The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 20

THE GUARDIAN Saturday March 13 1993 20 SPORTS NEWS Robert Pryce Soccer TALKING POINT: David Lacey on the very different qualities of Alex Ferguson and Ron Atkinson whose table-topping United in their desire for the Premier teams meet tomorrow crown WERE Alex Ferguson and Ron Atkinson meeting over Sunday lunch tomorrow they could contemplate the irony of a situation which finds them pursuing each other for the championship while Mer-seyside's near monopoly of the title, which both men spent a substantial part of the Eighties vainly attempting to break, has disappeared. In the event neither manager will be granted the luxury of leisurely reflection as Ferguson's Manchester United and Atkinson's Aston Villa meet at Old Trafford in the most important Premier League fixture of the season so far. The outcome will not decide the title but the winners will be in the lead coming off the final bend. The auteur theory of football management can be exaggerated. Nevertheless, the contrasting personalities and outlooks of Ferguson and Atkinson will play a part in deciding whether the first Premier League honour goes to Old Trafford, which has not seen the championship for 26 years, or Villa Park, where it has rested once since the reign of Edward VII.

To some the issue has become simply a matter of whether Manchester United will blow their chance for the second season running. Last Easter the Bromwich Albion. "He's a strong-minded man who knows what he wants and invariably gets his way. He's a gambler, a man not afraid of making decisions and one who never sits on the fence. When he makes his mind up or decides on a certain policy he'll put everything into making sure he's done the right thing." Robson was quick to notice a change in style when Ferguson succeeded Atkinson at Old Trafford.

Ferguson, fresh from his eight triumphant years at Aberdeen, was stricter about things like the players' appearance. Haircuts and shaves were soon being ordered. Maybe it is as well that Nigel Kennedy supports Villa. "Where Ferguson also differed from Atkinson was in his approach to team selection." Robson observed. "No matter who you are, Alex will pick his team to win the next game.

He has blinkers on as far as that is concerned and he doesn't give a thought to sentiment." This policy will keep supporters happy all the while a team wins. But once they start losing the manager will face accusations of being indecisive. At present Ferguson has a settled side, but he still has more options than Atkinson and a lot may rest on what use he makes Deep down, however. Atkinson will be gutted if Villa fail. It is less than two years since he arrived on a four-year contract reputed to be worth 1 million, having previously declared that his future lay with Sheffield Wednesday.

For Atkinson the season retains the possibility of an ironic sub-plot: should Villa blow up, Trevor Francis's aspiring Wednesday could be the side to overtake them. Not that tomorrow's teams show signs of imminent collapse. Publicly, both managers greeted this week's hiccups United's defeat at Oldham and Villa's goalless game against Tottenham with studied calm. "I'm not going to get into a lather over this defeat," said Ferguson. "There are still 10 games to go and I want to live to at least 55." He is now 51.

In five days' time Atkinson will be 54, but there are no prizes for guessing who will age quicker tomorrow. Bryan Robson has captained United under Atkinson and Ferguson and his views of their management styles offer some insight into the way the championship contest may develop over the coming weeks. Robson's close relationship with Atkinson was forged in their days together at West title lay within their grasp until one point from four games left a slightly bemused Leeds United as champions. Under Ferguson, United have won three trophies FA Cup, Cup Winners' Cup and League Cup but he is not the first United manager to realise that only one prize really matters. In five seasons under Atkinson, Ferguson's predecessor.

United never finished below fourth but were never higher than third. They won the FA Cup twice, yet Atkinson departed because the promise of the 1985-86 season, which they had begun with 10 straight wins, was not fulfilled. It would bo difficult to imagine a greater contrast in managerial types. Ferguson's emotions are barely skin deep. His famous temper crackles and fizzes but rarely lasts long.

