Max Aarons admitted it is a handball minefield out there for defenders – as Norwich City found in their 1-1 draw at committed Wigan.
City centre-back Ben Godfrey was penalised for Sam Morsy’s shot ricocheting off the defender’s leg and on to his arm – enough for James Linington to award a spot kick on the stroke of half time.
Reece James slotted home but fortunately for the Championship leaders, Teemu Pukki’s 27th league goal of the campaign ensured City took another precious point back with them to Norfolk.
“I didn’t really see the incident to be honest and I haven’t even seen a reply back, but I’ve heard we were hard done-by there,” said Aarons of the penalty concession – with City’s top brass also far from impressed by the decision.
“I think the ref was pretty quick to blow his whistle, but that’s something we can’t affect. We just have to come back and try to get a point from the game.
“If it is a blatantly obvious handball then it’s going to be given, if you move your hand in the way of the ball.
“But as a defender you’re just trying to block the ball really. You’re not aware of where your arms are.
“It’s a tough one to call and each situation has its own kind of view. So I don’t know. It’s tough.”
MORE: Wigan 1-1 Norwich City – How the Championship unfolded
Daniel Farke’s side certainly knew they had been in a game at the DW Stadium, and needed an offside flag in the dying moments to disallow Leon Clarke’s late header and preserve their 86th point of a stunning season so far.
“Crazy;obviously we expected to come here and it not be a walk in the park. It’s going to be a tough game away at Wigan, and we had to deal with that.
“They really came at us and pressed us. So we had to try to find different ways of getting through that, which is really tough. Coming here away to a tough Wigan side battling against relegation, it was tough for us.”
• For the latest Norwich City news and opinion follow Michael Bailey on the following channels…
Michael Bailey on Twitter @michaeljbailey
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here