www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Mon Dec 14 09:56:22 GMT+00:00 1998
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. BBC Report: Campbell double foils United
2. Personal Reports from Mick & Richard: You've only got 12 men !
3. BBC - Inquiry chief reassures Man Utd fans
4. Tottenham 2 Manchester Utd 2 365 report
5. BRUCE SILENT ON OLD TRAFFORD RETURN
6. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 2
7. FERGUSON FURY AFTER REDS LET IT SLIP
8. Fergie fit to change record By Gordon Strachan
9. United top fine week by going top of the league
10. FA may bring forward Cup's big day
11. Kidd update: Keen On £4m Ward
12. WHY WE SHOULD ALL SUPPORT UNITED from Singapore
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Mon 14th December 1998:
14/12/1967: Billy Boyd died in Bristol. Boyd joined United from Sheffield United and
made his debut at Swansea Town in February 1935. A consistent marksman during
his career, he scored 4 in 6 outings during 1935, signing off with all three in a 3-0
win against Hull City. He was capped twice by Scotland in 1931.
1985: United win 3-1 at Aston Villa in a Division 1 game watched by 27,626, with
goals from Clayton Blackmore, Mark Hughes and Gordon Strachan. Team was:
Turner, Gidman, C.Gibson, Whiteside, McGrath, Garton, Blackmore, Strachan,
Hughes, Stapleton (Brazil), Olsen.
************
Barry Daily Comment:
Just back in from London and White Hart Lane.....mu personal diary tomorrow!
Bill McArthur is now in Manchester until Thursday and will be attending
Chelsea at OT. You can meet him in the Throstles Nest before the game if you are going.
Have a RED day!
Barry
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/kidd.htm
Brian Kidd Press conference, pic, real audio
Remaining 1998 games:
ALL Result/Fixture Index:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm
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 Chelsea:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/vschelsea.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
12/12/98 Tottenham Hotspur Away D 2-2 1 36,079
******
Champions League:3
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
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
Dec 9 Brøndby 0-2 Barcelona
Dec 9 Man Utd 1-1 Bayern Munich
******
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 12/12/98 ***
Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Newcastle United 27,569
Derby County 2-2 Chelsea 29,056
Everton 1-0 Southampton 32,073
Leicester City 3-1 Nottingham Forest 20,891
Middlesbrough 1-0 West Ham United 34,623
Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Charlton Athletic 26,010
Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Manchester United 36,079
*** FULL LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 12/12/98 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Manchester United 16 6 2 0 21 8 2 4 2 12 11 14 30
2 Aston Villa 16 5 2 1 14 9 3 4 1 10 6 9 30
3 Chelsea 16 5 3 0 13 5 2 5 1 13 11 10 29
4 Middlesbrough 17 4 5 0 15 7 2 4 2 12 12 8 27
5 Leeds United 16 5 2 1 14 3 1 6 1 12 11 12 26
6 Arsenal 16 4 4 0 11 3 2 4 2 4 4 8 26
7 West Ham United 17 4 3 1 12 9 3 2 4 8 12 -1 26
8 Leicester City 17 5 2 2 14 9 1 4 3 7 10 2 24
9 Derby County 17 2 5 2 8 8 3 3 2 9 8 1 23
10 Tottenham Hotspur 17 4 3 2 15 15 2 2 4 8 11 -3 23
11 Wimbledon 16 4 3 1 13 9 2 2 4 8 17 -5 23
12 Liverpool 16 3 3 2 15 10 3 1 4 12 11 6 22
13 Sheffield Wednesday 17 5 2 2 13 5 1 2 5 7 12 3 22
14 Everton 17 2 5 2 3 5 3 2 3 8 10 -4 22
15 Newcastle United 17 4 2 2 13 10 1 4 4 8 11 0 21
16 Charlton Athletic 17 2 3 2 13 8 1 4 5 9 19 -5 16
17 Coventry City 16 3 2 3 9 10 1 1 6 5 13 -9 15
18 Blackburn Rovers 17 3 2 4 10 10 0 2 6 5 14 -9 13
19 Nottingham Forest 17 1 4 3 6 9 1 1 7 9 21 -15 11
20 Southampton 17 1 2 5 9 17 1 2 6 3 17 -22 10
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: BBC Report: Campbell double foils United
Tottenham 2-2 Manchester United
Spurs secured an important point after two set-piece
goals from captain Sol Campbell saw them secure a
point draw against 10-man United at White Hart Lane.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had put United ahead with two
goals in the first quarter - before Nicky Butt was sent off
for a second bookable offence.
