Richard Garcia admits he has no idea why he was sent off for the
reserves in the 3-2 defeat by Ipswich during the week.
He was shown the red card after tackling Jamie Clapham and says:
"We both went for the ball, the linesman didn't even flag, and I don't think the referee himself knows why he gave it.
"Even the Ipswich players were quite confused about it as well; you have to live by those decisions, I suppose.
"The first booking was maybe deserved; they were breaking quickly and I brought the man down.
"But I definitely didn't deserve the red card and now I will get a one match ban.
"I don't think I have ever been sent off in my career, but there is a first for everything.
"It is frustrating because I want to play as many games as I can: hopefully I can get a full season of games under my belt.
"I also hope I can make the squad a few times, but I have to take it one day at a time and keep plugging away.
"We started the game off well but unfortunately I got the sending off and then we conceded a late goal."
Richard is fully recovered from the broken leg he received playing on loan for Leyton Orient last season, when he collided with Grant McCann while he was with Cheltenham for a temporary spell.
But the pair have never really discussed the incident, Richard reveals:
"Supposedly it was him, but he is not too keen on telling me whether he did it or not, so we'll leave it as it is.
"We've had a joke and he told me to come back better, but nothing more, and I'm really fit now."
And to prove there is no ill will, he says he is delighted that Grant has been called up for the full Northern Ireland squad this weekend.
"All the young players are getting recognition, like Michael, Jermain, and Joe for England - and even Trevor Sinclair.
"I'm just glad the boys from the other countries are getting noticed as well, and I'm pleased for Grant."
But the pair are unlikely to be going out on loan this season as Glenn Roeder looks to foster the team spirit in the reserves which he hopes will help the players when they break through into the first team.
"In the reserves we are a lot more focused and out to win more games," he insists.
"Last season and the season before I don't think there was a big emphasis on the reserves but this season there is.
"If the whole club gets into the habit of winning it carries on from there."
As for the first team performance at Everton last week, his assessment is brief:
"Once they scored late in the first half it set the mood; then we conceded some sloppy goals and it snowballed."
He was shown the red card after tackling Jamie Clapham and says:
"We both went for the ball, the linesman didn't even flag, and I don't think the referee himself knows why he gave it.
"Even the Ipswich players were quite confused about it as well; you have to live by those decisions, I suppose.
"The first booking was maybe deserved; they were breaking quickly and I brought the man down.
"But I definitely didn't deserve the red card and now I will get a one match ban.
"I don't think I have ever been sent off in my career, but there is a first for everything.
"It is frustrating because I want to play as many games as I can: hopefully I can get a full season of games under my belt.
"I also hope I can make the squad a few times, but I have to take it one day at a time and keep plugging away.
"We started the game off well but unfortunately I got the sending off and then we conceded a late goal."
Richard is fully recovered from the broken leg he received playing on loan for Leyton Orient last season, when he collided with Grant McCann while he was with Cheltenham for a temporary spell.
But the pair have never really discussed the incident, Richard reveals:
"Supposedly it was him, but he is not too keen on telling me whether he did it or not, so we'll leave it as it is.
"We've had a joke and he told me to come back better, but nothing more, and I'm really fit now."
And to prove there is no ill will, he says he is delighted that Grant has been called up for the full Northern Ireland squad this weekend.
"All the young players are getting recognition, like Michael, Jermain, and Joe for England - and even Trevor Sinclair.
"I'm just glad the boys from the other countries are getting noticed as well, and I'm pleased for Grant."
But the pair are unlikely to be going out on loan this season as Glenn Roeder looks to foster the team spirit in the reserves which he hopes will help the players when they break through into the first team.
"In the reserves we are a lot more focused and out to win more games," he insists.
"Last season and the season before I don't think there was a big emphasis on the reserves but this season there is.
"If the whole club gets into the habit of winning it carries on from there."
As for the first team performance at Everton last week, his assessment is brief:
"Once they scored late in the first half it set the mood; then we conceded some sloppy goals and it snowballed."