ALEX MCLEISH IS GINGER, WON'T EVER BE LOVED.

This is what Alex McLeish the Birmingham City manager said about Jack Wilshere's tackle on Zigic on Saturday:

It’s a bad tackle. If he doesn't get a red card for that then I think we might as well pack our bags and go home.

This is what he said after our 2-2 draw at Birmingham, in an interview to BBC about Martin Taylor's tackle on Eduardo. He said:

The fact that (some commentators were surprised at the red card) tells the story itself - it was seen as just another normal tackle in a game of football where there is contact.

So, just that we're clear on the concept...

BAD TACKLE:

JUST ANOTHER NORMAL TACKLE IN A GAME OF FOOTBALL:

Can you spot the difference? Now, I don't mean to brag but ankles aren't supposed to bend that way.

Naturally McLeaish had some things to say after our win on Saturday. Here's a couple of quotes (with translation) worth reading:

"The tackle by Nasri is a sending-off,"

Or maybe it isn't

"He’s kneed the guy in the back. Is that not violent conduct? Anyway, they gave him a yellow card."

Says a person who thought Taylor's tackle on Eduardo didn't even warrant a red card.

"I don’t mean to be a whinger..."

That's unfortunate because you sound like a whiny, little bitch.

"...but we’ve had a lot of decisions go against us over the last wee while."

Boo fucking hoo, maybe you should spend less time badmouthing other teams then. Just a thought.

"One of our players is going to have to get hit with a baseball bat to get a penalty, that’s for sure."

Hmm...dunno, wanna try it?

"Eboue had the scissor challenge on Ridgewell. We know the damage it can do."

Yes. Yes we do know, Alex. The person who thought Taylor's tackle on Eduardo WASN'T deserving of a red card.

"Did you see Murphy get punched in the face in the last minute?"

Did you see Chamakh get elbowed in the head?

"We took him off with a cut eye. He’s got stitches. Let’s investigate."

Let's. Just let me get my monocle and a top hat and we'll be on our way.

"Jack Wilshere’s was a deserved red. He’s not a dirty player but even the best can mistime tackles. Zigic is lucky. He could have had his leg shattered like Eduardo."

But he didn't have his leg shattered like Eduardo. He got up and got on with the match...unlike Eduardo who needed an oxygen mask because he had a bone sticking out of his sock.

"Martin Taylor still gets vilified for that."

For practically ending a fellow professional's career? Oh no, poor Martin Taylor. I hope he gets through that.

"People are still going to interview Eduardo about that tackle."

Well, that's not right! Can you believe it? They're going to interview him about THAT tackle:

 
"It’s scandalous."

It is, indeed.

"Will people be interviewing Jack Wilshere in a year about his tackle?"

Probably not.

They will be interviewing Eduardo about THAT one, though.

panda pic's from here.