Ref justice... how costly decisions by men in middle are really mounting up
NEIL Warnock’s was left fuming after referee Keith Stroud ruled out Sol Bamba’s late goal during Cardiff City’s 1-1 draw with Millwall at The Den.
But it wasn’t the first time the Cardiff manager has been enraged by poor officiating this season.
Let’s not forget, Warnock himself is a qualified referee and certainly knows a thing or two about the laws of the game.
And here’s a closer look at the key incidents to have angered Warnock this season, along with the evidence that proves the Yorkshireman has every right to be frustrated with some of the decisions that have gone against the Bluebirds... Birmingham City 1-0 Cardiff City October 13, 2017 The Bluebirds headed to St Andrew’s on the back of an impressive four-match unbeaten run in the first game back after the international break, although a much-changed Birmingham side impressed in their opening fixture under new boss Steve Cotterill.
Che Adams’ 19th minute strike ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides, although the Bluebirds were denied what looked to be a stonewall penalty late on as Joe Bennett appeared to be kicked in the face by Birmingham’s goalscorer Adams. What Warnock said about the incident “So many things went against us, little things like coming off their legs and a goal kick given instead of a corner,” he said .
“And Bennett’s got his head kicked in the penalty box and apparently the referee has said that anywhere else on the pitch, it’s a foul.
“Does that mean he hasn’t got the guts to give the foul because it’s a penalty? I don’t understand it.
“I’m disappointed Sky haven’t shown it because it’s kicked his head off.” Cardiff City 0-0 Millwall - October 28, 2017 On the day where Anthony Joshua secured an 11th round knockout victory over Carlos Takam at the Principality Stadium, there was to be no knockout punch further up the road as the Bluebirds played out a dour 0-0 draw with the Lions.
But in added time, Cardiff skipper Sean Morrison was man-handled by Jake Cooper in the Millwall box before hitting the deck. Cardiff City v Bolton Wanderers Where: Cardiff City Stadium When: Kick-off is at 7:45pm on Tuesday, February 13 What is the team news? Cardiff City The Bluebirds will once again be without long-term absentees Danny Ward, Aron Gunnarsson, Craig Bryson and Matt Connolly for the visit of the Trotters.
But Gary Madine is in line to feature against his former employers while defender Lee Peltier is also available having been named among the substitutes for the 1-1 draw with
But nothing was given by referee Steve Martin. What Warnock said about the incident “I just thought he was consistent throughout the game - consistently poor,” Warnock said of the Staffordshire-based referee’s performance.
“I thought he started off bad and fell away and the applause he got from the fans. I’ve never heard so much vitriol. I’m not sure he didn’t enjoy it really.
“We thought Morrison was pulled back in their box but we’ve got to take our chances.
“I thought the tackle on Junior Hoilett was horrendous. I heard he got the ball but I’ve been told that if there’s a follow through and it overly endangered a player it should be a yellow card. That’s what I was told and you can’t tell me that didn’t endanger him by going through him.
“I thought they were playing opposites at one stage. It was a goal kick and he gives a corner kick, there was a corner kick and he gave a goal kick. There was a free-kick for them that should have been ours.” In a match packed with incidents, Omar Bogle hit the headlines and he went from hero to zero after being sent off in the second half at Ashton Gate having drawn the game level with only his second goal for the Bluebirds minutes before the break. Millwall last time out. Bolton Wanderers Will Buckley, Will Brown, Reece Burke and Dorian Dervite have all been struggling with injuries and could miss Bolton’s trip to the Welsh capital.
Elsewhere, former Bluebirds Andrew Taylor, Adam Le Fondre and Craig Noone could all play a part for the visitors, although the latter has not featured for Bolton since mid-January. What are the betting odds? Cardiff City win 8/15 Draw 3/1 Bolton Wanderers win 5/1 Referee: Tim Robinson
Warnock had no complaints with the dismissal of striker Bogle, although he was left incensed by referee Mike Jones’ failure to send off Bristol City’s Marlon Pack shortly after the restart after a challenge on Sol Bamba when already on a yellow card. What Warnock said about the incident “We’ve got a Premiership referee, and he’s a good referee, who I expect to be consistent,” said Warnock on the official .
“Sometimes they come into the Championship and they don’t want to be here.
“And today I didn’t think he was consistent.
“I thought the booking on Peltier, in the first two or three minutes, was very, very minimal. I thought the worst tackle all game was Pack on Bamba, over the top. I could have sworn he was going to book him and Pack should have been off, 48 minutes, should have been 10 men.” Reading 2-2 Cardiff City - December 11, 2017 It was a night that will be ultimately remembered for Cardiff’s stunning fightback as late goals from Joe Bennett and Lee Tomlin earned Cardiff a share of the spoils in dramatic fashion against Jaap Stam’s outfit.
And while it wasn’t a decision that proved costly as far as the result was concerned, it was one that ultimately hit Warnock hard in the pocket as he was sent to the stands for protesting a foul conceded by Callum Paterson.