ALBION boss Gus Poyet has defended striker Ashley Barnes and coach Charlie Oatway after they both saw red.

Barnes was sent-off for a tackle on Kieran Lee in the first half of the 3-1 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Oatway was dismissed by referee Simon Hooper after the break with Wednesday boss Dave Jones following a touchline fracas.

Barnes is now banned for the next three matches but Poyet told The Argus: “That is Ash and I accept it how it is and I don't want him to change.

“He is disappointed, sad and upset enough without me saying something on top of that. He knows and we all know and that is just football.

“I accept it because I’ve done it, Tano’s done it and Charlie’s done it. You just hope it doesn’t happen too often and it doesn’t with Ash, the first time this season.”

Poyet insists Oatway was innocent in the flare-up in the technical areas which led to stewards and police moving in to restore order.

He said: “The only thing I know is that Charlie did nothing and he got sent-off so I am expecting the Football League not to send even a letter. If they send a letter then it’s time to stand up, because he did nothing.

“I would like the referee to put in the report exactly why they sent Charlie off. I know why, because you are away from home and if you are going to send off the manager of the home team a good way to keep everyone happy in the ground is to send off someone from the opposition.

“He didn’t touch anyone, he didn’t raise his hands, he did nothing. Let’s wait and see how they are going to take it.”

Poyet refused to comment on Jones’ behaviour. “It’s football, no worries,” he said. “I am old-fashioned like that. What went on in the technical areas stays there. I don’t want any issues.”