What the papers say: Sheffield Utd

[Dirk Gently]

Warnock's Local Rag



Who had a pop at Colin then?

And where do they go to collect the reward?

[Ian Royal]

Lita had a set to with Montgomerie but Bikey pulled them apart before it got serious, they were eyebrow to eyebrow on the touchline as the Warnock thing kicked off.

Good for him. I think Bikey needs to stay at the club, and do that he needs to be a model citizen.

While Murty had to hold back Hunt, it seems that Ingimarsson and Bikey did the peacekeeping.

Any words on what Hunt is supposed to have done to Gillespie? Warnock indicated some deliberate shirt pulling (which is not very nice if its true, the ball being out of play and everything).

As for Warnocks gesture. Was that gesture looking anything like Sidwells challange?

Gillespie ran straight at him as he came on. Hunt didn't move and fended him off. Gillespie then started backing in to Hunt who was holding his ground and pushing back. Gillespie glanced behind him and threw out an elbow at Hunt smacking him in the face.

Hunt may have said something to spark it all off. I'd guess it had something to do with him contesting the drop ball after the sidwell challenge. Certainly nothing more than the usual "banter" on a pitch I would have thought. Gillespie clearly came on with the intent to "do a job" on Hunt

[Fat Leather Jacket]

Its very poor coverage of the game in todays press. Vicki Orvice in the Sun (an orifice of football knowledge) spends 3/4 of her match report talking about an off the ball incident....the bloody stupid woman. Nothing is mentioned of the fact that we comfortably beat a team when we were understrength.

The Evening Post is no better, Nick Ive should really keep away from local football reporting as he's bland as hell and has no opinion of his own worth a damn.

Before anyone asks im not going to type out either report, neither is worth a bucket of piss frankly.

[Stooper]

That's near enough what I said, but everyone threw their RTG at me

[Fat Leather Jacket]

Mirror

READING 3-1 SHEFFIELD UNITED
Hunt is still attracting controversy
By Darren Lewis
JADE GOODY might not be the only person needing to take a long hard look at her image this morning.

Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt might just want to have a word with himself, too.

It would be easy at first glance to blame the Battle of Berkshire all on professional panto villain Neil Warnock or the stupidity of experienced campaigner Keith Gillespie.


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But Hunt might care to accept a degree of culpability for the events the FA will most certainly be studying this morning.


There is no doubt that he was the victim of a mindless act of violence that could have left him needing a visit to the dentist today. But there was also more than a touch of theatre about the way Hunt went down from Gillespie's attempted elbow.


Hunt should also have left the officials to deal with the situation after being hit.


Instead he jumped up to remonstrate with Gillespie and had to be dragged away by his Royals team-mates.


On the weekend that Chelsea keeper Petr Cech was making his first appearance in a game since his clash with Hunt back in October, you would have thought the Reading star would want to do as little as possible to hit the headlines for the wrong reasons.


Yet there he was, even after Gillespie had seen red, in the winger's face and taking another bunch of fives for his troubles.


To be fair to Hunt, that Cech challenge four months ago was widely accepted to be a genuine one from a committed player. But Hunt now needs to be careful that he does not pick up a reputation as a player who likes to dish it out, but can't take it.


There was more than a touch of the Robbie Savage of old about some of his challenges in this match. In fact, it was Hunt's lunge at Nick Montgomery late on that conceded the free-kick from which United scored.


And that is probably why Reading boss Steve Coppell gagged Hunt from speaking to the media afterwards.


Reading are a super club who deserve every one of the plaudits they are gaining from a magnificent season. It would be a real shame if they were to allow this kind of thing to detract from it.


Feelings were still running high when Wally Downes behaved just like his christian name, storming into the United technical area to shove Blades boss Warnock soon after Gillespie saw red. The Wally, sorry, the Reading coach believed Warnock was telling his players to exact some retribution for Gillespie's sending off.


Warnock insisted he was actually having a moan at referee Mark Halsey about a challenge from Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell.


The FA will get involved over the 20-man brawl that followed, but the bottom line is that Downes started it.


Warnock wisely stepped out of the situation, but fists, subs and coaching staff flew in. A brilliant example for the fans in the stands. Not!


