22/10/2016 Football Focus

COMMENTATOR: It is absolutely brilliant. This is getting better

and better. Cristiano Ronaldo! History boys, indeed.

We have another huge weekend of football to look forward to.

Mark Lawrenson once resigned as manager of Oxford United

when the man next to him was sold against his wishes.

Dean Saunders isn't going anywhere for the next hour.

And this is what's coming up between now and 1.

Having enjoyed the full English, can Mahrez and Leicester

I was speaking the truth last season. We did it.

We've also had a natter with Nacer - Chadli on being a Baggy.

I was not playing, that was the issue. I had to find a solution for

myself. Gary enjoys a behind the scenes

peek at Pardew's Palace. As the Old Firm face off in a league

cup semi final we meet For me it is going into every game

and building game by game and start enjoying my football again.

And how boyhood Blade Chris Wilder's dreams are finally coming true.

This is how the Premier League weekend looks.

We'll be at the Emirates we'll be there shortly.

David Moyes takes Sunderland to the London Stadium after saying

this week that nearly every game now is a must win.

And Jose Mourinho goes back to Chelsea.

We'll start with the champions though and one of the real stars

of their title triumph last season - PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez.

He's now making a big impression on the European stage

and Rachel Stringer has been to meet him.

If you could sum up in one or two words how last season was for you.

There are no words for last season. I remember he was saying we will be

champion. Even in January, February, it was oh... And more games past.

Starting... We can do it now. When we lift the trophy, we realised we

were champions and it was amazing. Because we came from nowhere. We did

it for one year and it was amazing. Is it something you always think

about now, waking up and thinking, champions? To be fair, the football

goes quick. We need to play better, we need to be better at the start of

the season because it is the same team and players. It is difficult to

be in the top six. Mentally, do you think you approached the Premier

League differently than last season because you are champions? We had

big gains, four, we played Manchester, Chelsea, Arsenal and

Liverpool in the beginning and last season we did not play these teams

in the beginning. We will get on it step by step. We are doing well in

the Champions League and need to do well in the Premier League. The

Champions League is probably something you did not expect when

you came to Leicester? I did not expect this. When I was younger I

expected one day to play the Champions League. Leicester is the

club he showed me, to English football, to the Champions League

now. For the team and city, it is the first time they receive the

Champions League. The night of the Champions League is big. We have to

dream because it is Leicester. Is it ever possible for Leicester to win

the Champions League? Do not laugh, answer it. Never. Never? Impossible.

You said that last year about the Premier League. I was speaking the

truth last season when I said it was impossible. We did it. But now the

Champions League is impossible. Even if you pass through the group, there

is a big team after, based on one game. If it is one game, maybe you

can beat them one day, but two games, they are killers! For me it

is impossible, but you never know. You have become a hero. Back home.

How does it make you feel that everybody knows you and you have had

an impact back home? Everyone is running after you. Mahrez, I love

you! They love their country and they love the player of that

country, it is normal. It is a crazy country about football. It was

Claudio Ranieri's birthday, did the team surprise in? No, we did not do

that, we just say happy birthday. How old is he? 65. An old man now.

What does he set you as a target? He just said for get last season. He is

an experienced manager. He knows how the football goes quick and he was

right. We need to clear our mind from last season because it is a new

season and we need to focus. Has it been hard to clear your mind of the

achievements last season? It was difficult in the beginning, but when

you start losing, you clean your mind quick.

Such an amazing season for him and Leicester. Are you surprised he was

still a Leicester player at the start of the season? I was, and

Jamie Vardy, I thought they would leave. He is finding it difficult to

because teams have worked him out and playing different formations to

stop him. If there is a team missing one player, they are missing their

player, the interceptions. It is interesting the mentality side of

things. Claudio Ranieri has hinted this season there is a problem when

it comes to getting up for some Premier League games. As opposed to

the Champions League. Can you blame Leicester for prioritising the

Champions League? Absolutely and it is something you are entitled to do.

They will be fine in the Premier League. They were not going to win

again because all the top teams have improved and they are quite right to

go for the Champions League and another point and they have

qualified, how fantastic is that. It is amazing. One thing that could be

a problem is Mahrez talking about being Algerian and playing for

Algeria and they will lose players in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mahrez, Schlupp, -- Daniel Amartey. But you know that when you sign them

and you have to take it on the chin when it comes around and you have to

sign replacements for when that happens and I have done that. If he

moans about that, we will find him. He knows they are going. What is a

successful season for them this time around? Ten. You ask is if I was

being dishonest. If you picture the goals they scored, an interception,

Drinkwater, Vardy, goal. Teams have worked it out, so halfway up the

league this season and do well in the Champions League, which they

could win if they get through to the last 16.

