Garner’s unacceptable behaviour slammed
Rob Page pulled no punches in attacking the “unacceptable” behaviour of controversial Preston striker Joe Garner during Vale’s 2-0 loss.
Garner was involved in two incidents involving defenders Richard Duffy and Stephane Zubar, who was controversially sent-off and the forward also seemed to goad Vale fans after the second goal.
Page said: “I am talking about diving for no reason. When he ran into Richard Duffy and went down as though Richard Duffy had just given him a haymaker – there is no need. What is all that about? I really don’t get that part of the game. Unacceptable.”
You pick him off the floor and you don’t lower yourself to that level. There is no place in the game for behaviour like that…
Page revealed the Zubar incident was spotted by the fourth official not referee Mick Russell, who had played on but eventually stopped play when the Valiants were attacking the Preston area.
He commented: “He saw what I saw. I tell you now there was no punch thrown, even the fourth official said that. Mark Marshall was through one on one and was about to pull the trigger, and the referee pulled it back to send him (Zubar) off. That was probably about five seconds after the incident which beggars belief.
“There was no punch thrown and it was the fourth official’s decision.”
“You have to keep your discipline. You pick him off the floor and you don’t lower yourself to that level. There is no place in the game for behaviour like that (Garner’s). “Unfortunately he has got the better of us today.”