---------------------------------
[18] Vinne Jones slates Batty
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
"He is bang out of order. Wilkinson was a great manager and he feels let down. It
saddens me because Batty had his best three years under Wilko. He won the championship
in 1992 when Batty was a young player. Wilko saw what a great player Batty was and now
he's been slaughtered. I don't remember there being any trouble them - if there was,
David never said anything to me and I was his room-mate for years. Howard doesn't
deserve this. He's one of the best managers I played under. Batty's stabbed Howard in
the back."
---------------------------------
[17] More on Robbo offer
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From Soccernet
'Ferguson made contact towards the end of last month and made it clear
to Robson that he was welcome to help out at United while he
considered his long-term future. The former United and England skipper is currently
thinking it over and is expected to accept when he returns from a family holiday in
the south of France next week...It would be a flexible arrangement, with Robson free
to leave any time in the event of a permanent coaching or management position
becoming available.'
---------------------------------
[16] Robbo offered return to Old Trafford?
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From Ananova
'Sir Alex Ferguson has offered Bryan Robson the chance to make a swift return to
football. Ferguson wants Robson to help out United in training on an informal basis.
United emphasise that Robson has not been offered a coaching role and that Ferguson
just wants to give his former skipper the opportunity "to keep his eye in".
United's director of communications Paddy Harverson was at pains to play down what had
been offered to Robson.
"It's simply as the manager has said to me - an offer to come in just to keep his eye
in," he said. "It's not a coaching role and it would be wrong to describe it like
that. He's welcome to come down and watch training and get involved a bit."
Ferguson has issued a similar invitation to Eric Cantona and Harverson claims the
United manager is just trying to help out his former players.
"It's what we do here - try and keep our ex-players as part of the family here," he
said. "We like to keep them involved and let them feel they can come down whenever
they want."
A nice way of putting it - don't see people like Ince getting many similar offers...
---------------------------------
[15] Bobby Charlton on Sven
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
Praise with reason?
"If you look at this team and compare it to the one that lost to Germany, it seems
like 20 years ago now. There is every reason to feel good about England right now.
They do remind me of the team of 1966 because they are playing as a team not as a
bunch of individuals. Sven has got them in the right frame of mind and they look ready
for any challenge."
---------------------------------
[14] Great Dane on new club
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
"Naturally, I would like to face Basle but the important date for me is White Hart
Lane on August 18. I think I have rushed things a bit with Villa and pushed myself too
hard. I need to be sensible. Although the trapped nerve in my calf is improving, I'm
still feeling a few twinges but I know that the club has justified faith in Peter
Enckelman to replace me."
---------------------------------
[13] Schmeichel to play occasionally
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
John Gregory:
"We are going to have to look for opportunities to give Peter an occasional break from
the English programme. The prospect of three games a week on a regular basis is
obviously very demanding for him, and he may well need a rest in the same way that he
took a holiday during his closing season at Old Trafford a couple of years ago. The
problem at the moment is that Peter threw himself into his Villa career so hard right
from the start that he has experienced aches and strains as a consequence. He has to
throttle back a fraction.
Playing matches is only one reason why we snapped up the great Schmeichel on a Bosman
free from Portugal. There are others as well.I want him in my dressing room to spread
his enormous presence, complete professionalism and sheer will to win among the whole
of the squad. That is equally important in my book."
---------------------------------
[12] Giddy Scouser
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
Jamie Carragher:
"I'd rather have Stevie Gerrard than Veron. If Steve was sold, he would go for the
same sort of money. Veron has more experience and in his position, is probably more of
a creative player, maybe the best. We are happy with our midfield, with Gerrard,
Dietmar Hamann and, of course, Gary McAllister. I don't think we have much to worry
about there."
Against Becks, Keano, Veron, Butt, Giggs and...
"It took Arsenal and United a few years to make progress. We are happy with what we
achieved last season, but now we want to move on from
there. We are still young and still maturing, and as we develop, we will gain what
Manchester United have now. We've got to push Manchester United harder for the league."
