www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Tue Apr 13 06:45:18 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. We woz robbed!!! Personal Report by OUR SALFOED LASS
2. Sick as Blackpool Mick Personal report by RED KELLY
3. Manchester United Reserves + Junior Teams Pontins/FA Premier Academy U-17/U-19
4. That decision yesterday - Elleray explains
5. INJURY FOR ZZ IS TOP NEWS FOR UNITED
6. FA Cup replay on Canadian telly
7. Referees are once again in the spotlight
8. Manchester United say there are no plans for change
9. FULL "uncut" 365 emails on REDS Semi
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Tues 12th April 1999:
13/4/1898: George Haslam born in Turton, Lancashire. Haslam joined United from Darwen
and made his debut against Birmingham in February 1922. A formidable Centre-half,
he made 27 appearances between 1922-27, and for a fee of £2,500 moved to Portsmouth
in November 1927.
13/4/1994: Goals from Denis Irwin, Andrei Kanchelskis, Ryan Giggs and Bryan Robson
help United beat Oldham Athletic 4-1 in the FA Cup Semi-Final replay at Maine
Road watched by 32,311. Team was: Schmeichel, Parker, Irwin, Bruce, Kanchelskis,
Pallister, Robson, Ince, Keane (McClair), Hughes (Sharpe), Giggs.
**************
BSKYB LATEST
D-Day and all that from: andy walsh
This is just a short note, but none the less heartfelt for its brevity, to
congratulate everyone of you who may have written a letter, sent an email
or simply had a discussion with other fans, about the Sky bid.
Stephen Byers gave an interview to the Sunday Telegraph in which it is
stated that he was overwhelmed by the number of letters and faxes he
received. It is still unclear how things will pan out over the next few
months but one thing is for sure United fans the world over united to stop
the most powerful business man on the planet and that should make you all
feel very, very proud, I just wish I could personally shake you all by the
hand.
Proud and priviliged to be Red
Andy Walsh
PS If you have not joined IMUSA yet do so now by using the form on our web
site at www.imusa.org there is still yet more to do!
************************************************************
Barry Daily Comment:
We need Bryan's help tomorrow Wed 14th:
Middlesbrough v Chelsea (Chelsea go TOP if they win)
UNITED will have one game in hand of course!
Reserves v leicester OT tonight. Result will be in the Daily News tomorrow
If you would like ALL the final fixtures for
UNITED/Arse/Chelsea then go to http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899.htm
MANCHESTER UNITED STATS v ALL teams on the Web
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats.htm
Previous News:
BSKYB Takeover news/pics at http://www.red11.org/mufc/bskyb.htm
Brian Kidd Press conference, pic, real audio
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/kidd.htm
Peter Schmeichel's last Season at United!
http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/schmeichel.htm
Next games:
ALL Result/Fixture Index:3
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm
Next Games:
Tomorrow! FAC Semi REPLAY Arsenal at Villa Park 20.00 UK Live Sky Sports Uk
17 Sheff Wed (H) 15.00 PL
21 European Cup Semi Juventus (A) 19.45 CL
25 Leeds (A) 11.30 {am} UK PL Live Sky Sports UK
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
PREMIERSHIP
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 12/04/99 ***
Leeds United 0-0 Liverpool 39,451
*** LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 12/04/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 31 18 10 3 69 32 37 64
2 Arsenal 32 17 12 3 43 13 30 63
3 Chelsea 31 17 11 3 47 24 23 62
4 Leeds United 32 16 10 6 52 28 24 58
5 Aston Villa 33 13 10 10 44 39 5 49
6 West Ham United 33 13 9 11 34 40 -6 48
7 Derby County 32 12 11 9 36 36 0 47
8 Middlesbrough 32 11 13 8 44 41 3 46
9 Liverpool 31 12 8 11 57 41 16 44
10 Newcastle United 32 11 9 12 43 45 -2 42
11 Wimbledon 33 10 11 12 37 50 -13 41
12 Tottenham Hotspur 31 9 13 9 35 37 -2 40
13 Leicester City 31 9 12 10 32 39 -7 39
14 Sheffield Wednesday 32 11 5 16 38 36 2 38
15 Coventry City 33 10 7 16 34 45 -11 37
16 Everton 33 8 10 15 28 40 -12 34
17 Charlton Athletic 32 7 10 15 34 43 -9 31
18 Blackburn Rovers 32 7 10 15 32 43 -11 31
19 Southampton 33 8 6 19 28 60 -32 30
20 Nottingham Forest 33 4 9 20 30 65 -35 21
*** FIXTURES ON 14/04/99 ***
Middlesbrough v Chelsea (Chelsea go TOP if they win)
*** FIXTURES ON 17/04/99 ***
Charlton Athletic v Leeds United
Coventry City v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Manchester United v Sheffield Wednesday
Newcastle United v Everton
Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Blackburn Rovers
West Ham United v Derby County
*** FIXTURES ON 18/04/99 ***
Chelsea v Leicester City
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 21/03/99 ***
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/08/98 Leicester City Home D 2-2 11 55,052
22/08/98 West Ham United Away D 0-0 11 26,039
09/09/98 Charlton Athletic Home W 4-1 9 55,147
12/09/98 Coventry City Home W 2-0 5 55,193
20/09/98 Arsenal Away L 0-3 10 38,142
24/09/98 Liverpool Home W 2-0 3 55,181
03/10/98 Southampton Away W 3-0 2 15,251
17/10/98 Wimbledon Home W 5-1 2 55,265
24/10/98 Derby County Away D 1-1 2 30,867
31/10/98 Everton Away W 4-1 2 40,079
08/11/98 Newcastle United Home D 0-0 3 55,174
14/11/98 Blackburn Rovers Home W 3-2 2 55,198
21/11/98 Sheffield Wednesday Away L 1-3 2 39,475
29/11/98 Leeds United Home W 3-2 2 55,172
05/12/98 Aston Villa Away D 1-1 2 39,241
12/12/98 Tottenham Hotspur Away D 2-2 1 36,079
16/12/98 Chelsea Home D 1-1 2 55,159
19/12/98 Middlesbrough Home L 2-3 3 55,152
26/12/98 Nottingham Forest Home W 3-0 3 55,216
29/12/98 Chelsea Away D 0-0 3 34,741
10/01/99 West Ham United Home W 4-1 3 55,180
16/01/99 Leicester City Away W 6-2 2 22,091
31/01/99 Charlton Athletic Away W 1-0 1 20,043
03/02/99 Derby County Home W 1-0 1 55,174
06/02/99 Nottingham Forest Away W 8-1 1 30,025
17/02/99 Arsenal Home D 1-1 1 55,171
20/02/99 Coventry City Away W 1-0 1 22,596
27/02/99 Southampton Home W 2-1 1 55,316
13/03/99 Newcastle United Away W 2-1 1 36,500
21/03/99 Everton Home W 3-1 1 55,182
03/04/99 Wimbledon Away D 1-1 1 26,121
*** TEAM RESULTS SUMMARY - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 21/03/99 ***
P Won Drawn Lost For Against Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home 16 11 (69%) 4 (25%) 1 (6%) 38 (2.4) 16 (1.0) 37 (2.3)
Away 14 7 (50%) 5 (36%) 2 (14%) 30 (2.1) 15 (1.1) 26 (1.9)
Total 30 18 (60%) 9 (30%) 3 (10%) 68 (2.3) 31 (1.0) 63 (2.1)
Averages per game in (brackets)
*** TEAM STATISTICS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 21/03/99 ***
AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE: 55,183
HIGHEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 27/02/99 - Southampton (55,316)
LOWEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 15/08/98 - Leicester City (55,052)
BEST WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
BEST HOME WIN: 17/10/98 - Wimbledon (5-1)
HEAVIEST HOME DEFEAT: 19/12/98 - Middlesbrough (2-3)
BEST AWAY WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST AWAY DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
*****
Champions League:
Group D P W D L F A Pts
Bayern Munich 6 3 2 1 9 6 11
Man United 6 2 4 0 20 11 10
Barcelona 6 2 2 2 11 9 8
Brondby 6 1 0 5 4 18 3
Dec 9 Brøndby 0-2 Barcelona
Dec 9 Man Utd 1-1 Bayern Munich
******
CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS
Manchester Utd 2 v 0 Inter Milan
Real Madrid 1 v 1 Dynamo Kiev
Juventus 2 v 1 Olympiakos
Bayern Munich 2 v 0 Kaiserslautern
**DYNAMO KIEV 2 v 0 REAL MADRID (Agg:3-1)
FC KAISERSLAUTERN 0 v 4 **BAYERN MUNICH (Agg:0-6)
INTERNAZIONALE FC 1 v 1 **MANCHESTER UNITED (Agg:1-3)
OLYMPIAKOS 1 v 1 **JUVENTUS (Agg:2-3)
Semi Final 2nd legs to be played 21st April
Manchester United v Juventus [1-1]
Bayern Munchen v Dynamo Kiev [3-3]
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Peter will play a big part in the last 10/11 games!
Subject: We woz robbed!!! Personal Report by OUR SALFOED LASS
There are times when I regret moving out into the hills. They don't pop up
very often - I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful place, and I usually
manage to cope with the few drawbacks it brings. But getting to Altrincham
for 8.30am on a Sunday morning when you don't have a car is a an absolute
nightmare! Bus and train services to our semi-rural little town are pretty
appalling most of the time, but on Sundays they are even worse than normal
and before 9am - no chance!! It's hard to believe sometimes that I only
live 15 miles from the centre of Manchester, it feels more like 50! But
there was one possibility - there is a bus that goes from Buxton to
Manchester Airport very early in the morning, so I checked on times, made
sure the 192 into Manchester was running early enough from Stockport,
sorted myself out a lift from Manchester city centre and all was organised!
Unfortunately, the airport bus left at 6.30am, so at 5.30am I was dragging
myself out of bed and wishing I was living in Timperley! And the reason
for all this fuss? The playing of the other semi-final at Old Trafford,
meant that the coaches couldn't return there, so we all got shifted to the
back of Alty station.
Of course, after worrying for days about whether I was going to make it on
time, I arrived at 8.10am, for a coach that didn't leave until 9am! After
walking down the road for a paper, buying some coffee from McDonalds (the
only places open in Altrincham at that time of the morning) and braving the
disgusting inner reaches of the ladies's toilets in Altrincham bus station,
we finally got underway on Coach No 10. I like going to semi-finals. The
motorway full of coaches and cars, all heading down from Manchester to
Birmingham, it really feels special.
Mind you, yesterday felt pretty special anyway. As regular readers will
know, I've been feeling pretty bleak about the future recently. Then, on
Friday afternoon came the announcement that the Murdoch deal had been
blocked. It was like a black cloud was lifted in an instant. It might
only be a tiny victory in the bigger scheme of things to some, but for me,
it means so much. It means that ordinary fans, if they get together, can
make a difference, even against the rich and mighty! Perhaps Manchester
United PLC are not beyond the pale after all?
So it was, that as we drove down the M6 in the sunshine, I had a lighter
heart than I had had in months. My good mood was sorely tested when we
arrived at the turn-off for Villa Park. As usual, it took us longer to get
the couple of miles from the motorway to the ground than it had to get the
90 miles from Altrincham to Birmingham! But eventually we arrived,
finished off our butties and headed off to find our seats. I was a bit
worried at first. We had been given tickets in the lower part of the main
stand. We'd never been in there before, we'd always been in the Holte End
or in the North Stand (the usual away end). I didn't particularly want to
spend the game anywhere near the "good" seats - I'd much rather be in the
cheap seats where the atmosphere is almost always better. I needn't have
worried though, once we'd got in we found ourselves in the corner, close to
the Holte End. This had three advantages. Firstly, we were close to the
Arsenal fans and could see the whites of their eyes. Secondly, we were
close to our own little band of intrepid Reds marooned in the Holte End and
thirdly, I can always see both goals from one of the corners, when everyone
stands up!
Whilst we waited for the game to start and marvelled at how much better the
facilities are in this part of the ground than at either of the ends, the
son-and-heir sent messages to Pat (who was watching the game in a pub,
somewhere in Derbyshire) designed to make him jealous that he wasn't there
with us. He finally stopped on receipt of a message from Pat which simply
stated: "You're sacked!". Half-an-hour before the game started, the
Arsenal fans were all present and correct and the United fans were all
still in the pub! Now I wouldn't want to spoil anyone's fun, but for a big
game like this it would be nice to see the United fans in the ground and
chanting - perhaps even wearing colours, even though this might seriously
affect the style rating of some of our younger fans! Having said all that,
you can go too far and the Arsenal fans certainly did yesterday! I used to
respect Arsenal fans to some degree. After all, like us, they have a proud
history. But at the game yesterday, they were behaving like some tin-pot
little club who had never got past the first round of the FA Cup before.
Someone had given them all yellow balloons (Arsenal were playing in their
away strip) and there they were, to a (wo)man, dressed in their yellow
replica tops, jumping up and down with their balloons, and singing their
"one song". The woman next to me was spot-on when she said "What a bunch
of sad bastards". And someone should shoot the bloody DJ! Just who's idea
was it to play "We are the Champions"? It gave the sad gooners the perfect
opportunity to stand up with their balloons, all 18000 of them, and laud it
over us because they have won the league once in the nineties! The rest of
the pre-match warm-up was spent looking for familiar faces in the Holte End
- I'm sure I saw Mick cowering under his seat in case one of those nasty
yellow balloons hit him on the head!
