WAYNE ROONEY fumed at the match officials after falling to his latest defeat as Birmingham City boss.
The former England and Manchester United captain has lost all three of his matches in charge of Blues since taking over from John Eustace.
Today they travelled to Southampton looking to grab Rooney’s first points at the helm.
They fell into a two-goal deficit in the opening 22 minutes courtesy of goals by Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Carlos Alcaraz.
At 2-0, Rooney was convinced his side should have had a penalty.
Krystian Bielik chipped a forward pass in the direction of forward Oliver Burke.
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After the Scotland international headed the ball on, he was wiped out by Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.
Referee David Webb waved away Birmingham’s appeals, much to the fury of Rooney.
Immediately after the incident Rooney could be seen venting his frustration towards the fourth official.
The 38-year-old threw on Jay Stansfield in the 57th minute, and the Fulham loanee finished smartly just a minute later to halve Blues’ arrears.
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It would be temporary respite, however, with Adam Armstrong’s 86th minute effort sealing victory for Russell Martin’s Saints.
After the game, Rooney fumed to the BBC: “The [lack of a] penalty is an absolute disgrace.
“I have no other words to use on that because everyone in the stadium can see the keeper’s running out, he’s reckless, and if he comes out that quick he has to get the ball. Ollie [Burke] flicks it on, and he wipes him out.
“I spoke to the fourth official and he said the referee was clear there was minimum contact and he was unwilling to take advice from his linesman or the fourth official.
“That’s a big disappointment because sometimes referees do need help and I’d like to know how he was so clear that wasn’t a penalty.”
It’s such a bad, bad decision
Mike Dean
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean agreed with Rooney’s assessment.
He said on Sky Sports: “It’s again, embarrassing to be fair. It’s just such a bad, bad decision.
“The Birmingham player has won the ball, the assistant’s got the best view… the keeper’s just smashed him in the back.”
Dean then added: “It’s not a hard decision. As much as I don’t like hammering and officials, it’s just such a poor decision.”
Rooney’s latest loss comes off the back of a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough and 2-0 home collapse against Hull.
The former Derby and DC United boss took over from Eustace with Blues sixth and having won two games on the bounce.
Three games later, the St Andrew’s side sit 14th in the table.
Next up, Birmingham host second-placed Ipswich Town.
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Earlier this week, Blues star Cody Drameh said of his side’s situation: “It’s going to take a little getting used to. It will take some time but we will get there.
“We just have to roll with it. Whoever comes in and works with us, we have to do the best we can and try to keep improving. And, with the players we’ve got, we can do that.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
