www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Tue Jan 19 10:42:18 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. CANTONA SET FOR OLD TRAFFORD RETURN
2. MEN: United and West Ham race for Foe
3. Red-hot Cole
4. Sugar Plum"
5. Cole and Yorke...The best in Europe
6. UNITED HEAD NORTH FOR GREAT SCOTT
7. Inter Watch
8. Top Scorers!
9. The Andy & Dwight Show - M.E.N. Article
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Tue 19th January 1999:
19/1/1935: Billy Porter made his debut at Barnsley. Porter came from Oldham Athletic
and the industrious Full-back won a Second Division Championship medal in 1936.
made 65 appearances between 1935-38. He captained United during several
seasons of wartime football.
1972: United beat Southampton 4-1 after extra time in an FA Cup 3rd Round
replay at Old Trafford watched by 50,950. George Best 2, David Sadler and
John Aston scored the goals. Team was: Stepney, O'Neil, Burns, Gowling,
Edwards, Sadler, Morgan, McIlroy (Aston), Charlton, Law, Best.
***************
Barry Daily Comment:
Manchester United have given their blessing to a testimonial match at
Old Trafford for manager Alex Ferguson - and that could mean another
appearance for Eric Cantona.
Survey #33 results: Should UNITED make an offer for Zidane?
Yes: 146 82.0%
No: 32 12.9%
Total votes: 178
Barry Comment:
I think our Salford Lass may well appreciate the results of our latest survey!
Time will tell if it comes true, of course now we know a massive 80% of
REDS will support any action by Alex!
New Survey #34 Question: What is United's best pairing of Centre Backs?
G.Neville & Stam
G.Neville & Johnsen
Berg & G.Neville
Berg & Stam
Johnsen & Stam
Johnsen & Berg
(Question suggested by Gary Heath)
Survey opened: Sun Jan 17 99 20:00 EST
Vote now at: http://www.red11.org/miva/survey.mv
Previous News:
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
24/1 Liverpool (H) 12.00 Sky Sports FA CUP 4th rnd
31/1 Charlton (A) 15.00 UK
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED ***
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 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 Middlebrough Home L 2-3 3 55,152
26/12/98 Notts 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
******
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-FINAL DRAW
Manchester Utd v Inter Milan
Real Madrid v Dynamo Kiev
Juventus v Olympiakos
Bayern Munich v Kaiserslautern
Ties to be played on March 3 and 17
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 18/01/99 ***
Aston Villa 3-0 Everton 34,288
*** CONDENSED LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 18/01/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Chelsea 22 11 10 1 34 18 16 43
2 Aston Villa 22 12 7 3 34 20 14 43
3 Manchester United 22 11 8 3 49 26 23 41
4 Arsenal 22 10 9 3 23 11 12 39
5 Leeds United 22 9 9 4 36 20 16 36
6 Liverpool 22 10 5 7 43 26 17 35
7 Wimbledon 22 9 7 6 29 33 -4 34
8 West Ham United 22 9 5 8 25 31 -6 32
9 Middlesbrough 22 7 10 5 32 28 4 31
10 Derby County 22 7 10 5 22 20 2 31
11 Leicester City 22 7 8 7 25 27 -2 29
12 Tottenham Hotspur 22 7 8 7 28 30 -2 29
13 Sheffield Wednesday 22 7 5 10 25 22 3 26
14 Newcastle United 22 6 7 9 26 31 -5 25
15 Everton 22 5 9 8 13 24 -11 24
16 Blackburn Rovers 22 5 6 11 21 29 -8 21
17 Coventry City 22 5 5 12 21 31 -10 20
18 Charlton Athletic 22 3 8 11 26 36 -10 17
19 Southampton 22 4 5 13 20 46 -26 17
20 Nottingham Forest 22 2 7 13 18 41 -23 13
Fixtures FAC:
*** ROUND 3 FIXTURES (REPLAYS) ON 19/01/99 ***
(0) Barnsley v Swindon Town (0)
*** ROUND 3 FIXTURES (REPLAYS) ON 20/01/99 ***
(1) Notts County v Sheffield United (1)
*** ROUND 4 FIXTURES ON 23/01/99 ***
Aston Villa v Fulham
Barnsley v AFC Bournemouth
or Swindon Town
Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland
Bristol Rovers v Leyton Orient
Everton v Ipswich Town
Leicester City v Coventry City
Newcastle United v Bradford City
Notts County v Cardiff City
or Sheffield United
Portsmouth v Leeds United
Sheffield Wednesday v Stockport County
Swansea City v Derby County
Wimbledon v Tottenham Hotspur
Wrexham v Huddersfield Town
*** ROUND 4 FIXTURES ON 24/01/99 ***
Manchester United v Liverpool ********** 1200 kick off!
