TheFA.com: How much pressure do you feel there is on officials at the moment?

Andy D'Urso: I think a lot of the current issues in the game are about perception. We are constantly monitored and reviewed and discussed. If we do not perform then we put at risk the opportunity for games we get.

It can mean that we do not get Premiership games or other high profile games. Some situations we cannot manage because the law dictates our actions.

If a player comes in late with a tackle from behind then the law dictates that I book him.

TheFA.com: Is there any discretion for referees?

Andy D'Urso: I think so. I do try and communicate and talk to players and manage the situation but in some cases you have no option but to caution.

TheFA.com: When you were trying to establish yourself as a referee was there anyone that you looked up to?

Andy D'Urso: I looked up to two referees. George Courtney and Keith Hackett. They were the top refs in the country at the time especially George during the 80s. They were not so much role models but people I looked up to.

TheFA.com: What about today's referees...Who do you think are the best around?

Andy D'Urso: The top FIFA referees. In this country that would be Graham Barber and Graham Poll. Also someone like David Elleray because he was an ex-FIFA ref. I do not aspire to be any of them because I have my own style but I have tried to add bits and pieces of what I have learnt from them into what I already know.

TheFA.com: How does it affect you when you come under the microscope?

Andy D'Urso: Everyone deals with it differently but you cannot allow it to affect your confidence. You have to leave it behind. I try and deal with it and if it happens again come up with ways of dealing with it.

TheFA.com: How much support do you get from your fellow refs?

Andy D'Urso: We are like a big team. The support is excellent - everyone supports one another. We can all relate to various positions and can put ourselves in that situation.

TheFA.com: What has been the highlight of you career so far?

Andy D'Urso: The Charity Shield last year. It was the most memorable experience because it was the opening to the season at Cardiff between two big clubs, Liverpool and Manchester United.

TheFA.com: Has being full time helped you?

Andy D'Urso: Without a doubt. The quality of training is better. My fitness level is better which enhances my positioning. Before we would go straight from work to a game and get home at 2 am before getting up at 6am.

One of the benefits is that I can drop my children of to school a bit more which may seem trivial but is very important to me and my children appreciate it as well.

TheFA.com: What are your aims for the season?

Andy D'Urso: Perform to the best of my ability and to maintain and improve my fitness levels. My fitness levels have improved and I want to continue that. More long term I would like to referee major finals and the bigger games like the big derby matches.

TheFA.com: How do you answer people if they argue that decisions have not gone their way?

Andy D'Urso: I can't give you a concrete answer to the question but I think the decisions even themselves out. Sometimes it seems that they do not even themselves out and they don't go with you and sometimes it is simply down to ladyluck.

But I try and referee every game the same way and if we do not perform well then we may not get the games. I do the same thing for every game, irrespective of the teams involved. You owe it to both of them and they deserve it.

 TheFA.com: How do you feel about giving interviews on events on the field?

Andy D'Urso: I am quite happy to comment on a decision I made during a game. I would like to see the incident again before I comment but 30 minutes to 40 minutes after the game is time enough to have seen the incident and then come and explain the decision.

Some of us do it and I am quite happy to do so. I make a decision based on the angle that I see it and if I have made a mistake then I will hold my hand up.