Jewell Defends David O'Leary.

Paul Jewell has defended David O'Leary and attacked those who think they have the right to abuse football managers.

O'Leary has taken a good amount of stick this week following his now infamous run across the pitch to salute the Villa board members and his family.

The Blues fans were outraged thinking O'Leary had pointed the finger or shown his fist to them. Some of O'Leary's critics have slated him this week for what they deemed an unnecessary action that could have incited the crowd.

Jewell however said the stick wasn't called for. I don't actually remember him pulling out a stick, I guess if he did then there really was cause for complaint! ;-)

He said: 'The way I see it, supporters and some people can do what they want, but other people can't. If that is nearly causing a riot, well bloody hell, let's get it right. He has gone over there and made a gesture to his chairman, who apparently hasn't been so well. I don't see it as a problem, so let's move on.'

Jewell continued:

'I sit in away stadiums and people abuse you, abuse your family for 90 minutes, yet as soon as you turn round and say anything or whether it be putting your finger to your lips as Mourinho once did, then all of a sudden the fans want stewards to throw you out. It's complete nonsense. From three until five you are not a human being, you are viewed differently. Some people think that because you are a manager, it gives them a licence to abuse you.'

He admits it appears to be part of football life but doesn't accept it should be.

'We have to take some of it, in fact we have to take all of it because that's the nature of the game, but I'm a big believer that if you can give some back - and it's not over the top - then what's the big problem?'

Have to agree, fans do have the right to enter into banter, they also have the right to voice their concerns, but I guess none of us should be surprised when the managers react to the more 'base' comments said to them.