Looking at today's back pages, it's obvious from the collective line of the national press that Fleet Steet's finest have got their heads together and decided that they do not want any of the English candidates as the next England manager and that Hiddink is their man. Allardyce, McClaren and Curbishley may well decide that if they do not have the backing of the press from the start then all the hassle that goes with the England job will not be worth it. Apart from £4 million year of course.

Taylor has his attributes but I don't think the FA would risk more controversy by appointing the Hull City manager instead of three Premiership managers.

Ooops, philip missed the stupid button . O'Neill would be linked with every top job going were he available yet he started at Wycombe Wanderers. They all begin somewhere. The "irony" is Taylor may get the job by default because of the inadequacies of the other English candidates.

Peter Taylor's only qualification is he's English. Like Allardyce, Curbishley and McClaren, he would hardly be an inspirational appointment. The FA would be ridiculed even more than usual if it appointed Hughes. There's alot of xenophobic nonsense being spouted at present by Gordon Taylor in particular and alot of leading players. The best qualified man for the job in terms of experience, coaching skills and standing in the game is Hiddink.

Frightening thought: United will have twin strike force tonight of Van Nistelrooy and Rooney. Ours will be Kuqi and A N Other (if he's not injured). We don't stand a chance, do we ??

My thoughts too. Eriksson looked a relieved man at yesterday's press conference, as though the weight of the world was off his shoulders at the prospect of leaving. If he could find an excuse to go tomorrow (one more revelation by the Screws should do it) I'm sure he would, and the FA would not be against him going now either. There is still five months to go until the World Cup finals. The problem is the FA want Hiddink and he is contracted to the light-fingered mob until after the World Cup. What price McClaren to take temporary charge in Germany ?

Frantic telephone calls are being made in Football League headquarters this very minute with instructions to tonight's officials to make sure United get the benefit of any marginals decisions. Allegedly.

Press conference called for tomorrow monring when it will be announced that Eriksson is to leave the England job after the World Cup with a £3.5 million payoff. The remaining two years of his contract were worth £9 million but Eriksson has agreed to accept the compromise settlement after the recent NoW furore.

Does not the A56 also come into Manchester from the Cheshire direction, through Altrincham ?

As near as possible, in a safe place and not too expensive !

Now then, approaching Manchester on the A56, which is the best way to go ??

Another brilliant piece by Simon Barnes but nothing new otherwise: Eriksson will go after the World Cup.

Thanks.

Where is the best place to park near Old Trafford that is reasonably safe and not too expensive ?

Newcastle won't sack Souness because it would cost £5 million to get rid of him - money they do not have. And Souness won't resign - he made that point again after Saturday's match - so the impasse will probably continue for some time yet. Just enjoy the spectacle as the club limps along and slowly get dragged into the relegation fight.

There's no love for Eriksson among the tabloid hacks - viz the Screws hatchet job. The question is why should the FA act - it is not in its interests to do so. If England somehow win the World Cup all will be forgiven anyway.

Quite right. philip is barking up the wrong tree as per normal. The FA will bide its time and the storm will blow over as the World Cup finals approach. Eriksson will leave of his own accord after England have been eliminated in the quarter-finals.

No read all of this thread but why did not Rovers include a clause in his transfer that he could not play against us today ?

You have too much spare time.

United dominated the match tactically and physically. Rovers will be happy with a draw and will have to play much better at Old Trafford.

Savage and Kuqi both should have scored. Cracking game.

Ferguson is quoted in tomorrow's papers as definitely fielding his second string players tomorrow night. The insinuation is that even if United lose the first game, he thinks his first XI will be able to turn it round at Old Trafford.

Wasn't at Upton Park but was on the Riverside for the replay: cracking night in a nightmare relegation season. The draw was not kind to Rovers: West Ham away is a very difficult tie.

Souness was lucky in that inherited top-class young players such as Dunn, Duff and Jansen. Hughes has won nothing yet but he saved Rovers from certain relegation under Souness last season. Souness has become a rich man by being a managerial failure. Enough said.

Very, very lucky lucky. Pompey should have won.