The FA announced today that City defender Lewis Montsma has been handed a three-match ban for violent conduct during Lincoln City vs Bristol Rovers on Saturday, 11th February.
The ban seems to have been instigated by our favourite friend Joey Barton after he complained about the officiating on Twitter earlier in the week and included video footage of Montsma putting his elbow up in the net. I think Joey does have a case, but I also think this is something that might not get initially picked up by the FA if they didn’t have an opposition manager posting it all over Twitter and arguing with opposition fans. Once it was online and Barton had sent the footage in, the FA had to make the right decision and give him a ban. I’m not saying I blame Barton because he has every right to report it, but I think he has certainly played his part in the ban.
That being said though, after seeing the evidence we can’t complain at the decision at all, Lewis has raised an arm and that is violent conduct so therefore is punishable with a three match ban. We saw Dafo Afoloyan do a similar thing, albeit much worse but the intent was the same so it’s understandable to see why Lewis has been given the ban, but it’s perfectly fair to say Barton has had his influence on this as he probably should. If the boot was on the other foot, we’d be condemning it, so I think we just need to accept this one and concentrate on tomorrow.
It’s no secret that Lewis has been a strong member of our defence since returning from injury but we are well covered in that area, with TJ Eyoma ready to come back into the fold and take his place on the right hand side of defence or even Joe Walsh, if he is fit to play. It is a set back but one we’ve got to live with, so let’s get really behind the lads now and push them to a win tomorrow.