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www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Fri Aug 27 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW
2. Personal Coventry Report by OUR SALFORD LASS
3. Home or Away" - Personal Report by RED KELLY
4. RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 25/08/99 ***
5. Clinical Scholes steers United to emphatic win - Telegraph
6. SOLSKJAER SET FOR SUPER CUP
7. Gould Wants Fergie Punished (Soccernet)
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
MANCHESTER UNITED DAILY NEWS Friday 27th August 1999:
Barry Comment:
Draw looks good
Group D ** Manchester United **
Olympique de Marseille * NK Croatia Zagreb * SK Sturm Graz
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (HOME GAMES)
United have been drawn at home against NK Croatia Zagreb on Tuesday 14th
September, kick off 19.45 and Olympique De Marseille on Wednesday 29th
September, kick off 19.45.
INTERVIEW:
255k Aug 25 3.56 Quinton Fortune interview from the cliff
http://www.red11.org/mufc/sound/99/fortune_interv.rm
************************
99/2000 fixtures/match reports are at
http://www.red11.org/mufc/992000.htm
Mark Bosnich's Personal Details
http://www.red11.org/mufc/bosnich.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
*** FIXTURES ON 28/08/99 ***
Aston Villa v Middlesbrough
Bradford City v West Ham United
Derby County v Everton
Liverpool v Arsenal
Southampton v Sheffield Wednesday
Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United
Wimbledon v Chelsea
RESULTS: 25/8/99
Arsenal 2-0 Bradford City 38,073
Coventry City 1-2 Manchester United 22,024
Everton 4-0 Wimbledon 32,818
Newcastle United 1-2 Sunderland 36,600
Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Derby County 20,943
*** FULL LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 25/08/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 5 2 0 0 6 0 2 1 0 5 3 8 13
2 Aston Villa 5 1 1 0 5 2 2 0 1 2 1 4 10
3 Arsenal 5 2 0 1 5 3 1 1 0 2 1 3 10
4 Tottenham Hotspur 4 2 0 0 6 3 1 0 1 2 2 3 9
5 Middlesbrough 5 1 0 2 1 4 2 0 0 6 3 0 9
6 Chelsea 3 2 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 2 2 5 7
7 Everton 5 2 1 0 9 2 0 0 2 2 6 3 7
8 Leicester City 5 1 1 0 3 2 1 0 2 5 4 2 7
9 West Ham United 3 2 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 2 2 2 7
10 Leeds United 5 1 1 1 3 3 1 0 1 3 2 1 7
11 Sunderland 5 1 1 0 2 0 1 0 2 3 7 -2 7
12 Liverpool 4 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 4 3 0 6
13 Watford 5 1 0 2 3 4 1 0 1 1 2 -2 6
14 Southampton 4 1 0 1 4 5 1 0 1 2 4 -3 6
15 Wimbledon 5 0 1 1 3 4 1 1 1 6 9 -4 5
16 Coventry City 5 1 0 2 3 3 0 1 1 1 2 -1 4
17 Bradford City 4 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 2 1 3 -2 4
18 Derby County 5 0 0 2 2 5 1 1 1 2 2 -3 4
19 Newcastle United 5 0 1 2 4 6 0 0 2 3 7 -6 1
20 Sheffield Wednesday 5 0 0 3 2 6 0 1 1 1 5 -8 1
--------------------------------------------
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED -
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
ALL FIXTURES at: http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix992000.htm
Subject: First Team Fixtures 1999/2000 [All dates/times subject to change]
Dates of possible cup ties also shown
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/07/99 Melbourne Australia pre-season 2-0 - 60,000
18/07/99 Sydney Australia pre-season 1-0 - 78,000
21/07/99 Shanghai Shenhua pre-season 2-0 - 80,000
24/07/99 Hong Kong South China pre-season 2-0 - 40,000
1/08/99 Arsenal Wembley Charity Shield 1-2 - 70,185
3/08/99 Omagh Town aid of Omagh Bomb Fund 9-0 - 7,000
4/08/99 Wigan Athletic friendly 2-0 - 15,000
08/08/99 Everton Away PL D 1-1 10 39,141
11/08/99 Sheffield Wednesday Home PL W 4-0 3 54,941
14/08/99 Leeds United Home PL W 2-0 1 55,187
22/08/99 Arsenal Away PL W 2-1 1 38,147
25/08/99 Coventry City Away PL W 2-1 1 22,024
27/08/99 Monaco - Lazio ESC 19.45
30/08/99 Newcastle United home PL 13.00
11/09/99 Liverpool away PL 11.30 Live on Sky
15/09/99 ? EC
18/09/99 Wimbledon home PL 15.00
22/09/99 ? EC
25/09/99 Southampton home PL 15.00
29/09/99 ? EC
3/10/99 Chelsea away PL 16.00 Live on Sky
*11/10/99 Sir Alex Ferguson's testimonial OT [Cantona + Schmeichel]
13/10/99 ? WC 3
16/10/99 Watford home PL 15.00
20/10/99 ? EC
23/10/99 Tottenham Hotspur away PL 15.00
27/10/99 ? EC
30/10/99 Aston Villa home PL 15.00
3/11/99 ? EC
6/11/99 Leicester City home PL 15.00
20/11/99 Derby County away PL 15.00
24/11/99 ? EC
27/11/99 Sheffield Wednesday away PL 15.00
30/11/99 Tokyo Palmeiras WCC 20.00
1/12/99 ? WC 4
4/12/99 Everton home PL 15.00
8/12/99 ? EC
15/12/99 ? WC 5
18/12/99 West Ham United away PL 15.00
26/12/99 Bradford City home PL 15.00
