Fulham boss Mark Hughes has accused some players of putting their fellow professionals' health at risk with the kind of reckless tackling he believes has crept into the game. This season has seen a spate of controversial challenges in the Barclays Premier League, with the past week no exception.
As a player renowned for his physical approach to the game, former Manchester United striker Hughes may seem to some as the last person qualified to condemn reckless tackling.
But the 47-year-old insisted there is a major difference between his heyday and the modern game.
"The game's faster, they're bigger athletes," said Hughes, who also accepted video technology ensured such incidents were highlighted far more now.
"The collisions, if they're mistimed or premeditated, then the consequences of that on an opposing player can be dire and significant.
"Years ago, I think there were a lot more fouls and it was refereed in a different way.
"Certainly in my day, I had the reputation - possibly wrongly, I would suggest probably rightly - that I was a physical player, enjoyed that side of the game.
"But, more often than not, people were fit and well when they came up against me after the game.
"Because it was about being competitive, but you never put your fellow professional at risk.
"Just lately, you sense some of the tackles are a little bit reckless and that can put other professionals at risk."
