Warburton’s complaints ‘pointless’ – Adkins

Reading manager Nigel Adkins says Mark Warburton is wasting his time by complaining about referees..

Warburton has been critical of officials in recent weeks, including after penalty decisions against Norwich and Watford and Tony Craig’s red card at Birmingham.

The Brentford boss used his pre-match programme notes to bemoan the current post-match appeals process and outline his ideas for “clear improvements to be implemented”.

But Adkins, who has been a league manager for eight years, thinks Warburton is hypersensitive to these issues because it’s his first season in the Championship.

Adkins said: “It was interesting reading Mark’s comments before the game.

“He’s felt they haven’t been getting the decisions but we should have had three penalties the other night – so it’s across the board.

“I think he’s noticing it more as a new manager in this league. Having been a manager for a few years now you realise that that’s what it is. There’s no point complaining about a referee.

“It’s pointless talking about it, you have to concentrate on your own performance.”

Reading were beaten 3-1 at Griffin Park, with Jonathan Douglas’ late header ending a second-half fightback from the Royals.

Douglas climbed over a defender before heading home via the crossbar and Adkins suggested he may have fouled his marker in the build-up.

“Every game there’s something to question. Was it a foul or not? The referee hasn’t given it and that’s football,” Adkins said.

“You have to look at yourself and your team’s performance. If I’m going to analyse anything it’s the chances we missed.

“We were on the front foot and should have put them away.”

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