28/12/99 Sunderland away PL 20.00 Live on Sky
3/01/2000 Middlesborough home PL 20.00
***** 5-14 /01/2000 Brazil WTC ***** [3-4 games]
12/01/2000 ? WC sf i
15/01/2000 Leeds United away PL 15.00
22/01/2000 Arsenal home PL 15.00
26/01/2000 ? WC sf ii
5/02/2000 Coventry City home PL 15.00
12/02/2000 Newcastle United away PL 15.00
26/02/2000 Wimbledon away PL 15.00
27/02/2000 ? Wembley WC f
1/03/2000 ? EC
4/03/2000 Liverpool home PL 15.00
8/03/2000 ? EC
11/03/2000 Derby County home PL 15.00
15/03/2000 ? EC
18/03/2000 Leicester City away PL 15.00
22/03/2000 ? EC
25/03/2000 Bradford City away PL 15.00
1/04/2000 West Ham United home PL 15.00
5/04/2000 ? EC qf i
8/04/2000 Middlesborough away PL 15.00
15/04/2000 Sunderland home PL 15.00
19/04/2000 ? EC qf ii
22/04/2000 Southampton away PL 15.00
24/04/2000 Chelsea home PL 15.00
29/04/2000 West Ham United away PL 15.00
3/05/2000 ? EC sf i
6/05/2000 Tottenham Hotspur home PL 15.00
10/05/2000 ? EC sf ii
14/05/2000 Aston Villa away PL 15.00
24/05/2000 ? EC f
http://www.red11.org/mufc/match.htm
-------------------------------------
THE FANTASTIC TRIPLE WAS WON!!
EC links + Personal diaries here:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/barcelona.htm
Its the presentation of the European Cup at Nou Camp
Video including sound 57secs 1.5 meg
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW
Group A
S.S. Lazio
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Dynamo Kyiv
NK Maribor
Group B
FC Barcelona
Fiorentina AC
Arsenal FC
AIK Solna
Group C
Borussia Dortmund
Feyenoord
Rosenborg BK
Boavista FC
Group D
*** Manchester United FC ***
Olympique de Marseille
NK Croatia Zagreb
SK Sturm Graz
Group E
Real Madrid CF
FC Porto
Olympiakos Piraeus FC
Molde FK
Group F
FC Bayern München
PSV Eindhoven
Valencia CF
Rangers FC
Group G
Spartak Moscow
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
AC Sparta Praha
Willem II
Group H
Milan AC
Chelsea FC
Galatasaray SK
Hertha BSC Berlin
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: Personal Coventry Report by OUR SALFORD LASS
What can I say about the trip down the M6 to Coventry except that, as
usual, it took almost as long as it took to get to Highbury at the weekend,
due to the usual long traffic jam just before reaching Birmingham. The
traffic jam was enlivened by the discomfort of some of the lads on the back
seat who had spent lunch-time drinking in the Dog and Partridge and were,
of course, now desperate for the toilet. There was little sympathy for
their plight as their so-called mates mercilessly took the mickey and the
rest of the bus tutted in disgust. A plea to stop at the services was
answered with a lecture about the evils of drink from Sydney the steward
and the statement that "we never stop on the way to Coventry" from the
driver. So a couple of very desperate young men had to either "tie a knot
in it" (as one rather unsympathetic lady advised) or look for other means
to ease their discomfort. Since there is an ongoing official enquiry into
what happened next, I will not go into any detail except to say that it
involved an empty coke can, a sunroof and the open window of a passing
motorist's car.
Luckily, the traffic jam eased just before Birmingham, so we were able to
complete the final 30 miles of the journey at normal speed, and we arrived
at Highfield Rd just before 7pm (unlike another list member, who arrived
for an 8pm kick-off!). The first stop was the small kiosk in the corner,
for something to eat and drink. After being advised not to try the Chicken
and Balti pies (!) we settled for burgers and coffee and stood on the
walkway between the front and rear sections, watching the world go by.
Whilst we had been in the queue for the food, a rather patronising
gentleman in a very bright jacket (it had "Senior Steward" on the back) had
given us some kindly advice as to where and when to eat our burgers (in our
seats asap). Whilst we stood leaning on the railing behind the front
section, this same gentleman appeared, put his arm round me and said "Now
come along darling, lets have you in your seats - this walkway gets very
congested." Since I am certainly not his darling and since the congestion
consisted of approximately half-a-dozen United fans eating pies, I gave him
an evil look, shrugged off his arm and moved a few feet along, before
standing still again, this time watching the players warm up. He wandered
off and we were left in peace for 10 minutes, before he reappeared and
again invited us to take our seats. This time we were ready to go up to
our seats in the rear section anyway, so we didn't push it, but what gives
these little Hitlers the right to treat paying customers like bloody kids
on a school trip?
