Source: FOOTYMAD
Robbie couldn't ask for more after 'magnificent effort'
Boss bemused after Pablo dismissal changes Blackpool game Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo had nothing but praise for his battle-weary troops after playing with nine men for more than an hour. The Baggies went down fighting 2-1 at Bloomfield Road after referee Michael Oliver surprisingly dismissed Pablo Ibanez in the ninth minute after a collision with DJ Campbell and awarded a hosts. From the resulting penalty, Charlie Adam gave the hosts the lead. The night got worse for Albion in the 29th minute when a lunge by Gonzalo Jara again saw Oliver flash the red card. Despite playing against nine men, Blackpool could not find a way past Albion’s resolute rearguard until the 63rd minute when Luke Varney doubled their lead. But Albion, not for the first time this season, showed tremendous character and pulled a goal back through a fine individual effort from Youssouf Mulumbu. Paul Scharner then saw a header flash wide before Steven Reid squandered an excellent chance to equalize late on. "It was a magnificent effort from our players," said the head coach. "Their attitude was outstanding. "It's difficult when you are two men and 1-0 down - it is a big mountain to climb. "But the players handled themselves really well. "We had good possession even after we went down to nine men. "It would have probably been a nice football game if it had been 11 versus 11. "Even with one man down, we would have had a good chance but with two men down it was almost impossible. "It's a shame we conceded the second goal because I always fancied us to get one. "We did at the end and we nearly got the equaliser as well. "But it's really hard when you're down by two men." The Italian admits Oliver was correct in awarding Blackpool a penalty after the collision between Ibanez and Campbell, but doubts whether the official needed to dismiss the Spaniard. "He was goal-side so I couldn't even see why. "I had a chat with the fourth official but once the referee has made the decision he is not going to reverse it.”
