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      in Soccer

      Man Utd ace Harry Maguire insists F-word exchange with Marcus Rashford wasn’t a problem as they ‘both want what’s best’

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      HARRY MAGUIRE visits the noisy neighbours this afternoon — although he will probably be  the one making a racket.
      You will be able to hear the Manchester United skipper shout instructions to his team-mates, give encouragement to the younger players and even voice his opinions to the officials.

      Man Utd skipper Harry Maguire says expletives swapped with striker Marcus Rashford are just a normal part of footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Harry Maguire insists he and team-mate Marcus Rashford typify the passion Man Utd’s players haveCredit: Rex Features

      And there is also the possibility that Maguire and Marcus Rashford could once again tell each other to f*** off.
      United are about to begin a massive two-weeks spell and one which could be crucial for boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      It starts with the derby against Manchester City this afternoon, followed by a two-legged Europa League title against AC Milan, a Premier League clash with high-flying West Ham and finally, an FA Cup quarter-final with Leicester.

      After the tie with Leicester on March 21, United and Solskjaer could be in a great place . . . or a really nasty one.

      Maguire, 28, revealed the team’s efforts to communicate better and to ensure they have the right approach to matches, even though four draws in the last five Premier League games appear to have wrecked their hopes of finishing top of the League.
      The England defender said: “If we want to win titles and win trophies, we must have leaders.
      “We are starting to get that. We are vocal on the pitch.
      “Listen to the players and we are the loudest in the Premier League.

      “We do speak about having the right mentality. If you do not have the right mentality, you’re at the wrong club. As a group, we speak about leadership, mentality and focus.
      “When you talk during a game you can keep your own focus and help organise the team.”
      Bruno Fernandes and keeper David De Gea are also vocal during matches, although some of the other players could turn the volume up a bit.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes his Man Utd side to runaway leaders City on SundayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Rashford certainly spoke up during’s United  third successive goalless draw, in all competitions, away to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday.
      Maguire ordered Rashford to “f****** get back onside”, which the striker took exception to and responded: “What the f*** do you want me to do? You f****** k******d.”
      Allowing himself a smile in this Zoom interview, Maguire said: “You pick up these things as there is no crowd in the stadium.
      “But we are always shouting at each other in games. I have full respect for Marcus and he has full respect for myself.
      “We did not even confront each other after the game because it happens that much in training and in games.
      “He wants the best for the club and I want the best for the club.
      “We were not winning and late on in the game were both a little bit frustrated but no, it is nothing.
      “It just shows we are going in the right direction. We are passionate. We are frustrated. We want to be winning football matches. We are passionate about the club and team spirit. We show passion.”

      The one person in a strop after the goalless draw with Chelsea a week ago was Solskjaer.  He was angry with Chelsea for publishing an online feature about Maguire not getting punished by referees for challenges.
      Maguire added: “I obviously don’t look at the Chelsea website before a game.
      “It was mentioned in the press conference and I thought the online story was a bit strange coming from another club. But no, it did not bother me.”
      After the game, the defender also had to speak to Luke Shaw who claimed he heard referee Stuart Attwell tell Maguire he did not want to give United  a penalty because of a potential backlash.
      Maguire added: “It was misinterpreted and misheard from Luke.“I did go up to him in the dressing room afterwards. It was quickly sorted.”
      The former Leicester defender’s short-term goal is to lead United through this difficult two-week spell, win a trophy and then get ready with England for Euro 2020.

      I look at myself and I know I can do more. I know I can help the team in creating that final pass or a pass that leads to an assist.
      Harry Maguire

      He hopes to stay fit, enjoy some success and maybe even score a few more goals.
      On 11 occasions this season he has been involved in attacks that produced goals.
      He has scored twice himself for United and provided one assistMaguire said: “I look at myself and I know I can do more.
      “I know I can help the team in creating that final pass or a pass that leads to  an assist.
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      “Also, I try to get involved at set-pieces, which includes trying to get the first contact or just to make a nuisance of myself.
      “I want to get one or two more now until the end of the season and to bring my goals tally up.
      “Big, tight games are decided on big moments. That will be the case against City.”