10 years and counting.
---------------------------------
[11] Sven was a choice as Fergie replacement
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From the Mirror
'Meanwhile, it emerged last night that England coach Sven Goran Eriksson was
sensationally offered to Manchester United as a replacement for Ferguson. Mirror Sport
can reveal that the Swede was interested in taking over at Old Trafford. His advisors
contacted the
Premiership champions and offered his services before he decided to take the England
job.
United Chief Executive Peter Kenyon was excited by the proposal but was forced to turn
down the approach because he did not believe Eriksson would wait until Ferguson
retires next May. Instead the former Lazio boss agreed to pick up the pieces left by
former England boss Kevin Keegan.
Eriksson was on United's original short-list of names to replace Ferguson after his
brilliant career in Italy. Kenyon and the Old Trafford board believed he had the
perfect credentials to take over from Ferguson but were frustrated by the time-frame.
Instead they will choose from Louis Van Gaal, Fabio Capello and Arsene Wenger after
Bayern Munich's Ottmar Hitzfeld ruled himself out of the running.'
---------------------------------
[10] Di Canio may be moving
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
To Fulham as they bid £2.5m.
---------------------------------
[9] Fergie backs Seregeant Wilko over Batty comments
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
"It's always disappointing when one of your old players does that. But you've got to
expect that it will happen. All you need to look at is Howard's achievements. If you
analyse his career, all his teams have shown a willingness to play for him so it's
obvious he had a good rapport with all his teams and players. If you get one voice
that speaks out against that from time to time people have to take it in its proper
context in terms of all the players who've come out in past and praised Howard. We've
seen Gordon Strachan and Gary McAllister do it over the years.
Howard's biggest success without question was winning the championship. I don't know
how he managed to win it at Leeds United that season with the players he had. It was a
tremendous feat. You can't do that without good management and good leadership and
that was an amazing, amazing achievement by Howard."
---------------------------------
[8] Neil Ruddock eating those porkie pies again
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
Neil Ruddock, Swindon Town's new player-coach (what's that all about then?)
"People think of Neil Ruddock and form a picture of a thuggish centre half. But that
isn't me at all. It takes ten seconds to get yourself a bad name in this game and
then ten years to get rid of it."
Much like the belly then!
---------------------------------
[7] Wrexham match report by our man on the spot
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
And then in the pub. by Kerry.
We're going to Wrexham & Cardiff for our Euro Aways!
After the hoo-haa surrounding Ryan Gigg's Testimonial last week, it was on to another
such game over the weekend, this time for the lesser known Kevin Reeves & Brian Flynn
of Wrexham (or as someone pointed out an ex-city and ex-Leeds player!). After
missing the 11.30 train from Chester to Wrexham it was to be 2 hours in the pub
waiting for the next one - city we playing Chester that day but during all the time
we were there we spotted just 2 Bitters, obviously the other 9,998 were drinking
round the corner! Anyway,
we eventually got ourselves over to Wales and after a quick drink in the Wetherspoons
in town it was off to the Racecourse Ground.
Somewhat ridiculously, despite the ground not being full and there being several
hundred ticketless fans outside, there was no pay on the gate, so the 2 testimonial
beneficiaries were done out a few extra quid. The side Fergie put out was a decent
one, our new keeper Roy Carroll in nets, Veron & Van Nistelrooy, Scholes, Ole, Jaap,
Gary Nev and Giggsy all started the game. United seemed to play well within
themselves and Wrexham created a couple of half decent openings but thanks to the
inabilily of Wrexhams strikers to make contact with the ball, the chances went
begging. Midway through the first half, the class of Veron told as he slipped a
delightful crossfield ball into the path of Ole who duly controlled and deftly
chipped the keeper into the corner of the net. The rest of the half saw some
controlled football from United - Veron & Ruud both looking very accomplised and
Scholes showing some nice touches. The first half ended 1-0 and brought us to the
half!
time entertainment - some kind of penalty shootout between United and Wrexham
representatives. I'm not sure who any of them were, but United didn't miss any of
them and won, much to the disappointment of the overexcited stadium announcer.
