UEFA Cup:
Lazio 0 Inter 3
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0
Chelsea Linked With Milan Trio
New Deal
For Royle
Redfearn Stands By Barnsley
All Change
At Ibrox
New Scottish League
Premiership Round-Up
Division One Round-Up
Division Two Round-Up
Division Three Round-Up
World Cup Countdown
The Knowledge
Bollocks
Today's TV
And Radio
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Thursday 07 May 1998
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 News 6 
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PREMIERSHIP ROUND-UP
Aston Villa, Blackburn, Crystal Palace, Everton, Leeds, Southampton, West Ham
EVERTON
Former manager Mike Walker has laid out this stark warning to the crisis club: Carry on like this and you'll end up like Manchester City.
Speaking a week after leaving Norwich after a disappointing second spell, he said: Someone needs to get a grip at the club. When we stayed up on the last day of the season four years ago, I recall people saying, ‘never again'. But here they are again back in exactly the same situation and if it goes on they will end up like Manchester City have done in chaos and in Division Two.
Walker believes the Merseysiders will beat Coventry on Sunday and will be kept up by a Chelsea victory against Bolton, who are one point ahead of the Goodison Park club going into the Premiership's final weekend. But if they don't manage it, he warned, it's going to be a very bleak future for them indeed. Just look at what has happened at Maine Road.
Relegation would be a huge psychological blow for the club and the fans. I remember when we had to win our crucial final game against Wimbledon, seeing fans leaving the ground in tears when we were 2-0 down. Of course we went on to win 3-2 and stay up but those things do stay with you.
Walker, who was dismissed in October 1995 after only ten months at Goodison, says he believes he could have turned the sleeping giant around given more time. He said: Joe Royle followed me, spent £32m and still couldn't turn it around. Howard Kendall hasn't managed it either but I think I could have if the board had been patient.
The biggest problem over the years is that the club has been unable to attract star players. They got Duncan Ferguson, but people like Jurgen Klinsmann and Stan Collymore turned them down. It has happened over and over again.
Whatever happens on Sunday and I hope they do stay up the people in charge have got to sit down and draw up a blueprint for the next 10 years, not just drift along. Otherwise they run the risk of being the next Manchester City.
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Tim Sherwood and Billy McKinlay could be missing for the last day visit of Newcastle on Sunday, a game Rovers must win to be sure of a UEFA Cup place. Skipper Sherwood is an almost certain non-starter having missed Saturday's defeat at Coventry with an ankle injury suffered at Chelsea the previous Wednesday. Scottish international McKinlay also hobbled out of the Coventry game with an ankle problem and is no more than 50-50 for Sunday.
ASTON VILLA
Manager John Gregory has thanked fans for backing him during his first two months in charge. Gregory is the first to admit that he was not the supporters' first choice when he replaced Brian Little, but he has made a sparkling start at the club and said: The fans been very loyal to me and I am grateful to the way they have responded.
VILLA raced to a 5-3 win over First Division Port Vale on Tuesday night in a testimonial for Vale's long-serving defender Dean Glover. A strong Villa side secured victory thanks to goals from Ugo Ehiogu, Dwight Yorke, Julian Joachim, Savo Milosevic and Richard Walker.
The Premiership side also gave an outing to Australian full-back Danny Tiatto, who is out of contract with Swiss club Baden. The 24-year-old, who has made ten appearances for his country, has recently been on loan with Vale's local rivals Stoke City.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Chairman Ron Noades claims he has already been approached with offers to buy four other clubs - and expects a flood of buy-out opportunities when Mark Goldberg finally completes his £30m takeover of the Eagles.
Noades has already said that Brentford, newly relegated to the Third Division, have contacted him. Agents claiming to represent three other clubs, one on the south coast, possibly Portsmouth, and a Kent club, believed to be Gillingham, have also been in touch. Noades, though, is unwilling to discuss his future plans until Goldberg's takeover goes through.
He said: ''I don't think it's right that I should be agreeing to do anything yet because I still haven't got a completion with Mark. Clubs' names are coming forward all the time.
Noades can see a bright future for Palace after his departure, with Terry Venables set to come in as coach - as long as the club can hold onto stars such as Attilio Lombardo, Matt Jansen, Neil Shipperley and Marcus Bent.
Mark's choice of Venables could be a really good one. It wouldn't be my choice, but Terry is about the best coach in the country that I know of, said Noades, who favoured bringing in former Spurs boss Gerry Francis. Venables could be exactly what this club is looking for. It needs something to spark it off; he could very easily take Crystal Palace a long way and generate his own income.
LEEDS UNITED
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been named Leeds' Player of the Year in his first season in English football. The Surinam-born striker has scored 22 goals in all competitions and is in contention for a place in Holland's World Cup squad. Norwegian midfielder/defender Tommy Knarvik, 18, was named Young Player of the Year.