The arrival of the team on the pitch brought complaints from the
son-and-heir when he realised that Nicky Butt was playing in place of Paul
Scholes. Of course he had to then eat his words as Nicky rapidly
established himself as one of the best players on the pitch! Like all
United/Arsenal games, this one was not a game for softies. The tackles
were coming in thick and fast and Nicky was soon putting himself about a
bit in the centre of midfield. I really hate Arsenal players - they kick,
gouge, pull, cheat and then fall over and start acting like Italians when
anyone so much as breathes on them. But most especially I hate Vierra and
Dixon. Particularly when Dixon smashes Denis Irwin with his arm, gets away
with it and then gets Denis booked for kicking the ball away! Just as an
aside - it can't be right that you can get a yellow card for kicking the
ball away or giving cheek to the ref and get exactly the same punishment
for nearly breaking someone's leg! Hopefully, Dennis will be recovered
before we go to Italy. I won't go into details about the game, mainly
because I can't remember them and I'll get everything in the wrong order!
Suffice to say that we more than contained them in the first half, in fact
it was us who had all the chances and we should have been 3-0 up at
half-time, including the perfectly legitimate goal that got ruled
"off-side". Half-time was spent chatting to Richard about his drinking
exploits which began at 8.30am and trying to catch the attention of the
Sausage Man! Whilst scanning the Holte End again, we couldn't miss the
jacket and the quirky tilt of the cap as he made obscene gestures to the
Arsenal hoards only feet away from him (not as brave as it sounds, there
were coppers and stewards between him and them!) He then proceeded to scan
our section of the ground and we jumped up and down, waved, danced, shouted
- all to no avail, he ignored us completely. The son-and-heir was about to
do a streak across the pitch to get his attention, when (luckily for
everyone else in the ground) the players came out for the second half.
The second half was a repeat of the first. Lots of chances, lots of dirty
tricks, lots of frustration. For the last 10 minutes, we bombarded their
goal but nothing would go in. The final whistle blew and we got ready to
leave, frustrated and disappointed. We were then informed there was extra
time! I wish I'd known that when I was getting all frustrated a few
minutes earlier! So we settled down for another 30 minutes of agony. To
start with, I was sure it was just a matter of time before we scored -
Arsenal were out of it and we were playing better than I had seen us play
against them in years. When Vivas was sent off I was sure that we had it
sorted and waited for the goal. And waited, and waited, and waited!! With
a few minutes to go, we were still waiting and it was frustration time
again. They had all ten men behind the ball, their defenders looked about
to expire with exhaustion but we just couldn't get the ball in the net. It
looked a bit more hopeful when Scholes came on for Giggs, but it was too
late. By now, the Arsenal fans were behaving like they had the game won
and were singing Wembley songs. Having exhausted themselves before the
game started, they had been very quiet during the game itself, just
occasionally singing their "one song" whilst we went through the United
songbook. But in the last 10 minutes, they found their second wind and it
was yellow balloons and celebrations in the Arsenal "end". Perhaps someone
ought to explain to them the difference between a win and a draw? The DJ
didn't help, of course, when he decided to play "We are the champions"
after the game finished - we left the stadium to the sight of gooners
standing with their balloons aloft, singing "our" song!!! When we got back
on the coach, the son-and-heir sent a simple message to Pat - I believe he
forwarded it to the list - the message just said "Bollocks!!!"
So it was a very, very frustrating afternoon. We should have won, indeed
we did win, but we have to go back and do it all again on Wednesday night.
Apart from Giggs who had an awful game, most of the players played well but
my man-of-match is Nicky Butt. He played like a man possessed and was
better than I have seen him in yonks. Of all the others, difficult to
single out any one player really, although Schmikes again kept us in it
with a couple of excellent saves and Stam was (again) perfection. I don't
share the pessimistic view of many that we will get beaten on Wed night, I
think we'll finish off the job we started yesterday, and stuff their
balloons and Wembley songs up their arses, but we could have done without
this extra game at this time of the season. Certainly, we had plenty of
time to reflect as we sat for an hour in the bus park and then another hour
in a traffic jam, trying to cover the couple of miles to the motorway.
Listening to the bar codes winning the game at Old Trafford makes it more
imperative that we get through - one memory that is sure to make me smile
no matter how miserable I am, is of the Charity Shield stuffing of the
Geordies - we just have to get there, so we can do it again! I can't
afford to go on Wednesday night so to those of you that are going - sing
your hearts out for the lads and think about writing a match report for us.
Copyright OUR SALFORD LASS, 1999
All rights reserved
Peter will play a big part in the last 10/11 games!
Subject: Sick as Blackpool Mick Personal report by RED KELLY
We were all up for this one especially after the recent news, so we set off
early in search of the designated pub. On arrival all we saw were a few
familiar faces on their way out of the pub marching down the road in search
of another. The local constabulary had slapped a no drinking ban on the
surrounding areas of Villa Park, but some were intent on defying it.
The first pub had been raided and the roads were littered with wandering
supporters and police vans. We drove down to another pub and parked up in
an area where you wouldn't normally chose to leave your car. Directly
opposite was a breaker's yard which to my way of thinking seemed rather
ominous, but it wasn't my car!! Good job this wasn't scouseland I thought
or we'd be catching the train home.
We were immediately confronted by the police who actually did nothing more
than prevent anyone from entering the pub itself. Not that there was any
sign of life within but we knew, along with others, that access could be
gained through the gates at the side.
By this time many who had been ejected from the first pub had arrived and
it was suggested by the landlord who was blatantly stood outside, that we
hide around the corner until the police had got fed up waiting and gone.
This we did while the landlord stayed outside in constant communication
with his second in command inside the pub by mobile telephone. How did any
subversion ever take place before the mobile telephone I wonder.
It was hardly a place to be hanging around, but there were safety in
numbers and the company we were keeping was of a nature that no-one would
go near under normal circumstances. So there we stood quietly waiting until
one of the group's number decided to take a swig from a Vodka bottle and
almost instantaneously threw up the entire contents of his extra large
stomach. He then threw up the contents of his second stomach and then his
third and on until all his five bellies were completely devoid of content.
It was an unsavoury sight on a sunny Sunday morning, but apparently this
was fairly normal service from this particular individual. He recovered
remarkably quickly and said he thought a scotch would be a better idea as
it would settle him down.
Thankfully at that very moment we received a wave from the pub and everyone
ran inside. The whole place was full of very similar characters to the one
just described, but the atmosphere was friendly and the two sets of
supporters mixed without any trouble.
Every now and then we would hear that the police had returned but the
curtains were drawn and there was no way they would know we were inside as
long as we kept quiet while they were outside listening at the front
windows! The whole thing was caught on video with the police on tape
listening in at the windows!! It was a bizarre situation but we even
managed to get a few more mates in and enjoyed a couple of pints.
As we left to go to the ground the police had reappeared, but by this time
the curfew had elapsed and they could do no more about it.
Outside Villa Park the mood was one of celebration. I was down at the usual
away end along with the majority of United supporters and the atmosphere
was excellent. The Arse were obviously going to be wearing their changed
strip because there followers all looked like buttercups and held aloft a
multitude of yellow cards and matching yellow balloons.