Spurs face Bournemouth team who enjoyed a record win last week. The

cherry bomb exploded. COMMENTATOR: In the woodwork again. On the attack

with Ryan Mason. Mason's shot has deflected and Hull have equalised!

He has made up for his problems at the other end! A fantastic penalty.

Free for the Cherries. Across goal. Stanislas. There is the fourth!

The header. The Cherries have five in the Premier League for the first

time. He played it into the box. It is

six! A record-breaking Premier League win for the Cherries, their

biggest ever. So Hull hit for six last Saturday

at the Vitality Stadium, Steve Wilson is there and has

the team news. Bournemouth in great form having won

their last three Premier League games at home but they have forced

into a changed the first Eddie Howe has made since mid-September. Junior

Stanislas is out with a tight calf and Joshua King and able

replacement. Vincent Janssen for Spurs, after a solitary penalty

scored in the League Cup is dropped to the bench. The South Korean comes

in. Dembele comes into the side. Rose is passed fit. No Alderweireld.

Eric Dier playing at centre-half alongside Vertonghen. We will look

at the Tottenham team in a minute. Dembele and Walk of the changes.

They have quality, it might sound stupid, has Pochettino almost got

too many players who can play in too many positions? That sounds really

stupid! You need them in the Premier League and they are in the Champions

League. Liverpool in the EFL. From that point of view, the great thing

about it, you keep nearly every single player on his toes. Change

the full-backs regularly. He does not necessarily change the spine of

his team much because then you can play the different players. If the

spine of the team is strong and consistent, you will not lose many

games. And a good sign if you can be without top scorer Harry Kane and

best defender Alderweireld put out a side like that. He takes the youth

team, the U21 team and gets the formula of when we lose the ball

every player works to get it back and it does not matter who plays,

the formula stays in place. They can only be so bad, even if they do not

play with the ball, can get the ball back. They have a kid on the bench,

Harry, they reckon he will be a player. Eddie Howe has spoken about

how much they learned, when they played Spurs last season.

Bournemouth can learn from mistakes and become a better side.

Bournemouth have always been very good with and on the ball. They have

not been great without it. They are getting better.

There is a former Spur amongst the Premier League's

Since making the switch from White Hart Lane

to the Hawthorns in August, Nacer Chadli's impact on the Albion

has been considerable, and he's been speaking to Ivan

You look nice and relaxed. I enjoying life at West Brom? Of

course. I have enjoyed it since my first day at the club. I think

everyone is here for me. The staff, the players, it has been great. What

about the accent? Can you understand what people are saying? I do not

talk much with people? I am joking. Yes, I can understand. West Brom's

club record signing has the chance to put them ahead on his home debut.

Nacer Chadli does the necessary. How did you come to the decision to

leave Tottenham? Obviously leaving a great club, great history, a club

that will play for the title. For me, it was also important to be

happy as a man. Why were you not as happy as you would like to have been

at Tottenham at the end? What was the issue? I was not playing. That

was the issue. I had to find a solution for myself. Tottenham are

playing in the Champions League. It is part of you disappointed you're

not part of that? No, I have played in the Champions League before. I am

not disappointed. It would be nice to play in the Champions League

again, but you can be in the team who plays in the Champions League

and watch the game from the bench. I prefer to watch on the television.

