www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Sun Nov 15 05:35:46 GMT+00:00 1998
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. Table Results Stats
2. Peter Schmeichel by Our Salford Lass
3. Ferguson Not Rushing Keeper Move
4. SCHOLES BLOW FOR HODDLE
5. MANCHESTER UNITED 3 BLACKBURN 2
6. United - Blackburn Telly report
7. Celluloid Eric
8. FERGIE IN £5M BID FOR WRIGHT
9. Peter Schmeichel by Our Salford Lass
10. United roll back the years
11. SCHOLES BLOW FOR HODDLE
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Sun 15th November:
15/11/1924: United continue their bid for promotion by beating Hull City 2-0 at Old
Trafford in a Division 2 game watched by 29,750. Jimmy Hanson and Frank
McPherson scored the goals. Team was: Steward, Moore, Silcock, Mann,
Barson, Grimwood, Spence, Smith, Hanson, Lochhead, McPherson.
15/11/1975: Gordon Hill made his debut. Signed from Millwall for £70,000, the magical
wingman played in the 1976 and 1977 FA Cup Finals, totalling 51 goals from 133
appearances between 1975-1978. Top scorer with 17 League goals in 1977-78,
he won 6 England caps, and his later clubs included Derby County and Queens Park
Rangers.
************
Barry Daily Comment:
A win is a win even though we let in those late goals.
The OT pitch has cut up so bad now the turf has to be replaced
before 29th our next home game
Next 4 games:
Result/Fixture Index:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm9
Sat 21/11 Sheff Wed (A) PL 15.00
Wed 25/11 Barcelona (A) CL 19.45
Sun 29/11 Leeds (H) PL 14.00 Sky Sports
Wed 2/12 Tottenham (A) (Worthington Cup 1/4 final) 19.45
UNITED Stats v Sheff Wed:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/vssheffwed.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
Champions League:
**Nov 4 Barcelona 1-2 Bayern Munich
**Nov 4 Man Utd 5-0 Brøndby
Group D P W D L F A Pts
Man United 4 2 2 0 16 7 8
Bayern Munich 4 2 1 1 6 5 7
Barcelona 4 1 1 2 6 6 4
Brondby 4 1 0 3 4 14 3
To be played:
Nov 25 Barcelona v Man Utd
Nov 25 Bayern Munich v Brøndby
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: table results stats
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 14/11/98 ***
Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur 38,278
Charlton Athletic 1-1 Middlesbrough 20,043
Chelsea 3-0 Wimbledon 34,757
Liverpool 1-3 Leeds United 44,305
Manchester United 3-2 Blackburn Rovers 55,198
Newcastle United 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday 36,698
Southampton 1-4 Aston Villa 15,242
West Ham United 3-2 Leicester City 25,642
*** FULL LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 14/11/98 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Aston Villa 12 5 1 0 11 4 3 3 0 7 2 12 28
2 Manchester United 12 5 2 0 18 6 2 2 1 8 5 15 25
3 Arsenal 13 4 3 0 10 2 2 3 1 4 3 9 24
4 Chelsea 11 4 2 0 10 3 1 3 1 7 7 7 20
5 Leeds United 13 3 2 1 6 2 1 6 0 10 8 6 20
6 West Ham United 13 3 3 1 10 8 2 2 2 6 7 1 20
7 Middlesbrough 13 2 4 0 10 5 2 3 2 11 11 5 19
8 Derby County 12 2 3 1 6 4 2 2 2 6 6 2 17
9 Leicester City 13 3 2 1 7 4 1 3 3 6 9 0 17
10 Wimbledon 13 2 3 1 10 8 2 2 3 7 14 -5 17
11 Charlton Athletic 13 2 3 1 12 6 1 4 2 8 11 3 16
12 Liverpool 13 2 3 2 13 10 2 1 3 7 7 3 16
13 Newcastle United 13 3 2 2 10 9 1 2 3 6 8 -1 16
14 Tottenham Hotspur 13 2 2 2 9 12 2 2 3 7 9 -5 16
15 Sheffield Wednesday 13 2 2 2 4 2 1 1 5 6 11 -3 12
16 Everton 12 0 4 2 1 5 2 2 2 6 6 -4 12
17 Coventry City 12 2 1 3 5 9 1 1 4 4 9 -9 11
18 Blackburn Rovers 13 2 1 3 9 8 0 2 5 5 12 -6 9
19 Nottingham Forest 12 1 2 3 2 5 1 1 4 6 13 -10 9
20 Southampton 13 1 2 4 9 16 0 2 4 1 14 -20 7
