Rams boss to challenge incident

Rams boss to challenge incident

Derby County boss Billy Davies is to lodge an official complaint against the fourth official who had him sent to the stand during Derby County’s victory over Southend United.
The Rams manager was left fuming by the actions of Ian Bentley who was involved in a constant and needless run-in with Davies through-out the game on Saturday.
Davies was constantly being told about coming out of the technical area, and it came to a head 10 minutes into the second half when Bentley called over referee Iain Williamson, and he then ordered Davies to the stand, claiming he had used foul and abusive language to the fourth official.

But Davies defended himself today and said he was disgusted with the way the fourth official handled the situation in the Championship clash. He said: “I had a problem with him from the very first minute. There is very little room between the dugout and the pitch at Southend and so it was very tight in the so-called technical area.
‘He was complaining because I put my foot on the grass verge at the side of the pitch to talk to the players, but there was simply no space. He gave me a warning and then another and I asked him to show a bit of common sense. (In his own inevitable way!!!!)
I can’t deny using foul and abusive language at some point but it was certainly not directed towards the fourth official. His man-management of the situation was poor and I will look at the video footage and do all I possibly can to put in a complaint.’

The state of the game in the UK at present has a pressure cooker atmosphere and Davies unfortunately blew his top. The Rams lost a little concentration after the incident and Southend got on top, but fortunately for the Rams Darren Moore, Dean Leacock, Mo Camara and Mark Edworthy defended well, the latter rescuing the Rams with a superb goal line clearance.

Davies added: “I think the fourth officials are working more with the managers this season and showing more understanding and also an understanding that from time to time a manager can put his foot half an inch outside the technical area without causing a problem.”

The small ground at Roots Hall made Davies job more difficult when sent to the stand, and he frankly couldn`t find a seat to sit in. Davies said: “I was told I could not get a seat in the stand so I then called for our chairman (Peter Gadsby) to get me a seat. He told me to sit in his and he sat behind me.’

It`s not the first time referee Williamson has sent off Rams players. He officiated Derby twice last season and sent off Andrew Davies in the draw at Crewe and Michael Johnson in the home defeat by Sheffield United.

The incident, while not something that should be condoned, must be taken in the right context. But these officials have to understand it`s a living for the coaches in the league, and a bad run can see you lose your job. We see it every game on TV and at the games the language the players use and it`s not expectable and I`m sure Davies is a little ashamed of the situation, but in the heat of the moment these things happen.