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#Post#: 70305--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lewis Smith - Ipswich Town vs. Fulham (EFL Cup)
DIR By: RefGod
Date: November 2, 2023, 7:28 pm
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The ERDG is designed to get officials to the Premier League
within 4 seasons. This is Lewis' second which explains why he is
already hitting the Championship. I suspect he will be a full
time SG2 official next season with Premier League experience,
possibly through fourth official appointments the year after.
First year 2Bs were officiating in League 1 last season.
Even without the ERDG, with mid-season promotions it's possible
to go from 2B to EFL in one season. Or, as a specialist level 4
AR at Step to to FL line having been on contrib as low as Step 4
the year before. The ERDG is likely to be expanded within the
next few years, minority membership or not. In ten years time we
may have 20 individuals with 10% body fat sprinting round
Premier League pitches for the entire 90 minutes with zero
player communication.
#Post#: 70308--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lewis Smith - Ipswich Town vs. Fulham (EFL Cup)
DIR By: RCG
Date: November 3, 2023, 1:23 am
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"Talent" groups as they were called, have been around for years,
just probably not reported on as much. It did create a tiered
system of those who were "in", those who were desperate to be
"in" and those who definitely were not "in".
Back then there was more jeopardy with significant movement
between groups and lists. My concern these days is that with
both SG1 and SG2 being full time (in the main) there appears to
be little jeopardy, performance levels have not noticeably
improved, yet its the same individuals turning out week after
week.
I am all for identifying talent but am a firm believer in
experience too. That is, in my opinion, why Michael Oliver is as
good as he is, because he served a decent apprenticeship
#Post#: 70310--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lewis Smith - Ipswich Town vs. Fulham (EFL Cup)
DIR By: Acme Thunderer
Date: November 3, 2023, 3:43 am
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The Times had the referee down as 'J Smith' which seemed
entirely plausible without looking at the appointments thread. I
suspect this is going to be an error which crops up regularly in
the future.
#Post#: 70314--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lewis Smith - Ipswich Town vs. Fulham (EFL Cup)
DIR By: RefGod
Date: November 3, 2023, 5:50 am
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Watching footage of Lewis from differing fixtures throughout the
EFL, it's clear he tries to emulate aspects of Oliver's
mannerisms and movements. The same happened 10+ years ago when
officials were copying Howard Webb's raised arms pointing away
from himself. Even 5'6 level 4s.
The ERDG will produce clones. The whole point is to coach
officials up and if they look like the star boy, even better.
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