Football Fans Conduct: Are we heading back to the bad old days?

I'll be honest, I didn't plan to write another blog until the end of the month. But the actions of some football 'fans' over the weekend have prompted me to write this. It won't be a greatly insightful piece I wouldn't imagine. More the ramblings of someone who isn't thick enough to run onto a football pitch.

The incident that has really prompted it is of course a Birmingham City fan running onto the pitch in Sunday's 2nd City Derby and assaulting Aston Villa's captain Jack Grealish. Now the first thing to say is that it was a shocking a horrible thing to see happen. It was the 2nd of three high profile incidents last weekend. Firstly a Hibernian fan confronting Rangers captain James Tavernier and an Arsenal fan running onto the pitch in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Manchester United and pushing Chris Smalling. Now we do see from time to time an idiot here and there run onto the pitch. That in itself while bad is nothing new. These incidents though seem to be slightly different. The Grealish one in particular for me stands out as a really bad sign. For starters the reaction to it, some (I must stress that word) Birmingham fans applauding off the moron who has been jailed and banned from all grounds for ten years. Now this isn't a criticism of Birmingham fans I'm sure most were disgusted by the actions of the moron but lets not pretend the applauding didn't happen or that there weren't songs about it going round afterwards. I have to say at this point Grealish's reaction was fantastic and he's conducted himself very well during and since the incident and he deserved to score the winner. My biggest concern about it is that many similar minded idiots from all around the country will see that and think "Oh well I fancy a bit of that" and we could well see other incidents blighting football. Another thing that I found odd was the cries of "We've never seen anything like this before". Let's rewind back to October 19th 2012. Sheffield Wednesday V Leeds United live on Sky. Chris Kirkland the then Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper was assaulted on the pitch by an invading Leeds United supporter after an equaliser. It was a shocking act to see and the reaction was similar although I do feel this incident with Grealish has got more coverage, why that is I don't know. Maybe it's just the speed of social media now being quicker than ever that it feels that way. I remember saying then that more needed to be done to stop people who want to do such stupid things. That season also saw crowd trouble between Millwall fans in the FA Cup semi final with a lot of people calling for points deductions and fines to try and stop these incidents.

For me I don't know how much a points deduction would realistically do, do these idiots who go to football matches to cause trouble really have the best interests of the club at heart? I don't know if they do to be honest. Lets say Wednesday got a points deduction for the idiot who threw the bottle at Jack O'Connell last Monday. Is that fair of the players, the Chairman or Steve Bruce? No I don't think it is. Bringing it back to Birmingham, would it be fair on the rest of the fans and the players and management at St Andrews if the were docked points for the moron who attacked Grealish? To me no but at the same time it's hard to think of many other possible punishments. Would a fine really do that much? OK maybe in the case of Birmingham who already face a possible points deduction for breaching FFP rules in the summer, it might have more impact at a club like that who need to watch the pennies but an Arsenal, are they going to do more to stop people running on the pitch if they got a fine? I'm not so sure.

Again I must stress this isn't me calling out Birmingham or Arsenal or Hibs for not controlling their fans. It's a football problem on the whole. It's also a society issue, is the uncertain future of the country having an impact on how people behave? In my opinion yes. Politics is something I tend to avoid talking too much about because you'll never find a discussion that doesn't end in arguments and people generally being daft but lets be honest. The country is a bit of a mess at the moment and peoples' behaviour is reflective of that. Football should be a fun and safe hobby for supporters but at the moment we're staring down the barrel of hooliganism becoming a massive issue like it was years ago. For me I'd rather we didn't see a return to those days, I'm sure 99% of people agree. We all enjoy the banter football rivalry can bring, we all I'm sure have a good laugh when rivals lose or don't achieve. We all have to take it on the chin when it doesn't go our way. What we shouldn't have to put up with is morons who want to spoil the game for the rest of us.

Thanks for reading,

Tom

Steel City Derby Preview: Will It Be A Manic Monday or A Magic Monday?