The second half started much the same as the first ended - United
predicatably controlled the football, and knocked the ball about with confidence.
The Little Witch then demonstrated he would be a rival to
Beckham this season, firstly with 2 corners from which he nearly scored, and finally
with a 25 yard free kick with which he did! The free kick was excellent, whipped up
and round the wall with pace and accuracy into the top corner and gave the keeper no
chance - 2 nil United. The last period of the game saw wholesale changes - United
replaced most of the first team bringing on a number of the new wave of kids,
Nardello, Muirhead, O'Shea, Wallwork among the ones we could figure out! Clearly
spurred on by this Wrexham started to gain some confidence, and scored 2 late goals
to earn a themselves a draw, much to the delight of the home fans, and to much
shrugging of shoulders from the away end! Overall it had been a good run out for
some of the first team, and a chance to blood some more of the youngsters alongside
them. And then it was back to the pub...
---------------------------------
[6] Ole backs Ruud
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
"Teddy had a great season last year and maybe Ruud can do the same and end up
Footballer of the Year. He certainly has the ability to make a big impact this season
and I'm sure he will. Ruud's arrival is a challenge to all the strikers because he's
an excellent player who can only get better. The last four years we've had four
strikers and although Teddy has gone to Spurs, the situation is still the same and
we're all competing for places. We're all trying hard to make sure we're in the team.
The competition has increased since Ruud came and that's good for the club."
---------------------------------
[5] Liverpool will face the easier side
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
As UEFA throw out Watkins led Israeli appeal.
Maccabi Haifa club president Yaacov Chahar said:
"We know we have to now accept the painful decision. For a moment I did not think that
the responsibility for the mistake was ours, but now I accept that we have to take
some of the responsibility. Now I wish to thank the Israeli FA for everything they did
to help us with the appeal. I apologise to the supporters of Maccabi. We will try to
make it up to them for not having Liverpool play here."
Apparently someone at their FA wrongly read that a player was banned for 2 games
instead of 3, who played the 3rd in the Champions League and the team got the ban for
the FAs incompetence. Same old story.
---------------------------------
[4] Becks vs Juan
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
Part of a statto session by planetfootball.com comparing Juan and Becks at set pieces
'Last season for Lazio in Serie A, he attempted 14 set pieces and hit the target
with eight of them, although he failed to actually score with any. There were 10
different players taking free kicks last season at Lazio, with Veron and Sinisa
Mihajlovic leading with 14 efforts. The Yugoslavian international scored the Roman
club's only two set-piece strikes of the season. Back in Blighty last term, David
Beckham was the undisputed dead-ball Don. It will be interesting to see if he is
required to share the set pieces at Old Trafford, as last season it was his sole job
and one that he excelled in. Beckham hit the target with 50% of his 36 efforts,
scoring five times.'
---------------------------------
[3] Discard like fish and chip paper
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
As we've told you, good sources tell us that the Becks deal will be announced earlier
than expected, some time in the Autumn, and it's as good as a done deal.
So we were surprised to see last night thus
'According to the latest rumours in Italy, England skipper David Beckham will move to
AC Milan from Manchester United in season 2002/2003. By the time the contract of the
English star with United will
be expired, and Beckham will manage to move to AC Milan on a free transfer.'
(in fact it doesn't expire until the summer of 2003)
'According to the reports Beckham will sign a 5-year contract.'
We do hope this doesn't lead to Becks to leave type crap as this is as much nonsense
as it gets.
---------------------------------
[2] With all this Wenger speculation in the Mirror
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
Didn't David Dein and Whinger himself comment that they saw no problem why his new
contract wouldn't be signed by the start of the season. Just days to go lads and we
want that deal signed so we don't get lumbered!