*** GENERAL STATISTICS AS AT 14/11/98 ***
SEQUENCES
---------
LONGEST RUN OF WINS:
Current (2 games) - Aston Villa
Leeds United
Record (4 games) - Aston Villa
LONGEST RUN OF DRAWS:
Current (4 games) - Middlesbrough
Record (4 games) - Arsenal
Middlesbrough
LONGEST RUN OF DEFEATS:
Current (3 games) - Liverpool
Record (5 games) - Southampton
LONGEST RUN WITHOUT WIN:
Current (9 games) - Nottingham Forest
Record (9 games) - Nottingham Forest
Southampton
LONGEST RUN WITHOUT DRAW:
Current (5 games) - Coventry City
Record (9 games) - Newcastle United
Sheffield Wednesday
LONGEST RUN WITHOUT DEFEAT:
Current (12 games) - Aston Villa
Record (12 games) - Aston Villa
LONGEST RUN OF HOME WINS:
Current (4 games) - Chelsea
Record (4 games) - Aston Villa
Chelsea
Manchester United
LONGEST RUN OF HOME DRAWS:
Current (2 games) - Charlton Athletic
Derby County
Sheffield Wednesday
Wimbledon
Record (3 games) - Everton
Middlesbrough
LONGEST RUN OF HOME DEFEATS:
Current (2 games) - Blackburn Rovers
Liverpool
Record (2 games) - Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Liverpool
Sheffield Wednesday
Southampton
LONGEST RUN WITHOUT HOME WIN:
Current (6 games) - Everton
Record (6 games) - Everton
LONGEST RUN WITHOUT HOME DRAW:
Current (5 games) - Blackburn Rovers
Record (5 games) - Blackburn Rovers
Newcastle United
LONGEST RUN WITHOUT HOME DEFEAT:
Current (7 games) - Arsenal
Manchester United
Record (7 games) - Arsenal
Manchester United
LONGEST RUN OF AWAY WINS:
Current (2 games) - Arsenal
Record (2 games) - Arsenal
Liverpool
Middlesbrough
LONGEST RUN OF AWAY DRAWS:
Current (3 games) - Chelsea
Middlesbrough
Record (6 games) - Leeds United
LONGEST RUN OF AWAY DEFEATS:
Current (1 game) - Blackburn Rovers
Everton
Leicester City
Liverpool
Wimbledon
Record (5 games) - Sheffield Wednesday
LONGEST RUN WITHOUT AWAY WIN:
Current (7 games) - Blackburn Rovers
Record (7 games) - Blackburn Rovers
LONGEST RUN WITHOUT AWAY DRAW:
Current (4 games) - Derby County
Record (6 games) - Sheffield Wednesday
LONGEST RUN WITHOUT AWAY DEFEAT:
Current (7 games) - Leeds United
Record (7 games) - Leeds United
ATTACK/DEFENCE STATISTICS
-------------------------
BEST ATTACK (26 goals):
Manchester United
WORST ATTACK (7 goals):
Everton
BEST DEFENCE (5 goals):
Arsenal
WORST DEFENCE (30 goals):
Southampton
BEST HOME ATTACK (18 goals):
Manchester United
WORST HOME ATTACK (1 goal):
Everton
BEST HOME DEFENCE (2 goals):
Arsenal
Leeds United
Sheffield Wednesday
WORST HOME DEFENCE (16 goals):
Southampton
BEST AWAY ATTACK (11 goals):
Middlesbrough
WORST AWAY ATTACK (1 goal):
Southampton
BEST AWAY DEFENCE (2 goals):
Aston Villa
WORST AWAY DEFENCE (14 goals):
Southampton
Wimbledon
ATTENDANCE STATISTICS
---------------------
HIGHEST ATTENDANCE (55,265): Manchester United
LOWEST ATTENDANCE (12,526): Wimbledon
HIGHEST AVERAGE ATTENDANCE (55,173): Manchester United
LOWEST AVERAGE ATTENDANCE (15,171): Southampton
Theatre Of Dreams: http://www.red11.org
E-mail: barrylee@post3.tele.dk
DAILY NEWS: http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/digest.htm
MAIL-LIST ARCHIVE: http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/digest
"RED sky at night UNITED delight"
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Peter Schmeichel by Our Salford Lass
This is very sad news, if not wholly unexpected. Yet another member of
that great team is leaving us. We were very lucky to be present during
those wonderful years and to share so much success with a team the like of
which has rarely been seen inside or outside Old Trafford. What true Red
can fail to feel a special tingle down the spine when remembering that
