Redknapp blasts referee over Nicholls challenge and claims Wigan have stronger squad that QPR QPR manager Harry Redknapp was felt that Lee Nicholls (pictured) of Wigan Athletic should have been punished for his collision with Andy Johnson (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images) QPR manager Harry Redknapp was felt that Lee Nicholls (pictured) of Wigan Athletic should have been punished for his collision with Andy Johnson (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images) Wednesday, October 30, 2013 11:02 PM QPR boss Harry Redknapp blasted referee Michael Naylor for failing to punish Wigan goalkeeper Lee Nicholls when he collided with substitute Andrew Johnson late on. . .. In a dour 0-0 draw with few chances at either end, the gameâs sole talking point drew Redknappâs ire after the final whistle. With around 10 minutes to go, Johnson side-stepped the onrushing Nicholls before falling to the ground when moving away from goal, yet referee Naylor remained unmoved. The contact appeared minimal and was outside of the box but that did not stop Redknapp hinting at his deep displeasure. âThe goalie only pushed him over, thatâs in the rules is it?â he said. âYou can do that, can you? Run out of the goal and push the striker over and not give a foul away? Must be a new game weâre playing. âI think the only person who didnât see it was the referee, wasnât it? How can you not see that? âWhatâs he fallen over for, Andy Johnson? Heâs took the ball around the keeper, heâs surely not going to fall over unless he gets pushed over.â Chances were at a premium for both sides and Rangersâ promotion credentials have been hampered in recent weeks due to a lack of cutting edge in front of goal. Redknapp, however, is not concerned, adding: âI think weâll be OK. Itâs hard; Iâve just got Andy Johnson back, heâs been out injured, Bobby Zamoraâs out, Iâve only had one striker so Iâve had no choice but to play one up there. âI would say theyâve got a stronger squad than us, Wigan. I think theyâve got more strength and depth than we have, for sure.â
and from the telegraph . . . It seemed like something was finally about to happen. Andy Johnson, sent on as a substitute, raced through Wigan’s defence and nudged the ball ahead of backup goalkeeper Lee Nicholls. Johnson tumbled. Nicholls claimed he did not touch him. Outside the area, the punishment would have entailed a free-kick and a sending-off. Fortunately for Nicholls, the referee agreed with his plea. Harry Redknapp charged about his technical area, arms flapping, suggesting he had seen something in the incident. Perhaps a red card would have helped his team to a victory. Yet such was the lack of imagination on display beforehand, it might not have. Neither side deserved to win. Previously, the day had been good to Wigan. So used to losing their best players, it was announced as the squads arrived at the DW Stadium that Callum McManaman had signed a new contract until 2017. The winger is one of few regulars from last season to have remained since relegation. There was always a likelihood that Roberto MartÃnez would leave and others would follow. But last May, who would have believed that by November, a 16-point gap would separate Owen Coyle’s new team and the top of the table? In contrast, who would have believed that QPR could adapt so well to the Championship, having established consistency in three key areas: management, team selection and results? While one club have improbably stabilised, the other do not seem to realise how far they have fallen, or, indeed, how far they could fall still. The current situations revealed themselves initially here. QPR were bright and swift going forward. Full backs Danny Simpson and Benoît Assou-Ekotto joined attacking situations as quickly as possible. From one Assou-Ekotto run and cross, Jermaine Jenas shot horribly wide. From another move involving Simpson, Alejandro FaurlÃn eventually delivered towards Charlie Austin but the striker’s connection was sliced. Wigan, meanwhile, struggled to create clear opportunities. The highlight of the first half at the other end was a tussle between Grant Holt and Clint Hill. The pair pushed and prodded each other throughout, like two middle-aged men arguing over an answer in a pub quiz. Holt did not reappear for the second half, although his absence was not thought to be related to this intriguing encounter. Replacement Marc Antoine-Fortuné, added greater movement to Wigan’s front line. Within minutes, he had helped McManaman create the space to supply Jordi Gómez, who in turn swung a ball into the box. Chris McCann was unmarked and in the right place but he could not convert the header that followed, the ball bouncing off Robert Green’s right post. For QPR, Richard Dunne headed a Gary O’Neil corner wide and Johnson scuffed a scruffy shot underneath Nicholls after being released by Matty Phillips. For Wigan, James McClean slammed a volley into the sidenetting following a scrimmage inside the visitors’ box. Appropriately, though, there was no grandstand finish. The scoreline reflected the proceedings. This result was appropriate.
what is starting to annoy me a bit is he keeps saying we only have one striker. yet we have this guy we bought in from italy and hitchcock. wtf
I feel for Harold, bloody owners not backing him. It won't be his fault if we don't get promoted. Players aren't really up to it.
If AJ were more honest, he'd have probably scored. If Harry was more honest, he wouldn't be so hated. But alas....
Win, lose, draw ..... Dumb and Dumber. Good ol lend me a cockle see ya down the pub Arry will always be what he is to me, I understand the ignorance in that statement, but Tony, Tony, get a grip of this man or if you cant, get your Senior Management to. Why oh why does he need to make a statement like that? - The saddest thing is that you can just hear him saying it - Would he say this to motivate his squad? - Doubt it Would he say this to alleviate pressure from his squad? - Possible, but doubtful in my mind Would he say this to start getting himself a blame get out clause or if he does manage to get us up that he's performed a miracle? Would he say this to plunder poor ol Tone for more pie and mash? You pays your money you takes your choice
Typical Harry banter, of course you play down your squad, because truth be told, we aren't playing to the level he wants. But our main playmakers/threatening widemen, being Kranjcar, Phillips, Hoilett, Carrol have all been beset by injury. Vast majority of EPL relegated clubs struggle initially in the Championship, and considering the season we had last year, when many were predicting a complete implosion for us. Add in all the new players we are trying to gel together, all the primadonnas we had to get rid; I still think some are expecting too much, and far too quick to pass judgement
I was listening to the commentary on Radio London and the opinion was that yes there was contact but AJ could have stayed on his feet if he wanted to but chose to fall down. OK, many refs might have given it but by the sounds of it the ref made the right call. I see we have our usual weekly link with Defoe again this morning.
Redknapp claims Wigan have stronger squad that QPR In a way thinking about it Wigan I believe will influence this table if you look at their fixtures next year. I can see winning a lot of their home games a point last night as i have said cold be a very big point ... we will look at teh Brighton and Millwall games as disasters IMO
We were 1 minute from having a really acceptable result from three consecutive away matches Win at Millwall Lose at Burnley Draw at Wigan I would have taken before the start So we were 1 minute of slackness from that Shame
What a cock, he said he was happy with a point as well. Not surprising considering thats what he set out to get. Hes more negative than Hughes.
I wouldn't have said that four points from nine was acceptable, Beth. Two from nine is unacceptable. We have the best squad in this league.
Yeah, and our best creative/threatening players, are not fully match fit/injured. Kranjcar, Hoilett, Phillips, Carroll. Plus hasnt Simpson been carrying a knock ?
At least Hughes was going up against top class sides, what Redknapps excuse for struggling to beat the likes of Yeovil, Millwall etc?
Even when they are fit, Redknapp neuters any threat theyd have, remember this is a bloke who always plays a defensive 451 and has played Carroll in front of the back four and Faurlin further up the field. Hes turned Philips from a top champ player into SWP.
