Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell has hit out at critics of his style of play and the treatment he’s received from officials.
The Steelmen boss served a touchline ban after being sent off against Rangers in late December and he remains critical of how he has been treated on the touchline.
“It is slightly frustrating,” he said.
“I’ve mentioned the fact that everyone would point to the side of things where I've received yellow cards and red cards at the side of the pitch.
“I'd also draw your attention to how many times that comes as a result of a big decision or a really simple decision in the case of Ewan Wilson against St. Johnstone at the weekend where he's quite clearly pulled back, the referee lets the game go on, and blows up for a foul for St Johnstone a few seconds later.
“But apparently in Scottish football you're not allowed to show any emotion and you're not allowed to protest your case and it results in a horrible issue.”
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He voiced frustration at the treatment he received from the fourth official and the role it had on being red carded.
Kettlewell added: “Screaming and shouting at you and then telling the referee to come over and point you out. I'm sorry but I have to take exception.”
With his side on a run of poor form in the midst of an injury crisis, he believes that criticism of his team’s football is coming from those who do not understand the game.
He said: “I always laugh because I always talk about football being knee jerk, I don't laugh to disrespect anybody but we talk about style of play.
“Style of play in relation to what, who you play against, what pitch you're playing on, what's the level of the opposition.
For the ex Ross County manager, entertainment is only one part of the equation.
Kettlewell said: “You’re trying to find that balance between trying to entertain, you're trying to find that balance between winning games of football which is always the most important thing.
“What I'm not prepared to do is become ridiculously emotional because somebody says that they don't like the style of football or they're not happy with a particular game of football.
“You'll forgive me for saying that if I was in that mindset, then we would be ripping things up every single week and we wouldn't stick to the plan that we set out.”
Motherwell have a re-match of their last fixture away at St. Johnstone this Saturday.
