Ryan Lowe says Christian Saydee must “take his medicine” after the striker’s red card in Wigan Athletic’s 2-2 draw with the Imps this weekend.
The head coach accepted the dismissal, while insisting contentious calls also contributed to both of the hosts’ goals at Sincil Bank.
Lowe accepts red, questions big moments
Saydee’s afternoon swung from hero to villain in minutes. Having smartly set up Callum Wright to make it 2-2, the summer signing from Portsmouth was sent off for raking his studs down Tom Bayliss’ shin while attempting, badly, to shield the ball.
Lowe did not hide behind the incident on reflection. Inititially, he did ponder whether it was a yellow or a red, but later, that reflection changed.
“Chris is gutted, because he’s not that type of player… If VAR was involved, it probably would be a red card, so I have no real complaints with it. Chris just has to take his medicine and get on with it.”
Even so, the Wigan boss felt the Latics were hard done by in the key moments that led to Lincoln’s goals, pointing to decisions that, in his view, went against his side. He referenced previous flashpoints involving referee Alan Young, not leats our penalty and a possible push in the back for our goal.
Lowe also added he would apologise to Bayliss after initially thinking the midfielder had exaggerated contact in the heat of the moment.
Suspensions all round
The dismissal brings an automatic three-match suspension for Saydee, a run that includes the short trip to Bolton Wanderers. That derby absence will sting, given the forward’s influence since arriving from Portsmouth and his contribution at Sincil Bank before the red.
As for the Imps, we’ll be missing Rob Street and Ryley Towler for the weekend’s trip to Burton, meaning Adam Reach is likely to be picked on the left, and possibly Oscar Thorn will make his first league start for the club.
Sonny Bradley, dismissed against Mansfield for a foul, will return for the Imps. His red card was not for violent conduct, and it is therefore a single-match ban, which he has served. He’s likely to partner Adam Jackson in the heart of the defence, althoguh Tom Hamer will certainly be pushing for a spot.