Lee Johnson & Red Card [merged]

[old_man_terry]

Have to say, Lee Johnson's dive at the end, pure comedy the southampton player barely touched him on his head! and he was down like a sack of spuds!

Quite possibly the funniest sending off I've see, PURE STUPIDITY from their player, and quite possibly the slowest dive I've ever seen

[Antman]

'But despite camping in the City half, Saints could not find the equaliser their possession deserved and their frustration was compounded at the death when Safri was harshly sent off.

The stand-in skipper would probably have been booked for a foul on Lee Johnson and appeared to pat him on the head consolingly as the midfielder got up.'

This taken from the saints website - frankly how they can suggest it was a 'consoling pat on the head' is beyond me!

he raised his hands and should have gone, enough said. Still another manager unable to take that we turned them over eh?

However....why Lee Johnson went over as if he had been shot , yes the bloke slapped him on the head, but it didn't warrant going to ground.

a bit dida (?) if you ask me, and he could get himself into a bit of bother.

don't like to see that.

[Alex_BCFC]

'But despite camping in the City half, Saints could not find the equaliser their possession deserved and their frustration was compounded at the death when Safri was harshly sent off.

The stand-in skipper would probably have been booked for a foul on Lee Johnson and appeared to pat him on the head consolingly as the midfielder got up.'

This taken from the saints website - frankly how they can suggest it was a 'consoling pat on the head' is beyond me!

he raised his hands and should have gone, enough said. Still another manager unable to take that we turned them over eh?

However....why Lee Johnson went over as if he had been shot , yes the bloke slapped him on the head, but it didn't warrant going to ground.

a bit dida (?) if you ask me, and he could get himself into a bit of bother.

don't like to see that.

He tapped him. Johnson was an idiot for going down the way he did.

[Guest bristolred91]

there was no need for what johnson done.

[East End Lad]

If johnson did dive then he should be suspended like Dida was in my opinion.

[Alex_BCFC]

If johnson did dive then he should be suspended like Dida was in my opinion.

Exactly what I was just thinking.

[Guest jimmy ateyo]

Have to say, Lee Johnson's dive at the end, pure comedy the southampton player barely touched him on his head! and he was down like a sack of spuds!

Quite possibly the funniest sending off I've see, PURE STUPIDITY from their player, and quite possibly the slowest dive I've ever seen

I thought it was pathetic, Johnson should have walked for that, there is nothing worse than seeing someone getting a fellow pro sent off. He must be so embarressed when he sees that !?

He had a good 1st half tonight but showed what a horrible little #### he can be.

I can remeber the friendly when he raked his studs down that yeovil players leg, no need, he suffers from small bloke syndrome !

On the game, what a cracking display in the 1st half and a goal of pure class from ivan, just seen it again on sky ports news

2nd half was a little one sided !!! - but fair play, we held on

Carey and Nobes were missed, hope they will be ok on saturday, although i hear louis has broken his nose ?

[EmersonsKev]

Tap, slap or punch its irrelivent. You don't raise your hands to another player. Simple as in my book. I'm not condoning Johnson's reaction but the red card in my opinion wasn't harsh.

[Guest jimmy ateyo]

Tap, slap or punch its irrelivent. You don't raise your hands to another player. Simple as in my book. I'm not condoning Johnson's reaction but the red card in my opinion wasn't harsh.

replied to a similar post but will add my 2 pence worth to this one

Johnson acted in a pathetic manner, no need for that, I hope he does get punished. Play acting is prob the worse thing in our game

[LSN]

rules are rules, deserved red card. But if johnosn hadnt of dived then I don't think the ref would of noticed it, or if he did I doubt he would of done anything.

Crap behaviour by Lee, quite embarressing actually.

[Slave to the rhythm]

rules are rules, deserved red card. But if johnosn hadnt of dived then I don't think the ref would of noticed it, or if he did I doubt he would of done anything.

Crap behaviour by Lee, quite embarressing actually.

I think George Burley was making the same point to Lee as they were walking off at the end. Burley looked like he was having a right go at Lee.

[Redhyde]

If he hadn't of gone down would the referee/linesman have done anything about it? There's a difference between diving and exaggerating. Lee Johnson exaggerated by the sounds of things. To gain us an advantage, he didn't cheat, he just made sure that Safri got the deserved punishment.