Wolverhampton v Arsenal
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
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Subject: CANTONA SET FOR OLD TRAFFORD RETURN
Manchester United have given their blessing to a testimonial match at
Old Trafford for manager Alex Ferguson - and that could mean another
appearance for Eric Cantona.
Manchester United have given their blessing to a testimonial match at Old
Trafford for manager Alex Ferguson - and that could mean another appearance
for Eric Cantona.
Friday, August 6th has been booked for the event, and the organisers will
be trying to attract Cantona and many of the other stars who have played
under Ferguson since he took charge at the club.
United chairman Martin Edwards said: ''We were approached by a testimonial
committee acting on Alex's behalf and were delighted to grant them
permission to organise the game.
''It is something we are happy to support because it is certainly well
deserved.''
With a crowd of more than 55,000 certain, the game will reward Ferguson for
his service since he took over at Old Trafford since November, 1986.
Ferguson is on the verge of becoming the most successful manager in the
club's history. He needs just one more league championship to equal the
five won by Sir Matt Busby and if United win the European Champions'
League, Ferguson could surpass the achievements of his legendary predecessor.
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Subject: MEN: United and West Ham race for Foe
BY STUART MATHIESON
ACTION MAN . . . Marc-Vivien Foe playing for Cameroon
MANCHESTER United are back on the trail of the star Cameroon midfielder
Marc-Vivien Foe.
But they face new opposition in the shape of West Ham United who are keen
to spend some of the money from the sale of John Hartson.
The Reds were sending a representative to monitor the 23-year-old for his
French club Lens against Monaco as he continues on his comeback road
following a broken leg last May.
United manager Alex Ferguson had a £4m bid for Foe accepted at the end of
last season by the French champions after Foe helped engineer Lens'
surprise title win.
However, the deal fell through when the versatile and powerful player broke
his leg during World Cup training with Cameroon before France 98. Now he is
on the way back the Hammers are believed to be ready to up the ante with a
£5million bid.
Foe came over to England at the beginning of this season in order for
United's medics to assess him but he returned to France to continue his
rehabilitation.
The Reds, though, have kept in touch with the player.
Foe made his comeback in November and Ferguson has continued to keep tabs
on his progress.
``We have been monitoring Foe and have had him watched two or three times
now,'' says Fergie. ``We'll watch him against Monaco today. He's been doing
well since he came back and we'll obviously make a decision at some stage.
``But we're not in a hurry. We want to see him play a few more times yet to
assess his progress.''
United now have less than a fortnight to bring in a new face if Ferguson
wishes to add to his Champions' League squad. He has to forward his list of
25 players for the final stages by January 31.
Unfortunately for Foe he was brought on by Lens in the final match of their
Champions' League group against Dynamo Kiev in December.
The brief substitute's appearance now means the player is ineligible for
the Champions' League.
``Obviously at this stage we'd prefer to get someone who is available for
the Champions' League,'' says Fergie.
A host of other Premiership clubs have already contacted his agent
regarding Foe's availability. Aston Villa, Blackburn, Southampton, Spurs
and Sheffield Wednesday have all made previous noises about wanting the
Cameroon international but Foe is desperate for his dream move to Old
Trafford to be resurrected.
