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    Carabao Cup draw LIVE: Stream FREE, start time, ball numbers and TV channel for first round on NOW – updates

    THE first round draw for the Carabao Cup is taking place RIGHT NOW as fans gear up for the return of club football.No Premier League clubs will enter the hat at the opening stage as top-flight sides are granted a bye to at least the second round of the competition.The first and second rounds of the tournament will be regionalised, meaning the 32 teams in the southern section and 38 teams in the northern section will be drawn against another side from the same region.What about Prem clubs?Luton Town and Burnley, who finished 18th and 19th in last season’s Premier League respectively, will enter the Carabao Cup in the second round.The same goes for the 13 current Prem teams not involved in European competitions.Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United will enter the competition from the third round.Copy linkCopiedCarabao Cup datesHere are all the key dates for this season’s Carabao Cup:Round 1: August 14Round 2: August 28Round 3: September 18 and September 25Round 4: October 30Round 5: December 18Semi-final first leg: January 8Semi-final second leg: February 5Final: March 16Copy linkCopiedFirst round datesThe Carabao Cup’s first-round fixtures will all take place in the week of August 14. There will be no replays and if the games are level after 90 minutes, they will go to penalties.Copy linkCopiedCarabao Cup drawHere are all the Southern fixtures:Cambridge United vs Queens Park RangersWalsall vs ExeterCrawley vs SwindonOxford United vs PeterboroughNorwich vs StevenageBromley vs AFC WimbledonPortsmouth vs MillwallNorthampton vs WycombeBristol City vs CoventryCardiff vs Bristol RoversCharlton vs BirminghamWatford vs MK DonsSwansea vs GillinghamPlymouth vs CheltenhamLeyton Orient vs NewportColchester vs ReadingCopy linkCopiedCarabao Cup drawHere are all the Northern fixtures:Salford vs DoncasterRotherham vs Crewe Carlisle vs StokeLeeds vs MiddlesbroughBarrow vs Port ValeBurton vs BlackpoolTranmere vs AccringtonFleetwood vs West BromShrewsbury vs Notts CountyLincoln vs HarrogateDerby vs ChesterfieldBolton vs MansfieldPreston vs SunderlandSheffield United vs WrexhamHuddersfield vs MorecambeWigan vs BarnsleyHull vs Sheffield WednesdayStockport vs BlackburnGrimsby vs BradfordCopy linkCopiedCarabao Cup drawThat concludes the first-round draw for the Carabao Cup.Some tasty fixtures, such as Sheffield United vs Wrexham and Leeds vs Middlesbrough…Copy linkCopiedGrimsby vs BradfordCopy linkCopiedStockport vs BlackburnCopy linkCopiedHull City vs Sheffield WednesdayCopy linkCopiedWigan vs Barnsley
    Copy linkCopiedHuddersfield vs MorecombeCopy linkCopiedSheffield United vs WrexhamCopy linkCopiedPreston vs SunderlandCopy linkCopiedBolton vs MansfieldCopy linkCopiedDerby County vs ChesterfieldCopy linkCopiedLincoln vs HarrogateCopy linkCopiedShrewsbury vs Notts CountyCopy linkCopiedFleetwood vs West BromCopy linkCopiedTranmere vs Accrington StanleyCopy linkCopiedBurton Albion vs BlackpoolCopy linkCopiedBarrow vs Port ValeCopy linkCopiedLeeds vs MiddlesbroughCopy linkCopiedCarlisle vs Stoke Copy linkCopiedRotherham vs CreweCopy linkCopiedSalford vs DoncasterCopy linkCopied More

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    When is Carabao Cup first round draw? Ball numbers, TV channel and FREE live stream

