Roy Hodgson told Premier League Productions (14/08/21 at 2:40 pm) that Junior Firpo’s defending style for Leeds is a ‘pet hate’ of his.
Leeds suffered a 5-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday, with Bruno Fernandes netting a hat-trick, including one that required the assistance of goal-line technology.
For that goal, Firpo could be seen with his hands behind his back as Fernandes faked to shoot on his right foot cutting inside onto his left and scoring Man United’s third of the afternoon.
But former Crystal Palace boss Hodgson claimed that it ‘drives me crazy’ at the technique which Firpo used to defend that attacking situation.
“There was one of the goals that really highlights my pet hates,” said Hodgson. “That’s the one that Fernandes scores, which is allowed on the goal-line technology rule.
“Seeing the defender, trying to defend it with his hands behind his back. I mean that really does drive me crazy.
“I don’t understand how you can expect defenders to defend and keep their balance if they are running with their hands behind their back.”
It’s not anything unique from Firpo because many defenders across Europe use that style, and some managers like Jose Mourinho, insist on their defenders to put their hands behind their back.
The simple reason behind it is because they fear if the ball strikes their hand or arm then they will give away a penalty.
It’s perhaps more a fault of the rules and how more penalties are given in that manner.
And whilst Firpo won’t stop using that technique, the £13 million star (Sky Sports) is not the only one who will be implementing it this season in the Premier League.
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