LONDON // The Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is likely to hear from the Football Association over the coming days after his scathing comments about the referee Steve Tanner. A furious Redknapp laid into the East Sussex official after his 10-man side's late 2-0 defeat at West Brom, their fourth successive Premier League match without a win. The Spurs boss felt Roman Bednar's 83rd-minute headed opener should have been disallowed for a push on Michael Dawson by the striker. Craig Beattie added the second in injury time.
He was also incensed some of the treatment received by Darren Bent did not warrant greater punishment and he laid the blame firmly at Tanner's door. "I couldn't even put into words what I thought of his performance," said Redknapp. "When I walked into the referees' room before the game and saw who was in charge of the game I knew what was coming. "I expected that [performance] and it didn't surprise me at all. I've had him many times before and I know what he is like ? he really isn't good enough. "He is just a poor referee, unfortunately, and I've seen him make a mess of so many games before. "I saw him when I was in the Championship and I thought to myself then 'Where has he come from?'. "I never walk in after games and complain about a referee but this guy is scary. "What can you do? Someone thinks he is good enough but he is definitely not."
Oddly, Redknapp thought the referee was right to dismiss Benoit Assou-Ekotto for an over-the-top tackle on Gianni Zuiverloon in the 35th minute. "I thought it was a sending off. I thought he turned his back, he put his foot in and I could see why he sent him off," he added. The West Brom manager Tony Mowbray was, understandably, reluctant to criticise the official after his side's victory. "I have no comment on the referee. Some games as a coach you sit there and have thoughts but I've not been as brave as Harry and said anything," he said. "We agree with some decisions, we don't agree with others. Some of them are crucial decisions and some are niggly little fouls. "The bottom line is you hope to get the big ones right. I was very surprised when a red card was given but the referee saw it was and you have to live with that. "But if I thought there was a push [on Dawson] I would be sitting here saying I thought we got away with it but I didn't see any push." *PA Sport