Hunnter
04-06-2000, 12:37:PM
Bosnich a typical arrogant Aussie: Gregory
- AAP
Now, and what would the loonatic John Gregory know about aussies..
In pondering Mark Bosnich's fall from grace at Manchester United, it may be better to look beyond what his current manager says about his style on the field to what his old boss felt he was like off it.
"One or two of the Villa lads finally found out how to wind him up," said Aston Villa manager John Gregory.
"But he didn't care, simply because of his unlimited arrogance. What you might call a typical Aussie!"
The comment seems pointed now, for it would appear this typical Aussie's swagger and laid back nature may largely be what prompted United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to look beyond him in search of a replacement for Peter Schmeichel and buy Fabien Barthez.
Bosnich, by widespread reckoning, was close to the pre-eminent goalkeeper in England's Premier League for most of the past six months.
It was an admirable comeback by the 28-year-old after he had hit the lows soon after leaving Villa on a free transfer last off-season to try to fill the boots of the great Schmeichel.
Injury and a lack of condition led to him being dropped as low as third choice stopper as Ferguson bought the ill-starred Italian Massimo Taibi from Venezia to add to 35-year-old Raimond Van Der Gouw.
Once fit, Bosnich later said, he was itching for more opportunities to show Ferguson hadn't acquired a dud.
Once they came, he was soon on a roll of playing 22 of United's 26 games that straddled the new year, and was seemingly settled.
A peak was his man-of-the-match performance in a February tussle with arch-rival Leeds, guiding his side to a 1-0 win.
Yet 10 days later, after a 2-2 draw with the ever difficult hosts Wimbledon, he was suddenly benched again.
Van Der Gouw came in for a Champions League match against Bordeaux, with Ferguson shedding his usual reluctance to criticise his players in saying Bosnich had been "not at his best in his past couple of games", which would have included Leeds.
Ferguson also offered that Van Der Gouw was better suited to guarding the goal in European games than Bosnich.
The logic was questioned by many in the football press, who also recalled that even Schmeichel had to be given more than a season to settle into his renowned rhythm when he joined the world's biggest club.
Soon, though, after a major Van Der Gouw glitch in Europe, and with "the blind Venetian" Taibi packed off back to Italy, Bosnich was back and showing his best.
He was man-of-the-match again when United scraped a scoreless draw away to eventual Champions League finalist Valencia, and continued in the vein until he celebrated his first premiership medal.
The biggest snub was still around the corner, however, in the form of a STG7.8 million ($A20.51 million) cheque to Monaco for French World Cup star Barthez, and the chances now are that Bosnich will be on his way.
Keeping two such highly paid 'keepers would seem a luxury even United won't allow themselves. Italy's AS Roma and Spanish champions Deportivo La Coruna are said to be interested in acquiring Bosnich's services.
Bosnich's obvious weak point was revealed to United fans this season as his short kicking, yet Ferguson insisted this was not a problem when the inquisitors came.
And the terseness of Bosnich's reaction to Barthez's signing -- to announce he would hold out for a free transfer to boost his bargaining power at any new negotiating table -- would indicate he didn't hear any explanations at season's end as to his perceived weaknesses, or none that satisfied him at any rate.
As Barthez was being introduced to Old Trafford, Bosnich defended his form by saying: "Having won two major trophies and seen off previous challenges to my number one position, my performances in the crucial matches last season speak for themselves."
The Sydneysider had recently declared his intentions of staying at United. He said he had "wasted" one chance with United, which picked him up as a teenager only to lose him back to Australia for work permit reasons and then -- to Ferguson's dismay -- see him go to Villa on his return to England.
In a recent interview, Bosnich insisted Ferguson held no lingering anger over that club switch, and that all was well with the "gaffer".
"I've got no problem, and I know he hasn't otherwise I wouldn't be playing for him -- I would have been out the door quick smart," he said.
If that's to be believed, then in light of Bosnich's form this year many United fans will have a degree of puzzlement mixed with their glee at getting Barthez, and when dissecting Bosnich's demise will plump for the oft-quoted "personality differences".
Bosnich is renowned as an avid trainer, but commentators here have speculated the laidbackness and supreme confidence which he carries did not rest easily with Ferguson, who has worked hard to forge his strict regime over many seasons.
Despite his roller coaster ride, Bosnich too has shown his steel by holding out for a free transfer, and whatever direction is taken through his new crossroads, it's a safe bet he will draw from it.
"I drew an immense amount of inner strength in being able to come back," he said of his initial ins-and-outs at United.
