www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Thurs 04 Nov 1999 00:00 GMT
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. Another Waltz Kurt? - Personal Match Report by RED KELLY
2. Ask the StatMan - How do the player train?
3. MEN Report Manchester United 2 Sturm Graz 1
4. SCHMEICHEL CALL FOR FAIR FIXTURES
5. NO KIDDING: BLACKBURN BOSS GETS THE BOOT
6. KEANE: CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE LACKS BUZZ
7. Under-19s world came crashing down in the last minute against Blackburn
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
MANCHESTER UNITED DAILY NEWS Thurs 4th Nov 1999:
Barry Comment:
Headlines: Kiddo sacked at Blackburn, Gary Neville injured again.
Not good headlines - read more in todays digest
Friday Nov 5 EUROSPORT
11.00-12.45 Champions League Draw live
WEB NEWS - www.redissue.co.uk !NEW!
Manchester United FC Champions League Squad List
1 Mark John Bosnich 2 Gary Alexander Neville 3 Dennis Joseph Irwin
4 David May 6 Jakob Stam 7 David Robert J Beckham
8 Nicholas Butt 9 Andrew Alex. Cole 10 Edward Sheringham
11 Ryan Joseph Giggs 12 Philip Neville 14 Johan Jordi Cruyff
15 Lars Jesper Blomqvist 16 Roy Keane 17 Raimond RJH Van der Gouw
18 Paul Scholes 19 Dwight Yorke 20 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
21 Henning Berg 23 Michael Jamie Clegg 25 José Quinton Fortune
26 Massimo Taibi 31 Nicholas James Culkin 33 Mark Antony Wilson
34 Jonathan Greening
FINAL Group D P W D L F A PTS
Manchester United FC 6 4 1 1 9 4 13
Olympique de Marseille 6 3 1 2 10 8 10
SK Sturm Graz 6 2 0 4 5 12 6
NK Croatia Zagreb 6 1 2 3 7 7 5
Real Audio - Last weeks Daily News Sound Archive:
Click on INDEX at http://www.red11.org/sound
************************
99/2000 fixtures/match reports are at
http://www.red11.org/mufc/992000.htm
Mark Bosnich's Personal Details
http://www.red11.org/mufc/bosnich.htm
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MANCHESTER UNITED STATS v ALL teams on the Web
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats.htm
Previous News:
BSKYB Takeover news/pics at http://www.red11.org/mufc/bskyb.htm
Brian Kidd Press conference, pic, real audio
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/kidd.htm
Peter Schmeichel's last Season at United!
http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/schmeichel.htm
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 31/10/99 ***
Coventry City 4-0 Watford 21,700
Sunderland 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur 41,904
*** CONDENSED LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 31/10/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Leeds United 13 9 2 2 26 16 10 29
2 Manchester United 13 8 3 2 31 19 12 27
3 Sunderland 13 8 3 2 23 11 12 27
4 Arsenal 13 8 2 3 20 12 8 26
5 Leicester City 13 7 2 4 23 17 6 23
6 Middlesbrough 13 7 0 6 18 17 1 21
7 Tottenham Hotspur 12 6 2 4 21 17 4 20
8 Chelsea 11 6 1 4 18 10 8 19
9 Everton 13 5 3 5 22 20 2 18
10 Liverpool 12 5 3 4 13 11 2 18
11 Aston Villa 13 5 3 5 13 15 -2 18
12 West Ham United 12 5 2 5 12 11 1 17
13 Coventry City 13 4 4 5 20 15 5 16
14 Southampton 12 3 4 5 19 23 -4 13
15 Wimbledon 13 2 7 4 19 27 -8 13
16 Derby County 13 3 3 7 13 22 -9 12
17 Newcastle United 13 3 2 8 23 27 -4 11
18 Bradford City 11 3 2 6 9 17 -8 11
19 Watford 13 3 0 10 8 22 -14 9
20 Sheffield Wednesday 13 1 2 10 8 30 -22 5
NEXT MATCHES
---------------------------------------------------------------
06-NOV-1999 [15:00] Manchester Utd. vs Leicester C (FA Premier League, HOME)
20-NOV-1999 [15:00] Manchester Utd. vs Derby C (FA Premier League, AWAY)
27-NOV-1999 [15:00] Manchester Utd. vs Sheffield W (FA Premier League, AWAY)
