Millwall hang on as Vialli sees red

13 April 2012

It's just a hunch. Call it instinct, sixth sense, intuition, whatever, but following Millwall's hair's breadth victory over nine-man Watford at The Den there was only the teeniest hint that Gianluca Vialli will not be sending referee Rob Styles a congratulatory bouquet on his performance.

After seeing two of his men sent off and three others booked by the former Premiership referee - busy Mr Styles also noted two Millwall names for good measure - on the final whistle Vialli advanced halfway across the pitch towards the officials with the clear intent of delivering his views at first hand. He later denied that but there was no one else left on the pitch except the men in black when a steward barred Vialli's way and steered him towards the tunnel.

But the Watford manager was determined to have his say. The more furious he is, the more elegant his speech becomes. By the time he faced the press, Vialli was pathologically elegant.

"This referee has sent off five of our players in three games," the Italian fumed quietly. "There is something wrong with that. We are not a dirty side.

"When Premiership referees step down one division they don't take it particularly seriously and they end up having abysmal performances. In this game, the referee was by far the worst player on the pitch."

Cleverly, Vialli all but praised the referee for spotting the first red card offence on the half-hour - handball in the area against Stephen Glass, resulting in a penalty which the veteran Steve Claridge confidently converted for his 14th goal of the season. But when Heidar Helguson was given a straight red for a late tackle on Ryan Green in time added on, Vialli also saw red.

"We've had several referees come to Vicarage Road who used to be in the Premiership," he said witheringly. "They've never done their job particularly well. They have to learn that they need to be on their toes and concentrate or they will make mistakes.

"This referee made a lot of mistakes. The second sending off was a joke. Helguson went for the tackle and might have touched Green but only very gently. I'm sure I'm right. We will use the videotape to appeal the red card.

"No, I didn't want to speak to the referee after the match. I spent a few seconds on the pitch because I was upset."

Styles may no longer oversee matches in the top flight but the readiness with which he waved red and yellow cards was grimly up to Premiership averages. In the three minutes of time added on he dismissed one player and booked two more, in three unrelated incidents.

And while Vialli agreed afterwards that there was no doubt Glass handled the ball, one replay appeared to show Watford goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain making a legitimate save instead.

Mark McGhee did not contribute to the debate on the referee's performance. The Millwall manager was too busy gasping with relief that his side had somehow hung on to their lead.

Victory propelled the Lions into second place, their highest League position in six years, and left them unbeaten in their last eight games. The Premiership is looking a real possibility.

Yet with a crunch visit to classy First Division leaders Manchester City looming, McGhee appeared bemused by victory rather than elated.

His side dominated possession in the first half - Chamberlain's left post lost coat of paint after coat of paint. It was extraordinary that the home side required a penalty to introduce ball to net. At half time, it seemed Watford would do well to concede fewer than three, a mere two weeks after the Lions mauled them 4-1 at Vicarage Road.

Instead, Watford found their appetite for the fight. Jermaine Pennant, on short-term loan from Arsenal, looked especially dangerous. But the Hornets lacked the finishing sting and Millwall held on. No one was more amazed than the manager.

"We're not convincing in this position," McGhee reasoned. "Manchester City are convincing. But we've scrapped our way to where we are. We've got another 17 games, and if we keep expending energy at this rate we're going to blow a gasket. Our play has to get better to give us a chance.

"I suspect it suddenly dawned on the players during this game where the win would leave us. I sensed it even at half time that they wanted the game over with then. I'll have to speak to them."

Other factors may yet play a part in Millwall's ultimate points tally, according to the match programme.

McGhee, chairman Theo Paphitis and captain Stuart Nethercott all put their names to a scathing condemnation of the notorious meat pie chucker at last Thursday's home draw with Birmingham. Possible sanctions pending a Football Association inquiry could include points deduction, which could jeopardise promotion.

But McGhee is right. Millwall got away with it against Watford. There are 17 games to go, and that is a long time to stay on the run.

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Millwall v Watford - match stats

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Millwall hang on as Vialli sees red

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