We had excellent seats - half-way up the rear section, right in the middle
of the United contingent. Here we were able to stand throughout the game
and yet have a good view of most of the pitch and both goals. It was good
to see Raimond back (although I did wince at the poor lad's black eye when
I saw it on MOTD). There's not a lot to say about the game really, except
that we were all over them for most of the game, should have had at least 6
goals and were worthy winners. In the first 30 minutes alone, we could
have been 3 up as first Yorke hit the post, then Giggs scraped the paint as
he shot wide, and Yorke again went close. I thought that Coventry looked a
lot better than they have done in the past, but they really didn't
penetrate our defence for most of the first half and their great hope,
Robbie Keane, didn't look anything like as good against us as he had at the
weekend. So we went in at half-time at 0-0 after a very entertaining first
half. Half-time brought the Leamington Skinhead down for a chat and some
very well-built dancing girls onto the pitch, at which point the
son-and-heir went off into a world of his own at the sight of the big lass
at the front!
The atmosphere off the pitch was, as is usually the case at Coventry,
excellent. Against Arsenal, it was electric with tension, at Highfield Rd
it was more relaxed and celebratory. Generally, the chanting involved
singing the praises of United, our players and our achievements -
"Champions of Europe", "Pride of All Europe", "Yip Jaap Stam", "There's
only one Keano". The whole stadium joined in with the latter chant, since
the Coventry fans seem to think that their R Keane can compete with ours!
Singing "Keano's f***in magic" instead, sorted that one out. We also
taunted the Coventry fans with "Where are you when we're not here" and "You
couldn't sell all your tickets" (there were empty seats all round the
stadium) and "You've only come to see United." All they could manage in
return was "Do you come from Manchester?" - this was applauded
sarcastically! Our friends in North London were not forgotten with further
renditions of "Vierra" and "Giggs will tear you apart, again", leading to
puzzled faces amongst the blue shirts as they tried to figure out why we
were singing for an Arsenal player! The Coventry fans were particularly
easily wound up in what was their Cup Final. Their booing of David Beckham
brought chants of "Argentina", "You can stick your f***in England up your
****" and "We all agree, United are bigger than England." This sent them
absolutely ballistic, not being intelligent enough to see the irony in the
chants!
At the start of the second half Coventry had most of the possession - well,
they did for the first 5 minutes, when Telfer (who had come on for Noel
Whelan, who I believe broke his leg earlier in the game) lost possession in
midfield and Yorke went close again. From this point, United looked more
and more likely to score. Scholes came on for Butt (who had been hit on
the head by the ball) and within a couple of minutes of coming on the
pitch, almost put the ball into the net from the edge of the box. The
forwards had been struggling a bit (it always seems strange to me that
Fergie chooses to put Yorke and Sheringham on together, when they are both
such similar players) and Scholes provided the spark that was missing.
Within a few seconds, in virtually the same position, his shot was
deflected off a Coventry defender, we were 1-0 up and Scholesy had the 50th
goal of his career. There followed a very enthusiastic chorus of "He
scores goals". It was all United then until, about 15 minutes from time,
Scholes passed to Becks and he crossed the ball to Yorke's head who
unerringly placed it in the net. Once again, our mutterings about
substituting Yorke had been answered in the best possible way!
For the next 5 minutes or so, it was celebration time. "2-0 in your Cup
Final", "Champions of Europe", "Yip Jaap Stam", "We shall not be moved" and
"There's only one Keano". Ole came on for Teddy and the crowd sang "Oh
Teddy Teddy" and "You are my Solskjaer". Then, 10 minutes from time, the
team decided that they were making life much too easy for the fans, and
allowed Aloisi to score. Of course, we then had our customary final 10
minutes of tension as Coventry attacked over and over again and we gave the
ball away with monotonous regularity! Stam was awesome as our last line of
defence and Raimond made at least 2 match-saving saves, whilst we bit our
nails and moaned about how we can never relax unless we are 4 goals up! In
the end, we managed to hold on until the final whistle blew and we could
celebrate another win and the further extension of our unbeaten run.
What of the players? Stam was again awesome (I've been trying to think of
a different word, this one is getting over-used, but I really can't think
of one that fits as well). Raimond put in another exemplory performance.