Why are Safri's hands up there, what was he doing with them? LJ isn't the perpetrator in this matter. I'm sure GJ will take this up with LJ, and i'm sure the rest of the lads will take the mick in training. Punishment enough really.

Sounds like some of you want Lee Johnson to be banned to me. Not for the sanctity of the game but because it's LJ.

[Guest Adze]

It was a Red card because the rules say it is!

But the rules also state that simulation is a booking, and there is no way that the pat on the head would knock a grown man (Or Johnson) to the floor, so he should have been booked for his reaction!

[Alex_BCFC]

If he hadn't of gone down would the referee/linesman have done anything about it? There's a difference between diving and exaggerating. Lee Johnson exaggerated by the sounds of things. To gain us an advantage, he didn't cheat, he just made sure that Safri got the deserved punishment.

Why are Safri's hands up there, what was he doing with them? LJ isn't the perpetrator in this matter. I'm sure GJ will take this up with LJ, and i'm sure the rest of the lads will take the mick in training. Punishment enough really.

Sounds like some of you want Lee Johnson to be banned to me. Not for the sanctity of the game but because it's LJ.

Have you seen the Dida incident- he reminded me of that. Watch it and make your own mind up but if any one of our players does that they will get the same stick.

[samo]

Come on guys, give the guy a break.

He's just helped us grind out win against a difficult side, let's at least wait until the replay before damning the guy completely, otherwise it does sound a bit like he's getting the usual rough ride he often gets on here.

[Guest Adze]

I have nothing against Johnson unlike many other on here!

But be honest, he did look like a prat when he went down!

[Redhyde]

Have you seen the Dida incident- he reminded me of that. Watch it and make your own mind up but if any one of our players does that they will get the same stick.

It'll be interesting to see if any of the journos are brave enough to ask the question to the manager or players about their thoughts on the incident.

I'm glad that Lee's willing to embarrass himself for the teams chances of victory. Shows true commitment. The difference with Dida is that it in no way helped his side hence the stick from fans. We should be applauding Lee for his efforts.

Again. Why were Safri's hands there? What was he doing?

If the referees are so incompetent not to notice such things, isn't it the players responsibilities to help them out to come to the correct decision like Lee did?

[Alex_BCFC]

It'll be interesting to see if any of the journos are brave enough to ask the question to the manager or players about their thoughts on the incident.

I'm glad that Lee's willing to embarrass himself for the teams chances of victory. Shows true commitment. The difference with Dida is that it in no way helped his side hence the stick from fans. We should be applauding Lee for his efforts.

Again. Why were Safri's hands there? What was he doing?

If the referees are so incompetent not to notice such things, isn't it the players responsibilities to help them out to come to the correct decision like Lee did?

Oh yeah because cheating like that is brilliant isn't it?! Commitment is throwing yourself in front of the ball to stop a goal or running your heart out. Not going down like a little girl. Pathetic.

[Nibor]

Safri raised hands in anger, coupled with his idiotic lunge on Elliott he was getting a red - or worse two yellows.

The reaction from LJ made him look like a schoolgirl and was pathetic - I don't want to see that from a City player ever.

However I do recall seeing something on telly about the Dida incident where one of the Scottish commentators was saying FIFA/the FA instruct players to go down and hold their head regardless so perhaps there's a slim justification for that. If that's the case though I'd rather we ignored the instruction.

[Alex_BCFC]

Safri raised hands in anger, coupled with his idiotic lunge on Elliott he was getting a red - or worse two yellows.

The reaction from LJ made him look like a schoolgirl and was pathetic - I don't want to see that from a City player ever.

However I do recall seeing something on telly about the Dida incident where one of the Scottish commentators was saying FIFA/the FA instruct players to go down and hold their head regardless so perhaps there's a slim justification for that. If that's the case though I'd rather we ignored the instruction.

Sounds pretty stupid to me!

[elhombrecito]

Who cares what Lee Johnson did? The bloke raised his hands and quite rightly got sent off.

[Guest Tafkar]

The rules say that simulation warrants a yellow card. Dida's actions should thus not be set as a precedent.

[mozo]

Rules are rules, but dignity is dignity.

[Alex_BCFC]

Who cares what Lee Johnson did? The bloke raised his hands and quite rightly got sent off.

