www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Thu May 13 13:16:39 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. Personal Match Report from OUR SALFORD LASS
2. Draw moves United towards title but sends Blackburn down
3. UNITED EDGE CLOSER AS BLACKBURN GO DOWN
4. ROVERS GO DOWN FIGHTING - BUT FERGUSON CLAIMS: 'I DIDN'T KNOW WE'D RELEGATED THEM'
5. A few things From: "NAIBF,ZZ NAIBFZZ M"
6. Reds flog another Video/Keano at Wembley/Norwegian Would?
7. Blackburn and Spurs by "Seamus Gallen"
8. NOR-WAY CAN PAIR PLAY
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Now for the crunch! Three Matches = Three Trophies!
May 12 22.00 Result: Blackburn 0-0 Manchester United
http://www.red11.org/mufc/sound/99/alex_after_blackburn.rm
Alex after the match last night
155k 2.23 "RED sky at night UNITED delight"
1 Manchester United 37 21 13 3 78 36 42 76
2 Arsenal 37 21 12 4 58 17 41 75
TODAY! See the BOSTON REDS celebrate the win at Boro' live!
http://www.red11.org/miva/matchreports.mv
+ Paul Hinson receives the Masterfan Trophy from Jaap Stam at OT last week!
PICS + Blackburn Match report!
"Here comes the PL"
RED Barry
Daily RED Trivia Thurs 13th May 1999:
13 1974: Neil McBain died. McBain made his United debut against Aston Villa in
November 1921, and the plucky Half-back made 43 appearances and scored 2
goals between 1921-23. In 1947 he became the oldest player to appear in a
Football League match, being 51 years and 4 months when appearing in goal
for New Brighton.
13 1989: United beat Newcastle United 2-0 at Old Trafford in a Division 1 game
watched by 30,379. Brian McClair and Bryan Robson got the goals. Team was:
Leighton, Duxbury, Martin, Bruce, Blackmore (Sharpe), Donaghy, Robson,
Beardsmore, McClair, Hughes, Milne (Robins).
*********************
Barry Daily Comment:
RED sky at night BARCE' delight
Enjoy the next 3 matches, one and ALL!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Latest sound interviews in Real Audio here:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/sound/99
Everyone who wants the goal in Real Time Video 300k now thanks to RED CAFE!
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/texts/report98/domestic/arse-fa2.htm
FA Cup Semi Final Replay
14 April 1999
Manchester United 2:1 Arsenal
Villa Park
Download Ryan Giggs Goal! (Real Video: 300K)
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/real/giggs-goal.ra
Thanks to the Theatre of Dreams
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm
If you would like ALL the final fixtures for
UNITED/Arse/Chelsea then go to http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899.htm
Next Games:
May
12 Blackburn (A) 20.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
16 Tottenham (H) 16.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
22 FAC Final Wembley Newcastle (N) Live on Sky Sports UK
26 European Cup Final Bayern Munich Nou Camp
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 11/05/99 ***
Blackburn 0-0 Manchester United
*** LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 12/05/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 37 21 13 3 78 36 42 76
2 Arsenal 37 21 12 4 58 17 41 75
3 Chelsea 37 19 15 3 55 29 26 72
4 Leeds United 37 18 12 7 60 32 28 66
5 Aston Villa 37 15 10 12 51 45 6 55
6 West Ham United 37 15 9 13 42 53 -11 54
7 Derby County 37 13 13 11 39 43 -4 52
8 Liverpool 37 14 9 14 65 49 16 51
9 Middlesbrough 37 12 15 10 48 50 -2 51
10 Leicester City 37 12 13 12 40 45 -5 49
11 Tottenham Hotspur 37 11 14 12 46 48 -2 47
12 Newcastle United 37 11 12 14 47 53 -6 45
13 Sheffield Wednesday 37 12 7 18 40 42 -2 43
14 Everton 37 11 10 16 42 45 -3 43
15 Wimbledon 37 10 12 15 40 60 -20 42
16 Coventry City 37 11 8 18 37 49 -12 41
17 Southampton 37 10 8 19 35 64 -29 38
18 Charlton Athletic 37 8 12 17 41 55 -14 36
19 Blackburn Rovers 37 7 13 17 37 51 -14 34
20 Nottingham Forest 37 6 9 22 34 69 -35 27
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 05/05/99 ***
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
17/04/99 Sheffield Wednesday Home W 3-0 1 55,270
25/04/99 Leeds United Away D 1-1 2 40,255
01/05/99 Aston Villa Home W 2-1 1 55,189
05/05/99 Liverpool Away D 2-2 2 44,702
