Walton Punished for Stupidity
It looks like
Simon Walton will be getting more than just a few days off this Christmas, with Paul Sturrock deciding to transfer list the former Leeds man after his red card at Oakwell on Saturday.
Walton was seen to throw a kick at Anderson de Silva after the Brazilian had won a perfectly good tackle in the first half on Saturday. What the Argyle record signing was thinking is a mystery to all, as it was in right in front of the nose of referee Dean Whitestone and he wasted no time in producing a straight red card.
Plymouth boss Sturrock thought that Walton's stupidity had cost his side the game and couldn't hide his frustration in an interview with his club's Official Website:
"I have had a discussion with Simon today and I have made it very plain to him how disappointed I was about the whole scenario.
"I had emphasised it to him, after watching video evidence from the last couple of games where there were certain incidents that could have turned into what happened on Saturday.
"He took no heed of that and, after careful consideration, I have decided to put him on the transfer list, and I have fined him two weeks' wages.
"There were several incidences in several games where he has been very close to tempting [the referee]. After taking the time to show him bits and pieces, and reiterate my thoughts on it, for it not to happen, I cannot accept.
"He has let all the players down, which is more important than anything else and I feel this is an appropriate course of action."
It's not the first time Walton has shown an aggressive side at Oakwell and many fans weren't surprised when they realized who in fact had been giving his marching orders on Saturday. In various instances over the years he's been seen to lunge in and after showing early promise at Leeds as a youngster, it looks as though his career is frittering away down the pan.
However, that being said the decision undoubtedly helped us. Although the team have come in for some criticism for not killing the game off earlier under the circumstances, a win is a win and a 2-0 victory is nothing to be sniffed at for a team like us. I suppose we should be thanking Mr Walton, who made our job much, much easier.
