But what are you doing with that knowledge? And whatever your answer, my follow-up question will be "Why aren't you doing that in any other match?"
Collina did it every match. I’ll wager Dean does too.
My games are split between hobby leagues and serious stuff. In the hobby league games, usually solo, no ARs, if I notice it’s a team with disciplinary problems I check their red card history. The main reason is if there is an active suspension and the possibility that there might be a complaint e.g. before the game. Also if there is a player with multiple reds I’ll note that.
In the serious games, in a 3, with very experienced and well trained colleagues, we discuss the teams, the table, players, styles etc. before the game. Usually because we are football lovers, and we know the teams and players, also because we might know about certain players or coaches and their characters.
In all this, I want just enough so I can be proactive at the right times. Not to change decision making or target players. I try very hard to approach every decision without bias.
Bottom of the table team lost 13-0 last night. Forced to play many 16-17 year olds against a team boasting an ex-top flight talent. Lost every game. Of course these are useful things to know before the game. Not to change decisions but to be prepared... a lot of physical mismatches, frustrated young players, one bored AR each half, new concentration challenge...