Highs and lows

"How many clubs did he have as a player? If he had been at one club all his career he could preach about loyalty," snarled an angry Paul Merson, in his English newspaper column a fortnight ago. And who was the target of his ire? John Gregory, manager of Aston Villa, who infuriated Merson with his criticism of Dwight Yorke, after he left Villa for Manchester United. And which club did Merson join last week, after walking out on Middlesbrough? Mmm, Aston Villa. "What I really meant to say, boss . . .," was, we suspect, the gist of the beginning of Merson's first chat with Mr Gregory.

Good to see a spirit of glasnost very nearly enveloping Manchester United's official website last week. "Today sees the unveiling of the Official Manchester United Web Site's polling system. From now on, you can let us know how you feel about United-related issues," they announced last Wednesday. So, were they about to allow their supporters have a say in the big issue of the week (and all-time) at Old Trafford - the Murdoch takeover? Well, no. "We start off with a vote concerning the newest faces at Old Trafford. Who, from Blomqvist, Stam and Yorke, do you think will have the biggest impact as a United player? You'll find the poll on the homepage. You can only vote once, so make it count!" Spare a thought for Lazio coach Sven Goran Eriksson, who must surely earn the tag of the "coach most under pressure anywhere in the world" this season. Why? He spent £70 million on players during the past summer, including Christian Vieri, Marcelo Salas, Ivan de la Pena and Yugoslavian internationals Dejan Stankovic and Sinisa Mihajlovic. Needless to say, his chairman will expect "results".