Watford’s appeal against Vakoun Bayo’s red card against Norwich was unsuccessful.

The Hornets presented their case after the striker was shown a straight red card by referee Lewis Smith in the first half of Saturday’s game.

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The appeal was not deemed frivolous, though, and so an additional game was not added meaning Bayo is suspended for the statutory three matches.

“We did appeal the red card and we were unsuccessful in that appeal,” said Tom Cleverley.

“I can see why we were unsuccessful because it’s a fairly aggressive movement.

“It’s disappointing. I feel the side view shows he’s clearly pushed him with the palm of his hand in the chest region and the player’s reaction got him sent off.

“So it’s one of those times where we feel very hard done by but I can see why they’ve not turned it over because it was an aggressive motion.

“Bayo is disappointed with how he reacted but I’m disappointed with how Marcondes reacted as well.”

In his report did the referee describe the incident in the same way he described it to you at half-time – an elbow in the throat?

TC: “No it was described as violent conduct and when you see that, like I said, when you see the angle the referee saw it from you can see why he’s sent him off.

“The review panel will have had the beauty of seeing the angle that we saw, and it was clearly not in the throat region. It was a push with the palm of the hand.

“If you have players getting sent off for a push in the chest with the palm of the hand you’d have a lot of red cards.

“The difference is not everyone rolls to the floor holding their face, and that is where it makes it difficult for the referees.

“Not overturning the red card looks like they’re accepting that players will make it difficult for them.”

With Bayo being out for three games now that puts the pressure on the strikers, but even with Bayo, just having those two where your back up is an 18-year-old, it’s a big ask, even though he’s got plenty of potential.

TC: “Rocco Vata has played there in his career, Kwadwo Baah has also.

“When all four are fit and firing then we’ll have plenty of options in that No.9 position.

“Two of them are out for next week and one of them is a doubt. Like I said any team would struggle with having injuries in a similar part of the pitch.

“It’s been my call, absolutely my call.

“It’s a fine balance between having two No.9s unhappy, trying to manage that and the effect that has on your squad, and being able to deal with a suspension or an injury.

“I still feel like we’ve made the right call and like I said, more than anything I trust Mamadou Doumbia.”