    THE first round draw for the Carabao Cup will take place this week as fans gear up for the return of club football.No Premier League clubs will enter the hat at the opening stage as top-flight sides are granted a bye to at least the second round of the competition.The Carabao Cup first round draw will take place on ThursdayCredit: GETTYLuton and Burnley, who finished 18th and 19th respectively in the Prem last season, will also join the 13 current Prem outfits in round two. Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United will all enter the Carabao Cup from the third round as they are involved in European football for the upcoming season.The first and second rounds of the tournament will be regionalised, meaning the 32 teams in the southern section and 38 teams in the northern section will be drawn against another side from the same region.When is the Carabao Cup first round draw?
    The Carabao Cup first round draw will take place on Thursday, June 27.
    The draw will begin at 11.30am BST.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhat TV channel is the Carabao Cup first round draw on and can it be live streamed FREE?
    The Carabao Cup first round draw will be broadcast live on Sky Sports News.
    You can live stream the draw for free on the Sky Sports app/website.
    Alternatively, SunSport’s live blog will provide all the latest updates.
    Carabao Cup first round ball numbersSouthern section1. AFC Wimbledon2. Birmingham CityMost read in Football3. Bristol City4. Bristol Rovers5. Bromley6. Cambridge United7. Cardiff City8. Charlton Athletic9. Cheltenham Town10. Colchester United11. Coventry City12. Crawley Town13. Exeter City14. Gillingham15. Leyton Orient16. Millwall17. Milton Keynes Dons18. Newport County19. Northampton Town20. Norwich City21. Oxford United22. Peterborough United23. Plymouth Argyle24. Portsmouth25. Queens Park Rangers26. Reading27. Stevenage28. Swansea City29. Swindon Town30. Walsall31. Watford32. Wycombe WanderersNorthern section1. Accrington Stanley2. Barnsley3. Barrow4. Blackburn Rovers5. Blackpool6. Bolton Wanderers7. Bradford City8. Burton Albion9. Carlisle United10. Chesterfield11. Crewe Alexandra12. Derby County13. Doncaster Rovers14. Fleetwood Town15. Grimsby Town16. Harrogate Town17. Huddersfield Town18. Hull City19. Leeds United20. Lincoln City21. Mansfield Town22. Middlesbrough23. Morecambe24. Notts County25. Port Vale26. Preston North End27. Rotherham United28. Salford City29. Sheffield United30. Sheffield Wednesday31. Shrewsbury Town32. Stockport County33. Stoke City34. Sunderland35. Tranmere Rovers36. West Bromwich AlbionREAD MORE SUN STORIES37. Wigan Athletic38. Wrexham More

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    Major broadcasting change for Carabao Cup AND EFL games with Sky Sports and ITV set to show games for FREE

    FANS have been given a huge boost with Carabao Cup and EFL games to be shown for FREE.Sky Sports and ITV have reached an agreement that will allow fans to watch free-to-air coverage of the competitions.Fans will be able to watch some of the EFL and Carabao Cup for freeCredit: GettyMore matches will be shown on ITVThe deal will come into place in January 2025 and will commence with the Carabao Cup semi-finals.It will run until the end of the 2026/27 season and ITV will be able to jointly broadcast a select number of games on Sky Sports.The new agreement has been approved by EFL clubs.ITV will be able to screen at least nine Carabao Cup fixtures in total.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis includes one match from each of the first four rounds and one additional fixture from either the third or fourth round.ITV will also be able to show two of the quarter-finals, one semi-final and the final itself.Sky Sports managing director Jonathan Licht said: “This momentous upcoming season of over 1,000 matches from the EFL on Sky Sports+ shows our huge ambition and increased dedication to the EFL and its supporters.”Working with a free-to-air broadcaster isn’t new for us and many of our partners, as we endeavour to help grow and broaden audiences for sports.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”With ITV set to simulcast a select number of matches from the EFL from 2025 alongside Sky Sports full coverage, it means that millions of football fans in the UK will be able to enjoy plenty of action from the Cup and League, boosting the exposure for clubs which is great news for all.”ITV director of sport Niall Sloane added: “This deal brings viewers free-to-air coverage of top-level knockout football over the coming years, as well as standout matches from the EFL, adding regular livematches to our highlights shows.Football icons’ strange hobbies”We’re looking forward to bringing fans some superb action andinsight from this new, fuller EFL package across the next few seasons.”ITV will also be able to show ten matches from the Championship each full season of the deal.The next campaign will only be five as the deal is activated in January.The broadcaster will also have the option to flex the selected matches to League One and League Two. More

