'Unthinkable Stupidity'

Burnley manager Steve Cotterill has condemned club captain Wayne Thomas, after his early dismissal turned the game against Southampton earlier today.

Thomas was dismissed for the second time this month, after allegedly elbowing Viafara, leaving the Southampton man in a heap, and Cotterill was in no doubt that it was intentional.

'I think Wayne Thomas is guilty. Their lad might have made more of a meal of it, holding his face because he wasn't barged there.' he told the clubs website.

'A moment of unthinkable stupidity from one of our players has cost us three points today because we were the better team, and they knew it

Despite the result, Cotterill was happy with the effort put in by the Clarets, as they took on a difficult task head on, almost getting a deserved result.

'Even when we went down to 10 men I think we showed great bravery and courage to get 2-1 up and there was a fantastic result there for us. I am convinced we would have got it but for that incident.'

Thomas will find himself fined by the club, and could even lose his captaincy, with the gaffer contemplating the decision.

'It's a thought, but at the moment it is only a thought and I will sleep on that one.'

'Nine times out of ten I stick up for my players, but today I can't do that because then you will think I am an idiot.'

'I think even down to 10 men we at least deserved a draw. But you can't afford to play Southampton with 10 men for so long, even though we were good enough for a result - and it's really, really disappointing and a bitter pill to swallow.'

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.