SEETHING Gary Caldwell raged at “ridiculous” refereeing after Wigan lost 4-3 at Nottingham Forest.
The former Celtic skipper watched as his team went down to a stoppage time goal from Thomas Lam.
Caldwell believed the player, who has already been booked, shouldn’t have been on the pitch after a bust-up with Will Grigg.
Referee James Linington decided not to punish Lam, but yellow-carded the Latics striker for protesting.
Caldwell fumed: “We again get a ridiculous decision from a referee and a linesman. I don’t know why the linesman and the fourth official are here.
“They might as well stay at home because they don’t get involved at any point in the game.
“The fourth official continually looks down at the ground, when I thought he was meant to help the game..
“The linesman was 10 yards away and then the guy who does it goes up the other end and scores.
“He kicked out at our player. I know Will really well, and he doesn’t react like that unless there’s an incident.
“The linesman can see it, because he’s looking right at it, but again they claim they didn’t see anything.
“I’m not taking any blame away from our defenders, because our defending was unacceptable.
“But the referee and his assistants have to do their jobs, as well.”
Caldwell added: “I’m sure the players are hurting, because to do that amount of things right and still lose the game is disappointing.
“You can accept it when you don’t perform to any sort of level. But we shot ourselves in the foot with all four goals.”
Young Scotland international winger Oliver Burke claimed two of Forest’s goals with Britt Assomombalonga and Lam getting the others. Grigg also netted twice for Caldwell’s outfit with Michael Jacobs on the mark, as well.
Meanwhile former Celtic loan flop Tyler Blackett is closing in on a move to Reading.
Former United hero Jaap Stam, now boss at the Championship side, is eager to sign the centre-half who can also operate at left-back.
