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www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Sun Dec 06 07:49:31 GMT+00:00 1998
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 05/12/98 ***
2. Villa Report (ET)
3. Aston Villa - United (TV report)
4. Kiddo Wants Choccy & Phil (Mirror)
5. Fergie On Kidd (ET)
6. Cole Interview (ET)
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Sun 6th December:
6/11/1952: David Pegg made his senior debut against Middlesbrough. Pegg was an
elegant winger who wonYouth Cup medals in 1953 and 1954. Later he won League
Championship medals in 1956 and 1957, and a losers medal in the 1957 FA
Cup Final. Had made 148 appearances and scored 28 goals before dying in
the Munich Disaster aged just 22. One cap for England in 1957.
1997: United win 3-1 at Liverpool in the Premiership watched by 41,027
with goals from Andy Cole 2 and David Beckham. Team was: Schmeichel,
G.Neville, P.Neville, Berg, Johnsen, Pallister, Beckham, Butt, Cole, Sheringham, Giggs.
************
Barry Daily Comment:
A draw yesterday was a good result at Villa, now for Bayern on Wednesday.
We will need a great atmosphere at OT to lift the team.
Remaining 1998 games:
ALL Result/Fixture Index:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm
Wed 9/12 Bayern Munich (H) CL 19.45
Sat 12/12 Tottenham (A) PL 15.00
Wed 16/12 Chelsea (H) PL sky sports time 20.00
Sat 19/12 Middlesbrough (H) PL 15.00
Sat 26/12 Nottm Forest (H) PL 15.00
Tue 29/12 Chelsea (A) PL sky sports time 19.45 UK
UNITED Stats v Tottenham:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/vstottenham.htm
*** 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
******
Champions League:
Group D P W D L F A Pts
Bayern Munich 5 3 1 1 8 5 10
Man United 5 2 3 0 19 10 9
Barcelona 5 1 2 2 9 9 5
Brondby 5 1 0 4 4 16 3
Sep 16 Brøndby 2-1 Bayern München
Sep 16 Man Utd 3-3 Barcelona
Sep 30 Barcelona 2-0 Brøndby
Sep 30 Bayern Munich 2-2 Man Utd
Oct 21 Brøndby 2-6 Man Utd
Oct 21 Bayern Munich 1-0 Barcelona
Nov 4 Barcelona 1-2 Bayern Munich
Nov 4 Man Utd 5-0 Brøndby
Nov 25 Barcelona 3-3 Man Utd
Nov 25 Bayern Munich 2-0 Brøndby
to play.....
Dec 9 Brøndby v Barcelona
Dec 9 Man Utd v Bayern Munich
******
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: *** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 05/12/98 ***
Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United 39,241
Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Charlton Athletic 22,568
Derby County 0-0 Arsenal 29,018
Everton 0-0 Chelsea 36,430
Leeds United 4-0 West Ham United 30,320
Leicester City 2-0 Southampton 18,423
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool 36,125
Wimbledon 2-1 Coventry City 11,717
*** FULL LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 05/12/98 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Aston Villa 15 5 2 1 14 9 3 4 0 9 4 10 30
2 Manchester United 15 6 2 0 21 8 2 3 2 10 9 14 29
3 Leeds United 16 5 2 1 14 3 1 6 1 12 11 12 26
4 Arsenal 16 4 4 0 11 3 2 4 2 4 4 8 26
5 West Ham United 16 4 3 1 12 9 3 2 3 8 11 0 26
6 Chelsea 14 4 3 0 11 4 2 4 1 11 9 9 25
7 Middlesbrough 15 3 4 0 12 5 2 4 2 12 12 7 23
8 Wimbledon 16 4 3 1 13 9 2 2 4 8 17 -5 23
9 Liverpool 16 3 3 2 15 10 3 1 4 12 11 6 22
10 Derby County 16 2 4 2 6 6 3 3 2 9 8 1 22
11 Tottenham Hotspur 16 4 2 2 13 13 2 2 4 8 11 -3 22
12 Leicester City 16 4 2 2 11 8 1 4 3 7 10 0 21
13 Newcastle United 15 4 2 2 13 10 1 2 4 6 9 0 19
14 Everton 16 1 5 2 2 5 3 2 3 8 10 -5 19
15 Sheffield Wednesday 15 3 2 2 7 3 1 2 5 7 12 -1 16
16 Charlton Athletic 16 2 3 2 13 8 1 4 4 9 16 -2 16
17 Coventry City 16 3 2 3 9 10 1 1 6 5 13 -9 15
18 Blackburn Rovers 16 3 1 4 10 10 0 2 6 5 14 -9 12
19 Nottingham Forest 15 1 4 3 6 9 1 1 5 6 15 -12 11
20 Southampton 16 1 2 5 9 17 1 2 5 3 16 -21 10