09/05/99 Middlesbrough Away W 1-0 1 34,665
12/05/99 Blackburn Away D 0-0 1 30,436
*** TEAM STATISTICS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 09/05/99 ***
AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE: 55,188
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 Finals
Manchester United v Juventus 4-3agg 3-2 [1-1]
Bayern Munchen v Dynamo Kiev 4-3agg 1-0 [3-3]
UEFA Champions League Final MANCHESTER UNITED v BAYERN MUNICH
Venue Camp Nou (Estadi FC Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
Date Wednesday 26 May 1999 Kick-Off 20.45 CET (19.45 GMT)
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Sunday United win the PL Championship by beating Spurs! Click on table for match reports
Blackburn (0) 0 Man United (0) 0 FT
Personal Match Report from OUR SALFORD LASS
It's been very hard to get myself to actually write this
report this morning. Apart from being in work and having
other things to do (and ringing home to get good news about
a certain Euro game of course!), I feel just as frustrated
this morning as I did last night! So this is going to be a
short one (especially as my boss has just come through the
door - eek!).
I was in a good mood as I set off to get the coach at Old
Trafford. It had been a good morning, the sun was shining
and all was well with the world. Arriving at the coach park
my spirits took an immediate dive to find that some people
had already had knock-backs from the club re the Euro Cup
Final. As usual, the words "piss-up" and "brewery" come to
mind when considering the way the club organise these trips
- by the time you know whether you are on one or not, it's
too late to make alternative arrangements. All rumours
that Slim was knocked back because the plane couldn't take
his weight are denied by the club but supported by Syd the
Steward! After a chat with Paul W and his lovely
girlfriend, we set off for the short journey to
Blackburn. I must admit to being just a little miffed to
see both Forest and Blackburn relegated - I'd much prefer
to miss out on long coach journeys to Southampton or
Charlton!
We hadn't even left Ordsall before the first bit of drama
played itself out. The lads on the back seat, having
already been successful with four young ladies sitting at a
bus stop outside Salford docks (successful equals getting a
wave and a smile instead of the usual single-fingered
salute), they decided to take the mickey out of a young lad
relieving himself in some bushes on Trafford Rd. When he
had finished, he came over towards the coach along with his
three mates who had appeared from nowhere! Now most people
know that it's not wise to get too cocky with the locals in
this part of Salford but we had one young "gentleman" with
us on the bus who seems to have a death wish. Carrying the
mickey-taking on way past the point of commonsense, he
encouraged the local lads to "have a go", which they did -
with a couple of bricks and a lot of bluster. Luckily, the
lights changed at the point when they charged towards the
bus ready for a full scale assault and we escaped off down
the M602. It's becoming more dangerous driving around
Ordsall than bloody Anfield!!
The rest of the journey was (thankfully) uneventful and we
soon arrived at Ewood Park. After a pie and a pint and a
chat to some ex-workmates of the son-and-heir, we found our
way to our seats, high up in the upper tier. A long climb,
but an excellent view of what we hoped would be a winning
performance. I felt a little tug at the heart strings when
I saw Choccy jog out for the warm-up, but in general I was
feeling positive and looking forward to the evening's
game. I have since decided that I have totally the wrong
attitude. I tend to feel positive and optimistic until
proved wrong. I never start off any game biting my nails
(well, maybe European games, just a little!) but often end
up doing so. Other list members I know, start off most
games with pessimistic predictions. In my little world I
often get disappointed and rarely get a pleasant surprise
(a win is expected, so the surprises are all unpleasant).
In their world, they rarely get disappointed, but get very
pleasant surprises when we win!