30-NOV-1999 [20:00] Manchester Utd. vs Palmeiras (Inter Continental Cup, AWAY)
04-DEC-1999 [15:00] Manchester Utd. vs Everton (FA Premier League, HOME)
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED -
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
ALL FIXTURES at: http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix992000.htm
First Team Fixtures 1999/2000
All dates/times subject to change
Dates of possible cup ties also shown
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/07/99 Melbourne Australia pre-season W 2-0 - 60,000
18/07/99 Sydney Australia pre-season W 1-0 - 78,000
21/07/99 Shanghai Shenhua pre-season W 2-0 - 80,000
24/07/99 Hong Kong South China pre-season W 2-0 - 40,000
1/08/99 Arsenal Wembley Charity Shield L 1-2 - 70,185
3/08/99 Omagh Town Omagh Bomb Fund W 9-0 - 7,000
4/08/99 Wigan Athletic friendly W 2-0 - 15,000
08/08/99 Everton Away PL D 1-1 10 39,141
11/08/99 Sheffield Wednesday Home PL W 4-0 3 54,941
14/08/99 Leeds United Home PL W 2-0 1 55,187
22/08/99 Arsenal Away PL W 2-1 1 38,147
25/08/99 Coventry City Away PL W 2-1 1 22,024
27/08/99 Monaco - Lazio ESC L 0-1 - 15,223
30/08/99 Newcastle United Home W 5-1 1 55,190
11/09/99 Liverpool Away W 3-2 1 44,929
14/09/99 Croatia Zagreb Home EC D 0-0 - 53,250
18/09/99 Wimbledon Home D 1-1 1 55,189
22/09/99 Sturm Graz Away EC W 3-0 - 16,480
25/09/99 Southampton Home D 3-3 1 55,249
29/09/99 Marseille Home EC W 2-1 - 54,276
3/10/99 Chelsea Away PL L 0-5 2 34,909
11/10/99 Sir Alex Testimonial Home F L 2-4 LEGENDS 54,842
13/10/99 Aston Villa Away WC3 L 0-3 - 33,815
16/10/99 Watford Home PL W 4-1 2 55,188
19/10/99 Marseille Away EC L 0-1 - 57,745
23/10/99 Tottenham Hotspur Away L 1-3 3 36,072
27/10/99 Croatia Zagreb Away EC W 2-1 - 30,000
30/10/99 Aston Villa Home PL W 3-0 2 55,211
2/11/99 Sturm Graz Home EC W 2-1 - 53,745
6/11/99 Leicester City Home PL 15.00
20/11/99 Derby County Away PL 15.00
24/11/99 ? EC
pp 27/11/99 ? Sheffield Wednesday Away PL *No new date yet
30/11/99 Tokyo Palmeiras WCC 20.00
4/12/99 Everton Home PL 15.00
8/12/99 ? EC
18/12/99 West Ham United Away PL 15.00
26/12/99 Bradford City Home PL 15.00
28/12/99 Sunderland Away PL 20.00 "live on sky"
3/01/2000 Middlesborough Home PL 20.00
****************************************************
JAN 05-14 Brazil WTC [3-4 games]
----------------------------------------------------
06/01/2000 Necaxa (Mexico) Neut WTC 16.00
08/01/2000 Vasco da Gama (Brazil) Away WTC 16.00
11/01/2000 South Melbourne (Australia) N WTC 16.00
****************************************************
22/01/2000 Arsenal Home PL 15.00
5/02/2000 Coventry City Home PL 15.00
12/02/2000 Newcastle United Away PL 15.00
26/02/2000 Wimbledon Away PL 15.00
1/03/2000 ? EC
4/03/2000 Liverpool Home PL 15.00
8/03/2000 ? EC
11/03/2000 Derby County Home PL 15.00
15/03/2000 ? EC
18/03/2000 Leicester City Away PL 15.00
22/03/2000 ? EC
25/03/2000 Bradford City Away PL 15.00
1/04/2000 West Ham United Home PL 15.00
5/04/2000 ? EC qf i
8/04/2000 Middlesborough Away PL 15.00
15/04/2000 Sunderland Home PL 15.00
19/04/2000 ? EC qf ii
22/04/2000 Southampton Away PL 15.00
24/04/2000 Chelsea Home PL 15.00
29/04/2000 West Ham United Away PL 15.00
3/05/2000 ? EC sf i
6/05/2000 Tottenham Hotspur Home PL 15.00
10/05/2000 ? EC sf ii
14/05/2000 Aston Villa Away PL 15.00
24/05/2000 ? EC Final
http://www.red11.org/mufc/match.htm
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Another Waltz Kurt - Personal Match Report by RED KELLY
Yesterday was in no way a usual matchday as I had to attend
an afternoon work meeting in the glorious setting of West
Bromwich. This meant that my three other travelling
companions had the dubious pleasure of an hour or so in a
