http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/845516

Men in black not gunning for hitman

 

By Andrew Moir

 

Published: 18/09/2008

 

REPUTATION: Wright has been involved in several scrapes in Scotland.

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ABERDEEN’S Tommy Wright has played just under an hour of first team football in the SPL but has already had several scrapes with Scotland’s officials.

 

The Englishman is no stranger to run-ins with referees, having earned four red and 31 yellow cards earlier in his career when he was still plying his trade south of the border.

 

Dons chiefs now reckon their £75,000 summer signing from Darlington is being victimised by the whistlers up north following an incident-packed start to his new career.

 

But the 23-year-old was today offered an olive branch by some of the men in black

 

North-east referees’ boss and former Grade One official, Sandy Roy, is even willing to help Wright stay out of trouble.

 

He said: “If Tommy or anyone else from Aberdeen Football Club wanted to meet with a few of the referees from the Aberdeen and District Association then we would be more than happy to set that up.

 

“That might just help to educate Tommy a little bit more about the laws of the game.

 

“If that were to give him a better understanding of the pressures referees face, then that could only help his career.

 

“It might highlight to him where he has perhaps gone wrong, and if there is any way he can make suitable changes to his game to rectify things.

 

“Having a situation where a club thinks an individual player is being picked on isn’t a good situation to be in.

 

“Officials certainly don’t go into games with any sort of pre-conceived notions against Tommy Wright, or any other player in Scotland for that matter.

 

“If the club were interested in some sort of meeting then that’s something I could get up and running.â€

 

Wright is now in contention to win his first competitive start for the Dons against Dundee United in Saturday’s New Firm clash at Pittodrie.

 

Calum Murray will be the man in the middle for the 12.30pm kick-off which will be screened live on Setanta.

 

Jimmy Calderwood is considering changing his starting side for the visit of United in the wake of the worrying home defeat to Hamilton Accies.

 

Wright will be under the spotlight if he starts after an explosive opening to his SPL career.

 

Sandy fully expects referee Murray to be fully aware of Wright’s colourful start to his new life in Scotland.

 

He added: “Referees are encouraged to do their homework on players they are going to be in charge of.

 

“That’s a sensible approach to take as it means officials know exactly who they are dealing with before a game even starts.â€

 

Wright could well benefit from playing in front of more senior whistlers.

 

The ex-Leicester City man has twice fallen foul of the law while playing in reserve matches.

 

Sandy said: “When a referee officiating at a lower grade looks at a team sheet and sees a number of senior players are involved, they might take a boost from that.

 

“It gives them the opportunity to show they can handle the laws of the game against the bigger players.

 

“That can sometimes work against players as they may be more inclined to book individuals quicker.

 

“Lower grade referees learn their trades at lower levels and are only interested in gaining promotion.

 

“Again, they are not interested in any sort of agenda against any individual player.â€

 

Wright is not the first Aberdeen player to have had trouble with referees.

 

Just think, Dean Windass or Lee Richardson, but if Wright meets with the whistlers it could just help his Dons career take off.

 

Rule 1: Football is no longer a contact sport

Rule 2: You are not allowed anywhere near the keeper as they are special

Good to see the consistancy that referees are famed for shining through:

 

“Officials certainly don’t go into games with any sort of pre-conceived notions against Tommy Wright, or any other player in Scotland for that matter.

 

But...

 

Wright will be under the spotlight if he starts after an explosive opening to his SPL career.

 

Because....

 

Sandy fully expects referee Murray to be fully aware of Wright’s colourful start to his new life in Scotland.

 

He added: “Referees are encouraged to do their homework on players they are going to be in charge of.  That’s a sensible approach to take as it means officials know exactly who they are dealing with before a game even starts.â€

 

“That can sometimes work against players as they may be more inclined to book individuals quicker.

 

“Lower grade referees learn their trades at lower levels and are only interested in gaining promotion.

 

So do they or don't they....

 

“Again, they are not interested in any sort of agenda against any individual player.â€

 

Anyone any the wiser?

 

Surely each incident should be considered on its own merit? If refs are researching the players they are meant to be in charge of then that means they have decided before the game who is probably going to get booked.

From what I can gather, Wright has not done anything wrong, apart from the incident against Motherwell, so why is everyone making him out to be some sort of monster? If it was the end of the season, and he's been sent off twenty times or something, then someone should have a word with him.

 

Also, when is someone going to teach the current batch of referees about the laws of the game?

 

oh so true!

Surely each incident should be considered on its own merit? If refs are researching the players they are meant to be in charge of then that means they have decided before the game who is probably going to get booked.

 

Nothing like having a level playing field for all players at kick-off, is there?! What's the point in Tommy going in for a 50-50 challenge, or using his physical strength to get to where he needs to be in the box. What's the point in him doing any of this if he knows that the refs have "already read up on him"?

 

He's already been hung, drawn and quartered despite only playing an hour of football. I knew his past would make him a wanted man by the refs. FFS, it's like Lee Richardson!

I hope he lives up to the hype.

 

Come on Tommy, bring the pain! 

Isn't this whole article an example of how he is being singled out?

Also, when is someone going to teach the current batch of referees about the laws of the game?

 

Well it ain't going to be Sandy Roy! No wonder Referees are so poor when clowns like him are in charge of them.

Lesson one: Handling the ball in the 18 yard box will result in a penalty for the opposition.

Lesson one: Handling the ball in the 18 yard box whilst playing for teams, outwith the Old Firm, will result in a penalty for the opposition.

anyone taught him how to play football?