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      in Boxing

      Ali vs Frazier was fifteen pulsating rounds of skill & brutality that had us in thrall from first bell to last

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      THE caller from Frankfurt asked if I  was willing to  be interviewed by a German TV station about the first Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier fight that took place  50 years ago tomorrow.
      And the reason I was contacted is sobering to say the least.

      Joe Frazier eventually kept his unbeaten record with a final round stoppage winCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Beaten Muhammad Ali recovered from this beating to land two revenge wins over Joe Frazier in one of sport’s greatest ever rivalriesCredit: AP:Associated Press

      I happen to be one of the few boxing writers at New York’s Madison Square Garden ringside that exceptional night who is still alive.
      It doesn’t seem possible that half a century has passed since Ali and Frazier had the world holding its breath waiting for the opening bell to sound in what was legitimately called the Fight of the Century.
      The word ‘sensational’ is nowhere near adequate to describe the anticipation before and during an event that did not just transcend  boxing but transcended sport.
      There couldn’t have been a more perfect scenario that led to an occasion that was a mixture of a Broadway musical first night, an Oscar ceremony and Mardi Gras.

      Ali, the most famous sportsman on Earth, was on his way back after being stripped of his world heavyweight title and exiled for 3½  years for refusing to be drafted into the US military in protest at the Vietnam war.
      Frazier, while Ali was away, won the world heavyweight crown and was recognised as undisputed champ.
      It was the first time two unbeaten men had fought for the richest prize in sport and the global interest was total and unprecedented.
      If proof were needed just how much this clash captured the imagination, Russia — where pro boxing was banned — changed the habit of a lifetime and sent two national news agency journalists to cover it.

      There were serious political overtones to the fight as it had grabbed the attention of the non-sporting public throughout the United States.
      Ali was being willed to win by the growing anti-war lobby, while Frazier had the whole-hearted support of  pro-war conservatives in the country.
      This grudge match was promoted by Jerry Perenchio and Jack Kent Cooke, who had no previous connection with boxing.
      Perenchio was  boss of a showbiz management company whose clients included  Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
      Cooke was  owner of the Los Angeles Lakers  basketball team and also had a large stake in NFL’s  Washington Football Team.
      Between them, they agreed to pay Ali and Frazier  a mind-boggling $2.5million each.
      Everything to do with the fight — the finances in particular — smashed all  records.
      The live crowd of 20,455 paid $1.5m. Cheapest ticket was $20,  dearest an unheard of $150.
      To emphasise how times have changed, when Floyd Mayweather met Manny Pacquiao it cost $1,330 to sit in the gods and $6,650 ringside.

      There was no pay-per-view back then. It was shown on closed-circuit TV in 500 outlets in the US and 2.5m people paid $45m to watch it.In London, it was shown in several cinemas in the middle of the night and there were 90,000 viewers.
      The delayed TV broadcast  was seen by 300million viewers.
      From the moment I arrived in Manhattan a week before hostilities, tension in the Ali and Frazier camps was palpable.
      Both fighters received death threats and the NYPD were guarding them round the clock.
      There were 760 accredited journalists, another 500 had  applications refused. Among us were literary giants Budd Schulberg, George Plimpton and Norman Mailer.
      When the British press corps  collected our credentials from the Garden’s  press chief John Condon, he handed out red baseball caps with each pass.
      Peter Wilson, an old Harrovian and Britain’s best-known sportswriter, asked what they  were for.
      Condon said: “To wear at ringside.” Wilson, who could be pompous, said: “I wouldn’t be seen dead wearing a baseball cap.”
      Condon advised: “I would if I were you, Peter.  There will be 5,000 outside without tickets trying to gatecrash.