Meanwhile, United's Champions' League quarter-final opponents Inter Milan
look set to win their battle with Italian TV over the screening of their
Serie A matches on the weekends before the two legs with the Reds in March.
Inter are due for live screening of their matches at home to Juventus and
also the Milan derby with AC in the San Siro on the Sunday night prior to
the last eight ties.
The Juve encounter was scheduled just 36 hours before they were flying into
Manchester for the first leg at Old Trafford on March 4 with the AC Milan
set-to due three days before the return.
However, Inter have requested a switch and Italian TV are now expected to
bring forward both live screenings by 24 hours to the Saturday evening.
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Subject: Red-hot Cole
Leicester City 2-6 Manchester United: Red-hot Cole
Monday, January 18, 1999
Glenn Hoddle's steadfast belief that Andy Cole is not worthy of an England
place came in for some thinly-veiled criticism at Filbert Street.
Leicester manager Martin O'Neill led the outcry against the England coach
after seeing Cole and strike partner Dwight Yorke undo his injury-hit side.
O'Neill was careful not to mention Hoddle by name when he said: 'If anyone
tries to tell me that Andy Cole is not a top-class player and a top-class
goalscorer, I would tell them they should have their head examined.'
'He has been a top-class player for years. There is no doubt about that and
he showed it again today.
'What do I think of his partnership with Yorke? Well, they scored five
goals between them and could have had a few more, so I suppose that is
alright for an afternoon's work.'
Hoddle chose to bypass Leicester - even though his name was on the guest
list for a complimentary ticket at Filbert Street - and continue up the M1
to Leeds for his weekly appraisal of England candidates.
It was left to David Davies - ghost writer of Hoddle's infamous World Cup
Diary - to take his place in Leicester's directors' box as Cole and Yorke
ran riot and took their joint goal tally for the season to 31.
He may take courage in both hands and point out to Hoddle the error of his
ways. Then again, he may not. There are plenty who would, though. O'Neill
for one, Kasey Keller for another.
The Leicester goalkeeper's protracted contract negotiations with O'Neill
have left him confused about his future, but nothing like as bewildered as
when he emerged from a bombardment at the hands of United's prolific front
runners.
'Andy is thriving on the service from his team-mates and showing great
technique.
'He keeps popping them in and I can't fathom out why he is still waiting
for a look in at England level.
'He hasn't been given much of a chance and I find that strange.
'If you are as successful as he has been lately you have every right to
expect an opportunity.
'He must be wondering what more he can do because guys with nothing like as
good a scoring record have been getting in while he has been consistently
overlooked.
'All credit to him, as well, for not going into his shell. Now England have
a couple of friendlies coming up, so let's hope he finally gets the chance
to show whether he can do it at that level.'
Yorke took his time over United's 10th-minute opener, but no one could
blame him. He had plenty of it as Leicester's defence crowded round Cole at
the near post and left him free to control Denis Irwin's cross before
firing past Keller.
Theo Zagorakis equalised with a spectacular 35th-minute long-range drive
during Leicester's only spell of supremacy. It didn't last as the second
half became one-way traffic.
Ominously for the rest of the title pacesetters, United seldom ventured out
of second gear to underline their status as the most free-scoring team in
the Premiership.
They dominated midfield at a canter - even without Nicky Butt, ruled out
with a migraine just before kick-off - and relied on the electrifying
finishing of Cole and Yorke to leave Leicester's defence in ruins.
Cole restored United's advantage in the 49th minute and made the most of a
sublime piece of skill from Yorke to put them further ahead 12 minutes later.
Yorke made light of an almost impossible angle to punish Keller's
misjudgment and put United 4-1 in front in the 63rd minute.
A Peter Schmeichel blunder was seized on by Steve Walsh soon after, but
Yorke and Jaap Stam, with his first goal in English football, had the final
say as United took their scoring tally to 79 in all competitions so far.
