Watford v Cardiff referee was like a “Sunday trainee” – Neil Warnock

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock described referee Andy Madley as a “Sunday trainee” following his side’s 3-2 defeat to Watford on Saturday.

The struggling manager felt that Troy Deeney should have been booked when he slid in and collided with goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Why was Warnock angry with Watford v Cardiff referee choice?

• Andy Madley officiated his first game of the season in the Premier League.
• Before Saturday’s game, Madley had only refereed Championship games this term.
• Three goals from Gerard Deulofeu, Jose Holebas and Domingos Quinas saw Watford breeze ahead on Saturday.
• The Hornets held their lead until the 80th minute before two goals in under two minutes from Bobby Reid and Junior Hoilett set up a tense finish, though they were not enough in the end.
• Cardiff’s defeat on Saturday saw them fall behind Crystal Palace in the Premier League table and they are only four points above the drop zone.

Warnock said he could not understand why Madley was appointed on Saturday ahead of more experienced referees while Andre Marriner was on fourth official duty. He added that the decision could have been made because people feel his club aren’t important enough.

“I cannot understand why we had Andre Marriner as the fourth official, and a referee who has not refereed a game all season [as the ref],” Warnock told BBC Sport.

“Unless it’s because we are Cardiff and they say we can have a trainee or somebody?”

Warnock added: “Troy should have been booked. I don’t understand why we have to be the experimental side.

“Is it because they feel sorry for us? Or feel we are not important?

“You cannot tell me Marriner would not have given Deeney a card of some sort. It was a terrible tackle. We do not queue up and surround the referee. It upsets me when I see other teams get away with things.

“He [Deeney] could have pulled out early doors or not put his studs up. It warranted a card. I am disappointed to have an inexperienced referee. At least it gives him practice and is great for his assessors.”

Who’s Andy Madley?

Andy Madley is the brother of former Premier League referee Bobby and is on the list of Select Group Referees who officiate primarily in the Premier League between 2013 and 2018.

This season Madley had only taken charge of 17 games in the Championship, League one and the League Cup before being assigned Saturday’s match at Vicarage Road.

Despite his decision not to book Deeney, Madley is not shy when it comes to producing cards. Over those 17 games, Madley has shown 38 yellow cards and one red when he sent off Craig Gardener during Middlesborough’s 1-0 win over Birmingham City in August.

Prior to Saturday’s fixture, Madley had officiated only one top-flight game, a 2-2 draw between Watford and Bournemouth last season. In that game, Madley gave yellow cards to four players and awarded the Cherries a penalty kick, which was converted by Josh King.

The post Watford v Cardiff referee was like a “Sunday trainee” – Neil Warnock appeared first on Squawka News.

From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2A3QOU7