Refereeing decisions continue to rile Dickov

Dickov, whose side welcome high-flying Nottingham Forest today, was livid along with everyone else connected with the club at the awarding of a late match-winning penalty for Watford in their 2-1 win at Vicarage Road on Tuesday, with replays showing James Husband’s late tackle to be outside the box.

It’s followed several other defining moments that have gone against Rovers this term, most notably in the abandoned game at Charlton, when Dickov was hugely critical of the role played by referee Lee Collins.

The tally count of decisions against Doncaster is beginning to stack up – just as it did in the club’s maiden season in the Championship in 2008-09 when chairman John Ryan was apoplectic at what he saw as a lack of fair deal for ‘little old Rovers.’

Dickov, who has revealed that Billy Paynter has turned down a loan move to a League One side to fight for his place, said: “I’ve spoken to a couple of people in the authorities and they agree it wasn’t a penalty (on Tuesday).

“Although it’s no good afterwards, you have got to thank them for their honesty on it as well.

“The one thing I will say is that I am a nightmare for referees and fourth officials on the touchline. It’s honest mistakes they make, but it’s hard to take.

“Especially with some of the decisions we’ve had this year. In eight games we’ve played, probably in six games have had definite moments with decisions going against us.

“You do think ‘is there something against us’ here and is happening on purpose when it happens so consistently.

“But the guys at the head of the authorities are honest guys who really want to give you an explanation and making things better. I have to take that into account as well, although it doesn’t make you feel any better.”

Doncaster are without victory in five league and cup games, and have bagged just two points from a possible 12 since their only victory of this season, home to Blackburn on August 16.