Cherries: Team must learn to accept ref's rulings says Eunan (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Team must learn to accept ref's rulings says Eunan

7:00am Tuesday 26th February 2013 in Sport By Ian Wadley

MIDFIELDER Eunan O’Kane is warning Cherries to control their ref rage as they bid to deal with the heat of the promotion battle.

Cherries’ players and supporters were left frustrated and infuriated at a number of decisions made by referee Gary Sutton on Saturday.

The Lincolnshire official baffled a number of the spectators inside Dean Court with some contentious calls during Sheffield United’s 1-0 win.

Angry chants poured down from the crowd while some of Cherries’ players visibly showed their annoyance at Sutton’s performance.

However, O’Kane admits Cherries must quickly learn to live with refereeing decisions and concentrate on the game.

He told the Daily Echo: “It is something we have got to learn to deal with better.

“There were a lot of us on at him on Saturday and it is something that we can’t really affect or change.

“If the referee decides it is a foul or not a foul or it is a penalty or not a penalty, there is nothing we are going to say or do that is going to change his mind.

“I think we need to accept faster, even though we may think it is wrong, that a decision has been given and to get on with things a lot quicker.”

O’Kane, who has scored three goals in 30 appearances this season, is set to feature when Cherries host League One promotion rivals Coventry City tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

He said: “I think they have gone on a tremendous run, a bit like us, and have got themselves not too far off.

“Hopefully, they will come and play their game to try to win three points and we can do the same. Hopefully, we will be better at it.”