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--------------------------------- [21] Sven being used to stop the Coolmore mafia --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: The Mail/Soccernet claim that the Plc are going after Sven big time in an effort to get shareholders to block any moves by McManus and Magnier to remove them and to offer Fergie the chance to stay on with Steve McClaren coming back as first team coach. According to the piece the Irishmen have instructed brokers to buy more shares should it fall below 120p (it's 138.5p at the moment). It would appear that Sky may be keen to sell to the pair. --------------------------------- [20]And then he blows it --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: "However, Liverpool are favourites for the title the way they are playing while Arsenal showed in their performances against Manchester United and Juventus that they are also strong. "I would say the championship is between these two." --------------------------------- [19] Charlie tries to get back in our good books --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: "United are suffering a dip in fortunes and because it is them, a lot is made of it. They will bounce back. "You can never say that Manchester United cannot put in a 15-game run as we did when we pipped Newcastle to the title." --------------------------------- [18] Becks on the bench again? --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: According to an 'exclusive' in the S*n Becks will be gathering splinters again today. No quotes, so pure speculation. Exclusive my arse! --------------------------------- [17] Yonner briefs --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: Blackburn Rovers (Home) Saturday 7 January, 15:00. Members Postal applications are now being accepted from Members only. Applications should include a completed match ticket order form, relevant payment and sae. Online Applications Alternatively, members can make an online application. However, please note these applications will be given the same consideration as postal requests. Junior Ticket Scheme The junior ticket scheme for 11 to 16 year olds only. A set number of seats (strictly for junior members only) will be allocated for this game in the East Lower section. Junior members wishing to take up the offer must complete the appropriate section on the match ticket order form. Seat Prices (subject to availability): North and South Stands Upper and Lower £26 North Stand 2nd Tier £24 North East / West Quadrants Upper and Lower £22 East and West Stand Upper £22 East and West Stand 2nd Tier £22 Family Stand £22 North Stand 3rd Tier £20 East and West Lower £18 A half price facility is available to under 16`s and over 65`s. Please note, in the event of being oversubscribed a postal ballot will be held to determine the successful applicants. Furthermore, Members should be mindful that the Family Stand has a strict no smoking policy, and that access to the North Stand 2nd / 3rd tier and East / West Stand 2nd tier seating involves a substantial amount of climbing. Persons having difficulty with climbing or suffering from vertigo are advised accordingly. Next Announcement The next Premiership home game to be sold will be Liverpool, to be played on Tuesday 22 January 2002, kick off 20:00 GMT. An announcement regarding selling arrangements will be made on Tuesday 11 December. --------------------------------- [16]Carroll reckons he's still Fab --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: "It happens to the best but Fabien is still a great keeper and one of the best in the world." "In the previous two games he saved a penalty against Leicester then made a great save against Bayern Munich but everybody just looks at the mistakes. "It is a hard being a keeper especially when you are playing for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world. "Everybody is watching you and it is very difficult for Fabien but the whole team is involved and we just have to get out of it . "Everybody is waiting for them to fall apart but we are all well stuck together and if you make a mistake you just have to get up and get on with it." --------------------------------- [15] Still think we’re out of the title race? --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: >From David Anderson at PA While Manchester United's prospects may look as gloomy as a turkey's this Christmas, the statistics do provide some hope of a revival. Sir Alex Ferguson claims United will not retain their Premier League crown because they have already lost five matches and no championship-winning side can afford to lose more than six. He does not think his side can go through their remaining 24 league games and only lose once. But he is overlooking the fact that United have done precisely this in two of the last three seasons. >From this stage of the 1998-99 campaign, United went on to lose just once in their >other 24 games - to Middlesbrough in December - collected 53 points and won the title. They were even more impressive the following season when they lost to just Newcastle during their remaining 24 games. They amassed a staggering 61 points during that run and romped to the title, breasting the finishing tape at Easter. United should also be buoyed by the fact that their first 14 games have been much tougher than those of title rivals Liverpool, Leeds and Arsenal. As well as playing those three and Chelsea, United have also got the testing trips to Aston Villa, Newcastle, Tottenham and Blackburn out of the way. United have a relatively-easy December and after West Ham tomorrow, they play Derby, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Everton and Fulham. So come January, United's title odds could well be coming down with the Christmas decorations. --------------------------------- [14] Fergie on Wednesday and today’s game --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: "Wednesday night was important for morale - you could see it in the players," he said. "It's a big game on Saturday and if they show the same determination they did on Wednesday, we'll be all right. "We've got two home games in four days. That will do us some good. "Wednesday's match has got to kick-start us into action if we are going to play like any semblance of what people expect from United." --------------------------------- [13] Fergie on O’Shea --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: I think he's ready," said Ferguson. "The boy has come on well. He's got good composure, he's quick, he's a big lad and he's improving all the time." --------------------------------- [12]But on the other hand --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: O’Shea: "It's been unbelievable - a dream really." "Especially as it started off with me winning my first international cap, then making my Premiership debut and UEFA Champions League debut. It's been amazing." --------------------------------- [11] O’Shea keeping calm --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: "I heard little bits before that game (mickies), but I don't believe any of it until I hear the manager announce the team," he said. "That's happened a couple of times where people have said 'you might be in', but I don't get excited until I know for sure." --------------------------------- [10] Beeb to bid for Champions League? --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: >From the Guardian: The BBC will enter the bidding to screen Champions League games as Uefa considers a radical move that would allow more than one broadcaster in the same country the live rights to the tournament. But advertising presents a difficulty. BBC officials are examining ways they can show Champions League matches while minimising the prominence given to the tournament's sponsors, whose ads are carried as part of the package before and after matches, and during the half-time break. The current Champions League contract with European television companies, including ITV, expires at the end of the 2002-03 season but negotiations for a new deal will begin next summer. Uefa is planning to sell the rights to more than one national broadcaster and the BBC has the upper hand in its attempt to steal a slice of the action from ITV. In other words, UEFA (and the clubs) are desperate to keep the gravy train rattling along. --------------------------------- [9] Head to 'ead with the eastenders --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: >From Sky Head to Head * Manchester United have won the last 11 league meetings here, including each of the 8 Premiership meetings * West Ham have not won here in the league since August '86 - 11 meetings since. This is their only win in the last 18 league meetings here, although they did of course win here in the FA Cup last season, infamous for Fabien Barthez's attempts to put Paulo Di Canio off by claiming offside. * There has not been a draw here since the 0-0 in April '84 - 18 meetings since in all comps * Man Utd have scored 14 goals in the last 3 league meetings here, including a 7-1 win on April Fools Day 2000 * Today's Ref: Paul Durkin (Portland) - 20 yellow cards in 9 Premiership games so far this season Last Season: Man Utd 3 (Solskjaer, S.Pearce og, Yorke) West Ham 1 (Kanoute) - 1st January 2001 Also: West Ham 2 (Di Canio pen, Suker) Man Utd 2 (Beckham, Cole) - 26th August 2000 Also: Man Utd 0 West Ham 1 (Di Canio) - FAC 4th Round, 28th January 2001 --------------------------------- [8] Opta stats for the 'ammers --------------------------------- Posted Saturday, December 8, 2001 by tb: 14 Games 15 ATTACKING 31 Goals scored 17 2.21 Ave goals per game 1.13 50% Shooting Accuracy 43% 16% Goals to shots % 10% PASSING 7,499 Passes 5,239 81% Pass completion % 73% DEFENDING 70% Tackle success rate % 70% 26 Goals conceded 28 1.86 Ave goals conceded per game 1.87 DISCIPLINE 210 Fouls 266 17 Yellow cards 27 1 Red cards 2
