www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/20 ... ndy-wilson [i'There have been suggestions that Clarke will avoid his usual pre-match appearance on the pitch at Headingley and stay in the studio for his own protection.'[/i Just recently it seems we are getting close to football with hatred taking over from rivalry. I agree with those who say Clarke's comments were in bad taste but he is not a Wigan player or official, he is a pundit for sky. I sincerley hope that both Wigan and Leeds fans behave in a manor that is befitting Rugby League but have genuine fears the bad feeling which most people expect to see on the pitch may spill over onto the terraces.

www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/20 ... ndy-wilson [i'There have been suggestions that Clarke will avoid his usual pre-match appearance on the pitch at Headingley and stay in the studio for his own protection.'[/i Just recently it seems we are getting close to football with hatred taking over from rivalry. I agree with those who say Clarke's comments were in bad taste but he is not a Wigan player or official, he is a pundit for sky. I sincerley hope that both Wigan and Leeds fans behave in a manor that is befitting Rugby League but have genuine fears the bad feeling which most people expect to see on the pitch may spill over onto the terraces.

Clarke was nowhere to see at the HJ last week, dissapointingley

Bit of an over-reaction, im not sure they feeling really is that bad between the sets of fans. There has been a bit of pantomime but does anyone seriously believe the feeling is that much worse than Leeds Saints or saints/wigan, saints/wire Leeds/bradford etc would be at this stage of preceedings?



The only way i could actually see anything untoward happenning is if Wigan fans do actually turn up in large numbers wearing Phil Clarke masks but i dont for one minute seriously believe they will, i give them a little more credit than that.



The reason Phil Clarke will be in the studio and not on pitch side is because his pitch side piece would simply be drowned out by thousands of people rightly telling him what a pillock he is rather than any serious threat of violence

Do you actually believe what you type?

Phil Clarke isnt adverse to offering fans out for fights so whats the problem?



he would thrive on it and surely the rugby gods would protect him.

You really need to grow up kid.

he has had to move away from the Southstand in the past to broadcast, for that exact reason

Do you really believe if there was a serious threat of violence Phil Clarke A) would apologise or B) simply would be told not to attend?

I think Phil needs to see his time out on pitchside in 10 minute blocks - if he can match the Leeds fans in those 'mini-games' then he should be OK. Did you know that over 17.6% of abuse that is hurled at Sky on pitch commentators happens in the first 10 minutes? And that, this season, Phil Clarke has made the most stupid statements out of any Sky commentator with 78 stupid comments this season? That's 17 more than Stevo - and that just shows how dangerous he can be with the microphone in hand.

In the film "High Noon", which is very much one of Phil's favourites, the marshall has to face the crowd alone. The townsfolk may be cowardly and question his wisdom, but the good man has the responsibility to walk alone to destiny, justice and obtuse statistical analysis. And at half past five at Headingley, it will be High Noon...

Class