Scholes came on and changed the game - he reminds me of a cross between
Sparky and Eric sometimes - not a bad combination! Teddy and Dwight were
not at their best, although it was difficult for them as I mentioned
earlier - they were vying for the same bit of the pitch and Dwight kept
putting balls through for Cole to run onto - unfortunately Teddy was some
way behind! Unfortunately, scoring in the Nou Camp has not made Teddy
immune to criticism and there were fierce debates going on all around me
about whether he is still s*** or not. I felt most of the criticism was
unfair on this occasion - he was not as bad as some made out (some of his
passes and lay-offs were excellent) and mistakes of his were being jumped
on whereas Ole (for example) would make a mistake and get a round of
applause for trying! It seems some fans will never like Teddy, no matter
what he does. The two players who really impressed me though, were Phil
Neville (doing some scorching runs up the right wing - I wonder if he's
ever considered becoming a winger, rather than a defender?) and of course,
Becks. Some absolutely brilliant crosses get him my man-of-match award -
one in particular will live in my memory forever, a cross from the right
over to Giggs on the left, so precise that the ball actually landed not at,
but on Giggs' foot. One word though - he got away with another gesture at
the home fans. Very funny for us, but isn't it about time he stopped doing
this whilst referees etc are still sympathetic? Having said that, his
celebrations after the goals, and at the end of the game were, as always,
wonderful - this lad is as Red as any player ever could be, or is ever
likely to be, and it's very hard indeed to criticise him for anything!
Arriving back at the coach, we discovered that the incident referred to
earlier (with the coke can etc etc) had led to damage being done to the
skylight near the back, which was now hanging off its bracket. So it was
yet another lecture, the taking of names, and a very slow journey home
(since driving over 50mph would apparently lead to such high pressure
inside the coach that the back window could blow out!!) We await the coach
trip to Liverpool with interest, as bets are being taken as to who will be
missing!
Copyright © 1999 by OUR SALFORD LASS. All rights reserved.
Not to be reproduced without permission of the author
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: "Home or Away" - Personal Report by RED KELLY
Home or Away
Since we moved down to the Midlands getting on for six years ago this has
been the only fixture that could be considered a 'home' game for me.
Leicester and Villa are not that far, but Coventry is just around the
corner. So it's great when a car sporting a friendly driver and co
passenger comes and picks me up, takes me to the pub and brings me home
after the game.
The car duly arrived and Dr Mark and Dave (paranoid) Ashmore stopped for a
quick cuppa before we left for the appointed Hargreaves pub. Around six
o'clock we met up with the said Hargreaves (plural) and "not joined at the
hip". Shortly afterwards Nigel and Leon arrived looking a good deal smarter
than the rest of us apart from the besuited (fresh from work) Dave, as they
were hobnobbing it with the execs in the Coventry Directors box.
It's a client thing with them and at least a way of getting to the game, so
I suppose hobnobbing is valid under those circumstances. Anyway it was
Leon's first game and by what he said afterwards he seems to have caught
the dreaded Red virus which afflicts us all.
Sometimes I forget that I was born in this area as I've been so long away
from it, but last night Hal asked me how I came to support United and I
couldn't answer him with any real conviction, because I just don't know.
Spending my first ten years in the fifties without the aid of television
there was no natural exposure to football, plus the fact that my family
always were and still are followers of the oval ball code rather than the
round one and you'll maybe wonder, as I do, what happened.
The only games we ever got to see at that time were the Cup Finals because
they were broadcast live and by the time I watched the 1957 Cup Final on
next door's tele I had already been hooked, so what happened. This is where
I draw a blank other than having always done more or less everything
possible against my parents' wishes, I have no idea how the boys in Red
filtered into my life. Hal's question left me pondering and as you can see,
I still am!
I wandered off to the toilet and was stood there wondering about life and
it's rich tapestry when a desperate man ran in and blasted through the door
to the nearest cubicle. There was a plaintive cry from inside, "aaaaaargh,
no paper!" Out of that one and into the next and the same scenario
re-enacted. Trouble was there were only two choices and both had been
eliminated and he was obviously in a distressed state of no return. There's
nothing anyone can say in those circumstances you just have to leave as
discreetly as possible and let the desperado sort it out for himself!
We left the pub and wandered down to the ground leaving Druncan and Mark to
stock up a couple of extra cans for the short ten minute journey and while
Pete and Hal sped on ahead I wandered along with another lad who turned out
to be a Season Ticket holder from Solihull.
As we approached the ground I was puzzled by the amount of noise which
seemed to indicate action on the pitch. "Shit, they've kicked off" I said.
I hadn't bothered to look at the ticket and as all our games at home kick
off at eight I had presumed this would be no different. You see it was a
confusion thing between a home game and a 'home' game!
Ironically I have never missed a kick off anywhere and to do it for a
'home' game was ludicrous. So I left my companions and legged it round to
our side and in and in no time I was up to my seat taking in the action
where I found I was stood right in front of Mr Wheeler and his girlfriend.
In fact whenever I've been to Cov's ground I have always been in more or
less the same spot and strangely I seem to be surrounded by many familiar
faces who always appear in that section. It was like deja vu but without my
mate Meade for once.
By the time I'd taken my seat, or rather stood in front of it United were
already well in control and seemed to be creating chances more or less at
will. This always worries me a little as it can lead to complacency, a
quick breakaway and a goal against. We've seen this before at Coventry,
being 2-1 up and losing 3-2 in the last five minutes and it wasn't
pleasant.
There didn't seem to be much chance of that happening last night as apart
from a couple of their players they were hopelessly outclassed and so were
their fans. Comprehensively outsung throughout and why they don't they get
sick to bloody death of their one sky blue boating song I'll never know.
