Chris Lakey It's becoming a statistic that Glenn Roeder could do without, but Norwich City have now conceded a staggering seven penalties this season."It's not an ambition or a goal to break the record for how many penalties you give away in a season," said the City boss.

Chris Lakey

It's becoming a statistic that Glenn Roeder could do without, but Norwich City have now conceded a staggering seven penalties this season.

“It's not an ambition or a goal to break the record for how many penalties you give away in a season,” said the City boss.

“We'd like to zip it up now and not give another one away, because they're just cheap, aren't they? They're giveaways, presents, and it's not Christmas yet.”

It was Dejan Stefanovic who was the guilty party after referee Clive Penton, having consulted an assistant, decided he had fouled Jason Price as they chased a long ball into the area.

The incident happened in front of the visiting fans - and Roeder believes their presence may have contributed to the decision.

“We are fortunate because we have the laptop technology straight after the game to look at the incident,” he said.

“If it is a foul, which I don't believe it is, the first contact's outside the box. Momentum takes the player into the box, where he crumbles.

“The referee never gave it, the flag went across the chest of the referee's assistant. That flag that got put across his chest was probably helped by 1,400 Doncaster supporters standing behind him.

“It's amazing, if you ask for something, you very often get it - it is true. That is fact and now I don't have to say any more than that because we have won the game. Had we lost to that decision I might have been saying a bit more.

“I think the Respect programme is fantastic, it is terrific. But in capital letters - both ways please. It can't be a one-way street with respect only their way, it has to be respect our way as well. And I don't always think we get that. I'm a very respectful man. I also like to be shown respect.

“I just feel that this season more than any other season officials are having a massive influence on games. Perhaps it's bad luck for them because some of the penalties have been penalties, I won't dispute that. But we've had some very, very iffy ones as well and all I'm saying to the officials is you need to get it right more than you get it wrong.”