Barnet boss Davids has no qualms with Nurse’s dismissal

The tackle left Jonathan Smith crumpled in a heap as his leg was put into a splint before he was taken to hospital.

But the former Dutch international asserted there was no ill intent from his player.

He said: “I definitely enjoyed it (the game) until the incident today and it was really a turning point.

“For me it was a very bad moment and I know that Nurse didn’t do that on purpose, but it was a very bad moment.

“It was the right decision but he went for the ball and he caught him because the other guy was quicker.”

However, the incident was engulfed by controversy as referee Robert Whitton initially showed a yellow card, before reversing his decision and brandishing red after subsequent discussions with his assistant and fourth official.

“The only thing you have to argue with is the rules, gave a yellow and changed to a red, it was very confusing for everyone,” said Davids.

“Everybody at the club of course wishes him a speedy recovery.”

And Davids revealed he had never come across such an incident in his career, as he continued: “Not that I can remember, it was a straight red, although the intention was to get the ball he was too late and it was definitely a nasty incident.”

The Bees were overrun by outstanding Town in the first half as the visitors raced into a well deserved lead much to Davids’ frustration.

He said: “In the first half they wanted it more than we did, but in the second we played a lot better despite only having 10 men.

“It is frustrating we couldn’t play like that from the start, but they’re a good team and they showed that today.”

Despite having a man less, the Bees were much improved after the break and Davids believes Barnet could easily have got something from the contest.

He said: “In the second half we did really well.

“At the end of the day if you have certain chances and don’t bury them you you’re going to get punished, it’s the same story.

“But we created a lot in that second half and we scored one and could have scored definitely another one and we didn’t give them too many opportunities to be dangerous.

“The thing is I don’t doubt the character of my players. We showed it a couple of times where we came from behind, and we could have levelled or even had a winner I think.

“But it’s the first half we have to close the game. I think the second half (performance) will make us confident for every team we play.

“But it’s the first half that’s the big worry.”

And Davids joked that he would play with 10 players in the future if they were going to play that much better, saying: “That was definitely for sure. If it’s necessary to win I will do that.”

The former Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Inter and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, who played 76 times for the Neatherlands, also admitted he could bring himself back into the Barnet side over the festive period, with the Bees due to visit Kenilworth Road on New Year’s Day.

He added: “We will have to see how the team is playing, but what I said before, it’s the guys who are playing good, and training good that will play.”