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      ‘Looks like an episode from The Office’ – Watch QPR stars’ priceless reaction to team-bonding ‘haka’ man

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      FANS have claimed Gareth Ainsworth’s “haka” team bonding session “looked like a scene from The Office” as his QPR stars appeared to watch on bemused.The 49-year-old, who has been dubbed “The Wild Thing”, left Wycombe after over a decade to take charge of the Championship club last month.
      Gareth Ainsworth is going all out to ‘enhance team spirit’ at QPRCredit: QPR
      A clip from his ‘haka’ team bonding session has gone viralCredit: QPR
      He then proceeded to perform the haka in full in front of the squadCredit: QPR
      QPR’s players seemed to watch on in disbeliefCredit: QPR
      He has only managed to muster one win from his first four games in charge and the Rs are still licking their wounds after being battered 6-1 at Blackpool on Tuesday to leave them sitting just three places above the drop zone.
      Former midfielder Ainsworth played 152 times for QPR and was twice caretaker boss at Loftus Road during the 2008-09 season.
      But now he is back in West London as the main man, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract, and is hoping to repeat the stunning success he enjoyed at Wycombe after leading them from League Two all the way to the second tier.
      Ainsworth was well-known for his unusual team-building methods at Adams Park and now he has attempted to “bring the boys together” and “enhance team spirit” with QPR by introducing his squad to an authentic Maori.
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      The move began with Bruce Simpson, who runs the Haka Rebuilding Company in London, performing the haka in front of the seated players.
      He then went on to talk about the culture and what it stands for and about “unity – kotahitanga” as well as explaining the meaning of the haka.
      Simpson said: “It’s just being there for each other and being part of a bigger group, not just yourself but everyone around you.”
      However, after the clip was shared by the club’s Twitter account, it soon went viral with supporters mocking the unusual scenes – and particularly the reaction of the players.
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      One comment read: “QPR is an absolute s***show. Look at their faces!”
      Another tweet read: “Looks like a episode from The Office.”
      Ainsworth went on to explain why he decided to introduce Maori culture to his players and staff, saying: “It’s not just about sport performances, but about the mental side, the inner side of who you are as a person.
      “He talked about the All Blacks and obviously the connection with how they’ve dominated the world of rugby union for so long with just a five million people island, and that didn’t start happening till the haka got introduced.
      “When he talked about what the haka means, I think some of the boys really got an education today.” More

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      ‘Newcastle’s 12 miles away’ – Fans reckon Ousmane Dembele is LOST as he’s bizarrely spotted at Sunderland vs Sheff Utd

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      FANS were all left scratching their heads after Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele was spotted in attendance at the Stadium of Light. Dembele has been linked with a transfer to a host of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle.
      Ousmane Dembele has been linked with a transfer to NewcastleCredit: Getty
      But bizarrely he was spotted at Sunderland’s Stadium of LightCredit: BBC via Twitter
      And it is his link to Newcastle which makes his visit to the home of Sunderland – the Magpies’ fierce rivals – such a bizarre one.
      Sunderland were in action against Sheffield United in the Championship as they looked to get back into the promotion chase.
      However, despite going ahead, the Black Cats fell to a 2-1 defeat following goals on either side of the break from the Blades.
      Regardless, some fans believe it was a simple case of him being lost.
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      One user said: “Someone should have told him Newcastle is another 12 miles away 😂.”
      A second user commented: “Bro doing side quests.”
      A third remarked: “Things I didn’t expect to see tonight: Ousmane Dembele at Sunderland-Sheffield United. Should have gone to Hull-Burnley, Ousmane.”
      One Sunderland fan joked: “I’m watching it. Lining him up as Amad’s [Diallo] replacement next season.”
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      Dembele previously celebrated Sunderland’s promotion at the end of last season after congratulating the club on Instagram.
      He appears to have a good relationship with Sunderland’s French owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, with whom he sat next to for the game. More

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      A chat with Man Utd’s Sancho left me excited about Carrick… but I never knew I’d be Championship top scorer for Boro