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    Major change to Carabao Cup in desperate bid to avoid Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and Co facing each other

    THE EFL are reportedly set to make a major change to the Carabao Cup to avoid fixture congestion.Proposed changes would prevent the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea from facing each other.A major change has been made to the Carabao Cup to avoid fixture congestionCredit: GettyAccording to The Telegraph, the EFL have been forced to adopt a “seeding mechanism” to ease the fixture pile-up next season.The change will prevent clubs playing in the Champions League and Europa League from meeting when they enter the competition.Full criteria for the new seeding system is yet to be finalised, though, with the 2024/25 Carabao Cup scheduled to begin in mid-August.Meanwhile, the third round will now be played over two weeks to further ease congestion.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFurther changes could still be made from the fifth round onwards, the report adds, in the event of more clashes with European competition.Chelsea’s involvement in the Conference League will also impact the Carabao Cup third round, with the league stage starting at a later date.Clubs had previously warned they may be forced to field their kids in the Carabao Cup due to potential fixture congestion next term.Speaking last month, Pep Guardiola explained: “Next season, when we play in the Champions League, hopefully we will qualify, it is the same week as the Carabao Cup.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”How are we going to play? Will we play EDS [development squad] in the Carabao Cup?”After next season, we go to the Club World Cup. We are incredibly happy, a lot of money, incredibly prestigious. But how many days do I give off to the players? It’s unsustainable.”Pep Guardiola launched an astonishing attack on football bosses after Manchester City stumbled into the FA Cup Final-Replays have already been scrapped from the first round of the FA Cup onwards.The expansions of European competitions and the Club World Cup have prompted the move in a bid to deal with teams playing more matches.However, the EFL have so far refused to ditch their two-legged semi-finals in the Carabao Cup. More

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    Third Man Utd star to leave with Varane and Martial with T-shirt already prepared in his honour ahead of transfer

    AARON WAN-BISSAKA will join Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial in saying farewell to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.SunSport understands a T-shirt has even been printed in his honour with an image of him lifting the Carabao Cup.Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to leave Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyThere could be plenty more Old Trafford exits comingCredit: GettyWan-Bissaka, 26, has a year left on his deal but Manchester United are willing to listen to cut-price offers. The full-back joined in June 2019 on a five-year contract from Crystal Palace with the option of a further year that was triggered last season.But the £45million buy has been another big disappointment for the recruitment department.The former England Under-21 international has been linked with a move back to Palace.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSBut United will probably have to take a hit on the player and drop their asking price to around £20m.The contracts of both defender Varane, 31, and striker Martial, 28, are up this summer — and there has been no move by the club to try to extend or renew them to keep hold of the French duo.Former France international Varane took to social media to post a heartfelt message to United fans.In a video, he says: “To you guys, supporters of Manchester United, it’s been an amazing few years to play for this special club and wearing that shirt.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The first time I went to Old Trafford as a Man Utd player it was insane, the atmosphere was amazing.”I fell in love with the club, with the fans. You have to play for Man Utd to understand what that represents.Ten Hag’s six worst defeats as Man Utd manager”For my kids, it’s home here. It’s going to be a special place for me for life.”Reacting to the video, Manchester United’s official account on X wrote: “The pleasure has been all ours ❤️”SunSport’s verdict on Man Utd flopsSir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd’s squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
    Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
    Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
    Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
    Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
    Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
    Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
    Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
    Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
    Victor Lindelof – GO:  Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
    Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
    Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
    Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
    Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
    Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
    Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
    Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
    Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
    Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
    Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
    Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
    Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
    Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
    Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
    Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
    Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season. More

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    Sky Sports customers get huge boost as new streaming option offers hundreds more live games at NO extra cost

