GARY Rowett is unsure whether Oxford United will appeal the red card shown to Tyler Goodrham in the Emirates FA Cup third round defeat at Exeter City.
Goodrham was shown a straight red card with nine minutes to go at St James Park, after he lashed out with his arm at Jake Richards when the Grecians midfielder pulled on Goodrham’s shirt.
The sending off came with United already 3-1 down, but ultimately ended any fading hope of a U’s fightback.
More importantly, it means Goodrham is set to face a three-game ban in Sky Bet Championship, potentially ruling him out against Plymouth Argyle, Blackburn Rovers and Luton Town.
United head coach Rowett said: “I’ve seen it back a number of times. The lad’s pulled Tyler and he’s sustained that pull for three or four seconds.
“Tyler has swung his left arm to try and free himself. I think by the letter of the law, the fact he connects with the player’s face, I can understand why the referee has given him a red card.
“I think it was borderline. I think the reaction probably from their bench didn’t really help, but I understand it, and they’re protecting their own player.
“I think there was one afterwards where Jordan Thorniley made a really good tackle, and they were claiming for a penalty on that one as well.
“I don’t want to take anything away from their performance. I’m disappointed to lose Tyler. He’s not a malicious player, I don’t think it was a malicious act, he hasn’t swung an elbow, but the fact he’s put his arm back and caught him in the face, I can understand it.
“Ten years ago, it probably wouldn’t have been any more than a talking to, but that’s the game now.”
Asked whether the U’s might appeal the sending off, Rowett responded: “I don’t know. I asked the referee afterward, but he seemed pretty sure. I’m pretty sure his report isn’t going to give us a lot of leeway judging by the way that he spoke afterward.
“I’d have to look at it again closely. He shouldn’t have done it. If you throw your arm back and it does catch a player in the face, then it is deemed as reckless.
“I don’t think Tyler is a malicious player and I don’t think there was an awful lot of force in it, but I do understand it.”