Megson: Monty “got it wrong” in Lines spat

GARY MEGSON said today that Nick Montgomery has “got it all wrong” following his criticism of Chris Lines in the fallout from Sunday’s Steel City Derby.

Megson revealed that words were said in the tunnel after the thrilling 2-2 draw but they didn’t come from the Bristolian.

“I don’t follow that Twitter thing; I don’t know what was on there,” he said. “I do know any stuff that went on after the game – they’ve got the wrong name. I know what went on and it wasn’t Chris Lines that did it.”

Megson admires the United midfielder as a player. Nine seasons spent in the Championship and one in the Premier League illustrate why the Wednesday gaffer would “take Nick Montgomery all day long”.

However, he thinks ‘Monty’ should have checked his facts before telling the Yorkshire Post that Lines was “not really involved in the game”.

Said Megson: “To say the lad didn’t really have a kick; you need really to look at the stats beforehand and make sure you actually had more kicks than the one you’re accusing of not having them – because he didn’t!”“Chris Lines had more passes; more shots; more possession.”

Despite fighting back from 2-0 down Megson is still frustrated that the Owls didn’t get all three points.

“I thought we should have won it,” he said. “I was really disappointed and found it difficult to understand how we managed to get ourselves two-down having played as well as we did.

“But being two-down with seven minutes to go I think you’ve got to be pleased when you come off the field not having been beat. In the end it was a fantastic occasion for everybody and certainly exciting for ourselves.

“Over the course of the game, the stats will show we’ve had twice as many efforts at goal as they had; twice as many free-kicks in and around the 18-yard box and twice as many corners.”

Megson described Danny Wilson’s criticism of Michael Oliver as too young for such a big occasion as a “smokescreen”. He praised the 26 year-old referee for his performance and said there was nothing wrong with the equalising goal.

“It never occurred to me that there was anything wrong with it,” he said. “It was just in, and we knew it would stand because there’s nowt wrong with it.

“The referee, whether he’s 26 or 106, I thought was terrific. I gave him full marks because I thought he was really good, not for any other reason than I think he’s a real top class referee. At 26 years old, if that’s what he is, he’s going to be one of our top ones.”

Clinton Morrison will return from his one-month loan spell at MK Dons after the weekend and Megson has confirmed he will be back in contention, although he has not ruled out Morrison moving on permanently – if the price is right.

“I’ve spoken to Paul Aldridge and said that, unless MK Dons or indeed anybody else come up with a deal financially that suits, Clinton will come back,” he said.“Sheffield Wednesday are not going to pay 50% of somebody’s wage to go and do something for them in the same division.”

 

When the ex-Coventry man returns he will have a fight on his hands to get into the side. Ryan Lowe is back in contention after training all week, although he is still lacking fitness – a private game is being planned for next week. David McGoldrick has returned to Forest after his loan spell but this hasn’t perturbed Megson. He is delighted with the flourishing partnership between goal machine Gary Madine and Chris O’Grady, who got his first Wednesday goal at Bramall Lane.

“In terms of personality they’re chalk and cheese,” he said. “Gary’s a real confident person, brash and full of life, I like that. We can’t all be like that and Chris is a more introvert personality.

“He played ever so well at the Lane. He got hold of the ball; he led the line; he’s very strong; he’s got a good touch. He scored a really good goal and he was unfortunate not to get two. He’ll get better and better.”

Megson refused to be drawn on the future of Mark Beevers, who is currently on loan at MK Dons.

“He’s in the situation where his loan finishes – I didn’t do this – but they did it for 93 days. It finishes in January some time so there’s no point talking about him,” he said.

Asked by yours truly whether he has a future at the club come January, Megson said: “We’ll talk about that nearer the time.”

Jermaine Johnson, meanwhile, continues to frustrate fans and gaffer alike, with his fitness proving a particular concern for Megson who knows what he is capable of.

“When he trains sometimes you think: ‘Crikey, we’ve got to get that in the team’, but then the other day at the Lane I’ve put him on, I’m shouting and screaming at him to get in the box at 2-2 because I thought we could win it, and Lewis Buxton went past him to try and do it!“ He’s got to try and get on board doing what everyone else does. He can do what everybody else does if he wants to. Nobody else can do what JJ does because of that quality and that explosive pace that he’s got.”

Finally, Megson ridiculed any suggestion that promotion and relegation may soon become a thing of the past.

“I used to work for a chairman who thought that might not be a bad idea,” he said.

“It’s trying to ring-fence your own football club and it’s an absolute nonsense. If ever it comes in we might as well pack up, last one out turn out the lights.”

Creg
Owls Alive
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