IT is one of football’s hoariest old cliches, the belief that the game’s wild things must be indulged rather than transformed.

ANDY REID and athleticism are not ordinarily mentioned in the same sentence, but the Republic of Ireland’s forgotten man – or forgotten by Giovanni Trapattoni, at least – is reinventing himself at Sunderland.

THE Chelsea juggernaut rolls on.

DIMITAR BERBATOV, just over one year into his Old Trafford career, is still coming to terms with the inherent pressures of playing for the world’s biggest football club, at least according to Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce.

ASTON VILLA defender Richard Dunne respects Manchester United, but insists he and his team-mates should travel to Old Trafford with belief in their top-four credentials.

ROBINHO has reiterated he is settled at Manchester City and claims he could stay at Eastlands for the next 10 years. The former Real Madrid forward continues to be the subject of speculation that he will move back to Spain with Barcelona next year.

MIDFIELDER Joe Cole has shrugged off Chelsea’s 2-2 Champions League draw with APOEL on Tuesday night and insisted Carlo Ancelotti’s side must instead concentrate on staying on top of the Barclays Premier League at the start of 2010.

SOL CAMPBELL has responded to speculation linking him with Manchester United by claiming he would ‘‘love’’ to play for the Red Devils and stating any deal taking him to Old Trafford would be a “great move”.

JUVENTUS crashed out of the Champions League with a miserable performance in front of their own fans as they capitulated to a rampant Bayern Munich at the Stadio Olimpico last night.

MICHAEL OWEN scored a hat-trick as Manchester United made light of their injury woes to record a memorable win over German champions Wolfsburg last night.

ARSENE WENGER openly admits he will not gamble with the fitness of any of his first-team regulars against Olympiacos in their final Champions League group game and intends to give the youngsters another chance to impress.

CARLO ANCELOTTI defended Petr Cech and Frank Lampard ahead of tonight’s final Champions League group game against Apoel Nicosia.

ALEX FERGUSON has vowed not to give preferential treatment to Oliver Gill, even though the son of chief executive David Gill has been drafted in as emergency cover for Manchester United’s Champions League encounter with Wolfsburg.

GOALLESS draws are no bad thing and, as Steven Gerrard will testify, can lead to much sought after prizes.

GARY MEGSON is beginning to run out of friends at Bolton Wanderers.

PAUL SCHOLES has admitted he is dismayed by his performances this season – raising fresh question marks over the Manchester United midfielder’s future.

MARK HUGHES believes Chelsea are England’s undisputed number one at present.

CARLO ANCELOTTI insists Chelsea possess the best defence in the world and that will be key to winning the Premier League title.

MANCHESTER UNITED Alex Ferguson believes Chelsea’s five-point lead at the top of the Premier League is not insurmountable.

SEAN ST LEDGER has joined the growing chorus calling for the introduction of video referees along the lines of those used in rugby union.