Episode 4 Late Kick Off South, South West and West

Good things may come in "freeze", but not much football did. Still,

we salute all the games that did, just about, survive the big chill

Pitch perfect, as freezing weather plays havoc with the weekend's

fixtures. Are artificial pitches the solution?

Falling faster than the temperature, play-acting players, conning

referees. The Knowledge. This week - the game

within a game, as attacker and defender play cat and mouse. Miaow!

And all aboard at the only League Two game to go ahead this weekend,

as Plymouth harbour more comeback Hello, thanks for joining us. Not

the easiest weekend for football, with only six of our 17 teams

getting a game, but rest assured we've got all the action that did

survive. Plus, Graeme Murty and Leroy Rosenior in especially feisty

mood. Hello to you both. Hello. The first thing we're going to talk

about is the weather. With 17 games frozen off this weekend across the

Football League, there's a growing belief among many in the game that

the best solution to weekends like the last is artificial pitches.

Should we put it on plastic? Wycombe Wanderers are among those

leading the campaign to go artificial.

And up North, rugby league are among those who already feel

plastic is fantastic. As soccer matches fell by the wayside, Super

League team Widnes beat the weather this weekend, playing their first

competitive match on a brand new artificial surface. Tony Husband

reports on football's reluctance to join the fans of plastic.

Football's reticence to embrace plastic must surely be down to the

controversial 1980s foray into Astroturf. Several teams or went

plastic. Away team players were caught unawares by the strange

bounce. He completely missed judged that on this at less than familiar

surface. There were allegations that it game the home team too much

of an advantage. The experiment soon lapsed. What comes a

technology has moved the goalposts. Third generation science makes the

artificial service -- surface picture-perfect. The bounce is

realistic, the surface is forgiving and it can bring financial benefits.

When people particularly in the lower leagues look for

opportunities for income revenue, they need closer community

relationships and a consistent playing surface. If plastic did

exist, how much more revenue and Saturday afternoon entertainment

would become a reality this weekend? -- would have become a

reality? Snow we pictures. First of all, how

different was it? It was totally different. It was horrendous and we

had a massive advantage at QPR. You had burns all over your legs. I am

shocked many players have long term injuries. I have had 12 operations

on my knees. We certainly do not want pictures like that. Graeme,

you are used to working on third generation pictures? It is better,

more forgiving. You can turn, cut, the bounce is very good. I am not

sure I would want to be on it all the time but I understand the

argument in terms of revenue generation. We are talking about a

consistent playing surface. None of the games in the Premier League

were called off due to bad weather this weekend. It is a good idea for

some people but we do not think it is fair unless everyone has it.

Shouldn't you have the choice? At the moment the FA say you cannot

have it. There was a meeting in November in which they debated the

issue and there is a lot of talk it will be brought up next week when

maybe there will be a vote about whether clubs should be allowed to

go ahead. If you have an artificial pitch, you will see the same sort

of thing week in week out. We do not want the game to be false.

like the variable? I like that some pictures are slow and sometimes it

is white and all of the variables you get with different sorts of

weather. If you put messy on the pit, he would still be the best

player in the world. We are trying to make an enjoyable professional

game that is sustainable. What about the games that do not go

ahead at all? Swindon lost Tibetan and maybe they are going to look at

this depending on what happens next week. I would like every team to

have underfloor heating. The FA could put money aside to get that.

There is still the problem of getting to the game which you

cannot do a lot about. There is the argument about revenue but I think

it is a shrine. Trouble bridge is a shrine. You should not have Sunday

teams playing week-in week-out. It is a professional game.

Economically, there is a massive advantage of being able to use your

pitch throughout the week. understand that argument but my

point is, I do not think they are good enough yet. Not even the 4th

generation ones? Not yet, not for me anyway. You can continue the

debate if you have a view on Twitter. In the meantime, here is

what is coming up. We have got all the action from the weekend, all

six games. We have players who do not play fair and why it Murts is a

big girl's blouse. And we have The Knowledge. TV gold.

Right now, a little less conversation and more action with

our League Two round-up. Here is a list of the weekend's games.

Plymouth against Southend. Do not forget the only game in

League Two. After going behind within a minute, Plymouth

supporters would have wished they have not bothered. The second after

poor defending as well players in a sometimes like buses, you get one

and another one comes along Plymouth Argyle looking at an

allegation that they sell them player was racially abused during

the match. The clubs say they are conducting a thorough investigation

into the complaints. Meantime, they came back from the gates of hell

there. They did not play well. When you are not playing well, that is

when you find out about their spirit and whether they have desire

and hard to get back into the game. They did. We knew it was going to

be a tough game. We made it tough on ourselves being 2-0 down. It

shows the character we have to come back so late on. We have got spirit.

You find a lot out about people when things are not going well. It

shows that the lads are fighting to the death whatever happens. Carl

Fletcher there. Still one. From safety at the bottom of League Two.

Three games from the championship starting with Bristol City against

Leeds. Commentary from Brendan James Wilson is the last man. The

referee has a decision to make... James Wilson is being called over

by the referee. He gets a straight red card. Ross McCormack races

plena. The referee has sent him off. -- Ross McCormack was racing clean.

