Lawrence Reaction Following Royal Show

Appealing?
By Chris O'Brien
November 14 2004

Lennie Lawrence has announced that Cardiff City may appeal against Graham Kavanagh's 56th minute sent-off during the 2-1 defeat at Reading. The Bluebirds boss went on to criticise his defence for two mistakes that led to the Royals' goals.

Lennie Lawrence is insisting that the Bluebirds may launch an appeal against the red card handed to skipper Graham Kavanagh for his second-half stamp on Reading's Steve Sidwell. There is little doubt in my mind that the Irishman had to go, but with a three game suspension looming for Kavanagh, City will try and make a case for his innocence.

The Cardiff manager, once again under pressure following this 2-1 defeat at the Madjeski Stadium, is disappointed with the defensive errors that led to the two Royals goal, leaving City with a mountain to climb in the second-half. However, Lawrence is pleased with his side's never-say-die attitude where they fought back through Cameron Jerome despite the loss of Kavanagh after 56 minutes.

"Graham is protesting his innocence and I will need to look at the video on Monday before I decide what to do." confirmed Lawrence.

"I spoke to the referee and he is open-minded about it. He said that if I think he made a mistake then he's willing to consider it.

"I am more concerned about the two blunders that led to Reading's goals, but at least I can take something from our second-half performance - I was furious last week when we gave away a two-goal lead at Rotherham, but I feel better about this."

The defeat in Berkshire ends a run of 7 Football League games without a loss, and following the mid-week League Cup exit this is back-to-back reverses for Cardiff. City slip to 20th, four points above the relegation zone, where Nottingham Forest, Gillingham and Rotherham United continue to really struggle.