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      THE CHAMPIONSHIP’S top scorer has revealed how a chat with pal Jadon Sancho left him chomping at the bit to work for Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough.Former Arsenal forward Chuba Akpom started the season training with Boro’s Under-21 team.
      Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom is the top scorer in the Championship with 23 goalsCredit: Getty
      The striker, pictured with Jadon Sancho, was excited to work for Michael Carrick after a chat with his palCredit: Instagram
      He arrived at the Riverside in 2020 from PAOK but was soon shipped out back to the Greek club first by Neil Warnock and then left on the sidelines by Chris Wilder.
      Manchester United legend Carrick, 41, replaced the axed Wilder in October with Boro sitting 22nd in the table but has since transformed the Teessiders.
      They now sit in third, just three points off automatic promotion, with their incredible rise matched by striker Akpom.
      He has fired 24 goals in all competitions so far for Boro, including 23 in the Championship, making him the division’s top scorer.
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      Akpom has also become the first player since Bernie Slaven 33 years ago to score 20 or more league goals in a season for the club.
      He has now revealed that he knew things would get a lot better for him in the North East under Carrick after a talk with United winger Sancho – although he admits he never expected it to go this well.
      He told Slaven’s Total BS podcast: “No [I wasn’t concerned about Carrick’s arrival], I was actually really excited because a good friend of mine is Jadon Sancho at Manchester United and he had nothing but good things to say about the manager.
      “So I kind of knew already what to expect from the gaffer. But I didn’t know it’d go this well.”
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      Former England international Carrick won the Premier League five times and the Champions League during his Old Trafford playing career.
      He initially joined United’s coaching staff under Jose Mourinho.
      He was then part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom team before then getting a brief taste of management himself after the Norwegian was axed in November 2021.
      Newcastle-born Carrick had a three-game stint as caretaker, with Sancho part of the squad he took charge of.
      He led United to two wins and then a draw against Chelsea but left after Ralf Rangnick’s arrival last season.
      Michael Carrick has transformed Middlesbrough since his arrival in OctoberCredit: Getty More

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      Neil Warnock’s Huddersfield handed shock transfer BAN just days after Burnley punished for filing accounts late

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      NEIL WARNOCK’S Huddersfield have become the latest Championship club to be hit with a transfer ban.That’s just days after rivals Burnley were punished for also filing their accounts late.
      Neil Warnock’s Huddersfield have been slapped with a transfer banCredit: Alamy
      Warnock only returned to Huddersfield a month ago.
      He led them to victory in his first game against Birmingham.
      But they have since lost three of their next four games, failing to score once while shipping nine goals in the process.
      It means Huddersfield remain deep in the relegation mire, six points off safety.
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      But their season has now taken another turn for the worse.
      The EFL confirmed on Monday that Huddersfield are now under a transfer embargo.
      And they are unable to register any new players.
      Huddersfield, who are yet to comment, were late in submitting their annual accounts.
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      And they become the second side in as many days to be hit with a transfer ban.
      Championship leaders Burnley are also under a transfer embargo for exactly the same reason.
      But Vincent Kompany’s side insists they were late due a change in auditors.
      And although they accept the embargo, Burnley are confident it will be lifted next month.
      A statement read: “We would like to share with our supporters the disappointing news that the EFL are placing the club under an immediate transfer embargo.
      “We believe transparency in these matters is paramount and we want to explain why this has happened.
      “In our continued efforts to improve and move forward Burnley Football Club we made the decision to change our auditors in November and the transition has taken longer than we anticipated.
      “We can confirm that we have provided draft accounts and financial information to the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit and we continue to have regular dialogue with the unit to ensure we remain as open and as transparent and answer any questions the League may have.
      “We believe the EFL will have no issue with the detail of our accounts other than their late submission and fully understand and support their position and efforts to sanction any club who fails to comply with any of their regulations.
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      “Both the Club and our new auditors are confident this can be resolved swiftly and we hope our submission will be made next month at which point the embargo will be lifted.
      “We once again wish to assure supporters this will have no detriment to the ongoing success and development of the Club as we move forward.” More

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      Birmingham pay tribute to lifelong fan Gary Williams who dies after brave battle with cancer and kidney disease

