Walsall manager Dean Smith has spoken to the local press following Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet League 1 draw with Peterborough United, and has discussed the game altering incident which saw Posh midfielder Jermaine Anderson sent off for throwing a bottle that ended up in the crowd.
Speaking to Joseph Masi of the Express & Star, Smith said; "The lad gets sent off, I feel sorry for him but you can’t do that. He didn’t mean to do it he has just flung the bottle into the crowd and that could take someone’s eye out. It’s not great but it was right decision. However, that triggered the events which then went on to happen.”
When asked to expand on his comments the gaffer confirmed that he felt without the bizarre dismissal, Walsall would have gone onto win the game; He said; “I do feel that way. because we were very comfortable. It got everybody irate, the staff the fans. They felt their had been an injustice. I saw what happened, he had a bottle of water but the officials are always telling us not to throw bottles. I think it was just the force he threw it, it certainly flew in there. It was in their own fans, he’s not going to do it on purpose but the rules are the rules.”
When asked to expand on his comments the gaffer confirmed that he felt without the bizarre dismissal, Walsall would have gone onto win the game; He said; “I do feel that way. because we were very comfortable. It got everybody irate, the staff the fans. They felt their had been an injustice. I saw what happened, he had a bottle of water but the officials are always telling us not to throw bottles. I think it was just the force he threw it, it certainly flew in there. It was in their own fans, he’s not going to do it on purpose but the rules are the rules.”
SOURCES | EXPRESS & STAR | @JosephMasi_Star