Source: Team_Talk
Fergie hails Brit spender O'Neill
The Aston Villa line-up which Manchester United face in Sunday's Carling Cup final could contain seven British players.[LNB]With another player, Richard Dunne, hailing from the Republic of Ireland, it is a testament to O'Neill's determination to place his faith in players well versed in the domestic game.[LNB]The policy seems to be working too, given Villa have finished in the top six two seasons on the trot.[LNB]And in addition to this weekend's showpiece, Villa have also booked an FA Cup quarter-final trip to Reading and still have a chance to break into the top four and claim one of those sought-after Champions League berths.[LNB]"In the modern day game we are always tempted to try to get the best players from Europe. That is a fact," said Ferguson.[LNB]"We would endorse the fact if you can get an English player it would be better and Martin has gone with British players.[LNB]"He has never really gone down the road of a lot of foreign players. That shows consistency in what he thinks is the best way of getting something from his team."[LNB]There was a time when O'Neill was heavily tipped to succeed Ferguson at Old Trafford.[LNB]Indeed, an angry Ferguson once apologised to O'Neill when the Irishman, sitting at the same table, was asked directly whether he would like the Red Devils job during a press conference before a pre-season friendly involving United and Celtic in Seattle in 2003.[LNB]Ferguson's own longevity appears to have put paid to that notion although, without being close friends, the Scot clearly has a lot of time for O'Neill, and his management methods.[LNB]"I know Martin quite well," he said.[LNB]"We have always enjoyed each other's company and respect each other after games, which is the only time you really get to know them.[LNB]"In a social aspect we don't mix at all because we all have our own jobs to do but we might have a cup of tea or a glass of wine, so professionally I know him reasonably well.[LNB]"He is down to earth. He is intelligent and all his teams reflect him because they have had a good work ethic.[LNB]"At Leicester he was good at plucking out players who had just been run-of-the-mill at other clubs.[LNB]"He took them to Leicester and they did well. Matt Elliott was a perfect example. A bread-and-butter player at Oxford, he went to Leicester and got a League Cup medal.[LNB]"Celtic was a different level altogether, with the demands and expectation. But he won the treble in his first year, so he is clearly very capable."[LNB][LNB]
