Birmingham City boss plans to appeal Craig Gardner sending off

Birmingham City manager Garry Monk has admitted that the club could appeal the red card given to Craig Gardner during the recent 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough. Gardner was sent off during the 83rd minute of the game after a lunge on Jonny Howson but Monk believes there was not much malice involved in the challenge.

Speaking to reporters, he said: “For me it wasn’t, I looked straight at it so I had the front on view. There was no malice, it wasn’t done dangerously. The ref was the other side, he’s from the back of it so he’s given it. We will have to have a good look at that.We will consider an appeal. He was making an honest attempt to go for the ball. From my point of view it wasn’t a red card.”

Birmingham have endured another difficult start to the campaign and they find themselves with just one point after two games into the season. As a result, the west Midlands outfit could witness themselves in a relegation tussle sooner rather than later and this could potentially put Monk’s job on the line.

The Black Country outfit were the joint-lowest scorers during the previous campaign with just 38 goals in the Championship and this is one department which Monk may need to improve to help the side stay clear of the drop. Birmingham’s immediate focus will now lie on the first round League Cup game against Reading on Tuesday and Monk may take the opportunity to test the bench strength.

Thereafter, the Blues are expected to host Swansea City in the Championship and the game promises to be another tough one for Monk’s men. The Swans are loaded with players, who have vast experience playing in the top-flight and the Blues may possibly have to wait longer for their maiden league win of the campaign.