---------------------------------
[26] Cole happy on his 30th birthday
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I'm very happy the way I have started off the season. It is always difficult to play
one game then miss one game, but I will have to keep persevering and hopefully I will
get a start in one of the European games. There is no point in me saying I have things
to prove because I don't think I have. I am enjoying it and I think that is the most
important thing. When a team plays the way we did and scores goals then I think
everyone is happy. We just have to keep winning and performing to a high standard.
It's not been a bad week for me and it's not been a bad week for Manchester United."
---------------------------------
[25] Fergie on Blanc ankle injury
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
"He felt it just after half-time. We took him off towards the end as a precaution, but
he should be all right for Wednesday."
---------------------------------
[24] Last word to Reid
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
"We were second-best all over the park against a Manchester United side that played
very, very well. The game plan was to get into them, deny them space and try to shut
them down, but physically, they were too strong and moved the ball too quickly. The
players worked very, very hard but got nowhere near them. They were too good for us on
the day. I can't have a go at the players because they've given me everything. They
walked off the pitch drained and they haven't got near anybody."
---------------------------------
[23] More from Fergie
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
"It's not the easiest place to come as our record tells you, but in fairness to the
lads, we could have won even more comfortably. I thought we could have scored two or
three in the first half. It was 1-0 at half-time and maybe should have been more, and
for 15 minutes in the second half, we were under the cosh. They were lifted by the
manager at half-time and came out with a great deal more purpose, but we got the
breakaway when it mattered for us and Ryan Giggs scored the second goal and then we
managed to make sure we didn't do anything stupid."
---------------------------------
[22] Moral victory - you what?
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
John Gregory:
"Now we have to ensure that position (fourth) represents a starting point rather than
a pinnacle. Stepping up a gear is one of the hallmarks of a good side. We have to be
switched on for every game. I believe David Beckham's goal against Greece was born of
the mentality drummed into him at Old Trafford that you never let up until the final
whistle sounds. It sounds trite but it is nevertheless the mark of a winner. With most
of the nation slumped dejectedly in their armchairs, trying to remember how good
Ukraine are, he refused to entertain the possibility of defeat. With the talent and
depth we now have in the Villa side, we can develop that kind of self belief - but it
only comes with practice. Having already beaten one of the best sides in the league in
Liverpool and been moral victors over the reigning champions (Manchester United), we
have an early indication of how good we can be."
---------------------------------
[21] Teddy could have done it with Ruud
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
Danny Higginbotham
"Teddy is a great player. He's always going to cause you problems because he likes to
drop off and by dropping off he then creates spaces for the midfielders to run
through. He's so intelligent, he's ahead of everybody else and he will cause problems.
He was probably at his peak when he came (to Old Trafford), and to be honest I think
he would still have been a great partner for van Nistelrooy to work off."
---------------------------------
[20] Over in France
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
Lebouef was sent off for being a twat...almost...he was sent off on saturday for
gesticulating at the crowd.
---------------------------------
[19] Reid grateful
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I'm just thankful Fergie didn't put Ruud van Nistelrooy on. That was our only saving
grace."
---------------------------------
[18] More from Fergie
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I thought ....Sunderland, away. Their left-back, Michael Gray, is a capable
footballer. Luke's going to have to defend — and defend well. Will he get the
opportunity to go forward? He got into the game right away. He's a bloody restless
player. We see him in training every day and he's a handful for our players. People
keep talking about the potential of Chadwick, but the only way he can prove it is on
the pitch. I thought he and Andy Cole were absolutely excellent. They say managers
gamble every time they pick a team, yet today we made sensible changes."
---------------------------------
[17] More from Fergie
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
"Aye, you can see our consistency coming through now. If we didn't have such an
important game on Wednesday, I would probably have kept more of the players in the
side. But I had today's team half-picked on the way back from Greece. We spoke about
it on the plane."
