NORWICH SALUTE CARROW ROAD LEGEND

Norwich chairman Delia Smith heaped praise upon
departed manager Andrew Southwick after the two
sides clashed in the Inter Wing Cup.

Norwich ran out 4-1 winners with outstanding
performers from Ash_Cole, D_Francis and JC_Donde
three players who have been nurtured by Southwick
and Smith was quick to heap the praise on their
former manager.

"I think the performances by these players showed
just what a great team Southwick was putting together," gushed the celebrity chef.

"Everyone here at Norwich has a lot of respect for
what he's done and the current manager has a hell
of a lot to live up to.
"He was also the best looking manager we ever had
and I though the ladies in the ticket office aren't as
keen on Mr. Walling."

Southwick set his Chelsea team out to attack in a
bid to entertain with qualification gone for both
sides, and doesn't regret his decision despite the
scoreline in Norwich's favour.

"I could have played for a draw but was was the
point? "I just sat back and watched a very entertaining
game. You always want your own side to win but it was a pleasure to see some of my old players show just
how good they are becoming.
"The future is very bright for Norwich. The job now
at Chelsea is to get them as good as my old team,
and I think my current players will have learnt a lot
from our little tussle with the canaries."

Win joy for tannadice men

Dundee United are going through what can only be described as a veritable Indian summer in terms of results, writes, Alan Kernaghan. Uniteds good form has been mainly put down to a strong defence which was severely lacking at the start of the season. In the past 10 matches, the tannadice men have been watertight. That is an amazing record of 3 goals conceded in over 1000 minutes of football. In the most recent of wins, against Southampton, United ran out 3-0 victors in a very one sided affair. This leaves them with 2 players suspended for the very tough FA cup tie v Aberdeen. The arabs have vowed to go out and keep things tight at the back once again and hopefully the strike-force of Ralph and Fowler (in for the suspended Pezzarossi) will be able to bag enough goals to collect the win. If this could be done, it would be a fantastic result and would lead to Dundee United youth, J_Clark picking up even more game time. He has currently sitting at 1279 minutes of game experience and the tannadice gaffer is looking for more – with 950 minutes remaining IF he can stay injury and suspension free.That would lead to a grand total 2229 minutes on the field and virtually guarantees a decent player come the end of the season. It is a big risk to play such a young lad but the tannadice gaffer has managed to play a system which suits this players abilities – up until next season when nothing will stop the arabs.

North East rivallry.

Dundee United and Aberdeen - the new firm - the north east derby. Grant v Watson. On and on go the connetations of what this match means to 2 friends who managed rival teams. However, come full time and no matter what the result of the match is, we can be guarenteed that the 2 managers will share a laugh and a drink afterwards in the chairmans office.

In the early days, Grant and Watson were team mates in a 'world cuppie' team which rarely got through the first round. Then, shortly after Grant made it into management, cutting his teeth at the then vacant middlesborough job, Watson applied and took over the reigns at Boston. In the first encounter between the pair, Watson was victorious, taking his boston team to an easy victory over Boro'. Since then, Grant scored the highly sought after position of Dundee United gaffer and Watson has taken on Aberdeen - the favourite clubs fot he 2 managers. Grant, it seems has built the squad that he craves and has 4 premiership trophies at a bulging trophy room at Dundee United. This by no means over shadows the reconstruction work being done at Pittodrie boss, Stuart Watson. In his first season, he turned a bunch of no hopers round into a team which gained promotion and they are still in line for a repeat performance THIS season. The transformation from bottom league no hopers to division 1 hopefulls is quite remarkable.

This match has been played many times in past seasons, with Dundee United and Andy grant coming out better in the matches - however, Watsons tactical knowledge is paramount to his success and he has the brain and the team to take down any team.

At stake, is a place in the last 16 of the FA cup and for Grant, the chance to give his young player, John 'slim' Clark another 90 minutes of experiance. Grant said 'It would be fantastic to progress in the cup both for the fans and for my protege, John Clark. I feel that he needs as much experiance this season as possible to ensure he comes back next season as a great player. I have hopes that Clarky will stay injury and suspension free and if he can manage this, coupled with a good run in the cups, i would hope to get him 2500 playing minutes. He can only learn from this and i am sure he will go on to feature reguarly for us next season barring any disasters.

