Neil Warnock: What I've Learnt This Week

Obviously I watched Manchester United against Roma this week. The first 20 minutes was the best I've seen a team play for many years, and with a youngish team too. I had mixed emotions, though.

I enjoyed it. When a team play like that you find yourself applauding. I was also relieved because it could have been us. We would have played them on Tuesday if United had not been in Europe. But we still have to play them, this Tuesday, and I 'd like to know which sadistic producer has got our game live on television. That's a double whammy.

Because we are not expected to do anything at Old Trafford the lads are looking forward to it. They know on the day they will have to work hard. Ease up and United can you knock you for six in the space of a few minutes.

We are in the same League but some of these games don't seem equal. It is like when we went to Chelsea. It made me laugh to read journalists writing about how defensively minded we were there. Don't they realise the other team were that good we couldn't get the ball off them? They don't take into consideration how good the other team are at times.

The biggest plus for me on Tuesday was watching Alan Smith running about like a new pup. It doesn't seem two minutes since he was playing for Leeds United against us in two cup ties in a season. We won both and I remember saying to him on the pitch after one: "Of all the players in Leeds' team, if I had the choice it would be you I'd have."

I felt for him when he got that horrific injury at Anfield. How good it is to see someone fight their way back to fitness like that. He also took time out to speak to Rob Hulse after his horrendous broken leg, which I thought was a very nice touch. His goal was the best of the night for me.

2. The pressure is on

Before we go to Old Trafford we have today's game with West Ham. It's another so-called must-win game. Unfortunately, the same cliché applies to five of our last six as, apart from Manchester United, all our opponents are around us.

One thing we will be assured today is a fantastic crowd. I'm sure both groups of fans will be nervous. Personally, I think it is better playing teams with just as much to lose as us, like Newcastle last week.

After winning at Arsenal, West Ham must be thinking they can't lose another game. Alan Curbishley said this week, "They go into every game thinking they will win", and you can understand. All this started with the Devine intervention at Blackburn, followed by a couple of ricochets against Middlesbrough, then an offside goal last week. No wonder Alan's not too bothered. They were also fortunate when we went there and had an equaliser chalked off in injury time.

People keep telling me things even out so hopefully they will in these last six games. I don't mind being battered today and coming out with the points because it is that time when points matter more than the performance.

3. Ice skating's cool

Where do you think I was Wednesday night? At Liverpool? No, I was at the Sheffield Arena to watch Dancing on Ice with Torvill and Dean. It was a treat for Amy, who's nine this weekend. We booked it months ago, I never realised Liverpool would be on television. But in some respects it was good to get away from it all. By all accounts I probably picked the right place for entertainment as it happens.

I've never skated myself, or been to see it, and I really had to admire some of these celebrities who only had a few weeks to practise before being flung on to the ice. The winner, the rugby player Kyran Bracken, has done ever so well. And when his professional partner danced in the interval with her husband it was amazing. Seeing it live you really appreciate the technique.

Sharon used to skate, and the kids do it. Amy's got a massive bruise at the moment having gone roller-skating and fallen over.

4. It's all a question of timing

I went on Question of Sport on Tuesday. It was interesting, seeing behind the scenes. I was in Matt Dawson's team with Clinton Woods, the Sheffield-based boxer, making up the trio. Recording was supposed to start at 4pm but Ally McCoist didn't arrive until quarter to five. He's coaching at Rangers now and beginning to realise how hard it is to fit everything in when you're managing.

I think it will be broadcast next Friday, so maybe I'll tell you a bit more about it next week.

5. Maybe I'm amazed

I was surprised when Fulham sacked Chris Coleman. I thought he had done a good job but football is a game which never ceases to amaze you. I know they are struggling a bit at the moment but they have a number of good players and the next two games are at Reading today, then at home to a Blackburn side either thinking of Wembley or deflated at losing the semi.

I thought it was interesting to see how quickly they got a replacement sorted out, what with having to negotiate Lawrie Sanchez's release with Northern Ireland and so on.

6. Things are smaller down memory lane

I made a trip down memory lane this week. As part of the research for my book I went back to Frecheville to visit the house I was born in. I knocked on the door and a Sheffield Unitedite called Craig answered. I explained what it was about and asked if it was possible to see the bedroom I was born in, and lived in. When they showed it to me I couldn't believe how small it was, given three of us slept in it. There was me and my sister Carole top-and-tail in one bed, and my brother John in the other. He's the eldest, so he got his own bed.

Craig's wife Donna was heavily pregnant and I think my visit, with all the talk about giving birth, must have brought things to a head as she went into labour soon afterwards and has produced twins. I'm pleased to say all are doing fine. They have one of each, a girl called Niamh and a boy called ... well, I thought after my help they'd call him Neil, what with Craig being a Unitedite, but they had already chosen James.

7. Aidy can up the ante

I can't see anybody putting money on anything but a Manchester United v Chelsea FA Cup final but you never know in the Cup. Blackburn can give anybody a game and I'm sure Aidy Boothroyd will relish pitting his wits against Manchester United, just like I will on Tuesday.