So here we are again, the nerves that have been in the background over the last few weeks have suddenly intensified, Twitter is awash with banter from both sides, ticket debates rumbling on, The Sheffield Star has about 50 articles a day about it. Yep, it's Derby week.

I've said before in these posts that I hate them, I hate the build up, I hate the nerves, I have very rarely enjoyed the actual football that takes place (even wins). I don't believe people who say they don't get nervous for this game on both sides of it. Wednesday's season has lets be honest been a bit rubbish but since the arrival of Steve Bruce and a recent upturn in form. It sets up for what could be a fantastic game of football on Monday night.

Sheffield United

OK, lets get the horrible bit out of the way first, Sheffield United come into this game ahead of the weekend's results 2nd in the Championship and it's hard to argue that they don't deserve to be there (though I'll have a damn good go). Any team who is 2nd in the division with 12 games to play has earned that right. While I don't think they are quite as good as the league position suggests it would be stupid to deny they've had an excellent season. They have a quite unique brand of football which does catch they eye. The most impressive thing I find with them is the way they deal with setbacks. This all goes back to the summer, the fact that the two co owners are in a legal battle over who will take full control of the club should and would at most other clubs have caused major issues but Wilder to his credit has not allowed that to be a distraction to his team and his supporters. It's fair to say over the years United haven't had a lot of patience with managers and with Kevin McCabe over certain things but at the moment you don't hear anything about him. Everyone there is pulling in the same direction something that until the last few weeks wasn't the case at S6.

 

In terms of how United will line up at Hillsborough it's hard not to see them reverting to type having had to make changes in recent weeks. The usual 352 formation with the overlapping centre backs will no doubt feature. Recently they have had to make changes due to injury but the likes of Jack O'Connell should be fit to play. It would be a surprise if Billy Sharp, United's leading marksman this season didn't start. Often this season he's started alongside former Owls loanee David McGoldrick. Both getting decent numbers this season. There is the possibility that another former Owl Gary Madine could start the game. Madine of course has scored in this fixture in the 2-2 draw back in October 2011. If I had to put money on it, I very much doubt Madine will start the game. I think Wilder would probably use him off the bench if need be. The midfield engine of Norwood, for me United's best player, Fleck and either Mark Duffy or Kieran Dowell will be key. If they turn up it's fair to say Wednesday will have to work hard to stop them. If they do drop a level though that could cost them dearly.

 

Right, enough of those Red and White so and so's. Onto the important part.

 

How do Wednesday Win This Game?

Steve Bruce will take to the touchline at Hillsborough for his first Sheffield Derby

A few weeks ago, I'd have probably called this section. How Can Wednesday Win this Game. However recent results have allowed Wednesday fans to think a little more optimistically. A Derby game does always throw up different things to the norm. Even if we'd lost seven in a row we'd still have a chance. Now it's actually a very good chance to win this game and not only keep our own slender (I do mean that) play off hopes alive but to take points of United in their battle to reach the Premier League.

 

As for on the pitch matters, Wednesday have reverted to a faster, high pressing brand of football in recent weeks. Chances are being created, the fact we've scored five goals in the last two games and maybe were disappointed to not have more shows how those games have gone. The other big change since the departure of Jos Luhukay is the clean sheets. 9 in 15 since the Dutchman left Hillsborough. That new found confidence in the defence makes the job of those further forward much easier. The other aspect of Wednesday's game which is pleasing the fans and is arguably more important than the other stuff is the fact we do the simple things well. When the ball needs to be cleared it gets cleared, when teams run at us we don't look scared to put in a tackle to stop them. We can keep hold of it in the midfield which we weren't doing so well in the first half of the season. A big issue we had at Bramall Lane is that whenever the ball did get cleared it came straight back. That shouldn't be the case this time if we turn up and carry on the form of the last few games.