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      BIRMINGHAM have paid tribute to supporter of the year Gary Williams after he tragically passed away.Gary was given the fan accolade by the Blues at the end of last season at the club’s annual awards.
      Gary Williams passed away after battling cancer and kidney diseaseCredit: @BCFC
      Heartbreakingly, less than 12 months on from that special evening, he has now died following a battle with cancer and kidney disease.
      A statement on his Twitter account confirmed the news on Monday.
      It read: “It is with a heavy heart we announce Gaz sadly passed away on Thursday 9th of March, following his long battle with cancer, as well as kidney disease.
      “Anyone who knew Gaz, will know what a fighter he was, overcoming so much that life threw at him. Gaz’s fighting spirit remained till the very end and that strength and determination will always be an inspiration to everyone that knew him.

      “Gaz will be sorely missed by us all, however will be remembered always for his strength, love and compassion.
      “My mum and myself are currently organising dates for Gaz to be laid to rest, I will post on here when we have a date.
      “Thank you all for also supporting Gaz on this platform. And a huge thank you to our beloved Blues who gave us some great memories especially when he won supporter of the year, that was a night we’ll never forget.”
      Birmingham then released their own statement which read: “The Club are saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong Bluenose and Supporter of the Season, Gary Williams.
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      “All of our thoughts are with Gaz’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time. 💙”
      Former Birmingham midfielder Jude Bellingham, 19, was one of the first to pay tribute to Gary on social media.
      He said: “Kept right on til the end. Proper warrior, proper inspiration, proper Blues.
      “Rest in peace Gaz, you’ll never be forgotten.💙”
      Football fans also poured in with their own tributes to Gary as they remembered the lifelong Blues fan.
      One said: “RIP Gaz. Saddened to hear this. Such a fighter who was given so much encouragement and shown so much warmth by other Blues fans on here. It always appeared to give him a boost when he needed it.
      “Respect to the club and others inc Jude Bellingham for their generous actions 🔵⚪️.”
      Another added: “Gary epitomised our club anthem no matter what; he kept right on. RIP.”
      And an Aston Villa fan replied: “Many Villa fans connected with Gaz and it’s a sad day across the football divide.
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      “Gaz often spoke about his appreciation for the support he got from the ‘football family’ as he called it. He gave a lot back. And he truly was Blues through and through.
      “Missed by us all. RIP Gaz ❤️.” More

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      ‘Beyond embarrassing’ – Norwich star Max Aarons ridiculed for ‘worst dive EVER’ against Sunderland

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      MAX AARONS has been ridiculed for performing the “worst dive ever” while playing for Norwich against Sunderland.The Canaries hosted the Black Cats in Sunday’s live televised Championship fixture.
      Every week referee’s fall for a full back chucking themselves to the floor but this is the worst I’ve ever seen 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️pic.twitter.com/SWn5k6QX9I— The72 – We Love the #EFL (@_The72) March 12, 2023

      Max Aarons was chased by Sunderland’s Jack Clarke
      The 23-year-old tumbled to the turf under little pressure
      Sunderland won the match 1-0, thanks to Abdoullah Ba’s 15th minute strike.
      But Aarons arguably stole the show with a dive fans called “beyond humiliating”.
      Being chased down by former Tottenham starlet Jack Clarke, Aarons seemingly threw himself to the turf with no contact.
      The fall prompted one Championship fan account to write: “Every week referee’s fall for a full back chucking themselves to the floor but this is the worst I’ve ever seen.”
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      Another supporter wrote: “That is the worst dive i’ve ever seen, max aarons.”
      A further commenter opined: “It’s beyond embarrassing… 😬🤭
      “And players on opposition teams have been doing that ALL season long against Sunderland. Until appalling #EFL officiating standards across the board are totally reversed, it will be more of the same…”
      A fourth fan joked: “I did for a second think it was rugby and he was scoring a try.”
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      The Black Cats celebrate what turned out to be the winning goalCredit: Getty
      Another added: “Gotta start bringing in 3 match bans for cheating, I hate it, if the ref don’t see it, watch it after & ban them.”
      Aarons, 23, remains at his boyhood club despite plenty of concrete interest from elsewhere.
      In 2020, the Canaries snubbed a bid from Barcelona for the full-back.
      Having come through the Norwich academy, Aarons has now made 203 appearances for the club.
      He has won two Championship titles, as well as previously earning the accolade of EFL Young Player of the Year in 2019, and twice being named in the EFL Team of the Year.
      Aaron has played 203 times for boyhood club NorwichCredit: Reuters More