Chadli, against his former club. Not many offers get to experience the

feeling of scoring goals in the Premier League. How does that feel,

and how did it feel when you scored against your old club? I was happy

to score. It is a feeling you cannot explain. That is why you work hard

every week. Your back on the Belgian scene again. How does that feel? For

me, the most important thing was to get some minutes, first in the

Premier League with my club, and to play well, and then my target was to

get by in the Belgium squad. This summer, you had to watch from a

distance? That must have been a mixed experience? It was

disappointing not to get in the team. In the last six years, I have

never missed a squad selection for Belgium. It was a big tournament and

the first time I have been missing. I was disappointed. Tony Pulis, what

has he been like to work with so far? Very good, he is very clear

with the players, he communicates a lot. It has been a very good

relationship so far. If you got back into the Belgium squad, you would

owe him then? Is that right, you did the deal? He was certain that if I

got game time they read -- I would be back in the Belgium squad. I did

going to pay up? I have to. Where are you going to take him? McDonald

is? I have no idea, maybe now and those. Such a footballer. -- maybe

Nando's. I think that is really refreshing. He was not playing at

Tottenham, but they wanted to play. Hundreds of Premier League players

are sat on their backsides and they are happy. He would probably have

said the same thing to the manager of Tottenham. I want to play. And

his answer would have been, there are two meg resides to football,

when you have got the ball and when you have not. He is 27, he has been

playing in Holland. History tells you, with the talent he has, he does

not do the second part, without the ball, well. He would not fit into

the system ad placement. But it is a good fit for West Brom. Liverpool

today, we saw Liverpool really frustrated by Manchester United. Is

that the most overhyped game of the century? In the football industry,

we get excited about games that ultimately disappoint. Manchester

United did a good job? Needed a very good job. You're allowed to stop the

opposition playing. There is nothing in the rule book. The home team have

to overcome it. If you get a point against Liverpool when you are on

fire as a team, it is a good result. Mourinho showed his class. He

realised his is not quite right and he has gone for a point. He

smothered the game. What about Liverpool, they were nullified? As

good players as Firmino and Coutinho are, Daniel Sturridge two, in the

tight game, they are all trying to flick the ball around. Sometimes

teams make it really difficult. You have to keep hold of the ball so you

have a base from which to work. If you give them the ball back, you

will never see it. Our Liverpool missing something to make them

genuine title contenders? I do not think the defenders are top-notch.

To win the Premier League and the Champions League, what they are

aiming for, you have got to have the best defenders as well. They will

win far more games than they will lose. They are playing well.

The big games keep coming for Manchester United, and tomorrow,

it's a particularly special one for the Special One.

Sources close to manager Jose Mourinho report that he has now been

sacked. The deal has been done and Jose Mourinho is the new manager of

Manchester United. I knew that staying in the Premier League,

sooner or later, I had to play against Chelsea and go to Stamford

Bridge. The computer has decided that I will go now. Here we go. What

can I expect? I do not know. I did my job and they give me their love

and their support. I will now go there as Man United manager. They

may decide to have a different approach. But I will always respect

that. He should get a good reception, seven trophies in two

spells? I think eventually he will have a statue built. In his own

garden! I mean, at Chelsea. He does attract attention to himself. We

talk about him in the build-up to game and not sometimes the faults in

his side. That is enough about me, let's talk about me. He is a legend

at Chelsea. I cannot imagine anyone would criticise him. He is a legend

in the Premier League, a great character. There is never a dull

moment. Tactically, he is up there with the best ever. He is probably

better at stopping teams than beating teams. There are some

complaints about the style of football. You spoke about the way

that Manchester United played against Liverpool. Ander Herrera was

crucial. He had a live-in interceptions, the most in the

Premier League this season. He did what he was asked to do? He was

outstanding. He is such a good passer and so comfortable on the

ball. I am sure most of his team-mates from Spain look at this

and think, is that the same player, doing those jobs? In Spain, he was

known as a creative player. He is someone that Mourinho is managed,

and he was great on Monday night, the best player on the pitch. You do

not get any thanks for playing in that position. Unless you ask the

centre backs behind them, as Chris Smalling. They do their work for

him. -- he does their work for him. Chelsea played well against

Leicester last week. Do you think that is the way Antonio Conte will

play wing forwards? We saw his face, it looked like he wanted to cry. He

does not want to play with a bag four. He played with a back three

and the whole team looked happier. How does that change things,

technically, if you're playing in that system? You get a cigar and put

your slippers on! It is hard work for players and other positions. You

look at your players and eventually you work-out, this is the best way I

can affect the game and get results. Jose Mourinho, when he had that

great team at Chelsea, with Damien Duff and Arjen Robben, they were

playing like fullbacks. They were playing with six at the back, not

five. They were getting clean sheets. They look a lot happier. How

do you think it will go tomorrow? Do you see Manchester United doing what

they did against Liverpool? 100%. Mourinho will not want to go to

Stamford Bridge and get beaten. That is your answer.

Chelsea will mark the 20th anniversary of the death

of their former vice-chairman Matthew Harding by displaying

Harding's image will also appear on match tickets and two of his

So a big day at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, and on Wednesday night

you can hear from someone who knows the place well.

