After joining Wednesday for a rumoured #3 Million in the summer, Fernando Forestieri has scored 12 times, picking up 5 yellow cards and 2 reds in the process. The Argentinian picked up the October PFA Fan's Player Of The Month Award after scoring a handful of goal of the season contenders. Massimo Cellino will be gutted after failing to sign the forward after branding him as having the "wrong mentality", Leeds will now be thinking of what could of been if they had managed to secure a deal.
After getting sent off against Preston for 2 bookable offences, the first of which was questionable as he was 'brought down' whilst practically through on goal. His second was for a handball in the box. As a result of this, he missed the mid-week meeting with QPR at Hillsborough.
He then returned for Friday's trip to the KC stadium, where he was, again, shown red for 2 bookable offences, only this time, in a moment to forget for referee Tim Robinson. As FF was again almost through on goal, when the Hull captain - Dawson - charged in, Fernando then darted to the left to avoid a serious collision, falling to the floor and clutching his leg. Dawson immediately held his hands up, apologised to Forestieriand looked up at the ref,who was pulling a yellow card out of his pocket. The Hull skipper was rightfully expecting to be booked here, and the look if guilt on his face was evident he was expecting it. But instead, Robinson marched past him, booking the Wednesday forward instead, dismissing him in extra time.
Post-match everybody admitted it was an awful decision. Dawson himself admitting he made contact and that Forestieri should not have been booked. It has been all over the media, with referees, pundits, ex-pros and players all agreeing that it was a wrong decision. Keith Hackett, ex-world cup referee wrote how both the Preston and Hull decisions were wrong. However, dismissals cannot be appealed when they come from two yellow cards.
Forestieri was in tears as he entered the dressing room after leaving the field early during added time.
The referee, Tim Robinson, has had his punishment already, being moved down to League 2 for the upcoming fixture of Crawley Vs. Newport County on Tuesday and Notts County Vs. Bristol Rovers on Saturday. Wednesday however, have yet to suffer their punishment, of missing out on the services of Fernando for the next 2 matches - Rotherham United and Brighton.
Forestieri is without a doubt a massive goal threat, and after Brighton's 4-0 win over Leeds United on Monday night, he would have been a useful asset to have next Tuesday.
No matter who you support, you have got to give the 5'8" forward credit, after being neglected at Wolves, to come straight into the Wednesday side and do as well as he has for them. It is likely Wednesday will be able to 'cope' without him for the next week or so, and it will only encourage him to come back fighting, after his break, for the trip to Nottingham Forest.
