Tackle not as bad as it looked – Bardsley

Mar 12 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

PHIL Bardsley has apologised for his X-rated tackle on Everton’s Steven Pienaar at the weekend, but insists it was not as bad as television replays made it seem.

The Sunderland right-back was cautioned after catching his man halfway up the shin with a studs-up tackle. Reviewing the challenge for Sunday’s television highlights, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown compared it to the recent challenge by Martin Taylor which broke Eduardo’s leg.

Even before the Eduardo incident, challenges of that nature were being spotlighted. Both Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Quieroz forced to quickly apologise for excessive comments about Taylor.

While Bardsley admits his tackle was bad, he argued it was just a

case of being out-skilled by the South African winger. “When I saw (Joleon) Lescott play the ball I thought it was a slow pass and I could have nicked in front of Pienaar to win the ball,” he explained.

“It wasn’t to be and I’ve caught him. Looking back it is a bad tackle. But when the TV slows it down, it looks a lot worse. I know it wasn’t the greatest of tackles and I’m glad the lad is okay.

“He put his body in the way to protect the ball and I’ve gone for it and caught him. But when its in full flight I don’t think anyone around the ground would have ever seen it until they replayed it on the TV. When you look at it again it is not the greatest challenge but I’m grateful the lad is okay.” Because Bardsley was booked by Alan Wiley the authorities cannot take retrospective action over the incident. His manager, Roy Keane, said after the match he felt the yellow card was fair, though in the current climate others will certainly disagree.

Having put the incident behind him, Bardsley is looking forward to finally playing behind Carlos Edwards with the winger expected to make his return from injury in tonight’s reserve team game at home to Manchester United. Keane has long intended for the pair to be his first-choice right-side combination once the Trinidad and Tobago international recovered from a broken leg.

“I saw him last year and I’ve seen him in training in the last couple of weeks,” said the ex-Manchester United defender. “He’s a livewire who can upset the back four and it will be nice to have him back. He has great crossing ability and can get in behind teams and hurt them. All the lads are looking forward to him coming back.

“Everybody seems to like a midfielder to sit and one to attack. A striker likes to get used to someone as his strike-partner. It’s the same as a full-back, you can get a good relationship going.”

Meanwhile, Burnley boss Owen Coyle has revealed Keane told him transfer-listed Liam Miller was unavailable. This week the Clarets tried to take Miller on loan, as they have already done with Andy Cole and Stanislav Varga.

“Since the January window I’ve been actively speaking to clubs about players,” said Coyle. “Unfortunately it never came off, but we certainly enquired about Liam Miller, who I believe is a very good player.”

Miller cannot leave Sunderland this season except on loan to a Football League side. Keane, who has been linked with Leeds United’s £2m-rated central defender Rui Marques, has again suggested Anthony Stokes could be allowed to leave on loan, however.

“He needs a few more first-team games,” Keane stressed. “He’s not played that much lately. He started against Everton and came off at half-time, but that was just for tactical reasons. We’re happy with Stokesy, but it wouldn’t do him any harm to go out on loan and get some league football under his belt.”