Frank Lampard has been talking to Mr Lineker.

It definitely broadened your horizons. I definitely feel wiser

for living in a different country. Now you have experienced that, do

you wish that you had perhaps enjoyed a spell in Spain or Italy

when you were younger? Yes and no. Yes, I would love to have challenged

myself, I would like to have learned the language. I had interest from

top clubs in Europe so I think I could have tested myself. But the

other side, that would have meant leaving Chelsea, not being part of

the team that won the Champions League and the Europa cup. The

answer is no. The grass is not always greener. I had a great career

in England. Those memories are always with me now. The answer is

no. Chelsea and Manchester United

might not be at full tilt just yet, but there's one team

in the Premier League Mesut Ozil times is run to

perfection. It is three. It is a wonderful goal. Santi Cazorla,

here's the man that can win this for Arsenal. He does he believes it. --

he buries it. Granit Xhaka, what a goal, what a screamer. Mesut Ozil

and Sanchez against Louise and Cahill. It could go back to Mesut

Ozil. -- David Luiz. It is three. It is scrambled home. The ball is over

the line and Arsenal have won it. Sanchez, two words Mesut Ozil.

Fantastic. Some lovely goals in there.

So six on the spin for the Gunners in the league.

Can they make it seven against Middlesbrough

Jonathan Pearce is at the Emirates for us.

Is this another one of those Arsenal. And is? Have they got a

great squad at the moment? They look more resilient, seven wins in a row

in all competitions, their best run in 18 months. It is Arsene Wenger's

67th birthday today. One defeat in 24. Theo Walcott is revitalised.

Mesut Ozil is flying, Iwobi is more mature. Santi Cazorla is crucial for

me. He is missing today with an Achilles. Granit Xhaka is suspended.

Will it be the same Arsenal without them? I think we should reserve

judgment until they go through a tricky spell of fixtures. Ludogorets

away. PSG at home. If they win those games, we need to consider them as a

top team. You mention Ludogorets away, they beat them in midweek.

Middlesbrough today. They have not taken more than one point in 15. It

is hard to see whether points are coming from? They are struggling,

too conservative. They need to take the handbrake off. I do not think

they can hold out against Arsenal. Four in six, where will the goals

come from? They have only had it on target this season. Negredo has had

a nightmare. They cannot find the back of the net. Gibson has been

excellent. No chambers today, he cannot play because of his loan

agreement with Arsenal. They have 101 since the Second World War.

Middlesbrough are team in trouble. Thank you.

Is his day job a South African bushwhack?