      Never before, or since, have so many Hollywood stars and overdressed Guys and Dolls been in the VIP section at a fight. Mafia family members must have made offers that couldn’t be refused to get tickets.

      “If there’s a riot,  cops will want to know which heads to hit and which heads not to hit.”
      Needless to say, we sat with  caps firmly on heads. I still have mine.Fans inside the Garden waiting for the gladiators to enter were in a frenzy bordering on hysteria.
      Sadly, it proved too much for  two poor men who died from heart failure  before they saw a blow struck.
      Never before, or since, have so many Hollywood stars, leading politicians and overdressed Guys and Dolls been seen in the VIP  section at a prize fight.
      Several Mafia family members  must have made offers that couldn’t be refused to get their hands on tickets.
      Sitting  my side of the ring were Barbra Streisand, Dustin Hoffman, Sammy Davis Jr, Aretha Franklin, George Raft, David Frost, Count Basie, Senator Teddy  Kennedy and former Vice- President Hubert Humphrey.
      Francis Albert Sinatra did it his way. He was so anxious to get as close to the action as possible, he got assigned as a press photographer for Life  magazine so he could be up on the ring apron.

      There was one moment when the hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention. More than 20,000 people suddenly stood to a man.
      They had spied the immortal Joe Louis  and  roared their applause as he walked to his seat — and  didn’t stop applauding until he sat down.
      It seemed, after all the hype, the fight couldn’t possibly live up to the billing. But it was even better than anyone could have dreamed of.
      For 15 pulsating rounds Ali and Frazier fought a  war of attrition. And with a combination of skill mixed with brutality, they had us in their thrall from first bell to last.
      When Frazier floored Ali with a  left hook in the last round, it left no doubt in anyone’s mind  there was only one winner — he thoroughly deserved the unanimous points  decision. Neither man could attend the post-fight press conference.
      The right side of Ali’s face was so swollen, he looked as if he was  trying to swallow a large grapefruit, and  was taken off to  hospital for an X-ray.
      Frazier was in a far worse state. He was taken straight back to his hotel and stayed in his room for several days before being admitted to hospital for a few weeks to recover.
       His blood pressure was so dangerously high,  doctors thought he was about to have a stroke. For days he couldn’t urinate, couldn’t stand, walk or eat and drink.
      There was speculation  Ali’s ego couldn’t live with him losing his unbeaten record. But nothing could have been further from the truth.
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      He insisted on meeting the press as he lay in his hotel bed the next morning. Ali said: “I just lost a fight, that’s all. There are more important things to worry about in life.”
      I doubt if today’s boxing fans who are under 60 can appreciate just how big that Ali-Frazier fight was and how good they were.
      I just feel blessed to have had the opportunity to have been there to report it for SunSport.

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      in Soccer

      Harry Redknapp: Steve Bruce’s Newcastle a world apart from Alan Shearer’s days and Magpies in real danger of the drop

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      NO ONE needs to tell me what a massive club Newcastle are… a few years ago I very nearly took the manager’s job.
      It was 2008 and I would have been Mike Ashley’s first appointment after Sam Allardyce had gone.

      Steve Bruce has a huge fight onto save Newcastle from the dropCredit: AFP

      The Magpies face a huge game with West Brom on SundayCredit: AP:Associated Press

      I was at Portsmouth at the time but very, very close to taking it. But at the last minute I decided I had a better team where I was, changed my mind and stayed put.
      I reckoned unless they were going to spend loads of money, I’d be better off where I was. We won the FA Cup that season, so I got that right.
      There’s no doubt Newcastle have the potential to be huge, it’s all in place — apart from one thing.
      Basically, they are a top-eight club with a bottom-eight squad.

      I know Ashley’s been trying to sell for ages, and I do think if you were a multi-millionaire looking to buy a club then this would be the one, for sure.
      But it’s also a tough, tough one to manage right now and poor old Steve Bruce is on a hiding to nothing.
      The fans were against him from the start but the bottom line is the players aren’t up to it and nothing will change until a lot of money is spent.
      They go on about Rafa Benitez and how great he was. Well, he did a decent enough job but he never had them in the top six.

