OCCUPIED COUNTRY

Chains

"We got him". Cue whoops and "alrights" from the assembled American hacks. I heard it on the radio so I couldn't see whether there was any high-fiving but I wouldn't be surprised. The BBC have reported this as being "loud cheers" from Iraqis in the press-conference. They weren't cheers - they were whoops. They'll be telling us that they were traditional Iraqi whoops next. When we went to questions from the floor, the majority were from American TV reporters. I'll eat my hat if it wasn't them doing the whooping.

Later, watching on TV, I saw the response of the Iraqis in the audience to the images of the captured Saddam. They weren't whooping. They were hurling verbal abuse at what they saw. I presume this was abuse directed at Hussein but I can't be sure - not being fluent in the language(s) of the region.

The stark "we got him" and the whoops etc were crass. This isn't a video game or a Hollywood blockbuster (although it probably will be soon). A sizeable number of Iraqi citizens as well as untold military have lost their lives in this war and I suspect that the capture of the "Ace of Spades" won't stop that process. Indeed Saddam may become an even greater focal point for the fanatics than before.

The USA coalition have stated that he will be handed over to the Iraqis and brought to court. Hmmmmm dangerous George, very dangerous. I know it has got to look like the people of Iraq get their justice, but I wouldn't have thought that there is a basic judicial system in place to carry out the promise. I would imagine every judge the country has was active under him. The poor unfortunates in front of them were hardly expected to get a fair trail were they ? Just a "legal" rubber stamp for whatever punishment had already been decided by the head of state. On reflection though, that's just what George wants isn't it ? A show trail. The inevitable guilty verdict and the concomitant death sentence might prove just a little too problematic for Tony though. Should be interesting.

The good news though is that Saddam's being "co-operative" and "talkative". I can only imagine then that he's telling them where all the WMDs are and how he masterminded 9/11 at this very moment.

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Yesterday at Old Trafford Kevin Keegan demonstrated just why he has a reputation for being tactically inept. It's because he is. To play the same side and formation as last week at Everton was beyond belief. To persevere with it until 10 minutes from the end was laughable. Unfortunately he feels the need to play his expensive signings and not one of them is delivering the goods. Fowler, McManaman, Anelka, Sinclair and Bosvelt are complete and utter wastes of space. Time to shift 'em out and let some hungry youngsters take their chance.

Yesterday was the poorest derby display from a City team that I can remember. And that includes the 5-0 drubbing back in the 90s. Get a grip Kevin or bugger off.