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      I didn’t kick a ball for my club for two and a half years, then I starred as we beat Bayern Munich in European final

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      NIGEL SPINK was the stand-out stand-in who came off the bench after NINE minutes to inspire Aston Villa’s famous 1982 European Cup triumph.The 23-year-old rookie keeper’s heroics against mighty Bayern Munich, after replacing injured No 1 Jimmy Rimmer, earned him iconic status and his place in Villa folklore.Nigel Spink was just a rookie goalie when he helped Aston Villa win the European CupCredit: GettySpink (left) hadn’t played in two-and-a-half years when he starred against Bayern MunichCredit: GettyRimmer, who had only missed one game for the club in five years, was  carrying a neck injury into the final and knew he could not continue when he struggled to move an arm towards an early shot.Spink admits Villa will have a much more experienced keeper to call on in World Cup-winner Emi Martinez  than the rookie he was on the club’s finest night.And Spink, who will cheer on his old club when they take on Bayern again in the Champions League tomorrow, said: “I’d only made one first-team appearance before Rotterdam — 2½ years earlier.“On Boxing Day, 1979, I was told to travel with the first team to  Nottingham Forest because Jimmy had a problem with his foot.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Ron Saunders took me, so he could make a last-minute decision. When Jimmy couldn’t get his boot on Ron asked if I fancied a game.“We lost 2-1 and I wasn’t needed again until I came on against Bayern Munich, nine minutes into the European Cup final!”Spink went on to make 460 appearances for Villa between  1979 and 1996 but none came close to matching his remarkable display to keep Bayern at bay in Rotterdam.He admits he had no idea he could be called on that night as Rimmer was so rarely injured.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSpink revealed: “It was very much just one goalkeeper in those days. Back then the reserve players didn’t even train with the first team, let alone play with them!“The only time we got to see the first team play was on Match of the Day because if the first team were playing at home, the reserves would be playing away.Gary Shaw dead at 63Spink became a Villa legend with his showing against the GermansCredit: GettyUnai Emery’s men face Bayern in the Champions League on WednesdayCredit: Rex“Our gaffer Tony Barton, his assistant Roy MacLaren and our physio knew there was a slight problem with Jimmy but assumed he would be OK. “His career was littered with  bumps and bruises and he would just get on with it. I’m not sure he ever missed a training session.“Having to come off must have been a tortuous decision for him to make. He was on the bench when Manchester United won it in ’68.“You talk about mental health these days but that must have cut him up — that would have been the highlight of his career and he called [to be subbed] to help the team.“Fortunately I’m a pretty laid-back character so I just got on with it and enjoyed it. I’ve got a DVD of the game  and I watch it back from time to time — and the hairs still stand up on the back of my neck.“And I know it’s coming, because I’ve seen it one million times, but the save at the start of the second half from Bernd Durnberger at the near post still gives me goosebumps. It was my best save because he gave me the eyes. But I stood still and managed to keep it out.New Champions League formatEach club will play eight matches in the opening phase – against seeded opposition, in a system designed to ensure that teams play opponents of similar difficulty.The top eight teams in the “final” table will automatically go through to the last 16, where they will be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.Despite there being just eight matches in the opening phase, European matches will be spread over 10 midweek slots.The new Champions League format also sees the implication of two additional qualifying spots.They will be awarded to the nations that are top of the “country coefficient” chart each season.“When I know that’s coming, my shoulders start going back and my chest puffs out a bit. Then it happens and you think, yeah, I did my bit.“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about Villa drawing Bayern again, before the draw. When it came out, a cold shiver of enjoyment and happiness went down my spine at the thought of it.”The occasion at Villa Park will be all the more poignant after the recent death of Spink’s former team-mate Gary Shaw. Villa’s golden boy sadly died aged 63 from injuries  sustained in a fall last month.Spink was earning £13,000 a year as a Villa reserve but pocketed a bumper £10,000 bonus for winning the European Cup.However he was glad he did not have to pay the bar bill in  Rotterdam that famous night.He revealed: “Ken McNaught, Jimmy and Peter Withe were approached by the waiter at the hotel to see if we wanted him to put some champagne in the cup, so the lads could have a drink out of it.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We were all up for it and thought it would be nice for everyone  to have a sip of champagne from the trophy.“But it took 26 bottles and it was still nowhere close to being full — and I have no idea who footed the bill for that! But it certainly wouldn’t have been big Ken.” More