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      I don’t care if you’ve got Bruce, Benitez, or whoever, no manager is going to come in with a magic wand and change that.

      That’s why I feel for Brucie because it was no different under the other fella. They were not playing great football or challenging at the top.
      In fact they have not been involved at that end since Alan Pardew finished fifth nearly ten years ago.
      It’s a world away from the days when the likes of Alan Shearer and David Ginola were tearing it up.
      The ones they have now aren’t up to it, and I don’t care if you’ve got Bruce, Benitez, or whoever, no manager is going to come in with a magic wand and change that.
      Only one thing will — and that’s if some mega-rich new owner buys the thing and throws money at it because the best teams have the best players.
      The way football is now, Newcastle could actually win the title in four years.
      But only if a Sheikh Mansour- type spends huge amounts and brings in the top stars.
      Ashley’s not going to do that and, to be honest, I don’t blame him. He’s done a fortune already so why throw more money at it?
      He’s trying to sell and you wouldn’t spend absolute fortunes on your house if you were going to flog it.
      There are thousands out there who want to own a football club but Ashley’s had loads who have basically been messing about and won’t — or can’t — put up the money.

      Famous nights against the likes of Barcelona are a far cry for the Toon nowadaysCredit: AP:Associated Press

      The current squad are miles behind Alan Shearer, Michael Owen and CoCredit: PA:Press Association
      It doesn’t matter how big you are, whether you’ve got 55,000 supporters — in normal times — every week, or not.
      If the players aren’t good enough you will struggle, and they’re not.
      If you were picking the likely bottom half-dozen at the start of the season, Newcastle would be in there.
      Bruce will know finishing out of the relegation places is about as good as it gets with that lot. Especially now, with Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson all out.
      And that business with Matt Ritchie hardly helped, either. A little right winger and a big centre-half, whatever the age gap, there’s only one winner there.
      I must admit I never had a clash like that on the training ground as a manager. Everyone remembers the one with me at West Ham — or rather John Hartson and Eyal Berkovic.
      John was going through a difficult time in his life, just lost it, and kicked him. And it just happened to be when we’d allowed the TV cameras in as well.
      It was a complete mismatch, a 15-stone, hard-as-nails centre-forward and a guy not much bigger than a jockey.

      John knew I had to fine him two weeks’ wages and that was that. But as for a player taking on the manager? That’s very unusual.
      Right now Newcastle need everyone pulling together and their game at West Brom on Sunday is massive.
      Personally, I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to play for Brucie and I think he’s getting the best out of what he’s got.
      Unfortunately, though, what he’s got is a bunch who aren’t good enough.
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      in Soccer

      Man Utd star Harry Maguire’s appeal over bribery and assault conviction on hold after Greek prosecutor catches Covid

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      MAN United star Harry Maguire’s appeal against his conviction for bribery and attacking police on holiday may not happen until next year — as the chief prosecutor has caught Covid.
      The official on the Greek island of Syros where the trial is due is understood to have caught the virus last month throwing the local administration into chaos.

      Harry Maguire was arrested after the incident on the Greek Island of MykonosCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Maguire’s appeal against his conviction for bribery and attacking police on holiday may not happen until next year — as the chief prosecutor has caught CovidCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the latest revelation means Maguire will have the brawl hanging over his head until at least the end of this season.
      Prosecution lawyer Ioannis Paradissis, who represents the police, told The Sun: “Very few cases are now being heard and there is a very big backlog so it is almost impossible that the case will come to trial.
      “We want to have it over and done with and my clients are still expecting an apology from Maguire.

      England and Manchester United star Maguire, left, leaves a court building on the Greek island of Syros last summerCredit: AP:Associated Press

      The star enjoying his holiday on MykonosCredit: Mykonos Live TV

      “If he says sorry there will be a different result, the court will look at his case more positively. Under Greek criminal law that is always the case.”

