The Sheffield Wednesday midfielder put in several robust challenges against Leeds United on Saturday.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Sam Hutchinson challenges Fulham’s Lucas Piazon
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has warned Sheffield Wednesday’s management team to get to grips with Sam Hutchinson or risk losing him more often to suspension.
Hutchinson has gained a reputation as one of the Championship’s toughest tacklers over the past four campaigns, leading to seven separate bans – totalling 10 matches – for the Owls midfielder.
And though Hutchinson avoided caution in Saturday’s Yorkshire derby against Leeds United, it could have quite easily been a different outcome, with the 27-year-old making a succession of robust challenges and appearing to bring down Eunan O’Kane illegally inside the box.
“Hutchinson, I mean, I love his style of play and he’s a great player for Wednesday but he’s likely to finish up in the stands more often under the terms of the law and how it’s operated,” Hackett told this week’s The Ref Show.
“For me, someone’s got to get to grips with him, the management, to say: ‘stay on your feet’. There were two or three where he sails in (against Leeds), and it’s a massive risk. If I’m seeing that as a referee, I’ve got him under the spotlight.
“I think referees in their pre-planning and preparation are aware of him and they know he’s an accident waiting to happen.”
Former Wednesday manager Gary Megson however, would be wary of heeding Hackett’s advice, fearing it could make Hutchinson less effective.
“If he changes you haven’t got the same player, because his quality is about closing down, filling gaps and making sure you don’t get at that back four too easily, and he likes a tackle,” he said.
Ironically, it was a foul on Hutchinson by Leeds’ Souleymane Doukara which saw the Owls awarded a penalty at Elland Road.
However, Whites ‘keeper Rob Green was on hand to deny Jordan Rhodes’ spot kick and secure all three points for his side, after Chris Wood’s earlier opener.
Leeds United’s Chris Wood celebrates
Should Wednesday’s Hutchinson change his approach?
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