Yorke, quick on his feet as ever, snapped up the match ball at the end and
refused to let go as he tucked it under his arm and shook hands with
opponents and team-mates alike.
Finally, he strode over to the massed ranks of United fans and held it
aloft like a trophy.
The real thing will surely follow shortly. In duplicate, possibly, as
United pursue another League and FA Cup double.
Inter Milan are looming in the Champions League quarter-final, but with
Yorke and Cole in such rampaging form it could yet be triplicate.
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Subject: "Sugar Plum"
After yesterdays set of results the only match without a goal was
"The Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" Act 2
Rembering my report back in Dec 98:
>>>>>>>>>>> Quote
"Rennie "for headaches" Ref was gullable, he continued to
book players left right and center. Nicky Butt, David,
Teddy for talkng too much, Ronny and for good measure Phil
Neville! (Phil actually deserved his)
Back to Sugar Plum, he could be a great player, he left
players for dead esp in the 2nd half running through and
shooting on target. I called him cheat as all REDS sang out
loud, he must have received the message loud and clear.
The real reason for the 2-2 draw, in a match where
Manchester United dominated, was Act-1 scene-3 when Rennie
had orchestrated the Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy."
All this, with pics, is at
http://www.red11.org/mufc/billbarry98.htm ........ unquote<<<<<<<<<<
The match at White Hart Lane on Sat Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Wimbledon 32,422
If "Rennie" had been there 4 of the Dons players would have been sent off!
Sugar Plum dived un-convincingly THREE times (one was worth two Oscars) and
managed
one more in the penalty area which might well have been a foul outside the
area.
This was not given of course due to previous evidence.
Christ, Ginola is actually a decent footballer but if he/others go on like
this mayhem will arise!
Point 2: in an average run of the mill game
I heard on 606 that the very same Ref Rennie managed to ruin a fairly played
game by booking left right and center?
Booked: Carragher, Ince, Monk, Colleter, Hughes
Something has to be done,
but the Sugar Plum/Rennie combination must never happen again......
I rest my case.
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Subject: Cole and Yorke...The best in Europe
Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole were hailed as the best strike partnership in
Europe by Manchester United team-mate Jesper Blomqvist after they had
carried out their latest demolition job on Leicester City.
Blomqvist has a wealth of European experience and during his time in
Italy partnered Dino Baggio and played against the likes of Brazilian
superstar Ronaldo and the now Chelsea player-manager Gianluca Vialli.
But as a duo he rates hat-trick hero Yorke and two-goal Cole as the most
potent he has witnessed - and similar sentiments were echoed by
Leicester players Steve Walsh and Neil Lennon.
After their gruelling programme in November and December, Blomqvist
believes United are getting their second wind and have the power and
strength in depth to get through the demanding next three months.
Yorke and Cole have now scored 31 goals between them this season, and
looking back it is hard to believe that United manager Alex Ferguson did
not pair them together straight away at the start of the season.
Former Gothenburg, Inter Milan and Parma star Blomqvist said: "I've seen
loads of quality strikers in Sweden and Italy. I played with Baggio
while Ronaldo is exceptional and Vialli is a great player.
"Maybe they have slightly better individual skills - but as a
partnership I think Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole are the best I have seen.
I've never seen a pair work so well together. They are fantastic.
"They've only been together a few months but you wouldn't believe it
from watching them. As a winger it's nice to know those two are on the
end of the balls you put into the danger area."
Blomqvist added: "The team is looking good for what's ahead. On the
training ground there is a freshness but also a determination I haven't
really seen in a couple of months.
"It's like we've got a second wind and the squad has got the power to
last the pace until the end of the season - and I believe that we can
still improve."
Leicester midfielder Lennon spoke of United's clinical finishing power
and said Leicester could not afford to ease off at all.
He said: "We kept them pretty quiet for the first half but you can't
afford to give Yorke and Cole a sniff. We made some sloppy mistakes and
were punished because their finishing was so clinical.
"They've already destroyed Barcelona in the Nou Camp and if they can do
that to teams of that quality, then they will certainly do it in the
Premiership.