A lot of us do. Yes the guy got rightly sent off but I care about own players. We don't need to act like that to win.

[samo]

However I do recall seeing something on telly about the Dida incident where one of the Scottish commentators was saying FIFA/the FA instruct players to go down and hold their head regardless so perhaps there's a slim justification for that. If that's the case though I'd rather we ignored the instruction.

And in all the wailing and knashing of teeth people forget that in the Dida incident the bloke who gave him a tap should never have been on the pitch no matter what, end of. Dida has aplogised publicly to his clubs fans and Celtic and taken his ban, and considering he's had a flare thrown at him from the stands before I can believe why he'd be jumpy. If Safri raised his hands in anger he is, for lack of a better phrase, F#*&^d whatever Lee Johnson did.

[East End Lad]

Who cares what Lee Johnson did? The bloke raised his hands and quite rightly got sent off.

Because there is no need for that in football.

[Redhyde]

Because there is no need for that in football.

You're right, there is no need for people to raise their hands in football.

[Guest Adze]

The fact is!

If a Southampton player had done that tonight you would have hung him up to dry on this forum tonight!

But because he play for City it is OK?

I think that is more pathetic!

[elhombrecito]

A lot of us do. Yes the guy got rightly sent off but I care about own players. We don't need to act like that to win.

So what if he slightly exaggerated the contact? Would you be complaining if one of our players got fouled in the area and made the most of the contact to win a deserved penalty? No, thought not. It's not as though he rolled around holding his head or anything (like Dida, which some people are ridiculously comparing LJ to).

Jeez, people will find any reason to start a Lee Johnson witch-hunt.

[East End Lad]

You're right, there is no need for people to raise their hands in football.

I agree totally. I also think though there is no need to try and get anouther player sent off.

[East End Lad]

So what if he slightly exaggerated the contact? Would you be complaining if one of our players got fouled in the area and made the most of the contact to win a deserved penalty? No, thought not. It's not as though he rolled around holding his head or anything (like Dida, which some people are ridiculously comparing LJ to).

Jeez, people will find any reason to start a Lee Johnson witch-hunt.

Put it the other way round. What if a Southampton player did that and one of our players got sent off? Everyone would be complaing about it.

[Alex_BCFC]

So what if he slightly exaggerated the contact? Would you be complaining if one of our players got fouled in the area and made the most of the contact to win a deserved penalty? No, thought not. It's not as though he rolled around holding his head or anything (like Dida, which some people are ridiculously comparing LJ to).

Jeez, people will find any reason to start a Lee Johnson witch-hunt.

It wasn't a slight exaggeration though.

I wouldn't be best pleasing if we were diving to in penatlies, no. I think the Dida incident is an excellent comparison as it goes. Both tapped- both went down like girls.

It isn't an LJ witch hunt- if any of our players went down like that I would be the same.

[elhombrecito]

Put it the other way round. What if a Southampton player did that and one of our players got sent off? Everyone would be complaing about it.

How did he get him sent off? He raised his hands and got himself sent off. If it was the other way round I'd be criticising the stupidity of the player who chose to slap somebody around the back of the head right in front of the ref.

[Nibor]

So what if he slightly exaggerated the contact?

Saying he slightly exaggerated the contact is like saying Tony Pulis is a bit of a see you next tuesday. A massive understatement.

Would you be complaining if one of our players got fouled in the area and made the most of the contact to win a deserved penalty? No, thought not.

Yes. I don't like that sort of thing in football regardless of who does it. It makes the game less entertaining and makes me lose respect for the player who does it.

It's not as though he rolled around holding his head or anything (like Dida, which some people are ridiculously comparing LJ to).

That's EXACTLY what he did. The only difference was LJ only waited a couple of seconds before throwing himself on the floor instead of nearly 10.

Jeez, people will find any reason to start a Lee Johnson witch-hunt.

Nothing to do with witch hunts, I think LJ is a good player who does well for us. I just don't like that conduct.

[Redhyde]

I agree totally. I also think though there is no need to try and get anouther player sent off.

Isn't there? What if the player deserves to be sent off? Do you take the chance and leave it to the referee, or do you make up his mind for him?

The only thing to criticise is Lee Johnson's ability at exaggeration. Not that he did.

[elhombrecito]

It wasn't a slight exaggeration though.