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      Brutal Bournemouth announcer cheered as he informs Southampton fans their last train home is cancelled after hammering

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      BOURNEMOUTH’S announcer was cheered after informing Southampton fans their last train home was cancelled.The Saints suffered a South Coast hammering against their rivals on Monday night.Bournemouth fans cheered as Southampton supporters were informed their last train home was cancelledCredit: ReutersBournemouth dominated the first half to race into a 3-0 lead.And despite conceding in the second half, the Cherries remained strong to see out a 3-1 win.Home fans delighted in their exciting football as Southampton’s meticulous passing style failed to impress.And the results mean Bournemouth have moved above Man Utd in the table to 11th.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Saints remain in 19th as they search for their first win of the season.However, a bad night for Russell Martin’s travelling fans got even worse.With just minutes of the game left, the Vitality Stadium’s announcer gave them some unpleasant news.Cheers rang out from home fans as Saints supporters were informed that the last train back to their city, which was due to leave at 11.10, had been cancelled.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe distance between Bournemouth and Southampton is roughly 32 miles.And fans were left with the prospect of either getting a pricey Uber back home, or staying put until the morning with the next train at 5am.Meet the new Wags of the Premier League season, from a Belgian interior designer to a Portuguese modelViewers at home certainly found the announcement amusing.One said: “You can hear the joy in his voice as he says the train is cancelled.”Another declared: “Disgusting, they should provide replacement buses.”One noted: “Amazing s***housery, I’m all for it.”Another added: “The game isn’t gone just yet.” More

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      Andy Carroll, 35, reveals plan to keep playing for Bordeaux until he’s 40 – despite LOSING money on £750-a-week salary

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      ANDY CARROLL wants to keep playing until he hits 40 – and dreams of partnering his eldest boy up front.The ex-Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham striker enjoyed a dream debut for Bordeaux with two goals to earn a draw with Chateaubriant.Andy Carroll has said he wants to stay at Bordeaux until he’s 40Credit: AFPCarroll had a dream debut for the French giants, bagging a brace to earn his side a drawCredit: X / girondinsAnd despite years of injury issues during his time in the Premier League, the nine-capped England international says he wants to continue “another five years until I’m 40”.Carroll, father to sons Lucas, 14, Arlo, eight, and Wolf, five and two daughters, said: “My sons keep saying, ‘Oh, you should go into management’.”But I’ll keep saying well, ‘hopefully, one day, you’re old enough that you can join me and be my strike partner in the same team playing with each other’.“They are really good players. So that’s probably more my dream than retiring and doing something else.”READ MORE ON ANDY CARROLLCarroll – who is splitting up with TV star wife Billi Mucklow – continued: “I haven’t really focused on finishing yet, so I can’t even think about what I’m going to do afterwards.“I’m just fortunate that I’m still playing at my age at the level where I’m enjoying it and getting paid for it.“I’ve been at the top level where people are on £100,000-a-week, and then you come to France and the lads are on nowhere near that.”And they’re coming in every day, working hard and with a smile on their face. And we’re going home, having barbecues and stuff like that.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“It’s just a completely different way of life and it’s just brilliant. It’s just exactly what I wanted and exactly what I needed in my life.”Carroll first fell in love with France after joining second tier outfit Amiens a year ago.Andy Carroll and Billi Mucklow split two years after glam wedding where superstar singer Teddy Swims performedThe giant 6ft 4in Carroll is now looking to follow in the footsteps of Zinedine Zidane by firing Bordeaux to glory.The six-time Ligue 1 winners are in administration and have just been demoted to the fourth division.Carroll earns just £750-a-week at the fallen giants, meaning it actually costs him money to live there and play for them, but he is enjoying every second.He added: “A lot of players, recently retired or nearing the end of their careers, have asked why I’m playing here in France, away from my family. I’m just enjoying it here.“Everything – from the stadium to the training ground – is set up perfectly for what I need and want.“The project going forward is to try for back-to-back promotions, to be part of a massive club, and to carve out my place in their history. It’s an opportunity too great to pass up.”Carroll and wife Billi are getting divorced after two years of marriageAndy Caroll’s rollercoaster careerA brief look at Andy Carroll’s career so far…2007 – 2011: Newcastle2007 – 2008: Preston North End (loan)2011 – 2013: Liverpool2012 – 2013: West Ham (loan)2013 – 2019: West Ham2019 – 2021: Newcastle2021 – 2022: Reading2022: West Brom2022 – 2023: Reading2023 – 2024: Amiens SC2024 – present: Bordeaux More