"They are the best duo in our country at present and I hope they can
carry it into Europe and help United win the Champions League.
"That would silence all the critics who say English football isn't up to
scratch. You get the cliché statements trotted out like 'Dutch maestros'
and 'The Italians are so hard to beat.'
"But United are as good as any team on earth, are great ambassadors for
England in Europe and I hope they go all the way."
****************************************************************
Kieran Lambert
email: klambert@accuris.ie
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Subject: UNITED HEAD NORTH FOR GREAT SCOTT
UNITED HEAD NORTH FOR GREAT SCOTT
Teddy Scott will finally take his place in the spotlight on Monday when
Alex Ferguson makes an emotional return to Pittodrie with what he promises
will be a strong Manchester United squad.
Now kit man at Aberdeen, Scott's roles at the club also include playing and
coaching responsibilites, but it was as a talent scout that Ferguson
believes he excelled.
Many of the famous names of the 80s at Aberdeen were discovered by Scott
including the likes of talented Scotland trio Jim Leighton, Willie Miller
and Alex McLeish.
Old Trafford boss Ferguson will be reunited with his European Cup Winners'
Cup side of 1983 glory as the players meet again for a pre-friendly
kickabout, but above all it is Scott's night.
Ferguson said: "Teddy's contribution was a huge factor in what the Aberdeen
team attained in the eighties, he was always waiting to tell me the
potential of some youngster he had spotted.
"When you look at some of the players he unearthed you realise his value to
the club. He taught me that money counts for less than funding and
nurturing your own lads.
"Teddy loves football to his boot-straps and I just hope that folk such as
him don't disappear from the sport because they remain very important to
its future development."
The Pittodrie clash represents an opportunity for the latest manager Paul
Hegarty to prove he can cope with the legacy left by Ferguson in what is
anticipated to be a genuinely competitive game.
Ferguson is likely to rest in-form strike pairing Andy Cole and Dwight
Yorke meaning Norwegian international Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could well be
offered a chance to impress.
Other possible stars of the future poised to feature are Jonathan Greening,
Mark Wilson and Philip Mulryne alongside the more established faces
Ferguson has pledged will be on view.
Match Report: BECKHAM FEAR FOR FERGIE
Aberdeen 1-1 Manchester Utd
(Aberdeen won 7-6 on penalties)
Alex Ferguson tasted defeat on his return to former club Aberdeen - but the
score will
worry the United boss far less than the fitness of David Beckham.
Ferguson took a full strength side to Pittodrie for a testimonial in
recognition of
Teddy Scott's 44-year association with the club. But the evening turned
sour when
Beckham left the pitch with a suspected groin strain, making him a doubt for
Saturday's FA Cup fourth round clash with Liverpool.
A crowd of over 20,000 watched the Old Trafford side held to a 1-1 draw,
before losing 7-6 in a penalty shoot-out. Norweigan defender Ronny
Johnsen put United ahead in the 50th minute but the home side levelled
quarter of an hour later when former Blackburn striker Mike Newell beat
Peter Schmeichel.
Prir to the match, the Dons' 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup winning
side were reunited with Ferguson joining long-serving Scott in parading
the trophy to the delight of the crowd.
After the match, Ferguson said: "We have one or two players with slight
niggles, and David Beckham is one of those. He has just maybe got a
little niggle, and we'll have to see how he is tomorrow."
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Subject: Inter Watch
>Inter-esting news.
>Inter lost 2-0 away to Bologna today.
This game was live on Channel 4 here in the UK, and I managed to catch
the first half hour or so. It appears that Inter's new coach, Lucescu
(?) has decided to play all 3 of Baggio, Ronaldo and Zamorano up
front. Whilst this worked last weekend, it wasn't so hot yesterday.