Spurs secured the first chance of the match, however,
after a disastrous back pass from David Beckham.
It left Chris Armstrong with two chances to beat Peter Schmeichel
but he failed to find the necessary curl to hit the back of the net.
In an exhaustive opening 10 minutes, Spurs undoubtedly
had the better of the play and when Schmeichel fumbled
a high ball it looked as if the home fans were about to be
rewarded with an early goal.
Quick break: But a quick thinking clearance from Gary Neville found
Ryan Giggs breaking fast upfield and with the Spurs
defence looking depleted, United took their chance.
An inch-perfect cross from Beckham, headed on by
Giggs was saved superbly by Ian Walker - but he could
do nothing about Solskjaer's chip into the back of the net.
The goal clearly shocked Tottenham, who lost
momentum in midfield with Beckham and Nicky Butt
relishing the open spaces.
And when Beckham again found himself with time and
room on the right-hand side the second goal was never in
doubt.
Again he found Solskjaer - this time at the near post -
with the Norwegian heading in for his fifth goal in four
league games against Spurs.
United's only danger in the first quarter seemed to come
from within - with Schmeichel fumbling yet another cross
before failing to grasp a relatively straight-forward shot
from Luke Young.
But if Schmeichel's failings were uncovered early on then
so too were Tottenham's.
Defensively the home side were a shambles with
Beckham, Giggs and Roy Keane all given room to
flourish.
But with only minutes to go to the break United lost
Gary Neville for a second rash challenge on David Ginola
- leaving the home side with at least a glimpse of hope
going into the second-half.
Campbell finds form
The home side started with more purpose after half-time,
but were still unable to penetrate United's defence.
Indeed, they were lucky not to move 3-0 down when
Jaap Stam broke free on the right of midfield and fired a
superb shot across the face of Walker's goal.
Shortly after, Beckham was yellow-carded for feet up in
a tackle and Ronny Johnson provided United's sixth
bookable offence when he answered back to the referee.
It proved to be a blessing for Spurs, who brought it back
to 2-1 with the ensuing free-kick.
Anderton's cross was met high in the penalty area by
Campbell who headed it inches over Schmeichel's arms.
The goal seemed to inspire Tottenham who began
playing a much more fluid game.
And when Alan Nielsen fired his five-yard shot straight at
Schmeichel in the 70th minute it was obvious that Spurs
could sense the game was far from over.
The final quarter was undoubtedly all Tottenham, with United defending
stoutly inside their own half.
But the pressure paid off when seconds into injury time Carr was tripped by Jesper
Blomqvist.
The equaliser proved almost identical to Tottenham's
first, with Anderton crossing and Campbell heading into
the bottom of the net to earn Spurs a valuable point.
Teams:
Tottenham: Walker, Carr, Nielsen, Fox, Anderton,
Ferdinand, Armstrong, Ginola, Sinton, Campbell, Young.
Subs: Baardsen, Calderwood, Dominguez, Allen,
Clemence.
Man Utd: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Johnsen, Stam,
Beckham, Butt, Sheringham, Giggs, P. Neville, Keane,
Solskjaer. Subs: Van Der Gouw, Cole, Cruyff, Blomqvist,
Berg.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Personal Reports from Mick & Richard: You've only got 12 men !
- You've only got 12 men !
Apologies to those in far flung places who rely on and
enjoy the match reports from those lucky enough to see Utd
play - I'm feeling very angry still this morning and trying
hard not to sound to much like a bitter blue. Selfish I
know, but thats the way it is.
Spurs is always a good piss up and a is another good
opportunity to wind up some of the capitals most loyal fans
:))))) (biggest gate for spurs again).
Not since the days of Courtney at Anfield have I seen such a
disgracefully poor and biased refereeing performance as
that by Rennie yesterday - folks will blame the fancy dan
Ginola for getting a string of Utd players booked and Gary
sent off for his diving and blatant cheating (why he does
it I know not - what with the talent he has, and he is a
skillful player - he just does not need to blatantly cheat
in order to punish others) - but Rennie saw nothing in
anything that Spurs would do, but book Utd players and
award free kicks for less offenses.
Gary received 2 yellow cards - the first for nothing (MOTD
did not even show this), the 2nd Ginola beat him for pace
and went down like a sack of spuds - many claim that Gary
pulled him down, I have watched and rewatched the offense
on video - Ginola took Neville down with a piece of crafty
cheating - watch the offense and you will see that Ginolas
legs go before any sign of his top body being interfered
with.
