Preston manager Alex Neil was annoyed by how Seani Maguire was treated by Nottingham Forest during the draw between the two sides at the weekend.
The Irish international received some physical treatment from Forest centre-backs Yohan Benalouane and Alexander Milosevic. Neil felt his striker needed more protection from the referee.
"I never condone coaches or anyone really asking for bookings," Neil told the Lancashire Evening Post.
But sometimes it’s the only way to prevent really aggressive challenges on your players.
I thought Sean got manhandled probably six or seven times in the first half.
The referee did speak to the player but sometimes just settling it down by giving a caution and saying, ‘Listen, that’s unacceptable’ can then allow it to be more of a football game.
Neil's frustration was undoubtedly raised by what has been a season badly interrupted by for Maguire. The 24-year-old scored his first goal of the season last week in a 3-1 win against Norwich.
Forest manager Martin O'Neill was aggrieved regarding the result of the game. The former Ireland boss felt his side wrongly had a goal ruled out 13 minutes from the end for what the referee deemed to be a foul on Preston goalkeeper Declan Rudd.
Picture credit: Sportsfile