Ronaldo had one chance about 10 minutes in - having been played
through by Baggio, he fired against the keeper's legs. It appears
that Ronaldo always plays through the middle, whilst Zamorano switches
from left to right across the front. Baggio obviously has a free
role - he was dropping very, very deep to collect the ball. Bologna
seemed not to be too worried about this, and only got tight on him
when he approached the edge of the box. Baggio and Simeone were by
far the most dangerous players - almost all of Inter's attacking play
was channelled through these two.
Other impressions were that Inter like to play through the middle,
with lots of one-two's and combinations around the edge of the box.
Baggio was particularly dangerous from free-kicks in this area,
hitting the post with one curler. Defensively, Inter looked fairly
shaky - I'm not sure if their back four yesterday was the usual, but
they appear to have trouble with pacy forwards, and, in goal, Pagliuca
looked very dodgy on crosses.
Having said all this, it appears that Inter are more than a little
inconsistent and certainly shouldn't be judged on one afternoon's
work - let's all keep sticking pins in those Ronaldo dolls.
Cheers,
Jon Stiley stiley@riversoft.com
New 3Meg Luxury Wallsaver Program: click on pic to download
From: Philip O'Brien
Subject: Top Scorers!
Premier League Top Scorers
Up to and including Saturday, January 16 1999
FA Lge
Lge Cup Cup Euro Other Total
Aloisi (Coventry) 15 0 3 0 0 18
17 for Portsmouth
Owen (Liverpool) 13 1 1 2 0 17
Yorke (Man Utd) ********** 11 0 0 5 0 16
Ward (Blackburn) 12 0 3 0 0 15
15 for Barnsley
Cole (Man Utd) ********** 10 1 0 4 0 15
Dublin (Aston Villa) 12 0 1 0 0 13
4 for Coventry
Ricard (Middlesbrough) 10 0 3 0 0 13
Fowler (Liverpool) 9 1 1 2 0 13
Hasselbaink (Leeds) 10 1 0 1 0 12
Blake (Blackburn) 9 0 3 0 0 12
9 for Bolton
Huckerby (Coventry) 8 3 0 0 0 11
Poyet (Chelsea) 8 0 2 1 0 11
Armstrong (Tottenham) 6 0 5 0 0 11
Solskjaer (Man Utd) ******** 6 0 3 1 0 10
Zola (Chelsea) 9 0 0 0 0 9
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Subject: The Andy & Dwight Show - M.E.N. Article
ANDY Cole is at the centre of a huge nationwide guessing game which has
left fans and foes alike puzzled.
The Manchester United striker, along with Dwight Yorke, has got opposition
defenders baffled and having to endure a game of chance in a bid to keep
him quiet.
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old's continued absence from Glenn Hoddle's England
squad despite 40 goals in the last season and a half is mystifying.
His Red Siamese twin and Filbert Street hat-trick hero Yorke is perplexed
by Hoddle's snubs.
Leicester City boss Martin O'Neill, whose side were tormented by Cole's
five goal combination with Yorke, reckons: ``If anybody can tell me Andy
Cole is not a good finisher they need their head examined.''
Well, if national coach Hoddle doesn't include the Premiership's third top
scorer in his pool for the Wembley friendly against France on February 10
then he'd better book in for a session with a shrink.
Cole should have been celebrating last Tuesday's fourth anniversary of his
£7m move from Newcastle with a share of the match ball with Yorke after
their joint destruction of Leicester.
Arguably he could even have made it is own property to stash alongside the
other three he's bagged from his four-year Old Trafford career.
The fact he didn't, with a wild slash over in the 60th minute against
Leicester's harassed makeshift defence as the main culprit which denied him
the hat-trick honour, Hoddle would say adds to his argument that Cole needs
too many chances to put a goal away. And you don't get that many at
international level.
Cole's followers would be justified in countering: do Alan Shearer and
Michael Owen convert every goal opportunity that comes their way?
Whatever the merits of his international inclusion United supporters, who
don't have a lot of time for England these days anyway, are just wallowing
in his golden tie-up with Yorke this season.
The partnership has reaped 26 goals when they've been in tandem and
United's leading scorer Yorke warns it can get better.