Joe Clee unnecessary. -- totally. You can follow that match this

afternoon on Final Score. Garth Crooks and Danny

Mills are with Jason. And Gary will have MOTD for you at

10:20 tonight. Danny Murphy and Mark Schwarzer form

a Fulham flavoured pair. available on BBC iPlayer

from midnight on Saturdays - Celtic's Scott Sinclair

on his Hoops dreams From Bramall Lane ball

boy to Blades boss. The old ball boys used to be in the

John Street stand. And we'll hear from Olympic gold

medallist and Stoke fan Joe Clarke, as the Potter with the paddle

takes on predictions. So Crystal Palace are at Leicester

this afternoon, and former Fox Gary Lineker has visited

the Eagles' nest. You have been a manager a long-time

for different clubs, how has the Premier League changed managers? It

has changed. I think social media plays a big part and the pressure

that comes on us because that generates you into action and so

there is more scrutiny on the game and results, particularly with

younger players, because every generation seems at the moment to be

more ingrained in their phone and I know you are like that with your

Twitter and all that. Occasionally! It is something you have to to

understand. The big difference is the ownership of the football clubs

is becoming an issue for football managers up and down the country. In

what sense? There are chairman and chief executive is getting far too

involved in the football matters of the club. How does it work with

Steve Parish, do you have the balance right? We have a good

balance and I have a great relationship with him. I admire what

he has done in business and the way he conducts himself and the way he

conducted business at this club. He has let managers get on with it

because he is a hands-on chairman, he does the financial deals, which

suits me. Of course, he wants my decision and final say on all the

stuff we do with recruitment. You cannot believe how much detail we

put into that now. How do you go about recruiting a player? You

brought in four big games this time. The example is the difference I have

in Newcastle, the difference I had at Newcastle, the financial element

would come first, whereas here the luxury is the technical aspect and

how it fits comes first, which is the most important. How was it

different at Newcastle, you were frustrated at times and they are now

in the Championship. Did they get it wrong? I like to think they have

learned lessons. I think Mike Batt Sports Direct has learned lessons

and I think he has had to learn lessons on the football side. I kept

nagging him and telling him I think the process is wrong, what they were

doing, and made it clear behind closed doors. I do not think he

would have a problem with me saying it now. The vision of the manager,

how he wants to take the team forward, that must come first. Do

you look at Pep Guardiola, and others, who have come into it and

always have great teams and players, it is there a tinge of end

occasionally? A little bit more! -- of envy. Do you think, why was I not

given a chance that one of those clubs? You earned the right and I

respect the Guardiolas, Mourinhos, have earned the right to be at those

clubs and maybe I haven't. There is another side to management, getting

the best out of the group you have got and that is all I can focus on.

How does your mood reflect results? When you are younger, the emotion of

the defeat clouds your thinking a little. When I was younger I would

be angrier than I am now. A lot more frustrated than I am today. That

does not mean to say my winning passion is none the less. I am

desperate to the next game. The England thing, there have been a few

stories over the past weeks and there is more talk about who will be

the next manager. You have been mentioned. This England thing is

becoming a bit of a problem, if I am honest, for the manager. It might be

a good time to let Gareth have it. You know him well. I think he has

the attributes to do it. I have never been offered the job. If I am

offered the job, I am English, would I turned it down? I don't know. That

is another question. I think I have the experience. I think I can do it

one day. I do not know if this is the time. I hope, like you do, at

some point we get it right. We have to make sure they do not

score. Come on, let's go. You can see more

of that on the BBC iPlayer of part of the Premier League Show. Let's

look at the table. Top half at the moment. In ninth spot. I do not know

if you saw Greg Clarke of the FA say he would like the next England

manager to be a Premier League manager with experience. Alan Pardew

would tick the box. There are four English managers in the Premier

League who tick the box and then Gareth, maybe Steve Bruce. It seems

nobody wants to talk about it. Alan Pardew was asked the question. It is

boring. Shall we move on? Down the other end of the table, Swansea.

They are a club in trouble, looking at recent form, what is their main

issue? Shipping goals. Ashley Williams has gone to Everton and

they have not replaced him and the two centre-backs are not on the same

wavelength and you can point the finger at them for the goals

conceded. Eight in the last three games. It does not spell success.

But I think somebody at Swansea should phone Southampton and ask how

they have done it, because they regularly sell their best players,

sometimes three a season, and look where they are. Recruitment is

fantastic. Swansea are the opposite. The players they sold, they have not

replaced with the same quality and if you don't do so, you are 19th.

They play Watford. Bob Bradley had this to say.

When you work with a team you are trying to give them ideas, but you

are trying to help them see the whole picture and that starts with

doing so many little things better, not just one. Doing the basic

things, passing and moving better off the ball, making better

decisions. Again, I am not saying anything other managers do not say,

that you do not already know, but when you do all those things faster

and at a better level throughout the game, this is how you win, you win

matches. He talks well but he knows they are in a relegation battle. In

defeat to Arsenal, were there any positive signs for Swansea?

Certainly going forward, no question, they created more chances

against Arsenal in any previous game other than the one they won Burnley.

Going forward there is a drive and they play with a false nine, they

did not have a centre forward as such. They had Sigurdsson in the

false nine, serving his person going forward but at the back of a leak

goals and do not seem to be able to keep a clean sheet, since the

victory against Burnley on opening day. Going forward, positives. Mo

Barrow was inspired and Bob Bradley talked specifically about him.

Managers do not like to single out players, he has been passed fit

today. There is a feeling they will starts with a centre forward, their

record signing. As Dean Saunders mentioned at the back, they cannot

keep a clean sheet. Eight games in charge compared to Walter Mazzarri

at Watford which makes him a veteran and the policy of changing manager

every season is OK if it works? ! Some policy! When it works, it's

great. In August it looked like a mistake, like it would not work,

could not get a victory, did not manage to get through the opening

round of the League Cup. They came back in September and since then ten

points from five games, and maybe that is what it will take for Bob

Bradley, that the instant bounce back will not happen and it will

take a few games. Watford have ten in five matches and are scoring

goals, keeping tight at the back. Players becoming goal-scorers after

one scoring once in three years at Spurs. They have been good away from

home. Do not forget the marvellous victory at West Ham. They will be

positivity coming at Watford and this will be a tricky test for Bob

Bradley. Just a quick point, there is a minute's silence today before

the game as a mark of respect for the 50th anniversary of the terrible

tragedy in Aberfan. That was important to mention.

