# SDMB Footie Focus: October **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 1, 2003, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885 "2003-10-01T08:28:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/41 "2003-10-07T12:37:26Z")
Anyone fancy a sweepstake on how long before we discover Robbie Mustoe has Nigerian grandparents? ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/42 "2003-10-07T12:50:33Z")
> [@](#): > > How do you feel about Houlier? In the late 80’s, the MUrdoch United board were fast becoming impatient with Lord Ferguson. I truly feel he has been a little unlucky with his transfer dealings. All that is needed is for _any one of_ Diouf, Diao, Cheyrou or Kewell to start becoming as influential as Pires or Giggs and I think that the slicker, more patient attacking football will follow. Currently, if it’s not done in a major hurry then it’s not done at all. Kewell appears to have that instinct of taking a fraction of a second longer to seek a good option, and that is promising. If I look at the options concerning who might bring back the glory days, Houllier is simply the best bet in my eyes. In those 20 minute stretches of good, confident play, Liverpool look like they have the beating of any team, yet the defensive invulnerability of two seasons ago has somehow dissipated even though substantially the same players are in situ. I can but think that revolving-door managerial changeovers work solely to the detriment of a club (as is surely the case with yourselves) whereas the longest serving manager, who was persevered with during a period of underacheivement, is also the most successful. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/43 "2003-10-07T14:34:20Z")
> [@](#): > > If you did get rid, who would you want? Martin O’Neil perhaps? If push came to shove, I guess he would be the best option currently available after he handed us our arses on a plate in the UEFA last season. I also think that realistically only us, MU or Arse would have any chance of prising him from Celtic. Fabio Capello is also an admirer apparently, after we handed him _his_ in the same cup a while ago. But both of these I would prefer to turn to only after an exhilirating but ultimately acrimonious two-year ride on Kev’s rollercoaster. ---
**Author:** ![Barks\_dog\_food](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c68b51/32.png) [@Barks\_dog\_food](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barks_dog_food)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/44 "2003-10-07T15:17:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by London\_Calling \* > \*\*I have an emerging pet theory that Cambell is difficult to play with, not difficult in personality terms but, rather, that there’s something in his style that isn’t condusive to good teamwork with his fellow central defenders. There was nothing in the Campbell/Terry partnership last time to imbue me with any degree of confidence – but as that’s no different to usual, I suppose the exclusion of Peckham’s finest doesn’t make that much difference. > \*\* While Cambell hasn’t played well with the national team lately, he has played well with everyone(except Cygan who can only blame himself) in Arsenal including Igor Stepanovs(!). **SentientMeat** I understand that Houlier might have had some bad luck but how long can Liverpool wait? If they don’t qualify for Champions League this year it could be difficult to get the best players to the club. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/45 "2003-10-07T15:28:40Z")
Agreed - any lower than 4th this year will mean retirement for our beloved googlie-eyed ex Le Touquet defender followed by Kev’s procession down the M62 back to his spiritual home. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/46 "2003-10-07T15:37:20Z")
Take a look at this (completely genuine) Time Magazine cover and tell me if you see any resemblance between this and a certain monkey-heid. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/archive/covers/0,16641,1101940314,00.html](http://www.time.com/time/magazine/archive/covers/0,16641,1101940314,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/47 "2003-10-07T16:18:30Z")
Heh heh, that’s uncanny. The best ever from that lookalikes page must be [David Seaman](http://www.football365.com/Fun_Games/Lookalike/story_1084.shtml), [Iain Dowie](http://www.football365.com/Fun_Games/Lookalike/story_1068.shtml), and the one of Abel Xavier next to a negative of Peter Sutcliffe. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/48 "2003-10-08T11:20:03Z")
_sigh_ more rapey footballers. I have no idea who this lot are, mind you I have very little idea who is left playing for Leeds. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/49 "2003-10-08T11:35:05Z")
I’ve heard one name. No corroboration, and I won’t repeat it here. Some people are claiming the _Yorkshire Evening Post_ have named him today. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/50 "2003-10-08T11:50:44Z")
