Quick Watford report...

[LoughboroBlade]

I don't think any fans that were there today can criticise the players in what was a match where it was totally taken out of our hands by some utterly inept refereeing.

The early stages till the goal, I thought we looked the much brighter team, with Quinn, Vokes and Hendo linking well. It was becoming quite clear though that we were going to be treated to one of those refs that saw Hendo as the guilty party for any challenge where he was involved. We all know plenty about Hendo, and there is never really a game where he doesn't also do his own share of over-physical challenges, shirt pulls etc. Today was not one of those games. He looked bright, linked up well with those around him, and nearly created a goal in the opening minutes. His first booking seemed innocuous. The 2nd just looked like 2 players coming together for a 50-50 a yard out. Vokes had won a knock-down, Hendo had every right to shoot at goal, and it was a brave piece of defending that stopped him. I do not think it was a booking.

The 2nd red card for Willo I missed, but those around me were adamant all he tried to do was go for a header. Chris Kamara was on the tannoy at half time for the entertainment in aid of Marie Curie and said to the crowd, "well the second one definitely wasn't a red card". After the Hornet vs Marie Curie Daffodil race, Kammy said "the ref's even trying to send the Daffodil off!" so I think he was well aware of the injustice.

2nd half, everyone worked their arses off, in what was a ruined game where we could barely get hold of the ball. Monty and Quinny were everywhere - assume they were subbed due to them being shattered. Nyron, after a poor first half, improved. In fact I can't complain about the back 4 at all - even Collins looked a bit better for the most part. Simmo, however, looks utterly devoid of confidence.

Where now? Well a phone call to appeal both sendings off would do for starters. The table is unchanged. We need to go into the Leeds game believing we can win it, and forgetting the injustice today.

Blades fans - other than the booing off of the player on the stretcher, excellent throughout today. The support 2nd half was great.

 

[DronnieBlade]

That lad on the stretcher.

Would that be the same lad that was Hendo'd ???

Rose tinted specs me thinks and a poor poor effort to defend what is utterly indefensible.

 

[Jehovah]

So whats your opinion of it then?

 

[Wapping Blade]

From the highlights, Hendo's was a rash challenge when already on a yellow and he went right through their player, Willo jumped at his man and sort of forearem smashed him, no complaints about the decisions, serious complaints about the stupidity of the players.

 

[Karaoke Blade]

IMO Henderson's was a rash and dangerous challenge which deserved a 2nd yellow. However Williamson certainly didnt use an elbow he just seemed to carelessly barge into him. A yellow at most.

 

[WorkingtonBlade]

I've looked at Williamson's challenge a number of time and I can't see any forearm smash. He jumps into him somewhat, but not what with arm to head, and he's clearly going for the ball. It was a free kick, but even a yellow would have been harsh. The red looks even more bizarre in the replay than it looked at the time.

Henderson's second yellow still looks like a yellow to me - no arguments there. I haven't seen a replay of the first yellow but my perception at the time was that he was fouled by the defender as the ball came towards them, then he committed a foul back and got booked for it. From where I was it looked soft, but the ref may have had a better view.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Having seen the Hendo incident again, it looked worse on the highlights. Still think he had every right to go for it.

As for Willo, that was the 1st time I've seen it and a straight red is laughable. Malky Mackay even admitted it was never a red, so I'm amazed there's still debate over this. We should be asking this to be rescinded immediately.

 

[Wapping Blade]

Having seen the Hendo incident again, it looked worse on the highlights. Still think he had every right to go for it.

As for Willo, that was the 1st time I've seen it and a straight red is laughable. Malky Mackay even admitted it was never a red, so I'm amazed there's still debate over this. We should be asking this to be rescinded immediately.

Unfortunately, he didn't have the right to go for it and through the player, it's classed as dangerous/reckless and therefore a yellow card.

I don't think Willo went for the ball at all, the forearm was not to the head but the ref will have seen the jumping at the player and the movement of the arm and will not have been able to contain himself to get the card out.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I don't think Willo went for the ball at all, the forearm was not to the head but the ref will have seen the jumping at the player and the movement of the arm and will not have been able to contain himself to get the card out.

If that's your reading of it, surely a yellow is appropriate punishment rather than a straight red?

 

[Ollessendro]

I don't think any fans that were there today can criticise the players in what was a match where it was totally taken out of our hands by some utterly inept refereeing.

The early stages till the goal, I thought we looked the much brighter team, with Quinn, Vokes and Hendo linking well. It was becoming quite clear though that we were going to be treated to one of those refs that saw Hendo as the guilty party for any challenge where he was involved. We all know plenty about Hendo, and there is never really a game where he doesn't also do his own share of over-physical challenges, shirt pulls etc. Today was not one of those games. He looked bright, linked up well with those around him, and nearly created a goal in the opening minutes. His first booking seemed innocuous. The 2nd just looked like 2 players coming together for a 50-50 a yard out. Vokes had won a knock-down, Hendo had every right to shoot at goal, and it was a brave piece of defending that stopped him. I do not think it was a booking.

The 2nd red card for Willo I missed, but those around me were adamant all he tried to do was go for a header. Chris Kamara was on the tannoy at half time for the entertainment in aid of Marie Curie and said to the crowd, "well the second one definitely wasn't a red card". After the Hornet vs Marie Curie Daffodil race, Kammy said "the ref's even trying to send the Daffodil off!" so I think he was well aware of the injustice.

2nd half, everyone worked their arses off, in what was a ruined game where we could barely get hold of the ball. Monty and Quinny were everywhere - assume they were subbed due to them being shattered. Nyron, after a poor first half, improved. In fact I can't complain about the back 4 at all - even Collins looked a bit better for the most part. Simmo, however, looks utterly devoid of confidence.

Where now? Well a phone call to appeal both sendings off would do for starters. The table is unchanged. We need to go into the Leeds game believing we can win it, and forgetting the injustice today.

Blades fans - other than the booing off of the player on the stretcher, excellent throughout today. The support 2nd half was great.

Agree with all that Loughboro. See my more detail match report for in depth comments. Another day out ruined. This time not by United though. By an inept, incompetent referee.