line-up. Eric and Sparky up front, Ryan on one wing and Andre on the
other, Robbo and Ince in midfield and that wonderful back line of Irwin,
Pally, Bruce and Paul Parker. And of course, behind them, nose shining in
the evening air - Peter. Robbo, Eric, Sparky, Bruce, Pally (and of
course, my hero - Choccy) - all Red legends and all sadly missed by those
of us who were privileged to share with them those wonderful times,
particularly in '93 and '94.
And now Peter is to leave us too. What can I say about Peter Schmeichel
that hasn't already been said? That he's the world's greatest goalkeeper?
That he's the best goalkeeper United have ever had? All this is true. But
what is also true is that, along with Eric Cantona, it is Peter Schmeichel
we have to thank for all that success. For as Eric was doing the business
up front, it was Peter who was performing miracles at the back. In my
opinion, Peter was as instrumental in that success as was Eric Cantona -
high praise indeed, but truly deserved.
So we have a little over half a season to prepare to say goodbye. Half a
season to make the most of the Big Man, our mad Dane. Half a season to
prepare ourselves for having someone else between the sticks. I'm sure
that I speak for everyone in East Stand Lower when I say that we will miss
the "big daft sod" so much - we will miss him talking to us, shouting at
us, pulling faces at us, sharing our frustration when things are going
wrong down the other end, celebrating with us as the goals are scored. We
will miss singing "Schmeichel, Schmeichel" and "Schmeichel up front".
But that is half a season away. There are many games to play and there are
trophies to be won before Peter stands in front of us for the last time.
Hopefully we can say goodbye on a warm summer's evening in Barcelona.
Our Salford Lass
******************************************************
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Saturday, November 14, 1998 Published at 22:05 GMT
United hold off brave Blackburn
Manchester United 3-2 Blackburn
United gave manager Alex Ferguson an uncomfortable
afternoon by having to dig in for victory after squandering
a three goal lead against struggling Rovers.
The visitors were reduced to ten men when Tim Sherwood was shown the
red card for elbowing David Beckham, but somehow clawed their way back
into the game with goals from sub Dario Marcolin and recent signing Nathan Blake.
United's earlier efforts saw Paul Scholes (2) and Dwight
Yorke find the target, but they were relieved to hear
referee Mike Reed blow the final whistle.
Goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was made
skipper for the day in the absence of Roy Keane but
his first match since the club agreed to allow him to leave
at the end of the season began with him picking the
ball out of his net.
Kevin Davies' effort was disallowed for offside but the
same player then sent Schmeichel scurrying back
towards his line with a 10th minute lob, which was just
too high.
United were struggling to find their flowing movement of
recent weeks, but Andy Cole should have given them the
lead in the 20th minute.
Stephane Henchoz's misplaced header put John Filan in
trouble and Cole dispossessed the Rovers goalkeeper,
only to blast the ball against the woodwork from close
range.
Scholes showed him how to do it on the half hour when he
tucked the ball past Filan after Yorke had won the ball
from Christian dailly mid-way inside the Rovers half.
Davies went close again before Cole spurned another
opportunity when he weakly directed a free header at
Filan from Jesper Blomqvist's cross.