      Maguire received a 21-month suspended sentence after he was convicted of attempted bribery, assault, verbal assault and attacking cops.
      His brother Joe, 28, and pal Chris Sharman, 29, got 13-month suspended sentences for similar offences. All have appealed and are “presumed innocent” until they face a retrial.

      Harry Maguire denies being drunk during Mykonos brawl and says ‘I can handle a few drinks’
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      in Soccer

      Man Utd should be used to chasing big rivals City and it’s been the same since 2011, says Shaun Wright-Phillips

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      SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS says Manchester United should be used to chasing City by now.
      After all, the Red Devils have spent most of the last decade trying to keep up with the ‘noisy neighbours’.

      Yaya Toure scored the winner for Man City against rivals United in the FA Cup semi-final ten years agoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Shaun Wright-Phillips after Man City’s famous 2011 FA Cup semi-final win over Man UtdCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun

      City’s SWP was part of Roberto Mancini’s side who struck a crucial blow in the battle for supremacy ten years ago next month.
      Like many in the blue corner, he points to the FA Cup semi-final between the two clubs at Wembley in April  2011 as being a seismic day.
      And much to Wright-Phillips’ delight, his beloved Man City have barely looked back since.
      The former England ace recalled: “That game was clarification things were starting to turn in Manchester.

      “That day was significant. It was a huge occasion — Wembley, a derby, a cup semi-final.
      “For so long United had been the dominant force but the feeling was that our time was coming — when we’d start winning some trophies.
      “That’s what they’ve been doing since — with City at No 1 and United at No 2 in Manchester. And that is how it is going into this derby.”
      Pep Guardiola’s men go into tomorrow’s game with a 14-point lead over second-placed Man Utd.

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      Ten years ago things were very different in Manchester — and there was no doubt who were top dogs before that semi-final.
      United were en route to yet another Premier League title and also reach the final of the Champions League that season.
      By contrast, City had crashed out of the Europa League to Dynamo Kiev and had been thumped by Liverpool at Anfield days earlier.
      But a second-half goal from Yaya Toure proved to be the difference and the fans celebrated by doing the ‘Poznan’ in the Wembley stands.

      Man City went on to lift the FA Cup after their semi-final victory over Man Utd in 2011Credit: The FA – Getty Images
      SWP, now 39, said: “They were a top side, winning a lot of trophies and our form hadn’t been great going into it.
      “Of course they were the favourites in many people’s eyes. But it was an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley — so we didn’t let recent results bother us.
      “We had confidence in what we had in our dressing room and when you’ve got the big man Yaya in your squad you know you’ve got a chance.
      “We always knew he could make magic happen and that’s what he did early in the second half.
      “It was an amazing atmosphere at Wembley with half of it red and half blue and City fans were doing the ‘Poznan’ after the goal.
      “We managed to hang on and for us, it almost felt like we’d won the Cup that day — even though we had to play Stoke in the final and prepare in the right way.
      “But it felt significant and there was a great feeling in the dressing room afterwards.
      “Of course the United players were disappointed — not only had they lost a semi-final at Wembley, it was also a derby defeat.
      “So it was a double whammy for them and days like that hurt. There’s been lots of vital derbies since but I can see why City fans feel like that one was so important.”
      Wright-Phillips was a second-half sub that day.
      Having grown from a boy to a man with City and having two spells at the club, there was no better feeling than getting one over their rivals.
      SWP, who played for City from 1999-2005 and then again from 2008-2011 said: “I’ve got good and bad memories of the derby. There was the goal I scored in the 4-1 win under Kevin Keegan. I also got one in a defeat at Old Trafford.

