lost that loving feeling

Brian Clough, as we all know, was a great supporter of those who administer the law, both on and off the pitch. Players who argued with referees' decisions could, at best, expect an earful from Old Big 'ed and, at worst, a fine and maybe a one-match internal "ban". At the time it seemed an eminently sensible philosophy to embrace. After all, it prevented quick free-kicks from catching you out and made the club appreciated by referees and linesmen. Who knows what split decisions may have gone our way as a result of this policy?

The situation today is different. Make no bones about it; refereeing, even ten years ago, was a doddle by comparison. Technology has shown the casual viewer aspects of the game which could not have been imagined. Television pundits have been embued with the power to dissect and criticise the referees most difficult decisions and yet, crazily, Lancaster Gate has not taken technology on board itself yet to help restore power to the officials on the pitch.

Alex Ferguson epitomises the new attitude towards referees. Intolerant of any 'wrong' decision which goes against his team, he is nevertheless magnanimous enough (!) to offer condolences to opposing managers, who I assume are advised to accept the rough with the smooth, as far as refereeing goes. His critical and expressively vehement attitude is conveyed to his players who have questioned, cajoled and intimidated referees along the journey of their success, with the result that it is possible (though difficult to prove) that referees will tend to err on the side of caution when a Manchester United player is involved in an infringement of the rules. Some even suggest that favourable outcomes have been forced out of referees.Especially at Old Trafford.

This brings me to Paul Hart, our great and worthy master.

Paul's attitude has been akin to Brian Clough's in encouraging his players to ignore poor decisions and get on with the game. Again, most noble sentiments. The Women's Institute and the local Baptist minister will be proud of him. Lancaster Gate will issue brownie points.

However, consider a team whose players and manager adhere to the Ferguson School of Decision Taking as opposed to the Clough model. The teams are playing (Forest away), a Forest player is pulled down by an opponent in the penalty area. The home crowd are simmering, the away crowd cheering expectantly. The assistant has his flag down - he's not putting his balls on the line - so its all the referee's decision. He spent his last game being harangued by the home supporters - "wanker" ... "bastard". Booing and hissing accompanied his every twist and turn as he followed play. Whenever he gave the smallest decision against the home team,their players faced up to him menacingly.

Now,what is that referee most likely to do in this new situation? He is convinced in his own mind that it should be a penalty. He has to think fast! Could the incident have taken place outside the area? Phew! Thank goodness! Free kick, edge of box. Can just about live with that, especially as the home team are a goal up, due to him over-riding an earlier offside flag in favour of the home team.

No. It was clearly well inside the penalty area. Help! Could there have been an offside? An earlier infringement which he had let play on? No, he is actually a stronger referee than others with a modicum of fairness. So he gives the penalty. The home players come pouring towards him in droves, waving their arms and shouting hidden obsenities through their angry red faces. He waves them away and back-jogs towards the corner flag. This is getting ugly. The anger and outrage well up in him. He feels for the cards in his top pocket and takes them out threateningly. Behind him arrives the manager, puffing and swearing and alluding to poor eyesight and an absent father! The home crowd are booing and hissing-just like last week.

His assistant comes to him and together they hold off the players.He blows his whistle for the umpteenth time. He waves a yellow at the home striker who is towering over him an inch from his nose. Some kind of calm follows and he managers to get some kind of order.

The penalty is taken and the supporters are really on his back now. He wonders if he will find his car windscreen smashed again after the match. The thought goes through his mind as it often does: Why do I do this ? Do I need this? A satisfyingly smug thought follows which goes something like: what if we all resigned? Show them all! Serve them right! No football without referees!!

Now, let us apply that little story to the events which unfolded at Portsmouth last Wednesday night.... You get my drift?

Can any manager or team in the present climate afford to be so tolerant of iffy refereeing decisions?

If a team governed by the very reasonable Mr Hart, clashes with that of a rather strident and forthwrightly vociferous Mr Strachan or Mr O'Leary - if our lads just turn and walk away, while their opposite number argue and chase the referee - what is likely to happen over the course of 90 minutes? I'll tell you - referees ARE human,and they will look for an easier path if there is one, I don't care what anyone says!

Did we see that scenario at work on Wednesday night? I don't know, I really don't. And yet...