Matt Holland: A Wise move all round over Dennis

What did we learn this week? Firstly that the Spanish clubs are going to be exceptionally difficult to beat in the Champions' League and secondly that if you punch somebody at work, then you lose your job. By way of disclaimer, though, I must explain that every time I have argued this all week my wife, Paula, has shouted "John Prescott" across the room.

Why have I been arguing all week about a player from a different club who has little immediate effect on my life? Because I have endured endless debate about Dennis Wise's sacking by Leicester City for the punch he threw in pre-season training.

I believe the result is the right one. As people have thrilled in telling me, if they punched a work colleague they would be marched smartly to the door and handed their P45. Well, after a bit of negotiation and brinkmanship, so has he.

It is the fact that another club might sign him that amazes people. Why not? Millwall, if they do sign him, are aware of his reputation both on and off the pitch. They believe he can help them win promotion and let us not forget that he still wants and needs to work.

The punishment should fit the crime and it has. If Callum Davidson or Leicester wanted to take the issue further, they have the same rights as every citizen and can pursue the matter through the police and courts. And remember that this incident is a rarity, or maybe it would be better described as happening as frequently in football as it does in other businesses.

Now, how are the English clubs going to stop one of Real Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona or Deportivo La Coruña winning the Champions' League? The match highlights I have seen suggest that the technically best and most organised teams are the Spanish ones. Arsenal were impressive and are in excellent form at the moment and Manchester United, albeit against weaker opponents, demonstrated some of the old verve and pace that won in 1999, but Valencia were a dream and dismantled Liverpool.

I have a little theory about United and his name is Ryan Giggs. The desire of the players has been questioned in recent weeks, and not just by pundits or public if you have read any of Roy Keane's book, but I watched Giggs track a Maccabi Haifa player over 70 yards and get the tackle in where his left-back would normally be on duty.

That demonstrates a phen-omenal work-rate and hunger to succeed, and maybe an acknowledgement among the senior players that they have to compensate for the absense of Keane. Whenever Giggs received the ball on Wednesday night it seemed that the match had been put into fast-forward.

It is a cliché but tell me that defences are not terrified when he runs at them with the ball. You cannot, and this goes for the best full-backs and centre-halves in the world. Maybe, just maybe, Manchester United's best form of defence this season is to attack. They were aggressive in 1999 and won. With a defence that still leaks goals despite massive expenditure they will lose matches if they get lured into a tactical game.

The Spanish, and the Italians come to that, are too clever and lethal on the break and United too exposed at the back. Instead they should disrupt the opposition by fast and fluid attacks; accept they are going to concede one goal, but instil panic by running at their opponents and scoring themselves; challenge them, expose them but never negotiate with them.

Incidentally, I believe attack is the best method for Arsenal as well and that means Dennis Bergkamp must travel and play in the away fixtures. The group stage allows the non-flying Dutchman to do that and if they qualify and he is unavailable, at least Robert Pires will be back.

Yes, both clubs should be aggressive and try to stun their opponents early before knocking them out. Attack is the watchword for the English contenders in Europe, if not for Dennis Wise at his new club. His punch was thrown after a game of cards which, with his drop in wages, must make that one of the most expensive hands ever.

The Ipswich Town captain was talking to Iain Fletcher