TheFA.com: What was this season's aim for yourself and the referees that you look after?

Philip Don: To be as uncontroversial as possible...I think that we are heading in the right direction. Yellow and red cards are down and the level of fitness among the referees is better which enables them to be closer to play and make the big decisions.

However, we do remain aware that we can make 150 correct decisions but will be remembered for the one we get wrong and be reminded of it.

 

TheFA.com: In selecting referees, what do you look for as qualities or necessary attributes?

Philip Don: How they control, manage and communicate with players. Spectators may not see it but the man in the middle does a lot of talking on the pitch. It may be a quiet word or even cajoling a player.

At the end of the day no referee likes to send a player off and then get the headlines for the wrong reasons. I also look at their fitness and positioning during the game.

TheFA.com: Some managers have recently called for a more common-sense approach to be adopted by the man in the middle. What are your thoughts?

Philip Don: I prefer to use the word discretion. Not everything is black or white and not every foul is a caution. Managers call for consistency and common sense and I agree with that. It is difficult to apply both but it is possible and that is what we are trying to attain.

TheFA.com: Recently referees have missed some incidents, which have been picked up by television. How do you feel about that?

Philip Don: I think the main aim is that if you miss something to work on ways of picking it up next time. For instance, we have recently had the Steven Gerrard incident, which was missed by Graham Poll.

He said he could not see it from his position and his main concern was that he didn't pick it up and what could he do the next time, like looking at his position for example. Graham gave an honest decision. He could have given a yellow card but it is no good trying to guess what has happened if you haven't seen it.

Recently we had another incident when Manchester United played Arsenal and Martin Keown was involved in an incident. Dermot Gallagher had his back to the two players and didn't have a cat in hell's chance of seeing the incident. The player has been charged on video evidence.

TheFA.com: Is there too much reliance on television?

Philip Don: I think that television pays the clubs a lot of money which benefits the game but the danger is that every move of the player is picked up more because of it and not necessarily due to the referee.

TheFA.com: What do you do if you do see an incident that you do not like?

Philip Don: I look at all the videos on a Monday morning. I also get the delegates' reports and watch the telly over the weekend. Sometimes when I have seen an incident I will ring the referee concerned to discuss the decision.

I ask them why they made that decision or tell them that it may have been a bit harsh or that the club have asked them to reconsider their decision. We have had a number of incidents recently but just like managers tell their players in private so do I.

I would not criticise my players in public but we certainly do not sweep anything under the carpet I can assure you. We look at a referee's negative aspects and work on ways of improving his decision-making.

TheFA.com: There are some referees who are coming near to the end of their career. How are you going to replace them?

Philip Don: Last year we set up a development group, under Keith Hackett, to identify the young up and coming officials. They come directly under Keith who works with them every week and there is a fair chance that the next referees will be chosen from this select group.

TheFA.com: Are you concerned that there is a gap in refereeing standards between the Premiership and the Football League?

Philip Don: There is a gap and we are attempting to bridge it. We know that their lifestyle will change if and when they come onboard. Last November we took seven to Staverton to mix with the Premiership referees and we will be doing the same in February this year, so that they get a better idea of what is going on.

Don't forget that even if they get selected they may not get a Premiership game. They may get Division One games and get the chance to work with other top referees and see how they operate.

TheFA.com: The EU has stated that retiring at the age of 48 for a referee has to go. What are your thoughts on this?

Philip Don: Yes we will need to put things in place before 2006 when it comes into place. If we are going to keep them on over 50 then we will have to devise different fitness tests not only in terms of fitness but things like reaction times. Also we have to be aware that if we keep them on it may stop the younger referees from developing.

TheFA.com: What are the main areas that you are currently looking at in matches?

Philip Don: Holding and pulling of shirts. I think we are winning the battle if not the war but I think there is definitely less now