Newell: Football has gone soft

Luton boss Mike Newell was left furious despite watching his side earn a vital point.

Newell has accused English football of going soft after Town defender Sol Davis was sent-off for a reckless challenge on Mamady Sidibe.

"That challenge was as good a tackle as I have seen for a long while. He has gone through everything but he has definitely won the ball - we will appeal that one," said Newell. 

"10 or 15 years ago people would have laughed if you had got sent off for something like that, now you can get sent off if your shadow goes near someone.

"With the rules as they are you might as well take the tackling out of the game. That was a proper tackle and I won't have anyone telling me that was a sending off."

Stoke manager Tony Pulis was also left bewildered with the referee after his striker Ricardo Fuller was sent-off for reacting to a tangle with Davis with a petulant raised arm.

"I've not spoken to the referee but we're going to have a good look at the video to see if our lad had done anything wrong because he's distraught at what has happened," said Pulis

"If he has raised his arm then we are going to lose him for three or four games, which is a big shame, but if he hasn't we shall appeal the decision."