Rams boss in the clear - for now

The job of a football manager is difficult at the best of times but when you have to deal with petty fourth officials, who report you for stepping inches over the line of your technical area, I think it`s going too far.

Rams manager Billy Davies will not be charged for his second indiscretion by the FA despite being dismissed for the second time in three matches on Tuesday. Davies is a passionate coach, and he wears his heart on his sleeve. I don`t condone Davies` foul language at Southend, but the official`s are over-scrutinising the game these days, and if you disagree with anything you are in trouble.

The Rams are doing well at present, but some coaches in the league are doing it tough, and a defeat in a game, after a poor decision from the official, can cause you to loose your top and your job. I know we have to have rules but we`re dealing with people`s livelihoods here, and in the spur of the moment a comment can be taken out of context. Also, against Burnley, Davies` counterpart Steve Cotterill was also sent to the stands for a confrontation with former Clarets defender Mo Camera, another spur of the moment incident..

Davies is concerned that he is picking up a 'reputation' and intends to request a personal hearing at the FA to clear his name. Davies said: "I admit I let myself down by using industrial language in the first game, though not to any particular individual.
"I will ask for a personal hearing because I don't like the reputation I'm picking up. The big deal is the inconsistency. Managers don't know where they stand. I've had some wonderful times with fourth officials where they swear at me and I swear back but other days this can result in you getting ordered off.'

Davies also said that he will not consider taking a more restrained approach in the dugout. 'I've been sent off more times in this past fortnight than in the rest of my career but I will never change my style of management. I'm passionate, I'm committed and I want my players to be as well. Davies also had a dig at the big clubs in the Premier league, saying: "When I'm 55, sitting back and watching £150m worth of talent I might sit back and get a cigar on, but until that day I'll stay the way I am.'

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