When the game started, it didn't look like anything other
than the expected result would prevail. We were looking
strong, they were crap. In fact it went on like that for
most of the first half, with us waiting for that first goal
to come, more in expectation than in hope. The atmosphere
was good. The Blackburn fans had turned out in their
thousands to see United and we were singing and getting
behind the team. "We all hate Leeds" seemed a popular
chant - just to remind them that nothing has really
changed! Towards the end of the first half, it was
starting to get a little frustrating, to say the least, but
we had a couple of chances and I really expected Fergie to
have sorted things out at half-time. The second half was
awful, and got increasingly worse as it wore on. Our lads
looked jaded and tired. Their players looked like they had
finally realised what it was they were fighting for -
survival. Our defence (David May in particular) were
managing to keep them out and Peter made a couple of
game-rescuing saves, but upfront we were bereft of ideas
and giving the ball away like it was too hot to touch. As
the half wore on, their players and fans became
increasingly aware that they might actually have a chance
and their attacks got better and better. At the back,
Peacock was having the game of his life.
Fergie finally made some changes and brought Scholes on,
who had an immediate effect, but then spoilt it all by
exchanging Cole not for Ole, but for Sherringham (leaving
us, again, without an out-and-out goalscorer - Sherringham
and Yorke are simply too alike). He left Yorke on, when he
was obviously shattered (I would have brought on Ole and
paired him up with Sheringham - they did well together last
time!) and for the last 15 minutes we just never looked
like scoring. Down at the other end, however, they were
getting closer and closer to a goal and it was agony to
watch. The Rovers fans were chanting and singing whilst we
were so nervous that it was very difficult to get into
anything other than a very nervy "United, United". The
Rovers players were trying every trick in the book - keeling
over "injured" when we had the ball almost on the edge of
their box, so that a United player would have to kick it
out of play and then giving it back to Peter, way down at
the other end. Then getting "injured" again and winning a
dropped ball. It was all very frustrating. By the time the
final whistle blew, after a long period of extra time, we
were relieved that we had managed a draw and the Rovers
fans were celebrating as if they had saved themselves from
relegation after all. Is beating us more important than
whether they go down? Obviously it is.
Leaving the ground, I was not in a good mood. Meeting up
with the Leamington Skinhead and Mick Meade outside all I
could say was "What a load of crap!" And it was - one of
the worst performances I have seen from United this
season. Waiting on the bus whilst the police horses and
vans charged about all over the place, but unable to see
what was going on (as always!), we had plenty of time to
complain about the game and worry about Sunday. It will
certainly be a nail-biting affair this time, even for me! I
know that sensibly I should console myself with the fact
that we needed 4 points - a draw and a win - and we've got
the draw, so nothing lost. But I can't help feeling that
we will regret not having capitalised fully on Leeds'
performance on Tuesday night.
So I will see many of you in the Nest for some Dutch
courage on Sunday. As the son-and-heir said last night -
"Oh to be 12 points clear!"
Copyright OUR SALFORD LASS, 1999
No part of this work to be used without the author's permission
***************************************************
Sunday United win the PL Championship by beating Spurs! Click on table for match reports
Subject: Draw moves United towards title but sends Blackburn down
BLACKBURN, England, May 12 - Manchester United strengthened their grip on
the English premier league but Blackburn Rovers were relegated after the
two sides fought to a 0-0 draw at Ewood Park on Wednesday.
The result leaves United going into the final game of the season against
Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford with a single point advantage over
Arsenal who play Aston Villa at Highbury.
United have 76 points, Arsenal 75 with United having a better goal
difference of plus one.
The huge irony on the night was that Rovers, champions as recently as 1995,
were relegated by United. Rovers' manager Brian Kidd was Alex Ferguson's
deputy at Old Trafford for seven years until he left for Ewood Park last
December.
In a game of few incidents Ryan Giggs came closest to scoring in the 10th
minute with a header that came back off the post.
Andy Cole also forced Rovers goalkeeper John Filan into a good save with a
low 34th minute effort after he outpaced the Rovers defence to collect Gary
Neville's long ball.
Sunday United win the PL Championship by beating Spurs! Click on table for match reports
Subject: UNITED EDGE CLOSER AS BLACKBURN GO DOWN
By Steve Anglesey
THE FAT LADY sang for Blackburn last night and she is beginning to warm up for
Arsenal. With the 0-0 draw at Ewood Park which relegated Brian Kidd's Rovers,
Manchester United have tightened their grip on the Premiership, now leading
their Highbury rivals by one point to add to the single goal advantage they took
into the match.
