Jewell's reaction to the Palace draw

Last updated : 19 April 2004 By Paul Farrington

"This referee was swayed by the crowd and I don't think he is up to refereeing such a big game. I didn't see the linesman flag for anything leading up to when Jason Roberts got sent-off. But the reaction of the crowd made him think something had gone on. I'm told Jason was sent-off for adopting an aggressive attitude.

"I went to see the referee after the game and asked what the linesman had seen and he said he hadn't seen anything which makes me wonder why he went over to him. The ref claimed he did see something though, but to be honest I don't believe him and I think he's been influenced by the crowd as I said.

"As for their equaliser, the ref gave the free-kick for no reason in my opinion and that's very disappointing when it was that set piece that led to their goal. Yes we didn't defend it well, but if he gets the first decision right then we're not defending anyway. The linesman is three or four yards from that incident and sees nothing wrong yet the ref can see more clearly from thirty yards away! I don't undertsand it.

"I have no complaints about Jason Jarrett's sending off to be fair but that doesn't mean that I'm happy with a lot of the other decisions that went against us."

"I was disappointed with our performance really, we looked a bit sluggish and jaded. I think the best we deserved was a point, and we'd arguably have taken that before the game. However, apart from a couple of scares I didn't think they caused us too many problems and that's why I felt we might sneak a 1-0 win.

"It would have been nice to win it 1-0 because I couldn't see us scoring a second, until Nathan's goal I couldn't see us scoring one to be perfectly honest.

"We worked hard enough, but the quality wasn't there and we didn't seem to get out of second gear. Saying that, it's a point nearer where we want to be, and results rather than performances are what counts at the moment."

"It was a bit worrying with Leighton because he was slipping in and out of consciousness. He went to hospital with our kit man Joe Newton and the doctors kept him under observation. He says he was hit on the back of the head by the ball and we'll have to see how he is. The rule used to be that players were out for two weeks if they were concussed.

"However, he seems much better now and came in on Sunday so we could have a look at him. We think he'll be OK for Saturday now but we'll send him for a scan anyway just to err on the safe side.

"Apart from him we have a few bumps and bruises but nothing too serious. Nicky Eaden's had a couple of stitches in his shin while Jason De Vos has had a whack on the thigh but hopefully they're nothing to serious and we expect them to be fine for the weekend."

Quote taken from wiganathletic.tv

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