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      Man Utd stars discussing Erik ten Hag’s departure with Red Devils boss given two games to turn things around

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      ERIK TEN HAG still has the backing of Manchester United — but his potential sacking is being discussed openly by the players.The under-fire Red Devils manager faces a massive four days to save his job, with Thursday’s difficult Europa League clash away to Porto followed by a trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.Erik ten Hag has two games to save his Man Utd jobCredit: GettyTen Hag’s future is a big talking point amongst his playersCredit: EPATen Hag, whose team slumped to a 3-0 loss to Spurs on Sunday, has the support of the club’s board but patience is running out.Two more poor defeats and the Dutchman will find himself facing  the axe.The vast majority of United’s stars are also behind the beleaguered manager.But there has been much talk among the squad over how much longer he will remain in charge with the club floundering in the Prem. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLUnited have registered just seven points so far, their joint-lowest after six games of a Premier League season.But Ten Hag, who  signed a  one-year  extension until 2026 in July, claims he is unconcerned about his future. He said: “No, I am not thinking about this.“We all decided to stay together in the summer.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIf United axe Ten Hag, assistant boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is likely to take temporary charge.Former United star Rio Ferdinand is worried for the club’s future.Manchester United vs Tottenham Player RatingsRuud van Nistelrooy is the early frontrunner to take chargeCredit: GettyHe said: “It doesn’t look like the United players know what the plan is because I don’t see it on the pitch.“Six hundred million spent by Ten Hag and it’s the most inconsistent team around. That hurts me to say that.”Why NOBODY is the right man to replace Erik ten Hag at Man UtdSunSport’s DAVE KIDD says Erik ten Hag’s time at Man Utd is up… and explains what’s wrong with all the potential candidates to replace him.THIS is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.Emery may well deliver the coup de grace to Ten Hag on Sunday — especially with Bruno Fernandes suspended and Kobbie Mainoo an injury doubt.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Yet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would be a popular and gettable option but, despite being a fine coach and a very engaging man, he is considered something of a loose cannon.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a ‘figurehead’ manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part. More

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      I roomed with Ronaldinho and had to do all the defending behind him and ex-Bolton ace, reveals Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

