Hoddle On Becks, Gazza and Sicknote
Neville Fears Hoddle Axe
Ince On Gazza
Harry Pratt's England Verdict
McCarthy On Teenage Sensation Keane
Scotland Draw Boosts Hoddle
Play-off Special - Peter Reid On Why Sunderland Will Win Promotion
Bowen & Kinsella On Charlton's Chances
Banks Wants Price Probe
Kluivert Wants Premier Move
United Target Breaks Leg
Laudrup Cash Wrangle
TV And Radio
World Cup News Round-up
Trivia
Bollocks!
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Monday 25 May 1998
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 News 1 
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THE MANAGER'S VERDICT
Hoddle On The Three Midfielders
With Doubts Hanging Over Them
On Beckham: Everybody keeps telling me that David's best position is in the middle of the park, but he's probably only played a handful of games there for United. The majority of his career he's played as a wide man. He started very brightly and played a couple of terrific balls in. He can open the play up lovely and can hit balls from both sides. David's a passer, a purveyor (sic) of the ball. That gives you options. He got a bit sloppy and gave the ball away as well. He's a young lad, but he's got to learn. David plays with his head up inside and when you play there you can pick passes off easier than out wide, where you're limited. But he's had more experience at United playing outside. He's a great crosser, probably the best in the country. When he plays wide for United he doesn't take players on, he just needs half a yard. That's his ability.''
On Gascoigne: Some of his use of the ball was poor and he gave it away, but that was because he was trying to make something happen for us, which he nearly did. Paul's still got a bit of a way to go with his fitness and we've got Morocco to try him out for 90 minutes. The good thing for Gazza is that he's come through a bloody hard week, because we really have trained them hard. Gazza's come on a lot and with 30 minutes under his belt he'll be further down the line.
On Anderton: Don't worry about how he looks. Darren's a fit lad, one of the fittest in the squad. We did a hard running session last week, lots of 500m and 600m runs, and he was out in front. On Saturday his fitness was excellent. To play that wing-back position you've got to be fit. I kept him there because I wanted him to get 90 minutes in that position and he lasted that 90 minutes. He gave everything and even showed a determined streak in his tackling in the last five or 10 minutes, which isn't something I've seen him do for his club.
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HARRY PRATT'S VERDICT:
LIVERPOOL DUO NOW CRUCIAL
BAR THE surge of anticipation around the stadium upon his 62nd minute introduction, Paul Gascoigne made absolutely no difference to England's woeful performance on Saturday. But at least the fact that he was there at all means we can stop talking kebabs and start talking business - namely Liverpool colleagues Michael Owen and Steve McManaman.
If they were missing at Wembley for any reason other than rest in Owen's case and injury in McManaman's, we could have a serious problem. I say 'could' because it is possible that Hoddle, and perhaps even that strange assortment of ex-journeymen pros sitting on the bench with him, will now recognise that Saturday's would have been an ideal game for Owen, the 18-year-old Scouse scoring sensation, to net his all-important first international goal.
In two England appearances to date, he has shown the capacity to unlock tight defences. Surely the Saudis' impressive backbone would have cracked had the lightening teenager been present in place of the sluggish Teddy Sheringham.
McManaman, of course, is not in the same rich vein of form as Owen. However he offers significantly more than Darren Anderton does on the evidence of the Tottenham winger's fourth full game minutes in 12 months. 'Sicknote' did all right, but the chances of us seeing even the average Anderton of two years ago - let alone a world-class winger - across the channel in 17 days from now are non-existent. Which is why McManaman, if free from the ankle problem which reportedly ruled him out against the Saudis, should be in line to assume a key role in England's challenge to rule supreme.
NEVILLE FEARS HODDLE AXE
GARY NEVILLE refuses to believe that he is a certainty to make it to the World Cup, and will not rest easy until Glenn Hoddle announces his squad and he sees his name in the party bound for France.
''At this level your place is never secure. You can play well and still be dropped," admitted the Manchester United defender. ''There's so much at stake in these next two games. It's a case of trying to cement your place in the squad or, if you think you're assured of a spot, then to book your spot in the starting eleven for the Tunisia game.
''But I don't think anyone will take anything for granted until the manager has announced the squad and for those who miss out it's a terrible shame. I remember what it was like in Hong Kong two years ago when we were waiting around to see who was going to Euro 96.
''It will be the same this time. In fact, it'll be a nightmare. For any of the lads to miss out at the final stage of the greatest tournament in the world will be heart-breaking. But I'm still in the equation and don't count myself out of it."
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INCE BLASTS GAZZA'S MEDIA MATES
PAUL INCE has attacked Paul Gascoigne's showbusiness mates Rod Stewart, Chris Evans and Danny Baker after the Boro midfielder's nights out with the stars left his World Cup place under threat.
Gascoigne has been warned by manager Glenn Hoddle that he has to get into shape for next month's World Cup finals after being linked with drinking and kebab-munching sessions while out with the showbiz trio.
"What breaks my heart is the treatment of Gazza by some of his so-called friends," says Ince. "Nothing hurts me more than seeing someone like Rod Stewart describing what Gazza did or what he drank on a night out. I'm not just having a pop at Rod Stewart, but I'd love to see a lot more of Gazza's mates letting him get on with the World Cup without distractions."
Earlier this week Hoddle insisted that if Gascoigne steps out of line again he could find himself out of the final 22 for the World Cup.
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