Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce says Mark Viduka is too honest
for his own good after the Australian saw a good penalty shout
waved away in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.
Viduka was making his full home debut and Allardyce told the
Evening Chronicle yesterday: "Mark Viduka was very, very honest.
When we talk about referees looking for simulation, Mark Viduka got
the reverse of that because he wouldn't go and buy a
free-kick.
"He got no protection from Howard Webb, who waved play on.
"That allowed their centre- halves to hit him harder and harder
every time he tried to control the ball.
"From that point of view he had a very difficult game.
"The referee didn't spot what the centre-halves were doing to him
because he stayed on his feet.
"In the end, he was his own worst enemy.
"Perhaps Howard should have another look at it and learn from
that.
"We don't want players to dive - that's what everybody's saying -
but if you don't give them the free kicks when they stay on their
feet, then you're going to have to ask them to go down more."