Rob Davies
Swansea City boss Russell Martin was quick to criticise the referee and back Kyle Naughton in the aftermath of the Sheffield United loss on Tuesday.
Often the Swans boss has chosen to take the focus off himself and the team’s poor performance (not that Tuesday was) by blaming refereeing decisions, injuries and even long bus journeys.
But was this call by Martin that Naughton was fouled by Rhian Brewster correct? You decide.
What a moment! ❤️
The tackle from Bash, the ball from RND, the work-rate from Brewster and the finish from Reda. Khadra's last minute goal against Swansea! pic.twitter.com/T3vkrIZJ1d
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) September 13, 2022
From back to front. ⚡️
A crucial sliding tackle from Basham, up field from Norrington-Davies, the top two did the rest. 🤤 pic.twitter.com/9Gyx8S7caf
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) September 14, 2022
To me that doesn’t look a foul. And Naughton at best could have cleared the ball into row z. At worst he could have taken down Brewster and accepted a possible red card.
It’s these decisions that have cost the Swans dearly this season. But Martin remains firm on where the blame lies:
“I trust Kyle, he [Brewster] has clipped his heels,” the Swans boss said.
“He’s run across him and there’s contact. It shouldn’t get to that point, they clear the ball and have one guy around three or four of ours.
“It’s the easiest decision the referee’s got to make all night, it’s really not difficult. But he’s not given it.
“We should still deal with the aftermath, but we don’t. It’s pointless to speak to the ref. I have the luxury of knowing Kyle and trusting him. It doesn’t achieve anything so it’s pointless.”
Never a foul, Naughton just didn’t deal with the situation. Maybe because he’s a Blade in his heart he wanted to ensure they left with 3 points. When he played on the wing for them with Kyle Walker on the other, Naughton was actually the better player, I guess Walker just worked harder and now look at them, one at the top of his game and the other playing for the swans, deary me.