"Nobody likes us, but we don't care!"

Listening to the singing of the thousands of fans at New Neal Stadium, Jack was very curious. Although this is Jack's first time officiating in League Two, it is not that Jack does not understand League Two.

The attendance rate in League Two is not so high, and the stadiums with more than 10,000 fans are very rare and very popular. And now Millwall's stadium is no less popular than the Premier League.

This was just the beginning, and it was when Jack followed the two teams onto the pitch that he really felt what it was like. The Northern League, the Anglo-African United, or even the Anglo-African League promotion play-off final can't compare to New Neille.

"We are Millwall!"

"Nobody likes us, but we don't care!"

Singing, cheering, boos, all kinds of voices mixed together, making Jack think this was a Premier League stadium. New Neil Stadium is a 20,000-capacity stadium, which should be said to be a smaller stadium. There are definitely 16,700 fans here today. This level of attendance in League Two is already the top, and it is even ranked at the top of the League One.

'This is New Neill Stadium, in the third round of League Two, where Millwall host Crewe.

The treatment of the League Two is completely different from that of the Northern League and the Anglo-African League. League Two is already available for televising, and there are already dedicated commentators.

Just like this game, as one of the highlights of League Two, the commentator turned out to be John Mortson, a famous football commentator in England. Just as some Premier League referees have the task of officiating the lower leagues, a top commentator like Mortensen occasionally has to explain some of the lower leagues.

"The referee for this match is Phil Dodd, who is an experienced referee."

Mortenson is indeed a top commentator. Although it was only a commentary on the teams in League Two, I did my homework before the game. The information of the coaches and players of the two teams is clear, and even the referee information of this game is in his head.

"Doodoo-"

Dodd blew the whistle for the start of the game. For the referee, every level of play is different, but for the linesman, the job is the same. Nothing has changed for Jack to be concerned about.

Corners, touchline kicks, offsides, etc.

If he was shocked by Millwall's home side at the start, Jack wasn't so nervous when the game started. It doesn't make a difference whether it's League Two, the Northern League, or the Anglo-African United. It's all the same. That's what the linesman does, especially for the second assistant referee, and nothing else.

But it's not the same for the referee. In each different league, the referee needs to master differently. Even in each game, the two opponents are different, and the referee has different principles to master.

"Millwall's Bart dribbles the ball and Bart passes the ball...... Oooooo Robbie Savage, Robbie Savage of Crewe FC, this move is too big. ”

The players at Crewe FC are more ferocious than the other. In addition to Robbie Savic, Neil Rennon and Seth Johnson are all fierce players. In League Two, they are known for their fierce style of play.

Just now Millwall's Bart took the ball and was already passing the ball. But Robbie Savage came over and knocked down Bart. It was a vicious foul.

"Robbie Savage is so fierce that it should be a yellow card."

Mortenson looked at Robbie Savage and shook his head. Although there are many fouls in the Premier League, there are few blind fouls like this in the Premier League. However, Phil Dodd blew for a foul but did not show a yellow card. Instead, he went to warn Robbie Savage.

"It looks like Dodd referees are more lenient."

Mortensen was very surprised. It is also possible that the referee will give a red card because of such a foul, but Phil Dodd did not even have a yellow card. This scale is too loose.

"Toot-"

"There are a lot of fouls on the Crewe club. Neil Lennon, the ball knocked down the opponent directly. ”

Sure enough, it was a low-level league game, and there were too many foul actions of all kinds. Body collisions and foot lifts are no less than in the Northern League and the Anglo-African League. But it's already a professional league, and referees pay attention to these things. But Phil Dodd basically doesn't give any penalty to that.

In particular, the midfielders of the Crewe club have made a lot of moves, but Phil Dodd doesn't care much.

"Shhh

"Damn Crewe!"

"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot referee! ”

What kind of group are Millwall's fans. It is the place where the famous football ** in English football is produced, even if the FA has a big blow to football ** now, but there is no shortage of football ** in the Millwall area.

It's always them Millwall who bullies people, and when it's the turn of others to bully them Millwall. As a result, the entire stadium was booed by Millwall fans.

"It's a little loose."

Jack, as an assistant referee, also frowned at the hot scene on the field. There was a lot of movement between the players, but Phil Dodd didn't think it was any good.

Although Jack is grateful to Phil Dodd for giving him a chance, he is a little unhappy with Phil Dodd's decision. Although English football emphasizes physical confrontation, it is not so lax in the penalty. Where is this football match, it is completely a boxing match.

Thankfully, the League Two players are used to this kind of game and haven't reacted too much. In addition to the excessive movement, Phil Dodd did a good job of smoothness in the game.

…………

"Phil, see for yourself. What kind of foul is this, it's a complete red card move. But you don't even have a yellow card. ”

The first half was over. Although the actions of the two sides were too big, there was no major conflict in the end. But as soon as he entered the referee's lounge, Martin Atkinson criticized Phil Dodd with a black face.

The twenty-five-year-old Atkinson has his own ideas and his own style of refereeing. The current English football world believes that football is a men's sport, and body collision is a charm in football. Therefore, whether it is a famous whistle in the Premier League or a referee in a low-level league, their penalties are relatively loose. But Atkinson doesn't think so.

Young people just dare to think. Atkinson believes that the current backwardness of English football is not only due to the "Heysel tragedy", but more because of this perception of English football.

Therefore, in Atkinson's view, the best way for English football is to strictly enforce the law and put an end to this kind of action in English football. Therefore, Atkinson is an absolute advocate of strict enforcement.

'It's a common thing in League Two. You've also enforced from the regional leagues, so why make a fuss. ”

Phil Dodd was in a good mood. But as soon as he entered the lounge, he was scolded by Atkinson, and Phil Dodd was also furious. Although Atkinson is also one of the FA's key training targets, it cannot be compared to Phil Dodd in terms of seniority.

Phil Dodd has probably officiated more games as a referee than Atkinson has refereed. Being so criticized by a small referee like Atkinson made Phil Dodd's mood very bad all of a sudden.

"You see for yourself how many vicious fouls there were in the first half. According to the rules, it should have been punished in the first half. ”

"Rules?"

Phil Dodd looked at the rules that Atkinson said there, and sneered: "Rules, you deserve to talk to me about the rules." If you only know the rules of football, you should be a lecturer in an FA class instead of a referee. ”

The two of them quarreled directly in the lounge. Jack saw the two people arguing, and instead of stepping forward to stop them, Jack silently walked out of the referee's lounge. Prepare to get some coffee on the other side and avoid the scene.

"Jack, I'll go with you."