What a shame it all detracted from a fine performance from the Royals that keeps them in contention for a UEFA Cup place. Shane Long started the goal-rush a minute before half-time with a well taken opener. The striker was well placed when Chris Lucketti's clearance rebounded off Sidwell into his path to tuck away.


Ulises de la Cruz doubled the lead in stunning fashion after a burst from his own half. James Harper's pass found the Ecuadorian continuing his forward run and the left-back finished coolly from the inside-right position.


For the third, Rob Kozluk blocked Sidwell's initial shot, but the ball fell kindly for Hunt who reacted sharply to turn it home.


Slack defending at that free-kick conceded by Hunt left sub Christian Nade clear to score United's consolation from eight yards

Have a word with yourself Hunty for fecks sake, next time some player is told to target you out of the game just let him do what he wants with impunity.

[3 veesinarow]

Several people have mentioned the drop-ball restart as being a reason why Warnock et al might be "upset" at Hunty, but the fact is it was a contested re-start, which was made clear by the referee and both sets of players understood that was going to be the case, so that doesn't even make it to the start-line as a "flashpoint" of any description...

[Northern Git]

Warnock's Local Rag

SHEFFIELD United manager Neil Warnock is ready to protest his innocence if hauled before the Football Association over a touchline bust-up with Reading coach Wally Downes.
Warnock and Downes clashed just moments after Blades substitute Keith Gillespie was sent off for violent conduct during Saturday's Premiership game at the Madejski Stadium which ended in a 3-1 defeat for the visitors.
Downes, a former United player who has also worked in the past with one of Warnock's arch-enemies Stan Ternent, thought the Blades manager was telling his players to break their opponents' legs.
He subsequently charged into the Blades technical area and pushed Warnock in the chest sparking angry scenes.
Both men were ordered from their respective dug-outs by referee Mark Halsey and are now likely to be charged with misconduct in the next 48 hours.
For Warnock, the implications could be more serious – as he was given a suspended three-match ban at the start of the season.
However, the Blades manager, who was also threatened by Reading supporters as he left the Madejski Stadium, insists that Downes is 'out-of-order' and had clearly got the wrong end of the stick.
Although Warnock lifted his leg several times in portrayal of a violent tackle, he says he was doing it only to complain about a challenge by Reading's Steve Sidwell on defender Chris Armstrong.
Warnock said: "In every walk of life, people try to get out of a hole and don't let the facts get in the way of a good story.
"Wally has run across into our technical area and pushed me.
"He's trying to say that I am telling people to break legs again – which is absolutely garbage.
"But the facts will come out and whatever interpretation Wally took was wrong.
"It was out of order what he did. Fortunately for me, the referee Mark Halsey has heard exactly what was said.
"Mark was 10 yards in front of me and I lifted my foot to say that I thought Sidwell's foul on Armstrong was the worst foul of the day.
"But Wally has just barged into me and said something about... I don't know, I don't think he was coherrent. His head and his eyes were bulging.
"He is interpreting what I am saying the way he wants to. I don't think they heard what I said to Mark Halsey. They are putting two and two together and getting five.
"Fortunately, for me, the one man that matters (the referee) actually heard what I said which is a great plus. He won't lie about what I said.
"No-one can have a go at his impartiality.
"You might say there is 'history' between me and Wally. He gets a bit carried away because he worked with Stan Ternent."
Trouble erupted soon after the interval when Gillespie was sent off for elbowing Reading winger Steven Hunt.
The Northern Ireland international had only been on the field 12 seconds and had not even touched the ball but reacted angrily to a push in the back from the Reading player.
He will be dealt with by Warnock, who has a disciplinary code in place for such irresponsible action.
Warnock, however, began shouting at the referee after Gillespie had disappeared down the tunnel but it was his portrayal of a studs-up challenge that sent Downes over the edge.
Surprisingly, Reading manager Steve Coppell would not condemn Downes's behaviour afterwards and pointed an accusing finger of blame at Warnock.
Coppell said: "I don't know what Neil was meaning but he was making a challenge, in shape, as if he was going straight on in the tackle.
"It looked to be an aggressive gesture. I think it was wrong. The insinuation was to raise the aggression level in what was at that stage a game that looked to have been played 100 per cent in the right way.
"I certainly didn't want my players to be reacting to anything like that and I obviously didn't want them to be on the receiving end of anything. I don't want my players being kicked.
"I am very happy to play football against anyone but it looked as there was a response required to that gesture.
"I am not going to say anymore because other people are going to make judgements. I am sure Wally reacted to the action. I have got no problem with what Wally did.
"On the face of it, I am not going to do anything against Wally, absolutely not. That's not to say someone else might not do something."
The Blades defeat means they have edged one point closer to the Premiership relegation zone although they are still four points clear – and they now have eight days to prepare for their next game against Fulham at Bramall Lane.
ian.appleyard@ypn.co.uk