You criticised the decision to get rid of Francesco Guidolin and the

way they did it but go back to Bob Bradley, this is the team they

played last week against Arsenal, what changes do you make tactically?

Do you change to a back five to give them security? If I were in charge,

I would look at... I have watched their games and the centre-backs are

not on the same wavelength, have. Gels. Neil Taylor has played to

left-back. They have had a different back four a lot this season. If your

centre-backs are not good enough you have to play three, like Chelsea

have done, another centre-back and then you will start getting clean

sheets and you can still play two up top. I would concentrate on getting

clean sheets. If you are losing games and shipping goals, make

yourself difficult to beat, it is simple. Hull had a horror show last

week. This is the first home game in charge for Mike Phelan today against

Stoke. That is something they must sort out, they cannot be that lacks

the back. It was six. Why does that happen? Did they forget to mark?

They were abysmal. Listening to Bruce talking about it, Alex saying

they would have had meetings. It is the reaction you get. When you down

there and start to play poorly you end up against a team in form, which

at the moment Stoke are picking up, but to lose first game official in

charge six, is not good. Burnley take on Everton. They are 14th with

seven and Everton visit Turf Moor. Simon Brotherton is there. All of

the Burnley points have come there, so I suppose it shows you how

critical home form is for them? Absolutely and they will have known

that going into this season. Home form is good with the great 2-0 win

over Liverpool at the start. A win against Watford. Unlucky in losing

1-0 to Arsenal. They will take confidence from performances as well

as results. Sean Dyche in his programme notes talk about the away

form, where he feels they need to improve. He feels on the road they

have not played with the same freedom, they have played within

themselves. I am not sure how it will pan out next week at Manchester

United. Home form will be key and the other thing is goals. Any team

that comes up, if you have a top goal-scorer, you have a chance of

staying in the division. Goals have been a little bit of a problem so

far, only scoring half a dozen in eight matches and Everton have only

conceded half a dozen. Ronald Koeman dropped Ross Barkley for Manchester

City, saying he hoped it was a wake-up call for him. They are

playing well and could be into the top four with a win today before

teams play this weekend. I think they have started impressively,

quietly impressively under Ronald Koeman, just one defeat in eight

matches. It took two penalty saves to get the point at Manchester City

but it was valuable. I think Ronald Koeman is right about Ross Barkley.

He has been stronger with the way he made his point but he is right in

that we know Ross Barkley is a talented player, we have known that

a long time, but he is right to say you cannot just say he is a young

player and let him get on with it. He has been in the team a long time,

four seasons, and he wants to see the player in proving as an

individual and within the context of the team and he obviously feels it

has not happened enough. Everton have other options now. They are not

so reliant on him. On him driving them forward. They have the likes of

Bolasie. Thank you. We have been standing for

a while. Do you fancy sitting down? I did not fancy standing up in the

first place. These are the top scorers in the Premiership.

In Scotland, Scott Sinclair currently tops the scoring

Celtic are preparing for tomorrow's Old Firm League Cup semifinal

against Rangers and he's been talking to Rob Maclean

When you're at a club like secure Chelsea, it is difficult for any

young player to break through so you have to go alone. For me, it was

difficult to get settled. I never had a home, living in hotels and all

the things that come with that. A brilliant strike from Scott

Sinclair. You want to get that experience, which is great. You get

to an age where you want to play every week. When you're out of the

game you have not played for long, it is difficult to get your

confidence up and your form back. A couple of years were difficult. I

had to dig deep and grinding. I have come here and it is great to be back

on track, scoring goals. It is a dream debut. That is why they

brought into the club. I could not have asked for a start. Coming on

against hearts in scoring, building on that. For me, I go into every

game and build game by game. I have started enjoying my football again.

