«Breaking News» Wilfried Zaha a target? It's nothing new... Crystal Palace star must keep his cool

CHRIS SUTTON

Do not be shocked by Troy Deeney’s comments that Watford took turns to kick Wilfried Zaha. I certainly wasn’t. That kind of behaviour was commonplace in every dressing room right through my career.

When I was at Celtic, I remember Mikel Arteta coming on the scene as a 20-year-old at Rangers. Before facing him, we talked about being super-aggressive.

Arteta was a really talented player and we wanted to test his courage. Whoever was nearest him would make life as uncomfortable as possible.

Wilfried Zaha being targeted by opposition is not surprising, it's commonplace in football

Troy Deeney admitted Watford players fouled him in rotation to make sure no one was sent off

The difficulty players like Deeney will find now is carrying out such a plan. When I was playing, you always got away with your first naughty challenge. Now, you risk a red card every time you come off your feet.

What opponents will do instead when facing Zaha is be in the referee’s ear in the tunnel, trying to convince him that he will make a meal of every challenge.

The Crystal Palace players and staff will also be doing their utmost to protect their star player.

It means that Zaha is the hardest player to referee in the Premier League. Officials must shut out the noise.

MARTIN KEOWN

Wilfred Zaha must not allow himself to be rattled by Troy Deeney’s comments that opponents set out to target him.

This Watford team are incredibly streetwise and their players recognise that Zaha is a special talent.

By speaking out, Deeney’s objective will have been to frustrate Zaha and force him to play within himself.

Zaha must not allow himself to be rattled by Deeney’s comments and keep his cool

Our star players at Arsenal were often on the receiving end of these tactics.

Manchester United would have groups of players trying to bring down Marc Overmars and, when none of them were booked, it incensed us.

When Roy Keane was sent off in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final for overstepping the mark against Overmars, it was only after a succession of fouls had been committed on him.

Now, flair players like Zaha are getting more protection than ever before. Hopefully, Deeney’s words will make the officials even more alert when Crystal Palace face Bournemouth tonight.

It is vital that Zaha keeps his cool. He must make sure he plays in an honest fashion and in a way that continues to get us out of our seats.

Roy Keane was sent off in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final for fouling Marc Overmars too much

MARK CLATTENBURG

It is easy for referees to spot if a team are systematically fouling a player such as Wilfried Zaha.

A referee will judge each challenge on its merits. If the challenges are careless, he might allow a small number of fouls before a yellow card.

If different players are fouling the same individual, the referee will call the captain over. You will warn him that his team are repeatedly fouling the same player and the next person will be cautioned.

It is easy for referees to spot if a team are systematically fouling a player such as Zaha

A great example of this was when Michael Oliver sent off Ander Herrera against Chelsea in March 2017. 

After Oliver warned United about persistent fouling of Eden Hazard, Herrera’s next challenge on the forward saw him shown a second yellow card. Deeney’s comments about trying to influence referees are mind games. I am sure experienced officials will ignore him.

Zaha is a difficult player to referee. In the past, he has gone down under little or no contact looking for a foul. As a referee, you know the players who are likely to simulate.

It is that knowledge that makes you find the best angle to make sure that when players like Zaha go into the penalty area, you get it right.

A great example of is when Ander Herrera was sent off for persistent fouling on Eden Hazard

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Troy Deeney: 'If you were playing against him, you stop him. You take it in turns of kicking him. I know no one wants to hear that, but you go; "You hit this time, you hit him the next time". You don't have the same player tackle him because you know you're gonna get booked. 

'It's difficult, but also as a captain I'd be the first... if we were playing him this week and he'd just said those comments I'd have been like: "Ref, don't you be the first one to give him a pen. Don't you start going easy on him".

'You can then flip it and start being more psychological with the referees.

Chris Sutton: So you can get into the referee's head? 

Deeney: 'You want to say to him (the ref) in that little meeting we have an hour and a half before kick-off; "Do you want to be the first one to give him a penalty for diving?"

Sutton: 'So do you think that referees can be influenced?'

Deeney [laughing]: 'Clearly'

Sutton: 'That plainly isn't right though, is it?'

Deeney: 'It's human nature.'

Ian Wright: 'You're trying to get an edge. 

Deeney: 'Until we get robots doing it, there's gonna be human error, so you try to play to that advantage.'

Sutton: 'It shouldn't happen! The referee should have the integrity, with respect, that they don't listen.'

Deeney: 'They might not listen to people, for example, we all know that Wilf is emotional on the pitch, so when he does get tackled and feels he's been fouled, the first thing he does, he goes screaming and shouting at the referee. Now it's human nature, if you're screaming and shouting at someone, you're not going to do them a favour are ya?'

hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/10/01/wilfried-zaha-a-target-its-nothing-new-crystal-palace-star-must-keep-his-cool/
Main photo article CHRIS SUTTON
Do not be shocked by Troy Deeney’s comments that Watford took turns to kick Wilfried Zaha. I certainly wasn’t. That kind of behaviour was commonplace in every dressing room right through my career.
When I was at Celtic, I remember Mikel Arteta coming on the scene as a 20-year-old at ...

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