Millwall boss Colin Lee was hardly interested in talking about the game, he was still livid at the first red card, given to Ben May for what the referee described as racial abuse, an accusation that is strongly denied by all in the Millwall camp.
Lee stormed after the game, “The referee seems to be the only person in this ground who thought he heard Ben May make a racial remark to Frank Sinclair. Frank said he heard nothing of the sort and neither did their manager Steve Cotterill.
“If I thought Ben had been guilty then I would consider sacking him because this is something we take very seriously indeed. However, I am convinced that he is innocent and will be fighting to have his red card overturned. The whole thing is too ridiculous for words.”
Lee added, “The lad is absoulutely distraught. I know exactly what was said and the referee is the only person who appears to think that there was any racial content. We will fight this all the way because I am so disappointed for Ben.”
Steve Cotterill supported that and confirmed that
Colin Lee was not the only manager upset at a red card, and Steve said of James O’Connor’s dismissal, “I cannot for the life of me see why he sent James off, he isn’t like that, he plays 45 games a season and he’ll miss maybe one because of five bookings. James is distraught in there but the referee has said he will have another look at it.” He then joked, “Maybe he’s bitten Jody Morris’ hand when he grabbed in around the face.”
Steve was delighted with the win though and said, “We more than deserved the three points tonight. We messed up right at the start of the game and that gave us a mountain to climb with them scrapping away, but we dominated the game.
“I said at half time that we needed to make sure that frustration and agitation didn’t get into our game and it was somewhat disappointing that we got booed off by some at half time. I don’t know why for the life of me, that’s not usual for our fans so maybe we had a few others in tonight who don’t normally come.
“It was unfair, just because we hadn’t nicked a goal but in the second half we got absolutely what we deserved. Our fans are usually fantastic and with us and they make it easier for us. Those few moans and groans make it harder.”
Asked about Nathan Dyer he added, “It was a team performance in the second half, of which Nathan Dyer was a part and he contributed to it, as did the other substitute Gifton Noel-Williams.
“We got what we deserved in the end so we are pleased and glad it is out of the way and we can look forward to Saturday now.”