local drinking establishment,. So as I left for the
meeting, big Rich, Nigel and his brother Nathan dived into
the nearest bar. Although we didn't realise it at the time
"dive" was the operative word, but they'd been attracted by
the offer of bottles of Bud for 99p - not a bad offer.
On my return I was greeted by the trio who were sat at a
table on their own and who seemed animated but ever so
slightly in shock. The inside of this bar, although spartan
was clean, the tables and chairs substantial enough to
discourage weight lifting and the other inhabitants a
strange mixture more likely to be found in a science
fiction film. However the intrepid trio had remained there
for the allotted hour or so and had drunk copious pints and
eaten their fill so it couldn't have been that bad - or
could it?
After purchasing a bottle of said amber liquid for a quid I
was subjected to an excited barrage of stories which, had I
got any, would have made my hair curl. Apparently they had
been subjected to three pub singers all loudly singing
incomprehensible songs at the same time, a variety of
sideways glances of a dubious nature and a bar brawl. Well
with pints of beer at 85p what more could you expect? The
brawl - totally ignored by the bar staff, had resulted in
the man who was pointed out to me as having a huge bald
dome of a head with overly long locks hanging off it in a
near perfect semi circle at the back, being punched in the
face and then as he fell to the ground in an undignified
heap, an extra boot was applied - just to make sure.
Good place eh? Well, good enough to keep that lot amused
for a while anyway, but we felt it would be prudent to
leave well before darkness fell, just in case. So we were
on our way again around half four ish and back onto the M6.
After a stop for everyone to relieve themselves at Stafford
Services where we encountered a bunch of Charlton
supporters and asked them where they were going, to which
they replied, "yes." No - it doesn't make sense to me
either, but we eventually found out what they should have
said was Crewe!
Back on the M6 we were making good progress until the
inevitable accident. It's usually around Stafford, but this
time it was further up and ironically just after we'd
passed the turn for the M56 - but only just past it. Blue
flashing lights and a mile long queue, so this had
obviously not long happened as the jam builds up very
quickly behind us. So we sat there feeling thankful we'd
had the foresight to have stopped at the services and we
waited as patiently as possible as we slowly progressed to
the point where a jack-knifed wagon was the visible cause
of the holdup.
Slightly weary, we arrived at Bronnington with not a great
deal of time left before kick-off. Just enough time to swim
against the tide of on-rushing support up to Chester Road
and get a can at the offie by Macaris though. I don't know
whether it was something about yesterday, but there
followed another altercation at the off-license door when a
lad tried queue jumping to get inside and was
unceremoniously discarded by the bulky bouncer. At least
this time he hadn't been punched in the face or booted as
he went down, but we could see it coming.
In the end, we were glad to get down to the ground where
we had a close encounter with Dr Mark's mum who obliged us
by giving the said doctor a cuff round the ears just like
she used to - nice one, keep the bugger under control we
say! Inside the ground the atmosphere was relaxed, which is
another way of saying non existent. The Austrians over to
our left were all seated like good girls and boys and
didn't actually do anything until the last five minutes.
