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Brentford’S Jake Bidwell claims his side yet again got a rough deal from a referee in a match against a high-profile Championship club.
Referee Tim Robinson was caught in the middle of a row at Griffin Park after he waved away penalty appeals from the hosts, only for title-favourites Norwich to break away and make it 2-0 in the 75th minute.
While Brentford have enjoyed a successful start to life in the second tier, Bidwell believes results would be even better if more decisions had swung in their favour.
“The penalty should have been given at 1-0 and that was a turning point,” said the defender. “They hit us on the counter attack and the score ended up 3-0. On paper it looks like a bit of a hiding, but anyone at the game will know that’s not the case.
“I saw Alex Pritchard go about five feet up in the air [after a challenge inside the area from Jos Hooiveld], so it that’s not a penalty then I don’t know what is. The opposition on Saturday [Brighton] should have had a sending off as well. The same thing happens to us the week before and Tony Craig gets sent off.
“Maybe we’re seen as Brentford and we don’t get the respect that we should. It certainly feels that way at the moment.”
Norwich managed to hold onto players such as John Ruddy and Nathan Redmond after their relegation from the Premier League in May.
Yet the hosts enjoyed greater possession and more shots on goal, although they were undone by second-half goals from Alexander Tettey and Cameron Jerome (two).
“We’ve not been played off the park by anyone in this League,” said Bidwell. “Norwich have come here probably as favourites to win the League and I think we’ve controlled the game in long spells. If we can compete with them, we can compete with anyone.”
Brentford manager Mark Warburton echoed Bidwell’s feelings. He said: “There seems to be a pattern and I’m very disappointed that incident changed the entire match. There have been 10 in the first five games.
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“If it’s not a penalty, then book our player. If one of our players dives I’ll be all over them like a rash. It was a shocking decision and 30 seconds later we were 2-0 down.
“I don’t want us to be the small guest at the party. There are some good players here and the club are moving in the right direction. The players will be keen to correct an injustice.”
