IPSWICH Town skipper Jason De Vos had praise for under-fire referee Jon Moss and his assistants following the Blues' 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle at Portman Road on Saturday.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town skipper Jason De Vos had praise for under-fire referee Jon Moss and his assistants following the Blues' 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle at Portman Road on Saturday.

“Overall they had an excellent match,” said the central defender.

“Match officials do not get the praise they deserve.

“When Sylvan Ebanks-Blake netted he definitely handled when he took the ball off me, stretching to make contact.

“And it was also a correct decision when Matthias Doumbe was sent off inside the first minute.

“It is never nice to see a red card produced, but a foul was committed and the Plymouth defender was the last man.

“Credit must be given to Jon Walters for getting across his marker and by the letter of the law a red card had to be shown.

“It was a pleasing three points with three goals and a clean sheet. We did not play particularly well, but it is never easy against ten men.”

Matthias Doumbe pleaded his innocence saying he made a legal shoulder-to-shoulder challenge on Walters.

The French defender said: “My opponent went down and when I looked back the referee was making a clear sign that it was nothing.

“Even when I saw him going to talk to the linesman I did not bother. I just thought it was obvious what had happened - we were shoulder-to-shoulder - and I could not believe the red card.

“I don't know what the linesman could see from his angle. The referee was in a perfect position to see there was nothing to it.

“I wouldn't say he had a nightmare but he got two key decisions wrong and cost us the game.

“I watched the second half and if it had been 11 against 11 I think we could have won easily.”

Fabian Wilnis likened the match to the England versus Andorra international last week.

“It was mostly one-way traffic,” said Wilnis. “And it was not the best game ever played.

“The referee was right to show a red card, but it is a stupid rule.”

Debut-making Ian Miller said: “Even though I was only on for 16 minutes it seemed like an hour.

“It was a big step up from League Two - and from the Ridgeons League last season.

“Jason De Vos was great. He helped me settle in and the supporters were fantastic. They gave me a great ovation and that gave me a real lift.

“I used to watch Colchester United at Layer Road as a youngster, and I am happy to go back to Ram Meadow, Bury St Edmunds and sell raffle tickets as I am not 'a big time Charley' yet.

“I am playing for a contract and am confident I have what it takes to make the grade.”