They had one flag and a couple of scarves between them and
were in stark contrast to every other set of Euro
supporters we've come across so far this season.
The teams came out and went through the usual rigmoroll of
shaking hands with everyone in sight and then got down to
the action. I suppose it shouldn't have been a surprise
after such politeness before kick-off that the players
followed on in the same vein during the game, but did our
defence really have to be so relaxed. I mean allowing the
ball to hit the post direct from a corner with Nev and
Bozzy stood there applauding is going too far surely.?
The lack of aggression continued with the one exception
being Keano who just doesn't know how to play in any other
way except for whole hearted and aggressive. If Martin and
the gang don't realise this man's worth then they should
not be in charge of our club, it's as simple as that. The
defence were handing round the cakes and ice cream as
though it were an end of season party. More a testimonial
than a football match and if the Grazers hadn't been so
pathetically wasteful with the chances they were presented,
we could have been a couple down by half time.
But they were wasteful, then so were we as the game
deteriorated into a comedy of errors in each six yard box.
We stood there and laughed at it all and actually enjoyed
it as an absurdity rather than dwelling on the debatable
football on offer, although there were some nice touches
here and there. Andy in particular was as usual giving his
all and was unlucky on a few occasions. Ole too did well as
we would have expected, and showed his class and
adaptability by linking up with Andy as though he was
another soul brother.
the most amusing aspects of the first half tended to centre
around the most tender regions of the male anatomy as one
after the other the Austrians went down clutching their
schnitzels. They were most adept in the dying swan routine
and by the non reaction of their supporters, who were more
inclined to applaud the dramatics rather than shout
obscenities at the opposition, it's probably what they
expect to see from their footballers. They would have been
more at home handing around the Ferrero Rocher than on the
pitch pitted against the likes of Keano - they were only
too happy to avoid him I can tell you! doesn't even wear
long sleeves - I ask you - can't be proper now can it?
So we saw no goals down at our end and went off at half
time feeling more pleased with the fact the sky was clear
and there was no sign of rain than anything else. A quick
visit to the toilet was in order and as I stood next to
Steve waiting my turn the lad the other side of me started
tugging on his dad's jacket while his dad was pointing at
the porcelain. Unfortunately his dad looked around
accusingly at me rather than his son who was eminently
missable being considerably smaller than me. I tried hard to
convince him that it hadn't been me whilst those all
around, including Steve, pissed themselves. Well, I suppose
if you're going to piss yourself, you may as well do it
there than anywhere. I got the impression that even when he
found out his son was behind him he was still slightly
unsure of the situation, but there was little I could do
about it!
We'd stood for all but five minutes of the first half so
we'd persuaded Eliza to join us instead of going back from
whence she came so we were all together for the second half
which started in the same vein as the first had finished,
although we didn't have the man who has to be one of the
worst keepers ever to appear at Old Trafford in front of
us. I expect big Rich would argue otherwise as Bozzy was
now in 'our' goal - he's got a real downer on our lad from
down under. The Graz keeper was butter-fingers personified
though and was saved on one occasion by his defender on the
line when the ball had hit him in the nethers and bounced
straight out and into the keeper's hands.
Half the crowd around us were taking their time to return
so exiting had been the game, that we thought they'd
retired to the pub. Had we been in West Bromwich I think I
know of at least one person who might have taken that
option - yes you've guessed it - big Rich the Bozzy basher!
The ballet on the pitch continued with the ref getting more
involved. He was joining in with the posturing by acting
out his own dramatic moves, becoming more and more
demonstrative as time wore on. He'd get down to elaborate
gestures and even joined in with the play now and again. His
pointing for fouls whilst on one knee appealed to me the
most.
Everything seemed to change with the introduction of Phil
Nev in midfield. I prefer to see him in this position than
at fullback where his defensive qualities worry me
slightly! He was apparently told to liven things up and put
himself about and that's exactly what he did. So rather
than "another waltz Kurt?" it was more rock and roll. And
it was Ole who took up the call first and after the ball
had been pinging back and forth around the box it fell to
his left foot. A sweeter volley you'll never see as it flew
into the net past the goalkeeper who could only wave and
blow a kiss at it as it went past.