When asked about his teams form, Grant said 'The lads are really responding well to a new style of play which i have introduced to accomodate Clarky. Next up for us in the league is Middlesborough. They are a very tough team and are top of the premiership on ability (as well as a little luck). Like us though, Boro have hit a wee bad spell of luck with 3 players suspended for the next match - We definetly have a chance. The lads heads went down a bit after we scored some very unlucky losses and if it weren't for the freak results, we could we be closer up the table. However, we are 7 points behind boro with over half the season to play still and we won't be throwing in the towel. We can claw back that lead as easily as we lost it and if there is any manager counting out the 'Arab effect'. We will play with pride and skill until the very last minute and will never give up as long as there is the most remote of chances that we could win.

Motivating Fury

Derby County have recently been playing with a fury that can only come from injustice. Once again, County were overlooked in the monthly honours list
after having the best form of the Premiership, and once again, Middlesboro took the spoils, even after being shockingly dumped out of the FA Cup in
the first round by non-league opposition. Manager Graham Frith has channeled his fury into motivating his players into greater play, and it seems to be working. In the 4 matches played so far in June, County have
won 3 and drawn 1, amassing a total of 19 goals to only one goal against. If they can keep this momentum going, there should be no doubt about MOM at
the end of this month, or POM for that matter, with Kluivert having scored 6 goals in 4 matches, with 2 Moms besides. However, things will start to get more difficult from now on, with big games against boro and Dundee Utd in quick succession. If County can beat those big teams, and stay top of the Prem, and stay in the FA Cup, there will be no question about MOM next
time.

Did he jump or was he pushed – Grant considering position

Rumours over Grants departure from the tannadice hotseat are growing every day and the boss himself would neither confirm nor deny it. He said ’It would be with a heavy heart that I leave the club but I may have to consider my position for the sake of the team. I have a hugely talented group of lads here at tannadice and for some reason the pbemff bigwigs do not want to see them win. Everything has been done this season to stop my lads from winning matches – whether its dodgy sendings off, long injurys to key men (13 injuries at last count for the season) or numbers that just don’t add up. The enjoyment of being Dundee Uniteds gaffer is being lost at every ‘bad piece of fortune’ and it is done at the moment out of routine rather than enjoyment.

You cannot always be unlucky and sometimes you have to take a step back and look at the situation and see if theres any reason for what is happening. On looking back, I only have 1 player who has been able to say that he has played all available minutes and have been forced to play 19 different players so far this season. This is not a natural amount of players for a team to use. The goings on CANNOT be put down to bad luck. There is too much of it for that. If we had gained even half the points which I think we should have got, we would be in a strong place in the league, just off the leaders and would be in the next round of the FA cup – which in turn would result in more playing time for my youth.

WE have had bad luck in every aspect – match facts, injuries and suspensions. I am constantly considering my suitability to the job and will continue to search for a definitive answer in the upcoming weeks. I will let you all know via the press conferences.

The Tide Turns

Yesterday, the tide turned in favour of Derby County, as the East Midlands club managed to secure a vital win at the Riverside. The win could prove the difference between the sides, which previously had been locked in battle to control the top of the prem. Boro have now suffered two consecutive league defeats, at the hands of Dundee Utd and at home to Derby County, which has enabled County not only to leap-frog them into first spot, but also to open up a healthy gap of 4 points. Some pundits are
claiming that the Premiership is already won, and whilst this is obviously premature with 6 matches to play, the jubilation in the Derby County dressing room after the match, was palpable. The game was won by half-time with goals by Gall and Pressley, and although Boro managed to pull one back, the County manager Graham Frith had already made the tactical changes
and substitutions necessary to contain any further threat. The only sad note was the yellow card for midfield maestro Sean Gall, which sees him
suspended for two matches - the FA Cup clash gainst Reading, and next weekend's vital match home to Dundee Utd.

Daami the Dummy

Derby County are presenting their case to the authorities against the
referee of their FA Cup quarter final. Derby contest that M_Daami is
incompetent and should be stripped of his refereeing badge. Were it not for
the brilliance of keeper Seaman, and the hard work of the last remaining
Derby defender Gareth Southgate, the referee would have cost Derby the
game. As it is, 3 unnecessary red cards have made it impossible for Derby
to win against rivals Dundee Utd in the Premiership. Derby present the
following evidence to support their case.

