Will
Jan 3 2003, 12:33 PM
this was taken from the Leeds site, Ell Tel showing support for Smithy:
SMITHY BOOKING UNJUSTIFIED - TEL
by Graham Walker
UNITED boss Terry Venables was left perplexed by referee Phil Dowd's decision to book Alan Smith and Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage in yesterday's 2-0 win over the Blues.
Venables feels the decisions spoilt a game that was played in a good spirit and felt neither of them should have been booked for what he believes were firm but fair challenges.
"We have seen two bookings tonight, but their reputations have gone before them for Robbie Savage and Alan Smith," said Terry.
"Their is absolutely no doubt in my mind that neither should have been booked, and the fact is that Smith puts his foot hard on the ball it just looks aggressive.
"There's no rule saying how hard you can kick the ball, there were no legs involved, it was just the ball and he hit it hard out to touch.
"You get angry about these things but you just have to take their decisions. I felt sorry for the pair of them, there were other tackles far worse than what they put in. It just surprises me sometimes."
The booking was Alan Smith's seventh yellow card in the Premiership this season. Savage has eight bookings this season.
SMITHY BOOKING UNJUSTIFIED - TEL
by Graham Walker
UNITED boss Terry Venables was left perplexed by referee Phil Dowd's decision to book Alan Smith and Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage in yesterday's 2-0 win over the Blues.
Venables feels the decisions spoilt a game that was played in a good spirit and felt neither of them should have been booked for what he believes were firm but fair challenges.
"We have seen two bookings tonight, but their reputations have gone before them for Robbie Savage and Alan Smith," said Terry.
"Their is absolutely no doubt in my mind that neither should have been booked, and the fact is that Smith puts his foot hard on the ball it just looks aggressive.
"There's no rule saying how hard you can kick the ball, there were no legs involved, it was just the ball and he hit it hard out to touch.
"You get angry about these things but you just have to take their decisions. I felt sorry for the pair of them, there were other tackles far worse than what they put in. It just surprises me sometimes."
The booking was Alan Smith's seventh yellow card in the Premiership this season. Savage has eight bookings this season.