You scored on your first six league games. You are being mentioned in

the same breath as Celtic legend Jimmy McGrory. That must have

sounded good to you? Definitely. When you're getting mentioned

alongside these legends and you're playing well, it is unbelievable. I

want to build on my game. I want to create and score goals. I will give

it 100%. You have worked three times now with Brendan Rodgers. Celtic are

transformed this season. How do you explain how he works? He's a great

manager. He is not just a manager, he is a coach. You see him on the

training pitch. He takes the training and he is very hands-on. I

have worked with him for so many years. From being a Chelsea, in the

underrated Tims, the youth team, to Swansea City, to now. It is great

working under him. Was the manager the big reason you came here? One of

the reasons, and also because it is a massive club. Also to play

Champions League football. How was your first taste of the Old Firm

match? It was great. No one can tell you how it is going to go or how the

experiences until you have gone through it. The way the result went,

it was an unbelievable experience. The fans, it was electric around

Celtic Park. And to score in that game as well? Scott Sinclair might

have tied up all three points for Celtic. That was an added bonus. You

want to come off with the three points and win the game. It was

great to get a goal as well. How do you feel the first Old Firm game

impacts on the one this weekend? I do not think the fans will be

expecting another 5-1. We will give it our best shot, but I think we

will win the game. -- we will try to win the game. I think the fans will

be happy as long as we get the job done. For you, it is a trip to

Hampden Park and a chance to get closer to some silverware? That is

another thing. I came here to get silverware. That is what every

player wants, to lift trophies. This is the start. We need to win the

game and get into the final. They play tomorrow. It is currently

goalless in the other semifinal between Greenock Morton and

Aberdeen. Seizing a chance to move his career on by going to Celtic? It

has been a sad tale for him in the last 34 years. He was doing great at

Swansea City, a big-money move to Man City. His bank balance goes up

but his career goes sideways and down. He ended up at Aston Villa

when they were struggling. Now he is at Celtic where they are doing

great. He is at the crossroads. He is doing well at Celtic but you're

looking at a lad who started half the game in the Premier League at

Aston Villa. Look where they have ended up. The bottom of the lead in

the Championship. He looks really good in Scottish football. It is

when and where and why does he come back to English football?

Celtic lost to Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday.

Man City were also well beaten by Barcelona. Headlines today about

Aguero and Guardiola. It says, you can go, Aguero. Guardiola just said

that he is such a good player, Aguero will make his own decision

when he goes. That is a bit of mischief. Alan Shearer has said,

there is only one world-class player in the Premier League, and that is

Sergio Aguero. You've got to look after your best player, the best

player in the lead, not just that team? I'm surprised he did not start

but he would not have stopped any of the from Messi. Why did he not come

on? His goal record is sensational. Who else is going to play up front

for Man City? I think he is the best player in the league. He has got to

be devastated he is not playing at Barcelona. Maybe play him in goal

instead of Claudio Bravo because he is really good on his feet. City

play Southampton tomorrow without Sergio Aguero.

And there will be highlights of all tomorrow's games

Chappers will be joined by Jermaine Jenas and Phil Neville.

Earlier, there's coverage of the first ever NFL match to be

staged at Twickenham as the Giants take on the Rams.

And later today, at 5.20pm on the Red Button, it's live rugby

league as England travel to France as they warm up for the 4

Back to today, and the big game at the top of League 1 is the all-

Yorkshire affair between Bradford City and Sheffield United.

Chris Wilder took over as Blades boss in the summer,

and as he's been telling Mark Clemmit, it's one he's been

Always a special feeling, every time you walk out here. When I walk into

this crime, as a supporter, player or a manager, it is my club, and the

special feeling. I was watching in 1979, possibly halfway up the

gangway. There were the old lean ons. This is Matthews. When you use

to score, you would end up down the bottom and you would see a

policeman's cat flying about. I was a ball boy on the far side. I had

not realise that. You were a ball boy, twice a player, and no manager.

And a supporter. I think that is unique. Do you stand in your

technical area, have you literally got friends, family, people you know

personally yelling bits of advice. Possibly just a little section over

there. They are all over the ground. They have given me great backing.

They know how much it means to me. Are people respectful in sharing

opinions? A serious question, though that the -- those that you know, do

they tell you straight? We sit in the pub and we still have the same

conversations. Do you listen to them? They are supporters and the

tear for the football club as much as I do. The gaffer is here for the

third spell. Your back for number three. What is it about this club

that gets in your bones? I have been brought up as a Blades supporter. If

I could have played here on my career, I would have. No one enjoys

coming to play against us. We have got to make sure we are at it. The

name of Sheffield is written in the earliest pages of football's

history. The City that has enjoyed the luxury of two first division

teams has become something of a soccer backwater in the last few

years. There is a McNiff Wickens sense of history here. Why can this

club not get going? It has been a tough six years for everyone

connected to the football club. There is no curse hanging over the

place. The best period that this club has had in my lifetime was

under two managers that really brought the club together from the

supporters, from the office staff, the players and the coaching staff.