I wouldn't be best pleasing if we were diving to in penatlies, no. I think the Dida incident is an excellent comparison as it goes. Both tapped- both went down like girls.

It isn't an LJ witch hunt- if any of our players went down like that I would be the same.

How is a player going down and getting straight back up again even slightly similar to a player rolling around for ages and then getting himself stretchered off with a ice-pack attached to his face in an attempt to get a game abandoned?

[Alex_BCFC]

How is a player going down and getting straight back up again even slightly similar to a player rolling around for ages and then getting himself stretchered off with a ice-pack attached to his face in an attempt to get a game abandoned?

Both players went down like a girl- obviously Dida went a lot further but the intial incident was extremely similar. I can't believe you are honestly backing one of our players to behave like this.

[Dolman_Stand]

Who cares what Lee Johnson did? The bloke raised his hands and quite rightly got sent off.

I have a lot of time for Lee Johnson having met him a few times and agree most of the stick he gets is undeserved but tonight changed my opinion of the guy, there was no need for him to do what he did and I even shouted at him to get up as it was embarassing for him. I was even more shocked that the referee came over with a red card in his hand. There was no benefit for him doing as it wasn't to win a penalty/free kick etc it was purely to get another pro sent off, I really hope the FA as well as Gary Johnson review this and take the necessary action i.e. 1 or 2 game-ban plus a fine.

Hope this is not a sign of things to come!!!

[mozo]

Isn't there? What if the player deserves to be sent off? Do you take the chance and leave it to the referee, or do you make up his mind for him?

The only thing to criticise is Lee Johnson's ability at exaggeration. Not that he did.

The old two wrongs make a right theory Redhyde?

It's dishonest, whereas raising your hand is a pretty straightforward approach.

[Nibor]

Isn't there? What if the player deserves to be sent off? Do you take the chance and leave it to the referee, or do you make up his mind for him?

The only person who gets to decide if a player deserves to go off is the ref. Diving and feigning injury is a vicious circle that undermines referees because soon you get into a situation where they can't give anything unless the player is pretending he's been hit with a breezeblock.

The only thing to criticise is Lee Johnson's ability at exaggeration. Not that he did.

Well, no. At best it's gamesmanship and at worst it's cheating and it's perfectly deserving of criticism.

[Redhyde]

The only person who gets to decide if a player deserves to go off is the ref. Diving and feigning injury is a vicious circle that undermines referees because soon you get into a situation where they can't give anything unless the player is pretending he's been hit with a breezeblock.

I think we're already there hence LJ's actions. I believe the players believe the refs are incompetent, so the only way to gain correct decisions is to exaggerate.

Well, no. At best it's gamesmanship and at worst it's cheating and it's perfectly deserving of criticism.

Gamesmanship's ok by me.

[Nibor]

I think we're already there hence LJ's actions. I believe the players believe the refs are incompetent, so the only way to gain correct decisions is to exaggerate.

We might already be there with respect to things like penalty decisions but we certainly aren't for very obvious sending off offences under the ref's nose. LJ could quite easily have got a booking for that.

Gamesmanship's ok by me.

Each to their own but the Englishman in me despises that.

[Redhyde]

I have a lot of time for Lee Johnson having met him a few times and agree most of the stick he gets is undeserved but tonight changed my opinion of the guy, there was no need for him to do what he did and I even shouted at him to get up as it was embarassing for him. I was even more shocked that the referee came over with a red card in his hand. There was no benefit for him doing as it wasn't to win a penalty/free kick etc it was purely to get another pro sent off The fellow "pro" who whacked him on the head? Of course LJ should do all he can to help him... Fellow pro nonsense., I really hope the FA as well as Gary Johnson review this and take the necessary action i.e. 1 or 2 game-ban plus a fine.

The necessary action is to teach refs to be more aware, and to teach "pros" not to lash out in the first place. That'd stop anything like LJ's actions.

Hope this is not a sign of things to come!!!

Very unforgiving. Wait until we get some club/player/manager reaction before condemning him forever.

The old two wrongs make a right theory Redhyde?

It's dishonest, whereas raising your hand is a pretty straightforward approach.

It's a strange attitude to me where it's more acceptable to hit another guy than to make sure the perpetrator is punished.

But then i admire cunning over brutality. Personal choice i guess.