    SKY SPORTS have announced a new streaming option which will come at no extra cost to subscribers as part of a major broadcasting change.The new service is called Sky Sports+ and will feature every EFL club over 20 times a season.Sky have announced a new channel which will be a hit with fans of the EFLCredit: GettyThe channel will also feature every Carabao Cup game.It comes after the EFL were given permission to break the 3pm blackout for games.The blackout has been in place since the 1960s to protect lower league football.The theory is that by preventing football being shown on TV on Saturday afternoons, it will encourage fans to attend lower league football in person.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut that was scrapped for the EFL after it was judged that the injection of money through a new TV deal with Sky would give lower league clubs a much needed cash-boost.Sky’s new deal with the league means 10 matches across the three divisions will be shown every weekend, with six of them shifted to the 12.30pm Saturday slot.It will also see every opening game of the 2024-25 EFL season shown live on TV.The expansion to more than 1000 live games per season means fans of all 72 EFL clubs are guaranteed to be able to see their club in action at least 20 times.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSky’s £930m five-year deal with the EFL kicks off in August, when the broadcaster will launch a new free streaming channel as part of current subscriptions.Sky Sports+ will offer 50 per cent more live sport and up to 100 streams at once.Where the Soccer Saturday stars are nowIt will see five Championship matches and five more from across Leagues One and Two each weekend in the current broadcasting slots.All matches played midweek and on Bank Holidays will also be available for fans to watch.Every Championship match will be covered by at least six cameras, with four cameras at the League One grounds and a minimum two in the bottom tier, with commentary for all matches.Fans will also be able to follow action from the ATP and WTA tennis tours on the new streaming service as well as have access to men’s rugby Super League games.Golf fans will be delighted to learn that they will also be able to stream the PGA Tour on the channel.Every game from the US Tennis Open will also be streamed on the service.Jonathan Licht, Sky Sports managing director, promised: “We are making a commitment to every club in the EFL and this is a big step-change for League One and Two.“This season, 20 of the 48 clubs in those divisions were not covered live even once.“But we will also announce in July all the games we are screening live up until the first week in January.”And by the start of November that will be extended to the beginning of March, to give fans as much notice as we can.”The opening weekend plans from Friday August 9 are possible because the FA only applies for the 3pm “blackout” rule to apply when 50 per cent of Prem and Championship matches are kicking off – with the top flight starting a week later.READ MORE SUN STORIESLicht added: “This is going to be a huge moment for football fans up and down the country and a fitting way to kick off our ground-breaking new partnership with the EFL.”What do Sky’s broadcast changes mean for subscribers?Sky’s £930million deal with the EFL will change the way fans consume sport in the country. For a start, it has ended the 3pm blackout for EFL clubs which has been in place for more than 60 years. Here’s what it will mean for Sky subscribers.

    Fans will now be able to watch 3pm EFL games with 10 matches across the three EFL leagues being shown over the weekend.
    Six of these matches will be shifted to the 12:30pm Saturday slot
    1000 live games will be shown every season, meaning EFL fans will be able to watch their club’s games on TV at least 20 times.
    New channel Sky Sports+ will offer 50 per cent more live sport and up to 100 streams at once.
    It will see five Championship matches and five more from across Leagues One and Two each weekend in the current broadcasting slots.
    All matches played midweek and on Bank Holidays will also be available for fans to watch.
    The channel will also stream every Carabao Cup game
    New channel will also show rugby men’s Super League matches
    Both the WTA and ATP tennis tours will be shown as well as every game of the US Open.
    Fans will be able to stream PGA golf events
    The streaming service will be included as standard in Sky subscribers contracts – meaning it will not come at an extra cost for consumers
    The streaming service will be integrated into Sky TV and available via the NOW TV app More

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    Tottenham fans cry ‘this has to be a joke’ as rearranged Premier League fixture leaves Spurs with horror run

