Sympathy shown to Shawcross

Stoke City assistant manager Mark Bowen has admitted he would not have fancied defending in line with new directives being implemented by referees.

Official Mike Dean awarded penalties for and against Stoke in Saturday’s defeat to Manchester City, both for comings together inside the box that in seasons gone by may have been dismissed as innocuous.

Ryan Shawcross was the guilty party and, since his debut in August 2008, no player has conceded more penalties in the Premier League.

Though Bowen, who began his playing career at Tottenham Hotspur, hardly earned a reputation as a hell-raising full-back, the Welshman thinks he would have struggled if he was playing in this era.

(Bob Thomas/Getty Images)

“Speaking as an ex-defender myself it doesn’t seem fair at times, because players are brought up to combat players and all of a sudden they can’t do it anymore,” said the former Wales international, who revealed he has spoken to Shawcross about curbing his enthusiasm.

“I’ve talked to Ryan about it and he accepts responsibility.

“For whatever reason, he’s got a reputation for the way he defends at corners, being physical against his man, and you do wonder, with all referees, if their focus is on who usually causes problems and so look at him and maybe miss other things going on.”