Madejski Madness

Two coaches sent to the stands and Keith Gillespie sent off, here is how the drama unfolded:
51 mins: Sheffield United defender Chris Armstrong is hurt by a rash challenge from Reading's Steve Sidwell.
53 mins: Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock sends on substitute Keith Gillespie.
54 mins: Gillespie is sent off for elbowing Reading winger Stephen Hunt just 12 seconds after coming on to the field.
55 mins: Warnock complains to referee Mark Halsey about the 'studs up' challenge by Sidwell.
55mins: Reading coach Wally Downes, thinking Warnock is urging his players to 'break the legs' of the Reading players, pushes Warnock and sparks angry scenes on the touchline.
56mins: Downes and Warnock are 'sent off' by referee Mark Halsey.
69mins: Hunt rubs in the salt in the wounds by putting Reading 3-0 ahead.
22 January 2007



Who had a pop at Colin then?

No its not his local rag - its the Leeds based Yorkshire Post that is anti anything to do with Sheffield football.

His local rag, The Sheffield Star & Telegraph, is here

http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=59&ArticleID=1985502

Nice of them to give a text number so we can say what we think of Colin

[Ian Royal]

unbelieveable that it's reported as Hunt going after Gillespie for Afters when the sent off twat stormed towards him and lashed out. Then Hunt was calmly escorted from harm by a team mate.

[Gordon Cumming's right ho]

What I'm really interested in - and cannot find any mention or thread - is, if Hunty did say something to Gillespie, what exactly would he have said?

Something about needing all his wages to fritter away on losing bets.... allegedly.... or something much, much worse?

[Trendy]

Nice of them to give a text number so we can say what we think of Colin

Worth 25 pence of anyone's money.

[Arch]

unbelieveable that it's reported as Hunt going after Gillespie for Afters when the sent off twat stormed towards him and lashed out. Then Hunt was calmly escorted from harm by a team mate.

I thin Hunt was definitely walking towards him, albeit without looking particularly aggressive. You can see Sidwell et al heading in to stop Hunt from going towards Gillespie.

Whatever! It's done and dusted.

By the way, did anyone else notice that Ivar was one of the most confrontational of our players during the whole deal? I was as surprised at that as that Bikey was the biggest peacekeeper.

[Top Flight]

unbelieveable that it's reported as Hunt going after Gillespie for Afters when the sent off twat stormed towards him and lashed out. Then Hunt was calmly escorted from harm by a team mate.

I thin Hunt was definitely walking towards him, albeit without looking particularly aggressive. You can see Sidwell et al heading in to stop Hunt from going towards Gillespie.

Whatever! It's done and dusted.

By the way, did anyone else notice that Ivar was one of the most confrontational of our players during the whole deal? I was as surprised at that as that Bikey was the biggest peacekeeper.

Ingimarsson was the closest to the incident......

The way the Mirror reported the whole thing is a disgrace.

I don't think the Mirror likes RFC or Hunt? I wonder if the writers and sports editor at the Mirror support the Swine or O*ford? Something seems a bit odd about their anti Hunt and RFC stance?

Hunt is only guilty of getting smacked in the face........

Regarding the Montgomery incident, if you look at that on match of the day, Hunt only had eyes for the ball. He wasn't even looking at Monty. Hunt is a whole hearted, spirited player. I certainly don't want Hunt to drop his spirit and tenacity from his game. He is not a dirty player. Because he is so committed to the cause, occassionally he batters into people by accident. You can also argue that Montgomery battered into Hunt. Warnock is only upset because Montgomery came off worse!

