Neville cool over title talk

Stuart Mathieson

January 11, 2007

GARY NEVILLE: Reds skipper not looking too far ahead

GARY Neville has warned Manchester United that the Premiership title race has not even begun yet.

And the Reds captain wouldn't even fully rule Arsenal out of contention, insisting that, despite his team's six-point lead over Chelsea, the elbowing and pushing for top spot was still ongoing.

"Until the campaign gets to March I think we are still jostling for positions," said the England right back.

"We are only just over halfway. It is not a race yet. People want to try and create a race and I can understand that.

"But as a player you just look to get to March and April. Then you have internationals returning and you could be in the mix in the Champions League and the FA Cup. That is when you are involved in a dogfight.

"At this moment in time it is still quite calm. We are not discussing championships and winning FA Cups or the Champions League. We just look to keep ourselves in a good position and keep our form.

Confident

"I am not going to say now that this Manchester United team are going to win the championship because I know full well that, with 16 games to go, in a week we could be 12 points clear or we could have our lead wiped away. That's the way a championship goes.

"But we are confident the way we are playing and we have a determination to do something. For two or three years we haven't achieved what we would like to have achieved."

Having won six titles in eight seasons, Neville never doubted that United would hit back.

"I never feared that we wouldn't turn it around again in my time," he added.

"The manager has said publicly over the last few years that we were in a period of transition with younger players and it would take time for them to mature and for us to develop as a team. That has happened.

"There was no doubt it was going to come back to a better level for us because we have good players. What you are seeing now are players playing to their capabilities.

"There is a long way to go in the league. There are many, many challenges ahead of us in all competitions. It is exciting and something to be enjoyed. We are certainly not fearing it. We never fear any match at United. That just would never happen."

Do you agree with Neville? Have your say.

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chris, oxford (11/01/2007 at 09:22)

Finally somebody from the club talking some sense! Nev has got it spot on and others would do well not to get carried away yet, still a long way to go and anything could happen.

Hunter, Vietnam (11/01/2007 at 09:36)

He's right!
Gary the captain!

Thomas, Norway (11/01/2007 at 10:06)

Finally some words that make sense.

mark mclaughlin, sydney (11/01/2007 at 10:07)

wise words from a true red,the chelsea walls are crumbling and it`s time to smile!

Mike, Durban (11/01/2007 at 10:28)

I would be surprised if both United & Chelsea faltered and Arsenal sneaked in BUT I was very impressed with Arsenal's youngsters against Liverpool the other night and anything is possible.

Wenger seems to be building a fantastic side and the young talent coming through looks really exciting for the Gunners.

I hope our youth policy is just as productive.

We could revert back to the situation of the late 90s and early 2000s wher Arsenal are our main threat to success, especially if the cosmetic Chelsea empire keeps melting like an old hags makeup.

T, Lancs (11/01/2007 at 10:34)

The only people who talk about titles being won in January are idiots who dont know anything. Nobody from the club has said that we will win the title. What has been said is that we are aiming to win all of the trophies we enter and we could say that in July.

Birdy, Ireland (11/01/2007 at 10:45)

Spot on G Neville. I think it would be safe enough to rule Arsenal out of it however. If it was only ourselves or Chelsea ahead of them then maybe not, but both teams are unlikely to collapse and let them back in. Hopefully Nevilles is the prevailing attitude at the club. We need to keep our edge and go into each match looking at it as a must win

Red Eyes, Manchester (11/01/2007 at 11:02)

Really pleased to hear some sense from Neville, although I believe his view prevails throughout the whole club and tabloid talk of trebles etc is way off the mark. Something really likeable about Neville with his commitment to United, and his 'oneclubmanship' is admirable. In this autumn of his career I want him to develop into a real captain ON the pitch, which he has not done too well thus far.

Stuart Pike, Manchester (11/01/2007 at 11:18)

Surely what G Neville is saying is that Chelsea's walls aren't crumbling?
Only three defeats all season - and one of those an irrelevant loss to Werder Bremen - hardly represents a crisis. The magic figure is 90 points. It will be tough for Chelsea to get there, but if they do they will sneak the title. Arsenal are a soft touch - 2-2 at home to Pompey, 3-1 away to Bolton, losing to Sheffield United. Awful results.