Had the home side capitulated as spinelessly as they did against Nottingham Forest on
Saturday, we would be talking of this thrilling title race as over already. As it is, the
Gunners, who sacked George Graham amid such controversy, now need one last favour
from him and their deadly local rivals when United host Spurs on Sunday afternoon. But
as David O'Leary proved on Tuesday night, former Highbury legends are not exactly in a
charitable mood at the moment.
Neither are Tottenham well equipped to pull off the draw or victory
which would help Arsenal to overhaul the Mancunian club - provided,
of course, that they themselves can overcome schizophrenic Aston
Villa at home on Sunday. With European qualification already assured,
Spurs have not won in four games and are winless at Old Trafford in
the league since December 1989.
United, meanwhile, may be slightly off their best form and have
recently looked far from convincing at home - that hammering of
Sheffield Wednesday aside - but they are now unbeaten in 31
competitive matches and have won 20 of them. They have to be
clear favourites to make it 32 and 21 - and more silverware - simply
because they are a far better team than Spurs, whichever way your
conspiracy theory about Graham and Tottenham takes shape.
Blackburn can at least take some consolation from a night on which
they finally showed their mettle, but this was a classic case of too
little, too late. Though far from the best side, they might even have
won but for a bad miss by Ashley Ward and a Peter Schmeichel save
from Jason Wilcox, both towards the end. As it is they are down and
deserve to be so.
The smart money seems to be on them coming straight back up,
particularly if they can hold on to the likes of Chris Sutton and
Stephane Henchoz. Yet despite the resources of their
multi-millionaire benefactor, whose tears at the end were another
cinematic moment of this most epic of campaigns, their bloated
squad and question marks over Brian Kidd's ability to manage make
that far from a certainty.
Sunday United win the PL Championship by beating Spurs! Click on table for match reports
Subject: ROVERS GO DOWN FIGHTING - BUT FERGUSON CLAIMS: 'I DIDN'T KNOW WE'D RELEGATED THEM'
Blackburn 0 Manchester United 0
IT IS typical of Alex Ferguson - and perhaps of his relationship with
Brian Kidd - that on the night the latter was relegated, the former
stole the headlines. Not content with his side edging closer to the
Premiership title with a precious point at Ewood Park, Ferguson then
emerged to claim that he had been unaware that result would
condemn Blackburn to the drop.
Ferguson's was a straight-faced reaction, but one which appeared
to fly in the face of day upon day of media attention at Rovers'
plight. Were it genuine, then it showed both an extraordinary
single-mindedness and a lack of concern in his former assistant's
troubles. Were it tongue in cheek, as most observers seemed to
agree, then few at Ewood would have been smiling.
Asked on Sky Sports about how disappointed Kidd would be to make
the drop, Ferguson replied ''He's got a chance on Saturday hasn't
he?'' Told that Blackburn could not escaped he looked deadpan at
the camera and said, ''They're down? They needed a win tonight? I
thought they needed a point.'' He then shrugged slightly and added,
"Oh well."
That gnomic performance can not have pleased Kidd but at least
Blackburn spurned the rubber dinghies and went down fighting. But
however creditable a goalless draw at home to United was -
especially for Arsenal - it was not enough to save Blackburn from
relegation just four years after winning the title. In truth, it was not
Ferguson who relegated Blackburn though. That was down to a
season of massive under-achievement in which they won just seven
games, scored only 37 times and conceded a total of 51 goals.
At least Rovers responded to the wrath of Kidd following their home
defeat against Nottingham Forest last weekend, when he accused
his players of running to the rubber dinghies at the first sign of
trouble and failing to show any spirit or pride. But while United were
hardly openly celebrating at the end themselves, they were able to
rest assured in the knowledge that victory at home to Tottenham
on Sunday will bring the title back to Old Trafford - whatever
happens at Highbury.
The game itself was hardly a classic, indeed both sides showed a
distinct lack of adventure, perhaps because of the importance of
the occasion. For all their effort, it was - for long periods - all that
Rovers, inspired by midfielder Lee Carsley, could do to contain
United. Ashley Ward foraged up front mainly on his own as Matt
Jansen and Keith Gillespie largely stayed out wide to cut off the
supply lines to David Beckham and the fit-again Ryan Giggs. In
central midfield, Carsley, Jason Wilcox and David Dunn attempted to
cope with Nicky Butt and Phil Neville as Ferguson, in the absence of
Roy Keane but with Paul Scholes still available, possibly
experimented ahead of the Champions' Cup final.
