Couple of things I forgot to add to my mini report today

On the Alan Smith sending off, the MK manager stated quite categorically on 3CR Radio that "yes he led with his arm" but the contact was with the Barnsley player's armpit area" The ref told him it was an elbow to the back of the head but no one else thought that had happened and, in fact, Delap himself said that it was not an elbow to the head.
So, poor old Smiffy was sent off in error - gaarghhhhh shock horror! The manager will be appealing the sending off so he obviously chooses to ignore what a spiteful, nasty piece of work his player was today (and always has been, in fact). He was constantly backing into defenders to buy free kicks and he did his usual trick of trying to influence the ref every chance he got. He's one of those Billy Big Boots players who thinks the officials need his help. So, shame he got sent off.........or not!

Actually MK were a pretty dirty side all round and the ref was far too lenient with some of the bad tackles that went in, while punishing some innocuous ones. Nothing unusual there though seeing as he is a Prem referee.

The other thing was just to give another mention to the Barnsley following. They were loud and enthusiastic all the way through (course it helps when the team are on a winning run like this one) and hearing a raucous rendition of Just Like Watching Brazil made the hairs on the back of the neck stand up.

I'll say it one more time - terrific performance and a great afternoon out in a half finished stadium. It will look good when/if it ever gets finished and when/if it ever gets full.

 

Smith clearly swings his elbow with intent. Where actual contact was is irrelevant, blatent sending off

 

Yes I've just seen that on the ITV coverage. Ludicrously off the mark though and for the ref to say he sent him off for a blow "to the back of the head" smacks of gross incompetence.
But who cares - he gets away with murder every game so if he gets hanged when innocent then tough!