They looked awfully sweet in a profusion of yellow and as soon as the teams
appeared they all let go of their balloons and waved their cards at their
heroes. It was lovely, like a childrens birthday party - I half expected
the players to come out wearing Ronald Macbloody Donald costumes. In fact
they just acted like clowns instead of looking like them.
I'd found my own seat by this time but as there was no-one around I
recognised, I made my way down to another area where there were some that I
did know and stood by them. It meant I was standing half in half out of an
aisle all game but I got into some decent banter with the local steward who
protected me from the over zealous men in red coats who were throwing their
weight around at odd times during the game.
Before the game started we observed an impeccable minutes silence in memory
of the Hillsborough victims, apart from the odd mobile phone of course - a
sound which regularly punctuates a solemn silence. We were standing all
through and so it seemed were the rest of the United support, in contrast
to the Arse who were seated all through. Don't know what this says about us
apart from the fact that we've always flown in the face of authority - we
are the Red Devils after all.
Right from the kick-off the end-to-end action started. I thought United
played well and dominated for long periods which isn't usually the way
against the Arse. We were attacking the Holte End in the first half so
Peter was in front of us but he really didn't have that much to do. The
midfield was tight with Nicky Butt adding some extra bite and playing the
best game I've seen him play for a long long time. He is still one of the
best tackling midfielders in the country for me.
We eventually got the breakthrough on 35 minutes when Giggsy took the ball
and passed it round the fullback, collected it almost on the line and
crossed it into the box. We saw the linesman's flag go up as I think it was
Yorke who was running back from an offside position. Then it went down
again, but then up again by the time the ball was centred and slammed into
the net by Keano. However we hadn't seen the flag reappear because we were
too busy going mad.
Our wild celebrations were interrupted by a call of "there's a flag up".
"What do you mean a bloody flag," "You know where he can stick his bloody
flag," and so on. Everyone stopped dead and looked over towards the
linesman and Elleray who were deep in conversation. Then Elleray emerged
and pointed for a goal kick. The Arse fans went wild and we stood there in
disbelief.
If the linesman had seen someone offside and kept his flag raised
throughout I could just about take the decision, but he put his flag down
and then raised it again. Why? How did he justify his reasoning to Elleray.
How did Elleray accept his reasoning? He couldn't possibly have justified
anything because the goal should have stood, you cannot be offside when
playing the ball to yourself. It would make a mockery of football if you
could because no-one would ever score after touching the ball more than
once.
From that moment until the end of the first half there was chaos. Elleray
had lost it. Whatever he had in the first place had gone. Thankfully the
half ended in a mere few minutes and gave everyone the chance to take a
break. The talk was of nothing else but that 'goal' and even the Villa
stewards were incredulous as to why it had been disallowed.
I went on a wander to calm down and met up with a few others with everyone
having a whinge. I knew what I felt like doing, but had to be content with
being part of the crescendo of boos Elleray received as he'd left the
pitch.
The second half started with the Arse in the ascendancy but United soon
took control and continued to pile forward. Problem was when it came to the
crunch we seemed sadly lacking in finishing power, we just couldn't get the
ball in the net again. In fact they nearly snatched it at the very end - if
it hadn't been for another fine save by the great Dane, Ljungberg would
have been the Arse hero last night.
The atmosphere was far better than Wednesday night though, with a
particular rendition of the calypso the high point. It started at our end
and spread around the side to our left and reached the other end with
everyone on their feet, hands in the air. The noise was deafening, a truly
superb sight. A mass of pulsating sound which put the small time Gooners
to shame with their pathetic one song, along with the occasional, and now
obligatory "stand up if you hate Man U". Big club your arse!
During the second half and extra time my steward mate managed to lose his
house, his garage and his next door neighbour's cat. He bet on each and
every free kick on the edge of the box in front of us - good job I didn't
take him up on the bets, but why would I want to live in Birmingham, I live
close enough to it as it is!!
So the game ended as it began, goalless, or that's what the records will
show, although we know different don't we. The Arse fans were pleased with
the result and we weren't - we were as sick as Blackpool Mick -
metaphorically speaking.
As an afterthought - if the Arse were willing to replay the game against
Sheffield United after Kanu had scored THAT goal then surely they should
just give yesterday's game to us shouldn't they? As far as I can tell we
actually won it fair and square didn't we?
Copyright RED KELLY 1999
Peter will play a big part in the last 10/11 games!
Subject: Manchester United Reserves + Junior Teams Pontins/FA Premier Academy U-17/U-19
Updated 12/04/99 by Paul Hinson
Match Report from OUR SALFORD LASS:
MUFC Reserves v Everton OT Sat 27th March
http://www.red11.org/mufc/9899/resmatfeveh.txt
1997-98 1998-99
AUGUST
Thu 20 SUNDERLAND (H) - 0-0
SEPTEMBER
Wed 2 ASTON VILLA (H) 1-0 4-0 (Wilson 2, Jaszczun og, Greening)
Sat 5 Everton (A) 2-3 2-0 (Cruyff, Greening)
Thu 17 BIRMINGHAM CITY (H) 2-0 3-2 (Sheringham 2, Cruyff)
Fri 25 Liverpool (A) 2-2 2-0 (Notman, Cruyff)
OCTOBER
Thu 1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST (H) 1-1 1-0 (Cooke)
Wed 14 BLACKBURN ROVERS (H) 2-2 3-2 (Greening 2, Wilson)
NOVEMBER
Tue 3 STOKE CITY (H) 4-2 4-1 (Notman, Wilson, Greening, Wood)
Mon 16 Leicester City (A) - 6-2 (Greening 3, Wilson, Clegg, Wellens)
DECEMBER
Wed 2 Leeds United (A) 0-3 1-5 (Sheringham)
Thu 17 Sunderland (A) - 0-2
JANUARY
Wed 6 Aston Villa (A) 1-0 5-1 (Solskjaer 2, Cruyff, Greening,
Mulryne)
Tue 19 Derby County (A) 4-0 2-2 (Wilson, Nevland)
Wed 27 DERBY COUNTY (H) 2-1 4-0 (Notman, Nevland, Chadwick, Wilson)
FEBRUARY
Wed 3 Birmingham City (A) 2-0 1-1 (Healy)
Mon 8 Preston North End (A) 6-1 1-0 (Mulryne)
Wed 24 Nottingham Forest (A) 1-0 1-1 (Clegg)
MARCH
Mon 15 Blackburn Rovers (A) 1-3 0-1
Mon 22 Stoke City (A) 2-1 1-3 (May)
Sat 27 EVERTON (H) 7-0 3-0 (Fitzpatrick 2, O'Shea)
APRIL
Wed 14 LEICESTER CITY (H) -
Wed 28 LEEDS UNITED (H) 1-1
TBA PRESTON NORTH END (H) 5-2
TBA LIVERPOOL (H) 0-1
First 3 and last 3 Home fixtures at Old Trafford,
Kick-off 7pm.
