Lincoln City head coach Tom Shaw has welcomed the decision to overturn Deji Elerewe’s red card at Millwall, with the defender available to face Burnley on Saturday.
Elerewe was dismissed in the 82nd minute of the 2-2 draw at The Den after being judged to have denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity. City subsequently appealed, with the decision overturned to spare the defender a suspension ahead of the Clarets’ visit to Sincil Bank.
Tom was asked by Rob Makepeace if having footage from several angles helped the club put its case to the FA.
“I think so, because it gives you the opportunity to put a really good case forward. Our club did the right thing on Saturday night, in our opinion, to review the incident. Matt and a few others around the club put some video footage together. The different angles from Sky Sports and other footage have been really helpful in giving the FA our side of things.
“We’re just delighted to have Deji available for Saturday. He’s had a terrific start to the season. He came into pre-season with an incredible mindset to try to get into the team, and he forced the issue. He started the season very well.
“We were disappointed to spend the last part of that game with 10 men. The decision didn’t quite feel right on the day, and then we reviewed it in the cold light of day and thought it was worth an appeal. We’re just really pleased to get Deji available for Burnley.”
This time last year, Elerewe was playing League Two football with Bromley, before joining City in January. Despite limited opportunities during our promotion run, he has become a regular in the Championship, with only George Wickens able to match his record of playing every league minute before Saturday’s dismissal.
“He’s been great, and there’s so much growth to his game still. Whatever the ceiling is for Deji Elerewe, he will get there. His commitment to his train, along with all the lads, is amazing. You have to tell him to go in every day from training because he wants to get better.
“He’s had a phenomenal start. He’s sort of jumped a league, really. He played for Bromley, didn’t play too much last year because of the run we were on, and has gone into the Championship and done really well.
“He’s super critical of his own game. We don’t really have to tell him stuff that isn’t quite perfect because he’ll find it himself, but he goes away and works on his game. We’ve got some really exciting young players, and he’s one of them.”
City still had to get through the closing stages at The Den with 10 men, and the appeal cannot give us those minutes back. Would we have gone on and done anything in the game? Perhaps not, no, but it isn’t the point.
At least Deji won’t also have to miss the Burnley game, having done more than enough this season to earn his place in the side.
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