote on twitter explicitly of a "terrific refereeing performance on debut".
Circling the wagons or the genuine internal assessment?
If only we can see the observer report! Thats one document Id love to have a gander at!
Completely agree of course, but aren't we into the (totally inane) system of the 'match delegate' reports and then evaluator x writes up a score based on assessing every single decision in isolation?...
I watched the full match just now actually - Smith's performance wasn't a disaster imo and I was expecting more of a match control loss at the end than what happened (he was mobbed twice quite badly in the last 20min and the two additional time YCs were rather exaggerated and unnecessary). However, his performance was far from that of showing outstanding talent either. To put a positive spin on his style, one would say Smith gave a quiet, yet diligent/concentrated impression as a referee - but he seemed rather overcome by the occasion and always a 'passenger' to the match, never really in control of events. "Too early for him" would be a fair resume.
My development advice for him would actually be to watch the games of the VAR for this match, John Brooks. It is hard having been promoted a new league (let alone the biggest in the world!), and it takes him to build a rapport with players, be more relaxed in games, etc. Brooks not only in his decisions, but also in his manner and how he carries himself on the pitch, is able to assure match control even in tough matches. Lewis Smith would benefit from trying to build that element into his own refereeing, as he presented a fairly 'shy' exterior in this encounter.
I would also back up Smith, and Brooks, in the two penalty area incidents. In the first, De Cordova-Reid waits for Torres to come behind him and 'generates' the collision. In the second, Watkins does draw a careless-type contact from the defender, but only having deliberately pushed the ball too far and out of his 'spell' anyway. However, I would say that probably 'football expects' a penalty in both incidents, especially the second.
Clips below.
Fulham appeal -
https://streambug.org/cv/e64972Villa appeal -
https://www.streambug.io/cv/6a8ab9