FERGUSON WOULD BE WITH JOSE
THERE’S no doubt whose camp Sir Alex Ferguson is in when it comes to the Jose Mourinho-Paul Pogba issue at Manchester United.
As a stalwart of the League Managers’ Association, Fergie – I believe – would be very much on Mourinho’s side. There may even be an element of “told you so” with Old Trafford’s legendary boss, now a United director.
To put it mildly, he wasn’t impressed when Pogba walked out on the club to join Juventus when he was boss. Then Ferguson,
76, saw United re-sign the France midfielder for a record
£89million. Sources close to the most successful manager in the history of British football suggest he hasn’t been impressed with Pogba’s performances since he returned, despite recognising his strengths.
But in Fergie’s eyes, those strengths DON’T include tracking back from midfield to help out the defence. Ferguson, attending matches again at Old Trafford after recovering from a brain haemorrhage, might not be a fan of the style of football served up under Mourinho but in manager-player disputes, as a rule, he would back the boss.
He’s always been an admirer of Mourinho’s achievements and has always been available to help and advise fellow managers. And he’s not a fan of dressing room anarchy – that’s something Fergie (left) would never have tolerated. PAUL HETHERINGTON MAN CITY couldn’t be found of kicking their guilty
They’ve way to success. Manchester been accused by Mourinho of United boss Jose of “tactical being the masters play when a fouls” to disrupt on the counter team hits them go into today’s attack. But City having big battle at Liverpool fewest fouls committed the in the Premier League this season.
NEIL WARNOCK raged, Joe Ralls was red-carded but ultimately Cardiff’s 10 men showed Spurs just how far they have to go to hit the heights needed to push for a league title.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men banished the blues of being battered by Barca but this unconvincing display left more questions.
They simply are not good enough at the moment to be mentioned in the same breath as Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Eric Dier grabbed the opener after eight minutes but the expected landslide did not materialise as Spurs were dragged into a dogfight.
Pochettino said: “This wasn’t our best performance. But overall we deserved victory and three points.
“After we scored we had a lack of control. It turned into a drama when Cardiff had one less.”
And when Ralls was rightly sent off midway through the second half, the home side’s heads went as Harry Kane was yellow-carded, indignant at the challenge and wound up by the Cardiff bench’s reaction.
Pochettino sought to calm the affair afterwards. He said: “I saw Neil angry, particularly about the decision and Kane. But he has passion. I do not know the man, but as I said he has passion and wants the best for his club.”
Cardiff boss Warnock also put it down to the heat of battle. He said: “Everyone gets angry, whether five-or-side of whatever. I was proud today.
“It’s not often that you see Tottenham playing the ball into the corner in the last few minutes.”
Cardiff are a fine, fighting side, but not in the same league.
Yet they battled, often made fools of so-called me g astars and as victories go Spurs should not feel a corner has been turned.
There was no Dele Alli, no Christian Eriksen but teams that get to be title contenders should have the ability to glue gaps.
Yet it started so well.
Kieran Trippier launched one of his trademark crosses from the left, Davinson Sanchez bravely went in to meet it, the ball dropping down and as it stuck under the feet of Joe Bennett, Dier fired home from close range.
Dier then turned hero at the other end when he threw himself at Junior Hoilett’s feet to block his shot after Josh Murphy exposed Tottenham’s defensive frailties in the 29th minute. Cardiff defended well and Hoilett was always a threat in attack. They made it hard for a Tottenham side not at their best but also rode their luck. Lucas Moura shot wide from four yards, Kane’s header from Danny Rose’s cross was superbly saved by Neil Etheridge only for Moura’s follow-up to be blocked on the line by Sean Morrison. Cardiff rightfully lost Ralls for a cynical 58th-minute foul on Moura. Warnock was also given a verbal warning, where he should have really kept quiet – not easy for him.
And the visitors almost equalised when Hugo Lloris pushed a Morrison header on to a post from Josh Murphy’s 64th-minute free-kick.