Butt was booked for Ginola falling over his own boot laces
- although it looked like a lone sniper had taken a pot
shot from the grassy knoll !
Becks was booked for chasing a ball in an aggressive manner
and winning it - the ball hit sinton who had also been shot
and spent the next 20 seconds playing dead.
Teddy was booked for laughing at another crazy decision by Rennie
Ronnie was booked for dissent after throwing his arms in
the air. He had won the ball from Ginola, who again took a
tumble and got a free kick - that free kick resulted in the
1st Spurs goal.
Phills booking was deserved after a rash challenge.
Dissent bookings for Ronnie and Teddy can only be justified
if the Referee applies the law consistently - in the first
half Gary Neville tackled Ginola (who fell to the ground
and rolled several times) and put the ball out for a throw
in - Ginola incensed that he had not cheated a free kick,
chased Rennie across the pitch waving his arms like a madman
- is this not dissent ????
Rennie missed any Spurs offense, thought he saw a plethora
of Utd's and chucked some extra misdemeanors in for desert.
His linesmen (ah ha - assistants) may have well been
cardboard cut outs for all they did and did not see.
Needless to say Utd's following support responded in only
the way they know how. All the faves came out - what a
friend we have in Jesus, From the banks, forever & ever,
Red Flag, Kippax street, pride of all Europe + a few others
- You're the worst f**king ref we've ever seen, you've only
got 12 men - But the most emotional and hair raising moment
came as we all sang the 12 days of Cantona - half the reds
sang right up to number eleven and then the whole stand
arose and went mental for the last verse followed by a good
minute of United, united, united........ The Spurs fans
shit themselves, the red army was back in town and didn't
they know it.
As for the Utd performance - the old clique a game of two
halves comes to mind - the extra man of course did make a
difference in the second half, but Utd were unstoppable in
the first. Superb defending and classic counter attacks
(without some obvious 1st team choice players) warmed the
cockles. If I had to look for a man of the match Stam
played another solid game, Keane was as influential as ever
- but I would give it to Ronnie who looked great in the
center with Jaap, and got his head down and worked hard as
a right back once Gary went.
Oh and it pissed down all the way back to seven sisters
tube........
Mick.
**************
Personal Report From: Richard
Rennie & Ginola
I write this the morning after the game because,quite
frankly,I couldn't contain my anger last night after
leaving White Hart Lane and would probably have written
things that I wouldn't have been very proud of this
morning.Believe me,I certainly said them at the time,as did
2500 other around me.
That said,I still feel VERY pissed off this morning at the
complete incompetence of Uriah Rennie and the blatant
cheating of David Ginola. In my 27 years of watching
United,except for seeing first hand the performance of a
corrupt Swiss referee in the first away game against
Galatasaray in 1993,I CANNOT think of any refereeing
performance that was so bad.The rule book says that diving
is a bookable offence.Do it two or more times and you're
off.Rennie NEVER even spoke to him,despite actually waving
play on in at least 3 separate occasions when Ginola took a
dive.
I thought I'd catch MOTD this morning,fully expecting to
see this game as the main one and the two so-called
footballing pundits,Lawrenson & Hanson,holding nothing back
and slating Ginola for what he is,a cheat.Instead,what do
we get ? 5 minutes of nothing.Not even one controversial
moment analysed (and there were many to choose from).Once
again,the scouse-loving,United-hating BBC decide to
completely ignore the facts and brush everything that
happened under the carpets.Can you imagine what a field day
they would have had if the game had been at OT,it had been
Beckham who was diving all over the place and the referee
was a "homer" to us ?
Finally,two messages to the guilty parties:
To Uriah Rennie,a referee that I USED to respect,you are a
disgrace to your profession and I hope for your sake that
you are NEVER allowed to officiate a United game again.No
doubt,of course,Kelly and his wank cronies at the FA/PL
will be pencilling him in for as many United games as
possible in the future now.
And to David Ginola,a player with great footballing skills
that I USED to respect,you are a cheat,nothing more,nothing
less.There has only ever been one class French football
player in this country and you're not even fit to lick his
boots.Never has "The 12 Days Of Cantona" been sung with
more pride and passion than it was yesterday.I hope you
heard it loud and clear,cheat.
--
Richard
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: BBC - Inquiry chief reassures Man Utd fans
Supporters say the deal would harm the club
The head of the official inquiry into BSkyB's planned
£623m takeover of Manchester United has told fans
there is no "done deal".
Monopolies and Mergers Commission officials have been
meeting fans' groups in Manchester.
