All the talk was about the thrilling 3-3 draw between Chelsea and Manchester United. The Red Devils' powers of recovery were once again apparent when they had looked down and out following a four-minute blitz by Chelsea.
Everyone remarked that only Manchester United is capable of coming back and clinching a draw from the jaws of defeat.

Brian Howard Clough was a complex character; that goes without saying. But despite the glut of books about him – and there have been several published this year – none have really examined his psyche and the intrinsic developments that created one of the most revered, successful and talked-about football managers of all time [.

Liverpool under-18s suffered a disappointing defeat to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon in a game they largely dominated.
Bolton came into the game having only won once this season but showed no signs of nerves as they came close after only one minute when centre back Threlkeld got free in the box only to head straight at Jamie Stephens.

I've just finished John Giles' book, A football man. Really enjoyed it. Giles isn't afraid to call it how he sees it, a trait that can be trying in the half-bright whines of your common-or-garden footballer, but which comes over quite well from someone thoughtful and considered like Giles.

It feels a bit blasphemous reporting on a match in which a club associated with Ken Bates performed well, but since he's one of football's greatest chairmen, a good scrub in the shower should eliminate some of the guilt. Certainly, the Championship fixture between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest weighed heavily upon those at Elland Road on Saturday both in terms of history and contemporary significance.

Interesting.

Mixed feelings towards Wolves. On the one hand, they were a disgrace at the Cottage earlier in the season. On other they've been quite good fun this season, the Premiership's banana-skin surprise, capable of causing slip-ups when least expected.

Also, their 1950s sides were seriously good.

If you are anything like me, reading a good book on a lazy Sunday is one of the most enjoyable times of the week – unless you have a game to watch which in this day and age happens more often than I...
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Steve Sidwell, eh?

Positives

A good pedigree: Arsenal youth player, fine stint at Reading (under Steve Coppell), signed for Mourinho's Chelsea, then on to Martin O'Neill's Villa. A lot of good managers have signed him.
Wandsworth lad: will be happy in the area, which must count for something.

The only thing that matters in the North East this weekend

This weekend will see the Wear-Tyne derby as Sunderland and Newcastle look to grab local bragging rights once again. The last derby game, at St. James' Park, ended up with Sunderland on the end of a 5-1 drubbing and although that was considered one of the most anticipated derby games in recent seasons, Sunday's game should be just as heated for much different reasons.