    TOTTENHAM fans have raged at the “joke” rearranged Premier League fixture list that leaves them with a horror run. The Champions League-chasing side were due to play London rivals Chelsea in February but it was postponed due to the Carabao Cup final. Tottenham face a horror run of fixturesCredit: GettyNow they visit Stamford Bridge on Thursday, May 2. Just three days later they travel to Liverpool, which was moved from Saturday to Sunday as a result. It means they play Newcastle on April 13 away, then host Arsenal on the 28th before the Chelsea and Liverpool matches.The break between Newcastle and Arsenal is because of the FA Cup semi-finals when Spurs would have played Man City, meaning that fixture is still to be rearranged in the final few weeks of the season as well. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe run of fixtures had Spurs fans outraged as one said: “This has to be a joke.” Another moaned: “Once again being screwed over, when we’re not even in Europe. They’ve had opportunities to play these.”One joked: “Seems fair…”Another fumed: “Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool all within 8 days. Brilliant.”Most read in FootballSpurs are fifth, one point behind Aston Villa with a game in hand, and dropped points in the 1-1 draw with West Ham. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSManager Ange Postecoglou spoke out about the missed opportunity and joked he wanted a “joystick” to control his players. He said: “I thought for the most part we controlled the game pretty well. Raging Roy Keane once told forgotten Man Utd star ‘you’ll never make it.. you’ll be playing pub league’ in scathing rant”They are a big strong team. They sit deep and make it difficult for you. “You have to be fairly calm in your approach but also really disciplined because they are a threat from the counter-attack.”We conceded from a set-piece but the rest of the set-pieces we coped with really well. In the front third we lacked a bit of clarity of thought.”But they are human beings, it is just football. I would love to have a joystick and put them where I want them, but it doesn’t work like that.”Sometimes we have more time than we think. There were times when the ball was flashed across the box when we should have been in those areas.”It is all part of the development. That is why we have coaches, why we develop a system. We are not the finished article and we know that.”There was enough there tonight for me to say that it is a team still heading in the right direction.” Ange Postecoglou watched Spurs drop points against West HamCredit: Getty More

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    Jamie Carragher trolls Man Utd and Gary Neville with cheeky five-word tweet after collapse at Chelsea

    JAMIE CARRAGHER made sure that Gary Neville’s “bottlejobs” jibe about Chelsea came back to haunt him. The Manchester United legend ruthlessly labelled the Blues “billion-pound bottlejobs” following the Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool. Jamie Carragher aimed a dig at Gary Neville following Chelsea’s 4-3 winCredit: PAIt was in reference to the money spent under new owner Todd Boehly without yet anything to show for it. But Boehly’s boys showed plenty of bottle as they sealed a stunning 4-3 victory over United with Cole Palmer scoring TEN minutes into added time. Quick-thinking Carragher posted on X: “The billion pound bottle jobs.” Chelsea went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Conor Gallagher and a penalty from in-form Palmer. Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes got United back level before the break. And Garnacho then turned the game on its head in the second half to put United ahead for the first time. The visitor’s looked on the road to three points until again Palmer struck late from the spot before hammering home the winner from a short corner. Chelsea had 28 shots overall compared to United’s 19 and ten of those were on target for the Blues.Most read in Football”In extra-time it’s been Klopp’s kids against the blue, billion-pound bottle jobs.Gary Neville, February 2024 CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut still, under-fire Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag claimed his side were hard done by. Ten Hag told TNT Sports: “Yes we started poor, kicking the ball away and defending poorly.Mauricio Pochettino heaps praise on Chelsea stars after incredible comeback to beat Man Utd 4-3“But you saw we were dominating the game and it was brilliant how we played — we deserved to win the game.“But, you cannot give it away like we did and we have to manage this game better.”It is a team performance, you can point to one of the players but it is about team performance.“When it gets chaotic you have to deal with it as a team and we made the wrong decisions and we didn’t help out as a team.”That drew a confused reaction from fans, as one asked: “Did you watch the game?” More