We were going through the recent repertoire "Giggs will tea you apart",
"Viera ooh ooh oooh oh etc" with "We are the champions - champions of
Europe" being the rather obvious favourite. It created a huge wall of noise
bouncing off the terraces, through the gap in the corner and out into the
night sky, echoing all round the surrounding area. Probably scared the
locals to death but it still didn't manage to lift the Cov fans out of
their lethargy.
This away day is special to Reds - don't know why, it just is. It could be
something to do with that infamous Coventry apathy making them easy targets
for a wind up. Not as good as against West Ham, but a rousing chorus of
Argentina put them in their places after some of the usual pathetic Beckham
baiting. They couldn't even do that with any real conviction, but it
deserved the response nevertheless.
It got to the point that they were cheering only when United players fell
over or let the ball go out for a throw in rather than the efforts of their
own team who, in truth were packing midfield for a draw right from the off.
The game was a mere fifteen minutes old when Yorkie hit the post, well we
assumed that is what happened as we couldn't actually see that post because
of a post if you see what I mean. Wherever you sit or stand at Highfield
Road in our part of the ground there is always a post obscuring your view
of a certain part of the pitch and for me it has always been part of the
goal to our left. So you find yourself constantly ducking and diving,
twisting and turning trying to get some sort of a view.
For a few minutes the lads attacked with venom and a goal was surely due.
When it didn't materialise it always gives the opposition a lift and spurs
them on, but when the opposition is a City team hell bent on a draw it
merely means a vague threat of venturing into the United half.
By half time I was confident and relaxed about the outcome, but
disappointed we weren't already at least two or three goals to the good. I
wandered off down towards the concourse when there was a shout from the
section to my left where I had been spotted by Linda and Ian. There
followed a rather undignified scramble over seats barging various
unsuspecting people out of the way in order to reach the two of them.
We spent the whole period chatting about why Fergie had decided to play
Sheringham and Yorke up front when they are very similar players and about
various recent list discussions while Ian amused himself watching the half
time entertainment which featured a few fairly buxom local wenches in tight
costumes of a Spanish flavour which wasn't that dissimilar to what we'd
experienced in Barca. Any excuse to get that word into another report! It
was never going to be the same of course - an away day at Cov is never
going to be in the same league!!
Back to my seat for the start of the second half I spot the Hargreaves a
few rows in front and shout "hey baldy" down at Pete who was sporting a
rather fetching Leamington Skinhead type cut. My exclamation reached a
little further than expected and a bloke in the row in front of them looked
round, laughed and pointed to himself so I directed him to give said
Hargreaves a nudge who duly turned around and gestured. I couldn't quite
make out the gesture but it was a good job our friend Mr Poll wasn't
around!
The second half began much the same as the first had ended once the initial
Coventry burst of action was quelled. But still no goal would come until
Scholsey came on and immediately had an impact. He was biting the legs of
everything that moved wearing sky blue and by the end of the second minute
into his appearance he'd put us one nil up with a shot which he seemed to
hit into the ground for it to loop over the goalkeeper.
We didn't care and celebrated in relief that at last we'd broken through
and could thus relax some more and get into party mood with avengeance.
Within another few minutes we were two nil up and coasting. A wonderful
crossfield ball of what must have been fifty yards by Scholsey found
Beckham's foot. It landed on his foot - talk about inch perfect. Becks
lobbed a cross over and an unmarked Yorkie headed in. More celebrations,
more singing and another non stop "champions of Europe" - how good that
sounds.
I suppose it was inevitable that Coventry would get back into the game. It
certainly seemed so to me as United took their foot off the gas and handed
them the initiative - we've seen it all before of course and when Aloise
beat Stam to the ball and it flew past Raimondo we started to take more and
more frequent looks at our watches.
Fortunately the ref finally put us out of our misery and we could leave
with broad grins on our faces whilst poking fun at the west enders to our
right. I found Pete and Hal agin and also Linda and Ian as we left the
ground and made our way past a happy and smiling Red News editor babbling
on about really enjoying the season so far. Over the parkland whilst being
serenaded by a very drunk Red, smiling even more after hearing the
Barcodes' result, down the Binley Road and in the pub where the others were
already with pints in hand.
There followed much boozing while Nigel and I delighted in the fact we
didn't have to bother driving home - it was a rare treat for us. Finally
people started to drift off home and so did we but not until we'd paid a
visit to the chippy round the corner and scoffed a poor excuse for a steak
and kidney pie. Pete you'd have been disappointed in the lack of quality -
no more than two out of ten I'd give it.
I finally arrived home at about the same time as I would have done had we
been playing at home if you see what I mean!
"But I thought you were playing in Coventry" says Karen.
"Ah yes but there was this pub type thing in the way" I said.
