Steve Evans

[VivaRovers]

There's no disputing Steve Evans is a horrible individual... but you can't let that colour what was a clear red card offence.

Whether intended to or not Okenabirhie led with his elbow, when his arm didn't need to be that high, and connected with the players face. My instant reaction on viewing it in the ground was 'that's going to be a red', and I said as much to the bloke next to me. And I hadn't even clocked Evans' reaction until watching it back on video.

Looking at the highlights the referee would have had a similar line of sight on it to me (albeit much closer) too, so figures why he too went for red.

Had it been a Gillingham player on a Rovers one then no-one would be suggesting it should've been anything but a red.

[Chris Black come back]

Radio Sheffield had said something had gone off before the sending off and they were trying to disrupt/intimidate us and the officials.

Looking at the coming together again their player got tight up to Fejiri with his arm round him and his head somewhere around his armpit trying to stop Fejiri turning, as he did and tried to lever himself away, the kid may have been brushed with Fejiri elbow but if he puts his head there, it's more self inflicted. He goes to ground making a meal of it and it plays straight into Evans and Raynors hands and they were in the 4th officials face, meanwhile they throw on the trainer who probably says to the lad, play dead!

Reminds me a bit of the Marquis incident last season when the Keeper ran into Marquis and claimed he was elbowed. Once again, the ref took a guess based on the antics that followed.

Was that away at AFC Wimbledon? Total disgrace that Marquis got sent off there last season.

[ravenrover]

Wonder how many would have him as our manager? Good manager at this level for all his foul mouth antics

[firestarter]

News to brighten everyone’s day up.. Westley has just resigned at Stevenage 😂

[BillyStubbsTears]

I've watched the video several times. It's not clear because the camera was planning so quickly, but a couple of observations.

1) There's no sign of a swing of the elbow by Okenabirhie. At most, his arm is outstretched for balance/taking up space. Something Akinde must have done 20 times yesterday.

2) There's no sign of Okenabirhie's arm being raised high. At no point was his arm as high as shoulder-level.

3) The defender takes up an odd position. He's stopping into the back of Okenabirhie, with his head at or below shoulder level.

As I say, the video is too grainy to be sure, but it looks more as though the defender ran into Okenabirhie's shoulder than Okenabirhie struck him.

Noting the four points I made earlier, plus well,Evans, it would not surprise me in the slightest if that was a premeditated, practiced and deliberate collision. Anyone questioning whether a side would do that is referred to the actions of the Wimbledon keeper last year to get Marquis sent off. I'd bet my left knacker that they'd practiced that on the training pitch.

[scawsby steve]

I've watched the video several times. It's not clear because the camera was planning so quickly, but a couple of observations.

1) There's no sign of a swing of the elbow by Okenabirhie. At most, his arm is outstretched for balance/taking up space. Something Akinde must have done 20 times yesterday.

2) There's no sign of Okenabirhie's arm being raised high. At no point was his arm as high as shoulder-level.

3) The defender takes up an odd position. He's stopping into the back of Okenabirhie, with his head at or below shoulder level.

As I say, the video is too grainy to be sure, but it looks more as though the defender ran into Okenabirhie's shoulder than Okenabirhie struck him.

Noting the four points I made earlier, plus well,Evans, it would not surprise me in the slightest if that was a premeditated, practiced and deliberate collision. Anyone questioning whether a side would do that is referred to the actions of the Wimbledon keeper last year to get Marquis sent off. I'd bet my left knacker that they'd practiced that on the training pitch.

"The only problem was that he put his arms up and caught Barry Fuller in the face".

Darren Moore in the DFP.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Watch the video. Look at the level of Fuller's head before the impact.

[scawsby steve]

Watch the video. Look at the level of Fuller's head before the impact.

So why has DM said that?

[Bentley Bullet]

DM is ever the diplomat.

[Colin C No.3]

I've watched the video several times. It's not clear because the camera was planning so quickly, but a couple of observations.

1) There's no sign of a swing of the elbow by Okenabirhie. At most, his arm is outstretched for balance/taking up space. Something Akinde must have done 20 times yesterday.

2) There's no sign of Okenabirhie's arm being raised high. At no point was his arm as high as shoulder-level.

3) The defender takes up an odd position. He's stopping into the back of Okenabirhie, with his head at or below shoulder level.

As I say, the video is too grainy to be sure, but it looks more as though the defender ran into Okenabirhie's shoulder than Okenabirhie struck him.

Noting the four points I made earlier, plus well,Evans, it would not surprise me in the slightest if that was a premeditated, practiced and deliberate collision. Anyone questioning whether a side would do that is referred to the actions of the Wimbledon keeper last year to get Marquis sent off. I'd bet my left knacker that they'd practiced that on the training pitch.

If the video image is “too grainy to be sure”, why not take VR’s view as someone who was there & witnessed it?

[Bentley Bullet]

What is SM's view, I haven't seen it?

[BillyStubbsTears]

How many times have you been absolutely convinced of something at a match, and got it wrong? I do it most weeks.

And managers are no less fallible than the rest of us at judging these heat of the moment things.

When James was injured last week, Moore was screaming at the 4th official that it was a foul. It wasn't.

[VivaRovers]

So the video isn't clear... but clear enough for you to be certain of seven points that support your view of it. Aye, ok.

It was a red card offence... it received a red card. It would be madness for the club to ask for it to be reviewed.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Bad weekend VR?

The four points I made earlier are clear as day and it's silly to use those in the way you just did.

The other three are clear too. The blurredness of the video make it impossible to see the actual impact. That was what I meant about it not being clear.

I've not said anything about the club appealing so I'm not sure why you raise that in your reply.

[VivaRovers]

Bad weekend VR?

Aye, I went to Gillingham

I've not said anything about the club appealing so I'm not sure why you raise that in your reply.

No, I know you didn't. I mention it because that will give you a marker as to how clear a red card decision it was or not. If there's any feeling it was an unjust decision the club will doubtless appeal it. But they won't as it was a very definite red card.

I know it's a frustrating decision, especially given the impact it had on the game, but it was the right one for the ref to make.

[BillyStubbsTears]

The club couldn't appeal it because the video evidence is not clear that Okenabirhie DIDN'T maliciously or recklessly use an elbow, so there's no grounds to over-rule the ref's decision.

My view, as I've explained in detail, is that on balance of probability, the referee got it wrong.

[Bentley Bullet]

"Rayner and Gills boss Steve evans remonstrated with the fourth official after the incident, with referee Josh Smith taking advice before flashing the red"

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/anyone-who-takes-four-points-doncaster-season-will-have-done-well-gillingham-assistant-boss-talks-win-over-rovers-1742175?fbclid=IwAR2hwepgdxIGp4yP6nCxB1DmfcsmULA9_VyAvjNMD96q66i3V9tUOZpOqsY