Brentford boss Dean Smith has accused former colleague Gary Hooper of 'going down easily' when Yoann Barbet got sent off at Sheffield Wednesday yesterday.
Hooper, who had a three-month loan spell with Leyton Orient when Smith was assistant manager there nine years ago, went sprawling in the area just five minutes into the game at Hillsborough.
There seemed to be minimal contact from Barbet, but the defender was shown a straight red and Brentford, who had started the game on top, struggled with 10 men and went down 4-0.
But while Smith was not happy with Hooper, he saved his main ire for referee Scott Duncan, who was poorly positioned to make such a big call.
He said: “The result is a consequence of something we've got no control over. I've just been in to see the referee and told him my point of view. For me, I don't think he can actually make the decision. For me, the position he's in, he's guessed.
“As far as I'm aware, I don't know any referees who can see through bodies. He's directly behind him 40 yards away, just broken into our half, and the incident happens on the edge of our box. I told him if you spoke to your linesman and he's given it then that's fully acceptable, but you can't make that decision, and I think it was a poor decision.
“It's very tough to get it overturned. It has to be an obvious error from the referee, and whether it's an obvious error or not, we're not sure. I just don't believe he can make that decision from where he is.
“I don't think Gary Hooper has the ball under control, and by the time he hits the ground the ball's in my goalkeeper's arms. He's had a big touch, probably felt the presence behind him and gone down easily.
“We'd take it more plausibly if the linesman had said it was a red card, because I think it's impossible for the referee to give it.”
For all that, Brentford were architects of their own downfall with some awful defending, especially for Wednesday's second and third goals.
Smith added: “We were probably a bit unfortunate with the first goal, the cross is deflected over Harlee's head, but the goals after that were pretty much inexcusable.
“From our point of view they were very poor goals to give away. It's something we have to work on as the manner in which we're conceding goals at the moment is not good enough.”