Remainder at Gigg Lane, Bury, Kick-off 7.00.
All Saturday fixtures Kick-off 2pm.
Fixtures subject to alteration.
Appearances and Goals 1998-99 (up to and including 27/03/99)
Kennedy BAKIRCIOGLOU 1 0
Henning BERG 2 0
Russell BEST 0+1 0
Jesper BLOMQVIST 3 0
Wes BROWN 6 0
Nicky BUTT 2 0
Chris CASPER 2 0
Luke CHADWICK 3+2 1
Michael CLEGG 18 2
Andy COLE 1 0
Terry COOKE 6+1 1
Jordi CRUYFF 7 4
Nick CULKIN 7 0
John CURTIS 13 0
Ian FITZPATRICK 2 2
Ryan FORD 8+1 0
Paul GIBSON 3 0
Jonathan GREENING 16+1 9
David HEALY 4+4 1
Danny HIGGINBOTHAM 3 0
Ronny JOHNSEN 1 0
David MAY 13 1
Philip MULRYNE 14 1
Phil NEVILLE 2 0
Erik NEVLAND 8+2 2
Alex NOTMAN 8+1 3
John O'SHEA 8+1 1
Lee ROCHE 3+1 0
Stephen ROSE 2+1 0
Michael RYAN 1+1 0
Teddy SHERINGHAM 3 3
Ole Gunnar SOLSKJAER 1 2
Michael STEWART 3 0
Dominic STUDLEY 1 0
Paul TEATHER 6+2 0
John THORRINGTON 1+1 0
Raimond VAN DER GOUW 10 0
Ronnie WALLWORK 7+1 0
Richard WELLENS 6+3 1
Mark WILSON 16+2 7
Jamie WOOD 0+3 1
Jaszczun (Aston Villa) 1 og
Pontins League Premier Division
Results from last week:
Derby County 3 Stoke City 2
Everton 2 Sunderland 5
Blackburn Rovers 5 Preston North End 1
Leeds United 3 Aston Villa 4
All facts and figures updated by
Paul Hinson P.L.Hinson@ais.salford.ac.uk
Webmaster barry@www.red11.org
PONTINS PREMIER LEAGUE
P W D L F A Pts
UNITED (2) 20 12 4 4 44 23 40
Sunderland (-) 20 11 6 3 38 16 39
Nottingham Forest (11)18 8 6 4 26 17 30
Liverpool (10) 17 7 7 3 18 12 28
Leeds United (1) 17 8 2 8 32 31 26
Blackburn Rovers (3) 18 7 4 7 28 22 25
Everton (7) 16 7 4 5 20 19 25
Birmingham City (5) 19 5 7 7 23 26 22
Aston Villa (4) 19 6 4 9 28 32 22
Leicester City (-) 18 5 5 8 22 34 20
Stoke City (6) 16 4 3 9 17 26 15
Derby County (8) 19 3 6 1023 42 15
Preston North End (9) 16 3 3 1012 31 13
Last seasons position in brackets
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester Senior Cup
MARCH
Wed 10 Oldham Athletic (A) 3-2 (Greening, Sheringham, M.Clegg)
Wed 31 Bury (A) 4-1 (May, O'Shea, Wilson, Fitzpatrick)
APRIL
Tue 6 Manchester City (A) 5-1 (Wilson 2, Healy, Greening, Ford)
Fri 16 BURY (H>
Mon 19 MANCHESTER CITY (H)
MAY
Wed 5 OLDHAM ATHLETIC (H)
Venues/Kick-off times to be decided.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester United FA Premier Academy U-19
SEPTEMBER
Sep 5 West Ham United (A) 0-3
Sat 12 DERBY COUNTY (H) 1-1 (Healy)
Sat 19 WATFORD (H) 2-4 (O'Shea, Chadwick)
Sat 26 WIMBLEDON (H) 4-0 (Healy 3, Chadwick)
OCTOBER
Sat 3 FULHAM (H) 4-0 (Healy 3, Evans)
Sat 17 Manchester City (A) 4-1 (Evans, Healy, Clegg, Daly og)
Sat 24 EVERTON (A) 1-0 (Knowles og)
Sat 31 LIVERPOOL (H) 1-1 (Healy)
NOVEMBER
Sat 7 Bolton Wanderers (A) 2-1 (Wheatcroft, Ryan)
Sat 14 Blackburn Rovers (A) 1-5 (Fitzpatrick)
Sat 21 ASTON VILLA (H) 4-0 (Notman 3, Chadwick)
Sat 28 CREWE ALEXANDRA (H) 2-1 (Howard, Fitzpatrick)
DECEMBER
Sat 12 MANCHESTER CITY (H) 1-0 (Fitzpatrick)
JANUARY
Sat 16 Liverpool (A) 1-1 (S Rose)
Sat 30 BOLTON WANDERERS (H) 5-0 (Chadwick 2, Healy, Fitzpatrick, Howard)
FEBRUARY
Sat 6 EVERTON (H) 1-0 (Fitzpatrick)
Sat 13 BLACKBURN ROVERS (H) 0-4
Sat 20 Aston Villa (A) 2-0 (Healy, Ryan)
Sat 27 Crewe Alexandra (A) 0-1
MARCH
Sat 6 Crystal Palace (A) 1-0 (Fitzpatrick)
Sat 20 BRISTOL CITY (H) 1-2 (Wheatcroft)
Sat 27 Sheffield Wednesday (A) 0-0
Home fixtures played at the Cliff, Lower Broughton, Salford
Appearances and Goals 1998-99 (up to and including 06/03/99)
Luke CHADWICK 15+2 5
George CLEGG 12+2 1
Stephen COSGROVE 9+1 0
Wayne EVANS 9+5 2
Ian FITZPATRICK 14+1 6
David HEALY 10+1 11
Jason HICKSON 0+2 0
Kirk HILTON 12+1 0
Joshua HOWARD 8 2
Mark LYNCH 2 0
Alan MCDERMOTT 1 0
Allan MARSH 4+1 0
Alex NOTMAN 1 3
John O'SHEA 13+1 1
Paul RACHUBKA 16 0
Lee ROCHE 15 0
Stephen ROSE 13 1
Michael RYAN 11 2
Michael STEWART 14+1 0
Dominic STUDLEY 8+4 0
John THORRINGTON 8 0
Richard WELLENS 4 0
Paul WHEATCROFT 13+2 1
Lee WHITELEY 2+4 0
Daly (Manchester City) 1 og
Knowles (Everton) 1 og
Top of Group A (up to and including 12/03/99)
FA Premier Academy League Under-19
P W D L F A Pts
UNITED 20 12 3 5 37 23 39
Crewe Alexandra 18 10 5 3 27 15 35
Blackburn Rovers20 9 3 8 37 27 30
Liverpool 18 7 8 3 29 15 29
Everton 18 8 4 6 31 23 28
Aston Villa 18 6 3 9 30 38 21
Manchester City 18 3 2 1216 41 11
Bolton Wanderers19 3 3 1324 55 12
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester United FA Premier Academy U-17
SEPTEMBER
Sep 5 West Ham United (A) 2-1 (Walker, Webber)
Sat 12 DERBY COUNTY (H) 4-0 (Szmid, Muirhead, Rose, McDermott)
Sat 19 WATFORD (H) 2-1 (Wood, Muirhead)
Sat 26 WIMBLEDON (H) 5-0 (Webber, Grogan, Wood, Lynch, Davis)
OCTOBER
Sat 3 FULHAM (H) 9-0 (Webber 5,Davis,McDermott,Lynch,Whiteman)
Sat 17 Manchester City (A) 2-0 (Davis, Webber)
Sat 24 EVERTON (H) 3-2 (Webber, McDermott, Davis)
Sat 31 LIVERPOOL (H) 2-2 (Lynch, Molloy)
NOVEMBER
Sat 7 WIMBLEDON (A) 1-1 (Webber)
Sat 14 Blackburn Rovers (A) 2-0 (Webber, Davis)
Sat 21 ASTON VILLA (H) 5-0 (Webber 2, McDermott, Davis, Samuels og)
Sat 28 CREWE ALEXANDRA (H) 1-1 (Webber)
DECEMBER