Min. 30 :(der)C_Doni plays it towards the near post!
... S_Pressley gets to it!
... But M_Hahnemann just gets his fingers to that one
... M_Daami has given a goal kick
... Unbelievable !
Min. 32 :(der) J_ZeRoberto takes possession
... Knocks it past S_Schemmel
... He's through on goal
... J_ZeRoberto tries one from the edge of the box !
... But M_Hahnemann just gets his fingers to that one
... M_Daami has given a goal kick
... He's not having the best of days !
Min. 39 :(der) J_ZeRoberto cuts through the defence
... J_ZeRoberto sidesteps his marker and tries the wicked snap
bender !
... M_Hahnemann tips it round the post
... Good save
... Corner not given!!
Min. 39 :(rea) N_Forster takes possession on the edge of the box
... J_Zanetti rushes in with a clumsy tackle!!
... That's a foul!!
... His 2nd yellow this game ! Sent off !
... An early bath or him then!
Min. 42 :(der)
... C_Doni lofts the ball in!
... The ball finds its way to A_Juninho
... He gets the shot away
... But M_Hahnemann palms it behind
... M_Daami has given a goal kick
... He's not having the best of days !
Min. 60 :(der) P_Kluivert turns past E_Cubilier
... He has created space for himself now
... A wicked drive by P_Kluivert !
... But M_Hahnemann tips it behind
... M_Daami has given a goal kick
... Unbelievable !
Min. 72 :(rea) G_Karagounis plays it forward to Mido_Hossam
... S_Pressley leaves his foot in with the challenge!!
... That's a bad foul!!
... His 2nd yellow this game ! Sent off !
... The fans jeer him off!
Min. 73 :(der) D_Matteo headbutts J_DeWulf!
... RED CARD!!
... He's been hard done by for that!!

Derby await to hear what action will be taken against the offending
referee, who would be better doing sunday league than premiership refereeing.!

News

Ipswich superstars R_Pires and F_souza who are both 2 of the older players in the squad have had a bust up over how Pires has been looking at Francos wife at match day last week.
Friends of the club have said that the Brazilian striker Franco told Frenchmen Robert to F**k Off and dont ever go near his wife unless he wants his balls chopped off. Franco the squared up to Robert but Robert ran away into the changing rooms as he is a frenchman and has no back bone.

Both have had a warning from Manager danny about this and both have shaken hands on national television but there is still tension around the club.
Both players have said this will not affect there playing performances and will still pass to each other.

Both have agreed they want to put an exellent performance in at the weekend and want to hammer Reading as bad as possible.


More news to come after this weekends game

Aberdeen today celebrated a 2-0 win over an in form leeds team in a
division 2 clash today. J_McIntyre hit the opener before Maccarone stuck in
a last minute penalty for his 9th of the season.

the dons started the match in a counter attack formation while the visitors
lined up with a european style. leeds atrted the better with a shot off the
post and an early penalty claim. The game continued with leeds piling on the
pressure with aberdeen left with a few attempts on the counter which were
dealt with easily by the leeds keeper. leeds continued to impress but
couldnt break down the dons makeshift back 4 leading the game into a 0-0
first half.
the dons srated the second half more brightly before McIntyre slipped the
ball past robinson in the 51st minute to net his 3rd goal since his recent
transfer from celtic.The dons took heart from this and had their own period
of pressure with delpiero going close. leeds then took hold once again in
the latter stages before Maccarone was brought down by the keeper in injury
time. Amazingly robinson escaped a red card but maccarone slammed home the
resultant spot kick to seal the win."

CHELSEA UNVEIL TREBLE SIGNING

Chelsea manager Andrew Southwick was finally able to
reveal his three major signings this week at a packed
press conference.

With a total of £40 million going in and out of
Stamford Bridge this week, the identitys of the
mystery three were finally revealed.

Spanish defender E_Morretti became the club's biggest
signing from Valencia to the tune of £15 million. The
highly rated hardman went straight into the first team
at the weekend against leaders Birmingham and was
unlucky not to take the man of the match award.

