As reported by NottinghamshireLive and posted on Twitter via nottslivesport, television football pundit Garth Crooks says the decisions that led to Jesse Marsch’s dismissal were ‘absurd’ and had a significant bearing on the defeat to Brentford.
Leeds United lost out to Brentford 5-2 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday and although Ivan Toney was unplayable, there were more factors, and the result wasn’t as black and white as the result shows. Brentford went ahead on the 30-minute mark when Toney expertly dispatched a penalty that Leeds keeper Illan Meslier had no chance with, although the decision itself was incredibly soft as it appeared Luis Sinisterra won the ball, even if the challenge was more of a hook to claim possession.
It was one of those days for Leeds, whenever they got back into the game another lapse in concentration or a dubious decision halted them from really gaining any foothold in the game. Not to take anything away from Brentford, they were up for it and looked to catch Leeds out with a more direct style of play and utilising set pieces to their advantage.
‘Absurd' Leeds United incident criticised ahead of Forest #nffc #lufc https://t.co/0Ejm0Vw3G5
— NottinghamForestLive (@NFFC_live) September 5, 2022
The major turning point in the game came midway through the second half. Leeds substitute Crysencio Summerville was pulled back just outside the box and his momentum took him into the area, to be sent tumbling to the ground via a combination of a push and a trip by Brentford defender Aaron Hickey. Leeds players appealed and with what is the norm nowadays, play continued, up to the halfway line when Pascal Struijk was blown up for a weak foul. Time to check VAR and look at the penalty? No, referee Robert Jones goes over to a protesting Jesse Marsch and shows him a red card.
The American coach was incensed that it wasn’t even looked at, and not in the same way it took 2 or 3 minutes to award Brentford’s spot kick. The timing of the decision was pivotal for Leeds, if the spot kick had been awarded, and dispatched, there would have been a real chance The Whites could have gotten something from the game. If it’s not a penalty, it should be a minimum of a free-kick to Leeds for the shirt pull. Nothing was given and the play continued.
Pundits, former players and others associated with the game have all given their verdicts on this, and other decisions around the country that day. Aston Villa had a winner chalked off against Manchester City for an offside that was at a minimum, level. Newcastle denied a goal for a clear mix-up from the referee, and West Ham denied a late equaliser for a foul on Mendy that was truly abysmal officiating.
There is a real need for the technology used in today’s game to be evaluated, and in our opinion, it should be left to the man with a whistle, and his assistants with the flags.
What do fans think of the decisions in the game? Let us know in the comments.
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