Monk will Maik a big fuss over Kief red card
BIRMINGHAM City will appeal the red card shown to Maikel Kieftenbeld in Tuesday night’s hectic draw at Brentford.
The Dutchman was dismissed on 66 minutes after an incident with Neal Maupay – in which Blues manager Garry Monk felt it was the Bees striker who should have been cautioned.
His conviction at the time was so intense Monk was also sent off for his protests. But the Blues boss insists referee Tim Robinson got the decision wrong as the game ended 1-1.
“I thought he was going to book their player, so to see the red card was a shock,” Monk said. “Obviously, we felt aggrieved at that, but to then go on and play 25 minutes with ten men, these players are giving everything.
“They are an absolute credit to the shirt and the club, you can see that by the way our fans are behind them.
“We have had a lot of draws, but all of those draws we can easily turn into wins.
“It was a very good point considering all the circumstances, the adversity we have had to face against a team that is the second highest scorers at home. That’s no mean feat.
“I stand here again really proud of my players. It’s seven games unbeaten, you can never underestimate unbeaten runs. It gives you confidence and we know we are small margins from getting on runs of wins.”
Pressed on whether Kieftenbeld made contact with Maupay, Monk added: “No, not at all, it was a coming together, it didn’t warrant the theatrics for sure. It was 100 per cent not a sending off. If anything the player should have been booked for feigning that injury.”
The Blues boss added: “It’s a tough place to come. After what happened last season, the players wanted to put that right for our fans and they did more than that tonight.”
But Brentford boss Dean Smith stood by Maupay’s response to being pushed by Kieftenbeld. Smith said he did not see the incident as it unfolded but says the replay shows Kieftenbeld pushes the striker’s head.
“If I am being honest I didn’t see it at the time. Something happened, then I turn around and everyone is going a bit radio rental,” Smith said.
“It was a strange one but I have looked back at a monitor and it’s this side of the pitch so it’s not the closest but it looks like Kieftenbeld raises his hand to Neal and pushes him in the head and he goes down.
“Is it enough for him to go down? Only Neal will know but don’t blame our player because the fourth official is two yards away and he’s made the decision.”