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      ROOMING with Ronaldinho is not something you forget in a hurry.In January 2001, an 18-year-old Mikel Arteta arrived at Paris Saint-Germain alone and “terrified” after being shipped out on an 18-month loan from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy.Mikel Arteta has lifted the lid on sharing a room at PSG with RonaldinhoCredit: Offside/PRESSE SPORTSThe Arsenal boss is looking to get the better of his old side in the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyIn his first taste of men’s senior football, he was guided on the pitch by friend and mentor Mauricio Pochettino, a man who first inspired Arteta to go into management.And by the summer of 2001, the now-Arsenal boss had a new roommate — a 21-year-old Brazilian signing called Ronaldinho, someone who opened Arteta’s eyes to the beautiful game.More than two decades on, Arteta faces the Parisian giants for the first time as a manager on Tuesday, and cannot help but smile as he recalls what it was like sharing a room with a footballing legend known for his tricks and flair on the pitch . . . and mad partying lifestyle off it.Asked what sort of roomie  Ronaldinho was, Arteta grinned: “With me, he was always perfect.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“We were room-mates for a year. He was great. So much energy, so much fun, everything was good. Never a problem. Great times.“I did not see him as a superstar at the time, obviously. But he was a huge talent.“He was coming from Brazil. He didn’t have the work permit so he had to wait for a couple of months.”A young Arteta was desperate to stay in Paris beyond his loan spell, only to be recalled by Barcelona and sold to Scottish giants Rangers in 2002 before arriving in England — via Real Sociedad — with Everton  two-and-a-half years later.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSRonaldinho’s stay at the Parc des Princes was also short but sweet, leaving for Barca in 2003 where he won the Ballon d’Or, two LaLiga titles and the Champions League across five years.Arteta continued: “He’s the only player I have seen in history that could transform, by himself, two clubs. He did it in Paris, he transformed them. He went to Barcelona in one of the worst moments and transformed them.Former Arsenal star Fabian Caballero passes away aged 46Ronaldinho went on to become a Barcelona and Brazil iconCredit: GettyArteta also played with Bolton legend Jay-Jay Okocha at PSGCredit: Getty“He had an aura, an energy, a smile on his face . . . it was impossible to be next to him and be in a bad mood.“And in training, I never saw a  talent like this. In every drill, it was like: ‘How is this possible?’.“It was unbelievable to play with him. I had to do all the defending because I had Ronaldinho and Jay-Jay Okocha in front of me. Imagine!“It was super, almost unreal. It was a dream for me.“I was so blessed and I had so much energy at that time. I couldn’t waste that opportunity — I enjoyed every minute of it.”Arteta also has a strong friendship with current PSG boss — former Barca player and Treble-winning manager Luis Enrique, 54 — who he shares much in common with. But Arteta, now 42, admits he owes a lot to his days in Paris for making him the man and manager he is today after being “protected like a son” in the “perfect environment”.A month after joining as an unknown teenager, he made his Champions League debut  at the San Siro against AC Milan in a 1-1 draw.Arteta said: “I was in the tunnel, I was looking . . . it was [ex-Milan owner Silvio] Berlusconi, [Paolo]  Maldini, [Andriy] Shevchenko.“I was looking, they were all like this [holds his hand up high]. I was like: ‘Really?’ I was thrown to the lions in Rome.“But it turned out to be a really good match, which I really enjoyed. It was an unbelievable night.”Arteta is hoping for another of those nights at the Emirates, having drawn their first Champions League outing 0-0  at Atalanta last month.Last season, Arsenal were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich after a 1-0 second-leg defeat at the Allianz Arena on April 17.Three days earlier, their title dreams had been damaged by a 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa.READ MORE SUN STORIESAhead of another gruelling title race and European run, Arteta said: “Last year we almost went all the way. We came up short, so that is something we have to do better, to prove. That’s the next step we have to make as a team.”Gunners defenders Ben White (groin) and Riccardo Calafiori (knee) face late fitness tests. More

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      ‘Lads, it’s Man Utd’ – Ten Hag WILL be sacked after turning Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous three-word team talk on its head

