Josh Windass slammed for shocking challenge on Joe Rafferty

Sheffield Wednesday’s Josh Windass has been slammed by fans on Twitter for his shocking studs up chest challenge on Joe Rafferty.

The former Accrington, Wigan and Rangers man was sent off for the high challenge after just 17 minutes into the Championship fixture, with the scoreline goalless at the time.

Preston went on to beat the South Yorkshire outfit with just a single goal, taking Alex Neil’s side to 12th in the Championship table whilst Sheffield Wednesday remain 23rd and in the relegation zone after 12 games played.

No chance pic.twitter.com/UuKjnttbe5

— simo7pne (@simo7pne) November 21, 2020

His marching orders is already the Owls’ fourth this season – with Joost van Aken, Tom Lees and Kadeem Harris all receiving straight reds.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Tony Pulis had little to complain about with Josh Windass’ red card, though will have with his side’s display in letting Preston go on to win the game.

The Lilywhites registered their first league win of the campaign thanks to Tom Barkhuizen’s second half volley, which proved enough to secure all three points.

There was a mixed thoughts from supporters of both teams on social media, but after the game Pulis didn’t feel it was a poor decision.

Windass red card!! #wawaw #swfc @swfc 😮 pic.twitter.com/ZYtplCnFRt

— WAWAW76 (@ndunne76) November 21, 2020

“I haven’t seen it back yet,” he said. “His foot was in high, we are not going to be able to appeal.

“Sky (Sports) thought it was a harsh and should have been a yellow card – it was a toss of the coin.

“We don’t need red cards in the situation we are in at the moment.

“I thought Josh could have headed it.

“He said he was trying to flick it over to Reachy; he caught the player.”

North End’s assistant coach Frankie McAvoy faced the media after the game and he felt the right decision was made too.

“I did see it, I was right in line,” he said. “I’ve still not seen it back but I thought right away it was a clear red card.

“He goes straight into Joe Rafferty at chest height and I thought ‘that’s a dangerous one’ and a red card.

“I wasn’t surprised one bit, but if it isn’t a red card I probably need to get my glasses fixed and get them on!”

“To be fair to Tony Pulis his teams are always well organised and so even when they go down to ten men it’s not easy.”

A quick Twitter poll was posted on social media, with Wednesday fans voting that most of them had no problem with the decision, with 48 per cent saying ‘yes, he had to go’, whilst 33 per cent said the red was harsh and 19 per cent ‘not sure’.

Here’s what fans on Twitter thought of Josh Windass’ challenge on Joe Rafferty, take a look below…

Stupid challenge

— Tony Hinds (@tonyblueowl) November 21, 2020

Bit harsh I thought but why even make that sort of challenge? Absolute idiocy from Windass

— Paul Kearns (@chinapaul80) November 21, 2020

Stupid tackle no need for it to be made what so ever maybe a harsh red but stupid play from windass

— Dale alcock (@Dalealcock93) November 21, 2020

What was the point nothing situation middle of park ridiculous challenge ffs 😡

— markowl 🦉 (@johnada75157425) November 21, 2020

Literally karate kicked him in his chest😂😂😂😂

— Sam wragg (@Ranky84) November 21, 2020

Definitely a red, it was poor, reckless play.

— WAWAW (@nanjayman) November 21, 2020

Idiot

— Sam (@s4mrodgers) November 21, 2020

Some fans saying this wasn’t a red. Seriously, it’s the clearest red you’ll ever see

Stupid, reckless, dangerous pic.twitter.com/ldMFYcWaOw

— James (@whitleyjam) November 21, 2020

Braindead was never going to win ball just step back

— Liam 5️⃣🌟 Roe (@Roemeister86) November 21, 2020

Absolutely bottled it. We told you what he was like. The first few weeks would always be promising, score a few goals but your sample size was too low. He’s a bottler and a bad apple that any club can do without.

— SportyWigan (@SportyWigan) November 21, 2020

@JordanW25 – A photo showing Windass’ studs going straight into the Preston player’s chest maybe makes me rethink my initial decision of it being no more than a booking… #SWFC

@butty1976 – It is bad, if I’d have had that done to me I’d be fuming. Straight red any day whether intent or not. Stupid challenge.

@epowell36 – What a stupid tackle to make, he didn’t need to do that!!

@ifletch78 – Studs in the throat, bloody hell anyone thinking that is not a red either has had too much to drink or needs glasses

@wildy79 – How many challenges have we had on our players like that that have gone unpunished.

@aaronswallow26 – Probably easiest red ref’s had to give out that to be fair!

@hirsty9 – Stupid, reckless and we have a problem with discipline

@StuB1867 – Watching on iFollow and commentators from BBB Sheffield saying not a red? Really are they watching the same as me? Windass’ stud made contact with the Preston player’s chest!!! Definite red as far as I’m concerned

@CottsDanny – Never a red card might as well make it non contact

@AlanWood007 – Daft red and becoming a part of our game

@maff5280 – It was daft from windass but Rafferty was already on his way down & after rolling around for a minute,jumped back up without a mark on him! Frustrating as ever

@mja_owl – Why make the challenge and give the referee a decision to make, silly by Windass. Would have been calling for a red if it was the other way round.