Sat 12 MANCHESTER CITY (H) 4-0 (Webber 2, Davis, Molloy)
JANUARY
Sat 16 Liverpool (A) 3-3 (Davis 2, Webber)
FEBRUARY
Sat 6 Everton (A) 5-1 (Wood 2, Walker, Davis, M.Rose)
Sat 13 BLACKBURN ROVERS (H) 1-1 (M.Rose)
Sat 20 Aston Villa (A) 5-1 (Nardiello 2, Molloy, Wood, Clark)
Sat 27 Crewe Alexandra (A) 1-1 (Strange)
MARCH
Sat 6 Crystal Palace (H) 3-0 (Wood 2, Davis)
Sat 13 Tottenham Hotspur (A) 2-2 (Davis 2)
Sat 20 BRISTOL CITY (H) 3-1 (Szmid, Muirhead, Davis)
Sat 27 Sheffield Wednesday (A) 1-2 (Whiteman)
Home fixtures played at Littleton Road, Salford
Appearances and Goals 1998-99 (up to and including 13/03/99)
Ben CLARK 5+1 1
James DAVIS 14+1 13
Ashley DODD 1 0
Kevin GROGAN 3+2 1
Rhodri JONES 3+1 0
Mark LYNCH 18 4
Alan MCDERMOTT 15 3
Allan MARSH 2 0
Eric MOLLOY 12+2 3
MOORE 2 0
David MORAN 16 0
Ben MUIRHEAD 14+1 2
Daniel NARDIELLO 2 2
PUGH 0+2 0
Michael ROSE 18 2
SAMPSON 0+2 0
Mark STUDLEY 19 0
Gareth STRANGE 17+1 1
Marek SZMID 18 1
TAYLOR 0+2 0
TIERNEY 0+1 0
Joshua WALKER 12+1 2
Danny WEBBER 13 17
Lee WHITELEY 3 0
Marc WHITEMAN 4+3 1
WILLIAMS 0+3 0
Neil WOOD 9+4 7
Samuels (Aston Villa) 1 og
Top of Group A (up to and including 12/03/99)
FA Premier Academy League Under-17
P W D L F A Pts
UNITED 19 13 6 0 60 15 45
Blackburn Rovers20 12 5 3 52 22 41
Liverpool 19 8 9 2 41 32 33
Manchester City 20 7 6 7 41 40 27
Everton 18 7 4 7 39 31 25
Crewe Alexandra 18 5 7 6 23 25 22
Aston Villa 18 7 1 1022 42 22
Paul Hinson (email p.l.hinson@ais.salford.ac.uk)
http://www.red11.org
The best MANCHESTER UNITED STATS on the Web
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats.htm
STATISTICS
http://www.red11.org/mufc/pontin.htm
RESERVES AND JUNIORS
http://www.red11.org/mufc/history.htm
MUFC HISTORY
Peter will play a big part in the last 10/11 games!
Subject: That decision yesterday - Elleray explains
........ Elleray today explained the reasons behind the decision.
"There was a situation where the ball was knocked through and the
assistant indicated there was a player off-side," he says. "He thought the
ball was going to go out for a goal-kick and so he dropped his flag.
However, Ryan Giggs was so fast that he caught the ball and crossed it and
in the ensuing play, a goal was scored. The assistant then having dropped
his flag put it back up again to indicate the original off-side. I went
across and consulted with him and he explained that there had been an
off-side in the lead up to the cross and therefore he had to disallow it
for off-side. I acted on what the assistant told me. He told me a player
had been off-side in the lead up to the goal and I have to accept his view."
When asked whether Dwight Yorke was off-side before Giggs' delivery:
"The FA and FIFA talk about 'active play'. How are you involved in active
play? It can mean one of two things - it can mean you are either going to
the ball itself or you can actually be in a position interfering with an
opponent. And if you are in or around the penalty area and are pulling a
defender wide by your movement that is being involved in active play."
MORE:
BREAKING NEWS - Tuesday 13 April 1999
ELLERAY: DECISION TO DENY KEANE WAS CORRECT
David Elleray, who took charge of the United-Arsenal FA Cup semi-final at
Villa Park, insisted the controversial decision to rule out Roy Keane's
strike was technically correct - but that it was his linesman who had decided.
The Harrow schoolmaster was ready to award the goal until persuaded to
consult his assistant on the touchline who had flagged United striker
Dwight Yorke offside in the build-up.
However, the flag went down moments before it was raised again just as
Keane slammed the ball past Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman and into the
roof of the Gunners' net.
Elleray said: "I acted exactly on what my assistant told me. I haven't seen
any video replay or anything. He told me that there was an offside in the
build-up to the goal and I have to accept his view."
The referee revealed the decision, which at first United manager Alex
Ferguson branded "ridiculous", came because Ryan Giggs was too fast for the
linesman.
"It was a situation where the ball was played through and the assistant
indicated the player was offside and in the active zone.
"The assistant thought the ball was going to run out of play for a
goal-kick and so he dropped his flag.
"But Ryan Giggs was so fast that he caught up with the ball before it could
go out, crossed it and, in the ensuing play, a goal was scored.
"But the assistant, having dropped the flag, put it back up again to
indicate it was offside. I went over and consulted with him and he said it
was offside in the build-up," he told ClubCall
Peter will play a big part in the last 10/11 games!
Subject: INJURY FOR ZZ IS TOP NEWS FOR UNITED
Juventus star Zinedine Zidane has given Manchester United
a timely boost ahead of next week's Champions' League
semi-final second leg after the French midfielder suffered a
recurrence of his knee injury.