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      FIRST, the easy part — Erik ten Hag must go and Erik ten Hag WILL go before long.Perhaps as soon as Sunday’s visit to Aston Villa and probably at some point during October.Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is facing the axe after another miserable lossCredit: GettyTen Hag risks turning Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous Tottenham team talk on its headCredit: GettyThe home thumping by Tottenham was the TENTH time  Manchester United have been thrashed by three goals or more in just over two years of the Dutchman’s reign.Ten Hag’s United don’t just lose consistently, they are thrashed consistently.Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford are among the teams to have demolished his outfit.Read More on Man UtdSir Alex Ferguson’s most famous three-word team talk — “Lads, it’s Tottenham” — could now be turned on its head by Ange Postecoglou or several other Premier League bosses.“Lads, it’s Man United.”Facing United hasn’t held a fear factor for many years.Now, it is a fixture openly relished by many — a big-name scalp which is relatively easy to come by.Most read in FootballThere has been a regular cycle of doom around Old Trafford for the last 11 years, under six different managers.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSUnited are trounced on a Sunday afternoon, Gary Neville and Roy Keane rant on the telly, everyone speculates on the manager’s future on a Monday.Managers come and go, many players linger for too long, and United continue to be largely terrible.Man Utd reveal first pics of redeveloped 100,000-capacity Old Trafford in ‘biggest regeneration scheme ever seen’Yet under Ten Hag — who offers little as a coach or man-manager — the bad days are even worse.It was the wrong decision for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos crew to keep faith with the former Ajax boss after last season’s FA Cup win.And then to have signed another tranche of overpriced Dutch players.Ratcliffe will realise that by now, and it is only a matter of time before Ten Hag is gone.So now for the hard part. Who, realistically, takes over?And, more pertinently, who would want to?Emery wouldn’t take United job – he’s not stark raving madThis is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.Not many optionsEmery may well deliver the coup de grace to Ten Hag on Sunday — especially with Bruno Fernandes suspended and Kobbie Mainoo an injury doubt.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Gareth Southgate concernYet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the  equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would be a popular and gettable option but, despite being a fine coach and a very engaging man, he is considered something of a loose cannon.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Replacement needs to succeed Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a “figurehead” manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor Ratcliffe, Ashworth and the rest of United’s new management structure, the hard part is what happens next.And it is a decision they desperately need to nail.Thomas Tuchel would be a popular replacement for Ten Hag but is considered a loose cannonCredit: GettyMan Utd assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is the bookies’ favourite to take overCredit: GettySouthgate is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by Man Utd last springCredit: Getty More

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      I’m EFL star with a six-hour round trip to training every day… but I still get fined £50 every time I’m late

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      WITH ten different clubs under his belt from a lengthy career, John-Joe O’Toole is what you might call a journeyman.And Wimbledon’s dedicated defender still clocks up hundreds of miles to pursue his dreams and to pay the bills.John-Joe O’Toole has to make a six-hour round trip to go to training for AFC WimbledonCredit: GettyFans’ favourite O’Toole commutes for six hours a day to training and back home to Northampton where he lives with his wife and three kids — one of whom is autistic.The 180-mile daily round trip to the League Two club is a world away from the lifestyles enjoyed by the Prem stars of Newcastle, who host them in Tuesday’s rescheduled Carabao Cup third-round tie — with a home game against Chelsea in the last 16 at stake.O’Toole, 36, said: “It’s about 2 and a half to three hours there and the same back, three or four times a week.“Last year I was doing it most days. It’s a lot of time on the road.READ MORE EFL NEWS“We have to be in for 9.30am and if you’re late you get fined. I’ve picked up a few, unfortunately, but at least it goes into the pot for the Christmas do.“Normally I give myself three hours so I leave at 6.30am. If I don’t give myself three hours it is going to be tight.“I just make a coffee and leave. If I have time I might have a bit of toast but normally I don’t because I am bloody shattered!“So, normally, I just get up and leave. It’s £50 to be late to meet before training and another £30 if you are late for training.Most read in FootballWimbledon’s Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle has been postponed and moved to St James’ Park after flooding at Plough LaneCredit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I stay over the nights before games and stuff but we don’t have much help back home. My missus has a couple of health problems, my daughter is autistic, so it’s quite hard juggling it all.“I have a five-year-old, three-year-old and an 11-month-old. If I’m going home on a Friday it can be 3 and a half hours. I don’t even want to think how much I spend on petrol.Watch AFC Wimbledon begin work fixing sinkhole on pitch after pumping more than 100,000 LITRES of water out of stadium“On the way home I might stop at the services for a quick kip. But I have to set a 15-minute alarm, or else I’d be there for hours.“My daughter has just started school. She is a year later because we couldn’t get her a place.“She is non-verbal. All of this makes it really difficult to simply up and move.”Dramatic flooding at Wimbledon’s Plough Lane ground last week caused the original third-round clash with Newcastle to be postponed and then switched to St James’ Park — meaning another long trip for O’Toole.He said: “One of the lads put a pic of the pitch on our WhatsApp and I thought he was joking.“It’s not what we were expecting but most of the lads are quite happy because it means they get to play at a great ground like St James’ Park.“I have played there before, with Northampton. We lost but it was a great experience. We’ve done well at Plough Lane this season so maybe this weakens our chances of going through.“But we have already beaten Premier League opposition in Ipswich, so who knows?”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Plough Lane flooding has put Dons’ 100 per cent league home record on hold and O’Toole – whose previous clubs also include Watford, Colchester, Bristol Rovers and Sheffield United – said: “We have been doing so well at home.“But as a group we have to be determined that it will not disrupt our progress.”O’Toole had revealed that his Wimbledon team-mates are excited at the prospect of playing in a Premier League stadiumCredit: Getty More

