Former Toon Boss Fears 'Disastrous' Move!

Last updated : 31 October 2009 By Footy Mad - Editor

Sam Allardyce: "This is a physical contact game and fans love the commitment.

"You take that commitment away and you haven't got a product. If you don't have a product, you don't have the money that you have got, you don't have the worldwide recognition - you will destroy the game.

"(That is) irrespective of what other managers might say. The big managers will say, yes, let's outlaw it, because they don't want their big stars tackled, but it is a big part of the game - the fans love it, the whole of the world loves it.

"I'm a bit passionate about it, because it has become a game for pansies to be honest with you.

"When I see Dermot Gallagher justifying that Ridgewell's tackle against Theo Walcott should be outlawed, then I want the Football Association and the referees to justify to me how Ridgewell can tackle without making contact," Allardyce said.

"Does he put a 60% challenge in? Does he put a 25% challenge in so it's not quite as fierce? No - its absolute nonsense, what he (Gallagher) is talking about.

"If you go for a tackle, you go for a tackle. The tackle takes the ball and your impetus takes you through the player.

"There's nothing you can do about that. You can't start asking a player to be weighing up what pace he is running at or whether he should slow down before he does it. It's a complete nonsense.

"It's about the mentality of the players and we have to have the same desire to compete against the opposition away from home as we do at home," Allardyce said.

"We just seem to stand off the opposition, whereas at home, we are all over them like a rash.

"That's what you need away perhaps even more than at home. It is a big concern for me, the staff and the players."