Micky Mellon speaks out on helping refs
Frustrated Shrewsbury Town manager Micky Mellon has called for match officials to be trained in how to handle players better.
Mellon wants referees, assistants and fourth officials to be educated in man-management and how to deal with people caught up in the emotion of games.
He's also called for clarification of the fourth official's role. All four officials are now 'miked-up', but the Scot also wants those in charge to make better use of their technology.
The Town manager's outburst came in the wake of Tuesday night's harshly-awarded penalty against Mark Ellis for handball.
Rochdale made it 2-0 from the spot before extending their lead then eventually won 3-2 and there were claims that Dale staff were in the fourth official's ear.
Mellon said: "I wonder if they're taught how to be a fourth official.
"Some make things worse because they're arrogant or dismissive, then when you ask for a referral on a decision, they tell you their microphones are broke.
"They should go on courses to learn to speak to people, like stewards do.
"If they were like the police, they could nip it in the bud straightaway with one phrase, such as 'I understand where you're coming from, but take a breath and we'll resolve this'."
Mellon conceded: "We understand we can't speak to them the way we do at times, but they're calm and detached because they're not involved in the emotion of it."
The Town boss also called for more discretion on the constant awarding of free-kicks to help games flow.
He said: "We don't want people getting hurt, but we don't need a free-kick for every bit of contact.
"Normally the ball is in play for about 27 minutes in each half, but against Rochdale it was about 18 minutes – every time I looked, either a free-kick or a throw-in was being taken."
Mellon insists he could be a referee and handle things better, adding: "I'd be better at speaking to people and empathising with the situations that football people are in every day.
"I wouldn't be so quick about making decisions and I'd take great care to ensure I got it as right as I could."
Mellon also called for officials to visit clubs during the week to improve relations. He said: "It would help if they came and talked to us.
Regarding the Ellis incident, Mellon said: "Even the fourth official didn't think it was a penalty.
"The referee blew his whistle quicker than John Wayne pulls out his gun in a shoot-out, but if he's not sure, he should ask the fourth official and the linesman what they think, then decide."
