Yesterday, Danny Murphy had his say on the physical side of our game.
Danny, quite rightly, inferred that the physical challenges made by some players are the direct result of some managers charging up their players before kick-off.
Danny also called for an independent panel to view suspicious challenges, on a Monday, and offer retrospective punishment.
But Danny`s words don`t appear to have gone down well in some quarters.
On person who has stepped forward and offered an alternative view is Dave Bassett, the manager of the Wimbledon side who were renowned for tough tactics.
Basset had this to say,
“Danny is entitled to an opinion – I just don`t happen to agree because I know the managers concerned.”
“Yes they will ask their players to go out there pumped up because that is better than having them comatosed.”
“But knowing Sam, Tony and Mick, they would never tell their teams to go out and kick anybody.”
“They`ll say ‘Get some challenges in and let them know we`re about` because when the opposition have the ball you are allowed to tackle them.”
But did we expect Dave Bassett to say anything else about fellow managers?
Another to step forward in the wake of Danny`s comments is the Stoke defender, Ryan Shawcross, who has remarked,
“I`m sure the likes of Henry and De Jong don`t go out to injure players on purpose.”
“It`s part and parcel of football. They are tough-tackling ventral midfielders whose game is based on making tackles, winning the ball and giving it to the ball-players.”
You have to accept that when the ball and players are moving so fast, people are going to mis-time tackles. That is when injuries can happen.”
I wonder if Aaron Ramsey shares that view.
Lastly, in those we`ve picked up on who don`t agree with Danny is the Stoke chairman, Peter Coates, who has added his tuppence worth by adding,
“I`m surprised by his comments. He himself is a very competitive player.”
Did Coates forget to add the word FAIR do you reckon!
Enough said on that subject we think!
Vital Fulham on:
Vital Fulham on:
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