Yorke made up for his strike partner when he collected
Nicky Butt's pass to rifle home his 10th goal of the
season in the 43rd minute from close range.
United were rolling and Henchoz survived a penalty
appeal for handball before Beckham fired a 30-yard effort
just over the bar.
The chances of a Rovers comeback appeared even
more remote in the 48th minute when Sherwood was
dismissed for elbowing Beckham when the United
midfielder attempted to take the ball from his hands after
play had stopped for a free-kick.
Scholes bagged United's third in the 58th minute when
he made room for himself on the right before firing home.
Marcolin blazed over from eight yards out but made
amends when when he fired home his first Rovers goal in
the 66th minute.
Blake headed the second seven minutes later - his first since a
£4.25m move from Bolton - and Rovers continued to push forward but
the introduction of Keane as a substitute calmed United and they
held out to prevent any further embarrassment.
Man Utd: Schmeichel, G. Neville, Stam, Beckham,
Butt, Cole, P. Neville, Curtis, Blomqvist, Scholes, Yorke.
Subs: Irwin, Keane, Berg, Cruyff, Solskjaer.
Blackburn: Filan, Kenna, Davidson, Sherwood,
Peacock, Henchoz, Davies, Duff, Blake, Johnson, Dailly.
Subs: Gallacher, Marcolin, Croft, Fettis, Dunn.
Referee: M Reed (Birmingham)
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/sounds/matches/fergie14.ram
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: 365 MANCHESTER UNITED 3 BLACKBURN 2
ROVERS' 10 men just failed to pull off their own
remake of the Great Escape at Old Trafford. United
appeared to be cantering to a comfortable victory
after Paul Scholes put them 3-0 up after 58
minutes, especially as Rovers skipper Tim
Sherwood had already been sent off for elbowing
David Beckham. But Roy Hodgson's
relegation-haunted side battled their way back into
the game and United were relieved to hear referee
Mike Reed blow for full time.
In comparison to the game's frantic finale the
opening exchanges were tame. Blackburn striker
Kevin Davies, who last scored in January against
United, sent Peter Schmeichel scurrying backwards
with a speculative lob, but it dropped onto the roof
of his net.
United were struggling to find their flowing
movement of recent weeks, but Andy Cole, who
was overlooked again by England coach Glenn
Hoddle yesterday, should have given them the lead
in the 20th minute. Stephane Henchoz's misplaced
header put John Filan in trouble and when Cole
dispossessed the Rovers goalkeeper he proceeded
to blast the ball against the woodwork from close
range with only Henchoz to beat on the line.
Cole tried again with a deflected effort, which Filan
easily saved before Scholes showed him how it's
done when he scored on the half hour. Dwight
Yorke won the ball from Christian Dailly midway
inside the Rovers half and released Scholes on the
left and he tucked the ball home past Filan, who
managed to hurt himself attempting a save.
Davies went close again before Cole spurned
another opportunity when he weakly directed a
free header at Filan from Jesper Blomqvist's cross.
But once again Yorke made up for his strike partner
when he collected Nicky Butt's pass to rifle home his
10th goal of the season in the 43rd minute from
close range.
United were purring now and Henchoz survived a
penalty appeal for handball before Beckham fired a
30-yard effort just over the bar. The chances of a
Rovers comeback appeared even more remote in
the 48th minute when Sherwood was dismissed for
elbowing Beckham when the United midfielder had
attempted to take the ball from his hands after play
had stopped for a free kick.
Blackburn responded by bringing on Dario Marcolin
for Damien Duff and their plight worsened when
Callum Davidson came off injured to be replaced by
Gary Croft. Scholes netted United's third - his sixth
of the season - in the 58th minute when he made
room for himself on the right before firing home.
Marcolin added to Rovers' anguish when he blazed
over from eight yards out. Scholes came off to be
replaced by Jordi Cruyff in the 62nd minute with the
game seemingly won. But in the final quarter of the
game Rovers launched a stirring fightback. First,
Marcolin made amends for his earlier miss when he
fired home his first goal for Rovers in the 66th
minute. Then seven minutes later Nathan Blake
headed home their second with his first goal for
Rovers since his £4.25 million move from Bolton.