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 05/12/98 ***
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
*** TEAM RESULTS SUMMARY - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 05/12/98 ***
P Won Drawn Lost For Against Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home 8 6 (75%) 2 (25%) 0 (0%) 21 (2.6) 8 (1.0) 20 (2.5)
Away 7 2 (29%) 3 (43%) 2 (29%) 10 (1.4) 9 (1.3) 9 (1.3)
Total 15 8 (53%) 5 (33%) 2 (13%) 31 (2.1) 17 (1.1) 29 (1.9)
Averages per game in (brackets)
League position: 2nd
Form position: 3rd (Index: 51%)
Predicted position: 3rd
(The higher the form index, the higher the average
league position of the recent opposition)
Highest league position: 2nd
Lowest league position: 10th
(Excluding the first 4 matches)
*** TEAM STATISTICS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 05/12/98 ***
AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE: 55,173
HIGHEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 17/10/98 - Wimbledon (55,265)
LOWEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 15/08/98 - Leicester City (55,052)
BEST WIN: 17/10/98 - Wimbledon (5-1)
HEAVIEST DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
BEST HOME WIN: 17/10/98 - Wimbledon (5-1)
BEST AWAY WIN: 03/10/98 - Southampton (3-0)
31/10/98 - Everton (4-1)
HEAVIEST AWAY DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Villa Report (ET)
Joachim helps Villa pass first leg of their triple test
By Patrick Barclay at Villa Park
Aston Villa (0) 1 Manchester United (0) 1
AT HALF-TIME we were wondering if these teams, such energetic traders in
goals of late, had undergone a communal drama bypass. Then the match of the
day remembered to genuflect towards its billing and Aston Villa emerged with
honour from the first instalment of a nine-day programme on which their
championship credentials will be judged.
Within 90 seconds of the resumption, Manchester United took the lead through
Paul Scholes, but Julian Joachim soon replied with the aid of a deflection
off Denis Irwin and that goal, however lucky, kept Villa at the top, a
position they have occupied for three months. A point was the least they
deserved, for John Gregory's men had the better of the first half and of
thrilling scenes that followed their equaliser, during which Alan Thompson
thumped a free-kick that was still rising when it struck a post.
For United the result was more heartening than the performance, though this
may have had something to do with the little matter of Bayern Munich in the
Champions' League on Wednesday. "I'm happy to get something out of a game
like this," said Ferguson. "Our goal spurred Villa on and they were the
better side." Gratefully he reported no injuries to a squad whose depth,
designed to combine European ambitions with domestic, must daunt even the
likes of Villa.
In midweek it had been sobering to watch United's second string (augmented
by Ryan Giggs) push an inspired Tottenham all the way in the Worthington
Cup, succumbing only to vintage David Ginola, and reflect that they could
probably finish mid-table in the Premiership. No doubt, once Murdoch and
company have revised the league's regulations, they will have the
opportunity.
While United do not quite have a monopoly of talent yet, you can only admire
the way they bring along their youngsters. The latest to shine is Jonathan
Greening, whom Ferguson bought from York in March.
This, however, was an occasion for the first team or thereabouts. Giggs, who
made his comeback after a foot injury in north London, was on the bench
until the start of the second half, when he replaced Jesper Blomqvist. But
inevitably attention focused on Dwight Yorke, who received a mildly hostile
reception on the ground he left for Old Trafford.
