Keep cool – or else

Nov 23 2007 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

BLUES boss Bobby Williamson is urging his players to stay calm in the heat of Sunday’s derby battle with Wrexham – and he will fine anyone who steps out of line.

Williamson knows there will be a red hot atmosphere at the Racecourse, but he will not tolerate any poor discipline from his players.

The City manager said: “We have got a few passionate players in the team and we will have to try to keep them in check.

“I can assure our fans that if any of our players get sent off on Sunday, they will be fined two weeks’ wages because I can’t condone players getting too carried away.

“We want to see a controlled bit of aggression, but in the proper fashion. I’m not looking forward to the fact that players could get sent off just because they get caught up in the moment. Our players will be well warned before the game.”

The Blues go into Sunday’s all-ticket clash on the back of a three-game losing streak, while the Dragons are also struggling for form. They are second-from-bottom in the table and replaced boss Brian Carey with the more experienced Brian Little last week in a bid to halt their slide.

Both Williamson and Little will be sampling the atmosphere of a Wrexham-Chester derby for the first time and the City boss is unhappy that the match has been switched from the traditional 3pm Saturday kick-off time.

The move has been made on police advice but the Chester manager said: “I think it’s ridiculous. The body clock goes out of sync performing at noon and I don’t understand why it should be a noon kick-off.

“Surely the constabulary in Cheshire should be able to handle a 3pm kick-off.

“I know of one fan who has complained so vehemently he’s not going to turn up, but he never turned up at the Shrewsbury match and he missed a decent game.”

The Blues welcome back Mark Hughes from suspension on Sunday, but striker John Murphy (knee) is a doubtful starter. Although defender Paul Linwood suffered from blurred vision during last Saturday’s defeat to MK Dons and had to be substituted, he has fully recovered and is available for selection.

Williamson spent yesterday trying to bolster his squad before the 5pm deadline for loan signings, but was not expecting any new arrivals when The Chronicle went to press.