Quote ="FearTheVee"My genuine take on this is that all of the players you name are very much toe to toe "tough guy enforcers" as you put it, and I think it's the the toe to toe aspect that gets the respect; it always has in RL.
The general impression amongst supporters is that Bailey's tough guy antics are often reserved for the smallest players on the pitch or are of a less mano-a-mano nature.
I certainly don't buy the "coward" nonsense, he's clearly not that - no RL props are.'"
this probably sums it up fairly well but also shows the lack of knowledge by the general fan.
Bailey does often save his 'antics' for the small blokes, however these are the blokes that are often the most important player for the opposition i.e. stand off / scrum half and are normally the guys that will be most effected by them. Any forward worth his salt isn't bothered by a bit of the rough stuff and plenty actually raise to the occasion once baited, despite his supposed softness has anyone ever seen bailey shy away from a fight with a 'big bloke'?
however most 6 & 7's would prefer to stay away from this stuff so these 'antics' have them thinking twice about playing at the line knowing they'll get smashed. So which as a coach/player would you prefer to target?
The example that always springs to mind to show how stupid some fans are is the rachford indecent, which i think i've already brought up on this thread a long time ago. rachford is seem as some kind of hero for punching a defenceless bailey whilst he lay on the ground with a defender still on top of him, yet bailey is seen as a grub of the game because he uses his brain to target players (with mainly legal tactics) that will give his team a better chance of winning.
so to sum up it seems bailey would be better liked if he was less intelligent