His first significant act was just what the Holte End would have ordered, as
emphasised by their raucous glee when he collected Andy Cole's header, took
aim from 20 yards - and screwed the trundling ball at least as far off
target. And it did not get much better. When Cole was chosen to give way to
Nicky Butt in the closing stages, Ferguson buttressing his midfield, the
decision was surely made to save the pride of Yorke, who was promptly
cautioned for haranguing a linesman.
Villa had to begin their trilogy of truth - they visit Chelsea on Wednesday
and play host to Arsenal next Sunday - without Paul Merson and the suspended
Stan Collymore. Joachim continued to partner Dion Dublin and contributed
enough mobility and enthusiasm to earn a hearty pat on the back.
Having wasted an early chance, flapping at a ball that had bounced off Gary
Neville's chest, Joachim set up Lee Hendrie with an astute pass inside.
Hendrie danced around Jaap Stam but could not establish the control
necessary to permit a shot, and when Ian Taylor tried to help him out, Peter
Schmeichel intervened with an outstretched hand.
Villa also threatened from a Hendrie corner to which Ugo Ehiogu rose at the
near post, heading just wide as Schmeichel scrambled blindly. The
35-year-old goalkeeper was, however, at his most resolute in saving at
Joachim's feet when, after a swift break, Taylor's fine pass enabled the
striker to bisect Neville and Stam; Joachim could still have profited from a
more careful first touch.
An angry exchange between Schmeichel and Stam testified to United's
discomfort in defence. Nor were they obtaining much joy in attack, even if
Villa were thankful for Gareth Barry's alertness on the line when, from a
corner, Wes Brown headed firmly for goal and Cole, twisting, glanced the
ball away from Michael Oakes.
Oakes was largely responsible for Villa's falling behind. Cole, out on the
right, cleverly teased Barry and crossed, Oakes ineptly pushing the ball
into the air for Scholes to drive it back, with an admirably composed left
foot, through the goalkeeper's legs. If United were fortunate to be in
front, mischievous coincidence soon assisted in the equaliser, for as
Joachim shot, Irwin lunged in and the ball spun from the Irishman's leg over
a helpless Schmeichel.
Joachim went close after a determined run, Thompson made the upright shiver,
but United survived. "It was vibrant," said Gregory's assistant, Steve
Harrison, "and good to be on the front foot against United. But we'd have
liked three points." And perhaps Villa needed them. As time goes by, the
danger is that the disparity in resources between the clubs will become more
obvious.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Aston Villa - United (TV report)
Villa began with a little intimidation by presenting Big Dion with his
Player of the Month award while all the players were out on the pitch.
I'm sure Dion's recent scoring stats rattled the United team but they
are probably even more impressed by some of Dion's other vital
statistics (which we won't go into here).
It looked cold out on the pitch and both teams took a while to get
warmed up as the opening few minutes were quite scrappy. The Villa fans
warmed up with a barrage of boos aimed at Yorkie and Becks plus the
occasional tuneless rendition of 'Stand Up if you Envy ManU', or
something like that. After a few limp punches, the game did warm up and
it was Villa who got the better of the early exchanges as the Reds
seemed to be standing off them, allowing them far too much space. On 20
minutes, Schmnikes came out to punch clear a Villa corner and, gulp,
missed leaving Ehiogu with a free header that went just wide. A few
minutes later, we were very lucky when two Villa players got in each
other's way with only a prostrate Schmeichel to beat. As they dithered
and danced around the ball inviting each other to shoot (obviously real
gentlemen) Schmikes slid in and hooked the ball away with his
tentacle-like arm.
By now, the game was on, and just a couple of minutes later Cole (I
think) had a header nodded off the line, and then later should have done
much better with a Gazza Neville cross from the left. But, with about 10
minutes to go to half time, we began to impose ourselves with some good
possession play without actually threatening to score. There was a bit
of a mix-up towards the end of the first half when Jaap and Schmikes got
in each other's way. The pair of them had a mini confrontation, like a
couple of dinosaurs, but Jaap must know by now that Schmikes's bark is
worse than his bite.