``The partnership is going well at the moment,'' says the Trinidadian
international.
``It can get better because there is always room for improvement.
``It's not for me to say if Andy should be in another England squad but I'd
like to see him there.
``The important thing is what we are doing for Manchester United. Andy is
really flying at the moment. I hope that continues and he gets better still.''
The pair's five-goal contribution was the best haul in one game for the
£20m combo and the fact it hasn't peaked will alarm defenders.
Leicester's Steve Walsh reveals that trying to quell Cole and Yorke is pure
guesswork.
``They are quick, sharp and very clever players. They are a class act
together,'' says the one-time Wigan defender.
``They are right up there with the best. They do their little one-twos
which mean you have to be on your toes for sure. You have to guess what
they are going to do.
``Having Dwight alongside him has certainly made Andy a better player. They
link up well. They know where each other is going. They've got these little
flicks and link ups. It's through your legs and see you later. You have to
try to work out where they are going to go. You have to try to second guess
them but we guessed wrong!''
``They're becoming quite a force,'' says Reds' boss Alex Ferguson. ``It
doesn't matter who they play they make it difficult for defenders. The
partnership has just evolved and the threat they pose and the understanding
they have is fantastic.''
The pair gave United a cutting edge which eventually slashed Leicester's
noble battling qualities to ribbons.
The Reds, however, needed an interval reminder from Fergie about being
merciless.
With top defensive buys Matt Elliott and Frank Sinclair missing from the
centre of Leicester's rearguard the Midlanders were always up against it
with United in this form.
The makeshift defence's complete misunderstanding allowed Denis Irwin's
10th minute cross to dissect them and with their collective attentions
seemingly trained on Cole's near post run, Yorke was suicidally left alone.
You don't present gifts like that to Jaap Stam these days let alone Yorke!
United then appeared to decide to extend Fergie's mid-season break and have
a team winter breather.
Dogged Leicester took advantage and a screaming equaliser from Greek Theo
Zagorakis could have led to a half time lead but for Kaamark's blaze over
the bar just before the interval when United's defence matched Leicester's
kamikaze efforts which let Yorke in for the opener.
Fortunately City's Swedish defender hasn't got Yorke's finishing ability.
It was the kick up the backside United needed and no doubt Fergie added to
the jolt.
The Reds reverted to their more recognisable ruthless streak and the second
half was a savage display of striking power.
Ryan Giggs, switched at half time into a more comfortable looking central
role, began the butchery with a through ball for Cole and Gerry Taggart to
chase. It was Linford Christie against Agatha Christie as Cole opened up a
gap and then clinically drilled the ball past Keller.
Following his miss on the hour Cole then stretched United's lead. Yorke's
flick and spin past Walsh made the City centre half look like he was nailed
to the floor. He slipped the ball into Cole's stride and Keller was beaten
again.
The American keeper compounded his misery by allowing Irwin's long ball
past him after winning the race with Yorke and the United forward made
light of the tight angle to side foot his second.
Walsh bundled in a second for Leicester as United's defence revealed their
Mr Hyde side and then Keller brilliantly revealed his Dr Jekyll form with a
brilliant reflex stop to beat away Yorke's close range volley.
The Cole and Yorke race was on for the match ball and Cole looked to have
won it when he blasted in an 86th minute unstoppable shot. Unstoppable that
is for a human but the woodwork kept it out and Johnny-on-the-spot Yorke
gobbled up the rebound for his first United hat trick.
With Leicester's defence in such generous mood with their space Stam
decided to join in the fun and displayed Yorke and Cole like finishing
qualities to volley a sixth home to complete the rout.
Match facts: SHOTS ON: Leicester 4 United 10. SHOTS OFF: Leicester 3 United
6. GOALS: Yorke (10,64,86), Cole (50,63), Stam (90) for United. Zagorakis
(35), Walsh (75) for Leicester. BOOKINGS: Keane, Blomqvist for United.
Walsh, Lennon for Leicester. ATTENDANCE: 22,091.
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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