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      Graham Potter hilariously breaks silence on Man Utd talks and ‘being linked with Napoli and Stoke in the same week’

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      GRAHAM POTTER addressed speculation linking him with the top job at Manchester United with a hilarious quip.Potter, 49, has been a free agent since his dismissal by Chelsea 18 months ago but continues to be touted as a potential successor to under-fire United boss Erik ten Hag.Graham Potter addressed speculation linking him with Manchester United with a jokeCredit: ReutersMan Utd boss Erik ten Hag’s position at Old Trafford is becoming increasingly untenableCredit: PATen Hag’s position at Old Trafford is under threat after Sunday’s 3-0 thumping by Tottenham in another hapless display by the Red Devils.And the ex-Brighton manager broke his silence amid all the continuous talk linking him with the job.Potter, who was appearing on MNF on Sky Sports, said when asked if he’d enjoy the challenge of managing United: “I am sitting here enjoying the challenge of answering your questions.”The ex-Chelsea boss was less coy when asked about reports suggesting he was approached by Man Utd chiefs during the summer before they decided to hold on to Ten Hag.Read More on Man UtdThe former Swansea manager added: “I take what the media say with a pinch of salt.”I am the only coach in world football to be linked with Stoke City and Napoli in the same week. “I have had lots of conversations with lots of people and I think out of respect to those people it’s best those are kept private.”BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPotter also joked about taking the England job ahead of Bournemouth’s 3-1 win over Southampton. He said: “I think it’s time for a commercial break, isn’t it?!Most read in Football”As an Englishman, of course it’s a fantastic job and I’m supportive of FA and what they decide to do and whoever the next coach is.”Gareth did a fantastic job and I’m sure Lee will in his time, however long that is.”Potter, though, doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to return to the dugout after 12 years of non-stop work for the likes of Ostersunds, Swansea, Brighton and Chelsea.The Solihull tactician admitted he deliberately decided to step away from the limelight and focus on his family.Watch Graham Potter’s reaction as he is asked about England manager job moments after earning uni degreePotter recently admitted: “I spent some time with the family, [to] connect with them after a 12-year journey which has started in the fourth tier of Swedish football and ends in the last eight of the Champions League.”Graham Potter’s managerial careerA brief look at Graham Potter’s managerial career to date…2008 – 2011: Leeds Beckett University Carnegie2011 – 2018: Ostersund 2018 – 2019: Swansea City2019 – 2022: Brighton and Hove Albion2022 – 2023: Chelsea More