Standard liege coach Tomislav Ivic caused a bit of stir amongst the club's supporters last week when he dropped his three best players ahead of a potentially hazardous away game against Lierse. His decision didn't appear to make a great deal of sense, because captain Didier Ernst, Ivica Mornar and Antonio Folha had all starred in the previous three games, all of which Liege had won.

"When I heard the team I thought it was a joke," said a gutted and none too pleased Ernst, who wasn't hugely surprised when Liege managed only a draw. So, what was Ivic's thinking behind his team selection? "I left out three of my best players so that I could ensure we were level at half time," he, em, explained. "Then I could send them out in the second half to ensure the victory." Come back Kevin Keegan, all is forgiven.