His abiding passion for the game of football always wins in the end. Atkinson's love affair with the game is no less passionate but tends to be well camouflaged behind a facade of easy patter and glib throwaways. The ostentatious gold adornments disappeared years ago, but with his South Fork suntan and chaffing manner you could be misled into thinking that he does not care who wins tomorrow so long as everyone sees a decent game of football. THERE was some dispute this week as to whether Pascal Olmeta (sawn-off sleeves, weak in the air) or Fabien Barthez (sawn-off sleeves, weak everywhere) would be appearing in goal for Marseille against Bor deaux last night. Olmeta returned to the team on Sunday after a long injury absence.

At the insistence of Bernard Tapie, the government minister and Marseille president, he played in Marseille's 3-1 cup win over Martigues. But his claim that he had ire-established himself as first-choice goalkeeper was disputed by the club's 71-year-old manager Raymond Goethals. "You're only in for the cup, that's all, just the cup," he shouted at Olmeta. "I don't give a damn about the cup," Olmeta said later. "I'm not a puppet and people are going to know it.

From now on everyone is going to have to accept my new training schedules." True to his word, Olmeta did not show up for training on Wednesday morning. Goethals, who retires at the end of the season after serving as caretaker manager three times in three seasons, understands his position in Tapie's hierarchy. Asked once how Marseille managed to stay successful while changing managers so often, he replied: "Marseille have had the same manager for the last five years." No one needed to ask whom he meant. AND all is not well at Motherwell. Their progress off the floor of the Premier Division has been halted by a flu epidemic.

And their manager Tommy McLean believes he has diagnosed another malady at the club: players expect rewards "before they put in the work and the McLean recently saw off a "20-year-old college kid" who wanted to negotiate a new contract or one of Moth-erwell's players. "Can you imagine it?" McLean said. "I told him most of the players would be lucky not to be on the scrapheap at the end of the season, never mind thinking about their next contract and a signing-on fee." AND John Beck continues to have a tough time with Preston North End. After his first 15 games as manager yielded only three wins, he wrote in the programme tor Tuesday's game at home to Managing nicely Villa's Atkinson and United's Ferguson Mechanic who keeps Villa well serviced Swansea City about the need to "keep a sense ot numour Beck quoted Ralph Waldo Emnwnn Hnnt-V WllfH RPf1- cher and Will Rogers in the course of advising Preston supporters to "learn laugh ter trom Lime ennaren, oy thlHlrlnrr fhnls- thniiehtfi. dreamlng their dreams and playing their games ana to "use laughter to set healing vibrations into motion to fill a rrmiti wilh thf sunshine of good "What a load ot ruooisn, the fans chanted, as Preston lost 3-1.

THOSE of you who suggested Home Alone (Wimbledon) for this year's Lim-par awards have not been paying attention. It was nominated last year, along with Lord of the Rings (Ron Atkinson), The Man Who Fell to Earth (Jurgen Klins-mann) and The 39 Steps (any continental goalkeeper). And now that Jimmy Hill has done a satisfactory deal with the Royal Bank of Scotland, we have also had to disqualify The Last Days of Chez Nous (Fulham). Which should at least ensure that this week's batch of nomina tions will be utterly fresh and entirely original Carry On Screaming (Les Sealcy), Porky's Revenge (Mick Quinn), A Force of One (Ian Wright), Lost in Space (Nigel Clough), Green Card (Boncho Guentchev), Mo' Better Blues (David Webb), Stars and Bars (Tony Adams), Things That Go Bump in the Night (Tony Adams). The 39 Steps (Tony Adams), Howards End (Everton), Blue Movie (Birmingham City), For a Few Dollars More (Manchester United's third strip), 1 13 (the new pools system), That Obscure Object of Desire (the Autoglass Trophy) and Return to the Planet of the Apes (Maine Road last Sunday).