To a large extent it worked even though centre-backs Stephane
Henchoz and Darren Peacock were often the busiest players on the
pitch, but Rovers thereby lacked a cutting edge up front. The
nearest that United came to scoring was when Beckham crossed
from the right early on and Giggs' header thudded against the foot
of the post to rebound for Andy Cole to blaze a shot over the bar
even though a corner was awarded.
At times it was frantic stuff but Blackburn, who were frantically
willed on by their vociferous supporters, were just hanging on. John
Filan tipped over an effort from Dwight Yorke before Cole's
predatory instincts enabled him to beat the offside trap and
instantly control a long-ball from Gary Neville only to shoot far too
close to the keeper. Rovers meanwhile threatened only
intermittently on the break, with Croft having a shot deflected just
wide and Ward cutting inside only to shoot at Peter Schmeichel.
Beckham was nevertheless being frustrated by a perceived lack of
protection amid some committed challenges and showed signs of
being rattled as his team-mates urged him to control his fragile
temperament. His crossing nevertheless suffered as a result and
United were further hampered by the loss of Jaap Stam to an
Achilles tendon injury at half-time, with former Blackburn defender
David May replacing him.
The visitors' defence came under gradually increasing pressure as
Rovers began to attack with more conviction after the interval and
a flowing move involving Carsley and Ward ended with Schmeichel
tipping Dunn's drive over the bar. However, they still could not
commit too many players forward for fear of going behind and
United continued to threaten with Filan blocking out Giggs and
Ronny Johnsen's header from a corner being cleared off the line by
Carsley.
May headed into the side-netting and only Yorke's true
sportsmanship prevented him bearing down on goal as he voluntarily
stopped play to allow Peacock to receive treatment on the floor.
Substitute Damien Johnson did almost make an immediate impact
with 10 minutes left as he just failed to connect with Jansen's
cross.
But then came the moment that Blackburn had been waiting for all
game - and they fluffed it. Johnson crossed from the right and a
weak clearance fell to the feet of Ward, near the penalty spot and
with Schmeichel off his line. Instead of blasting his shot, the striker
tried to place it and even though Jansen tried to deflect the ball
back on target with his chest, it dribbled harmlessly wide.
That was effectively the end for Blackburn as they seemed to
accept their fate from then on, with no hopeful long-balls pumped
forward for strikers, defenders or even a goalkeeper to capitalise
on. And so the tears flowed but, to their credit, the home
supporters stayed behind to chant the names of Kidd and owner
Jack Walker, who has invested countless millions into the club.
Indeed if only the Blackburn players had showed the two men the
same appreciation this season, they might have stayed up. United
meanwhile move on remorselessly. Only a certain George Graham
stands between them and the title now.
Ferguson expressed his disappointment at his team's inability to
make the most of their chances. ''It's not the result we wanted to
be honest with you. ''All the possession we had, that was
disappointing because we didn't take the chances. We should have
done better with it.''
Sunday United win the PL Championship by beating Spurs! Click on table for match reports
Subject: A few things From: "NAIBF,ZZ NAIBFZZ M"
Looking at the current situation we are in, if someone had said to me at the
start of the season that all we had to do to win the league was beat Spurs
at home then I would have taken that without any qualms whatsoever. It's
basically down to 3 Cup Finals now and everything is in our own hands. I
honestly cannot see Spurs fighting like Liverpool and Blackburn have done -
they either defend for 90 minutes and hope for a breakaway or play open
football (which suits us anyway). If we don't win the League from this
position then we will simply not deserve it.
Another point about winning headers in the penalty area. Has anyone else
noticed how Jaap can win virtually anything in our own penalty area when
defending yet put him in the opponents box for a corner and not only can he
not get anywhere near the ball, but when he does on occcasion it will end up
at least 10 yards wide of the goal, as illustrated with a great opportunity
last night. A great 'defender' but does not yet have the Steve Bruce
attacking qualities.
Also, watching the interview with Kiddo on BBC last night I have to say that
I felt a bit of sympathy with his current situation as he looked close to
tears. Having lived around the corner from him for most of my life and had
him come down to my school on several occasions when I was a youngster, I
know he is red through and through and I am just wondering whether deep down
he now regrets his decision and knows there is no way back. Still he had to
go down to keep our hopes going!