The ref blew his whistle to end a first half that was by no means a
classic. Villa were a little wary, I think, having just been beaten by
Liverpool and having scraped a draw against lowly Forest so they clearly
weren't in the mood to come out with all guns a-blazing and risk another
humiliation. Meanwhile, United have got rather bigger fish to fry on
Wednesday, and this may account for the fairly subdued way they played
that first half. At this point, a goal-less draw looked a good bet, but
we have our secret weapon of course: Fergie. Whatever we've done in the
first half, I always feel confident that we'll do better in the second
once Fergie has analysed the situation and come up with revised tactics.
Certainly, he needed to do something about Jesper, who was having a bad
game out on the left, and I was also getting heart palpitations every
time Wes moved up to leave gaping holes at the back. Would Fergie, now
Kidd-less, still be able to put us on the right track?
Within two minutes of the re-start, we had the answer. Doing Becks's job
for him, Cole got behind the Villa defence by beating his man and put in
a tantalising cross that the goalie could only just get a hand to. The
ball fell out to Scholes who blasted in a left-footer, his seventh of
the season. Suddenly, I was worried. Now we had something to defend.
After the goal we looked really good for a few minutes and I was getting
the feeling we'd be two points clear tonight. Whenever I get this sort
of feeling, I know we're doomed. And sure enough, a lucky deflection off
Dinnnis's boot (from Joachim's shot) wrong-footed the Great Dane and we
were back level. But it was worse than before. Villa had had a piece of
lucky and they now intended to capitalize on it by taking the game to
us.
Within minutes, they had another shot just wide and then a sizzling free
kick hit the post with Schmikes apparently having taken root in the goal
mouth. Villa were suddenly finding oceans of space, which prompted
Fergie to send on Butty for Cole. Not sure if this was such a wise move
as our goal had come from Cole's brilliance down the wing. Far better
might have been to take off Giggs, who'd come on for (the injured?)
Blomqvist. Giggsy really didn't look match fit but I suppose he'll only
get match-fit by playing matches such as this one. He certainly doesn't
look ready for Wednesday yet.
In the last 15 minutes or so, we steadied our ship, despite the best
efforts of the moronic referee and his assistants who penalised us for
everything and even handed out a stack of yellow cards for innocuous
challenges and, in Yorke's case, moaning at the assistant referee.
The ref finally ended the game. A draw is probably the right result. I
thought we might have done better to hang onto that 1-0 lead but Villa
had enough chances to have won the match so we can't begrudge them the
deflection that brought their equaliser. If we play on Wednesday as we
played today, we may not be quite so fortunate to get a draw. But I feel
we were playing well within ourselves today and are more than capable of
stepping up a gear or two. Stam, Keano and Paul'Thank God he scores
goals' Scholes performed really well today. But we're going to need
Giggsy as well and his contribution today was not all that comforting.
So, it was a good point earned against the league leaders and, if we did
okay with injuries today, I think we can look confidently towards the
Munich game.
by Terry Dale
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Kiddo Wants Choccy & Phil (Mirror)
KIDD'S AFTER A BIG MAC
BRIAN KIDD is planning to hit his old bosses at Manchester United with a
double whammy as he moves for Brian McClair and Phil Neville. Blackburn boss
Kidd wants close friend McClair to be his number two at Rovers and pinch him
from under the noses of Alex Ferguson and his board.
By ALAN NIXON
And Kidd is also plotting a sensational transfer swoop for England star
Neville, who is increasingly being left on the sidelines at Old Trafford.
Kidd spoke to McClair yesterday about the post and will ask Motherwell for
permission to take their club skipper as his assistant.
Quick-moving Kidd stepped in immediately for McClair after hearing that his
old club United had short- listed the shrewd Scot as his replacement.
