Football Focus

[jimmy two times]

Yes those old pitches were brutal. So were the tackles that flew in. The skilful players in that era had to be hard men as well. I watched the Big Match a few weeks ago on ITV4. They showed a game at Highbury from 1977. One of the things that struck me was that Peter Shilton wasn't wearing gloves and it was a freezing cold day. The other thing was that a couple of the coaches on the bench were smoking fags. There was a time when fag smoking on the bench was a pre-requisite of a coach, certainly the east european variety. The king of smoking was Cesar Luis Menotti the world cup winning Argentina coach. He chain smoked through every game.

[Annasfield]

Latest from the rumour mill O'Neill

[ruffers]

If that's true (and it's a big if) I forecast he's heard Fergie's finishing this year and he wants the job.

Bit of a tantrum though after getting tonked by Chelsea... especially given where they are in the League and Cup.

[titch juicy]

my money's on a betting scam

[Mick Mac]

Someone will be looking over his shoulder. I'm not allowed to use the R word.

[Sandperson]

Or back to Celtic for him? Mate at Sky Sports News tells me he's not getting the backing he wants so that bit could be true.

[kpc]

Rumour has been vigorously denied but I suspect he's not entirely happy there. Wasn't happy about lack of transfer funds from Randy Lerner (as he's a bit short of readies) and a recent spat with fans.

[ruffers]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Someone will be looking over his shoulder. I'm not

> allowed to use the R word.

Reincarnate?

[matthew123]

I got the impression from some remarks he made over Christmas that O'Neil is keen for the Liverpool job - and he is getting on a bit now (think he is 58) so might be one last chance of a big job in PL.

[Mick Mac]

He has always been keen on the Liverpool job. He hoped to get it when they took Rafa on but Liverpool were not interested in recruiting MON.

They were probably still hurting over that Anfield UEFA cup thrashing he presided over at Celtic.

[matthew123]

I don't remember no thrashing Mick, maybe you are comparing a 2-0 win over an English team as the equivalent of beating a top Scottish team 10-0..

Thoroughly deserved win for Bayern tonight, great atmosphere, great comeback. Will be very tough 2nd leg as these Germans are no pushovers like that Italian lot they played in last round. But the highlight of the night was the shell shocked Ferguson showing the first signs of age as he admitted he had no idea whether Rooney had injured his left ankle or his right ankle.

[ruffers]

The first signs of age?!

[Sandperson]

Ha, ha. Grasping at straws Matt? We'll be alright at OT, don't worry about us too much. :))

Here's the post match interview for those who didn't see it. A little unfair to suggest early onset alzheimers I think:

Where's me marbles?

[????]

City here I come

[Mick Mac]

St Johnstone 4 - 1 Rangers

I'll be amazed if Walter Smith makes it through tomorrow.......

[SimonM]

Manchester or Hull? B)

[Mick Mac]

West Ham here I come

[matthew123]

Errr, that transcript has been edited SP..

This is the actual interview on Sky after the match, go to 1m 10s for when he is corrected. No big deal really just surprised he started mumbling, 'not sure, not sure' - as he is usually quite defiant and on the ball in these situations: -

http://www.teamtalk.com/video/6064392/Bayern-Munich-2-1-Man-Utd-Ferguson

[Mick Mac]

matthew123 Wrote:

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> I don't remember no thrashing Mick

Hey Valley Boy - you don't remember no thrashing....

Lest we forget - VALLEY BOY PUTS LIVERPOOL TO SWORD

 

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

"St Johnstone 4 - 1 Rangers

I'll be amazed if Walter Smith makes it through tomorrow......."

Och - what's a blip when you're ten ahead with a game in hand?

[SCSB79]

Utterly disgraceful performance from Rangers last night. Hopefully it is the kick up the back side some of the players need as they've looked out of sorts the last few games. Although we can't grumble too much at having only lost 2 league games all season.

Uncle Walter will be fine... he's not got a contract, so won't get sacked!!!

[Bluerevolution]

???? Wrote:

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> City here I come

It's been on the cards from day 1 of Manchini signing the contract

[ruffers]

From an England perspective I'm quite pleased with Rooney's injury. Nice month or so off to recharge his batteries a bit, then enough games at the end of the season to get properly match fit again.

[Bluerevolution]

ruffers Wrote:

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> From an England perspective I'm quite pleased with

> Rooney's injury. Nice month or so off to recharge

> his batteries a bit, then enough games at the end

> of the season to get properly match fit again.

and he won't be seeing us on April 17th !

[Jah Lush]

Good to have you back Bluerevolution. Where've you been? I'm looking forward to May 5th. I'm sure we'll have a bit of banter before then.