Caldwell annoyed with Old Trafford referee

22 November 2010 13:07
Wigan Athletic defender Steven Caldwell has commented that he feels the referee may have been influenced by the Old Trafford crowed at the weekend. In particular, the decision not to award the Latics a penalty after Nemandja Vidic's clumsy tackle on N'Zogbia in the first half, has been highlighted as a major turning point. Just minutes later and United were opening the scoring despite Wigan having the better of the first half. Speaking about the red card for defensive partner Antolin Alcaraz, Caldwell said: "I wasn't even worried he might go off for the [second] challenge, to be honest. "There were tackles flying in from their side - and I know I'm biased - that weren't getting punished, and could possibly have been bookings. "But I thought it was an honest challenge from Antolin to get the ball, and although it was a certain foul on Fletch, which we accept, I just felt the referee could have shown a bit of leniency. "Maybe the pressure from the crowd and whatever meant he sent him off." Whilst fellow defender Steve Gohouri told the club's official website: "It was very disappointing because before the opening goal they had nothing."We kept things compact and didn't allow them any real chances to take the lead. But in a way I think we showed a little too much respect to Man Utd and didn't get forward as much as we could have."In the second-half the two red cards killed us, but we showed big character after those decisions and we should be really proud of ourselves because the score-line could have been very different." CLICK HERE FOR THE MESSAGEBOARD

Source: FOOTYMAD