---------------------------------
[1] Red News Fergie special, deadlines, et al
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2001 by bar-knee:
The remaining copies of the Fergie Special will now be sold on a
first-come-first-served-basis. We will have a limited supply to sell at our
forthcoming home games where each seller will have some copies with them - starting
with the home game against Fulham. The only way to guarantee that you will get a copy
is to order one through the post, cost £2.50 including postage and packing.
Cheques made payable to Red News, send orders to Red News, P.O.Box 176, Manchester,
M16 8LG and if you e.mail us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] we will save a copy for you.
Just a few e.mails we have had from you after selling copies at the Celtic game
"...outstanding"
"great colour centre spread"
"is that the programme?"
RED NEWS DEADLINE
The deadline for issue 79 is this coming Friday (10th), if you have any articles,
letters, graphics, etc - and send them into the usual. Anything is much appreciated.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
We're also on the look out for new sellers of Red News this season at home games. Let
us know if you fancy being waved at by Fergie (as one RN seller was at the Celtic game
as he sold the Fergie special).
For those of you interested in joining the Football Fantasy League for this coming
season, a Red News League is now available at www.cyki.com.
And free too! Once you have entered your team, simply click on My Leagues and in the
Join box, type the following (might be easier to cut and paste).
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
---------------------------------
[43] Ridsdale gets delusional?
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
Leeds Chairman:
"But I actually think David wants to stay with Leeds. I think he believes we're on
the verge of winning things. If papers want to use their column inches for the next
12 months, discussing whether David will go to Old Trafford, fine. I don't really
care. He isn't going to Old Trafford, he's staying here. He and I together are going
to keep
this club top of the Premier League and in Europe. Our supporters
deserve it.
Everybody talks about Manchester United as this massive club and Leeds some way
behind, but I've been watching Leeds for 40 years. Back in 1974, if you suggested
Manchester United were bigger than Leeds nobody would have accepted that."
Rubbish!
"What we have to do is to stop looking at them as unbeatable. Look at our city, our
history, what we have invested in the squad, and you will see a club with the
potential to be the next big achiever."
---------------------------------
[42] Police want city troublemakers
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From Ananova
'Police have released images of a number of suspected football hooligans they want to
identify.
Greater Manchester Police is appealing for anyone who recognises any of the six men to
come forward.
They were captured on video after trouble erupted at Manchester City's Maine Road
ground when they were defeated 2-1 by Chelsea on May 19.
Almost 3,000 football fans ran on to the pitch at the end of the game which came two
weeks after City were relegated.
Two hundred fans turned violent, throwing signs and chairs and injuring police
officers, horses and ground stewards. GMP officers and the Metropolitan Police are
trying to identify the Chelsea fans who took part in the violence.
Superintendent Andrew Holt said: "This type of behaviour is absolutely unacceptable
and we will take every available step to prevent a recurrence.
"In order to do this, we would urge those who know who these trouble makers are to
come forward and identify them.
"The invasion of a football pitch at the point before, during or after the game is a
criminal offence.
"To those who thought the invasion was good humoured and didn't cause any problems, I
would like to point out that your presence on the pitch not only compromised a
policing operation in dispelling trouble, but created a camouflage of those intent in
violence."
---------------------------------
[41] Carroll on Barthez
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
"He trains very hard indeed. I was struck by the way he commands his box. He is always
on the edge of his area and ready for things. He's not the tallest keeper, obviously,
but he has a really good spring on him and he's very quick between the sticks. His
footwork on his line and in the area actually makes him 6ft 7ins tall! He's always
alive to everything. He's on his toes for 90 minutes. I am young and can learn more.
Fabien was one of the main reasons for coming to United and I haven't been
disappointed. If I can put a few things from him into my game over the next few years
then I will improve, which is my goal. United's goalkeeper coach Tony Coton is also
proving a very big
help to me. I have never had a specialist coach before and Tony is one of the top
ones around.