The more I think about it, the more I think ‘Rome ‘97’ e.g. read Butt and Gerrard for Batty and Ince in front of the flat back four. Then the three engines of Beckham, Scholes and Hargreaves forming three sides of the diamond in front of Butt and Gerrard. 4-5-1 in all but name, this is my team: …James Neville – Campbell – Terry – Bridge …Butt – Gerrard Beckham – Scholes – Hargreaves …Owen/Heskey Another summin-out-of-nuffin media circus I can’t be bothered with; How incompetent must ManUre’s organistation be to let three players get tested that day and not the fourth - £30 million and no one tells him to take a leak . . And we already know Rio’s not that bright. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Jabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@Jabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jabba)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/51 "2003-10-08T12:19:20Z")
Of course, unless the alleged strike threat is sorted out, it’s all academic, anyway. Will they do it, do you think? ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/52 "2003-10-08T12:19:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crusoe \* > \*\*I’ve heard one name. No corroboration, and I won’t repeat it here. Some people are claiming the _Yorkshire Evening Post_ have named him today. \*\* They have - and their website has been taken down. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/53 "2003-10-08T12:28:34Z")
. . or the server is busy. Curious titled headline, though ‘Leeds United aid probe into sex attack’ - does one “probe” into a “sex” “attack” . . . ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/54 "2003-10-08T12:30:22Z")
Website’s up for me, but the sports section is throwing out “busy” errors. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/55 "2003-10-08T12:32:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jabba \* > Will they do it, do you think? Not in my view. Not ever. It’s just more tabloid crap, this time entirely from Gordon Taylor of the PFA – sure it’s his job to support his members but I think he’s leaning towards irresponsibility on this by stirring the embers with bullshit ‘non-denials’ to questions. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2003, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/56 "2003-10-08T12:33:22Z")
The various Leeds forums have mentioned three players who were out on the town. It’s confused, but one appears to have been arrested, one is being questioned and one was not apparently involved in the alleged incident. Anyway, back to football. The mighty Oldham are on TV on Saturday. You can stuffy yer Turkey. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/57 "2003-10-09T09:09:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crusoe \* > \*\* > > Anyway, back to football. The mighty Oldham are on TV on Saturday. You can stuffy yer Turkey. \*\* Oi! NOTHING ABOUT ROASTING - IT’S SUB JUDICE! ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/58 "2003-10-09T11:26:06Z")
Re the England “strike” Am I the only person who is thoroughly disgusted by this and lays the blame wholly at the door of Manchester United and particularly at the door of Alex Ferguson? How do I work this out? Like this: Ferdinand failed to take a drugs test, and took one 36 hours later. This much is not in doubt. So he certainly committed an offence under the doping rules. The fact that he passed one 36 hours later implies that he is not taking performance enhancing drugs – as they take longer to clear. The only recreational drugs that will clear that quickly are heroin and coke. He obviously isn’t a heroin addict. He does have quite a lively off-field circle of friends though. So if you are the FA and a player fails to take a drugs test and passes one 36 hours later maybe alarm bells will ring? In any case there is a definite case to answer. How do Man Utd react to this? Not well. They have got into the habit of believing that the world begins and end at Old Trafford. They also believe if they shout and scream they will get their way. According to the Telegraph this morning the “strikers” were Neville, Beckham, butt and scholes ie people who know if you throw a strop the supine FA will give in. Where did they learn this behaviour? Step forward the rosy Cheeked Sir Alex. In a similar vein Campbell’s ridiculous fine is the result of clubs being to damned powerful (and David Dein pulling every string known at FA headquarters). What’s this? ``` Martyn ``` Le Saux Richards Southgate Bridge Parlour McManaman Barry Sinclair ``` Fowler Zamora ``` That is a team that would actually want to play for England, and is therefore the team that should be playing on Saturday. At least I wouldn’t feel disgusted looking at them. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/59 "2003-10-09T12:12:16Z")
Put in Defoe for Fowler, drop McManaman even if it means playing with ten men, and you’d have a team. Although I thought Bridge was one of the strikers? ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885/60 "2003-10-09T12:21:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crusoe \* > \*\*Put in Defoe for Fowler, drop McManaman even if it means playing with ten men, and you’d have a team. Although I thought Bridge was one of the strikers? \*\* Good Idea. Bridge is saints left back. You may be thinking of their striker - Beattie, who is in the squad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-footie-focus-october/204885.md?page=4)