Manc-in-Exile, London (11/01/2007 at 11:34)

I think it is really harsh to crtiticise Neville for his performanes this season, he is still the best English right back, and possibly the best right back in the Premiership. Nuff said.

manc_abroad, OT (11/01/2007 at 11:48)

The season has a long way to run yet with most probably some surprises along the way. I see 'The chosen one' is unhappy that Chel$ki will not give any moey in January. Does this mean he's out the door in the summer ?

A Mancunian, Manchester (11/01/2007 at 12:41)

Where is that bloke from Devon (the one who writes down his full name and address for all to see)? Can't see any Chelsea supporters crowing now, eh? They're officially an embarrassment to our division (replacing City) after last night's patheticresult against Wycombe. Anyone fancy buying Mourinho a leaving present??

EDINBURGH RED, EDINBURGH (11/01/2007 at 13:13)

Jose moaning that he's getting no money to spend, what irony.

Red Gazza, London (11/01/2007 at 13:23)

well said G, it ain't over tills its over. 6 points is a fair lead and not a great one.

Red in Exile, London (11/01/2007 at 13:31)

Please stop crowing about the goings on at Chel$ki, yes its an interesting diversion and its good to see things not going their own way for once, but they are a quality side, and a wounded animal, Moan-rinho has forged the same seige mentality at Chelsea that Fergie gave to Utd, don't be surprised to learn that all this is of his own media manipulation to galvanise the troops for the 2nd part of the season, while Utd jolly it up thinking we've got the upper hand and take our foot of the gas ... Wise words from Nev the Greater but didn't he utter a similar rallying cry just before England got dumped out of the world cup !!

Northern Blue, Salford (11/01/2007 at 14:04)

I fail to see how drawing away to a side that won at Charlton and Fulham at half-time of a cup tie when you have no central defenders or centre forwards and the rest of the team is playing out of position and you are only trying 60% because there is a second leg at home to come is an embarrassing result. Southend and Copenhagen on the other hand, that's embarrassing.

The Kid, Urmston (11/01/2007 at 14:26)

The barrack room lawyer has spoken. Our captain, who never denied the conversation held with Neil Lennon regarding the missed penalty against Celtic, utters his usual claptrap. Could you imagine Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson disscussing with an opponent that a teamate was about to miss a penalty. at least Saha had the guts take it in the first place, more than can be said about Neville. Wouldn't it be ironic if we won the premiership with probably our worst ever captain.

A Mancunian, Manchester (11/01/2007 at 14:31)

City nearly caused a cup upset last week..desperately unlucky!

Manc-in-Exile, London (11/01/2007 at 15:13)

Harsh to call Nev our worst captain, it could be fun to poll this though!

Who do you think our worst skipper since the war has been?

clarence, DENTON (11/01/2007 at 15:16)

I am sick of Gary ------ Neville he is useless cant even score a goal gives players far to much room,his brother Phil was better.

George, RHYL (11/01/2007 at 16:37)

You have to agree.Let's play and win one game at a time,and hope to stay consistent enough to win something.

Red Eyes, Manchester (11/01/2007 at 17:41)

The question of captain has been taken lightly by Fergie since the obvious candidates of Robbo and Bruce left. The skipper should be someone who can influence all others by his play, personality and communication skills. It will not be the 'star' or necessarily a loudmouth but has to be an influencer or coercer. Fergie's selections of Giggs and VDS are laughable as age and longevity also mean nothing! Depending on his English skills my mind is edging towards Vida as a future captain.

Ja, Salford Blue (11/01/2007 at 17:44)

Best English Right Back. What a joke. lets see who plays in Euro 2008. I think it will be Micha Richards. That neville cant even grow a moustache.

Ja, Salford Blue (11/01/2007 at 17:46)

A Mancunian ur right, Chealsea result last night was an embarrasment. It was nearly as bad as yours against Southend

Frank, Ireland (11/01/2007 at 19:08)

Red Eyes- fergie has taken de position of captain lightly since robbo and bru\e left?? Really?? So who exactly wud u have made captain instead of Eric first and then keane?? i dunno now but makin them captains didnt really jepordise de position in my eyes anyway

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