MMC chief Dr Derek Morris said after meeting the club's
independent supporters' association: "If it's a done deal
we don't know about it.
"We do not know what the outcome will be because we
are still hearing evidence, probing it, testing it and it will
be a long time before we come to a view."
Earlier the five-strong MMC panel - which is considering
the deal after it was referred by Trade Secretary Peter
Mandelson - met representatives from the
national Football Supporters' Association and the
Manchester-based Professional Footballers' Association.
The Independent Manchester United Supporters'
Association says the proposal should be blocked
because it will harm the club and damage the wider
interests of British football.
Spokesman Andy Walsh said the "gruelling" meeting
with the MMC had gone well.
"I think we got a very fair hearing from the MMC and we
are very grateful to them for giving so much time over to
the points that we had to raise.
"They listened with interest and cross-examined us quite
thoroughly on the evidence that we have submitted and
the comments our delegation made today."
Asked if his overriding feeling was hopeful he said: "My
overriding feeling is being very tired after over two hours
of gruelling cross examination.
"But we have always been hopeful that the strength of
feeling was such that if we got the opportunity to have
our arguments heard and have people listen to our
concerns as fans then we would be successful in trying to block this bid."
Dr Morris said the investigating panel had heard a lot of
"interesting information".
"We have obviously also got to discuss all this with
BSkyB and Manchester United themselves and at that
point we will then be able to start forming some views,
but it's still very early days."
More hearings will be held before and after New Year and
the panel will then consider its response, expected to be
published in mid-March.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Tottenham 2 Manchester Utd 2 365 report
IT WOULD have taken a 3-0 victory over rivals
Arsenal to match the exultant scenes at White Hart
Lane as Tottenham came back from two goals
down to deprive a furious 10-man Manchester
United victory in the dying seconds. This was a
match that had simply everything - four goals,
bookings galore, controversy, a first-half
sending-off for Gary Neville and that last-gasp
comeback capped by Sol Campbell's second goal of
the day for Tottenham.
Even the fact that United went top of the table for
the first time this season on goal difference thanks
to Chelsea's inability to win at Derby will have done
little to ease Alex Ferguson's wrath at his defence
and referee Uriah Rennie. In the first 20 minutes,
his side were breathtaking, destroying Tottenham
with two fabulous goals on the break, both to Ole
Gunnar Solskjaer, playing up front with Teddy
Sheringham in the absence of Andy Cole and
Dwight Yorke. But six minutes before the end of a
first half in which three colleagues were also shown
the yellow card, Neville was dismissed for his
second bookable offence, a clear tug on David
Ginola's shirt.
Tottenham were revitalised in a pulsating second
half in which tackles flew in from all angles, with
David Beckham at the centre of much of the
controversy yet again. And after Campbell had
pulled his side back into the game with 20 minutes
left and Allan Nielsen had missed a gilt-edged
chance to equalise, the Tottenham captain finally
levelled matters in the second minute of injury time.
Their joy was almost as great as when they
knocked United's reserve side out of the
Worthington Cup on the same ground just 10 days
ago. Ferguson's side were far stronger this time
but were still fallible at the back in the opening
exchanges as Peter Schmeichel flapped at crosses
and mis-kicked clearances. But just as Tottenham
were pressuring with a free kick close to the United
penalty area in the 12th minute, the Reds broke
clear with devastating speed. Ryan Giggs not only
started the move, sending Beckham away down the
right wing, but was in the penalty area to meet the
cross with a diving header which keeper Ian Walker
could only block. The rebound fell to Solskjaer, who
made no mistake from close range and Spurs were
left bewildered by the sucker punch.
They did not learn from their mistake though as
United virtually repeated the move six minutes
later. Again there was little obvious threat when
the ball was won in midfield but again Beckham was
sent away down the wing and once more he
delivered an inch-perfect centre. Solskjaer was so
quick off the mark that he beat Campbell to the
ensuing cross and gave Walker no chance with a
half-volley on the turn into the far corner.
Tottenham were being outplayed as Solskjaer
almost completed his hat-trick from another
Beckham cross, although Anderton did clip the bar
with a free kick and Ferdinand was full of running
up front. United's combative approach came at a
heavy price, with bookings for Nicky Butt, Teddy
Sheringham and Phil Neville before the defender's
elder brother was sent off. The full-back clearly
pulled back David Ginola in full flight and although
the winger was virtually accused of cheating a few
weeks ago against Nottingham Forest, this time
there was little doubt.
