Sending off annoys manager
Lee Johnson was frustrated and disappointed by goalkeeper Joel Coleman's sending off in the reserve-team match at Bury.Latics' manager believes officials ought to be able to show discretion in such games.
Johnson says he was told by referee Dean Bradshaw that he was compelled to send Coleman off because an assessor may have been at the game.
He explained: "I was looking at the kids in this game and have to decide whether we take them on or not.
"There were also 10/15 scouts there from league and non-league sides looking at them.
"Yet idiotic bureaucracy has ruined the game as far as showing off our kids to myself, who has to decide their futures, as well as to other clubs. The politics of that side frustrates me."
Johnson was delighted with the spirit shown as Latics battled with 10 men for more than half the game to earn a point.
He said: "I told the players it is a game we would have lost in the last 10 years, and I asked them to make sure they didn't do so.
"If those players are to be the future of the football club that is the mentality we need and which we will be striving to find and bring through in our young players.
"Some players impressed me and it was a good earned point."
Johnson came on early in the second half to give himself a different insight by playing alongside the youngsters.
He says he enjoying putting on his boots again, but he felt stiff after the game."
He said: "I told the players it is a game we would have lost in the last 10 years, and I asked them to make sure they didn't do so.
"If those players are to be the future of the football club that is the mentality we need and which we will be striving to find and bring through in our young players.
"Some players impressed me and it was a good earned point."
Johnson came on early in the second half to give himself a different insight by playing alongside the youngsters.
He says he enjoying putting on his boots again, but he felt stiff after the game."