Quotes of the week

"It's crazy, really, paying so much money for a footballer of my qualities."

"It's crazy, really, paying so much money for a footballer of my qualities."

- Liverpool's Eric Meijer, signed from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer, adds to Gerard Houllier's woes by hinting that he's not all that good. The worst part is that Houllier signed Meijer on a FREE transfer.

"I blame the players. It is nothing to do with me."

- Ruud Gullit absolves himself of all blame after Newcastle's defeat by Spurs last Monday.

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"I'm in charge so it's all my fault."

- Two days' later Gullit proves to be as decisive as his back four.

"Winning all the time is not necessarily good for the team."

- Real Madrid manager John Toshack prepares the club's supporters for the likelihood of Barcelona retaining their Spanish league title.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times