Ince - Red card was harsh

Rovers boss believes Olsson red card was harsh

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 23rd November 2008

Paul Ince

Ince: Pleased with performance

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Blackburn manager Paul Ince believes that full-back Martin Olsson should not have been sent-off in Rovers' 1-0 defeat against Tottenham.

Olsson was ran ragged in the first half by Aaron Lennon and was booked for sliding in on the winger as he got to a loose ball first.

Then on 39 minutes Lennon again beat Olsson for pace and despite being on a yellow card, the 20-year-old decided to go to ground but got nowhere near the ball.

Despite what seemed a clear-cut decision to send the Swede off, Ince believes Olsson was unlucky to go.

He told Sky Sport News: "I've looked at the first one and it wasn't a booking. Martin has put his leg there and because of the speed of Lennon he's gone over on it, it wasn't a booking but the second one, yeah it is.

"I think it was youthfulness and exuberance, and being young and as I say the first one is not a booking anyway but once you've got that yellow card you have to be careful but he will learn. The lad is devastated but he will be fine."

Proud

Despite the handicap of going down to ten men Ince was proud of his players' performance.

He said: "I feel a bit sorry for my players I felt they were absolutely outstanding today.

"We've come out and created enough chances where we could have got something from the game.

"I always thought that we would get something from the game, obviously they are going to have chances because we are down to 10 men.

"The longer it was 1-0 I thought we were going to nick something but the way the lads played I was proud of them."

The defeat keeps Rovers in the drop zone, but Ince is confident his side can get out of trouble.

"We have just got to keep performing like this, people put too much emphasis on where we are at the moment.

"There are another 20-odd games to go, we're in good spirits, we put in a good performance against a very good Tottenham side with 10 men for most of the game. That has to stand us in good stead for the next upcoming games."