SOUTHAMPTON
The Southampton Independent Supporters Association say the club's proposed new stadium isn't the foregone conclusion many fans think it is.
The multi-purpose stadium will be top of the agenda at Eastleigh Borough Council's next planning meeting. But SISA are concerned the plans could be thrown out over objections to the building of a new cinema complex on the site.
SISA chairman Dave Corbett said: We're worried it could be thrown out because the Multiplex cinema is not in the centre of town. All we're asking for is a small compromise from the councillors.
WEST HAM UNITED
Manager Harry Redknapp insists his side still have everything to play for, despite Tuesday's disappointing 3-3 draw with already-relegated Crystal Palace. Substitute Manny Omoyimni rescued a vital point for the Hammers with two second half goals - his first ever for the club - at Selhurst Park.
If I was a betting man I would think Blackburn will finish sixth and either us, Villa or Leicester will finish seventh, Redknapp said. With West Ham playing Leicester and Villa taking on champions Arsenal, it is clear the Hammers are in with a good chance of qualifying for Europe.
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DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Trevor Francis has shrugged off the speculation about his future. His position has been the focus of attention this week after it was revealed there was no money available to strengthen a team that just missed out on this season's play-offs. However, he said: I want to make it very clear to the supporters that I am very happy here and I am about to enter into negotiations with regard to signing a new contract.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
The Addicks' 100% record in April has earned Alan Curbishley the latest Nationwide League Manager of the Month award. Curbishley guided the club to six successive victories, which secured their place in the play-offs and left them within just three points of automatic promotion.
IPSWICH TOWN
George Burley will use all the experience he gained during nine European campaigns as an Ipswich player to guide them back to the Premiership through the play-offs. In particular, he will stress the importance of not conceding any away goals.
We had a very successful time in Europe in the 1970s, competing nine times in 10 years and I know all about the importance of teams keeping their concentration in two-legged matches," he said. "We have got to be disciplined, you are not going to win the match in the first leg and what cost us so dearly last year against Sheffield United was conceding goals at home.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Versatile defender Thierry Bonalair wants to finish his career at Forest. The Frenchman will discuss a new contract this summer after being assured he is part of Dave Bassett's Premiership plans. He said: ''I am 31 now and I would like to finish my football at this club. I am very happy with the way things have turned out.''
PORTSMOUTH
Striker John Durnin will finish his career at Pompey after being awarded a new two-year contract. The 33-year-old was rewarded with the new deal after scoring five goals in the last seven games - including two at Bradford on Sunday - to help Portsmouth beat relegation. Durnin said: I'm absolutely thrilled. I wanted to end my career here and now I can.
QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS
Luton skipper Garry Waddock announced his retirement as a player yesterday after 18 years and 573 appearances. He will move to Loftus Road as Rangers' new youth coach.
SUNDERLAND
Striker Niall Quinn will be fit for Sunderland's play-off campaign. A scan has shown that Quinn's hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared and he could even play in the first leg against Sheffield United on Sunday. The Irish international said: It's good news. Now we've got to be positive and forget we finished so far ahead of United.
SWINDON TOWN
The Robins will allow under-15s into certain matches for free next season. Chairman Rikki Hunt said: ''This offer is our pledge to the future success of the club. Our long-term strategy is geared towards encouraging families to the County Ground.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The Baggies don't know whether striker Bob Taylor will be staying at the Hawthorns. Taylor, currently on loan at Premiership strugglers Bolton, is out of contract in the summer and although manager Denis Smith wants him to stay, he admits: It is not a situation that we have much control over. Smith does look poised to offer a 12-month contract to Scottish international midfielder Steve Nicol, currently on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, while defender Paul Beesley, on loan from Manchester City, will return to Maine Road.
WOLVES
Winger Tony Daley has vowed to bounce back after being released following four injury-jinxed seasons at Molineux. The former England international, now 30, is fully fit and eager to find a new club: It is a case of someone being willing to give me a chance, but I feel that I would be a good investment.
DIVISION TWO ROUND-UP
BOURNEMOUTH
Player of the year Eddie Howe could become Bournemouth's first under-21 international in seven years after being named in England's squad for the annual tournament in Toulon this summer. Howe, 20, has been included in a 24-man squad for training at Lilleshall.
BRENTFORD
Relegated Bees have placed top scorer Robert Taylor, who hit 18 goals this season, on the transfer list. Brentford will also try to sell midfielder David McGhee, while boss Micky Adams has given seven other players free transfers.
BRISTOL ROVERS
The Gasheads' play-off hopes have been dealt a severe blow with the news that midfielder Jamie Cureton is out with a broken leg. The midfielder suffered a hairline fracture of his left leg after scoring his 14th goal of the season to clinch their place in the top six against Brentford on Saturday. Cureton revealed: ''I'll be in plaster for the next couple of weeks.
