Not dirty at all actually, theyre generally mistimed rather than malicious. Cattermole is just a battering ram in shin pads.
Don't think there are any really dirty players in the game now, No Giles, Bremner (just add any Leeds name) No Chopper Harris, no Mike Doyle. Could go thru all the decades.... They don't have a clue! x
10 to 15 years ago this lad would have been courted by all the big 4 clubs in Britain, as that kind of hard, tough tackling fearless central midfielder was like gold dust back then. Unfortunately, his reputation is now a hindrance as some of his bookings are for the most ridiculous challenges which more often than not are actually just hard and fair. His problem arises when he has been booked through as he doesnt seem to have the ability to think about challenges thereafter and becomes a liability. If he were booked in the 80th minute then thats okay but if he is booked in the first 10 or 15 mins he is a ticking time bomb. Roy Keane would suffer the same fate as Catts in this current era imo. On a local basis, Tiote is an identical type of player, that I believe was booked and sent off more times than Catts last year and was officially the most booked (thereafore you could argue dirtiest) footballer in the EPL. Both are going to fall foul of a 'softer' game in the 2010's. IMO, both are not dirty but highly competitive and playing 15 years too late for their style.
"IMO, both are not dirty but highly competitive and playing 15 years too late for their style." Completely disagree with Tiote. His challenges are generally clips on the ankles or tugging the shirt, he very rarely lunges in, and knows how to tow the line if he picks up a yellow. Also, since Nolan has been replaced with Cabaye, who actually runs backwards, Tiote is allowed to get forward more. He's already made 2 assists from crosses this season, and he is very tidy on the ball, he has excellent technique, and has some pace. That is where he differs from Cattermole imo, Tiote has more to offer going forward, but also doesn't let the red mist take hold, he has never been sent off because of two yellow, and the 1 red card he did get was debateable.
