Changing room chat: Big drubbings, major repercussions

Published on Monday 23 November 2009 22:57

THE 9-1 drubbing at Tottenham on Sunday was bad enough but it may still not be the end of the suffering for Wigan manager Roberto Martinez according to past history.

The Latics recorded the second-worst defeat in English Premier League history at White Hart Lane, with only Ipswich faring worse in their 9-0 defeat by Manchester United in 1995. Subsequently, the Suffolk club finished bottom of the league some 18 points off safety. The defeat was one of eight in succession and Ipswich managed just four points from a possible 33 afterwards as they finished up bottom with just 27 points.

Sadly for former Swansea manager Martinez, the statistics do not end there. In September 1999, Sheffield Wednesday travelled to Newcastle with both clubs occupying the bottom-two spots in the table. Owls manager Danny Wilson and his team were subsequently thumped 8-0 as Newcastle treated new manager Sir Bobby Robson in his third game since succeeding Ruud Gullit.

Wednesday hit back with a 5-1 win over Wimbledon two weeks later, but the die was cast and the Hillsborough side were relegated in 19th place.

Place your bets....

Reality strikes home for Celtic

THE demise of the talentless Jedward twins in The X Factor on Sunday night ruined a text message that was doing the rounds among football supporters after the final whistle at Tannadice that afternoon.

It read: "Dear John and Edward, your ability to win over the public and even Simon Cowell has made me look up to you. I hope you may be able to share your secrets with me, you are sh*** week after week but keep on surviving. I am in a similar situation and need your help and advice. Yours truly, Tony Mowbray."

TALES FROM THE TABS

MACLEOD BACK IN DEFENCE

FORMER Celtic player Murdo MacLeod leapt to the defence of Parkhead manager Tony Mowbray following the 2-1 defeat at Dundee United on Sunday. "It's all too easy to pin the blame on this malaise to the manager. The Celtic players in that dressing room must look at themselves in the mirror and ask if they are contributing enough to the team cause," MacLeod wrote in the Daily Record.

In the Sun, world No4 Andy Murray has been "faulted" by music critics for his forthcoming rap single. The tennis player has added vocals to the song 'Autograph' by doubles pair, Bob and Mike Bryan. His part includes the line: "During Wimbledon it really gets crazy. My hand cramps up and my mind gets hazy. I sign and sign but the line doesn't end. Wake me up tomorrow and let's do it again." We look forward to our boy's collaboration with Jay Z and Puff Daddy....

The Daily Mirror made us chuckle with their take on the current heavyweight clash taking place in ITV's I'm A Celebrity... by offering us a 'tale of the tape' for bickering Joe Bugner and TV presenter Kim Woodburn.