‘Extremely harsh’ – Millwall boss on the yellow card which rules former Tottenham man out of Coventry clash

Neil Harris reckons that Japhet Tanganga’s early booking at Oxford United – which sees the Millwall centre-back suspended for Saturday’s home game against Coventry City – was “extremely harsh”.

The former Tottenham defender was punished for his first foul in the opening minutes of the match.

Tanganga now serves a one-match ban for collecting five cautions.

Harris told the South London Press: “I thought it was extremely harsh. If the referee sets the tone that is going to be a yellow card then there are two or three other instances in the first half where Oxford players could’ve been booked.

“I’m certainly not saying I wanted them to be booked, or expected them to be booked, so I suppose that shows I don’t think Japhet’s was a card.

“It was a very strange decision so early in the game but there is nothing we can do about it. Japh managed himself brilliantly after that and was the best player on the pitch.

“We lose him for a game and it is a big loss. Our record with him in the team is quite phenomenal, last season and this season.

“It’s disappointment for us but we have to accept it. It is an opportunity with no Coops, Japh or Hutch for other players to step in and take their oppportunities.”