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Only Morgan knows whether he meant it: SEZ LES
WILL Chris Morgan watch where he puts his elbows in future?
Only he knows what went through his mind at that fateful moment at Oakwell last Saturday. The rest of us only reckon we know or are just guessing.
Was it a deliberate attempt to injure a fellow professional? Of course not.
Was it an avoidable use of a dangerous part of the body. Well, yes it was.
Was it an accident or was it, as an old football sage introduced me to many, many years ago, "accidentally on purpose"?
In a physical sport where the physicality is being eroded quickly rather than slowly, Morgan remains a 'macho' figure of a central defender who trades on the physical side of the game rather than sophistication.
Fine. It's his way and there used to be dozens like him. Rather have them in your team than against you.
But did this one cross the line of acceptable physicality? Talk to any Barnsley followers and they are in no doubt it did - and, remember, Morgan is one of "theirs" because he started out with his home-town club.
As one irate Red around here says … "Imagine a centre-half from, say, a London club doing that and James Beattie ends up with a fractured skull. What would Blades fans be saying?"
I have to be honest and say that the more I watched it - from the camera positioned behind - the worse it seemed.
Their bodies, in fact, are actually touching when the contact is made with Iain Hume's head.
Morgan sets himself and Hume is starting to turn his body to set it up against his opponent and just gets in contact when he gets the whack at the side of the head.
A second later, the ball is headed away and nobody's feet ever left the ground!
Was Morgan simply protecting his space or was it something a bit more aggressive - and avoidably aggressive?
A thoroughly wholehearted pro who plays on the edge, Morgan won't have enjoyed the criticism and the adverse publicity of this week.
He will, of course, hope, like the rest of us, that Iain Hume makes a full and speedy recovery and hope that there is no lasting damage, physically or psychologically, that will prevent him getting back into the rough and tumble.
Perhaps with a little less rough!
SO what's made you smile this week?
Those with a cricketing interest won't have to think too long. Australia's latest loss to India thus culminating in their first series defeat since the 2005 Ashes.
With big totals racked up by the opposition and facing run deficits, Ricky Ponting now has an idea what it has been like facing the Aussies all these years. Not easy is it, Ricky, with the top men gone?
With such greats as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist departed and one or two others nearly as good as gone, Australia were bound to suffer.
They might find South Africa a bit troublesome this winter.
I see Ponting is also coming in for heavy criticism back home and there could even be a campaign to undermine him as things just start to go the other way.
Why? It could be that waiting in the wings for a sensational return may be Warne.
In fact, I've had a feeling for some time that the world's greatest ever leg-spinner might well make himself available for next summer's Ashes. I see Dickie Bird was floating the possibility this week.
Well, it wouldn't surprise me. With the Ashes having such a profile, it would be perfect for Warney to return.
If the Aussies aren't doing too well and they haven't got a top spinner around then they'd have nothing to lose.
Even though he packed in Test cricket last year, you're not telling me wouldn't improve the side - and he'd love it!
A HORSE named Harry Patch won at Doncaster last Saturday.
It could hardly have had a more appropriate name in this week of the 90th anniversary of the ending of World War One.
For Harry Patch was one of the three remaining survivors from that war who laid wreaths at Tuesday's special Armistice Day parade in London.
And, yes, it was named after the old soldier now 110.
What do you think? Post your comments below.
READ MORE
Blades Watch 08-09 - The Season So Far
Owls Watch 08-09 - The Season So Far
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Weather for Sheffield
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Fog
Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Sunny spells
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