‘I think he’s gone home in the ref’s car!’ – Boro boss amazed Millwall man escaped a caution

Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder joked that Millwall midfielder George Saville was “getting back in the car with the referee” after he did not get booked in yesterday’s 0-0 draw at The Den.

Official Robert Jones dished out five bookings – all in the first half.

Wilder, in a jovial mood, said: “I don’t know how George Saville’s escaped one – dear me. I think he’s getting back in the car with the ref.

“I’ve known George a long time, from when he was at Chelsea. It’s a competitive game, we had a laugh and a joke afterwards.

“He was smiling, I think he was scratching his head as to how he has not [been booked]. I think he did his best to [be booked].

“You don’t want that [a sending off in the match].  You just want it to be really competitive and there was some great tackles going in – Lee Peltier in front of the dugout.

“Over the far side [Dael] Fry and [Marcus] Tavernier went in with Jed Wallace or Billy Mitchell and the Millwall player came out.

“I’m a big believer in that, this is a physical sport. Supporters want to see that. Supporters want to see a big tackle.

“You’ve just got to get the balance right, especially when George has kicked somebody about 45,000 times and gets away with it, you may have to book him.

“Possibly Gary will talk about a couple of our boys should’ve been booked but it’s 11-vs-11 and we get on with it.”

Wilder was asked if wing-back Isaiah Jones was lucky to only get booked for reacting angrily to Scott Malone’s attempts to pull him back to his feet.

“I’ve got to say that I’m not too sure because Scott Malone made contact with Jones, that he has allowed that opportunity to pick a player up when a free-kick has been given,” he said.

“Leave the player alone. He [the ref] has been sensible with it because he’s seen Scott shouldn’t really touch him, lay a hand on him, and he’s seen the reaction. It’s come out the right way.”