"But character is what really separates some people from others, especially in sport."
- AAP
Now, and what would the loonatic John Gregory know about aussies..
In pondering Mark Bosnich's fall from grace at Manchester United, it may be better to look beyond what his current manager says about his style on the field to what his old boss felt he was like off it.
"One or two of the Villa lads finally found out how to wind him up," said Aston Villa manager John Gregory.
"But he didn't care, simply because of his unlimited arrogance. What you might call a typical Aussie!"
The comment seems pointed now, for it would appear this typical Aussie's swagger and laid back nature may largely be what prompted United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to look beyond him in search of a replacement for Peter Schmeichel and buy Fabien Barthez.
Bosnich, by widespread reckoning, was close to the pre-eminent goalkeeper in England's Premier League for most of the past six months.
It was an admirable comeback by the 28-year-old after he had hit the lows soon after leaving Villa on a free transfer last off-season to try to fill the boots of the great Schmeichel.
Injury and a lack of condition led to him being dropped as low as third choice stopper as Ferguson bought the ill-starred Italian Massimo Taibi from Venezia to add to 35-year-old Raimond Van Der Gouw.
Once fit, Bosnich later said, he was itching for more opportunities to show Ferguson hadn't acquired a dud.
Once they came, he was soon on a roll of playing 22 of United's 26 games that straddled the new year, and was seemingly settled.
A peak was his man-of-the-match performance in a February tussle with arch-rival Leeds, guiding his side to a 1-0 win.
Yet 10 days later, after a 2-2 draw with the ever difficult hosts Wimbledon, he was suddenly benched again.
Van Der Gouw came in for a Champions League match against Bordeaux, with Ferguson shedding his usual reluctance to criticise his players in saying Bosnich had been "not at his best in his past couple of games", which would have included Leeds.
Ferguson also offered that Van Der Gouw was better suited to guarding the goal in European games than Bosnich.
The logic was questioned by many in the football press, who also recalled that even Schmeichel had to be given more than a season to settle into his renowned rhythm when he joined the world's biggest club.
Soon, though, after a major Van Der Gouw glitch in Europe, and with "the blind Venetian" Taibi packed off back to Italy, Bosnich was back and showing his best.
He was man-of-the-match again when United scraped a scoreless draw away to eventual Champions League finalist Valencia, and continued in the vein until he celebrated his first premiership medal.
The biggest snub was still around the corner, however, in the form of a STG7.8 million ($A20.51 million) cheque to Monaco for French World Cup star Barthez, and the chances now are that Bosnich will be on his way.
Keeping two such highly paid 'keepers would seem a luxury even United won't allow themselves. Italy's AS Roma and Spanish champions Deportivo La Coruna are said to be interested in acquiring Bosnich's services.
Bosnich's obvious weak point was revealed to United fans this season as his short kicking, yet Ferguson insisted this was not a problem when the inquisitors came.
And the terseness of Bosnich's reaction to Barthez's signing -- to announce he would hold out for a free transfer to boost his bargaining power at any new negotiating table -- would indicate he didn't hear any explanations at season's end as to his perceived weaknesses, or none that satisfied him at any rate.
As Barthez was being introduced to Old Trafford, Bosnich defended his form by saying: "Having won two major trophies and seen off previous challenges to my number one position, my performances in the crucial matches last season speak for themselves."
The Sydneysider had recently declared his intentions of staying at United. He said he had "wasted" one chance with United, which picked him up as a teenager only to lose him back to Australia for work permit reasons and then -- to Ferguson's dismay -- see him go to Villa on his return to England.
In a recent interview, Bosnich insisted Ferguson held no lingering anger over that club switch, and that all was well with the "gaffer".
"I've got no problem, and I know he hasn't otherwise I wouldn't be playing for him -- I would have been out the door quick smart," he said.
If that's to be believed, then in light of Bosnich's form this year many United fans will have a degree of puzzlement mixed with their glee at getting Barthez, and when dissecting Bosnich's demise will plump for the oft-quoted "personality differences".
Bosnich is renowned as an avid trainer, but commentators here have speculated the laidbackness and supreme confidence which he carries did not rest easily with Ferguson, who has worked hard to forge his strict regime over many seasons.
Despite his roller coaster ride, Bosnich too has shown his steel by holding out for a free transfer, and whatever direction is taken through his new crossroads, it's a safe bet he will draw from it.
"I drew an immense amount of inner strength in being able to come back," he said of his initial ins-and-outs at United.
"But character is what really separates some people from others, especially in sport."