He'll be joined in defence by M_Upson who joined from
Roma, while in midfield D_Peckersgill came in a swap
deal that saw Collins_John go the opposite direction.

A delighted Southwick said: "I'm delighted to get
these players now rather than at the end of the
season. It saves us having to deal during pre-season
and we get the bonus of playing these players now in
anticipation of a big season next year.

"No more players will be coming in now - we now have
our squad for next season with the rebuilding just
about finished. We no longer have the excuse of a
poor side and I expect a promotion charge next season."

Arab Joy.

It is perhaps an indication of how far the tannadice men have slipped in recent times but Arabs supporters were left delighted after taking the second place in the IWC group.

The team had started the IWC campaign off poorly, scoring a loss and a draw in the first match, however rallied to finish it strongly, with another draw and 4 wins, scoring 15 goals in the process.

As well as this, the arabs have risen 3 positions in the league from 8th to 5th, in what has so far been a disasterous beginning. Hopes are high that they can go on and take another win from the next match against Southampton. If this were to become a reality, Dundee United would be back with a level of respectability and can at least offer some competition to those above them

Arab Sadness

It is with great regreat that dundee united manager andrew grant announced that a deal which he had been working on and would argueably have been the biggest in pbemff history. At a press announcement Grant said 'We had an offer on the table which we were seriously considering. It was, in my opinion, a very good deal for both clubs and would have meant that each would have strengthened weaker areas in their team and in turn allowed both teams to be the best in pbemff. However, the other manager was uncontactable for a few days and when our officials finally got in touch with him to accept the deal, they had decided to pull out of the deal. It then came to light that the officials of the other club were trying to get an extra 15m Euros from the tannadice club. Grant went on to say 'Dundee united have not got where they are by buckling to the demmands of others. We accepted a deal which we thought was a good one for both sides, only for the deal to be changed.'

Squad depth – the future.

It is now, more than ever, that league managers are realising that a prudent approach to squad depth is the future of management in the league with several high profile managers sweating over the availability of team members. Some squads have as little as 11 senior players in the squads with the rest being made up of mercanries and journeymen –and its starting to hit them hard.

Dundee United have employed a policy of buying enough to cover injuries and we would hope that this policy continues to show up well, said Grant. We currently sit 7 points behind the leaders but fully expect this gap to drop to 5 points by the end of next week. A punch drunk Boro team will still be hard to beat, but with the talent of my lads, I hope we can score maximum points from the fixture. If we can achieve this, we will hit the half way point of the season in 4th place, 5 points behind the leaders and still remina in both cups(if I can beat Aberdeen). What started as a disastourous season, has shown that there may just be light at the end of the tunnel. If and it’s a big if, we can produce the goods, the future will once again be orange.

PBEMFF Gods hate tangerine

This is the only reason that dundee united manager, andy grant can find for his sides latest loss. The facts tell a different story from that of the score. Dundee united have nearly 2/3rds of possession, they had 8 shots on target and 11 key passes to the 4 of aberdeen. However they managed to lose the game - a fact made more astonishing by the knowledge that aberdeen only had 1 shot on target in the match.

If ever a win was less deserved, it was here....but its not the first time. Similar stats were gained in the league opener v arsenal and the arabs went down 1-0. Grant said 'Good luck to Stu and aberdeen and i geniunly wish them all the best of luck in the tournement. However, i can't help but feel dissapointed with the result. The better team did not triumph on the day.' He added, 'The pbemff gods must hate the colour tangerine as nothing else is helping us this season. - We even had ANOTHER player injured this week. However, we will have to pick ourselves up and get on with it...we have Boro this coming weekend and theres no reason why i should let our recent standards slip.'

On mentioning youth, John Clark, Grant said 'the lad is progressing into a fine player and one which dundee united can be proud of. 'His discipline record is second to none and if he can stay injury free (a feat only managed by 2 first teamers at united this season) he will turn out as a good player for united - even at 2 stars.

