Ben Davies: Pompey's ref got it wrong
That’s the verdict of Ben Davies, who insists he had a prime view of the controversial incident against Newport County on Saturday.
Already on a yellow card, Roberts was then adjudged to have dived under a challenge from Andrew Hughes in the 59th minute.
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Hide AdToner ruled the midfielder had dived, issuing a second caution and subsequent red card.
The Blues,who were 1-0 down at time, went on to lose 3-0 in a dismal performance.
Yet Davies believes Roberts should not have been dismissed by the Lancashire match official.
He said: ‘I had a good view of it. I was jogging in from behind Robbo ready to take the free-kick, I thought it was a foul.
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Hide Ad‘It was one of those things, sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t and unfortunately we haven’t got it – and we’ll miss him for the Mansfield game as well.
‘From what I could see, it looked a straightforward foul to me. Obviously the ref was right there and he made the call.
‘I know Robbo, I don’t think he’s that sort of person who would take a dive.
‘He was about to get a shot off so if he has gone over on purpose then I would be very surprised.
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Hide Ad‘It was a massive decision, you go from having a free-kick on the edge of the box to having 10-men, then you are chasing a game with a man down and can get caught.
‘It just seemed to be one of those days, but you dust yourself off and move on.’
Roberts’ first booking was a trip on Medy Elito after the midfielder had surged past him.
He must now serve a one-match ban.
– NEIL ALLEN