Rodger defends reputation

Last updated : 19 August 2003 By Site Staff
The dismissal's of Des Hamilton, Marcel Cas and Iain Anderson has seen the Mariners emerge as the division two bad-boys, a reputation Rodger feels is undeserved.

"We've played three games and had three players sent off, but I haven't seen one bad tackle from any of our players," Rodger told the Grimsby Telegraph.

Rodger himself still has to face a FA hearing for his alledged headbutt on Stoke boss Tony Pullis on February, but with Pullis and a police officer backing Rodger the charge is likely to fall flat on it's face.

The former FA Cup winner feels that only Hamilton's red card was deserved with Cas and Hamilton unlucky to walk.

"We're not a dirty team," Rodger added. My incident dates back to February but that's one incident in 18 or 19 months.

"I thought the tackle on Des was like the one that ended Martin Pringle's career from Dave Challinor.

"He caught him high on the back of his leg and I thought it was a bad tackle. There was provocation, but we cannot defend the retaliation.

"Marcel's was a tug on the shirt which happens in every game. It's a part of football but the referee deemed he was also the last man.

"Then Ando has gone and I think it looked worse because he was flat out and their man was standing. The ball was there to be won.

"He's not that type of player and I don't think we're a dirty side. I can't remember one bad tackle or even an ill-timed challenge, I really can't."