United manager absent

Dundee united gaffer Andy Grant was at home during his sides impressive 6-4 victory over league leaders Middlesborough this weekend. It is thought that Grant was injured on the training field after taking a heavy knock from a Tannadice youth player. Doctors confirmed that he has suffered torn ligaments in the foot AND ankle and will be out of action for up to 3 weeks. As the matches were being played, Grant left for Kintore Golf Club where he hired a Buggy and scored a poor 102 (80). Thankfully, his management skills are better than his golf. On the scoresheet was Ralph(2) and Pezzarossi who scored a terrific hat-trick from the attacking midfield role. The great performance was slightly marred by the 3rd minute injury to R_Fowler. This injury left A_Tod, a 13 rater playing up front with Ralph. However, it was a great performance against great opponents.

This puts the arabs, who were tipped to be relegated after a poor start to the season, 4th and only 5 points behind new league leaders, Derby. With 7 games to go, Uniteds title hopes are still in their own hands and they will not give up until Steven Arscotts mum starts singing. Talking of Mr Arscott, it was said that the air in Highbury was turning blue after his title challenge took another stuffing. On looking at the fixture list, Arse-cott sighed and cursed. The challenge of an Arabs squad which is playing a lot better than it was at the start of the season seems too much for him. The players are all out for revenge in a fixture which they should have won in the first round of matches, yet managed to lose.

Arabs boss disillusioned.

Andy Grant walked into the press conference looking like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders. After trudging down and throwing himself onto the hard, wooden chair, he immediately explained the source of his bemusement. ‘I have been looking through our past games to see what we have done and how we can go on and build from here. I cannot believe what is happening. In our last game against arsenal, we had 69% of possession, 10 key passes and 12 shots..which compares well to the 31% possession enjoyed by arsenal, 2 key passes and 2 shots on target…yet we lost 2-1. Against everton,I had 4 times as many shots, yet turned out losers. West Ham – twice as many shots and finish up with a draw and in the derby game, I had less shots but more possession and again meekly surrendered 1-0. Lastly, in the league at least, again against arsenal, I have 69% possession, 5 times as many shots (Arsenal only had 1 on target) and again lost out.

The same story can be told in the iwc where I had to defeat to juventus despite being the dominant team and drawing with man city and everton.

In the FA Cup, we were beaten by Aberdeen, a side which is in the second division, even though I enjoyed four times as many shots and 62% of possession. In turn, Aberdeen had 1 shot on target (2 in total) and landed up beating our team 2-1.

The numbers simply don’t add up. We cannot continually be the better team and lose – it defies logic. This also happens with pbemffs best defence and keeper.

Transfers – No news is….boring news.

While sitting on advent of the IW Transfer window, Dundee united have absolutely NO news or transfer targets. After the collapse of a huge deal, Grant was said to be ‘fed up’ with the whole thing.

The Warrior Lands

Derby County are proud to announce that they have secured the services of Javi_Guerrero for the next season. The star striker from Auxerre yesterday
penned a pre-confo contract agreement, and was also happy with the personal terms offered by the East Midlands club. He will be partnered up front with
Patrick Kluivert and will be looking to fill the boots of legend DiCanio, who is set to retire at the end of the season. Derby County are particularly keen to point out that the player also has significant attacking midfielder qualities, with a 16 passing stat, and will they will be looking to fully utilise the player's qualities. Leaving Pride Park will be defender Richard Dunne, midfielder Graham Stuart and Bolivian striker Joaquin Botero. However, as none of these three players figured much in Derby's campaign, the Pride Park faithful will not be too heartbroken to see them go. Also in the offer that has been accepted by Auxerre was 10
million. Javi has already been knick-named 'The Warrior' by the fans, as this is the meaning of his name in Spanish, and they will be looking for him to make war on the Premiership defences next season.

SOUTHWICK: PROMOTION WILL BE A WALK OVER NEXT SEASON

Chelsea manager Andrew Southwick last night
confidently predicted promotion next season as he sits
on the brink of pulling off THREE massive transfer
signings.

Southwick didn't want to give too much away until all
three had signed permanent contracts with the club,
but it appears three players will be arriving on
thursday when the Interwing transfer window opens.

It is thought two highly rated defenders are set to
shore up the defence, with another midfielder coming
in.

In order to finance the deals Southwick will allow
J_Terry, C_Rocastle and J_Keenan to leave on loan -
however he claims it will only help the team in the
long run.

"On thursday we'll see the arrival of three fantastic
players," said the Chelsea manager.

