BLACKBURN Rovers' hopes of appealing against Sebastien Perez's red card have been dashed by red tape - in the shape of the current disciplinary system.

Rovers boss Roy Hodgson revealed today that Ewood owner Jack Walker was eager to back an appeal to clear the Frenchman's name.

And, after seeing the TV evidence, the manager himself has had a change of heart.

Originally, he was so frustrated by yet another bad decision and the manner in which these things are dealt with that he dismissed an appeal as "a waste of time".

But, remarkably, while Chelsea's Graeme Le Saux could appeal after being sent off for striking Perez, the Rovers man has no such rights because his dismissal stemmed from two yellow cards.

Hodgson is frustrated about that, as well as the chain of events which saw Rovers slump to another defeat.

He said: "We changed our minds and Jack was all for appealing. Obviously I am not against that and we are ready to do everything we can. "But there is no right of appeal.

"The only right of appeal allowed in the Premier League is for a direct sending-off which brings a three-match suspension.

"There is no appeal for a sending-off which provokes a one-match suspension." Perez will miss the trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday, October 17 which means a lengthy absence for him as that fixture comes at the end of a two-week international break.

Hodgson's anger over the officiating at Monday's game has still not abated.

"You suffer three wretched decisions which definitely cost you the game and the worst thing of all is that they have a glorious last nine minutes and that colours everyone's view that they deserved to win anyway.

"We should have been 3-1 up and playing 11 against 10. Instead it's 10 v 10 and we lose the game on an offside goal. "But we have had a poor start to the season in terms of results, which are what count, and fuel has been added to the fire on every occasion.

"That is often how it goes and it will now be a test of character for us."

The manager is aware that, ultimately, Rovers will be judged on results and they must start winning soon to avoid being dragged into a relegation struggle.

That is the number one priority.

At the same time, it seems to have gone almost un-noticed that the club are also seeing some of their talented youngsters moving up the ladder. In the last two matches, central defender Martin Taylor and attacking midfielder David Dunn have both been on the subs bench. The slightly more experienced Damien Johnson has also figured.

"I have a very high regard for all three of them," said Hodgson.

"And we are very happy with most of the things going on at the club, except for the most important thing - we are not winning enough matches at top level.

"In terms of the work and the attitude of the players, it is as healthy as it has ever been if not getting healthier by the day."

"But what makes the situation unhealthy is when you lose four League matches out of six.

"People start to worry and panic a little bit and, of course, it's a vicious circle. You can only get out of it by winning. "The less wins you get, the more the circle deepens.

"You can do nothing about it except carry on working, keep your own head and make certain the players get the right advice."

With the likes of teenagers Dunn and Taylor promoted to the first team squad this season, Rovers are starting to see the fruits of their work over the past few years.

And youth academy director Bobby Downes is continuing to sign up talented youngsters for the future.

Two highly-rated 16-year-olds from the Republic of Ireland are the latest to be recruited for the Ewood academy.

Utility player Jonathan Douglas has been signed from Monaghan United and striker Robbie Doyle comes from Bray Wanderers. They have both signed three-year scholarship schemes with Rovers, coming straight to England from their Irish clubs.

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