(Thanks to Paul Rouse, Howard Ernes, Williams, Phil Drake, Steve Morgan, Martin Robinson, Chris Go-lightly, Myles Hardman and Jo Davis). THE Fulham deal also preempted attempts to interest the Pope in the club's fate. Fulham 2000 organisers had intended to send a letter to the Vatican as soon as they could get it translated into Polish. They claim that John Paul II already has an abiding affection for the club; as a young priest at Roehampton seminary, he would faithfully urge Fulham on from his regular spot at the Hammersmith end. And if you can swallow that, the Nicene Creed should appear to you incontrovertible as the Brooking Brief.

purchase of Scott Sellars from Leeds and 450,000 Mark Robinson from Barnsley. One year ago Keegan walked out on the club after being denied money to reinforce his squad. Newcastle, 6 million in debt when he arrived in February 1992, have-since spent that much in transfer deals. Cole's departure will upset many at Bristol City, who like their neighbours arc in danger of relegation. The fans' mood will not be improved by the news that under the terms of the striker's summer transfer, 500,000 of the fee will go to Highbury.

Tho appointment of the 'J'J-year-old Osman was probably precipitated by the need to sort out other transfer moves, the first of which saw Glenn Penny-father, recently on loan from Ipswich, signed for 75,000. Bristol Rovers' decision to bring in Ward, who was working without a contract at York, left Allison with little choice but to quit: "I think that when I was ill they believed I was not fit enough to run the team. I felt I was. I hope they get out of trouble." Although initially successful, Allison's training methods failed to endear him to all the players. Some became openly critical, claiming he placed too much emphasis on physical fitness and not enough on conventional coaching skills.

Twenty-four hours after securing their future at Craven Cottage, Fulham yesterday signed a 10,000 sponsorship with the GMB general union (formerly the Boilermakers). March 1993, 09:11 GMT Cole to Newcastle as Allison quits and according to one seasoned observer "looked better than John Barnes, who was then playing in that position for Watford was Richardson's next port of call. He had been unable to command a regular first-team place in a midfield which had Bracewell, Sheedy, Steven and Reid all at the peak of their careers, and Watford offered him first-team football. He had one season there before George Graham paid 200,000 to take him to Arsenal for three seasons where he picked up his second championship medal before joining Real Sociedad. And that is where he was when Atkinson took over at Villa two seasons ago.

Atkinson's first move was to sell David Piatt for 5.5 million and begin rebuilding. Just short of half a million of that jackpot two seasons ago went on taking Richardson to Villa Park to fill the daunting hole left by Piatt's departure. "I suppose you could call us Platt-ston Villa," joked Atkinson at the time. The 5ft 9in midfielder has been an ever-present in the No. 6 shirt ever since.

Richardson believed Villa's win over Wimbledon a fortnight ago was a conquered ice face on the way to the championship summit. "Beating Wimbledon was a huge psychological bonus for us. United would have expected that if we were going to slip up against anyone, it would be against Wimbledon. But we won and that must have been a sickener for United. So much of this championship is going to be decided in the mind." If that is the case, then Richardson should have the ideal mental preparation.

Big crowds, big occasions, big stakes: he has played for them all before. of them should the need for changes arise. The championship catalyst could be Eric Cantona. who will bo back from suspension tomorrow. "Cantona has brought something extra to the team that we haven't had in my time here, says Ferguson, "and he is the master of the simple six-yard pass." The Frenchman has made United less reliant on the form and mood of Hughes.

Villa's progress may yet be hampered by the continued absence from their attack of another Atkinson, Dalian, whose abdominal strain has kept him out of regular action since early December, leaving Saunders as the only regular scorer. Ron Atkinson may try to buy before the transfer deadline on Thursday week. Then again, what he would really like to buy is a new pair of knees for Paul McGrafh. Whoever wins the Premier League, it is comforting to know that the English representatives in next season's European Cup will have set high standards of passing and movement to get there. For the moment one's sympathies lie with the man from Go-van who dares not fail again and the Liverpool-born Brummie whose grin hides the earnestness of his desire to win.

a cold Rangers, with an eye on Wednesday's home match with Club Brugge in the European Cup, will still be without four internationals: the goalkeeper Andy Coram, the defenders Gary Stevens and Richard Gough and the midfielder Ian Ferguson. "But our squad have managed to cope with that kind of setback throughout the season, so there's no need for pessimism," said the manager Walter Smith, whose team have gone 42 matches unbeaten. Kevin Moore. Ipswich ore without a League goal lor 410 minutes Geraint Williams misses his second game with hip trouble but Ihe left-back Neil Thompson may return TOMORROW Manchester Aston Villa Bryan Robson. having proved his recoveiy trom calt troublo.

