Coventry City boss Mark Robins is ‘furious’ following a post-match incident in the game v Sheffield Wednesday yesterday.
Sheffield Wednesday traveled to Coventry City for a Boxing Day match yesterday. Unfortunately for the Owls, it turned out to be another disheartening loss as the Sky Blues secured a 2-0 victory, thanks to Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scoring twice.
Danny Rohl’s team has now suffered defeats in their last two Championship matches, and they will conclude the year 2023 with an away game against Preston North End on Friday night.
Adding to their challenges, Sheffield Wednesday is likely to face the upcoming matches without center-back Bambo Diaby. Diaby received a straight red card after the match, and as a result, he is expected to be unavailable for the next game against Preston North End, as well as for the subsequent Championship fixtures against Hull City and Southampton.
Mark Robins ‘furious’ at Liam Kitching sending off
After the final whistle, there was a confrontation between Diaby and Liam Kitching of Coventry City.
Both players received direct red cards, leading to an automatic three-game suspension. However, Robins expressed his intention to appeal Kitching’s red card.
Regarding the incident, the Coventry City manager commented:
“I didn’t witness the event in real-time, but upon reviewing the footage, I am appealing the decision because there is no justification for his dismissal. Absolutely none! The opposing player approached him from behind, essentially committing assault. He pushed him in the face, leaving him with no room to maneuver since the opponent intruded into his personal space.”
“He pushed him and then initiated head contact. Kitching didn’t retaliate. Whether he raised his hands defensively, I can’t confirm, but it was an aggressive act. It’s absurd, and then he came back for more, so I am unequivocally appealing it. I am extremely angry, absolutely furious!
“The referee didn’t witness it and still sent him off. I’ve spoken to the referee and urged him to review the incident. He made that decision, but in my opinion, it has to be overturned. I need to be cautious because my anger is palpable. This situation really needs a closer look.
“If it’s not overturned, it results in a three-game ban for what? Please explain to me. It shouldn’t overshadow what was a truly commendable performance and a well-deserved victory.
“So far this season, Diaby has featured in 20 Championship matches for Sheffield Wednesday, starting in all 13 games under Rohl’s management.”
A blow for Sheffield Wednesday and Danny Rohl
Robins appears firm in his belief that his player was not at fault yesterday. Whether Rohl shares the same perspective remains uncertain, but it is likely that Diaby will face a three-game suspension. The incident is seen as a result of simmering frustration from a challenging match against Coventry City, compounded by the disappointing outcome against Cardiff City.
Rohl anticipates that Diaby will learn from the situation, attributing it to the emotional aftermath of a tough game. In the upcoming three challenging Championship matches, Rohl will need to navigate without one of his key players. Akin Famewo is expected to fill the void in the middle alongside Di’Shon Bernard, while either Marvin Johnson or Reece James may start at left-back.
Rohl has implemented some minor defensive changes in recent games, which seems to have unsettled the defense and affected the team’s momentum. Despite this, fans continue to trust Rohl’s tactical acumen and coaching abilities, expecting him to devise the best strategy to cope with Diaby’s absence in the coming weeks.
The upcoming match against Preston poses another formidable challenge for Sheffield Wednesday, especially considering Preston’s recent victory over Leeds United on Boxing Day.