---------------------------------
[16] Cheer up Peter Reid
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
"We were second-best all over the pitch. Physically they were too strong and they
moved the ball too quickly. We had players who worked really hard and did not get near
them. They had world-class players missing, but are way out ahead and it's difficult
to compete. We were shellshocked. My players have given me everything. I couldn't have
a go at them. They have come off the pitch drained, yet they got nowhere."
---------------------------------
[15] Niall Quinnon Luke Chadwick
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
"He was my man of the match, as good as anyone out on the pitch"
---------------------------------
[14] Another Becks front page
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
This time in the SUN with an image of Becks from the Becks endorsed computer game
'David Beckham Soccer'. They claim that his watch is 'only' worth £20,000.
Becks said on the show "I'm just a regular bloke" and was given an ovation at the end
of the interview.
---------------------------------
[13] European round up
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
Real Zaragoza 1 Coruna 2
Lilles 1 Nantes 0 (Lille top the French league)
---------------------------------
[12] Henry on Becks and Zidane
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
"I think Zidane is on another planet at the moment. Beckham can cross a ball from
anywhere on the pitch, but what Zidane can do from anywhere on the pitch is just
outstanding. He can run with the ball and he can score goals. Beckham is not the sort
of player who will score three when his team wins 6-0. But he scores when his team
needs him to score - and great players score goals when they have to. Everyone would
like to play in the same team as him and it is the same for me as a striker."
---------------------------------
[11] And most of the rest of the team
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
Spent Saturday night at Reform club celebrating Andy Cole's birthday party.
---------------------------------
[10] 4 days work under the new deal?
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
Becks appeared on that German TV show - I bet that - wearing a new £50,000 watch
encrusted with diamonds and hand made. Beats the one I got out of the Christmas
crackers last year.
---------------------------------
[9] Spotted in Private Eye
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From RN reader, Amit
'I just felt that I had to draw your attention to the 2nd story in the Funny Old World
column on page 15 of the current edition of Private Eye (no. 1038), if only for the
last line............
" "Patrick was one of the greats, and this is a sad loss to the game," Declan holmes
told reporters, shortly after the annual Hide & Seek competition in Co. Sligo had
ended. "We all called him the 'cunning
master' & he was a bloody genius at the sport. We'll never find another like him."
"Announcing the news that the corpse of Patrick Derry (7 times winner of the event)
had been discovered in the back of a cupboard in a disued farmhouse in Tabbercurry,
event organiser Barry O'Heron explained what had happened. "When this year's contest
was over, 4 competitors were still in hiding. Declan came out voluntarily & emergency
seekers soon found the Flynn brothers submerged in marshland, breathing through
straws. But there was no sign of Patrick until the police, acting on a tip off,
searched the farmhouse & found his body. A post mortem will be held, but it seems he
died of natural causes."
"Local priest Father Eamon Caffey later expressed his concern about the event. "This
is the second fatality in 3 years. It's getting more dangerous than motor racing.
How many more young lives must be lost before we see an end to it? I would dearly
like to see it banned, but I fear that might just drive it underground, with even less
precautions taken to protect competitors."
' But Barry O'Heron retorted that "to call for a Hidey
ban is stupid. In all its history, there's only been 13 known deaths, & many of the
missing-presumed-deads had heavy family commitments, from which they may have been
trying to escape. I tell you this sport is safer than watching manchester city"
How true.
---------------------------------
[8] Song of the day
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
By Wigan Red
(To the tune of Only Fools And Horses)...
"God bless Beckham's feet
Viva Beckham's feet
Long live Beckham's feet
C'est magnifique Beckham's feet
Magnifique Beckham's feet"
My Blackburn-supporting mate also reckons Luke Chadwick should have his own
version...
"God bless Chadwick's teeth, etc, etc."
---------------------------------
[7] Eric on new role
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
"The character is gay, well actually bisexual. I don't have a problem playing a
homosexual. Some of the greatest gays are the most macho."