Zidane was out for three weeks with a twisted knee before
last Wednesday's first leg but was outstanding on his return
in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
However, the injury problem flared up again during
yesterday's game against Bologna, forcing the World
Player of the Year to be substituted at half-time.
"I didn't come out for the second half because the joint was
giving me trouble," said the Frenchman. "I told the coach
that I didn't want to go on and he agreed.
"But it's strange all the same. I didn't feel anything for the
90 minutes in Manchester but here all it needed was 45
minutes to cause me problems."
Juventus, who face Italian league leaders Lazio on
Saturday, will have to decide later this week whether to
risk the World Cup-winning midfielder.
Zidane's injury was not the only note of alarm for coach
Carlo Ancelotti in yesterday's 2-2 draw against Bologna.
The Serie A champions took the lead through Filippo
Inzaghi but the Italian international went on to miss a
penalty as Juventus squandered several chances before
letting Bologna move into a 2-1 lead.
Angelo Di Livio salvaged a draw with a late equaliser but
Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids, who set up Juventus' goal
for Antonio Conte at Old Trafford, said: "We could have
scored two or three goals in the first half.
"And in the second we gifted Bologna too many chances.
There are certain matches when, if you're not winning, you
have to be very careful.
"Manchester would certainly have taken advantage of all
those chances; we can't afford to play like that against
them."
Peter will play a big part in the last 10/11 games!
Subject: FA Cup replay on Canadian telly
Calling Canadian Reds from coast to coast (and beyond). I got the followinf
mail from Sportsnet today regarding the replay.
Edouard Cruz Quebec, Canada luced@sprint.ca
>Hello Soccer Fan,
>Here is the news HOT off the press for all Soccer on Sportsnet fans. CTV
>Sportsnet will be broadcasting the FA Cup on a tape delay basis on
>Wednesday, April 14th. The times for the four regions are as follows:
>EAST region: 11:00 p.m. EST
>ONTARIO region: 11:30 p.m. EST
>WEST Region: Midnight MT
>PACIFIC Region: 7:30 p.m. PST
>Coppa Italia wll be shown LIVE at 2:30 p.m. EST in all regions. The first
>leg final between Parma vs Fiorentina
>Please feel free to contact us again should you have any additional
>questions, concerns or suggestions.
>Sincerest regards,
>Dave Millard
>Audience Relations, CTV Sportsnet
>1-877-288-7767
>View the day's sports news on Sportscentral - 7:30 am, 6:30 pm
>(6:00pm-East/7:00 pm Atl.) and 10:00 pm. (11:00 pm Atl.)
>Check out CTV Sportsnet's programming schedule for this week at www.ctv.ca
> - It's a Whole New Game!
Peter will play a big part in the last 10/11 games!
Subject: Referees are once again in the spotlight
Tuesday 13 April 1999 365
'WE MAKE 30 MISTAKES A GAME' ADMITS DERMOT GALLAGHER AFTER A WEEKEND OF CONTROVERSY
By Iain Spragg
TOP Premiership referee Dermot Gallagher has called on the
Football Association to swallow its pride and adopt the use
of video technology to avoid a repeat of the controversy
which marred both Sunday’s FA Cup semi-finals. Gallagher, a
FIFA-approved official, believes the introduction of new
technology is now long overdue and would provide his
under-fire colleagues with a priceless safety net when
called on to make match-turning decisions.
Referees are once again in the spotlight for all the wrong
reasons after David Elleray’s fiercely-disputed decision to
rule out Roy Keane’s ‘goal’ for Manchester United against
Arsenal at Villa Park and Paul Durkin’s failure to spot a
blatant handball by Newcastle’s Nikos Dabizas against
Tottenham at Old Trafford. Gallagher admitted he felt
sympathy for his two fellow refs, but insisted the FA could
no longer ignore the lessons learnt from the weekend’s
decisive incidents.
He told Football365: “I realise that a lot of referees and
fans alike have a problem with using video technology to
rule on disputed decisions but I think the time has finally
come to give it a try. The eye-in-the-skycan only help
officials in the long run. A referee has to make on average
300 decisions in every match and on average he will make
about 30 mistakes during the 90 minutes. In that light, I
don’t have a problem using technology to try and trim that
margin of error down.”
Gallagher acknowledges that there are inherent dangers with
the use of video technology during games – many fear
constant consultation with a third official watching
replays of disputed incidents will reduce football to a
stop-start affair more akin to American football – but
insists a common-sense approach to its use could avoid such
problems.
He told F365: “Many people involved in football worry that
replays would ruin the natural flow of the game but there
are ways around it. I am not suggesting using video
technology for any controversial decision – only when a
goal is scored. When the ball hits the back of the net
there is a natural break in play which would give a third
referee plenty of time to verify the validity of the score.
That way, you are at least sure whether a goal should stand
without constantly disrupting the flow.
“I am trying to get other referees to support the idea and
West Ham manager Harry Redknapp has suggested to the League
Managers’ Association that they take up the same issue with
the FA. Harry got the idea after an incident in a cup game
last year when Ian Wright had a perfectly good goal
disallowed for offside. Bringing in video technology would
eliminate the possibility of referees making wrong calls
about goals which ultimately could decide important matches.
There is more support for the idea among referees than
people think.”
The FA have been persistently reluctant to explore the
possibilities of introducing new technology to help
referees but, in view of the incident at Villa Park on
Sunday in particular, they will be under renewed pressure
to change their stance. Watch this space!
Peter will play a big part in the last 10/11 games!
Subject: Manchester United say there are no plans for change
By Keith Weir
LONDON, April 12 - English Premier League soccer club Manchester United
said on Monday there were no plans for board changes after the British
government blocked plans for a billion-dollar takeover by pay TV company
BSkyB.
The planned takeover had been opposed by a vocal group of United supporters
and small shareholders, with chief executive Martin Edwards coming in for
especially strong criticism.
The United board recommended the takeover and Edwards had pledged to sell
his 14 percent stake to BSkyB as part of the deal, which would have netted
him some 87 million pounds ($140.6 million).
A United spokesman said the board would remain in place and noted that the
senior mangement would have continued in their roles had the deal gone
ahead. He said that it was Edwards' own personal decision as to whether he
maintained his stake at current levels.
The Edwards family has been associated with United for nearly four decades,
Martin Edwards' late father Louis having turned the club into a major
European force in the 1960s.
The British government blocked the BSkyB/Man Utd deal on Friday, saying it
would harm competition between broadcasters and damage the quality of
British soccer.
BSkyB, 40 percent owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, is Britain's leading
pay TV company while United is regarded as the world's richest soccer club.
The United board prompted fresh controversy last month when it said that
ticket prices would be increased by up to 14 percent in response to
spiralling wage costs.
United, European Cup semifinalists and still chasing a domestic F.A. Cup
and premier league double, stressed that it was business as usual despite
the takeover rejection.
