INTERVIEW

Monday, October 18, 11:53pm London Time
Wise warned: Don't blow your top in Turkey
By John Edwards


Dennis Wise will learn the true meaning of provocation when he leads Chelsea out at Galatasaray's Ali Sami Yen Stadium tomorrow night.

The infamous Istanbul fans will try everything they know to intimidate - and some of them will even be carrying guns.

If Wise wants to know what to expect he should listen to Everton striker Kevin Campbell, back in England after an unhappy spell with Trabzonspor.

'There simply cannot be a more hostile ground than Galatasaray's anywhere in Europe,' said Everton's ?million summer signing. 'The fans there will do anything to make you feel scared.

'When I went there with Tranzonspor, there were even guns going off - not actually shooting at people, but a few home fans thought firing a few rounds in the air would put the frighteners on us. They were right.

'Chelsea are going to have to call on all their self-control and strength of character to pull through.'

Wise's infamous short fuse let him down once more against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday when he picked up the eighth red card of his Stamford Bridge career for lashing out at Vladimir Smicer.

His temperament will come under scrutiny like never before in Istanbul when the focus switches to Chelsea's Champions League campaign.

Campbell added: 'We've all seen photos of the Welcome to Hell banners but they only tell half the story. Chelsea can expect fireworks and flares going off, bricks hurled at their team coach and missiles raining down on them when they go out on the pitch.

'You're glad to get inside the stadium in one piece but it doesn't get any better when it's time to leave the dressing-room.

'The players' tunnel is below ground level and as you emerge behind one of the goals, you find the riot police already in position with their shields held high, like a guard of honour. You soon find out why as bottles and stones and all sorts come flying down and bounce off the plastic shields.'

His words were echoed by Wise's Chelsea team-mate Jes Hogh, who spent four years with Galatasaray's fierce cross-city rivals Fenerbahce. The Dane said: 'If a player in England was struck in the face by a coin thrown from the stands it would be a big scandal but in Turkey it's run-of-the-mill.'

Yet, despite all the expected provocation, Campbell is backing Wise to keep his cool and help Chelsea emerge triumphant.

He added: 'The one good thing about Galatasaray is that, generally, their players don't set out to wind up opponents. On top of that, you get the best referees in the Champions League and they will be aware of any intimidation.

'It will be a test for Dennis but I'm confident he and Chelsea will come through. They have plenty of big-game players who can handle it and if they can manage an early goal - like I did for Trabzonspor - it does quieten the crowd a bit.

'They must remember that the crowd can't hurt them once they're out on the pitch. That's when I can see Chelsea's superior ability hurting Galatasaray.'