[Redhyde]

Each to their own but the Englishman in me despises that.

Guess you didn't support the English rugby team then.

Players don't help the referee, but the referee doesn't help the players either. Don't know where the cycle started but it's the right, nay the responsibility of our players to push the laws to the limit in order that we win.

Hate the game not the playa!

Be more upset that football allows it rather than what LJ did. I don't blame him for exploiting the situation. I blame the authorities who make the laws and train the officials for forcing the players to do that.

[Rob k]

We might already be there with respect to things like penalty decisions but we certainly aren't for very obvious sending off offences under the ref's nose. LJ could quite easily have got a booking for that.

Each to their own but the Englishman in me despises that.

I actually thought it was quite clever, we were hanging on by the skin of our teeth and Johnson probably bought us a minute in injury time. I hate diving but don't think it would have been any different the other way round, their player knows the rules and you cant do anything like that these days and if you do you know the outcome.

[Alex_BCFC]

I actually thought it was quite clever, we were hanging on by the skin of our teeth and Johnson probably bought us a minute in injury time. I hate diving but don't think it would have been any different the other way round, their player knows the rules and you cant do anything like that these days and if you do you know the outcome.

Clever maybe but still not something I want to see from my own team.

I'm sure they would have done the same thing too. Again doesn't make it a particulrly good thing to do.

[Nibor]

Guess you didn't support the English rugby team then.

Why?

Players don't help the referee, but the referee doesn't help the players either. Don't know where the cycle started but it's the right, nay the responsibility of our players to push the laws to the limit in order that we win.

Hate the game not the playa!

Be more upset that football allows it rather than what LJ did. I don't blame him for exploiting the situation. I blame the authorities who make the laws and train the officials for forcing the players to do that.

I'm quite happy to blame both the players that break the laws and the FA who don't enforce them because they're too busy making sure noone celebrates or has any fun.

I don't think the refs deserve any blame for it, they've always called decisions honestly as they saw them and never cheated.

[kit]

Having just seen the incident on sky sports I don't think there was any need to go down quite how he did, much the same as it looked at the game. The replay didn't really show Johnson diving so there is no chance of any reprimand.

I don't like to see players going down like that, and to be honest what their bloke did was stupid and is always going to get him sent off, I don't think Johnsons reaction 'helped' the referee in any way I think their bloke taking two swipes at the back of Johnsons head right in front of the ref did that for him.

I don't think Burley can really blame Johnson the way he seems to want to at the moment for their player geting sent off, he clearly hit Johnson on the back of the head unprovoked. A straight red in anyones book.

I think diving like that is pretty much the biggest blight on the game, in fairness to Johnson he doesn't usually go down like that from tackles etc and was probably a spur of the moment thing that hopefully he wont do again. I thought he had a decent game tonight and that was the only really downside. But their bloke was seeing red regardless.

[Redhyde]

Why?

Turning in at the scrum, going down feigning injuries at the end of games... Tripping from Moody int he final. Gamesmanship like that must make you sick.

How much gamesmanship would make you stop supporting a team? Or stop following a sport?

[Nibor]

Turning in at the scrum, going down feigning injuries at the end of games... Tripping from Moody int he final. Gamesmanship like that must make you sick.

If I understood it it would, I don't give a shit about rugby really though.

How much gamesmanship would make you stop supporting a team? Or stop following a sport?

I'm starting to get very sick of the Premiership and International football.

I haven't enjoyed watching an Italian game for at least a decade.

[Guest Mre]

a push acording to the bcfc website

[Guest Dolman_Dave]

I've seen it a few times on Sky Sports News now and whilst it was nothing like a Ricky Hatton punch, Safri makes a very deliberate gesture towards Johnson's head and could well have cracked him around the back of the head with his knuckles. Not saying that it warranted going down as he did though but it looked a harder hit close up on a replay from the other side of the pitch than it did from the back of the Dolman at the time.

LJ was going over to take the freekick and Safri starts on him. The ref to be fair was no more than 5 yards away and saw the entire incident, not hesitating at all to get his red card out, so you can hardly say that Johnson cheated to get the player sent off - his hands were raised and he was going to go anyway. It goes without saying that the ref had equally as good a view of Johnsons 'dive' and chose to take no action.

[bartolona]

So the question is how hard do you have to be hit on a football pitch before you go down?

