Planet Swans ArchivesBrian Flynn had stated after the game that he would watch the evidence first to see if there was grounds for appeal and it now suggests that the club felt that after watching the replays of the red card that any appeal would be unsuccessful.
Trundle will miss games for the Swans against both Southend and Doncaster. The third game will be dependent on the result of Saturday’s second round FA Cup tie against Stevenage at the Vetch. If no replay is required then Trundle will sit out the Boxing Day visit to Torquay – if a replay is required then Trundle will miss that and return at Torquay.
Trundle is the Swans leading scorer with 13 goals this season and the club have so far badly missed him when he was out injured. However with other key players Roberto Martinez and Brad Maylett both close to full fitness then his absence will be softened slightly although no side would want to be without one of their most charismatic players.
Trundle himself has remained pretty much tight lipped over the 19th minute incident which saw him along with Hope of York see red. However, he did tell the Evening Post ”I didn’t do anything wrong,’ I would hold my hands up if I had done, but I didn’t and I can’t really apologise for the referee’s decision. ”Hope was on top of me on the floor and I was just grappling to get up when he came back and elbowed me in the stomach. No punches were thrown and I do feel hard done-by because it was just a tussle. ”The reaction of other players didn’t help the situation but I still thought we would both get a yellow card. When the ref pulled out the red I couldn’t believe it. I asked him what it was for and he just ignored me.”
The coverage that I saw on Soccer Sunday yesterday seemed inconclusive as to whether Trundle was innocent. Hope certainly appeared to bring back an elbow towards him as both players were on the floor but the camera also panned away at that point and by the time it returned to where most of the action was the referee (and most of the other players) were in the thick of it.
James Thomas seems certain to come back into the side in the absence of Trundle who no doubt will be looking to sign off with a goal or two in the game against Stevenage this Saturday. The visitors fans are predicting a travelling support of just over 500 for the game as both sides look to try and secure a possible glamour tie in Round 3.