Goalkeepers don't really get going until their late 20s. I have
plenty of time to learn and I felt at my age I needed a coach to take
me on a bit. With the likes of Tony and Fabien I couldn't been in a better position
to improve. It's all there for me if I am ready to work hard and learn. It's up to me
and I intend to make the most of the chance. I'll have to keep my feet on the floor
but I don't think that will be difficult at Old Trafford. I know if I don't, then
things will only go downhill and I certainly don't want that. I thought it would
take longer to settle in at such a huge club but
I have been made very welcome and it hasn't been a problem."
---------------------------------
[40] Ole on his pre-season
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
"Of course you are always happy when the first one comes and you want to keep
reminding the manager that you can do what you are paid to
do. I think the most important thing is to get the fitness right. The
results don't really matter, the performance is important just to
tell the manager you want to be in the 11 that starts every game."
---------------------------------
[39] Ronnie Johnsen on looking forward
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I had tendinitis in both knees, and I had to have surgery. That was a bit
uncomfortable and I had to spend a lot of time laying around at home until I could
walk normally again. I have completed all the
pre-season training and feel good. The last two seasons I have been injured, and
missed the pre-season build up but this season I feel very fit and I am very
motivated".
---------------------------------
[38] Giggs on his testimonial last week
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I know a few people decided to have a go at me about it and although I don't want to
get dragged into a slanging match, I was upset. People are entitled to their opinions
but I think they should look at the number of fans who turn up to testimonials.
Supporters know exactly where the money they pay for tickets is going and still want
to come. What does that tell you about their views on testimonials?"
---------------------------------
[37] David May on being in limbo
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I'm still a United player until I'm told otherwise. I'll just see how the season pans
out."
---------------------------------
[36] Fergie on free-kicks
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
"Denis Irwin is an expert free kick taker, Paul Scholes is capable,
and David Beckham has been sensational for us. But Veron can give you
a different type of free kick. It was a hell of a hit"
---------------------------------
[35] Darren Ferguson tips us
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
"They will retain the championship again, signing Juan Veron and Ruud Van Nistelrooy
is what they needed to give everybody a lift. I'm not saying they had a bad season
last time but the League was over so quickly that from the moment they went out of
the European Cup, it went flat. I would expect them to have a right good go at the
European Cup. Veron is a wonderful player, world class. He's very athletic, gets up
and down the pitch - I wouldn't like to play against him every week. Van Nistelrooy
is another good signing. I played against him when I was in Holland and he scored a
hat-trick and had an excellent season overall.
I think I mentioned him to my dad but by the time he went to look at him he had
signed for PSV from Heerenveen. That was when they could have had him for nothing but
although he might have cost a bit more, he'll be worth every penny."
---------------------------------
[34] Villa tickets on sale as well
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
Sunderland briefs still on sale on Ticketmaster (only for single ticket applications
though). Villa also now on sale via ticket master. Not online however, but you can
phone 0121 607 8000 to reserve
tickets ranging in price form £5 - £25.
---------------------------------
[33] IMUSA on possible Utd fan away match ban
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
Nick Clay, vice-chairman of Imusa, said:
"The comments of Football Licensing Authority chairman John de Quidt single out
Manchester United supporters and infers a danger is posed to fans at Old Trafford. In
fact Manchester United's own safety report concludes 'You are more likely to get stung
by a wasp than get injured as a result of persistent standing at Old Trafford'.
Supporters' organisations such as ourselves and the Safestanding Campaign have tried
to move the debate forward with the support of politicians. In Germany, safe standing
areas are an accepted and welcome component of their modern stadia, and have even been
praised by the FLA. How do the FLA think supporters will react to having their
allocation of away match tickets cut? It will be a return to the days of Luton Town's
membership scheme in the old First Division. That scheme was unenforceable, and
supporters were scattered throughout the ground. Where is the safety in that?"
---------------------------------
[32] Message for a United fan
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 6, 2001 by bar-knee:
If Sean from Germany (Hertfordshire branch) is reading this can he get in touch with
us at
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cheers.