[WarksRed]

just watched the sky highlights ..

and it looked like more than a pat on the head

[Guest mesa boogie]

It's another Gary Johnson "STAY DOWN" incident one suspects.

[Guest Gary the Dogs Johnsons]

It's another Gary Johnson "STAY DOWN" incident one suspects.

Did someone say something?

[Guest mesa boogie]

Did someone say something?

The Yeovil 2-2 it's a famous quote down Whorefield way.

[Ian M]

Have you seen the Dida incident- he reminded me of that. Watch it and make your own mind up but if any one of our players does that they will get the same stick.

It wasn't a slight exaggeration though.

I wouldn't be best pleasing if we were diving to in penatlies, no. I think the Dida incident is an excellent comparison as it goes. Both tapped- both went down like girls.

It isn't an LJ witch hunt- if any of our players went down like that I would be the same.

Saying it was like the Dida incident is like saying Byfield's goal was a bit like Sproule's.

Dida saw the hand coming and waited an eternity before going down and rolling around before having to be stretchered off after a little tap from an open hand.

Johnson was hit from behind so the surprise element comes into play (ever banged your head by surprise only to realise afterwards it didn't really hurt that much?). He also went down far sooner and got up pretty much immediately by comparison and under his own steam.

Still, any excuse for the chance to slag off a City player eh?

I even saw one poster earlier "justifying" his "slagging off" of Trundle because Lee had admitted he didn't hit the ground running. I hope that poster felt great satisfaction in the vindication of his slating of one of his own.

Edit: ....and as Sky Sports News conveniently just reshowed the red card incident. Safri sees the ref is talking to their number 7 on the way over and he is stood partially behind him so decides to try and get away with hitting Johnson after he has passed with a closed fist. Within 1 second Johnson is going down. Within 4 seconds of going down Johnson is getting to his feet. Yeah, so Dida-like.

Unfortunately for Safri, his own "gamesmanship" is foiled as the ref sees the hit over the number 7's right shoulder and pulls out the red.

I think it's absolutely scandalous that Safri tried to get away with a cowardly hit from behind on one of our players and hope that the appeals board extends his ban as is their wont.

Watch it again.

[screech]

Saying it was like the Dida incident is like saying Byfield's goal was a bit like Sproule's.

Dida saw the hand coming and waited an eternity before going down and rolling around before having to be stretchered off after a little tap from an open hand.

Johnson was hit from behind so the surprise element comes into play (ever banged your head by surprise only to realise afterwards it didn't really hurt that much?). He also went down far sooner and got up pretty much immediately by comparison and under his own steam.

Still, any excuse for the chance to slag off a City player eh?

I even saw one poster earlier "justifying" his "slagging off" of Trundle because Lee had admitted he didn't hit the ground running. I hope that poster felt great satisfaction in the vindication of his slating of one of his own.

Edit: ....and as Sky Sports News conveniently just reshowed the red card incident. Safri sees the ref is talking to their number 7 on the way over and he is stood partially behind him so decides to try and get away with hitting Johnson after he has passed with a closed fist. Within 1 second Johnson is going down. Within 4 seconds of going down Johnson is getting to his feet. Yeah, so Dida-like.

Unfortunately for Safri, his own "gamesmanship" is foiled as the ref sees the hit over the number 7's right shoulder and pulls out the red.

I think it's absolutely scandalous that Safri tried to get away with a cowardly hit from behind on one of our players and hope that the appeals board extends his ban as is their wont.

Watch it again.

Too right Madger, for me it's not the force which floors Johnson it's the surprise of being hit from behind, he gets up immediately to his credit, the bloke deserved to be sent off, hes an idiot because his team was flying and that may have costs his side a point.

[Markman]

Saying it was like the Dida incident is like saying Byfield's goal was a bit like Sproule's.

Dida saw the hand coming and waited an eternity before going down and rolling around before having to be stretchered off after a little tap from an open hand.

Johnson was hit from behind so the surprise element comes into play (ever banged your head by surprise only to realise afterwards it didn't really hurt that much?). He also went down far sooner and got up pretty much immediately by comparison and under his own steam.

Still, any excuse for the chance to slag off a City player eh?

I even saw one poster earlier "justifying" his "slagging off" of Trundle because Lee had admitted he didn't hit the ground running. I hope that poster felt great satisfaction in the vindication of his slating of one of his own.