But while McClair, 35 next week, has told friends that he is not ready for a
senior first-team coaching job at Old Trafford, he could fit in perfectly at
Blackburn.
Kidd wants to carry on coaching but needs a sidekick who can act as a buffer
with the players and also handle the demands of media work.
McClair was so popular at United with management and team-mates that he even
used to negotiate contracts for the young players with Alex Ferguson.
His dry humour is also recognised as being beneficial around the dressing
room.
Last night McClair was considering the offer and is likely to say yes,
despite the fact that his family are back in Scotland. He always got on well
with Kidd and was known to be keen to step up into management at some stage.
McClair only made the move from Manchester last summer after being given a
free transfer. There would only be a small fee involved to take him from
Motherwell.
The swoop would complete a fantastic week for Kidd - and add to United's
misery. The sight of a second stalwart going to Blackburn would stun the Old
Trafford fans and board alike.
Kidd walks into Blackburn as manager for the first time today but he has
already been given a two-hour briefing by caretaker Tony Parkes.
Parkes said: "I have spoken to Brian in great detail and it's inevitable,
like any new manager, that he may want to bring in his own staff.
"He made the point that the present staff might not want to work with him
and it was a two-way thing. But I'm optimistic there will still be a role
for me and there is a spring in the step of everyone at the club again.
"I feel very good about the whole thing after meeting Brian. We've got a top
class man there. I think Brian is a leading coach, he was at the best club
in England and probably Europe.
Warmth
"I know him from the past, he is a sensible man and a knowledgeable one. I'm
sure Blackburn will have great days with him."
Kidd's arrival, however, will not be met with the same warmth throughout
Ewood Park. Skipper Tim Sherwood is still determined to leave and ironically
his last act for Blackburn could have been the clash with United's David
Beckham that earned him a red card.
Kidd is unlikely to give the captain's armband to a player who has been
desperate to leave all season and is wanted by Tottenham.
Chris Sutton's future is also in doubt. He may be missing for the next month
as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Sutton may quit if Rovers go down but seems to have been lifted by Kidd's
arrival. He said: "Brian has got a tremendous reputation as a coach and we
hope we can help him sort things out.
"Nobody likes seeing this club in the situation we are in."
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Fergie On Kidd (ET)
Kidd's drive earns praise of Ferguson
By William Johnson
AS Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards was hastily issuing statements
insisting that the departure of coach Brian Kidd to Blackburn Rovers was not
financially motivated, Alex Ferguson and his players were coming to terms
with what could be as big a blow as the retirement of Eric Cantona.
Kidd's part in United's success story this decade is not as eye-catching as
Cantona's or that of goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who is also to leave Old
Trafford, but to Ferguson it has been colossal.
The United manager, who, since Kidd stepped up from youth development
officer to No 2 in 1991 following the loss of Archie Knox to Rangers, has
secured four Premiership titles and the 'double Double', could not conceal
his despair after training yesterday.
"It is difficult to take, because we are in the middle of a really important
programme for the club," said Ferguson, preparing for today's domestic
summit meeting at Aston Villa, which will be followed by the Champions'
League decider against Bayern Munich.
He must be wondering how a club of United's status could allow such a
situation to arise. Money might not be Kidd's main reason for walking out on
United - but it has surely influenced his decision.
Kidd, who took 90 minutes to say his farewells at United's Cliff training
ground, has not yet given his view on the affair. He will face the media two
hours before Blackburn's game against Charlton and will then be introduced
to the Ewood Park crowd by the club's benefactor, Jack Walker. It was left
to Edwards and Ferguson to shed light on a week of intense negotiations.
"We offered him a substantial package but it became very obvious that his
departure had nothing to with remuneration," said Edwards. "The simple fact
is, Brian wanted to become a number one."
Ferguson's philosophical view was: "The one thing you can never
underestimate is people's ambitions and you have to encourage it. Brian felt
this was the time for him to try on his own and we wish him well in that."
Now the guessing game begins over who fills Kidd's shoes. Former Luton
manager Jim Ryan, United's reserve team coach, will be the manager's
right-hand man this afternoon and probably on Wednesday night, when a
European Cup quarter-final place will either be secured or snatched away.