Cruyff pulled up with a hamstring injury and 10
minutes from time he was replaced by Roy Keane
who was sent on to steady United's nerves. Still
Rovers pushed forward, but United held out to
deny what would have been a sensational
comeback.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: United - Blackburn Telly report
Have I just watched a football game or a re-run of the old Jekyll & Hyde
movie with Jaap Stam in the title role? It's been a while since I've
seen United live so I thought this would be a good opportunity to see
just how they're doing ... but I'm still no wiser after this
schizophrenic 90 minutes.
The pitch looked like a patchwork quilt at the start and a horse paddock
at the end, though I don't think it was responsible for the inconsistent
performance we saw from the Reds. It certainly took us some time to get
going as Blackburn made all the running in the first 10 minutes
including getting the ball in the net after just two minutes, but it was
ruled offside. We were looking a little sluggish and seemed to have
trouble controlling and passing the ball, but we gradually came more and
more into the game. On 20 minutes Andy Cole wrested the ball away from
the goalie and hit a fierce drive that thudded against the top of the
post. Ten minutes later, we went ahead. Yorke won the ball in midfield
and ran forward to lay on a perfectly weighted ball for Scholes to drive
a low hard left-footed shot past the goalkeeper. The goal seemed to go
to Scholes' head a bit as he was booked a couple of minutes later for
two late challenges.
The remaining 10 minutes were quite eventful. The over-priced smirker,
Davies, shot well over after Gary Neville had inexplicably fallen over,
and another great United move involving Becks, Blomqvist and Cole ended
with Cole's header just going over. But a minute later, it was 2-0, a
real beauty of a goal involving a quick interchange of passes between
Becks, Yorke, Butt and Yorke again which sliced open the Rovers defence.
In the last couple of minutes of the half we had a pretty good penalty
appeal for hand ball turned down and Becks sent a 30-yard screamer just
over the bar. It had been a slow start but a whirlwind finish and we
looked worth the lead, though not excessively so.
Becks had been playing fairly deep and looked out of sorts for the first
20 minutes or so. But, once he got going, he provided our main threat.
Stam was superb again in the first half keeping Blake well under control
and remaining calm despite feeling the point of Blake's elbow every time
the pair of them went up together. Yorke too was looking impressive with
some nice touches. At this point, I felt these three, Becks, Yorke and
Stam, were going to be the key. As the second goal seemed to have
finished off Rovers, I went to fetch my pocket calculator so I could
keep an accurate record as our second-half goals poured in. Ahem!
The second half started much as the first one had with Rovers coming
forward. But then a controversial incident after just 3 minutes saw
Sherwood sent off. Becks was involved and, no doubt, he'll come in for
some criticism as well for his part in the incident. As I saw it,
Sherwood tripped Becks. Our sarong-wearing, gold-tinted Cockney ran
towards Sherwood somewhat threateningly (he certainly wasn't asking him
the time), Sherwood swung out an arm and Becks swooned a little
theatrically to the grass (if that's what the green stuff is). Off went
Sherwood. By the way, was Sherwood the one with his arm in a plaster
cast? Good Grief, he could have killed Beckham. Maybe he should be
charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
Strangely, instead of overwhelming Blackburn, the incident seemed to
take the wind out of our sails for the next few minutes. But eventually
the third went in and it was Paul 'he scores goals again' Scholes who
slotted home a nice shot after good passing between, I think, Phil
Neville, Cole and Yorke on the edge of the area. Playing at home, with a
3-0 lead against 10 men languishing at the bottom of the Premier League,
we could justifiably be said to be well and truly in the comfort zone.
We were, in fact, so comfortable that we simply fell asleep at the wheel
and very nearly ended up in a ditch full of manure.
What on earth went wrong in those last 20 minutes? Stam went walkabout
again, while Becks, Cole and Yorke appeared to have left the field and
gone home. We were suddenly shaky in defence, ineffective in midfield
and nonexistent in attack. Maybe we just got overconfident; maybe the
substitutions (Jordi for Scholes and Ole for Blomqvist) disrupted our
play. Whatever caused the resulting debacle needs to be sorted out PDQ.
