One thing we are missing

[BringBackSwales]

To be honest Charles fucking Hawtree would get sent off every week playing for us

 

[SilverFox2]

We don't so much need a thug as a team of consistent referees who aren't afraid of giving out yellow or red cards, regardless of whether its the 1st minute or 1st offence, and even if your surname rhymes with looney.

Unfortunately the real world is as you describe and my Mike Doyle solution would just get us more bookings and dismissals so unfortunately we have to accept that FA has decided that referees are allowed to be biased against City and will be totally protected should any player insinuate otherwise.
Apparently this bias is well known among PL teams otherwise how can the Andy Carrols physical attacks go unpunished, he knows he was on safe ground but appeals for referee recognition are met with a yellow card for Jesus.

Seem to remember a similar misrepresentation of the facts by Putin regarding Russian Troops in the Ukraine where he claimed they were not Russian and probably got their uniforms from the local Army and Navy Stores.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

In todays game a 'hard man' would be scrutinised every game and sent off at the first opportunity. I think we are missing a leader on the pitch more tbh.

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

This isn't ice hockey and football has moved on, or maybe I'm wrong and we should bring back sir Joseph of Barton. who would you rather have, Dino or noble? gundogen or Henderson? you won't see many more gattusso's in modern football. more likely to be a non contact sport the way it's going, not that I like it.

Same here I dont like the way it is going, bunch of fannies nowadays if you ask me.

But it isnt just about hard tackling, it's about shouting at and inspiring our own team to pull their weight

 

[quiet_riot]

Barcelona under Pep didn't have a thug. They just played exquisite passes around any players who substituted 'hardness' for talent.

I know what I'd prefer my team to do.

 

[Rolee]

Barcelona under Pep didn't have a thug. They just played exquisite passes around any players who substituted 'hardness' for talent.

I know what I'd prefer my team to do.

Busquets and Mascherano are no shrinking violets.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

Ferguson's greatest achievement was to kid the footballing fraternity into believing that Paul Scholes was just a clumsy, bull in a china shop, who wasn't capable of a malicious challenge.
In fact, towards the end of his career, Scholes was even allowed to lift his index finger, in mock appreciation that he'd just committed his one bad foul that would go unpunished.
The ref would offer a knowing nod, as Martin Tyler helpfully explained the new rule to a bewildered audience.
Meanwhile, in City's next game Shaun Wright Phillips would receive a retrospective red card for violent conduct.

 

[SWP's back]

In todays game a 'hard man' would be scrutinised every game and sent off at the first opportunity. I think we are missing a leader on the pitch more tbh.

Very true. The idea is a hark back to another age from long long ago.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Very true. The idea is a hark back to another age from long long ago.

Imagine the Leeds of old nowadays. They'd be lucky to leave the field with a full team. Norman Hunter would have them all diving to the ground at the mere thought of him biting their legs!

 

[quiet_riot]

Busquets and Mascherano are no shrinking violets.

Indeed, but they're not thugs in the Keane mould, as the OP wants.

You can be a tough guy without coming across a total wanker. Vinny, Zabba and Ferna more than fulfil this role imo.