After that, it is take your pick. Brian McClair, Ferguson's first big
signing for United 12 years ago, is a front-runner. Now at Motherwell, the
former Scotland striker has an FA coaching badge but does not yet consider
himself a proven coach. A university degree and Professional Footballers'
Association representative experience add to his credentials.
Sheffield United manager Steve Bruce, a long-standing club captain under
Ferguson, is another interested old boy, especially after his public
disagreement with the Bramall Lane board, while Hibernian manager Alex
McLeish, a stalwart in Ferguson's powerful Aberdeen team of the 1980s, did
little last night to endorse his club's declaration that he will not be
leaving Easter Road.
Mark McGhee, recently sacked by Wolverhampton, has been a protégé of
Ferguson throughout his managerial career, while Alex Miller, a successor of
Ferguson as Aberdeen manager, is another Scot who would welcome a move on to
a bigger stage.
The size of the job means that almost any football personality can be put
forward as a contender, not least Knox, Ferguson's former assistant, now
back in England as Everton No 2, and the disenchanted Nottingham Forest
manager, Dave Bassett.
Speculation is also starting on a smaller scale at Blackburn, where Tony
Parkes, whose latest fortnight of emergency duties came about with the shock
dismissal of Roy Hodgson, gives up the managerial reins for the fourth time.
Parkes, having met his new boss at Kidd's home on Thursday night, feels his
future at Ewood is reasonably safe, but not as assistant manager. He accepts
that Kidd will want to bring in his own staff.
"We have got a top-class man now," he said. "I'm relieved, and the players
will be, that the manager has been named."
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Cole Interview (ET)
United calypso is sweet music to the ears of cavalier Cole
By Henry Winter
OF the most stirring sights this season, it is hard to beat the sparkling
one-two between Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke that ripped through Barcelona's
defence like a chainsaw through papier maché. The quick reactions of mind
and body which led to Cole's goal reminded the viewing public of the
vibrancy contained in Manchester United's attack, of the talent of the
oft-criticised Cole.
Afterwards, Barcelona's defenders, notably the gracious Michael Reiziger,
opined that United should lift the European Cup simply because of the
potency of the Cole-Yorke partnership. In another corner of the cavernous
Nou Camp, Alex Ferguson, United's manager, purred about how the one-two had
resulted from special practice at their Cliff training ground.
"We have worked on it in training," said Cole on Thursday. "When we train,
we always pass to each other anyway. I think some of the chaps get
disappointed because we are always passing it to each other, having a laugh!
We've worked hard in training, trying to get something going." As the
one-two showed, Yorke and Cole are dove-tailing well.
The ball was slid in by Roy Keane. "Dwight dummied it," said Cole, "and as
soon as he let the ball run, I knew he wouldn't stand still, that he would
make a run. So I thought I would play the one-two. Dwight could either go on
himself or he could knock it back to me. Fortunately for me, he knocked it
back. With us, we are not really bothered who scores, as long as we keep
winning."
Winning they are, becoming serial scorers on the way. Even when United
concede goals, they look like scoring.
"It's funny," said Cole, "because the manager will turn round and say, 'I
don't want you to go out there and be sloppy'. But we are very cavalier at
the moment.
"I know the manager says, 'concentrate, concentrate, concentrate'. But we
are saying to ourselves, 'yes, we are concentrating but we know we are going
to score goals'. We are playing football like the West Indies play cricket.
We are playing calypso football.
"I think the 3-3 draw at Barcelona was the best game I've played for United.
Some of my mates phoned me afterwards and said it was like schoolboy
football, like being in the playground. They attack. You attack. When I sat
down and watched the video, I couldn't believe it. That's the way football
should be.
"We are averaging three goals a game. The boys are thinking, 'if they score,
we know we can score again'. I've never been in a team like this, which is
constantly on the attack. It's so enjoyable."