Rovers sent on the sub Marcolin and he gave us fair warning of his
intent by skying a good chance well over the bar after Gazza Neville had
missed his header. But not long after, he got the ball in the net.
Peacock (he of the pony-tail) outjumped Jaap and the ball fell to the
unmarked Marcolin to knock it in. Rovers could hardly believe their luck
and confidence poured into them at about the same rate that it poured
out of us. They were looking better with 10 men than they looked with
11, and we were looking ragged and disorganized. A Blackburn corner came
over and Blake got in front of Jaap to head just over. Another warning.
Within a minute the ball was heading into our area again, and again
Blake got to it first. In fact, Jaap appeared to be more than a metre
away from him. He wasn't even close enough to make a challenge. It was,
ladies and gentlemen, a free header. Jaap had controlled him perfectly
for 75 minutes and now he'd let him off the leash.
When Jordi pulled out of a run with what looks like another injury
(hamstring?), Fergie had no choice but to send Keane on. He steadied us
a little for the last 10 minutes, but Rovers were still threatening to
equalize. Jaap appeared to be looking after the sub Gallacher now with
Gazza Neville on Blake, but Gazza doesn't have Jaap's command in the air
and it was white-knuckle time with every high ball lofted up towards our
area. We even managed a few goal attempts ourselves in the last few
minutes, Becks skied a couple and Andy Cole had two or three shots as
well, but we didn't really come close to extending the lead. For the
last 10 minutes, the crowd were whistling in desperation for the final
whistle. When it finally came, the collective breathing out of 55,000
people set off a mini tornado around Old Trafford.
So, we got the three points, but it was a puzzling 90 minutes. We looked
excellent for brief spells in the later stages of the first half but
absolutely pathetic for long stretches of the second half. According to
the stats, Rovers had about as many goal attempts as we did and twice as
many corners. I haven't seen the stats for possession but I would
imagine they dominated that too.
I wonder if Fergie throws the kitchen sink around in the dressing room
even when we win?
______________
Terry
Saudi
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
From: "David Marshall, Brisbane, Australia"
Subject: Celluloid Eric
Hi All,
Paul Gallen asked -
I spotted a photo of Eric in the New York Times on Sunday. Unfortunately he
was in the Arts and Leisure section and not in the sport pages where he
belongs . He appears to have a part in a movie called 'Elizabeth'. The movie
has been released in the States and apparently is pretty good. I couldn't
find any mention of Eric in the article, however it did say under the
picture that he was 'Eric Cantona the French soccer star'. I hadn't read
anything on the list regarding the movie, has anyone seen it?
- my son's girlfriend has. It's been released here in Oz for 2 or 3
weeks and I haven't had time to see it yet :-(. It has had very good
reviews. Michelle, the girlfriend, raised a few smiles when she
commented that the guy playing the French ambassador had an
accent that way over the top! She had the decency to blush when we
told her it was Cantona!
Cheers,
David Marshall
Brisbane, Australia.
Red 'til I'm dead.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: FERGIE IN £5M BID FOR WRIGHT
Richard Wright was yesterday called up by England and is earmarked for a
potential record-breaking £5million move to Manchester United. Alex Ferguson
is looking at the brightest young goalkeeping talent since Gordon Banks and
Peter Shilton as a replacement for Peter Schmeichel, who will leave Old
Trafford at the end of the season.
Ferguson also has under review Aston Villa's Mark Bosnich, who is out of
contract and a Bosman free agent at the end of the current campaign.
Villa boss John Gregory has not even been given an opportunity by Bosnich,
26, to offer him a new deal, and the fact that Villa are top of the
Premiership has not made any difference to the keeper's desire for a
big-money move.
"Mark has got only money on his mind," said Gregory. "Aston Villa do not
come into his thinking, because he just wants as much money as possible,"
said Gregory.
With Schmeichel quitting United and reserve Raimond van der Gouw also in his
mid-30s, Ferguson is possibly searching for two keepers. If he can land
Bosnich on a free transfer, Ferguson can afford to snap up England's latest
goalkeeping discovery.
