"I had a pretty good view of it because it was right on the half way line and I was close to it," says Paul of Jermain's third dismissal of the campaign.
"Jermain had just been fouled from behind and the referee didn't give it.
"In my view, Jermain turned round in disappointment and just kicked the ground.
"I thought their player was a good yard away at that time and he wasn't swinging at their player at all - he was more disappointed the referee didn't give a foul.
"Like everyone, when the referee blew his whistle and came over I couldn't see what he was doing - and he pulled the red card out.
"The referee thinks that Jermain showed intent to kick out at their player but the player himself has made it pretty clear he didn't feel like that."
West Ham are lodging an appeal, knowing that if it fails will lead to a five match ban for a player who has already missed seven games through suspension.
"Let's hope the referee has a look at it and changes his mind - it is very difficult for referees now, because there is so much scrutiny on them."
Even the Walsall players who spoke to Jermain commiserated with him outside the dressing rooms after the game and Paul believes that the response of people who saw the incident tells its own story, adding:
"You could tell from the reaction of everyone - home fans, their officials, their players, everyone - that it was one of disbelief, and so early in the game as well.
"Nothing had happened in the game to suggest it was going to be a tough, nasty match - it was being played at a good tempo then that happened.
"Let's just hope the referee has a look and makes the decision from what he sees.
"Referees have to be big; none of us are perfect and we make mistakes.
"I heard their player say that in his mind he didn't feel Jermain was doing anything to him.
"Hopefully the ref is listening to what everyone is saying around the place - football people from both sides - and makes another decision."
Paul does not subscribe, though, to the theory that Scott Mathieson, the official in charge, went to send Jermain off because of who he is.
"Jermain is a marked man because he is a goal scorer in this league, he is a high profile one, and he has to accept that he is going to get a tackle from behind and he is going to be a target for tough tackles.
"I know that is part of the game from my days when they could tackle from behind - supposedly they can't now.
"But I don't think at all that he is a marked man by referees."
Paul spoke to Jermain after the game, as did Alan Pardew, and adds:
"We have all had a little word to get an explanation and he was pretty shocked by it all - dumbstruck.
"David James, as captain, listened to what the referee said and what his opinion was - and it is unfortunate that Jermain has made the headlines for the wrong reasons."
* If the referee stands by his original decision, his ban will start in the FA cup tie at Wigan in the new year, not at Nottingham Forest on 28th December as has been reported.