Edit: ....and as Sky Sports News conveniently just reshowed the red card incident. Safri sees the ref is talking to their number 7 on the way over and he is stood partially behind him so decides to try and get away with hitting Johnson after he has passed with a closed fist. Within 1 second Johnson is going down. Within 4 seconds of going down Johnson is getting to his feet. Yeah, so Dida-like.

Unfortunately for Safri, his own "gamesmanship" is foiled as the ref sees the hit over the number 7's right shoulder and pulls out the red.

I think it's absolutely scandalous that Safri tried to get away with a cowardly hit from behind on one of our players and hope that the appeals board extends his ban as is their wont.

Watch it again

-------------

You don't need to watch it again - like 10000 others it was 5 yards in front of me. It was a tap and the reason Lee jumped up so quickly was becasue he realised what a berk he had been collapsing in the first place - it was embarrasment that made him jump up - so credit in a way for that but it was still ridiculous and we should not defend the actions just because it is a City Player. I see this morning GJ defends Lee - so that will probably be it - but he was an idiot to react like that though truth said as a City fan it killed the game and I did guiltily laugh when it happened - to my shame!

[dazza247]

Seems some people are looking for any excuse to criticise Lee Johnson! Ridiculous...just got up and thought I'd read lots of positive comments about how great City were last night to grind out a 2-1 win over a much more established, wealthy, ex-premiership club and surprise surprise there is a whole thread slagging off Lee Johnson!! Now I'm not one to accuse anyone but if Lee Johnson got banned for supposed simulation or reprimanded by the club then such posters would be appeased right by Johnson being removed from the team for a few games?!

No I didn't go to the game and see the incident but will make my conclusion after watching it on the highlights rather than prejudging in haste immediately after the game. Granted those that were offended by it may have been right next to the incident but as our own manager wished to see it on tv first before making a conclusion surely we can pay one of our players similar respect?! If Marvin Elliot had done the same would there be a similar thread on otib.co.uk?!?!

It sounds like the player deserved to be sent off....excellent. IF he raised his hands that's a red card in this day and age. And listening to the commentary we were completely under the cosh up to this point and then this signalled the end of the game near enough. We won 2-1....fantastic! Let's praise the boys for holding on and criticise the Southampton player for hitting one of our own not the other way around! Why do we need a witch-hunt? 2nd in the Championship...our best season in my lifetime........let's cheer up and be happy and make the most of an absolutely amazing time to be a Bristol City fan and smile at our blue-and-white neighbours who are dead jealous right now and willing our run to end.

[gazareth]

It was a Red card because the rules say it is!

But the rules also state that simulation is a booking, and there is no way that the pat on the head would knock a grown man (Or Johnson) to the floor, so he should have been booked for his reaction!

Actually this is a myth that has been oddly perpetuated by the media and by ignorant pundits. There is NOTHING in the laws of the game stating that raising hands to an opponent is a red card offence. The red card offence is VIOLENT CONDUCT, and when you apply that context to a lot of these 'raised hands' incidents then the red cards start to look particularly harsh.

Johnson cheated, and I was quite frankly embarassed by it.

(I was looking the wrong way when it happened, but saw it on SSN shortly after 10 and there is no doubt that it was simulation)

[giles_23_bcfc]

I saw it again, properly on sky sports news when i got home. Never in a million years should he have been sent off! He barely touched Johnson. I hope he watches that back and is ashamed of how easily he went down and how easily he conned the referee.

[Belfastcityfan]

I thought it was pathetic, Johnson should have walked for that, there is nothing worse than seeing someone getting a fellow pro sent off. He must be so embarressed when he sees that !?

He had a good 1st half tonight but showed what a horrible little #### he can be.

I can remeber the friendly when he raked his studs down that yeovil players leg, no need, he suffers from small bloke syndrome !

On the game, what a cracking display in the 1st half and a goal of pure class from ivan, just seen it again on sky ports news

2nd half was a little one sided !!! - but fair play, we held on

Carey and Nobes were missed, hope they will be ok on saturday, although i hear louis has broken his nose ?

Then the guy shouldn't have raised his hand then! If he was stupid enough to do it in the first place more the fool him! These incidents even themselves out over the season.

