Football: quotes

l There's no point getting uptight and I won't lose any sleep over the result. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson after another defeat by Southampton.

l He was an absolute joke, an absolute disgrace. Gordon Strachan, Coventry manager, on the performance of referee Stephen Lodge in the match against Arsenal.

l John Hartson came over and got involved because he knows I can't fight. West Ham manager Harry Redknapp on the touchline scuffle that followed Samassi Abou's dismissal against Tottenham.

l We are at a disadvantage in this group geographically because we seem to be playing in the former Yugoslavia national championship. Ireland manager Mick McCarthy after the Republic are drawn with Croatia, Yugoslavia and Macedonia in a qualifying group for Euro 2000.

l I keep on telling myself how lucky I am. There must be a lot of people in the Chelmsford `Nick' who would have loved to have been on the Cote d'Azur. Tony Adams, the Arsenal defender, on his rehabilitation from injury.

l It did not matter which one won. Brandy Williams, mother of Serena and Venus, the teenage tennis sisters who played each other for the first time at senior level at the Australian Open. Venus won.

l That was my worst performance ever and if I am going to be any good at this game there is no way I can let myself play like that. Tim Henman after losing to the Frenchman Jerome Golmard at the same event.

l You've just cost me two shots. I might have known. You ought to apologise. That's the least you can do. Nick Faldo takes his frustrations out on two pressmen whom he believes distracted him at the Johnnie Walker Classic.