Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said the dismissal of left back Jake Bidwell was the key factor in his team’s Sky Bet Championship match against Watford last night.
Bidwell was dismissed late in the first half for a foul on Miguel Layun.
He took a heavy touch in an attacking position and made a firm tackle to try and retain possession but referee Keith Stroud decided a serious offence had been committed and sent Bidwell off.
It was the sixth time Mr Stroud had shown a Brentford player a red card in his career.
Brentford recovered to take the lead through Andre Gray but Odion Ighalo scored two, including a stoppage time winner, to give Watford the win.
Mark hailed his players for a “magnificent shift” and said he was disappointed they had got so close to taking something from the game.
But he had no doubt as to the reason why.
“We worked very hard but the decision changed the game,” said Mark, speaking after the match.
“Watford are a technically good team.
“We knew if we gave them time and space they could hurt you.
“We didn’t give them that time, we started hard and fast but the decision on 38 minutes changed the game.
“We wanted to play with purpose but we were ten against 11 against a talented ball playing team.
“To get close, I am disappointed for the players, who put in a magnificent shift.”
Mark said there were lots of positives from the game, despite the defeat.
With Bidwell off Stuart Dallas stepped in to play and left back and Brentford switched to a midfield four with Gray up front on his own.
They took the lead when Gray raced clear to smash home and David Button saved a Troy Deeney penalty soon after.
He made other fine saves before Ighalo headed home a cross to level and then volleyed in a winner at the death.
“There are so many positives to take,” said Mark.
“David Button made some great saves; Stuart Dallas was asked to do a job at left back and did a tremendous job.
“I can’t talk highly enough of the effort of Jonathan Douglas today with the effort he put in and the ground he covered, cajoling his team mates, he led by example.
“Andre Gray took on the back four single handed and scored a magnificent goal.
“To mention individuals dilutes the effort of the team, who put in a magnificent shift.
“If we continue doing that we will be OK this season.”
Mark said he was “mystified” by the red card.
“I have seen a replay twice,” he said.
“Jake’s first touch made him have to make a tackle and made the referee have to make a decision.
“It doesn’t change the fact it is a very tight call in an important game.
“If there is any doubt it should be a yellow.
“I am mystified by the decision; it is a huge call by the referee in such an important game.
“I won’t say it spoiled the game as that would weaken the efforts of the ten on the pitch.
“Jake is devastated, we lose a key player for three games.
“We will look at it in more detail and make a judgement on whether to appeal.”
Mark said James Tarkowski had an injury which caused him to be substituted early in the second half and Dallas was shifted to left back as he knew he might have to withdraw the central defender soon after Bidwell’s dismissal.
“Tarky had just received a knock,” he explained.
“Stuart Dallas has defensive and offensive awareness beyond his years and did a tremendous job for us.
“We knew Tarky was struggling and might not get through and we didn’t want to make two changes and have one option late in the game.
“We needed to be able to bring more energy late in the game.
“James got an accidental kick and has a dead leg in the back, if you know what I mean.
“We hoped he could get through but he couldn’t.
“Tony Craig slotted straight in, we had no doubts about that.”
Mark did not want to be critical of his defence for the goals conceded given they were working a man down.
He said the players were disheartened after the defeat but if they produced performances like they did last night, they would be OK.
“The second goal was a magnificent finish,” said Mark.
“We could have got tighter on the first goal but the players are working so hard.
“If we had the advantage we would have done the same.
“The players are disheartened right now but with that effort, application and quality, we will be alright.”
A full post-match interview with Mark Warburton is available here for Bees Player subscribers.