Next in on the act was Keano who blasted the second goal
and that was the end of the Austrians, or so we thought.
Our lot dropped off to sleep and we knew what to expect.
We've seen it all before - it's that Manchester United
thing - get on top and as soon as the crowd start to leave
the ground smiling, put the sh.ts up them by giving away a
goal. This time it was Giggs who got far too friendly with
their captain whatever his name was. Down he went and the
ref delighted in doing several back flips before pointing
to the spot. The penalty was dispatched, the Austrian fans
woke up and there followed the usual five minutes of hell.
Why do they have to do this to us every time - there's no
need is there? Maybe some bright young medical student
somewhere should write a dissertation on the effects of
watching Manchester United over the years - it may reveal
some interesting statistics. It was therefore with much
relief we heard the final whistle and trooped out of the
ground to more noise from those over to our left than at
anytime during the game itself. And when they heard that
the Croatians had drawn in Marseilles they celebrated like
never before.
It was nice to see Gary Nev and David May back from injury
though. They played pretty well before they fell asleep,
but need some more games under their belts before they get
fully settled back into the ways of top flight football.
They still showed signs of class though and one May tackle
in his own penalty area was superb.
Our journey home was a great deal easier than the one on
the way up, listening to ecstatic QPR fans on Talk Radio.
But we did have a bit of a fright as two headlights seemed
to be bearing down on us when we were bombing along in the
middle lane. It's a bit disconcerting when this sort of
thing happens on the motorway - you know, when you spy yet
another jack-knifed vehicle facing the wrong way. One of
those nights I suppose!!
Copyright RED KELLY 1999
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Ask the StatMan - How do the player train
Date: Friday, October 29, 1999
Time: 1:15 AM EST
Submitted by: Bill F O
Email address: bfo@kichimail.com
Ask the StatMan
visitor_country: indonesia
visitor_age: 18
question: How do the player training?
============================================================================
They normally train for around 2 hours on a non-matchday, I don't have details but it
usually consists of ball-work, stamina, weights, and possibly five-a-sides.
The Goalkeepers have their own coach and their own routines, whilst people like
Beckham will spend additional time on free-kicks and crossing.
The main fitness work is done in the pre-season, with the number of matches played during
the English season, training is to keep in peak fitness, apart from the players returning
from injury.
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| Click On pic - for latest interviews from OT |
MEN Report Manchester United 2 Sturm Graz 1
By Chris Bailey
MEMORABLE and vintage it hasn't been, but I bet Arsenal wish they'd been
drawn in Group D instead of Manchester United.
Reds fans and observers were drunk on the intoxicating delights of last
season's European Cup opening section - this time around it just came close
to driving us all to drink.
Twelve months ago we were all drooling over two sensational matches with
Barcelona, lapping up goal avalanches against Brondby and gripped by
heart-stopping matches with Bayern Munich.
It was too much to expect a repeat, especially in a group which barely
ignited the imagination.
However, Arsenal meanwhile have tasted glamour bouts with buoyant and
brilliant Barcelona and they've feasted on seeing Fiorentina's goal machine
Gabriel Batistuta in the flesh.
But we're just three days into November and the Gunners' flirtation with
the Champions' League is over. United will still be savouring it late into
next March at least.
Admittedly, European Champions United would have had more Euro nous to cope
with another group of death than Arsene Wenger's comparative novices and by
the Reds' own admission such an exhilarating group may have sparked a
better response.
But it is better to be safe than sorry and United could do no more than
qualify as top seeds and group winners.
The past two months have been humdrum rather than a humdinger and the fact
United have operated in second gear, lost a match and still qualified with
90 minutes to spare last week says as much about their true power as the
weakness of their group opponents.
With the potential excitement to come of the next phase already occupying
much of the pre-match talk, it was hardly surprising that this final game
fared no better in terms of spellbinding entertainment.
The UEFA Cup carrot dangling in front of Graz was enough, though, to spur
the Austrians into an adventurous opening.