Copyright RED KELLY 1999
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: *** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 25/08/99 ***
Arsenal 2-0 Bradford City 38,073
Coventry City 1-2 Manchester United 22,024
Everton 4-0 Wimbledon 32,818
Newcastle United 1-2 Sunderland 36,600
Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Derby County 20,943
*** FULL LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 25/08/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 5 2 0 0 6 0 2 1 0 5 3 8 13
2 Aston Villa 5 1 1 0 5 2 2 0 1 2 1 4 10
3 Arsenal 5 2 0 1 5 3 1 1 0 2 1 3 10
4 Tottenham Hotspur 4 2 0 0 6 3 1 0 1 2 2 3 9
5 Middlesbrough 5 1 0 2 1 4 2 0 0 6 3 0 9
6 Chelsea 3 2 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 2 2 5 7
7 Everton 5 2 1 0 9 2 0 0 2 2 6 3 7
8 Leicester City 5 1 1 0 3 2 1 0 2 5 4 2 7
9 West Ham United 3 2 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 2 2 2 7
10 Leeds United 5 1 1 1 3 3 1 0 1 3 2 1 7
11 Sunderland 5 1 1 0 2 0 1 0 2 3 7 -2 7
12 Liverpool 4 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 4 3 0 6
13 Watford 5 1 0 2 3 4 1 0 1 1 2 -2 6
14 Southampton 4 1 0 1 4 5 1 0 1 2 4 -3 6
15 Wimbledon 5 0 1 1 3 4 1 1 1 6 9 -4 5
16 Coventry City 5 1 0 2 3 3 0 1 1 1 2 -1 4
17 Bradford City 4 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 2 1 3 -2 4
18 Derby County 5 0 0 2 2 5 1 1 1 2 2 -3 4
19 Newcastle United 5 0 1 2 4 6 0 0 2 3 7 -6 1
20 Sheffield Wednesday 5 0 0 3 2 6 0 1 1 1 5 -8 1
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 25/08/99 ***
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
08/08/99 Everton Away D 1-1 10 39,141
11/08/99 Sheffield Wednesday Home W 4-0 3 54,941
14/08/99 Leeds United Home W 2-0 1 55,187
22/08/99 Arsenal Away W 2-1 1 38,147
25/08/99 Coventry City Away W 2-1 1 22,024
*** TEAM RESULTS SUMMARY - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 25/08/99 ***
P Won Drawn Lost For Against Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home 2 2 (100%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 6 (3.0) 0 (0.0) 6 (3.0)
Away 3 2 (67%) 1 (33%) 0 (0%) 5 (1.7) 3 (1.0) 7 (2.3)
Total 5 4 (80%) 1 (20%) 0 (0%) 11 (2.2) 3 (0.6) 13 (2.6)
Averages per game in (brackets)
League position: 1st
Form position: 2nd (Index: 75%)
Predicted position: 1st
(The higher the form index, the higher the average
league position of the recent opposition)
Highest league position: 1st
Lowest league position: 1st
(Excluding the first 4 matches)
*** TEAM STATISTICS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 25/08/99 ***
AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE: 55,064
HIGHEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 14/08/99 - Leeds United (55,187)
LOWEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 11/08/99 - Sheffield Wednesday (54,941)
BEST WIN: 11/08/99 - Sheffield Wednesday (4-0)
BEST HOME WIN: 11/08/99 - Sheffield Wednesday (4-0)
BEST AWAY WIN: 22/08/99 - Arsenal (2-1)
25/08/99 - Coventry City (2-1)
*** ATTENDANCE TABLE AS AT 25/08/99 ***
Manchester United @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 55,064
Liverpool @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 44,174
Sunderland @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 41,155
Leeds United @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 39,628
Arsenal @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 38,082
Newcastle United @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 36,336
Chelsea @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 34,951
Everton @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 34,571
Middlesbrough @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 33,890
Tottenham Hotspur @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 31,620
Aston Villa @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 28,294
Sheffield Wednesday @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 26,608
Derby County @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24,973
West Ham United @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24,821
Leicester City @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 20,132
Coventry City @@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 19,875
Bradford City @@@@@@@@@@@@@ 18,276
Watford @@@@@@@@@@@@ 16,745
Southampton @@@@@@@@@@@ 15,118
Wimbledon @@@@@@@@ 10,836
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: Clinical Scholes steers United to emphatic win - Telegraph
By William Johnson
Coventry City (0) 1 Manchester Utd (0) 2
MANCHESTER United gave an emphatic answer to those rivals who are hoping
that all the distractions they face this season will leave them vulnerable
in their Championship defence. They did little more than they had to ensure
there was no shock result at Highfield Road.
Coventry's hopes of taking some reward for a moderate display were raised
briefly by a neat response from substitute John Aloisi but Gordon Strachan,
who turned his back on his opposite number at the final whistle, was the
more forlorn of the two managerial rivals.
Sir Alex Ferguson's team were clearly looking for an early success against a
Coventry side boosted by Robbie Keane's match-winning debut against Derby on
Saturday and Dwight Yorke should have provided it for them from the first of
few chances carved out in an uneventful first half.
Yorke effortlessly created his own space just outside the Coventry penalty
area and his crisp low shot beat Magnus Hedman only to strike an upright and
rebound just out of the reach of Teddy Sheringham.
Ryan Giggs might also have snatched an interval lead for the Treble winners,
the Welsh winger bursting through the Coventry rearguard in thrilling
fashion before shooting across the face of the goal.
The best move of that opening period featured David Beckham's exquisite
reverse ball to Sheringham, whose swiftness of thought allowed Yorke a
first-time shot which flashed just wide of the left-hand post.
