Eurosport - Sun, 04 Oct 06:15:00 2009
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson was left fuming by "unfit" referee Alan Wiley's performance during the champions' 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford.
Manchester United 2-2 Sunderland
Alex Ferguson: "I was disappointed with the referee. He didn't add on any time for the goal. He played four minutes and two seconds.
"He was also walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest. He was not fit enough for a game of that standard. The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He was not fit. It is an indictment of our game.
"You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn't fit. He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was ridiculous."
Steve Bruce: "It is totally disappointing. I don't know what the stat is for the number of times Manchester United have done that but it is what makes this club what it is I suppose.
"It just proves you have to go down to the wire. Even when they don't play well, they always seem to get something out of it. And the Ayatollah himself just sits there and watches.
"That is what he has brought to the club. They never give in."
Wolves 0-1 Portsmouth
Mick McCarthy: "We are coming off with a defeat because we didn't defend properly. We were not outplayed, we just didn't do the basics properly.
"Michael Kightly said it was a stonewall penalty, but then he would say that because he's one of our players. But we shouldn't be discussing that. If we hadn't conceded it would be 0-0 and then I would be able to discuss the decisions that didn't go our way.
"I know Paul Hart well, but I'm not happy for him. I can't be. I wanted to heap more misery on him today. Sympathy is in short supply here."
Paul Hart: "I am relieved and delighted and proud of the players because we've been through the mill.
"We didn't play as well as we have done in the last few weeks, but they grafted hard.
"We've been playing well with control and cool heads that belies the position we're in.
"Certain things ran for us today, but we've earned that luck with the performances we've put in against the likes of Everton and Aston Villa in recent weeks.
"At the same stage last season Spurs had two points, so we're one better than that."
Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Gary Megson: "I'm disappointed with the draw to be honest, but delighted with the way we've played. That's probably as well as we've played all season.
"I've seen Tottenham twice this season and they've been scintillating, but today they weren't and that was down to our good play.
"I thought we made the better chances and to concede two goals the way we did - a hoof to the back post and then from a corner - was disappointing."
Harry Redknapp: "It was a tough game, they're difficult to play against. Kevin Davies is always a threat with the way he plays, messing people around, and they were well organised, worked hard, and played the ball well too.
"That said, we've come from behind twice and then looked the likelier to go on and win it - we had the chances for sure - so I think a point apiece was fair.
"As for the speculation about me this week - it's absolute rubbish, a load of nonsense. I have no idea where people dream this stuff up. I absolutely love it here. We have a good team, I'm delighted with the way we're playing and I am over the moon to be here."
Owen Coyle: "We have good players and a good team and are deserving of every point (at home).
"It was an outstanding performance and we should have won by more. Birmingham did not venture forward that much.
"It's been a horrible week because of injuries but the players again showed their character."
Alex McLeish: "I was disappointed with the second-half showing.
"First half there was nothing in it, we had a couple of little sniffs and it would be good if we could score an early goal to build on.
"The disappointing thing was our reaction (to going behind) and I would say that is the worst we have played so far this season."
Phil Brown: "It's a big three points for everyone's confidence and everyone's mentality.
"Is it a relief? No. Joy springs to mind but I don't feel relief. It's more that I'm pleased for the players."
"We had to get back to the basics of being difficult to play against. It is getting both ends of the field right and we got the majority right."
Roberto Martinez: "We took the sting out of the game and imposed ourselves with our possession.
"We weren't creating as much as we'd like but we were growing into the game then had two lapses in concentration - we let ourselves down in that respect.
"We couldn't get anything out of the game through our own mistakes and that is very disappointing."
Comment 161 - 180 of 180
The Refs association and FA should take him to task and he should be given a hefty touchline ban, pointless doing anything else as he can afford it.
3 Months away from the dugouts might make him think twice and put his brain into gear before opening his mouth.
Toony Tony, you're sounding desperate now man.
Fergie has a point though, if the ref had been a bit fitter then man u would have hammered Sunderland 5 - 0...........
Spot on Jack Torrance
This wine soaked old f art will get the game done away with,he gets gifted 3 points against Man City a point against Sunderland and still whinges like a little girl who dropped her lolly in the sand,pathetic and sums up the petulent nature of his whole team,how on earth did Rooney and Scholes manage to stay on the pitch ? two of the dirtiest players to ever 'grace' the English game.
Rooney could have put Reid out for months and all he gets is a talking to ! absolute bolox's
118 Well said Phil.
He will continue to get away with it because the FA haven't got the balls to do something about it.
the ref should have play some more extra time for mu to get the winner, right??? sir????
Fegie is correct in his argument,you guys can see that the referee is not good at all you can see that he really make some stupid decisions against both team and this is not good for the game.nobody should blame Fergie for complaining.
Disappointed Fergie has come out with such rubbish.
robert f...
IS BORN WITHOUT A MOTHER,RAISE UP IN A BARNYARD,LOVES SUCKLING COW'S MILK TILL NOW,
EATS 'CHICKEN LIVERS/GIBLETS',HAS A FONDENESS OF SHAGGING SUSAN BOYLE
& IS A 'HERMAPHRODITE' WITH ONLY A SAG OF SCROTUM & A PETRUDING INVERTED NIPPLES'.........STAMPED....
this scotsman is not only a sore loser, but a sore drawer.
Alex f. need to be suspended for such a comment.
Fergson is one to complain about referees when everyone knows his side always gets help from referees.Perhaps he wanted another 7 mins like at Manchester City
everything at O.T. needs investigating, the place is corrupt, and i won,t stop saying this until something is done!
it,s RIO , who sniffs toxic fumes,
the ref was ok when 4th offical against man city fergie two faced a hole
sami, your a numpty, the club is corrupt! and people know it.!
lucky xcape 4 united!!
comment154, it,s rio who sniffs toxic fumes . or have you forgot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alan Wiley shouldn't be a ref if he doesn't know the most basic of the rules - you don't blow the final whistle at Old Trafford until United are winning.
Come on Cameron, just say what you mean, stop all this hinting and innuendo....
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