Graz captain Ivica Vastic arguably deserves a better stage than the UEFA
Cup platform he'll now grace and he almost rocked the Reds in the second
minute when thundering in a corner kick which caught near post guard Ryan
Giggs by surprise and his effort struck the post.
Vastic then took advantage of a penalty box mix-up between David May and
Jonathan Greening in the eighth minute. A bouncing ball broke loose and
Mark Bosnich's jump and block was vital.
United's first show of strength came in the 16th minute with Roy Keane's
long probing ball picking out May at the far post. The defender headed back
across goal for Andy Cole. Equalling Denis Law's European Cup record looked
a dead cert as the striker pounced but somehow he managed to poke the ball
wide.
Vastic again was an inspiration when he back-heeled into Schopp's path. The
full back crashed his low shot just wide.
Law's record lived a charmed life when Gary Neville's searching cross was
fumbled by Schicklgruber, Solskjaer dug the ball out and Cole struck. This
time the alert Strafner came to Graz and the Stretford End King's rescue by
kicking off the line.
Kocijan and Vastic both came close to embarrassing the European Champions
in a flurry of activity. Kocijan smacked a terrific shot against Bosnich's
bar and it returned so quickly that Vastic could only lash over with his
reaction shot.
Cole set up Solskjaer in the 26th minute with an excellent cross from the
left. The Norwegian just wasn't quite precise enough with his guided header
which floated just over the bar.
This ten-minute burst of goalmouth action at both ends at least raised the
atmosphere slightly but it soon slipped back to a morgue-like level as
United and Graz failed to develop that promise.
It was a long wait before the crowd could gratefully enjoy such heights
again and it wasn't until the 54th minute when Cole opened up Graz with a
ball to Solskjaer that the tempo increased. The Norwegian's ferocious drive
was like his earlier header - well struck but not accurate enough.
Clearly he was just finding his range after so long kicking his heels on
the subs' bench this season.
Two minutes later the hero of Barcelona volleyed in a spectacular strike
from the edge of the area to finally end the tedium.
Graz had had, you thought, their moments of glory and didn't look capable
at this point of winning their UEFA Cup spot on their own merits at Old
Trafford. Their fans thoughts no doubt were already drifting to what was
happening in Marseille when Keane put United further ahead in the 69th minute.
May, who had such an impressive comeback in his first start this season,
deserved a goal when his header rapped the bar from Giggs' corner but Keane
made sure the defender was at least credited with an `assist' when he drove
in the rebound for his third goal in seven days.
Giggs could have increased the Reds' tally but headed another accurate Cole
centre wide in the 74th minute. However, the Welshman handed Graz a
consolation trophy of a goal at the home of the champions with two minutes
to go.
Giggs misjudged a bouncing ball whilst acting as a covering left back and
subsequently wrestled Vastic to the ground to concede a penalty. The
Austrian captain slammed in his spot kick.
The gasp of horror around Old Trafford when the UEFA official held up the
overtime board to signal four extra minutes showed just how much the crowd
feared the embarrassment of Graz gaining a late equaliser.
The concern wasn't over-stated as the Austrian's staged a stirring late
revival and typically the Reds had to put everyone through the mangle. Two
saves from Bosnich to keep out substitute Reinmayr saw United stumble their
way to victory and into that precious Pot A in Geneva on Friday morning.
Match facts:
Shots on: United 5, Sturm Graz 4
Shots off: United 7, Sturm Graz 8
Goals: Solskjaer (56), Keane (69) for United. Vastic (88 pen) for Sturm Graz
Bookings: Wilson for United
Attendance: 53,745
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SCHMEICHEL CALL FOR FAIR FIXTURES
By David Anderson, PA Sport
Peter Schmeichel has called for football's governing bodies to sit down
together and work out a fixture list which is fair on the players.
Schmeichel left Manchester United in the summer because of the rising
number of games and the burden has increased further this season because of
the expanded Champions League.
The Dane welcomes the changes to the Champions League, but claims the
game's administrators should not forget about the players.
