Remember how Neil Kinnock, the new leader, fell over on Brighton beach 12 years ago and threw away votes with a crude gesture to the cameras? Blair had just been elected to parliament then. The intense concentration on his face, staring eyes, open mouth, every muscle in his body taut, utterly focused on heading the ball back to Keegan. In this report, John Rentoul, political correspondent of The Independent and author of a biography of Tony Blair, examines the psychology of the leader and explains how it suffuses the party he leads I learned more about Tony Blair's character watching him on the news for ten seconds, heading a football back and forth with Kevin Keegan, than I'd learned in a year writing a book about him. In 1992, Labour got high on the scent of victory, and blew it Usually they don't even get close That was then.

As their poll lead over the Tories grows ever more massive, Tony Blair's new model army marches forward, straight, stern and purposeful This time, he says, there will be no mistake. He nips front bench trouble in the bud, his henchmen police the press. Ancona may decide not to play their next Anglo-Italian tie, at Luton on 13 December.. Cacciatori is alleged to have ran on to the pitch several times to join in the scuffles."We are horrified that the good reputation of Birmingham City and our players is being damaged by the most outrageous comments sent out from Italy," the statement concludes. If charged and found guilty, they face jail terms of up to three years.

The Football League has launched its own inquiry. Birmingham's owner, David Sullivan, said: "We will oppose extradition, if it comes to that. They assaulted our players in the first case on the pitch." Cacciatori and the Wrexham referee, John Lloyd, were both taken to hospital after the brawl, which occurred after the match.In a statement released yesterday, Birmingham claim that Cacciatori received his injuries when he fell and hit his face on the ground after being pushed away by Daish, who "feared for his life" when the coach attacked him on the way to the dressing-rooms after the match."It is our intention to consider our position before deciding to take action against Cacciatori and against Ancona players," say Birmingham, who insist none of their players retaliated, despite being spat upon, elbowed, punched and kicked by their opponents. The Blues' coach, David Howell, the captain Liam Daish and defender Michael Johnson are under investigation by Italian police after being named by their opponents as the culprits in the violence. A penalty shoot-out will be used if the teams fail to score during extra time.Euro 96 seeds, page 30. Birmingham City yesterday said they may take legal action against the Ancona coach, Massimo Cacciatori, and several of his players following Wednesday's brawl at the Anglo-Italian Cup tie between the two clubs.

Jack Charlton, the Republic's manager, has decided against Dublin because he feared public and media interest would have been too intense in the Irish capital.If the play-off is level after 90 minutes, 30 minutes extra time will be played - with the tie being settled by the first goal scored. Everton will get pounds 350,000 now and a further pounds 100,000 after Barlow has scored a certain number of goals.Macclesfield is to be the base for the Republic of Ireland squad preparing for the European Championship play-off against the Netherlands at Anfield on 13 December. The Wolves chairman, Sir Jack's son, Jonathan, said: "We are sifting through the possible contenders and are keen to keep the field wide open."Tomas Brolin yesterday completed his pounds 4.5m transfer from Parma to Leeds, but too late to be able to play at Chelsea today. Oldham have agreed a pounds 450,000 fee for the Everton striker, Stuart Barlow. Moreover, he is settled in Southport, which is a five-hour round trip from Molineux.The challenge of leading another fallen giant back to former glories might appeal to Dalglish, but Wolves' owner, Sir Jack Hayward, has stressed that he is not in the same financial league as Jack Walker.

His new role may be ill-defined, but it has allowed him to spend more time with his wife and young children, as well as indulging his passion for golf. He remains on the payroll under the title Director of , although his day-to-day involvement with the first team has lessened considerably.Whether that is a source of regret to the 44-year-old Scot must, however, be doubtful. All he did say was: "I don't comment on speculation", which may or may not suggest he would at least be interested to hear what Wolves have to offer.Dalglish, who took Liverpool to numerous honours before resigning due to pressure and resurfacing at Blackburn, relinquished the manager's job at Ewood Park to Ray Harford during the summer. Football PHIL SHAW Kenny Dalglish, who has taken a back seat at Blackburn since their championship success, was yesterday linked with the hot seat vacated by Graham Taylor at Wolves.Asked to respond to a report in a Wolverhampton newspaper that sources close to him "insisted" he was waiting to be approached by the Molineux board, Dalglish did not deny his interest. "I've never stopped play before because of the threat of lightning, but I have lost two friends to lightning strikes.