Boss backs young defender to learn from the first red card of his pro career

Crewe Alexandra’s young defender George Ray will learn from receiving the first red card of his senior card against Sheffield United on Saturday according to boss Steve Davis. The 21-year-old was shown a straight red card on 84 minutes over his over-zealous complaint to the referee, after he felt he had been impeded by Marc McNulty as they both chased down a long ball.

McNulty went on to be denied superbly by Ben Garratt after going through one-on-one with the Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper, but the red mist had already descended on Ray, who took his protest too far.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “George let the frustration of the situation get the better of him because he felt he was fouled. I don’t know if it was for the reaction or because he put a hand on him but either way he knows he shouldn’t be doing that. That is not in our style.

“He let it get the better of him and that is not the first time we have seen that side from George. He is working hard on that part of his game and this will be a learning curve for him.

He added: “It is a lesson and a harsh one but I am not going to lambast him because he is a young lad still learning the game and he has done very well for us.”