At 21, Wright has already made a big impact in the England Under-21 side.
Glenn Hoddle had planned to rest David Seaman until the injury to Tim
Flowers, but the England coach has been impressed with the young Ipswich
star, who can become the Arsenal keeper's long-term replacement.
Wright is one of three Under-21 stars promoted by Hoddle to the full squad
to face the Czech Republic at Wembley on Wednesday. Also called up are Lee
Hendrie from Villa and Leicester striker Emile Heskey.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Peter Schmeichel by Our Salford Lass
This is very sad news, if not wholly unexpected. Yet another member of
that great team is leaving us. We were very lucky to be present during
those wonderful years and to share so much success with a team the like of
which has rarely been seen inside or outside Old Trafford. What true Red
can fail to feel a special tingle down the spine when remembering that
line-up. Eric and Sparky up front, Ryan on one wing and Andre on the
other, Robbo and Ince in midfield and that wonderful back line of Irwin,
Pally, Bruce and Paul Parker. And of course, behind them, nose shining in
the evening air - Peter. Robbo, Eric, Sparky, Bruce, Pally (and of
course, my hero - Choccy) - all Red legends and all sadly missed by those
of us who were privileged to share with them those wonderful times,
particularly in '93 and '94.
And now Peter is to leave us too. What can I say about Peter Schmeichel
that hasn't already been said? That he's the world's greatest goalkeeper?
That he's the best goalkeeper United have ever had? All this is true. But
what is also true is that, along with Eric Cantona, it is Peter Schmeichel
we have to thank for all that success. For as Eric was doing the business
up front, it was Peter who was performing miracles at the back. In my
opinion, Peter was as instrumental in that success as was Eric Cantona -
high praise indeed, but truly deserved.
So we have a little over half a season to prepare to say goodbye. Half a
season to make the most of the Big Man, our mad Dane. Half a season to
prepare ourselves for having someone else between the sticks. I'm sure
that I speak for everyone in East Stand Lower when I say that we will miss
the "big daft sod" so much - we will miss him talking to us, shouting at
us, pulling faces at us, sharing our frustration when things are going
wrong down the other end, celebrating with us as the goals are scored. We
will miss singing "Schmeichel, Schmeichel" and "Schmeichel up front".
But that is half a season away. There are many games to play and there are
trophies to be won before Peter stands in front of us for the last time.
Hopefully we can say goodbye on a warm summer's evening in Barcelona.
Our Salford Lass
******************************************************
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Manchester United 3 - 2 Blackburn Rovers
Subject: United roll back the years
By Daniel Taylor
Saturday November 14, 1998
Is it really only three years since these teams were competing
together for the honour of being the major force in the
domestic game?
While Manchester United march on relentlessly towards
another tilt at the championship, the class of '95 that led
Blackburn to Premier League glory has been replaced by a
team which could have the likes of Grimsby and Bury on their
list of destinations come next August.
Despite another defeat, Blackburn emerged with pride after a
spirited fight-back from 3-0. However, that will be scant
consolation to manager Roy Hodgson, his day further marred
by Tim Sherwood's sending-off following an off-the-ball
incident which left David Beckham in a crumpled heap. With
this type of excitement, it is small wonder Peter Schmeichel is
citing the threat of fatigue for his reason to leave England at the
end of the season.
Of course, another part of the furniture that has suffered from
the English climate is on its way out from Old Trafford,
although in a far more undignified exit. On the instructions of
Alex Ferguson, the bulldozers will move in at 9.30 am today to
dig up the patchwork quilt that has passed for a playing surface
this season, before an all-hands-to-the-pump effort to nurture
a new pitch in time for the home match against Leeds United in
two weeks.
On an infuriatingly bobbling surface, Blackburn were
undoubtedly hoping for a lucky bounce or two following a
torrid start to a season which, unless the tide is turned quickly,
could ultimately leave supporters wiping the dust from their
copies of the A-Z of the Nationwide League.