United hastily regrouped, with Keane an emergency
right-back until half-time when Henning Berg
replaced Solskjaer and Ronny Johnsen filled in to
mark Ginola, who gave him a torrid time. Stam did
test out Walker with a shot that deflected off Luke
Young but the match turned ugly when Beckham
flew in with a block tackle that sent Sinton to the
ground in apparent agony and the referee showed
an unwarranted yellow card. The Tottenham
defender had his revenge within minutes as he sent
Beckham sprawling and Keane was so angered that
he raced over to grab Sinton by the shirt as the
Spurs fans increased their Beckham-baiting to a
crescendo.
United were clearly rattled and with 20 minutes left,
Tottenham were back in the game as Campbell rose
high to power through a mass of players and meet
Anderton's free kick with a towering header that
flew past Schmeichel. Three minutes later, they
should have been level and Nielsen was left holding
his head in his hands with shame after directing a
free header just six yards out straight into the
grateful arms of the United keeper.
Ginola was still tormenting Johnsen down the left
and on one dazzling 40-yard run, he not only
outfoxed the Norwegian defender but also Keane
before slightly mis-hitting his shot, which was saved
by Schmeichel. Ginola also picked out Armstrong in
the area with three minutes left but the striker
headed over the bar and that appeared to be that.
But then came Campbell's late equaliser as he rose
high a second time to meet a free kick from
Anderton, a virtual carbon copy of his first goal as
the United defence looked at each other accusingly
in disbelief.
The final whistle blew seconds later with the United
players anger still boiling at the decisions of referee
Rennie, who was shepherded off the pitch by the
Spurs team. It was a match United had thrown
away as their defensive frailties came back to haunt
them yet again. Even being top of the table will not
make up for that.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: BRUCE SILENT ON OLD TRAFFORD RETURN
SHEFFIELD UNITED manager Steve Bruce refused
to be drawn on speculation linking him with a return
to Manchester United after his side's 3-3 draw at
Bury on Friday night. Bruce, among the contenders
to replace Brian Kidd as Alex Ferguson's number
two at Old Trafford, insisted he is eyeing
Premiership football only with the Blades. He said:
"I am convinced we are good enough to challenge
for promotion."
**************
BRUCE DEDICATED TO BLADES' TOP-FLIGHT FUTURE SHEFFIELD
UNITED MANAGER STEVE BRUCE REFUSED TO BE DRAWN ON
SPECULATION LINKING HIM WITH A RETURN TO MANCHESTER UNITED
Bruce is among the contenders to replace Brian Kidd as Alex Ferguson's
number two at Old Trafford.
But the Bramall Lane boss insisted he is eying Premiership football only
with the Blades.
He said: "We had eight first-teamers out yet could have had the game won
in the first half. "I am convinced we are good enough to
challenge for promotion to the Premiership."
Nonetheless, Bruce was not entirely satisfied with Friday's outcome at
Gigg Lane.
"I expect to win if we score three goals away from home. I was
disappointed with our defending at times.
"But what I expect and will demand is that we show a bit of character. To
be fair to the boys they rolled up their sleeves, and I cannot ask for
any more than that."
Referee Paul Rejer's decision to allow Bury's first goal, meanwhile,
was pinpointed as a turning point by Bruce.
The Blades boss thought Laurent D'Jaffo impeded goalkeeper Simon
Tracey before bundling the ball home and he said: "There was only one team
in it, but the ref's decision gave them a little bit of a lifeline. But
he's only human - and we all make mistakes. I just hope the luck turns
our way over Christmas."
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Tottenham winger David Ginola is rarely out of the
news these days. One week the wonderfully-gifted
Frenchman is being praised to the hilt for another
trademark display of sheer brilliance; the next he's
being labelled a 'cheat' or a 'diver' after another
Premiership defender falls foul of his sublime
touchline skills.
Ginola was left to defend his honour yet again after
the red mist which descended upon White Hart
Lane in a stormy encounter with Manchester United
had finally cleared. The Frenchman was still at his
enigmatic best after the game, revelling in the pride
Spurs had shown in turning around a game which
he believes they would surely have lost in the dark
days of last season. Trailing 2-0 with just 17
minutes gone, after Ole Gunnar Solksjaer had
capitalised from David Beckham crosses on two
lightning raids, they produced a comeback flowing
with the self-belief that George Graham has finally
brought back to North London.
Captain Sol Campbell may have scored both
Tottenham goals with powerful headers from
Darren Anderton free-kicks, the last in the second
minute of injury time. But Ginola was at the heart of
the revival, with a performance which led to his first
marker, Gary Neville, being dismissed six minutes
before the break and left his second, Ronny
Johnsen, with a booking and a furious
dressing-down.
