that replay from behind is the clincher

He definitely moved his knee downwards. Not the action of someone trying to avoid the keeper's head!

It's a well-known fact that players will put a heavy challenge in early, with the intent of "letting them know I'm here" and that they aren't going to be bossed around - particularly against a superior side.

John Fashanu made a career out of it (see John O'Neill). In fact, he admits that he'd go to see the ref before the game and ask about his family etc, so that when put in an early crunching tackle, he'd get a friendly warning from the ref rather than a yellow card.

Players rough each other up all the time - perhaps that was what Hunt was intending. I'm sure he didn't mean to put him in hospital, but I can't see how anyone can say he tried to avoid the collision.

Posted By: Hull Canary, Oct 16, 10:51:44