Schmeichel believes the increased fixture burden is taking its toll on
several clubs around Europe and that FIFA, UEFA and the various national
associations need to act.
Several of United's players looked like they could do with a rest after
they struggled to beat Sturm Graz in their final Champions League group
game last night.
"I could foresee this that the games would be non-stop," said Schmeichel.
"Also internationally with the European Championships and the World Cup
there will be more games as well because there are more countries in the
qualification groups now than there were 10 years ago.
"All this means more games and I think what has to happen now is that
everybody has to sit down around the table and negotiate the right format
for the domestic leagues, the Champions League, the European competitions
and the World Cup so that everybody gets the right format.
"Because it might be right for the Champions League, but not right for the
domestic leagues.
"Even in Portugal it's difficult for teams that are in the Champions League.
"They are having to play a lot of games like Boavista, who are a very, very
good team, but who are suffering at the moment for being in the Champions
League.
"We've seen AIK Stockholm, who have been dominant in Sweden for years, and
they have just faded away.
"They were seven points in front when they started playing in the Champions
League and they have ended up third in their league.
"It all has to be worked out and it takes time.
"I remember when the Champions League first started and it took two or
three years to find the right format and then it was perfect.
"We'll just have to see how this year goes, but the format now guarantees
that most of the top teams in Europe are there."
The likes of United have learnt to cope with the crippling fixture list by
assembling huge squads, but Schmeichel feels this has a down side.
"United and AC Milan started it about 10 years ago and they have two teams
now," he said.
"In many ways that's a shame because it takes some of the quality of the
domestic leagues away.
"Teams take players away from other teams to have as cover players or
whatever you want to call them."
Schmeichel, who was in Manchester promoting his new autobiography, believes
another way to help the players would be to harmonise each country's
domestic season as far as possible to provide proper breaks.
"I've said many times that the Premiership should synchronise the starting
point and finishing points of the season to the rest of Europe because that
would help so much," he said.
"It would give players an actual break during the summer and would fit in
with the European Championships and the World Cup.
"I remember before Euro 96 we finished the season and then we had a month
before we played our first game and that was a month wasted.
"I think for all players it's important that you get breaks at the right time.
"It's a question of communications and the domestic leagues need to sit
down with the domestic FAs and UEFA and FIFA and find out a way of fitting
it all in."
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NO KIDDING: BLACKBURN BOSS GETS THE BOOT
Blackburn Rovers manager Brian Kidd has had his contract terminated by the
club, less than a year after taking charge at Ewood Park.
Kidd joined Blackburn 11 months ago and was unable to stop them being
relegated from the Premiership. They were installed as pre-season First
Division title favourites but have struggled to find any form. Despite
bringing in around £20 million worth of new players, Blackburn find
themselves lying 19th, with only 3 league wins this season.
'It is a sad day for me particularly and for everyone connected with the
club,' said club owner Jack Walker. 'Brian is a first class honest man and
we so wanted it work out for him. But at the end of the day I have to put
the club first. Results have not been good enough and in the end it's as
simple as that.'
Walker is reported to have stormed into the dressing room following
Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by QPR. The only time he had been so furious,
said one player, was just before previous boss Roy Hodgson was sacked.
Former Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear is already being linked with the
vacancy. He has now recovered from the heart attack which forced him to
stand down from leading the Dons, and is known to want a return to
top-flight management.
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KEANE: CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE LACKS BUZZ
By David Anderson, PA Sport
Roy Keane freely admits he has not got the same buzz from the Champions'
League when compared to last season's victorious campaign.
Although Manchester United finished top of Group D, they have hardly played
a decent 90 minutes during their first six matches of the revamped
competition.
Just like the fans, the players have struggled to motivate themselves for
the likes of Sturm Graz and Croatia Zagreb whereas a year ago they were
playing Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The Champions' League has lost much of its intensity because UEFA have
watered down the tournament and expanded it in a bid to make sure the best
teams progress.
Keane admits United have not been at their best because of this and he vows
they will improve in the second-group phase.
"I think the buzz hasn't been the same this year and the intensity has not
been there," said the United skipper.
