Decision time over Simpson

Robbie Simpson goes in on the Yeovil ’keeper

ATHLETIC had until lunchtime today to decide whether to appeal the red card issued to Robbie Simpson during the heavy defeat at Yeovil.

The striker was sent off by referee Philip Gibbs for a tackle on Glovers goalkeeper Marek Stech eight minutes from the end of Saturday’s 4-1 loss at Huish Park.

While the player’s studs were showing, only one foot was off the ground and it appeared to be a legitimate attempt to make contact with the ball. A replay of the incident appears to show Simpson and Stech arriving at the ball at the same time.

It was the second of two very similar incidents in the game involving the duo, the first of which was not even deemed a foul by Gibbs.

A three-game ban looms for Simpson if Athletic decided not to appeal the dismissal by 1pm today. And if an appeal is lodged but is unsuccessful, the suspension could even be extended by the FA.

“We will have to have a proper look at it,” said manager Paul Dickov. “But I think there may be a case for it (an appeal), especially as he (Gibbs) let the first one go.

“With him allowing the first one, it gives Robbie the right to go for the second one.

“If he pulls Robbie up for the first one, the second one doesn’t happen.

“He (Gibbs) said it was because Robbie raised his foot. But 10 minutes before that, their player jumped in with two feet on Reece Wabara and a yellow card was given.”

If Simpson’s three-game ban stands, it means Athletic will be down to only three strikers for the upcoming home games against Doncaster on Boxing Day and Crewe on Saturday.

With Matt Derbyshire back at Nottingham Forest, Matt Smith started at Huish Park and Dickov praised the efforts of the tall striker.

“Matt did well and caused them all sorts of problems,” said Dickov. “He was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions as well.

“He will be better for the 90 minutes he had in him.”

Teenage forward Dan Taylor, in scoring form for the reserves but without a first-team appearance since August, and Jose Baxter are Athletic’s only other forward options before the transfer window opens at the start of the New Year.

Dickov has two players treading a suspension tightrope over the course of the next two games. Lee Croft and Jean-Yves Mvoto are both a yellow card away from a one-match ban, before the cut-off point is reached at the start of 2013.