Town chairman David Sheepshanks says that the Blues are putting together a case should the FA call them to appear before their Disciplinary Commission at the end of the season. Tuesday's second six-plus card haul of the season took Town to the top of the Football League's yellow card table.

This season's high yellow card count has already cost the club £15,000 in fines. The six yellow cards at Southend was worth £5,000 with the fine doubling to £10,000 for the similar card count at Plymouth. Should the Blues pick up six cautions or sendings off in a game again this season that match would see Town fined a further £15,000.

Town could face a £50,000 penalty at the end of the season if the FA deems the club's disciplinary record particularly reprehensible: "Any club whose players accumulate a total number of penalty points in first team matches during a season which is appreciably above the average number of points in the same league, may be required to appear before the Disciplinary Commission.

"If the club cannot provide a reasonable explanation for such occurrence, the [Championship] club will be liable to be warned and/or fined up to £50,000."

Sheepshanks says the club are already preparing for such an eventuality: "We are not a dirty side and are building a defence should it be necessary."

Despite 45 yellow cards and Fabian Wilnis becoming the first player ever to pick up three red cards while with Town at Plymouth on Tuesday, the Blues are nowhere near the top of the fouls conceded table.

Tuesday's round of Championship games saw Town drop to 11th on 204 fouls, 35 behind leaders Hull City. However, the Tigers have received only 33 yellow cards.

On an individual front, striker Alan Lee is currently third in the fouls conceded league, having transgressed 38 times, but has so far picked up only two yellow cards.

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