Blackburn Rovers.

According to Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes, commenting on the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United, United midfielder Alan Smith may have been lucky to escape a red card from referee Rob Styles for his tackle on Robbie Savage in last night’s game at Ewood Park. Hughes also suggested that he was “more upset that he booked Robbie as well when he was on the deck”.

The trouble with remarks like this is that they detract from Hughes’ considerable achievements as Blackburn boss, and add to the impression that he has limited vision, seeing only what he wants to see.

As a result, he was quick to condemn Smith for what was unquestionably a reckless tackle and deserving of a yellow card, yet made no mention of a dangerously high challenge which one of his own players, Lucas Neill, directed at Wayne Rooney some 15 minutes earlier. The violence of Neill’s tackle, which might easily have caused Rooney serious injury, is not mitigated by the fact that, for some reason, Rob Styles considered that it was not worthy of any sanction.

In censuring the referee for having the temerity to book Savage, Hughes also conveniently omitted any reference to Robbie’s activities while he was “on the deck”, when the Blackburn midfielder found time to lash out at Smith and grab Rooney in a headlock.

Selective vision of this kind does little to enhance a manager’s reputation, particularly one who during his playing career was certainly no stranger to aggression (both given and received) or to yellow and red cards.

It is a pity, because Mark Hughes has accomplished a great deal with Blackburn this season – as recent results (including a memorable victory at Old Trafford) and spectacular goals like Norwegian Morten Gamst Pedersen’s stunning equaliser amply demonstrate.

It would be nice if the Blackburn manager took a less one-eyed view of things. And nicer still if, once or twice at least, he was observed to smile in public. After all, with a team in the top half of the premiership and contesting a Carling Cup final spot, he has quite a lot to smile about.