UFO Info Week-End

Both too have only claimed one European title this competition in the 1960s when it was still called the

Both, too, have only claimed one European title, this competition in the 1960s when it was still called the Fairs’ Cup. However, unlike Newcastle, they have since lifted several domestic titles, including the 1984 championship, and currently stand third in their league.
They also have, in Fabio Capello, as distinguished a coach as Newcastle. We might have to defend 60 per cent of the time, they have quality players.”
Roma, like Newcastle, have rarely achieved the success their fans expect of them. However, regular Novocastrian observers of United suggest that cannot be assumed.
Robson, who played on the winning side for England in this stadium 28 years ago, said: “This is the most difficult match of our season but we have won twice away in Europe and that gives you confidence. I’ve got to make sure that does not happen to me.”
Some might say that since two of Roma’s goals followed big hoofs down the middle that most Sunday morning teams would expect to clear, and the others followed abysmal marking, Harper should not be as exposed as Luca Marchegiani was. The only man who appeared fully cognisant of the task facing them in the first leg of tonight’s Uefa Cup third-round tie was the goalkeeper Steve Harper who said he watched the first half of the Roman derby, which Roma led 4-0 after 31 minutes, then switched off because “I could not take any more”.
Harper added: “Their two strikers made a fool of the Lazio goalkeeper.

Shearer himself arrived here fully expecting to be jeered around the pitch the way he was at Vicarage Road, indeed, he sounded as if he was looking forward to it.
Though Bobby Robson has introduced sanity and perspective to the club, and immeasurably lightened the mood, this belief that the globe revolves around St James’ Park is hard to shift. Since a Lazio team including Marcelo Salas, Alen Boksic and Sinisa Mihajlovic were, at that very moment, being humbled by Roma, this must have been a surreal experience.

But then, despite the departure of Ruud Gullit, Newcastle still appear to be living in a virtual reality world of their own. Both players collected their third bookings in the competition during their side’s 3-0 home victory over Bordeaux on Tuesday.. According to Newcastle’s spy in the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday afternoon all Roma fans wanted to do, during the Eternal City’s derby, was pass on their respect for Alan Shearer. Since a Lazio team including Marcelo Salas, Alen Boksic and Sinisa Mihajlovic were, at that very moment, being humbled by Roma, this must have been a surreal experience.

According to Newcastle’s spy in the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday afternoon all Roma fans wanted to do, during the Eternal City’s derby, was pass on their respect for Alan Shearer. Meanwhile, Flond said Fiorentina were “in a dream”, the city “wild with love” for their players. The reaction underlines the status United now hold, and the standards they have yet to live up to.
The Valencia midfielders Gerard Lopez and David Albelda are suspended for the Champions’ League game against United at Old Trafford on 8 December. It gave Roy Keane (“a disappointment”), David Beckham (“no sting”) and Paul Scholes (“disappeared”) five out of 10 – only Henning Berg got fewer points on either side. Corriere dello Sport described the match as “a lesson to Manchester” from Florence. While modern football is much cleaner, Tuesday’s game also promises to be physical.

Palmeiras are known for their aggressive tactics – their coach, Phil Scolari, publicly called for his players to commit more fouls last season.
Meanwhile, Florence was still celebrating yesterday. It is, despite the strange venue, a prestigious match.
United’s only other attempt to become the World club champions, in 1969, ended in a bitter and controversial defeat to the notorious Argentinian side Estudiantes. More likely he is just suffering a drop in form and, consequently, confidence.
Only Jaap Stam and Phil Neville have played more than Yorke this season but it is not easy for Sir Alex to give him a break. Teddy Sheringham is not on speaking terms with Cole, and although players do not have to like each other, this cannot be healthy in a strike partnership.

Perhaps because of this, Sheringham and Cole have played only 229 minutes together this season, the equivalent of about two-and-a-half matches.
Sir Alex did rest Yorke in the Super Cup match and it will be interesting to see who he plays against Palmeiras in the Intercontinental Cup, in Tokyo, next Tuesday. On away grounds he has only scored against Sturm Graz, Coventry and Everton, reviving the old chestnut, first raised in his Aston Villa days, about his being a “home ground” player.
Though he was also quiet in the European Cup final and at Internazionale, his goals against Bayern Munich and Juventus last season, and his performances in Turin and away to Barcelona, are powerful counterpoints to that argument. He rarely featured on Tuesday and it was no surprise when, for the third time in five matches, he was withdrawn around the hour mark.
After starting the season with six goals in as many matches Yorke’s output has dwindled to the extent that he has now scored once in 10, in the 4-1 rout of Watford at Old Trafford. Unlike Andy Cole, who plays in the more advanced position and is thus dependent on good service, Yorke usually is a key figure in United’s build-up play. In addition Roy Keane appears distracted by the speculation surrounding his future.
Yet it is the form of Dwight Yorke which may well be worrying Sir Alex most.