---------------------------------
[6] More on Manchester charity event
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From Ananova
'Manchester's football teams are coming together to lend their help to the victims of
the US terror attacks. Former Manchester City and Man United players will play a
six-a-side charity match in honour of New York's emergency services. Manchester has
itself been bombed in a terrorist attack. The IRA planted a bomb which tore the heart
out of the city centre. The match is at the Manchester Evening News Arena on Friday.
Proceeds from the event will help support the families of the 360 firefighters killed,
when terrorists destroyed the World Trade Centre. Led by current managers Sir Alex
Ferguson and Kevin Keegan, the sides will include former stars such as ex-England
captain Bryan Robson, Norman Whiteside, Asa Hartford and Willie Donachie.
Praising the event, Tony Blair said: "The city of Manchester of course has felt the
impact of terrorism on its streets, so there should be no surprise at the
determination of the people to do what they can to support those who have suffered."
---------------------------------
[5] RN reader on Arse away allocation
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From Mark
'2600 tickets, yet again we are not getting the full amount. We should get at least
3000, it means that there will be 400 less reds at this game that there should be.
I think it time that the club stuck up for our away support and begin cutting
allocations of clubs who mess us around with tickets. Sunderland being an example on
Saturday, only 1000 tickets resulting in lots of reds sitting in the home sections,
with Sunderland using the excuse of standing as the reason for so few tickets and not
that they know that they can sell out to there own supporters when united are in town
so want to gain an unfair advantage by having as few united fans in the ground as
possible.'
---------------------------------
[4] Fergie on Saturday
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
And Chadwick played a blinder - also sporting a teeth brace when interviewed by MUTV
"It was a good performance. It's not the easiest place to come as our record tells
you, but in fairness to the lads, we could have won even more comfortably. I thought
we could have scored two or three in the first half. It was 1-0 at half-time and maybe
should have been more, and for 15 minutes in the second half, we were under the cosh.
They were lifted by the manager at half-time and came out with a great deal more
purpose, but we got the breakaway when it mattered for us and Ryan Giggs scored the
second goal and then we managed to make sure we didn't do anything stupid. I thought
Andy Cole and Luke Chadwick were absolutely excellent for us. The boy Chadwick, people
keep talking about potential, but the only time you can prove it is on the football
field and he's proved that. He's going to be a good player the boy, and Cole's on
fire."
---------------------------------
[3] Fergie on Houllier
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
Who is expected to be away from work for a year - Roy Evans suggested Dalglish may be
offered the job though Phil Thompson has taken the job for now.
"I'll be in touch with him immediately because he's a good man. I just hope it's not
serious."
---------------------------------
[2] Full league Cup draw
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
And a Utd source on Saturday told us there will be some new faces - as ever blooding
the youth - for the trip to Arse but expect a few regulars too as they want the extra
cash from a home 50,000 odd crowd against Grimsby!
League Cup draw
Fourth round draw Worthnothing cup:
Leeds v Chelsea
Aston Villa v Sheffield Wednesday
Fulham v Tottenham
Blackburn v Manchester City
Arsenal or Man Utd v Grimsby
Bolton v Southampton
Watford v Charlton
Newcastle v Ipswich Town
---------------------------------
[1] city ban comment
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, October 15, 2001 by bar-knee:
For once a story about city and we're not going to take the piss - because we're on
the same side on this issue...
>From MEN
'Manchester city chiefs have barred a season ticket holder from waving a banner at
Maine Road - because it calls for safe standing at football grounds. Phill Gatenby was
ordered to take down the slogan by security stewards because it was political and goes
against the club's all seater policy. Now the fan, who is spearheading a campaign to
bring back safe standing areas, has accused city of denying freedom of speech. But the
Blue's chief operating officer, Chris Bird, says signs are permitted only to display
support for the team or advertise sponsors not to make political statements.