      Man City have won three Premier League titles since United lifted their last one in 2013Credit: AFP – Getty
      “For me, having joined City at such a young age and playing in all the ‘baby derbies’, scoring in the real one was unbelievable.
      “But I always remember the game just a few months before the Wembley one when Wayne Rooney scored  that  overhead kick. That hurt.”
      In stark contrast, the meeting between the clubs at Old Trafford in December was instantly forgettable — but he hopes Sunday will be one to remember for his club.
      Victory would end United’s faint hopes once and for all and help Guardiola put one hand on the trophy for a third time in four years.
      Wright-Phillips said: “I look back to the game at Old Trafford in December and I can’t remember much about it.
      “Hopefully on Sunday it will be more memorable. I’m sure if City win it will be one the fans won’t forget as it will end any hopes United have of winning the title.”

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      in Soccer

      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp laments not having ‘money tree’ as he bids to avoid THREE-MONTH winless home run

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      LAST season, it felt as though Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool could dominate English football for years.
      The German appeared to have built the ‘bastion of invincibility’ Bill Shankly used to brag about, as his world and European champions won 26 of their first 27 Premier League matches.

      Liverpool lost their fifth successive Premier League home game on ThursdayCredit: Reuters

      That relentless winning run is a distant memory after an unprecedented fifth straight home league defeat, by Chelsea on Thursday, left Liverpool seventh in the table.
      And Klopp now claims that the idea of reigning for a generation was always a pipe dream.
      He insists that only Manchester City, with their magic Abu Dhabi money tree, are capable of winning the title year in, year out.
      Klopp said: “If your problems are not getting bigger than solutions, you can have it.

      “But it’s the most difficult league to stay on top for a long, long period, in England.
      “It could happen. There is one club that maybe has everything for it — the quality of players, the manager, the money and everything — and that is Man City.
      “All the rest have to fight with all you have to get close.
      “When you are close enough you can maybe do what we showed last year.”

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      Klopp raised eyebrows by substituting Salah while Liverpool were looking for a goal against ChelseaCredit: EPA
      Many in the wider Liverpool family cling to the club’s corporate mantra of ‘This Means More’ — with Jamie Carragher and Jason McAteer claiming the Reds have suffered far more than others in the behind-closed-doors era because their supporters are more passionate.
      Yet Klopp is far more realistic about his fallen champions.
      While his central-defensive injury crisis is clearly debilitating — with new boy Ozan Kabak joining Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip on the missing list for tomorrow’s clash with Fulham — Klopp admits Liverpool should still be doing far better.
      He said: “There is a big difference between the situation we are in now and the situation which could have happened.
      “Coming second or third, in a year when it’s not perfect for you, is, I think, for everybody, absolutely OK. Then you have the chance to go as far as possible in the cup competitions and the Champions League.
      “But our situation is different. I think we all agree it is a really strange one, injury-wise, and football is much more a rhythm game than people might think.
      “When you can rely on different things and build on different things, you can reach your personal best as a team.
      “We’ve never had that situation this season — that we could really build on something because we’ve had to change too much.”

      Liverpool drew with Fulham at Craven Cottage back in DecemberCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
      If Liverpool fail to defeat relegation-threatened Fulham, their winless home run would be close to three months.
      And so Klopp is demanding his team learn to win ugly.
      The Anfield boss said: “It was clear that it would be difficult for us, but the job we have to do is to fight with all we have to get results anyway — maybe not with your absolute best football.
      “And that’s the point where we didn’t do well enough.
      “In an average game, you can still win it or draw it — but we lost even games when we were actually good.
      “And this is exactly the opposite of how it should be.
      “We are very self-critical and we take all the criticism, that is absolutely OK.”