Coventry, whose already limited fluency was interrupted by the loss of Noel
Whelan after what looked an innocuous touchline tackle, went closest to a
first-half breakthrough when Youssef Chippo threaded a pass into the path of
Stephen Froggatt. He crossed towards Keane, who was denied his third goal in
two matches by Denis Irwin's anticipation.
The home team also threatened when Froggatt caught a casual Henning Berg in
possession and raced towards the danger area. Berg's recovery was excellent,
however, and the Norwegian defender prevented his opponent from crossing.
A head injury to Nicky Butt, sustained when he instinctively blocked a
fierce rising drive from Paul Telfer, proved fortuitous in shaping the
destiny of the points.
On came Paul Scholes, to the satisfaction of the watching Kevin Keegan, and
he almost immediately came up trumps. Denied a goal from his first touch by
Chippo's covering tackle, he scored with his second after Beckham had
quickly returned the loose ball from the right wing.
Scholes, whose deflected 62nd-minute drive gave Hedman no chance, then
turned provider to start the sweet move which led to United's second. The
versatile midfielder found Beckham with a raking cross-field ball and the
ensuing cross was typically precise, Yorke meeting it at the far post with a
downward header.
United needed that two-goal cushion because Coventry eventually put together
a movement of note to claw themselves back into contention 11 minutes from
the end. Again it was a new arrival who celebrated, Aloisi showing
tremendous sharpness to run on to Chippo's pass and beat Raimond Van Der
Gouw with an angled shot.
Van Der Gouw, showing no ill-effects from the worrying facial injury he
received during Sunday's vital win at Arsenal, had not had a shot to save
until then and United maintained their second-half aggression to make sure
that he had few worries in the closing stages.
The busier goalkeeper late on was Hedman, who did well to get down to a
clever shot by Irwin, who had cut in from the left to shoot low and
powerfully with his right foot.
Coventry City: Hedman; Breen, Shaw, Williams (Konjic 84), Edworthy; Chippo,
McAllister, Whelan (Telfer 34) Hadji (Aloisi 70), Froggatt; Keane. Subs:
Nuzzo (g), Strachan. Booked: Froggatt.
Manchester United: Van Der Gouw; P Neville (Curtis 78), Berg, Stam, Irwin;
Beckham, Butt (Scholes 61), Keane, Giggs; Sheringham (Solksjaer 73), Yorke.
Subs: Culkin (g), Cole. Booked: Beckham.
Referee: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: SOLSKJAER SET FOR SUPER CUP
By PA Sport Staff
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will keep his squad rotation
policy for Friday's Super Cup clash against Lazio in Monaco.
But the United chief insisted the competition - yet another distraction in
an already congested fixture list - is worth winning.
Ferguson left Andy Cole and Paul Scholes out of his starting line-up for
Wednesday's 2-1 win at Coventry.
And there will be other changes with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer certain to play
up front - probably in partnership with Cole.
That would suggest Dwight Yorke and Teddy Sheringham - brought in to good
effect at Highfield Road - will be rested ahead of Monday's Premiership
clash with crisis club Newcastle United.
Ferguson is also contemplating leaving out veteran full-back Denis Irwin
while Nicky Butt is unlikely to play after suffering double vision at Coventry
Ferguson said: "I thought I should freshen it up on Wednesday and I have
had a big programme to think about with three matches in five days.
"Andy Cole had a breather and Scholes a bit of a rest and I will rest
others on Friday. We will change it around again.
"We did the right things at the right times last season in freshening up
certain players and we will do it again this year.
"Solskjaer will definitely play, probably Andy Cole as well, and I might
bring in one of the young players like Wilson or Greening.
"I will also look at Denis Irwin and may leave him out. He's getting old
now! I will see what he is like.
"But it is such a hard pitch, not the easiest to play on, and he picked up
a calf injury the last time he played on it.
"We will have a look at Nicky Butt but I don't think he will be involved."
Ferguson insisted: "We want to win on Friday. That is important. It is a
prestigious competition but having seven substitutes does allow me the
chance to tinker a little bit."
He is more than satisfied with the way United have started the season and
four successive wins have secured them top place in the Premiership after
the opening day draw with Everton.
Ferguson said: "We have been passing well all season and even in the draw
at Everton we should have killed things off but got careless towards the end.
"In the first half at Arsenal we were brilliant and played some great
penetrating football. We did well at Coventry as well and I am pleased with
the performance of the players."
Meanwhile Gary Neville could make a surprise return for Manchester United
against Lazio.
The England defender, included in Kevin Keegan's squad for next month's
Euro 2000 qualifiers against Luxembourg and Poland, flew out with the
United party after coming through 60 minutes of reserve team action on
Wednesday night.
Neville has not played a competitive game since last May's dramatic
Champions League final because of a persistent groin injury.
He is still not fully match fit, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed he
could play.
"I have to decide whether it's worth starting him," he said.
"It depends on how he feels he has come out of the game last night and he
only played for an hour.
"But it's not tomorrow which is important for Gary, it's the rest of the
season.