The white 6 foot long banner saying "Standing - A Safe Choice", has been unfurled at
recent matches but is now banned. Mr Bird said "Thematch is a vehicle for people to
encourage the team - not to put across a person's political view points. The banner
also does not fit in with the club's policy. It is inappropriate. Phil has not been
denied freedom of expression. He has been given full access to supporter's clubs to
put across his views."
But Phill, from Moston said,"It seems city are running things like the old soviet
polibureau rather than a football club. They are denying free speech. It's a current
issue and I see no reason why I should not display it at the match."
The standing campaign which calls for safe terracing installed at German grounds to
be introduced in Britain, has won varying levels of support from key figures including
Alex Ferguson, Kate Hoey and Trafford Council.'
---------------------------------
[18] Shut out of Stadium of Shite?
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, October 14, 2001 by redend:
A number of United supporters got tickets for Sunderland away via ticket master.
Rumours suggest that up to 800 reds with these tickets were refused access at the
turnstiles.
In order to fully understand the events and to get actual numbers and therefore
ultimately how best to take this forward can anyone affected please contact (
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ) [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a brief version of events.
Any reds who found themselves excluded are urged to ensure they keep proof of
purchase, and secondly to contact IMUSA via ( mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] )
[EMAIL PROTECTED] so it can be determined whether there is a case to take legal
action against Ticket master, Sunderland, the Police or all three.
If nothing else - it needs to be said that this cutting of allocations caper should to
be knocked on the head right now. This policy is far more likely to result in
"disorder" than offering a full and fair allocation of tickets to away supporters -
even if they do stand. Who are the pricks that come up with these ideas? A cynic might
suggest that this is exactly why they have produced this policy in the first place -
so any resulting disorder can be used as an excuse for more Draconian measures.
Incidentally - check out the posting on the ( http://www.rednews.co.uk/forum/ ) forum
by "Smoothtastic" - subject: "Top marks to..." re: the lad who jibbed in with a ticket
from last year's Worthless Cup tie. Now that's showing initiative.
---------------------------------
[17] How Becks rates ......
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, October 14, 2001 by redend:
..... according to Rob Hughes in the Sunday Times:
1 Zinedine Zidane, 29, Real Madrid and France
Transfer value: £48m Salary: £5.2m per year
The price tag is exorbitant, but does not lie. The world's most complete and effective
footballer. Two headed goals in the 1998 World Cup final, two feet that can dance and
create a passing scope beyond others. Zidane quite simply has a superior football
brain
2 Rivaldo, 29, Barcelona and Brazil
Transfer value: £30m Salary: £4.2m per year
A conjuror of the left foot, a big-game player who scores out of thin air and through
instinct and physical control of the entire body. Overplayed by Brazil and Barcelona,
and his travel fatigue breeds inconsistency
3 Juan Sebastian Veron, 26, Man United and Argentina
Transfer value: £28.1m Salary: £4.2m per year
Prodigious energy levels, passing invention beyond anyone in the Premiership, ability
to shape a game. Not quite Roy Keane's ferocious leadership, or Beckham's eye for
opportunity. But the leader of the orchestra
4 David Beckham, 26, Man United and England
Transfer value: £40m Salary: £1.3m per year
Almost the icon, lifted England through sheer willpower, running and, at the death,
precision. Fought his way into the top five with a performance against Greece of
courage and skill
5 Luis Figo, 28, Real Madrid and Portugal
Transfer value: £37.2m Salary: £5.2m per year
Right midfield, though like Beckham hankers to play inside. In vision, in placement of
the ball and in movement he is equal to Beckham; possesses more pace and maintains his
form. But not the spirited leader Beckham was last weekend
---------------------------------
[16] Doh !
---------------------------------
Posted Sunday, October 14, 2001 by redend:
No prizes for guessing which insignificant group were missed out of the list in story
[8] by our own Managing Director - David Gill:
'Our official view is that a strike is not in the interests of anyone in the game, and
that includes the players, the clubs, the various associations and the television
companies.
Err - the people who pay for every penny of all of the above - both directly &
indirectly? That'll be the fans.
