The Guardian recently addressed a reader's question regarding the impact of red cards on football matches, specifically looking for examples where a team's performance deteriorated significantly after a player was dismissed. The inquiry was prompted by a recent match between Clyde and The Spartans, where Clyde held a 3-0 lead before a red card for Logan Dunachie preceded a 3-3 draw.

While previous discussions in the publication have focused on teams that managed to stage comebacks while playing with ten men, this report shifts the focus to the negative consequences of dismissals. The piece aims to quantify the 'blame' or impact a player's exit has on their team's ability to maintain a lead or defensive structure. The article serves as a historical survey of such collapses, contrasting the resilience of some squads with the vulnerability of others when reduced to ten players. The analysis highlights that while a red card is often viewed as a turning point, the degree to which it causes a team to 'go to seed' varies significantly based on game context and the timing of the dismissal.