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At a time when players can face bans, fines and retrospective punishment for their actions on the field, I cannot help that referee Robert Madley and his assistant should be facing a break from Premier League football themselves after their performances in Swansea’s game against Tottenham.

I know no-one makes mistakes on purpose, and we all make them, and that officials are under greater scrutiny that ever in the modern game.

But, in my opinion, Madley and his assistant (Marc Perry) should be stood down for at least one round of Premier League games because the mistakes they made had a direct impact on the outcome of the game.

The first goal, inevitably scored by Fernando Llorente, is offside, clearly. There is no doubt about it and the assistant referee is in line with it.

Then you have the unbelievable decision not to award Davinson Sanchez a second yellow card for his foul on Martin Olsson early in the second half.

It would have left Swansea, who were started to take the game to Tottenham, with more than half an hour to make the numerical advantage count and we saw the opportunities they had when it was 11 v 11.

Sanchez’s challenge was a clear yellow card. Had he not already been booked, would Madley have booked him? I have no doubt he would have. So why was it not worth a second yellow when he scythed Olsson down.

It left a real sour feeling for Swansea and their fans after a better second half performance.

I thought the first half display was pretty embarrassing and at times I was fearing another Manchester City, where we might have shipped three or four or more.

But in fairness to Carlos Carvalhal and his players, they gave it a real go in the second half and had Tottenham under real pressure, which is encouraging when you consider what a good team Spurs are under Mauricio Pochettino.

I felt Jordan Ayew should have scored from the position he got himself into, those situations are at a premium in the Premier League and they have got to be taken. Then there is the header that has come back off the post.

You could say Swansea huffed and puffed a bit without forcing Hugo Lloris into many saves, but there was a spirit and intent about the second half that at least offered some hope.

That spirit is going to be vital over the final months of the season. It is top of the list when it comes to what Swansea are going to need.

Carvalhal will need time to get his ideas across, it will not happen in a moment but if the spirit is there and he can get the players producing in the fashion he wants then Swansea will have a chance.

It’s probably not a bad thing for him that this weekend sees a brief break from Premier League action with the trip to face Wolves in the FA Cup third round.

I’ve heard a lot of people talk of Wolves as favourites given the excellent season they are having, but this competition is not the priority for either side.

Wolves have got their eyes set on being back in the Premier League, Swansea are focused on ensuring they stay in the Premier League.

Everyone loves a cup run, of course they do, but this game does not matter when it comes to the priority of the two clubs involved.

But it will be a good opportunity for Carlos to become more sure of his best team and avoid some of the tinkering that happened so often under Paul Clement.

It’s a chance for stability, to start to move towards a more settled side and bedding down combinations and to implement what he wants.

We saw some positive signs in the second half against Tottenham, Swansea need to build on them quickly.