Marking the Frenchman is proving to be a rather
hazardous occupation these days, with United boss
Alex Ferguson fuming at the dismissal of Neville for
his second bookable offence, even though he
clearly held back Ginola. Three weeks ago, the
winger was yet again at the centre of controversy
with Steve Stone's dismissal leading his Nottingham
Forest boss Dave Bassett to virtually accuse the
Frenchman of play-acting. What seems clear
though is that Ginola's impressive recent form is
leading frustrated opponents to dive in to try and
stop him - only to be left looking rather stupid.
The Frenchman was positively affronted at the
suggestion that he had been exaggerating and
diving on either occasion. ''Players try to go in hard
on me all the time and I try every time to stay up
and to deliver crosses and to do something good all
the time. If you look at the tapes, I think that's very
clear,'' he insisted with a wounded frown. ''Most of
the players who come at me, when they can't get
me the right way, they get me the wrong way.
That's my life.
''Every game is like that and it's much harder for
me to express myself. I enjoy the challenge when
people put me under pressure, I always try
mentally to find something extra. I always expect
to get two or three players around me, it was the
case against Manchester United and it was the case
against Liverpool.''
Spurs boss George Graham was quick to absolve
Ginola of any blame, declaring: ''If David dived to
get people booked or sent off I would be the first to
tell him to stop it but I don't believe he's doing it.
Defenders have to get their percentages right.
They shouldn't dive in when he is running at them
with the ball with that skill as there's a chance
they'll bring him down.''
However, any controversy surrounding Ginola
should not overshadow Tottenham's achievement
in coming back from the dead, even if it was
achieved against ten men. They were outplayed in
the first-half, especially in central midfield, were
unable to cope with United's hyped-up early
commitment and are clearly not yet the finished
article but a determined resolve and spirit has
finally returned to White Hart Lane.
Ginola insisted: ''It was down to the pride of the
players. In the second-half, we showed everybody
that there is a new face to Tottenham now and we
can come back in any situation. It will work for us in
the future if we are in the same situation. We have
come from nowhere. We've been working very
hard mentally to regain our confidence.''
Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, was left publicly
speechless by Sol Campbell's dramatic last-gasp
equaliser and the United boss brushed away the
handshake of his Tottenham counterpart George
Graham at the end of a pulsating contest. Even the
fact that United went to the top of the Premiership
for the first time this season with their point from a
2-2 draw could not pacify Fergie, who failed to
attend the the post-match press conference.
Graham tried to make light of Ferguson's obvious
fury. Asked if the United boss had pushed him away
at the end of the game which produced eight yellow
cards in all - but only two of them for Spurs -
Graham said: ''No, I don't think so. I'll see Alex
afterwards. There is no problem. He just doesn't
like dropping two points.''
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
BREAKING NEWS - Monday 14 December 1998
Subject: FERGUSON FURY AFTER REDS LET IT SLIP
Alex Ferguson was left speechless by Sol Campbell's dramatic last-gasp
equaliser for Spurs at White Hart Lane.
The Manchester United boss brushed away the handshake of his Tottenham
counterpart George Graham at the end of a pulsating contest.
Even the fact that United went to the top of the FA Carling Premiership for
the first time this season with their point from a 2-2 draw could not
pacify Fergie who failed to attend the the post-match press conference.
He had seen his England full back Gary Neville sent off for a second
bookable offence on David Ginola five minutes before half-time after a
double strike by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put United in command.
Neville's England team-mate Campbell halved United's lead with a header
from Darren Anderton's free kick with 20 minutes to go and then produced a
carbon-copy effort from the same source right at the death.
Graham tried to make light of Ferguson's obvious fury. Asked if the
United boss had pushed him away at the end of a fiercely-contested game
which produced eight yellow cards in all - but only two of them for Spurs
- Graham said: "No, I don't think so. "I'll see Alex afterwards. There is
no problem. He just doesn't like dropping two points."
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Fergie fit to change record By Gordon Strachan
Saturday December 12, 1998
Alex Ferguson's Manchester United have never had a better chance of winning the
European Cup than they do now.
In terms of the self-esteem of English football, such an achievement is badly
needed. Look at the results of our leading sides in Europe in recent years and it is
incongruous for those involved in the Premiership to claim that this is the best
league in the world.
The picture since the lifting of the post-Heysel five-year ban eight seasons
ago is depressing. True, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have lifted the
Cup Winners Cup, but in the two stronger competitions - the Champions League and
Uefa Cup - the record has been poor.