could mako his first Premier League appearance (or three months Robson. who needs onothor tour appearances to qualify for a championship modal, will probably start on tho bench but Eric Cantona is back allor suspension, probably tho expense ot Andrei Kanchelskis Villa may recall tho England tult-back Brian Small after an eight-match absence Coca-Cola Cup Semi-tinal, second leg Shetf Wed Blackburn Paul Warhurst. 1 1 goals in his last to games lor Wednesday, including two at Ewood Park, 13 still struggling with a knee problem in a tie which Wednesday lead 4-2 Ironically that could make life easier for his manager Trevor Francis who has Mark Bright and David Hirst lit again. Tho full-back Nigel Worlhing-lon is susponded and John Sheridan (back) loins Warhurst in a late check Tho Rovers left-back Alan Wright (stomach strain) is also struggling to play and Gordon Cowans (thigh) will also bo gratolul lor tho extra 24 hours treatment time. Cynthia Bateman on whose quiet authority THE other day, before what Kevin Richardson regarded as a psychologically important Premier League match against Wimbledon, Ron Atkinson hired two stretch limousines to take his players out to lunch.

The lunch was the Aston Villa skipper's suggestion. The limos were Atkinson's idea. It somehow typified their relationship: Richardson the bread-and-butter man; Atkinson the strawberry jam. "He's got style," said Richardson, "and he wants his team to play with the same sort of attitude. But behind the fun, there is an iron code of discipline.

I was two minutes late one day and got fined 30. But he gets the best out of his players by encouraging them to enjoy the game. You look forward to coming in because you know you'll be laughing." Atkinson calls his skipper: "A moaner, a grumbler but a bloody good grumbler. He's a day-in day-outer. Worse players than him have picked up international caps and better players than him haven't." No caps, but a list of honours that might make Manchester United's younger players stop and think about who they arc up against in the championship cruncher at Old Trafford tomorrow.

If Villa win the title, the 29-year-old Richardson, who already has medals for winning the FA Cup, the European Cup Winners' Cup and two League Championships, will become the first player in the history of English football to win three championships with three different clubs. He will then be assured a place in the record books. So far, despite spending his career Performance of the week: Nayim (Tottenham Hotspur), whose hat-trick at Maine Road took Spurs to the FA Cup semi-finals and put Nick Barmby's absence into perspective. Letters Kevin Richardson, inspires his team in the very top flight of club football, he has avoided the limelight. Perhaps because he is as elusive a figure on the field as off it.

His workmanship on the pitch attracts managers rather than headlines. Richardson, a Geordie, is variously described by those who watch him play regularly as: "The mechanic. The man who keeps things running, but not a player you "The nuts-and-bolts man. The player who holds the team "A jack of all trades, who sits in front of the defence. The man who tries to break up movements -as the opposition attack, and ferries the ball out to his front and wide men." Howard Kendall, his former boss at Goodison Park where he began his career as an apprentice more than a decade ago, said: "Obviously he is much more experienced now, but he always had an old head on young shoulders.

He is a very intelligent player. He is not quick, but he reacts to situations well and is very rarely exposed. And he is consistent: he always does the right thing at the right time. He senses where danger is and fills the gaps." Richardson spent seven seasons at Everton in the glorious mid-Eighties, and was a member of the side which beat Bay-em Munich, arguably their greatest triumph, to put them into the Cup Winners' Cup final in 1985, which they eventually won the year Manchester United denied them the treble by winning the FA Cup final. Richardson did not play in that Wembley final, but the previous year when they beat Watford to take the FA Cup, Richardson played on the left wing.