Lastly, anyone who watch SKY last night would have seen a close up of Kerry
Davies singing his head off. Well done for the singing Kerry, but you'll
never make it on TV mate.
--
Middleton RED
Sunday United win the PL Championship by beating Spurs! Click on table for match reports
Subject: Reds flog another Video/Keano at Wembley/Norwegian Would?
From: "Paul Hinson"
Titbits from www.manutd.com. In an interview in the MEN last night
Keano stated that he has been told that ALL the squad named to UEFA
will get Champions League medals.
A TASTE OF ITALY
Wednesday, May 12, 1999 19:00
As the build-up to the Champions League Final
continues, Reds fans can now retrace the Italian leg of the road
to Barcelona. A new video, 'The Italian Job', captures the action
from United's momentous games against Inter Milan and
Juventus, and includes exclusive footage from behind the scenes
in Turin. It has a running time of two hours, so why not fetch in
the pasta and pizzas, and make a real night of
it? We can't provide the food, but the videos
are on sale, priced £11, in the on-line Megastore.
**************************
KEANE TO TACKLE NEWCASTLE?
United have revealed the results of Roy Keane's
X-rays, and it's good news! The Irish hardman has
suffered nothing more serious than severe bruising to his
ankle. "This gives slight cause for optimism," says a
club spokesman, "but no one is making any guesses as to
when Roy will be able to come back." The midfielder is
still doubtful for the final League match against
Spurs on Sunday, but there are plenty of fingers
crossed for 22 May, when United face Newcastle
in the FA Cup Final. Roy has already been ruled
out of the Champions League Final through
suspension.
********************
CUP CLASH FOR RONNY AND OLE
With Henning Berg injured, just two of the Norwegian trio of
United players have been named in the latest national squad. Ole
Gunnar Solskjaer and Ronny Johnsen will link up with seven
other Premiership stars in Oslo on May 20, just two days before
the FA Cup final. The Norwegians will face Jamaica in
a friendly, so whether Ole and Ronny are allowed
to travel remains to be seen.
Sunday United win the PL Championship by beating Spurs! Click on table for match reports
Subject: Blackburn and Spurs by "Seamus Gallen"
DT wrote:
> Having watched Ferguson's after match interview I find it curious that he
> didn't know that Blackburn needed a win.
> Surely knowing what the opposition needed to get from the game would
> influence his own team selection and tactics especially in the last 15 mins
> when I was having a heart attack.
> Sunday is going to be a real nailbiter.
Struck me as odd too!
I watched it on Sky at the invitation of my neighbour, the Chelsea
fan. It was terrible to watch. Not that Blackburn looked like
scoring, - but as long as it was level, the possibility of defeat was
there. Ronnie Johnsen did his best for them near the end when he
backheeled the ball straight to Ashley Ward with Schmeichel on the
ground. Luckily, Ward missed a sitter.
Apart from that, our defence was OK, even though they weren't exactly
facing Brazil.
But, a team with Nicky Butt and Philip Neville in the middle of the
field isn't going to take anybody apart in open play, and we didn't.
We didn't do much from set-pieces either, with 14 corners wasted. The
combination of one of the best dead-ball kickers and some of the best
headers should be a recipe for chances from corners, but we never
seem to make it work. I think our only success this season was
Keane's header against Juventus. I thought we missed a real
chance near the end when Yorke took a pointless quick free
from a position Beckham would have fancied, especially against
one of the dodgiest keepers around. Perhaps I'm just a pessimist, but
it will need something better than last night to beat Spurs.
I hope to God that Keane is back. We miss him.
On the plus side, our away form has been poor recently, with
Middlesboro being the only win in the last five. Our home form has
been excellent, with seven wins out of eight, - only Arsenal's draw
costing us points. We can do it.
We went through a brilliant phase a few weeks ago where we eliminited
Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus and Arsenal from knock-out
competitions, and thrashed Newcastle, Everton and Sheffield Wednesday
in the league.
Since then we have struggled against Leeds, Villa, Liverpool,
Middlesboro and Blackburn.
Can we now get the brilliance back for just three games?? Looking at
last night's performance, it was hard to imaging beating Juventus
away, and coming from two down to do it. We seem to have a different
gear for Europe. I hope we use it against Spurs.
Let's pray for Aston Villa.
Seamus
Sunday United win the PL Championship by beating Spurs! Click on table for match reports
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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