MILLWALL
Billy Bonds has released ten players on free transfers. The most notable name on the list was former Tottenham and West Ham midfielder Paul Allen, one of several first-team players discarded. Bonds will meet chairman Theo Paphitis this week to discuss plans for next season.
NORTHAMPTON
The Cobblers will repeat their successful play-off routine from last year before this Sunday's play-off first leg at Bristol Rovers. Northampton played Cardiff City in last season's Division Three semi-final and will use the same Welsh hotel the night before the game. Boss Ian Atkins said: ''We have decided to go about things the same as we did last season.''
WALSALL
Jan Sorensen is keen to bounce back into management after being axed this week following just 11 months in charge of the Saddlers. The former Danish international said: ''I cannot wait to get another club because I am so determined to succeed.'' Ex-Aston Villa assistant manager Allan Evans is being tipped as Sorensen's replacement. Evans has been out of football since leaving Villa Park in the wake of Brian Little's resignation in February.
WIGAN ATHLETIC
John Deehan is the latest Second Division Manager of the Month after his side won five and drew one of their seven games to climb well clear of relegation trouble into a final position of 11th.
WREXHAM
Cardiff City will be the opponents in the final of the FAW Invitation Cup on Sunday week, at a venue yet to be arranged. The Robins made sure of their place with a 2-0 win over Newtown in Tuesday night's semi-final second leg. Leading 2-0 from the first leg, Wrexham cruised through with second-half goals from Dean Spink and Mark Wilson.
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DIVISION THREE ROUND-UP
MACCLESFIELD
Macclesfield are already planning for the visit of fallen giants Manchester City, declaring that all of their Second Division home games next season will be all-ticket. A new stand will take capacity at Moss Rose to 7,500 but the club's secretary-director Colin Garlick admits that the prospect of a local derby with relegated City requires special planning.
The thought of City coming here is mind-blowing. They have a travelling support that could fill our ground, he said. "We haven't even thought yet about how many tickets we will be able to give them, and there are so many City fans in Macclesfield anyway it is going to be hard to control."
SAMMY McILROY is the Third Division Manager of the Month for April after four wins in five games clinched Macclesfield's second successive promotion to follow last season's Conference title. Town will be honoured with a civic reception and an open top bus tour on Saturday. The club is set to offer McIlroy a two-year extension to his current contract.
LINCOLN CITY
Former manager John Beck has congratulated the Imps for clinching promotion, even though they sacked him in March for disciplinary reasons. Beck said: I'm very, very pleased for the players. They have worked so hard for this success and they deserve it. They are the best set of lads I've ever worked with.
DARLINGTON
Skipper Andy Crosby is among six players being released at the end of their contracts. The others are Franz Resch, Lee Brydon, Simon Shaw, Lee Turnbull and Ashlyn Stephenson. Manager David Hodgson is also prepared to give free transfers to Carl Shutt and Mark Barnard, if they can find clubs, but wants a fee for striker Darren Roberts.
EXETER CITY
City have offered one-year contracts to goalkeeper Ashley Bayes and rookie striker Barry McConnell. Former Torquay United keeper Bayes has been an almost ever-present this season while 21-year-old local lad McConnell is a rising star. Manager Peter Fox will release midfielder Nicky Medlin, centre-half Matty Hare, striker Sufyan Ghazghazi, utility player Mark Devlin and midfielder Jason Minnett.
GILLINGHAM
Skipper Andy Hessenthaler believes team-mate Ade Akinbiyi deserves a chance of playing at a higher level: I'd love him to stay because he's a superb player but, as a pro, he'll want to play in a higher league. He can go all the way with the right people behind him. The boss (Tony Pulis) has done a superb job, working with him, and Ade has become a better footballer for it.
NOTTS COUNTY
Former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Steve Sutton, who made several appearances for the Magpies' reserves last season, will start 1998-9 as their new goalkeeping coach. Manager Sam Allardyce said: We needed a specialist goalkeeping coach and the aim is to improve our keepers and make Darren Ward more valuable than he is.
PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Barry Fry wants three new players to spearhead next season's promotion bid. Posh missed out on a play-off spot by three points after looking certainties to win promotion earlier in the season. Fry said: Jimmy Quinn won't be playing so many games next year, so I need to replace him. I also need a creative midfielder and a dominant centre-half.
TORQUAY UNITED
Striker Tony Bedeau scored an injury-time winner as they beat holders Exeter City to claim the Devon St Luke's Challenge Bowl at Plainmoor. Bedeau latched onto a cross from the right by Steve Tully to beat James Dungey from close range. Dungey had made impressive stops from Chris Leadbitter and Anthony Lynch while Torquay keeper Matthew Gregg was also kept on his toes in a tight contest.
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