A Other THIS stylish Islington-born forward began his 12-year career in the company of roosters but the game only really awoke to his talents when he joined the company of some old Kent roadmen. A short spell up the river followed, but then he became a prince of foxes for seven years before injury curtailed his playing days. He is one of the few footballers to have held a pilot's licence and survived. Last week: Bryan "Pop" Robson (Newcastle. West Ham, Sunderland, West Ham, Sunderland, Carlisle, Chelsea, Carlisle, Sunderland, Carlisle).

concern; Birmingham City's did not. Which makes all the earnest concern and pious condemnation shown over Sunday's invasion a mite hypocritical. Second, the knee-jerk call for the return of fences ignores the fact that a third of the fans who came on to the pitch at Maine Road did so from a section of the ground, the Kippax Road stand, which was fenced. Many had climbed over the fences which under the Taylor report's guidelines must not exceed 2.2 metres in height and must not have spikes or through (ho gaps Lord Justice Taylor insisted on for safety reasons. So in order to make fences insurmountable, it would seem whose midfield control has helped Villa stay on target Nell Robinson and David Foot KEVIN KEEGAN took his spending this week to almost 3 million by paying Bristol City a club-record 1.75 million for Andy Cole, the England Under-21 striker.

It was a busy day in Bristol. City also confirmed the appointment of Russell Osman, the caretaker manager who was roundly booed by fans after Tuesday's defeat by Millwall, until the end of the season while Rovers appointed John Ward as manager on a three-year contract. His arrival from York City was immediately followed by the resignation of Malcolm Allison. The 65-year-old chief coach, who had just returned from a week off with a chest problem, said he was "surprised and disappointed but that's Keogan, by contrast, was delighted with his purchase of the 21-year-old Cole, who only joined Bristol City last summer for 500,000 from Arsenal. "There have been a million reasons why we should have pulled out of this deal, but the fact that we didn't speaks volumes for what we think of the player," said Keegan.

"He has terrific pace and a great goals record, plus a lot of self-belief. Cole scored 12 goals this season in a side not winning a lot and the mind boggles as to how many he will score in a team at the top of the First Division." Cole will make his debut at Swindon today. Yesterday's signing came three days after the 700,000 Scottish round-up Chaos breaks out over Scotland Treasure chest Richardson, manager, kept the nasal spray within reach for himself when he revealed that It of his players were affected. Aberdeen's reserve match with Celtic was postponed and there was much anxiety over the first team's trip to Brockville. "We've been stretched repeatedly throughout this season, but this is the worst yet," said Miller, who is already without Paul Mason (injured) and Lee Richardson (suspended) in mid-field and Eoin Jess and Scott Booth in attack.

Coventry Arsenal Coventry's signings David Rerinie and Leigh Jenkinson. from Birmingham and Hull rcspeclivelv. are in Ihe squad ot 17 and expect to mawe Iheir Prermnr League debuts. Arsenal's England sinker Ian Wright is ust one booking away Irom a ban that would rule him out ol tho FA Cup semi-tmal against Tottenham but his manager George Graham refuses to use the player's nagging groin strain as an excuse to withdraw him Everton Nottingham Forest Ian Snodin. recalled to the Everton squad alter missing tho midweek defeat at Chelsea wilh thigh troublo.

is expected to replace the suspended Barry Home. Forest may give the Scotland Under-21 midtreldci Ray McKinnon his lust senior outing for live months. Stuart Poatce (groin), Neil Webb (Achilles tendon). Scot Gemmill (ankle) and Stove Stone (leg) are out and Roy Keane and the new signing Robert Rosano start two-match bans Leeds Manchester City David Rocaslle could win a rare starting slot (or who miss Gordon Stractian and Chris Whyto, both suspended, and Gary McAllister, sidelined with a broken arm David Kerslake. a C500.COO signing Irom Swindon, has shaken o(r a slight call strain and makes his dcbul in detorrco with Stevo Hodge, Carl Shult and Ihe leading scorer Lee Chapman pushing tor a recall.

