Sidwell Understands Coker’s Sub Anger

Steve Sidwell has admitted that Nigel Reo-Coker was unlucky to be the player that made way for John Carew in our derby match against Blues.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail today, Sidwell is honest about the fact that nobody in midfield was really shining or standing out in the derby clash, and although the introduction of Carew guaranteed 3 points, O’Neill could’ve rightly dragged any of them off.

Coker was visibly annoyed to be brought from the pitch, which to be honest is exactly what I want to see from substituted players.

No player should ever be happy leaving the field of the play before the game ends in my minds. Players just shouldn’t be that complacent in my mind and one thing you know from Hokey is he wears his heart on his sleeve even when he’s not the most productive on the pitch, you can never fault his effort.

Sidwell himself said nobody at the club likes to be brought off, regardless of the scoreline and having known Hokey since he was in nappies seeing that disappointment was only to be expected. In fact, something would be wrong if Nigel was pleased to be subbed.

‘He wants to play in every moment and do his best, he can’t do that on the bench.

‘He got subbed and he was disappointed and you can understand why. It could’ve been anyone of us, no one really stood out for us.

‘He was just unlucky.’

Explaining their history, which I certainly didn’t know. Both players have known each other for quite a while as they were members of rival youth teams in South London until their careers took off and Hokey went to Wimbledon and Sidwell to Arsenal.

Sidwell does say the ‘grumpy’ Hokey only comes out when his will to win gets the better off him, and that he is brilliant to have around the dressing room normally.

He does admit he can be ‘miserable’ although everyone still loves him.