The club is investing 30 million pounds on increasing the capacity of its
Old Trafford stadium to 67,400 from 55,000 and is also developing a new
training ground which will open at the end of the year.
United shares, which dived 15 percent on Friday, were little changed at
186-1/2p on Monday.
Peter will play a big part in the last 10/11 games!
Subject: FULL "uncut" 365 emails on REDS Semi
E-Mail Of The Day: We Shall Overcome
Your headline should have been "Robbery at the Park", since no-one
can understand the ref's decision. However, I won't fall in the
stereotype of the typical United fan (lives abroad, moans at the
referee etc.). United will beat Arsenal because they will come out to
the pitch on Wednesday like wounded animals. Fergie should go
back to his old routine of "the whole world is against us"; it works
wonders with United youngsters who know it's true, but just need a
reminder from time to time.
Petit is out of shape and late on tackles and he'll be carded card in
the first 25 minutes and won't dominate the midfield as usual (I'm
willing to take a bet). Yorke or Cole should make way for
Sheringham, who can actually deal with crosses. Fergie should have
never replaced Giggs, one of the hottest players in Europe at the
moment, but if he does then Blomqvist is his best bet because of his
ability to play at the left wing.
Playing a few games on the trot will only help the United attack get
back into shape. The two weeks they had without football didn't do
Yorke any good. He had too much time for other stuff (you know
what I mean). Playing will make him and the rest of the lads sharper
until we beat Juve in Italy (I'm willing to accept bets too!).
Afterwards, regardless of the outcome of these two crucial matches
I foresee a collapse, unless Fergie really starts to use his squad in
the coming league games. Everybody should play. Wes Brown
(remember him?), Greening, they should all rotate otherwise the lads
will be knackered.
Finally, To those who hate Man. United, a team with six local
youngsters, compare them with Wenger's 'Anglo-French-Dutch
alliance' and Vialli with his 'rest of the world team' Is hate your only
motivator in life? Are you blind as the linesman yesterday? How can
you not like Giggsy,
Beckham and the rest of the England players (at least)? I for one
pity you.
Ron Spira, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Your Views On The Semis
It comes as no surprise to me that Man U didn't have anyone sent
off in yesterday's clash, even though two of their players should
have gone. I will admit Arsenal were outplayed and, yes, I will even
admit that Keane's goal should have stood, but the fact that Man U
players get away with indiscipline all the time just gets me riled.
Denis Irwin should have gone for two yellow cards after a tackle
from behind and Gary Neville should also have walked for slamming
the ball into the ground in a fit of temper. But how silly of me, they
play for Man U so they are exempt. Vivas quite rightly got sent off,
but he should have been joined by the other two. As for
Wednesday, the main man Manu is back to partner Vieira, so we will
win hands down, and even if we don't at least we have made the
Mancs play another game and so knacker them in time for a beating
by Juve.
Paul Reynoldson
...I know that everybody agrees that Keane's goal was legal, but
has the linesman (sorry, Referee's ASSistant) forgotten the basics
of the offside law? Giggs did not really release the ball, but played it
forward to run on to it himself. As Giggs retained the ball it didn't
matter where Yorke was.
John Collins, Dundee
...I think much of the controversy regarding Roy Keane's "goal" has
more to do with ignorance regarding the offside law, than with
refereeing incompetence. When Giggs played the ball past Dixon,
Yorke was in an off-side, but was not yet interfering with play, so
the linesman who had raised his flag then lowered it again. But,
once the ball was crossed into the box, the linesman had to raise
his flag, because Yorke who had been in an offside position, was
now interfering with play, and so had gained an advantage by being
in that offside position. In fact it was Yorke who flicked it on.
If so-called 'pundits' such as Andy Gray undertook a basic
refereeing course, then they would understand this subtlety in the
offside law. Or, more radically, if a referee was allowed as an extra
pundit on Match of the Day or Sky Sports, then the viewing public
could be better informed, and not misled by what former players feel
should be the right decision.
Mel Siew
...After watching yesterday's semi-finals, I can't help but feel that
there has to be a change in the way the games are refereed! As a
Liverpool supporter, I had no biases towards any of the clubs
involved in the matches, but if I were a Manure or Spurs supporter I
would feel terribly hard done by. Unfortunately I cannot say this is
the first time where there have been poor decisions in matches, and
it probably won't be the last.
In Man U's case, not only did they have a legitimate goal disallowed,
they also had to endure a number of dodgy decisions, but in reality
it was in no comparison to the display by Paul Durkin. For starters,
there were a number of fouls by Newcastle that went unpunished,
yet as soon as a Spurs player touched the opposition, the ref blew
his whistle!! Then he decided that he would not see what was the
most blatant handball ever seen in football, but when a Spurs player
did it, of course there was a penalty!! Unfortunately for Spurs it
happened in an extra time which there should not have been had
the ref done his job properly!! A clear example of the poor
refereeing came when Shearer pushed Carr to get to a ball, and no
whistle. Yet when Carr went for the ball and Shearer did his usual
ducking so that Carr went over him, it was a free-kick to
Newcastle!!
There were so many incidents like these that it really made one
wonder if there is a better way of officiating! One way I came up
with is to have the fourth official have some sort of communicating
device connected with the ref, and let him watch a TV, so that he
can immediately inform the ref of a decision!! This way, there won't
need to be too many long stoppages and the game can at least be
a bit fairer!
Nitin Dialdas, Hong Kong
...I would like to say that even Manchester United Fans from as far
away as Kenya were very disappointed at the way Keane's goal was
disallowed. That was one case of a very clean and beautiful goal
and for a clash of that magnitude a referee should not be allowed to
make such a decision. I think it is a high time the FA came up with
some remedial measures to a team which loses due to a referee's
incompetence.
Silas Olango, Kenya
The Verdict From India: United Lacked 'The Penetration Power'
Bravo! Arsenal have proved once again that they are the real
champions team. Well, sorry for United. They tried too hard but
lacked the penetration power. Dennis is too good a player to miss
out on second chance. So I feel on Wednesday it will be 2 - 1
Arsenal victory with Bergkamp and Diawara doing the job for the
Gunners and Cole striking a late consolation goal for Utd. Also I had
predicted a 1-1 draw with Juve and a 2-0 away loss for United and
if I know United well they wont let me down with my predictions. So
I feel it will be Gunners vs Newcastle Boys in final and the European
final will be between Bayern Munich and Juve.
Gurudutt, India
Peter will play a big part in the last 10/11 games!
Pic Link today is Peter Schmeichel Facts http://www.red11.org/mufc/peter.htm
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If ever they are playing in your town
You must get to that football ground
Take a lesson come to see
Football taught by Matt Busby
Manchester, Manchester United
A bunch of bouncing Busby Babes
They deserve to be knighted
Barry
J. Leeming Digest Prgram
by 
William
McArthur Canada
