Goodison Park has always been a hot-bed of emotion and ahead of Fulham`s clash with Everton Roy Hodgson has acted smartly.
Last week, Wayne Rooney nearly fell victim to what could be perceived as a loyalty craze having to be substituted by his manager after ‘kissing` his badge, an act many players seem quick to latch on to in proving loyalty.
Rooney, as you all know, was a former Everton player and Roy has been quick to prevent Andrew Johnson from falling into a trap that may be laid by some vociferous bating by the Everton supporters.
Speaking to the media, Roy remarked,
‘It would behove us to mention it to Andy but I’m a football coach. I talk to players about their roles to help the team win.’
‘It’s a sad state of affairs when you have to tell players not to kiss the badge, or don’t do this or don’t do that. Perhaps it will behove us to do that. “
‘I’m not a great fan of badge kissing. We’re mercenaries in football, there’s no question of that. “
‘The days of badge kissing at Fulham died with the likes of Johnny Haynes and Jimmy Hill. I’m surprised if fans want to see it.”
‘They’re not stupid, they know that players come and go and change clubs.”
‘They also know that when a player changes clubs he gives his 100% allegiance all of the time he’s playing for them. “
‘I expect every player Fulham to have nothing but the club in his head. He doesn’t need to kiss the badge to show me that.’
As usual, Roy has hit the nail firmly on the head and let`s hope the players take heed.
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