Vitor Matos says Marko Stamenic should not have been sent off in the Swans’ defeat at Birmingham.
The midfielder was shown a straight red card in the 26th minute for a challenge on Ethan Laird. The 10 men lost 2-1 at St Andrew’s to a late Jay Stansfield winner.
Matos said: “In my opinion, it’s not a red card. There’s no contact on the player; the contact is on the ball.”
‘It’s hard when the criteria is changing’
He said the challenge was bold, but no different to ones his own players have taken in recent games. “If we go back to the last games, I think we had a lot of bold challenges and ended up with injured players on us,” he said.
He added: “So, it’s hard when the criteria is changing.”
Matos said officials told him they had to judge the player’s intention, and added: “For me, it’s still an intention to go to the ball. Marko steps on the ball.”
‘That’s why I’m proud of my players’
The Swans started well, but Matos said they “suffered straight on” after the red card.
He praised his side for staying in the game, and said: “The effort, the personality, the mentality to still trying to win the game and trying to get something out of the game was there and that’s why I’m proud of my players.”
A switch to five at the back at half-time helped them control the width, which he said was how Birmingham had been hurting them, including for the opening goal.
Stewart backed after penalty miss
Ross Stewart had an early penalty saved before the red card. Matos said: “Penalties happen and the only one who misses the penalty is the one that takes.”
He praised the striker’s work against 10 men, and said: “I cannot ask for more from him.”
Franco to be assessed
Gonçalo Franco went off late in the game with what looked like a hamstring problem. Matos said: “He felt something, so we need to assess.”
‘We will bounce back’
Matos put the Swans’ record since the last international break at three wins and four defeats, and the defeat leaves them sixth.
He said: “Of course, we wanted to do much better. So, we will do much better, I have no doubt, after what I saw today.”
He had a message for supporters: “The fans and everyone just believe in these players, because we will bounce back as a group, we will bounce back as a club, and we will go back to our standards.”
The Swans are back after the break against fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday 21 November (3pm).
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