Its not because he is the managers son is it??? If Elliot, Trundle or Carey had of did it, would you be saying the same thing....nope!

Don't get me wrong, I'm am against all forms of cheating in football but it jus seems like another oportunity to get at LJ

[zookeeper]

Bloody hell.

What a bunch of nice sporting people we are who have never done anything on the spur of the moment that wasn't the right thing to do!!!

Theres a big difference between barely touching and not touching and there is a hell of a difference from knowing something is happening and being caught unawares.

Stop the witch hunt and enjoy the victory.

[giles_23_bcfc]

I thought it was pathetic, Johnson should have walked for that, there is nothing worse than seeing someone getting a fellow pro sent off. He must be so embarressed when he sees that !?

He had a good 1st half tonight but showed what a horrible little #### he can be.

I can remeber the friendly when he raked his studs down that yeovil players leg, no need, he suffers from small bloke syndrome !

**** me! This takes the whole "LJ only plays cos he's the manager's son" BS to a whole new level! LJ had one of, if not his best game of the season tonight, 1st half especially, and you bring up something that happened in JULY in a FRIENDLY! OK, he did over react and went down like he'd been shot which he shouldnt have done and i don't condone that.

But calling him a "horrible little ####"?!!! I think we all know that that word is supposed to be! There is absolutely no need to call a player who gives his all for this club that sort of abuse! And, quite frankly i think that your are a complete #### for the comments you made! Did you not see Jamie McCombe last night?!

"he suffers from small bloke syndrome" so he isnt the biggest of players. So what. Its not exactly his fault he's vertically challenged. Stop following everyone else like mindless sheep in criticising LJ. What are you going to say if he plays a blinder saturday but acidentally slips over as the ball is coming to him, and that leads to a stoke goal when we are already 3-0 up?! I can almost see it now.

[samo]

Um... wasn't at the game but have now caught the 'offence' on Sky Sports news a few times and all I can say to those 'holier than thou' individuals crucifying Johnson on here is to get a grip. Dida incident; are you TRYING to be labled Johnson haters?

It might not be the 1930 ideal of sportsman-like values to fall over when struck, but if Safri is going to hit LJ round the head about 5 yards from the ref I don't really think what Johnson does is important.

And as for this "getting a 'fellow pro' sent off" gubbins, maybe Safri should have shown him the same level of respect and not smacked him round the head. He got hi just deserts for letting his temper get the better of him. 'Fellow pro' my behind.

[Seend Red]

Whats all the fuss about? Everyone knows you don't raise your hands in football, to strike a player on the head is a red card offence, of course Johnson made the most of it and made himself look like a plum by diving to the floor but don't they all.

[Belfastcityfan]

Um... wasn't at the game but have now caught the 'offence' on Sky Sports news a few times and all I can say to those 'holier than thou' individuals crucifying Johnson on here is to get a grip. Dida incident; are you TRYING to be labled Johnson haters?

It might not be the 1930 ideal of sportsman-like values to fall over when struck, but if Safri is going to hit LJ round the head about 5 yards from the ref I don't really think what Johnson does is important.

And as for this "getting a 'fellow pro' sent off" gubbins, maybe Safri should have shown him the same level of respect and not smacked him round the head. He got hi just deserts for letting his temper get the better of him. 'Fellow pro' my behind.

Safri goes for the smallest man on the pitch.....way to go toughguy!

[Tunley Legend]

I'm not a "Lee Johnson Hater". I thought he was having a good game until Noble got taken off (no coincidence in my opinion). However, we pay our money to go to football therefore we are all entitled to our opinion. My opinion is that I will not enjoy watching City as much if we start making a meal of challenges to win penalties and get players sent off. There are people on here who criticise "Johnny Foreigner" for doing it as cheating, diving scum yet when Lee Johnson makes an ar$e of himself that is perfectly acceptable - hypocritical bull$h1t is what that is. The line between professionalism and cheating had been broken in my opinion. People say if "Marvin had done it you wouldn't be criticising" - the massive difference is that the likes of Elliott and Carey wouldn't do it in the first place.

Johnson needs to be given a talking to and told that the way he theatrically went to ground last night is unacceptable - nothing more, nothing less. I really enjoyed the game last night but I cannot say that I enjoyed that particular incident and I and many others, looking at the majority of posts, would be a lot happier if we do not see a repeat.