WEST BROM HEAD coach Tony Pulis has urged winger James McClean to be careful and not react to volatile situations, after his celebrations after last weekend’s win over Sunderland landed him in hot water.
The ex-Sunderland man gestured in front of the visiting fans at The Hawthorns after the 1-0 victory – prompting angry reactions from former team-mates Lee Cattermole and Danny Graham.
Derry-born McClean has previously been subjected to criticism for failing to wear a Remembrance Day poppy during his time at Sunderland and turning away from the British national anthem during a pre-season friendly for West Brom.
While Pulis has no qualms with the Ireland international’s stance, he urged the player not to react in future, having avoided possible action from the FA.
“(I have) no problems at all, it’s not what I personally believe but if that’s what James believes then that’s what he believes,” explained the West Brom boss.
“I’ve had a chat with him, you’ve got to be careful what you do today, he was taking stick all game and he saluted our supporters and on that side the Sunderland supporters were there.
“Doing that to the Sunderland supporters – he’s just got to be careful. He was delighted that we’d won, it was against his old club, which gives it a bit of added spice but you’ve got to be cool and hold yourself back at times and James has to do that.
He’s a good lad, he’s integrated fantastically well within the group he’s just got to be careful.
“I just think it was a celebration because we won the game. If you look at it, his first celebration was to our supporters.
“The Sunderland supporters had been giving him a load of stick all afternoon. He shouldn’t react but the FA have been sensible in what they’ve done.”
I like James McClean. He stands up for what he believes in and doesn’t give a sh!t what people think. That being said he’s clearly an idiot
Bit of a contradiction, his letter stating his reasoning for not wearing the poppy was intelligently put and articulate and far from idiotic.
You could almost be guaranteed he didn’t write it himself then!!
You have blundered many nations divided many lands you have terrorized there people’s you rule with and iron hand and you there call me a terrorist.
*dare to
*their *terrorised .. US spell check no doubt ruining the comment. “Yankee B@stard Man is everywhere” – Hot Shots Part Deux
*plundered
Pulis is right. This has nothing to do with poppies or his beliefs. You can stand up for what you believe in without being confrontational. He should be able to handle a bit of stick from supporters without reacting. It’s behaviour like this that could see him getting into a fight or attacked by some drunken yobs when out and about on a Friday night.
Stupid comment ! Sunderland fans are losers if there gonna abuse him all game then they should be able to take a fist pump . Football is so sensitive Jesus take a chill pill
Complete overreaction, the way some people are reacting you’d swear he did a Cantona style kung fu kick, he fist pumped his own supporters then did the same gesture towards the away fans, its not unprecedented in most leagues for this to happen, the media over there don’t like him because of the poppy incident and have sensationally blown the whole episode out of proportion.
He does need to control his temper though. He was lucky to stay on the pitch against Poland. Also, judging by his performance in that game….he shouldn’t be anywhere near the starting line up against Bosnia.
He’s going to be a target for every team’s supporters now
Another story on this clown, jesus!
The Irish Joey Barton