"We gave him a little break in the summer - he needed that - and I think
you will find his fitness will start to get better in a few weeks' time."
The match in the Stade Louis II will be United's third in six days and
Ferguson wants to keep his first choice players fresh.
© PA Sporting Life
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
Subject: Gould Wants Fergie Punished (Soccernet)
Sir Alex is in the wrong and has to pay
By David McDonnell
Bobby Gould is perhaps the only man in football brave enough, some might
even say foolhardy enough, to articulate what his peers are currently
terrified to discuss in public - the possible shaming of Sir Alex Ferguson.
While his fellow members cower at the very thought of the League Managers'
Association bringing Ferguson to book over the insults he fired at Coventry
boss Gordon Strachan and Blackburn's Brian Kidd in his recent autobiography,
Gould stepped forward to demand action against football's most powerful
figure.
The former Wales manager, unlike his colleagues, openly expressed his anger
at Ferguson's behaviour and insisted that all managers should be treated the
same regardless of their status.
'If somebody other than Sir Alex Ferguson had made those remarks, there's no
doubt they would have been called to account by now,' said Gould.
'Alex should issue a public statement to both Gordon and Brian and apologise
for what he said about them. That's the least they deserve.
'There's also the question of whether he has brought the game into
disrepute, and there seems to be evidence to suggest that could be the case.
'I've had meltdown from Alex on the phone before over Ryan Giggs playing for
Wales, but I'm not scared of him. If he wants to ring me up to have a go
about this he knows my telephone number.'
Gould's anger was matched by LMA chief executive John Barnwell's anger that
Sportsmail had dared raise the prospect of Ferguson facing action in
yesterday's exclusive report.
'I'm furious that this story was leaked in this way and I've nothing further
to say on it,' was his angry retort, although he did add: 'The paper was out
of order with that story, trying to stir something up while we're trying to
settle things.'
Yet why was Barnwell so angry about the revelation of the story? Could it be
that, like many throughout the game, he is simply afraid of Ferguson and the
power he wields?
Indeed, it appears the fear and intimidation Ferguson uses to inspire his
teams to unparalleled success on the field has manifested itself beyond the
dressing room and ensured that he remains untouchable off it as well.
In simple terms, Ferguson has his tendrils in every nook and cranny of the
game and the apprehension he instills among those at the highest level is
camouflaged as reverence.
There are some managers whose record and status are such that their judgment
is sought on everything, from player signings to managerial appointments and
contract renewals.
Ferguson is such a man and his opinions are considered sacrosanct. It is
understood he was recently called by a high-profile club seeking his views
on a managerial candidate.
The verdict from Old Trafford was unfavourable and the applicant was
subsequently turned down, offering further evidence of Ferguson's
far-reaching influence.
The latest episode involving Ferguson and the LMA offers evidence that
Ferguson is seemingly beyond reproach when it comes to those in charge of
football.
The LMA usually takes a dim view of managers or players speaking out of line
and has prided itself on upholding the code of conduct by which those
involved in the game should abide.
When Ruud Gullit launched a scathing attack on referee Uriah Rennie and had
to be physically held back from confronting the official after the recent
game against Aston Villa, Barnwell condemned the Dutchman and insisted the
LMA would not tolerate a repeat.
Furthermore, the association's top man displayed all the negotiating skills
of United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan in persuading Kidd not to
take legal action against Ferguson over comments the United boss made in his
book.
Kidd, Ferguson's former deputy at United, was described by the Scot as an
insecure moaner who wanted to sign John Hartson ahead of Dwight Yorke and
who allegedly went to the board behind the manager's back. The LMA persuaded
Kidd to pull back and shelve his plans to sue.
Both incidents reveal the ability of the organisation to act swiftly and
decisively when it chooses, yet when it comes to the most powerful manager
in British football, normal rules do not seem to apply.
As well as his outspoken views on Kidd, Ferguson also faces the prospect of
being called to account for his forthright appraisal of Strachan. In his
book, Managing My Life, Ferguson described his fellow Scot and former player
as: 'Someone I wouldn't want to turn my back on, a man who could not be
trusted an inch.'
Yesterday, when Sportsmail asked Barnwell about these slurs, he insisted
that no-one had been spoken to.
However, the reality is that negotiations are already under way to try to
find a peaceful conclusion to the controversy without the added problem of
dealing with it in the glare of the public spotlight. Soccernet's disclosure
of the episode, however, has rendered such a prospect impossible.
The LMA now finds itself facing the hugely embarrassing prospect of having
to take action against one of its members - and one of its most ardent
supporters at that.
The irony is that Ferguson is a member of the LMA committee, which includes
Dave Bassett, David Pleat, Brian Flynn, Frank Clark and Brian Little, with
Barnwell head of affairs.
Moreover, Ferguson is one of the committee's most enthusiastic supporters,
who is understood to make a point of attending every meeting.
Gould's standpoint is shared by many in football who believe Ferguson should
be called to account for his behaviour.
Whether that happens will depend on the LMA having the courage to stand up
to its highest-profile member or choosing to shy away from open
confrontation.
Click On pic - for latest interviews/pics from OT"
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