Ben Herd / Ben Herd / 10 September 2008 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">Free Bet

Shrewsbury's right-back Ben Herd on Christmas-time suspensions, reading what the papers make of his own performances and why Barcelona's Daniel Alves is the guy all right-backs want to be.

The much publicised respect campaign is in its second month, which is an FA backed initiative to show respect to the match officials up and down the football leagues.

As a young lad growing up, my parents have always drilled into me that manners cost nothing and to always respect other people. I take this into everyday life, including on the pitch, but sometimes its difficult to keep your cool when a referee gives a blatant decision the wrong way! However, Ashley Cole's total disregard for respect to referee Mike Riley last season, did not endorse the current respect campaign or a footballer's image.

Most fans would appreciate a genuine mistimed challenge to warrant a booking, but obvious signs of verbal decent or throwing the ball away really winds managers and supporters alike up.

Last season I was unfairly targeted by the referees, having received 9 bookings, one being for celebrating with the crowd (which I picked up a club fine for, cheers ref!) the rest for genuine tackles. This was a bit out of character for me really, considering the previous two seasons I picked up three bookings and one sending off, which was later rescinded on appeal.

Football is synonymous with folklore and other gossip. Legend has it, players one booking away from suspension have deliberately stepped over the line to get themselves booked or sent off especially around Christmas.

I'm not suggesting Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano deliberately got themselves suspended for Argentina this week, but from the outside looking in, it does looks a bit coincidental that they will be back a few days earlier to play in the Liverpool v Man Utd game at the weekend.

I have often been asked if I look at my scores out of 10 or read the match reports in the Sunday and Monday National papers, to which I reply "yes". Although I would like to actually meet the people that mark the scores, as some of them cannot even spell my name correctly!

With the dawn of the internet, came a different football fan - with fan's forums and message boards taking over idle terraced chat. When I first started playing a few games for Shrewsbury, curiosity got the better of me and I had a sneak peak at some of them. Won't be doing that anymore - judging by some of the comments!

With enhanced technology, football has changed along with the fans. Many of them now being able to be armchair Jose Mourinhos or Alex Fergusons. You only have to watch "You're on Sky Sports" to listen to people's readiness to give their opinion. Valid or not, it seems these days, everyone is able to voice their opinions.

When I check out my match report scores, I often look out for other right back's marks. Even when I watch games, I'm always subconsciously watching the right back's game more scrupulously then anyone else's.

Growing up as a fan one of my heroes was Steve Carr, who I was fortunate enough to play against (albeit in a reserve game.) I admired his tenacity and his marauding runs down the right flank, not to mention his eye for a spectacular goal. I'm sure he could've gone on to play for one of the top clubs in Europe if it wasn't for a series of injuries.

These days, I look for the current £20 million Barcelona full-back Daniel Alves as an inspiration. In my opinion, he's the (second) best right back in the world! I wouldn't say he's the best defensively, (which Brazilian is?) but his attacking play and support for the forwards, more than make up for it.

Speaking of Pepe Guardiola's Barcelona, they entertain Racing Santander at the Camp Nou this Saturday evening. With only a sprinkle of incoming transfers this summer, Barca will be looking to get the League campaign back on track after an opening day defeat.

Even with the retirement of defensive legend Lilian Thuram, Guardiola still has a strong defensive line up, especially with Carlos Puyol at the heart of the back four. Therefore, get your money on Barcelona keeping a clean sheet at [1.91].