DG Glad Martin Was Sent Off

Dario has ripped into defender Carl Martin following his sending off against Grimsby last night.

But Dario is less annoyed about the sending off than he is about Martin’s desire to run with the ball.

Making only his fourth appearance since signing from non-league Wealdestone this season, Martin replaced the injured Matt Tootle just before half time. With the game poised at 2-2 upon Martin’s arrival, the Alex went on to re-take the lead in the 55th minute through an excellent Ashley Westwood goal.

After a good performance at left back the 23 year old’s night was ruined when referee Colin Webster harshly issued a straight red card for a 50-50 tackle by Martin. And if Martin thought his manager would jump to his defence – as 3,000 Alex fans did at the time – then he could think on.

Speaking post match Dario had no view on the actual sending off, saying he didn’t see the foul as he was too annoyed with Martin’s general play:

‘I am pleased with the players, but I’m annoyed with Carl Martin. I told him not to run with the ball, and he won’t play for us again until I can trust him to do what I’m telling him.

‘I told him to stop playing like Roy of the Rovers and I am glad he has got a ban because it will save me having to drop him. If he ignores me again that will be his career over here as he could have cost us the game.’

Dario has a right to be annoyed but his reaction is hardly in proportion with the ‘crime’. Over the top to say the least and it’s something that could have been kept behind closed doors.

Luckily for Martin, Donaldson did wrap things up, 4-2, in the 91st minute with a solo goal. However, it was never going to be Martin’s sending off or running with the ball that would have cost us the game, that was always going to be the defence, who let in two sloppy goals from just about Grimsby’s only ventures into the penalty area.

Funny how the poor defending gets shrugged off though isn’t it?