In the eight seasons before Heysel, English teams won the Champions Cup seven
times, Liverpool leading the way with four triumphs, followed by a couple for
Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa's 1982 success. Also on this Euro-glory list were
Ipswich, who won the Uefa Cup. In the roll-call of countries who have provided the
quarter-finalists for these competitions since the ban was lifted, England, with only
five teams, are in eighth place, well behind the leading nation, Italy, with 29. They even
trail Belgium - who would have believed that?
Why have we fallen so far? The most common explanation is that it was always
going to take time for English teams to readjust. They had certainly lost their
European habits. Indeed, as far as technical standards are concerned, those
five years coincided with the worst period I can recall in England.
They were five years when so many teams gave the ball a headache by just launching
it from one end of the field to the other. It coincided with Continental teams,
influenced by the teamwork and running power of the previous English European
Cup winners, incorporating these attributes into their own play.
For me, the other major factor- and one that seems to me to have been largely
overlooked - concerns the change in the back-pass rule.
Before the change, the pass back to the goalkeeper was an ideal outlet for English
defenders when they pushed up to half-way to compress play. If they were in
difficulties, they could always pass to the keeper who would pick up the ball and punt
it back into the central area. Now, with the keepers not allowed to handle, their
defenders need to be closer to them. Instead of playing in half of the pitch, teams
have been forced to play in three-quarters of it - something European sides have been
used to. There is more space for players to exploit their skill or, to put it another way,
more space for those who lack skill to be embarrassed by it!
I was at Leeds when they won the title in 1992 before the back-pass rule's
introduction. It was not simply coincidence that in the following season, with the new
law in place, Leeds finished sixth from bottom and were knocked out of the
European Cup by Rangers. However, if there is one team who can reverse
England's European tournament trend, it is surely Manchester United.
Apart from their experience, they are a tremendous counter-attacking team.
Leading Continental sides characteristically draw the opposition and hit them on the
break. I would say that United epitomise this side of the game better than any other
English team. The other aspect of United which stands out is that no one player is
looked upon as the kingpin.
To some extent, the problem for them when they had Eric Cantona was that the other
players were too subservient to him. I am not suggesting that Cantona demanded
this, but because of his stature, it was inevitable that team-mates would find it
difficult to take centre stage themselves.
Now perhaps six players in the United team can each win a match virtually on his
own, and they are all more or less on a par with each other in terms of how they are
perceived. I get the impression that all the players will allow whoever is in the hottest
form to dominate the game, and they concentrate on supporting him. On the
evidence of United's Champions League group matches this season, and especially
against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, I honestly see no reason why they
should not go all the way.
In view of what it could do for the self-esteem of English football, one would
need to be very prejudiced not to hope that they do.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: United top fine week by going top of the league
By Ossian Shine
LONDON, Dec 12 - Manchester United capped another fine week
in the club's success-filled history when they went top of the English premier
league.
On Wednesday a 1-1 draw with Germany's Bayern Munich was enough saw them
qualify for the quarter-finals of the European Cup and a similarly gritty performance
against Tottenham on Saturday saw them topple Aston Villa at the top of the
league.
Both steely performances illustrate United's determination this season.
On Saturday United came out at White Hart Lane with all guns blazing and were 2-0
up in the first 20 minutes after a double strike from Norwegian Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer, who has been battling for a first team place in United's talent-packed
squad.
Fluid, stylish and breathlessly fast, United looked to be romping to victory.
But just before half time referee Uriah Rennie dismissed United's England defender
Gary Neville for a second bookable offence following a clumsy challenge on David
Ginola and the dynamics of the match changed.
Manager Alex Ferguson brought Solskjaer off at half time and replaced him with
defender Henning Berg.
Initially, United coped with containing the surging runs of Ginola, Ruel Fox and Andy
Sinton but the pressure was beginning to take its toll.
Tempers became frayed as the visitors became increasingly stretched and, in all,
six players in red shirts were booked. Roy Keane escaped punishment after
grabbing Sinton by the shirt following a dangerous tackle on David Beckham.
The point was enough to see United leapfrog Villa at the top of the league on goal
difference but manager Alex Ferguson was furious at two points dropped.
He refused to comment after the match and it was left to Tottenham boss George
Graham to sing United's praises at the end of a highly successful week.
"It's my job to get a squad like that at Tottenham," he said, referring to Ferguson's
players.
"We've got to learn lessons from United...I warned the boys about their superb
ability on the break and that's how they exploited us.