Cole, whose favourite players are George Weah and Ronaldo, cannot think of a
more attacking team in Europe than United, although he holds special
admiration for Barcelona and Juventus.
Pulses at Old Trafford have been quickened by his dynamic duet with Yorke,
not simply the flow of their goals but their clever movement.
"Because Dwight plays in different areas from me, I can make the same runs
as before," Cole continued. "He might make the odd run in behind defences,
but not as much as I do, which is good because he can drop deep, get the
ball to his feet and turn.
"Defenders never know what we are going to do. We've got a lot in our locker
now. You want defenders to fear you. Come Saturday, you want a defender to
be saying, 'we are playing against Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, David Beckham
and Ryan Giggs, it's going to be a hard day for us'. "
Perceived as surly but in reality just shy, Cole has become firm friends
with Yorke. The conscientious Cole made sure he visited Yorke at his hotel
to see how the new boy was settling in. "When we used to play Villa, I
always used to speak to him," Cole said. "Before he signed, I spoke to him
in the summer and he was saying he really wanted to come. I said I'd love to
have him. I didn't feel threatened. When he signed, a lot of people said
that would be the end of Andy Cole. But it's like that for me every season."
Because of his barrage of goals at Newcastle United, people expected Cole to
continue his prolific vein when he arrived for £6 million almost four years
ago. "A lot of people get stuck on that Newcastle thing," Cole responded.
"Kevin Keegan bought me to score goals. He knew what was required for me to
score goals."
Cole was not expected to create space or chances for others. "I never had to
do that. But when you come to a place like United, you have got to do it
because you all have to control the ball and feel comfortable with it.
"My whole game has improved since Newcastle - movement, creativity, my
general reading of the play. I know I've got to work even harder on my
heading." The change in the offside law has allowed him to sit on the
shoulder of the last defender. "That has helped, although it would help if
the linesmen kept up with play.
"I don't think people really appreciate the kind of movement I've got. It's
taken until Dwight came here for people to say, 'that was a good run by Andy
Cole'. I do a lot of graft off the ball but I enjoy it. That's my game."
Despite a healthy average of a goal per 1.88 games at United, a perception
persists of Cole as a striker who wastes a high percentage of chances. Glenn
Hoddle alluded to this when explaining his reasons for not selecting Cole
for the last England squad. Cole reacted with an angry rebuke to Hoddle in
the Sun (front page no less).
"I wasn't disappointed at being left out of the squad," Cole reflected.
"Because I've been left out many a time before. I can handle that. I'm a big
boy. What disappointed me was what Glenn Hoddle said. He doesn't talk about
anyone else like that. If he feels he wants to leave me out of every England
squad from now until Euro 2000, then that's entirely up to him. I've no axe
to grind. But if you are going to talk about me, there's freedom of speech
and I'll talk about you. I'm 27. I'm not a 16-year-old kid." The feeling
remains that Cole is desperate to add to his two England caps.
Whenever he is criticised, United's supporters simply sing his praises even
louder. "I love the United fans. When I had my sticky patch, they were
always behind me 100 per cent." They admire his determination. "That's a
value my mum and dad brought me up with: that no matter how badly things are
going against you, you can't hide.
"I don't really look back at the dark times now. It takes a lot to get me
down now. Football's a great sport and I love it, but there's more to life
than football. I look at people in not such a fortunate position as myself
and see they can keep smiling, so why can't I?"
Cole's sense of perspective was sharpened this week by a trip to Omagh,
whose branch of the United Supporters' Club had been visiting him at Old
Trafford when news of the bombing came through. After visiting bereaved
families, Cole left behind a trophy which schools will now compete for.
Today sees his sporting life resume, against Aston Villa and then, on
Wednesday, with the visit of Bayern Munich. He relishes the prospect of
Bayern's man-marking. "It's a good confrontation. Is he going to get the
better of you or are you going to get the better of him? Like all German
teams, Bayern are physical and strong and their will to win is just like the
English. They certainly can't say they are going to out-run or out-work us.
Because that is what we are about." Graft and craft: Cole encapsulated.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
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