Tho 16-man squad also includes the teenage stnkor Jamie Forrester City's Oulcti detonder Michel Vonk has been having treatment on a hip injury but hopes to be til. as clubs catch "Falkirk are fighting for Premier Division survival and they will be dangerous enough without this," he said. Falkirk also have problems, with a handful of first-team regulars side-lined. Alex Miller, the Hibernian manager, directed operations from his home as the virus laid him low on the eve of his team's trip to Ibrox. His coach Andy Watson revealed that the veteran midfielder Murdo MacLeod, who is also assistant manager, is hopeful of passing a fitness test this morning.

Middlesbrough Liverpool Relegation candidates Boro must do without their goalkeeper Stephen Pears who aggravated a hip injury in midweek Ian Ironside takes over Liverpool, without the suspended Mike Marsh, look likely to retain the sido which tinished against OPR in midweek, meaning Rosenthal partnering Rush up front Norwich City Oldham The striker Leo power and midfielders Jeremy Goss and Gary Megson are recalled by Norwich who can close to within a point ot tho leaders Manchester United and Villa. Daryl Sutch is very doubtful Oldham have put the untried teenager Chris Makin on stand-by tor Nicky Heniy. Ian Marshall is still out QPR Wimbledon Rangers are London's leading club but their injuty problems continue Tho long-term absentees Ray Wilkins, Gary Penrico and Ian Holloway have been mined by bruised-loot victims Andy Sinton and Danny Maddix and Simon Barker (back). Wimbledon include the midfielder Gerald Oobbs and the detender Scoll Fitzgerald but will continue with an unchanged sido as they look to banish any lingering relegation worries Southampton Ipswich The midlietdor Terry Hurlock has comploted a five-match suspension, but worries about his fitness could mean the youngster Tommy Widdrington staying in the Southampton side But the England Under-21 defender Richard Hall, also back after a ban, replaces The British Steel Challenge Invasion outrage pious and out Race order as at 11th Patrick Glenn A MICROSCOPIC bug swept through Scottish football with devastating effect yesterday. Motherwell were so badly hit that they submitted an astonishing 20 medical certificates to the Scottish Football League to seek the postponement of their home match with Celtic.

Their request was immediately accommodated. Willie Miller, the Aberdeen of proportion the authorities will need to goi against Taylor's recommendations, something the Government has steadfastly refused to do, with standing areas at grounds. Steve Deere Great Yarmouth Norfolk Wilkinson not so razor sharp PERHAPS Howard Wilkinson is trying to strike a balance: he sold Cantona too quickly; now he has taken too long signing a right-back. Brian Shaw Pontefract 3rd Leg Hobart to Capo Town Yacht Namo Latitudo Longiludo Mllostogo 1 Group .1 41S918S 04035.55E 1168 2 Holbrau Lager 4252.00S 044 52.0QE (365 3 Nuclear Electric 42 37.61S 04504.73E 1371 4 Rhone Poulenc 4239.06S 04555.78E 1408 5 British Stool II 4217.76S 04612.66E 1416 6 Commercial Union 42 57.00S 046 21.05E 1430 7 Coopers Lybrand 4224.58S 047 00.09E 1451 8 Heath Insured 42 32.45S 047 38.05E 148D 9 InlorSpray 42 46.81S 047 55.1IE 1495 to Pndo ol Toossido 4045.36S 050 59.56E 1617 BN FEBRUARY 1992, during a pitch invasion at the Birmingham City Stoke City game, the referee was assaulted and corner-flag poles thrown like javelins during a mass punch-up between fans. The game had to completed in an empty stadium.

Although Birmingham City were punished by the FA, the incident received nothing like the coverage and admonishment heaped on those involved in Sunday's events at the Manchester City game even though it was a far more worrying case. This is because Sunday's events occurred live on national television and in a media climate where juvenile crime is the current "in" social Modorato winds mostly from ahead have slowed down progress, especially the leaders- Tho Met OHlco forecast a frontal trough with 35kt NW winds to pass leaders tomorrow, moving Eastwards dawn tho floot. OS BT Race Results iaJfE1 Copyright B.T. System Data pic 1992 A.H..