Reading captain Jobi McAnuff has publicly spoke of his anger of the Leeds’ aggressive challenges, which has left Jem Karacan with a broken ankle.
The 30-year old led this side to a 2-0 victory over Neil Warnock’s side, but it was a game over-shadowed by some shameful tackles from the visitors. Leeds’ Zac Thompson saw red early on but poor challenges from Michael Brown and Danny Pugh went mainly unpunished, with Brown’s challenge ruling the Turkish midfielder out for the season.
Speaking to talkSPORT, McAnuff said: ‘It got a little bit out of control. You don`t mind a fair honest tackle but when they`re the ones putting players in danger, like the one today that`s happened on Jem Karacan, then you`re angry. Some of the tackles leave a sour taste in the mouth. There were some very high and some very dangerous tackles.”
“I thought a few of the tackles were pretty reckless. That was just one of many and I think it was a dangerous precedent to set really when the referee doesn`t given any fouls early on. We tried to not get too involved in those tactics but it is difficult when yourself and your team-mates are getting literally chopped down.’
Royals boss Brian McDermott admitted he did not have a problem with Leeds’ aggressive nature but was not happy with some of the challenges directed at Karacan. It is expected that Jobi McAnuff will continue in his position for the rest of the season, also having the option of Hayden Mullins in a more defensive-minded outlook.
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is he talking about the tactics where Leeds committed les fouls than Reading did ??
I watched this on TV and the tone was set by the early sending off. The tackle was foolish but never a red card and the antics of the Reading players following it said it all about modern day so called professionals trying their best (and succeeding) to get a youngfster sent off. Had that been a yellow like it should have been I suspect it would have been very different.
I agree with simon and Erni. The referee made a rod for his own back early doors. Never a red card in this world but worse offences later in the game went unpunished? Wasn’t exactly consistent was he? Becchio continually hit in the face by Gorkss. Bruce hit in the face-was he still slightly unsteady from that which resulted in the first goal? Robinson elbowed in the face by the otherwise ineffectual Roberts which resulted in the second goal? Lonergan kneed in the chest. All unpunished. Need I go on?
I agree that all of this has been blown out of the water a little. The only two tackles that were dangerous was the red card from Thompson and Pugh’s challenge on Karacan that went unpunished.