Hunt shouldn't care what anyone else thinks. People are really clutching at straws if they are trying to suggest that Hunt is a dirty player and has a darkening image! Too much B*llocks gets written in the Premier League if you ask me.

People seem to want football to become a soft non contact sport! The Mirrror should be ashamed of themselves if they want football to become a soft non contact sport. What Hunt did was accidental, what Gillespie did was deliberate and disgusting! There is no excuse! How the Mirror can not take a pro Hunt stance on this issue when all other observers can just demonstrates what a pathetic tabloid paper they are!

Mirror = Oxf*rd

[Ian Royal]

is it because their journo is a cheatski fan by any chance?

Of course Hunt was walking "towards" Gillespie, that was the direction of the Sheffield goal which we would presumably have shortly been attacking with a freekick.

[Far Canal]

Mirror
Hunt should also have left the officials to deal with the situation after being hit.
Instead he jumped up to remonstrate with Gillespie and had to be dragged away by his Royals team-mates.

Shock: Hunt guilty of failing to roll around on the floor feigning serious injury!

Yet there he was, even after Gillespie had seen red, in the winger's face and taking another bunch of fives for his troubles.

Horror: Hunt guilty of vicious assault on Gillespie's fist with his face!


No surprise at all really: Mirror journalist writes total bollocks.

[Arch]

is it because their journo is a cheatski fan by any chance?

Of course Hunt was walking "towards" Gillespie, that was the direction of the Sheffield goal which we would presumably have shortly been attacking with a freekick.

Ian, be serious for a minute. Look on the OS highlights. He's heading towards Gillespie, not the freekick, and a couple of Reading players are heading in to keep him back. I'm not saying he was going to do anything and he wasn't taking any kind of an aggressive stance, but it's clear he's moving towards Gillespie.

[zac naloen]

Ian, be serious for a minute. Look on the OS highlights. He's heading towards Gillespie, not the freekick, and a couple of Reading players are heading in to keep him back. I'm not saying he was going to do anything and he wasn't taking any kind of an aggressive stance, but it's clear he's moving towards Gillespie.

Not speaking for hunt, but were I in that situation I'd have tried to shake his hand to show there's not bad feelings or something. Who knows what hunt was doing though, Gillespie quite clearly purposefulyl walked in his direction and smacked him, no matter what Hunt was doing/going to do.

[Arch]

Ian, be serious for a minute. Look on the OS highlights. He's heading towards Gillespie, not the freekick, and a couple of Reading players are heading in to keep him back. I'm not saying he was going to do anything and he wasn't taking any kind of an aggressive stance, but it's clear he's moving towards Gillespie.

Not speaking for hunt, but were I in that situation I'd have tried to shake his hand to show there's not bad feelings or something. Who knows what hunt was doing though, Gillespie quite clearly purposefulyl walked in his direction and smacked him, no matter what Hunt was doing/going to do.

I don;t disagree with any of that.

[Northern Git]

is it because their journo is a cheatski fan by any chance?

Of course Hunt was walking "towards" Gillespie, that was the direction of the Sheffield goal which we would presumably have shortly been attacking with a freekick.

According to the BladesUnited site he is a Blades fan - might explain alot

[Yorkshire Royal]

It's the mirror. Of course they hate Reading. Reading is in Berkshire. I mean the mirror is the only daily newspaper that considers the word "toff" to be an insult...

[Ian Royal]

Ian, be serious for a minute. Look on the OS highlights. He's heading towards Gillespie, not the freekick, and a couple of Reading players are heading in to keep him back. I'm not saying he was going to do anything and he wasn't taking any kind of an aggressive stance, but it's clear he's moving towards Gillespie.

Not speaking for hunt, but were I in that situation I'd have tried to shake his hand to show there's not bad feelings or something. Who knows what hunt was doing though, Gillespie quite clearly purposefulyl walked in his direction and smacked him, no matter what Hunt was doing/going to do.

I don;t disagree with any of that.

I can't be arsed to watch it all again, That certainly isn't the impression I got. Gillespie should have been well of the field before Hunt got anywhere near him. Hunt was walking up the pitch (in the direction you'd expect an attacking player to go when we have a free kick) Gillespie jogged towards him and lamped him. THats how I've seen it. If you've seen it another way fair enough. these things are all down to interpretation anyway