The week’s sport in quotes, including Wayne Rooney’s media relations, Kenny Dalglish on the diminishing charms of European football, Arsene Wenger on goalkeepers, and varying views ahead of the Delhi Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup
“Rugby league was probably a comfort blanket for Terry for a number of years and a lot of frustration he felt he probably took out with him onto the field. I spoke to him not that long ago and he seemed quite upbeat and was looking forward to the next chapter in his life. It’s come as a massive shock to me” Iestyn Harris, a former team mate, on after the suicide of the former Great Britain forward Terry Newton.
Rooney: media focus
“You can’t have all the contracts, you can’t sell your wedding to magazines and things like this and suddenly say, ‘That’s the tap I want to turn on, but we want to turn the other one off’” Kevin Keegan, the former England and Newcastle manager, on excuses that Wayne Rooney’s form has been affected by media attention.
“We win together, we lose together” Arsene Wenger denies that he dropped his goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia, after another error-ridden performance helped West Brom to a 3-2 Premier League win at the Emirates.
“I won’t rush home on Tuesday night to watch the Champions League. The format was introduced to protect bigger clubs financially, to ensure if they had a bad night they still wouldn’t be knocked out. The end result is a lot of meaningless matches with even keen supporters like myself waiting for the fifth or sixth group games before taking a keen interest” Kenny Dalglish, three times a winner of the European Cup with Liverpool, who are not in this season’s Champion League.
“There are players whose only target is their day off and that is a big problem. You must replace them with those whose target is a win against Chelsea, then against Arsenal, then against Manchester United”Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City boss.
“It’s a myth that League Two sides are all kick and rush. We had a 5ft 8in striker and a 5ft 5in midget behind him. We are a young team and I was delighted with the way they put their bodies on the line, even when they were falling over with cramp” Ian Sampson, manager of Northampton Town, who put Liverpool out of the Carling Cup.
“In the Gorbals in Glasgow where I grew up, you have to fight tooth and nail for everything you get and not let a few names bother you. I know exactly what I did for this club and nothing can take away the special times” Owen Coyle, now Bolton manager,takes his team to Burnley, where they call him “Judas”.
“I can remember when Arsene first came to England. People said he was like a professor, watching the game intently while all us nutters were jumping up and down hollering and screaming. Now he’s joined the nutters” Harry Redknapp.
“I cannot support a team which gives employment – and role model status – to somebody who has been convicted three times of offences against women” Ann Lucas, a Coventry City season ticket-holder for 48 years, on BBC Radio 5Live, after the Sky Blues register Marlon King.
“I’m thrilled to bits. I’ve had a great year with Surrey, but England wasn’t on my radar” Chris Tremlett is the only surprise selection for England’s Ashes tour.
“Sorry people, but I have children to think about. My safety is more important to them than a medal. It was a tough choice to make but I made it for my children” Phillips Idowu decides not to defend his Commonwealth Games triple jump title.
Cavendish: Delhi-bound
“I know about the withdrawal of some of the cyclists and I understand their reasons, but I am very proud to have a Commonwealth Games gold medal back home and I’d like another in a few days’ time. I particularly like the Commonwealth Games because it gives me the chance to represent the Isle of Man. This only happens every four years” Mark Cavendish arrives in Delhi to discover he is the biggest-name Brit still competing in the Commonwealth Games.
“The security issues make you a little apprehensive, I guess, but at the same time, you have to live life uninhibited. Focusing on fears just breed more fear” Steph Twell, the former world junior 1,500 metres champion, who will be making her Commonwealth Games debut for Scotland in Delhi.
“I used to say to the older guys that such a blissful working life could never last. They’d say: ‘Stop worrying. The union won’t stand for any changes’” Bruce Millington, now editor of the Racing Post, recalling a bygone era at the Sporting Life, which closed 12 years ago.
“I couldn’t have expected a worse two races, especially at this crucial point of the year. I just have to keep my head down and hope” Lewis Hamilton fails to finish in Singapore – his third DNF in four Grands Prix – and falls 20 points behind drivers’ championship leader Mark Webber.
“It feels like the championship is starting now” Fernando Alonso, Ferrari’s F1 driver, after winning the Singapore Grand Prix.
“Chelsea at home in a European tie against most teams would be favourites but we are not here just to watch them play” Didier Deschamps, the former France and Chelsea midfielder, now coach of Marseille, who play at Stamford Bridge in the Champions’ League tonight.
Frank exchange of views: Roy Keane when captain at Manchester United
“Unfortunately it’s crept into the Premier League over the last few years and I think it will probably get worse because of the pressures of the game and sometimes players are instructed to try and sway the referee in his decision” Roy Keane, the Ipswich manager who never attempted to influence referees during his playing career, laments the increase in diving.
“Emile is a players’ player. I wouldn’t fancy playing against Emile week in and week out” James Collins, the Villa defender, after his team mate, Emile Heskey, scored the decisive goal in the Midlands derby against Wolves.
“Mr Yawar Saeed has requested to the chairman of the PCB to be relieved of his duties as manager of the national team. The chairman has agreed to this request” Statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board. PCB chairman Ijaz Butt remains in his position.
“Delhi will be good – my body’s been aching a little but I’m going with one thing in mind, the gold” Andy Turner, European champion at 110m hurdles.
“We have players who have played at World Cup finals. The quality needs to shine through now. It’s time to stand up and be tough” Phil Neville, the Everton captain, after a poor start to the season.
“What a special year. I’ve never had a three-win season and this is great icing on the cake” Jim Furyk, in winning form ahead of the Ryder Cup.
“Everybody’s going to have their own opinion and most people would be pretty committed to their own opinion so there’s no point in me trying to prove people right or wrong, I’ve got to do my own thing, play my own game” Padraig Harrington, a captain’s pick for the European team for the Ryder Cup.
“It is an extraordinary situation at that club where you have the board criticising the owners, the manager criticising the owners, everyone is saying lets get rid of the owners, but they are still in charge” Matt Dickinson, of The Times, on the situation at Liverpool.
Voting for the SJA’s annual British Sports Awards is now open. Only SJA members may vote, and they are allowed to vote only once, when they must choose their top three choice for Sportsman, Sportswoman and Team of the Year.