This could be a decision for the referee year. Bristol City could be

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

reduced to nine men. He has fouled is a card coming as well here. What

colour will it be? A yellow card for Daniel Fox. David Murphy...

That was close. That was Birmingham's first real chance of a

long time. The keeper had to watch this. They are very good a save

from the Southampton's number one. Daniel Fox looking for Rickie

Lambert. Billy Sharp... He blocked a wave. Chris Burke, he has had a

strong game. He is now going to go outside of Daniel Fox. He will get

a free kick. Daniel Fox comes across here. He did not win the

might have been a touch light and the assistant on the side is waving

in trouble here. The referee again reaches for his pocket. And

Brighton I a man down as well. -- I Buckley. He gets his 7th this

season and was created by the centre. He has had plenty of

injuries since starting for men. That is how it leaves the

NPower Championship. Brighton have up to 10th and Bristol City six

Disappointment for Saints against Birmingham, showed that game have

been played? Not for me, I don't think so. I think he should have

been. Nothing wrong with it. Why do you think it should not have been

played? Looking at the safety of the players, it was not conducive.

Leroy is thinking old school. have seen terrible pitches but they

should have played with a red ball but just get on with it, it could

have been a good game. Sometimes it isn't, that is what happens.

Sometimes you get dubious decision from the referee.

Now, Extra Time. Throughout the season we'll be taking one of the

game's big issues, sticking 90 seconds on the clock, and letting

Leroy Graham and myself go at it. Today, tumbling, taking a dive,

simulation, players playing up and getting fellow pros sent off. It's

a debate that's been heightened this weekend by Stoke manager Tony

Pulis, well known to several clubs here in the region, who's demanded

that the players' union, the PFA, get involved by coming down heavily

on offenders. On our patch, did a Bristol City

player get his marching orders because of Leeds play-acting? Look

at Leeds forward Ross McCormack. He's fouled, yes - now watch him.

Running to the ref to plead with him to get City's player red-carded.

Or Southampton's Daniel Fox at Birmingham. The first of his two

yellows for this tackle. You'd think Chris Burke's ankle might

feel a bit sore, but no. He's got a headache too.

What's to be done? There's 90 seconds for Leroy Graham and myself

to find the answer. See who YOU agree with and let us know on

Facebook and Twitter. Graeme will probably be keeping score. I'm

starting. From the referee's perspective, and I will say...

Starting now! I will say stop giving the players the benefit of

the doubt because they will only abuse the trust and start reviewing

all video evidence whether you have seen it or not. Assimilation, look

back at it afterwards and if anybody is doing this, winning

penalties is one thing. You can never do that with simulation.

you want to review it, it will be simple because you can't tell if a

player is simulating. Sometimes it is obvious but sometimes it is not.

If my players get touched, I want my players to go down. I may lose

my job and my mortgage if we do not get the three points. We have to be

professional and do what we can to gain advantage over the team. My

manager is telling me to do it and we might not like it but we are not

here to make your job easy, we are here to win. It is the referee's

job to make sure that you are not wrecking the spectacle and the game

and the Careers of your fellow professionals. It is the decision

at the time. It could be the difference between winning and

losing. If it benefits us, we would not be bothered. It is not our job

to make it an edifying spectacle. And if we win, the fans go home

happy as well as the players. when you cheat...

I am so glad we had this chat. If there's anything you'd like us

to debate in Extra Time, you know Back to the action, with what

happened in League One starting yourself but you can when you

concede five goals. But Wycombe showed fantastic character to get

back in the game led by Gareth Ainsworth, here in the centre

circle and he leads the drive to get ahead of the ball on matches on

to what has to be not a great pass. You need quality and that is what

bad cross his, straight on the head unlucky not to score an own goal

here. There is no substitute for experience. We come out of the

relegation zone. And they are right behind Yeovil

now. Third consecutive away defeat for the Glovers. Yeovil got him for

but unfortunately it was eclipsed by this strike. The goalkeeper had

no chance with that one but we do feel a bit of luck with that save.

We come out of the bottom four. Just a point behind Exeter and

Yeovil. Gareth Ainsworth, extraordinary, still going strong

at 38. All the other? Were in of him on the show, a fantastic

catalyst for his team. -- all the younger? He has a desire but then a

bit of desire, put it on a plate and get himself in the box so he is

fit and strong. He decides that he wants a go war himself. And his

celebrations have got a bit more genteel -- he was a go for himself.

He has got a career as a rock musician. He does not need one, he

can keep going because he is an amazing athlete. I take my hat off

to him. A cult hero. Interesting to hear Murts's moral

ambivalence on the whole play- acting issue earlier on. No great

surprise given that this week's The Knowledge sees him descend into the

dark arts himself this week. Ethics? That's just an area east of

London to you, Murts, isn't it? resent that, I am a moral man. And

this week we will use Fletch to gain an advantage to make defenders

play where the centre forward wants to play. Let's intimidating style,

and I gave him tips to cope with such a big unit as Fletcher.

