Why Fergie must stop crying wolf over refs, and Lyon are mad if they think Liverpool will do them a favour

We learned this week that banks are set to do away with cheques. Meaning one of our nation's three great lies - "the cheque's in the post," - will soon be extinct.

Mind you the other two - "British telly's the best in the world" and "Fergie was right about that referee" are looking even shakier. Especially the Fergie one.

There he was again this week, desperately trying to divert attention away from another lame performance by claiming the ref had denied United a "stonewall penalty" against Besiktas. Adding that it was the second time in this year's competition.

It was also the fifth time this season Fergie has blamed a draw or defeat on the officials. It's getting so monotonous now you fear if he lost his wallet he'd phone up the police and blame it on a ref.

It's got to stop Fergie. Especially before your next European game. Unless you want to be ignored by the world and labelled "the man who cried Wolfsburg."

******************************************************

"We hope for a surge of pride from Liverpool" said Lyon's Jean Alain Boumsong, hoping the Kop will roar their struggling players to an empty victory over Fiorentina at Anfield, to enable his side to top their Champions League group.

Sure. It's not like they've got other things on their minds. I reckon they're desperate to do Lyon a favour. The same Lyon whose two injury-time goals deprived their side of progress, and needing to draw in Florence to give Liverpool a chance of survival, played a weakened team and didn't manage a single shot on target for an hour.

Alain, mate, I'd say you've less chance of the Kop taking up your cause than the team being led out  to the Z Cars theme with Gary Neville as mascot.

Fancy winning £3,000 for FREE this month? Play Mirror Football Streak for your chance to win cash prizes! Start predicting now!

williamhill.com

Your comments

Related content

United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too
    We should have sacked Capello two years ago
      Why Moyes is the right man for Spurs
        Martin O'Neill finally looks like managing a Top Four side... but not at Sunderland
          Why Mancini's overconfidence at Goodison could come back to haunt him in May
            Could Rafa be the Real deal in Spain and Torres misses the target again
              Why I hope Kenny has started a trend by taking on pampered stars
                Why we need a Euro-wide salary cap now
                  Blame Dowd for that pen.. but blame Mancini for signing Savic and selling Bellers
                    'Arry now makes Arsene look like Mike Bassett... How the hell did that happen?

                      Latest opinions

                      Blog

                      What are the odds Suarez and Evra swap shirts at the final whistle? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

                      Betting Blog 22:00 10/02/12

                      The FA reckon Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra should shake hands when they come face to face on Saturda... Read More+

                      Column

                      United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too

                      Brian Reade 20:59 10/02/12

                        We should have sacked Capello two years ago Why Moyes is the right man for Spurs  Those who think to... Read More+

                        Column

                        We should have sacked Capello two years ago

                        Brian Reade 20:58 10/02/12

                          United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too Why Moyes is the ri... Read More+

                          Column

                          Why Moyes is the right man for Spurs

                          Brian Reade 20:57 10/02/12

                            United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too  We should have sac... Read More+

                            Blog

                            Watch video of Sami Khedira and Lena Gercke's steamy GQ photo shoot

                            Mirror Football Blog 15:52 10/02/12

                              It's a tough life being a top footballer part 3,876: poor old Sami Khedira. Not only is he forced to... Read More+

                              Blog

                              3PM Extra: Joe Hart's fart, when mascots attack and Turkish team's bus collides with express train

                              Football Banter 15:38 10/02/12

                                Presenting quality football videos from the interweb, daily at 3pm. Here's today's collection: 1) We... Read More+

                                Column

                                Why does snow and extreme weather bring out the best in football fans?

                                Ian Winwood 14:09 10/02/12

                                  A few years ago, on the weekend before Christmas I went with my mum to see Barnsley play at Queens P... Read More+

                                  Blog

                                  Simon Bird's Premier League previews and predictions (Week 25)

                                  Mirror Football Blog 12:09 10/02/12

                                    'Arry'll put a smile on those poor England boys' faces. Yeah, 'Arry's a man manager. Arm round the s... Read More+

                                    Blog

                                    The Best XI Liverpool vs Manchester United games

                                    Mirror Football Blog 11:25 10/02/12

                                      The MirrorFootball Best XI is our new feature celebrating the very best of the beautiful game. Each ... Read More+

                                      Blog

                                      Why do Rooney and co want Redknapp to succeed Capello? He'll make playing for England fun again

                                      Mirror Football Blog 00:00 10/02/12

                                        Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have already taken to Twitter to say Harry Redknapp is the man they’d... Read More+

                                        Blog

                                        Why having a Football Association chairman with balls gives England hope for the future

                                        Mirror Football Blog 23:00 09/02/12

                                          For a man who just shot the sheriff, David ­Bernstein looked ­thoroughly unruffled. The FA chairman ... Read More+

                                          Column

                                          Redknapp will be a great England boss, but not before he leaves Spurs with a top, top parting gift

                                          Robbie Savage 22:00 09/02/12

                                            You would have thought Harry Redknapp will find it difficult to keep his eye on the ball. Every time... Read More+

                                            Who should be England's next manager?

                                            Latest columnists

                                            Brian Reade

                                            Brian Reade Read more from Brian Reade

                                            Ian Winwood

                                            Ian Winwood Read more from Ian Winwood

                                            Robbie Savage

                                            Robbie Savage Read more from Robbie Savage

                                            James Nursey

                                            James Nursey Read more from James Nursey

                                            Mark Lawrenson

                                            Mark Lawrenson Read more from Mark Lawrenson

                                            Latest blogs

                                            Watch video of Sami Khedira and Lena Gercke's steamy GQ photo shoot - Mirror Football Blog
                                              3PM Extra: Joe Hart's fart, when mascots attack and Turkish team's bus collides with express train - Football Banter
                                                Simon Bird's Premier League previews and predictions (Week 25) - Mirror Football Blog
                                                  The Best XI Liverpool vs Manchester United games - Mirror Football Blog
                                                    Why do Rooney and co want Redknapp to succeed Capello? He'll make playing for England fun again - Mirror Football Blog
                                                      Why having a Football Association chairman with balls gives England hope for the future - Mirror Football Blog