"I've got to be happy (with the draw) against probably the best team in the country."
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: FA may bring forward Cup's big day
By Paul Wilson
Saturday December 12, 1998
The tinkering with the FA Cup has begun. The Football Association have confirmed
that they are to consider bringing forward the third round from January to December.
But Graham Kelly, FA chief executive, has managed to carry through his intention -
voiced last week - to maintain the tradition of FA Cup replays . . . at least for the
forseeable future.
The FA's move is a direct reaction to the mushrooming of the Champions League
and the welter of European dates to be added to the football calendar from next
season. The changes, agreed on Friday, mean a successful club could play as
many as 17 European matches in a season.
The Observer warned of the threat to the traditional format of the Cup on 11 October.
The advent of a third round in December and a possible ban on replays - in favour of
penalty shoot-outs - to ease fixture logjams was highlighted. Now the process has
started.
While the FA say they will not be rushed into wholesale changes to the game's
oldest knockout tournament, they have already announced that this season's final
will be decided by penalties, without a replay, if the teams are level at the end of
extra time.Now the third round's New Year tradition is threatened.
An FA spokesman said: 'The FA Cup committee have decided replays will take
place next season in spite of any fixture problems that may crop up. There are only
a handful of teams who are going to be involved in Europe, and there was no desire
to foist an unpopular change on the whole of the game for the benefit of the few. We
are sure the clubs affected will be able to manage somehow.'
But he added: 'A fixture working group will be meeting early in the New Year, and
again in late spring, to consider whether it will be necessary to bring forward the third
round. Everyone we have spoken to is in favour of preserving the FA Cup in its
present format as part of the game's heritage.'
Traditionalists everywhere will welcome the FA's stance, although the game's heritage
is not something over which the governing body has total control. What may happen
is that teams involved in the Champions League second round in March, a month
which contains no fewer than eight European Cup match-days, will contrive an
early FA Cup exit, perhaps by treating it as dismissively as the Worthington Cup.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: WHY WE SHOULD ALL SUPPORT UNITED from Singapore
I think that all true English football fans,
irrespective of their allegiances to whoever they
support should be grateful of what appears to be
more than an even chance that Manchester United
appear to have in winning the European Champions
League. Remember last year? Outstanding football
in 90% of their European Champions League group
matches, outstanding football played in the
Premiership until February when fatigue, bought
about by the previous few years successes
suddenly derailed both club and players allowing
Arsenal to overtake them in the Premiership and for
Monaco to beat United in the Champions League
quarter-finals.
This year, the Man Utd squad appears stronger,
seems much more capable to score goals but I feel
that Ferguson needs maybe one or two further
signings to give his squad the depth needed to
emerge as true champions. I think it would be
excellent for English football if United win the
Champions League, and why do I think that? It
would be ironic that in becoming champions of
Europe, they did this by finishing as runners-up in
the Premiership, and the fact that I cannot see any
of the matches as I currently live in the United
States. Sods Law, that's what I call it. My luck to be
somewhere where this level of football is not
viewed. Sure I can see Premier League matches on
pay-per-view courtesy of Media Mogul Mr
Murdoch's ownership of Fox Sports and BSkyB but
European football?, no such luck.
There you go, that's my reasoning for Manchester
United winning the European Cup. Forget about
Jaap Stam vs. Roy Keene as sweeper, forget about
Cole vs. Solskjaer vs. Yorke up front, it pales into
insignificance when you look at my reasoning.
Manchester United aside, I find that every day I
visit this website, especially so when matches are
played midweek, it really keeps me in tune with
football in the UK.
Martin Holmshaw, Xerox Corporation, Webster,
New York, USA
...I'm an avid follower of English Premier League
footy, and it is somewhat amusing to observe the
constant arguments on whether it is now the best
league in Europe. Most of the points thrown up as
proof to support the respective cases for or against
are, frankly speaking, based on personal opinion.
Not that tables and statistics can tell the whole
story. Some signs on what the suits in UEFA and the
various national FA's think of their respective
rankings can be deduced from the number of
Champions League places given to their leagues.
The latest revision of the Champions League may
have given England an extra place, but the same
goes for the French and Dutch leagues. And these
three leagues all have one less each than the
acknowledged big three European leagues of Italy,
Spain and Germany (yes, even the Germans). Not
quite the best then in the opinion of the big-wigs.
But the EPL must surely be the most hyped-up one
in Europe.
Manucan, Singapore
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Pic Link today is http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/schmeichel.htm
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If ever they are playing in your town
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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
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by 
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