      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League
      Klopp talked up 18th-placed Fulham and their manager Scott Parker.
      Yet the Londoners have scored just nine goals in their past 12 league games and so this fixture must surely be viewed as a perfect opportunity to end Liverpool’s worst home run of all time.
      The Liverpool boss said: “We have to improve our decision-making in decisive moments — that’s clear and obvious.
      “Chelsea had more shots on target than we had — it’s a sign. A lot of things were good but the last pass was not good enough and that killed these situations.”
      Klopp again claimed that he has no problem with Mo Salah after the Premier League’s 17-goal leading scorer showed an angry reaction to being substituted against Chelsea.
      He said: “We were 1-0 down, which makes no player happy. And, as a striker, you think you should stay on the pitch — that’s not an issue.
      “Mo still has a great scoring record. He knows himself that even he could have scored more goals — but Mo’s scoring record is not our problem.“In general we have to improve, 100 per cent.”
       LIVERPOOL (likely): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane.

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      in Soccer

      Crystal Palace need to move on from Roy Hodgson or face being stuck in a rut, says Eagles legend Andy Gray

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      IF Crystal Palace want to move on, then they need to do it without Roy Hodgson.
      That is the view of Eagles legend Andy Gray, who fears his former club are getting stuck in a rut.

      Roy Hodgson’s future has been subject to much discussion at Selhurst ParkCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Crystal Palace legend Andy Gray, who played more thna 200 games for the Eagles in two spells at Selhurst Park, has called on the club to make a changeCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      Hodgson, who turns 74 in August, took charge after replacing flop Frank de Boer in September 2017.
      Brought in to steady the ship in South London, Hodgson has always beaten the drop.
      Gray hit 51 goals in 242 Eagles appearances over two stints in the 1980s and 1990s — before leaving to join London rivals, and Sunday night’s opponents, Tottenham.
      He feels Palace may not be able to aim any higher than survival with the ex-England manager at the helm.

      Gray said: “It’s not a case of sticking with him or letting him go. Roy Hodgson is 73 and he came into the club to stabilise it. But that’s all he’s going do — stabilise the club.
      “The club haven’t given him plenty of money to spend, so it’s not just the manager but it’s everyone connected with the club to recruit and buy players.
      “Roy has got the squad that he’s got and it’s a squad which will stay in the Premier League. But it’s not going do anything other than that.
      “This squad has got more chances of staying up than going down anyway because he hasn’t got the worst squad.”

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      I just think the current Palace side have got one star and rely on him heavily.
      Andy Gray

      Palace hero Gray, helped them reach the 1990 FA Cup final and finish third in the top flight a year later — but he feels they now need to address their over-reliance on Wilfried Zaha.
      The Eagles lost a staggering 18 times in 20 Premier League outings without the Ivorian before winning 2-1 at Brighton on February 22.
      They are now unbeaten in three but have put in two goalless home draws since — against Fulham and Manchester United — as they still struggle to find the net.
      Gray, now 57, added: “I just think the current Palace side have got one star and rely on him heavily.
      “It just doesn’t free up anybody else to put their authority down. If you look at Palace you look straight to Zaha.

      Christian Benteke was defended by Gray for his role in the teamCredit: Reuters
      “It’s not really a team where you say there’s like five players, that even if Zaha is having a bad game, they can make Palace a very, very good team — which we had back in the day.
      “No one ever said that without Ian Wright we wouldn’t do this or do that. Zaha is great but Palace need to build a squad that doesn’t rely on one player.”
      Zaha, 28, is set to return for the trip to Spurs — but whether he makes a big move in the summer or stays put, Gray believes Palace should embark on an overhaul regardless.
      He added: “They are not going get £100million for Wilf, are they? Forget about the money for Zaha and rebuild the side regardless, with him in mind or with him out of mind.”
      Belgian striker Christian Benteke has often been criticised for his lack of goals but for Gray the lack of service to feed off is to blame.

      The Palace legend wants to see more of Eberechi Eze to elevate the team’s creativityCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He added: “If you don’t rely on one player and you’ve got other people doing their bit, then people like Benteke will get chances.
      “Benteke in the system doesn’t get the chances he got at Aston Villa. The Crystal Palace system doesn’t suit him and it shows.
      “Everybody can see that Christian isn’t getting the service. But when he does get service, he performs.
      “They also have Eberechi Eze who is a good prospect but one swallow doesn’t make a summer, he’s got to do that season after season.”
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      Former Southampton ace Kevin Phillips fires relegation warning and tells Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team to ‘get nastier’

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      SOUTHAMPTON need only look back to the 2004-05 season to see how you can slip out of the league if you get sloppy.
      Harry Redknapp’s side were out of the bottom three in mid-March thanks to a Peter Crouch-inspired win at Middlesbrough.

      Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has overseen a difficult run of resultsCredit: AFP

      But five defeats in their last eight saw them finish bottom of the pile.
      They missed out on safety by only two points in one of the most tightly-contested relegation scraps in Premier League history.
      It serves as a warning to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s current crop that if they do not buck up their ideas, they could suffer the same fate.
      Kevin Phillips was part of Redknapp’s squad that year, along with the likes of Crouch, Graeme Le Saux and Jamie Redknapp.

      The 47-year-old, one of only nine players to score 30 league goals in a season, told SunSport: “We had some good players then and shouldn’t have gone down.
      “But just because you’ve got good players, you can still get sucked in and get relegated. You can’t take anything for granted. If Southampton want to learn anything from that season, it’s that, yeah, they’ve got good players, but that doesn’t mean anything.
      “People can quickly come up from behind you and overtake you, if you don’t perform. Hasenhuttl will know that.”
      Phillips thinks Southampton will have enough to get themselves out of it but is alarmed by his old side’s current slump.

      Kevin Phillips was part of the Saints side relegated in 2005Credit: Rex Features

      Hasenhuttl’s men were top of the Premier League after beating Newcastle in November.
      They looked ready for a European push when seeing off Liverpool 1-0 at the start of January — a game which saw Hasenhuttl break down in tears of joy at the final whistle.
      But it is the Saints fans who have wanted to cry since, with a shocking run of eight defeats in their nine league games since that famous victory.
      That includes the 9-0 battering at Manchester United which, amazingly, was the second time Hasenhuttl had suffered that record-equalling scoreline in his St Mary’s tenure.
      During that run, Phillips has been carefully watching star striker Danny Ings, who has netted just once in his last eight league games.
      The former England forward added: “When you’re playing for a team where they rely on you so much, the pressure is immense.

      I have noticed recently that Danny is snatching a little bit more at his opportunities
      Kevin Phillips on Danny Ings

      “It doesn’t help when the club is in the slump that it’s in.
      “I have noticed recently that Danny is snatching a little bit more at his opportunities and pulling the trigger a little bit too soon. Against Everton, he was dropping way too deep for my liking.
      “I want to see Danny Ings playing on the shoulder of the defenders and let the other players do the other side of the game.
      “It’s natural when you’re playing in a side who are not keeping the ball to go searching for it.
      “All I can suggest is you go and look at your videos of when you were scoring and try to be a bit more composed in front of goal. He still gets in decent areas.
      “Maybe he should take a leaf out of Jamie Vardy’s book.
      “Jamie’s not bothered if he only has five touches in a game but they normally occur around the box and often result in a goal.”

      England hopeful Danny Ings has struggled for goals of lateCredit: AFP

      Jamie Vardy has retained his goalscorer’s instinctCredit: Reuters
      Southampton’s bad run has left them seven points above the relegation zone.
      It intensifies the pressure ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United.
      Phillips added: “Southampton will have seen Sheffield United’s fighting spirit against Aston Villa. They’ll be looking over their shoulders in terms of Fulham, who play some really good stuff and are capable of beating anyone.
      “Like Hasenhuttl said in the week, maybe they’ve got to get a bit nastier. Instead of this free-flowing, exciting team that they have been, maybe it’s time to roll the sleeves up, rough teams up and try to win games that way.
      “Seven points is nothing, really. It can be made up in the space of a week.
      “I think Southampton will surprise someone along the way where they’ll just nick a result where no one expects them to.
      “But confidence is very low and Sheffield United is a huge, huge game for the football club.”
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