Sheridan slams striker
Reporter: Michael Yarwood
Date published: 13 August 2008
Photo: Tom Pickles
JOHN SHERIDAN: “Davies let himself and the team down.”
ATHLETIC boss John Sheridan branded Craig Davies an idiot last night after the striker was sent off against Rochdale.
Davies, last season’s top goalscorer, received a straight red card after appearing to head-butt an opponent and must serve an immediate three-match ban.
Athletic eventually won their Carling Cup tie on penalties and will go into the second-round draw when it takes place tonight.
But in addition to a suspension, Davies can expect a club fine and some strong words from his manager.
An angry Sheridan said: “Craig will be punished, definitely, and if he isn’t careful he is going to find himself out of the team for longer than his ban.
“It was a definite sending off. It was stupid and now he’s going to miss a big game at Leeds on Saturday, plus the ones after that.
“He acted like an idiot and deserved to go. He let himself and the team down and sometimes I wonder what goes through his mind.
“It was idiotic, but I wouldn’t say it causes a problem for me — I will just work without him for the next three weeks and I hope whoever steps into his shoes will play so well that I can’t leave them out.”
The return of Lee Hughes after injury and illness has given Sheridan a boost, while Chris O’Grady, Lewis Alessandra and Deane Smalley are other options to start up front at Leeds.
Athletic did not pick up any new concerns during their game at Rochdale, but two players failed fitness tests beforehand.
Defender Kelvin Lomax (dead leg) wasn’t risked, while midfield man Kevin Maher also sat out the tie after suffering a blow to the ribs in training.
Clubs can name seven substitutes in the Carling Cup, but Sheridan stuck with five as he felt there was little point involving other players.
Lomax and Maher are both hopeful of recovering before the weekend when Athletic look to build on their positive start to the season.