It was definitely Harry Bassett. Obviously, when Neil Warnock was

here, the support he has is outstanding. There is no reason we

cannot move it forward. We need to get back to where it should be. I

know it is early doors, but do you allow yourself to imagine what it

would be like if you were to deliver promotion to the Championship? We

work in the present. If you take your eye off the next game... Of

course. Of course, you do. People say to me, is it any different from

working at any other club. I would honestly say that the hives are

higher and the laws are a little bit lower. When we win games it is a

special club to be involved in. If you're a Sheffield United fan, you

would love listening to that. Everyone wants their manager to talk

like that, to have that passion for the club. Could he be the man to

unlock the potential at Brammall Lane? He has done well in the last

few years. He was at Oxford and Northampton. He was a tough tackling

fullback to go play. I used to keep his bad balls in play for him,

especially on the slope at that ground. He will get them up this

year. When they get into the Championship, they need investment

to go the next step. I think he will get them up. That is the very least

it should be, the Championship, with what they have. They are getting

nearly 20,000 crowds, near enough. I used to keep his balls and, for

goodness' sake. I thought I would let that one goal. -- that one go.

Sheffield United were handed a home draw against Leyton Orient in the FA

Our live match on BBC Two is on Friday 4th November.

We'll be at non-league Eastleigh to see if the Spitfires

And on the Saturday, Focus will come from Hereford

as Westfields FC, in the ninth tier, are in the first round for

Sad news for the world of football this week with the death

As goalkeeper in Don Revie's great Leeds side of the late

'60s and early '70s, he won the League Cup, two Inter-

Cities Fairs Cups in Europe, and the league championship

He played over 500 times for the club, keeping

200 clean sheets before finishing his career at Birmingham.

And Gary's former club Birmingham lost 2-0 at Burton

Clem's over in BBC Sport HQ ahead of Final Score this afternoon,

when he'll keep an eye on the rest of the EFL games.

It is that time of the season when all sorts of managers are concerned

about their job. It is crazy season? It was a little bit slow getting

going this year. I take no gleam that. We have had it in the EFL,

four in the Championship in the month of October. I feel for Alan

Stubbs at Rotherham. He has lost his job, one victory in 13 since

consecutive defeats. Rotherham or in familiar territory. He is their

fifth permanent manager since the start of last season. They have an

experienced man, three promotions on his CV. I was looking through his

stats at Wolverhampton. He has a 40% plus clean sheet ratio. Rotherham

will need that with the worst defence in the top four divisions.

Award Newcastle, the Rafa-lution is working a treat this season? They

had a bumpy start, a scatter-gun approach to signings, some did not

work, but they are really in their stride. Jonjo Shelvey and Richie and

Marcus Gayle are doing it on the pitch. The real star is Rafa

Benitez. He is being spoken about in the same prawns as Bobby Robson and

Kevin Keegan. They are getting to that point where everybody is really

going to the them. A bit like seven years ago under Chris Hughton. They

had Nolan, Harper, Andy Carroll. They are four points for the clear

than Chris Hughton's team were back then. Once they go four five points

clear, it done. Well done for working on your birthday. We do not

expect anything less. We should say congratulations

to Lawro, who this week was inducted into the English Football Hall

Of Fame at the National Look at that jacket. I was going to

mention that, but sadly we are out of time.

We're back at midday next Saturday, but we'll finish today with the man

who made history in Rio by becoming the first ever Brit to win gold

Stoke's Joe Clarke was part of the Olympic parade this week,

but took time out to try and pummel Lawro with his prediction paddle.

Sensational. Joe Clarke of Great Britain, Olympic champion. I met the

players and staff at Stoke, it was a crazy experience. I was greeted by

Ryan Shawcross, the captain. I kicked a football ended a few

crosses to Peter Crouch. He tried to sink them. My favourite played as

Sir Stanley Matthews, a legend. He won the first Ballon D'or Trophy. He

is a man the club is based on. I am hoping that Stoke's performances are

on the up. We will climb back up the league, where we should be. Burnley,

Everton, that is tricky. I quite fancy Burnley to sneak it.

Liverpool, West Brom, I will favour Liverpool because if I don't, my

friends will kill me. I will go for 2-0. The most important game, Hull

against Stoke.