Sunday Oct 22 2006 15:17
The sending off of Claude Davis during Sheffield United's 2-0 loss at
Everton on Saturday finally provoked a trademark tirade from Neil Warnock.
The Blades boss has surprised many observers with his good-natured approach to life in the top-flight, but returned to form after referee Dermot Gallagher harshly dismissed Davis after he tangled with Andrew Johnson in the penalty box just after the half-hour mark.
Warnock felt Johnson went to ground too easily in order to win the penalty - which was converted by James Beattie - but made it clear that he held Gallagher responsible for the incident.
"I felt the referee blew too early, in fact he even blew before he had gone down. You can't blame Johnson, but every time anybody went down they got a free-kick," said Warnock.
"But if they stayed on their feet and tried to play the game they didn't get a free-kick.
"I'm disappointed in Dermot's performance and I have said that to him.
"I wish we had a good, hard-working lad like Johnson, who would go down in the box like that. I wish I had him, I wish he was playing for me.
"I'm sure he'd get us a few more penalties than we do. I like Andy Johnson, I wish I could afford him. It's gamesmanship but I've no problem with that.
"I don't blame Johnson for going down, it's not a penalty but good luck to him.
"I don't think it is anything like a penalty. Claude Davis is quick and got back goalside of the lad, who realised he wasn't going to get a shot on goal and went down.
"Maybe Dermot should have retired last season. He had a bad game out there and it is a reflection on the young lads coming through that they asked him to stay on a year. I feel we are keeping young lads back and I was surprised."
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