Billy Dodds has suggested that Brendan Rodgers was trying to influence the SFA over the length of Andrew Davies’s ban.
The Ross County captain was sent off after a terrible challenge on Broony in the 3-0 win at the weekend, but the former Aberdeen and Rangers striker was quoted by the Daily Record as saying:
‘Some of the stuff from Brendan Rodgers after the game was uncalled for. He mentioned how Jozo Simunovic got a two-game ban for his elbow in the Rangers game, and suggested Davies` punishment should be worse. For me, he was trying to influence the disciplinary department with his comments, and that didn`t sit well with me. The SFA panel is a joke anyway with what goes on.’
Fans on Twitter were not having the ex County assistant manager’s comments:
He`s a nobody that got sacked by Ross County last September!
? john black (@oilworker1973) 3 April 2018
Brown’s tackle was daft, but you can’t compare the two tackles at all. Also glossing over the fact that Brown’s tackle came about a minute after a County player clearly cheated (and was later punished) to win a penalty.
? Paul (@1p9a8u6l) 3 April 2018
So does Billy Dodds reckon the tackle on Scott Brown is acceptable
? Paul (@Paulpatric) 3 April 2018
Who cares what Billy Dodds says he’s a bitter wee man if he couldn’t condemn that tackle he should never be around as a pundit or a manager
? Isobel Karen Cross (@isobel_karen) 3 April 2018
Billy Dodds: ‘For me, he (Rodgers) was trying to influence the disciplinary department with his comments, and that didn’t sit well with me.’
Steve Conroy (Ex-Referee): ‘It’s one of the worst I’ve seen. He had no intention of going for the ball. I think it merits more than two.’
? Andrew (@_AndrewAngus) 2 April 2018
Dodds is so far odd the mark.His reference to the other game is bonkers.
? spamfritters (@geojoedwards) 3 April 2018
“Dodds – a respected pundit” is my favourite bit.
? John Maclean (@maccathebolt) 3 April 2018
‘Respected pundit`
? Michael Parker (@micha678) 3 April 2018
Verdict:
This all comes down to how we see the game in this country progressing in the future. The type of challenge made by Davies should be discouraged at all costs. Brendan was right to say that an elbow from Jozo should not be compared to reckless tackles like the one we saw on Saturday.
To stamp out such challenges, you have to send out a signal by banning the player for a longer period of time. Otherwise, we will continue see such tackles in the Premiership. Discouraging such aggression through longer bans is the only course of action. Whether it will happen in the future, I have my doubts.