Give yourself a yard, push away, it gives you a chance to come want the

ball, and if you take a bad touch, it pushes the defender two yards,

come forward two yards. You have got a gap for any mistakes.

You are just holding him, and there it is, back in. All the sudden you

are hauled in the opposition. And He doesn't get everything his own

I will try to take myself a way out of his vision. We will play cat and

I am not comfortable, I like to know where the centre half is.

up in front and bang. And that takes away as he tries to dominate

physically. Yes, Fred. Well done. Perfect. Instead of that pinning

sensation, we talk about Freddie dictating the terms of engagement.

You could see me coming in and you took it off me. Nothing worse.

are not in the business of playing games that we lose. If we do, we do

Not easy, is it? The higher up you go, the smaller the margins become.

But I don't want the game played on Fletcher's terms. It makes his job

easier. But I need to field a defender because otherwise he could

smash through the back of me. That was allowed in my days. You give

him a note, give him a bit of space, and then you don't get injured.

Create uncertainty. Absolutely. Moving along, we may be in the

depths of midwinter but we could be a few weeks away only from a moment

of glory for one of our teams. Swindon Town, who are just one game

away from walking out at Wembley. They play Barnet at the County

Ground tomorrow night for a place in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy

final. So far their southern area final stands at 1-1. Aidan Flint

put Swindon ahead at Barnet. Only for Mark Hughes to equalise in the

second half. It may be a minor trophy, but it counts as a mark of

real progress for a new management team. And, of course, it's the

chance for the town of Swindon to enjoy a Wembley day out for the

The game was postponed like so many at the weekend but they still

kicked off on Saturday afternoon. A training session in interesting

conditions. Although the Mediterranean maestro, de Canio,

While his passion for skill and flair is so very evident... What is

not so well nine is his work ethic. At first, I think it took the boys

by shock because they are used to getting Wednesdays and Sundays off.

But he expects people to be working hard and that is what it has been

like. It has witnessed many changes. The weather, the training

facilities and the backroom staff a far cry from the last out that he

went in search of Wembley glory Swindon prepared for Wembley in a

warm weather. Yet Simon ferry is the only outfield player who

survives from what seems like another age. When, but fitting the

occasion, his team-mates enjoyed It was a squad remained full of

banter, motivation and confidence. Thousands were there. The town of

Swindon had emptied for the day. And if it was not for Wembley's

infamous tape at the time, as Charlie Austin skied the ball,

perhaps the result would have been different as Millwall man at 1-0

promotion winners. -- run out 1-0. Everybody was macro to play at

Wembley. Hopefully we can put it They have witnessed one relegation,

the part -- the departure of two managers as well as players. And

they have got a new captain. Hopefully we can work up the steps

and pick up the trophy but we are not there yet, when two we need to

respect Barnett. It will be tough. We will see what happens on Tuesday

I bet Charlie often wishes they had an artificial pitch at Wembley.

What do you reckon? We have finished, put it to bed! They were,

you were the -- you were involved in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

They will not trade that, the experience of play Wembley for

anything. That was the catalyst on the upward spiral for the club. I

think that will happen to Swindon. You can't beat it. And it just

breed confidence. As soon as you get the first trophy, you win

something and then you think you can do anything, invincible. That

is what happened with Southampton do and I'm sure it will happen with

Swindon. Any thoughts on power Canio there in the temperatures?

still had the coat and gloves. He is not as hard as people think.

is Italian! Swindon not the only team with

their eye on Wembley. Saints in action this week in the FA Cup, in

a 4th round replay. In the Championship it's Birmingham versus

Portsmouth. Also Bournemouth versus Exeter in League One, and in League

A couple of things before we go. One is the fantastic former

Scotland winger Tommy Hutchison, who had a half-time presentation at

Bristol City this weekend. Tommy's just retired as community officer

at Bristol City. And you may remember the extraordinary impact

he made when we featured him on Late Kick Off two years ago.

think probably I got more satisfaction out of the last 11

games that have been here at the club, working with the schoolkids

and changing their lives through football ban probably what I did

when I actually played the game. I know for a fact that it is what

they have in their lives. I am probably the straightest person

they meet. But once you have given those guidelines to them, I find

there's very few that will break them.

Leroy, it's been great to have you Thousands of young men have been

through the system with Tommy. And they will be better people and

footballers. That is what Tommy was about. And his work is continuing?

Yes, he has left in a good state and weather takes over has got a

good foundation. It has been great to have you back, mirror. -- Leroy.

Some say Leroy's been serving a bit of a two-week ban for rough play.

But, after all that play-acting talk earlier, I'm wondering if it

was really merited. Have a look at this if you're not faint-hearted.

Here's Murts and Leroy filming the titles for our match analysis,

which you've been seeing over the last few weeks. But what you didn't

see was this. When we filmed this, Murts had a broken wrist. But he'd

taken the bandage off to look It is not funny!

It is the same noise... When you went down against wingers, that is

the noisy made. They did that, not me. Is your wrist better now,

Graham? Yes, it is fine. You can see that again on Twitter and our

Facebook Page. Many thanks to Graeme Murty and Leroy Rosenior,