Discipline costing us, says Corney

SIMON CORNEY: “all three red cards totally avoidable.”

AN AWFUL disciplinary record is wrecking Athletic’s prospects this season, chairman Simon Corney says.

Goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis became the third player to incur a three-game ban for violent conduct at Doncaster.

And with Cliff Byrne picking up a fifth booking of the season in the same game, he also misses what could be a season-defining FA Cup tie against Rovers at Boundary Park on Saturday.

Add those to the seven Athletic men who have already served suspensions this season and it is clear to Corney there is a costly problem.

“It is a complete and total lack of discipline,” the chairman said. “All three red cards came from heat of the moment incidents which are totally avoidable.

“To have had nine suspensions at this stage of the season is completely unheard of. I have never known anything like it.”

On Bouzanis, Corney is particularly disappointed given his excellent form this season.

“Dean has come into the team and has been outstanding,” he said.

“I am mystified and also sad as to why he did what he did. It defies belief. Alex Cisak is a very good young goalkeeper who will get his chance again now.

“The suspensions have been destabilising. Without them, where would we be now?”

On Cisak, who comes back into the starting line-up after being recalled to the club from Portsmouth yesterday, Corney laid to rest claims that his original departure to Fratton Park was prompted by a dispute.

“There is no contract dispute, no issue over number of games or anything,” he said. “It is sad that rubbish like this spreads as it does.”