After accepting the acclaim of the home supporters,
Schmeichel began an emotional afternoon by warming up with
a gentle work-out with the pigtailed mascot. In the opening
stages it appeared that could have been the most arduous part
of his day's work. Apart from a chipped effort from Kevin
Davies - the striker who rarely strikes - the visitors had little to
offer, as their humble position in the Premier League would
suggest.
Not that this was one of those dynamic United openings. In
their first serious attack, with a debilitating wind gusting through
the stadium, the inevitable bobble prompted a horrible miscue
from Andy Cole as he attempted to play Blomqvist beyond the
last line of defence. Cole could hardly blame the pudding mix
of a playing surface for the type of faux pas that has convinced
England coach Glen Hoddle to look elsewhere for his striking
options.
Beckham, using his long passing to combat the rutted pitch,
struck a crossfield ball into the penalty area which Stephane
Henchoz failed to clear with a weak header, leaving advancing
goalkeeper John Filan in no-man's-land. The ball fell invitingly
for Cole only eight yards from goal but, slightly off balance, he
chose power rather than precision and succeeded only in
rattling the crossbar of a gaping net.
The warning signs were there for the visitors, and a moment of
hesitation by Christian Dailly in midfield was to prove an
expensive aberration. As the Scottish international dithered,
York dispossessed him and released Paul Scholes, who
accelerated into the penalty area before striking a left-foot
drive beyond Filan.
The goal seemed to ignite United, while deflating Rovers, and a
second before half-time was always on the cards. The
inevitable occurred two minutes before the interval when
Nicky Butt, as industrious as ever, picked out Yorke and the
striker finished with relish from eight yards.
A rout looked likely when Scholes netted United's third in the
59th minute, with Sherwood running the bath water in the
visitors' dressing room, but the remaining Blackburn players
had other ideas.
Substitute Dario Marcolin started the fightback in the 66th
minute, and Nathan Blake further reduced the arrears eight
minutes later with a powerful header from Jeff Kenna's cross.
It set up a grandstand finish, but United held on and
Schmeichel's party was not ruined.
Manchester United: Schmeichel, G Neville, Stam,
Beckham, Butt, Cole, P Neville, Curtis, Blomqvist (Solksjaer
66), Scholes (Cruyff 63, Keane 81), Yorke.
Blackburn Rovers: Filan, Kenna, Davidson, Sherwood,
Peacock, Henchoz, Davies (Gallacher 78), Duff (Marcolin
51), Blake, Johnson, Dailly.
Referee: Mike Reed (Birmingham).
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
BREAKING NEWS - Saturday 14 November 1998 (Evening Edition)
SCHOLES BLOW FOR HODDLE
England look set to lose Paul Scholes for their friendly against the Czech
Republic after the Manchester United midfielder was injured in the 3-2 win
over Blackburn.
Scholes scored twice but suffered a hamstring strain. United boss Alex
Ferguson said: "Scholes is a doubt but we have to send him down."
United substitutes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jordi Cruyff also
suffered hamstring injuries as Blackburn, 3-0 down, took United to
the wire - despite being down to ten men.
Rovers were trailing 2-0 when captain Tim Sherwood was dismissed in the
48th minute for raising his forearm to United midfielder David Beckham
and the visitors fell further behind before they mounted a brave but
unsuccessful comeback.
And angry Blackburn boss Roy Hodgson accused Sherwood of costing his side
three points.
When Hodgson was asked if he would be fining Sherwood he fumed: "Don't tell
me that Tim Sherwood after all these years has not realised he has made a
crucial error.
"Don't tell me that Tim Sherwood hasn't realised that he's cost us
three points today and possibly three points in the future.
"If he's got to get a fine to realise that then it's a sad, sad world.
"If the club want to fine him, the club can fine him, but I really don't
care one way or the other."
Scholes and Dwight Yorke fired United into a 2-0 half-time lead before
Sherwood was sent off. Scholes netted again to make it 3-0 after 58 minutes
before Rovers fought back with goals from Dario Marcolin and Nathan Blake.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Pic Link today is http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/schmeichel.htm
Barry
J. Leeming Digest Prgram
by 
William
McArthur Canada
