Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren defended striker Aleksandar Mitrovic after he was sent-off in Newcastle's 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.
McClaren also praised his side for the spirited performance despite the defeat in his post-match press conference.
McClaren defends Mitrovic
Newcastle had to play most of the game with 10 men after referee Andre Marriner showed Mitrovic a straight red card in the 16th minute for a challenge on Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin, a decision McClaren felt was "harsh".
McClaren said that although the challenge was "clumsy" it was "definitely not dangerous" or "malicious".
Mitrovic has now been shown two yellow cards and a red card in his opening three Premier League games, since signing for Newcastle from Anderlecht for £13 million last month, which has seen him come under scrutiny from pundits.
When McClaren was asked if the striker's reputation had contributed to the decision to send him off, McClaren replied "maybe...he has only played a couple of games."
McClaren added: "Maybe the referees are too busy watching Match of the Day instead of assessing their own game."
Asked if the club would appeal the decision, McClaren replied: "I hope I can. No doubt we will lose it."
Seven yellow cards, one red card
Andre Marriner showed seven yellow cards, including six to Newcastle players, and one red card over the course of the match but McClaren said that "it wasn't that type of game".
"They were fouls but I think the ref has reacted too harshly with everyone of them- a bit too soon, a bit too rash."
McClaren added, "football is a contact and physical sport and you cannot take that away."
McClaren full of praise for his side
McClaren said that Arsenal are "probably the worst team you want to be playing against after going down to 10 men", but he was "proud" with the "spirit" and "fight" his side showed.
He added that Fabio Coloccini's own goal early in the second-half was a "big blow" but said that there were lots of positives including some "great saves" by goalkeeper Tim Krul, "great defending, work rate, discipline and organisation."
Despite Newcastle failing to register a single shot on target in the entire match, McClaren said that the Magpies still had a threat going forward with Ayoze Perez and summer signings Florian Thauvin and Georginio Wijnaldum. However, he added that Newcastle struggled to "deliver the final ball."
McClaren now looking to kick-start Newcastle's season
It has been a frustrating start to Steve McClaren's managerial career at Newcastle with the former Derby County manager still looking for his first Premier League win with Newcastle.
McClaren wants to make Newcastle a team that is "hard to beat" and in order for them to earn this reputation McClaren said that Newcastle have to be "solid, strong, organised and disciplined" and the Magpies head coach said that his side have already showed this in the opening four games.
McClaren added that Newcastle have "not really been able to show" their "quality" yet after being reduced to 10 men in the games against Swansea City and Arsenal.