Boyce dismissal riles Bruce
16 Nov 2008 - 10:56:33
Manager Steve Bruce was left fuming after seeing Wigan Athletic defender Emmerson Boyce red-carded in the 2-2 draw at Newcastle United.
Boyce was sent off by referee Andre Marriner early on in the second half at St James' Park, at the point where the Latics were leading thanks to Ryan Taylor's strike.
The Magpies then took advantage to take a 2-1 lead, before Titus Bramble rescued a point right at the death at his former club.
However, Bruce's focus was on Boyce's dismissal, as he said: "I would love to say what I really want to say, but I can't for obvious reasons.
"But the sending-off is a joke, an absolute joke of a decision and it cost us ultimately.
"I think we comfortably would have gone on to win the game with 11 - we should have won the game with ten.
"And now with this stupid rule that you can't appeal two yellow cards, we miss the boy next week for Everton as well, so I am very disappointed.
"It's a howler of a decision. He absolutely got the ball.
"The referee has got to be absolutely nailed on before he gives a yellow card or before he gives a red card, because those decisions change games.
"That's why we go nuts. The Respect campaign and all the rest of it, he has got it wrong."