"Unfortunately they won't be signed in time for the
Birmingham game, and with us possibly losing three
players on loan we could in fact have a weakened side
this weekend which is bad timing since Birmingham are
the strongest side in the division.

"However I'm looking to next season already, these
three new players will come in, get games, and be
fully settled in by next season.

"Our three loan stars will return by then possibly
better players from playing for stronger teams.

"Hopefully our youth defender will have turned into a
great prospect by then and we'll have a team fit to
win promotion, in fact I expect it."

Southwick dismissed the challenge of other promotion
hopefuls for next season, claiming the only teams that
worry him will be promoted this season leaving the way
open for an easy Chelsea challenge.

"Birmingham and Reading are the best two sides, and I
expect them to finish in the top two this season.

"Aston Villa have had a wonderful season by their
standards while Ipswich are still in touch, however I
feel Chelsea are improving at a faster rate than the
both of them and will be stronger next term.

"As for the relegated teams coming down, they won't
even be in the race.

"We may not win the division but thats okay, a top two
place will do. And it will be acheived, because at
Stamford Bridge success is expected, and it will be
delivered in emphatic style."

Ipswich manager Danny Wallace today released a statement saying he is "overwhelmed with how good his players are doing this season and in 2nd position in the league we are looking for promotion this season"
"we have scored alot of goals this season thanks to Souza with 11 goals which is helping out promotion push even further "
"I believe I am the manager to take Ipswich football club into places theyve never been before". Danny says that seeing managers such as derby gaffa who have risen to the top and won the premiership last season has inspired himslef to try and do the same thing with Ipwich.
I have Great Plans for Ipwich in the future i believe players will leave and new ones will join to create a high standard of football at Ipswich

POOR SEASON SO FAR FOR EXPECTANT GUNNERS
Today saw arsenal lose yet another game to a side they should beat on paper against man utd. the score was 2-1 with out 3 strikers again failing to impress.
after this result arsenal sit in 3rd place but a disappointing 7 points behind leaders derby who are the next team to face.
this is also coupled with a poor iwc performance going out at the grp stage even if it was a tough grp and a shock fa cup exit to non league side west brom.
the arsenal sqd has not had a change to settle all season and with personal changes it seems by the week its never easy for the player to gel as a team. star players have come and go and the shock sale of top striker ronaldinho has been questioned by the media and fans this past week when goals seem to be drying up. rumours are circulating that more deals have been agreed with big euro clubs but details have not been announced but the arsenal squad rarely seems to stay the same and baggio has been looking rather unsettled after constant underperformences.

Ipswich NEWS - After GAMES 9

Ipswich fans went wild at this weeks game when ipswich thrashed league competitors Reading in a 3 - 0 game. Franco Souza with one of the goals and then Makin with another and an own goal from reading

Captain Robert Pires has said " we dominated the game and felt it was easy " even though reading were only 1 point behind ipswich in the league ipswich were a differnt class.

this win puts ipswich 3 points away from 3rd and only 2 away from Birmingham at the top

With aston villa playing Birmingham next week with both strikers out ipswich fans will all be gunning for the Villa at the weekend aswell as ipswich.

Ipswich take on Sunderland who only won there 2nd game all season this weekend. Manager Danny reckons he can out wit the Sunderland Manager and can hopefully get all 3 points.

Bantams celebrate great escape

Bradford City were last night celebrating a miracle escape from
relegation. Pre-season favourites to go down from Division 1, the
Bantams have performed above and beyond all expectation this season and
yesterday won a hard fought match against high flying Pompey. Manager
Matt Birch broke his press silence to give us this statement "We started
the season with little chance of survival but we always believed in
ourselves. It was always going to be a transitional season as we looked
to regain the ground we lost by getting ourselves promoted to the
Premiership too soon. So we have been getting rid of most of the older
players and trying to bring some youths through the ranks. We have also
been making sure the defence is a rock solid unit. After last seasons
experience in the Premiership I decided that the key to our downfall was
the lack of strength at the back. We have rectified that now and I think
the arrival of Reddick has been one of the major factors in our recent
good form. We still have a long way to go before my long term master
plan is complete but for now I'm just delighted that this young team has
beaten relegation."