Why 'cool' Irvine is happy to chill
Sheffield Wednesday boss Alan Irvine is welcoming a more passionate approach from his Sheffield Wednesday players, writes Alan Biggs.
Yet Irvine himself prefers to stay detached, revealing how he he puts himself in the cooler before addressing his team at half-time.
Darren Purse and Jermaine Johnson looked to be having words as they came off the Hillsborough pitch at the break last Saturday.
Irvine today plays down the disagreement, explaining that it was over Johnson's role in defending a corner, and insists he had no qualms over an example of the greater determination that defined his side's sparky display against Leicester.
He saw another steely show in a respectable 1-0 reverse at West Bromwich in midweek and will need more of the same at Swansea on Saturday.
Reflecting on the Purse-Johnson spat, which went undetected by many, Irvine told the Telegraph: "I don't think it was a massive argument by any means. It's just that JJ wasn't too sure of his role in defending the corner late in the first half and was a bit confused."
Irvine doesn't mind his players losing their rag with each other if it is for the good of the side. He added: "I'm not against it at all. The best teams are all able to have heated discussions on and off the pitch. They have players who can give stick and take it.
"It's okay providing it doesn't get personal. Then you've got a problem. But if it's in the right spirit it can be good."
Besides, it can be refreshing for fans to see raw feeling from players when their team has had a bad run and Irvine hailed Purse's return as a "major factor" in a vital win.
Like Brian Laws before him, Irvine has found these players to be a quiet bunch. Purse is the most notable exception to that rule whereas Jamaican Johnson, albeit prone to a hot-headed streak on occasions, is renowned for being laid back.
The Owls boss has asked for character and leadership. There was evidence last Saturday, and again on Tuesday, that players were stepping up to the plate, not least because of his changes.
Meanwhile, Irvine gave a fascinating insight into his approach to what he considers his most important contribution to any matchday - the half-time break.
"I don't go in to see the players straightaway," he said. "I go into another room with my coaches to think about what I'm going to say. Everything is a bit raw and emotional, so I allow the players three or four minutes - and then I make my points to them."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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