Planet Swans ArchivesCumbrian referee Trevor Jones removed Smith from the game for an innocuous looking challenge on two-goal Andy Liddell. Swansea were already well beaten by that stage as the Wigan wobble never materialised, but as Smith made the lonely walk back to the dressing room the realities of a three-game ban hit home.
“I can’t believe that a tackle like that is going to cost me three games,” blasted Smith. “I did clip the back of his heels, but there was nothing malicious in it.
“I can’t see the difference between that tackle and when Ryan (Casey) was brought down intentionally earlier on.
“I tried to nick the ball from between his legs and I certainly didn’t scythe him down or anything.
“Now I’ve got to miss three games, something I can’t afford to do in the position we are in.
“I want to be in there fighting for our lives like the rest of the lads.”
Both Smith and his manager John Hollins found it hard to hide their anger over a shocking decision which will rule Smith out for crucial games against Walsall (away), Wycombe (home) and Northampton (away). “I’ve got to be careful what I say, but as far as I am concerned that was Jason’s first real tackle,” declared Hollins.
“I couldn’t see anything dangerous or wrong with it.
“There were a couple of bad tackles early on which the referee didn’t even book them for.”
Even Wigan boss Bruce Rioch was stunned by Smith’s dismissal, adding: “I honestly couldn’t see why he was sent off. I thought it must have been his second yellow card, but it wasn’t.”
Hollins spent 20 minutes in the referee’s room after the game before emerging stunned with his explanation to the sending-off as “dangerous serious foul play.”
The 2-0 defeat keeps Swansea fourth from bottom at the halfway stage of the season with a vital game against Peterborough coming up at Vetch Field on Saturday.
Swansea have the small matter of tomorrow night’s LDV Vans Trophy second-round tie at Bournemouth to see off first. Defender Steve Jones will miss Swansea’s third trip of the season to Dean Court after limping of after 30 minutes at Wigan with a dead leg.
