Walton says sorry

By Elvin King

SIMON Walton was today wondering if boss Jim Magilton will select him for Ipswich Town again.

The 19-year-old was sent off in the 58th minute for his second bookable offence as the Blues lost a game in stoppage time for the third successive away Championship game.

Magilton had no sympathy for the midfielder on loan from Charlton, who was first cautioned on the stroke of half-time for stupidly kicking the ball away.

His second yellow card was for a heavy challenge on Michael Johnson and Walton will be banned for the game at Cardiff on Saturday week. Walton, who now has eight yellows and one red this campaign, said: “The manager had his say after the game and I expected that.

“Whether he picks me again remains to be seen.

“I have apologised to everyone in the dressing room because with 11 players we would have won at least a point.

“It was a silly first booking and the second one I have seen worse challenges. But at the end of the day I have let everybody down.”

Walton was upset about the way Johnson reacted after his challenge and he says it was a victory for the cheating brigade.

“I am not accusing the Derby player of cheating, but he went down as though he had been shot after I actually did little more than clip him. He appeared to me to be trying to make it worse and influence the referee.

“We don't want cheats winning in football, but it happened again last night. When the same player tripped Alan Lee from behind after he had already been booked, Alan was quickly up on his feet and the referee took no action other than a free-kick.

“We have been shown too many yellow cards, but have been appointed some poor referees. We must stop conceding late goals and we have got to sort it out quickly."

Walton will be joined on the sidelines at Ninian Park by Lee after the striker collected his fifth yellow card of the campaign.