"That's because of the fact that if you lose a game you always have a chance
of getting back into it, whereas before if you lost a game you were straight
out.
"Sometimes when you play the lesser teams you lack concentration and give
the ball away too easily because you know you will get it back again quite
quickly.
"That maybe has been in the back of our minds during these games.
"You have to raise yourself against the better players because you know that
you will get pushed and I think with the next stage, the intensity will come
back.
"The so-called big boys will be meeting each other and hopefully that will
get the players up for it.
"With no disrespect to the teams in our group we've struggled against them
and against Zagreb at home and Marseille at home it was hard to get going.
"I think the fans are looking forward to playing some of the so-called big
boys and so are the players."
Of the big boys among the remaining 16 teams, Keane is most wary of
Barcelona.
He has noted Barcelona's serene progress through the first stage. The
Spanish champions finished top of Group B, which contained Arsenal and
Fiorentina, with 14 points.
Louis van Gaal's side recorded four wins and two draws in their six games
and they also scored an impressive 19 goals.
Keane has watched Rivaldo and Co on television and he admits he cannot see a
weakness.
"Without a shadow of a doubt they will be there or thereabouts and they seem
to be hitting top form," he said.
"If you get a chance to watch the other Champions' League games on
television you do to try and pick up a few pointers.
"But from what I've seen, Barcelona don't seem to have any weak points at
the moment."
Keane has also identified Lazio as another serious challenger to United's
title, although they will avoid the Italians for the moment because both
teams will be among the top seeds in Pot A for Friday's second-phase draw in
Geneva.
While Keane respects Barcelona and Lazio, he maintains that he fears fear
no-one.
"Lazio are another good team and they played quite well when we played them
earlier in the season, but that was a different competition," he said.
"Barcelona will be one of the favourites, while you've got Lazio and
ourselves so there are a lot of good teams left in.
"With us being seeded we should avoid the likes of Barcelona and Lazio, but
if we have to play them, then we will have to play them.
"It wouldn't bother us if we had to play them and hopefully they would be
happy to avoid us, but eventually we will have to meet them.
"There are a few teams there or thereabouts, but we will just concentrate on
our own performances because that's all we can do."
© PA Sporting Life
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Under-19s world came crashing down in the last minute against Blackburn
02-NOV-1999 Late goal downs kids
Manchester United's Under-19s world came crashing down in the last minute
against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend. The lads were heading for a 1-1
draw late in the game, thanks to a goal from Danny Webber, but Jonathan
Douglas struck late on to win it for Brian Kidd's men. Read Cliff Butler's
match report here.
http://www.manutd.com/news/feature.sps?from=latest&id=1642984
LATE GOAL DOWNS KIDS
Tuesday, November 02, 1999 15:42
A goal less than a minute from time sentenced United's
Under-19s to defeat against Blackburn Rovers at the Ewood
Park club's Brockhall training centre.
The teams had been involved in a rumbustious match, which
looked set to end with the points being shared. But with time ebbing away
Rovers
made one last foray into the United penalty area, which
resulted in Jonathan Douglas scoring from Peter McCann's
cross.
Rovers had claimed the lead in the 25th minute when Gary
Hamilton rounded Reds' keeper Paul Rachubka before
shooting into the unguarded net.
United drew level, eight minutes before the break, with a
brilliant goal scored by Danny Webber. The young striker
finding the net with a perfectly directed strike after taking a
fine through ball from Wayne Evans.
United completed the game with ten men after Bojan
Djordjic had been red-carded after getting involved in an
incident with two Rovers players. He'd been on the field for
just seventeen minutes after replacing Michael Rose.
Two other players, United's Michael Stewart and Rovers'
Marc Richards, also found their way into the referee's
notebook.
Meanwhile, on another of Brockhall's beautifully manicured
pitches just a few dozen yards away, the Under-17s
slipped to a similar 2-1 loss. Alan Tait scored for Neil
Bailey's team, but they slid to their second successive
defeat.
That's the first time that the Under-17s have lost in
consecutive matches since United's Academy teams
entered the new FA competition at the beginning of last
season.
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