 

Key men



Steven Fletcher in action against Millwall

The first key man for Wednesday will be striker Steven Fletcher, the last few weeks Fletcher's performances have been outstanding. He's lead the line fantastically well and has scored some fantastic goals. I have been one of his biggest critics since he arrived but if he continues this kind of form going forward he will be a real asset. He has big game experience as well which combined with his ability to move defenders around makes him a big threat against United. Last season he never really got into the game and United will be no doubt looking to do a similar job on him.

 

 

Barry Bannan will always for me be a massive threat to any team in this division. A great range of passing, he can potentially be the one who can unlock United's defence with a fantastic pass. Take some of the goal the other night against Brentford. Spotting Fletcher who he's linked up well with throughout their time at S6 and putting the perfect pass through for Fletcher to finish.

 

 

Fernando Forestieri will get his first taste of the Steel City Derby if he plays on Monday. A player who for me can win the game on his own. Bags of ability, even in a quiet game for him against Brentford he had an impact. It's the little things, the touches, the fake passes and shots. The burst of pace. If he's on that pitch on Monday, we have a chance.

 

Others of course will be under the spotlight, Rolando Aarons' performances have been good, several people have said they feel he can thrive on the derby atmosphere. Adam Reach of course will be hoping to add to his goal tally this season after netting twice against Swansea. Sam Hutchinson in the middle of the pitch in the form he's in is made for a game like this. Keiren Westwood between the sticks will be wanting to add a derby clean sheet to his collection and the likes of Lucas Joao if fit enough to play will have an impact.



Monday's referee Peter Bankes

 

Another factor to take into account is the man in the middle. No not Bannan or Hutchinson I'm on about Peter Bankes, the man given the responsibility of refereeing this game. Now please don't take what I'm about to say as anything other than a genuine opinion. It isn't me getting an excuse in early or slating a ref for the sake of it. I genuinely think Peter Bankes is one of the worst referees I have ever seen. He has several bad qualities, he lose control of games to easily, most games I have seen him referee in have had at least one confrontation between players, that to me says the players don't respect him. He also is inconsistent, pulling up for everything one minute then allowing everything the next. We actually benefited in the first half against Wigan in my opinion on his last trip to Hillsborough but that doesn't make it OK. I don't how he's got given such a big game. He shouldn't be refereeing professional football, he's woefully bad and as much as we'd all take a dodgy penalty win it would still take away from the win if it was decided by a poor decision. I've always said that I'd rather talk about tactics and good play than bad officiating. I don't think I'm alone in that view.

 

Another point that needs making is I think Wednesday have to use the crowd on Monday, it will be an electric atmosphere no doubt and that can be a massive advantage to Wednesday. Even though there will be more blades fans there this time than last year if Wednesday start well and get the crowd going not many teams can cope with that atmosphere. We've seen it before, Brighton, Newcastle, Cardiff, Arsenal have all faulted in recent years when the crowd gets going. Make it intimidating, make it hard for United's players. If they make a mistake, get on it, make them know they're in a game. That's the most unique thing about a derby for me, the vociferous nature of the crowd in reaction to normal everyday things you see.

 

Prediction

I'll start this part by saying that I don't believe you can ever be 100% confidant when trying to call a derby. So many different things will come into it. If both teams turn up it could be a cracking game. United are the favourites, while form does go out of the window. They are challenging for automatic promotion, they've been up there all year while we've struggled. They are favourites as much as some of their fans seem to want to play it down the pressure is on them. Not to say there isn't pressure on Wednesday but there will be less scrutiny on us. If we lose then I think most neutrals would say it was expected and focus more on the performance. From a fans point of view I think most sensible fans would say a draw would be a decent result but we actually have a very good chance of winning it. For me if Wednesday score first and keep the crowd on side then regardless of how good United are I think we would hold on. If United score first it would maybe play more into their hands. I'll say an optimistic 3-2 win for Wednesday. A thriller under the lights at Hillsborough.

 

 

Whatever the result, lets hope the game passes with as little incident away from the pitch as possible and Sheffield as a city does itself proud.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Tom

 

WAWAW