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      Watford chief Gino Pozzo must realise the SIXTEEN managers he has gone through are NOT the problem… HE IS

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      HAS it ever occurred to Gino Pozzo that the problem at Watford has not been the SIXTEEN managers he has gone through — but the man who keeps hiring and firing them?The Italian is a hands-on owner who cares passionately about the Hornets and desperate for them to be successful. That I don’t doubt.
      Chris Wilder is the latest manager to step into the Watford dug-outCredit: PA
      Gino Pozzo has gone through 16 managers at Watford
      But how on earth can you build a long-term stable club that anyone can take seriously by having a revolving door that rotates so fast you need a lay-down and some Paracetamol to stop your head spinning?
      I reckon when Pozzo re-hired Quique Sanchez Flores in 2019 it was only because he was so dizzy he forgot he had sacked him three years earlier. 
      It’s so difficult to keep up with what’s going on at Vicarage Road with the constant chopping and changing. I wonder if Pozzo can even name all 16 of them.
      For the second season in a row, they’re on to their third manager in Chris Wilder — and don’t rule out a fourth because there is still time.

      Wilder has signed a contract only until the end of the season — and I’m struggling to remember, Roy Hodgson aside, the last time a manager at that club successfully saw out at least his first contract term. That would be a good pub-quiz question.
      But If he can see out the season, Wilder could even put that on his CV: saw through a contract at Vicarage Road. That would be some achievement.
      The latest Watford boss has missed a trick by agreeing a short-term deal because the one thing all managers there can look forward to is a pay-off when they inevitably get sacked.
      Pozzo switches coaches because he believes in the so-called “new-manager bounce” which can get the team an upturn in results.
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      And he can point to the fact he successfully kept the Hornets in the Premier League for five years and that the club have been there for six out of the last seven.
      But you can only get away with that sort of model for so long, eventually it catches up with you. 
      And I fear if Watford do not win promotion this season and are not careful, they could end up going into decline. 
      It was refreshing when the Hornets appointed Rob Edwards at the start of the season, giving a bright young British manager a chance. Edwards is an extremely well-rated coach and excellent man-manager.
      But to sack him after 10 league games — of which he lost twice — was bonkers.
      He had just taken over a team that had been relegated, had a culture of losing and were in a period of transition. 
      Incidentally, in his brief time as boss, he beat all of the current top three clubs in Burnley, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough.
      Had they given him time, they might be in a better position. But, even if they were not, you can let him build a team and culture at the club that will stand them in good stead for the long-term — rather than the constant quick-fixes that Pozzo seeks.
      Chris Wilder lost his first game in charge of Watford at QPR
      Rob Edwards was sacked after just 10 league games and is doing a grand job at Watford’s bitter rivals Luton
      And look at the job he is now doing at their bitter rivals Luton.
      While the Hornets are struggling to even stay in the hunt for the play-offs, the Hatters’ 1-0 win at Sheffield United consolidated their position in the top-six.
      How ironic would it be if Edwards ends up taking Luton up in the very season Watford axed him 
      Quite frankly, I don’t think the current Watford team are going to get promoted. I have not seen anything since Edwards was axed — apart from the 4-0 win against Luton in October perhaps — that suggests they are going to be a force to reckon with.
      Slaven Bilic’s stint in time was blighted by injuries. At one point he had FIFTEEN players out. I’m not quite sure what Pozzo expected the Croatian boss to achieve with that sort of casualty list? Did he think they would storm to the Championship title or something?
      On paper, there is no doubt they have the best technical group in the Championship.
      Players like Joao Pedro, Ismaila Sarr, Ken Sema and Hamza Choudhury can all be class acts.
      But for me the squad has been lacking the steel in the team that you need.
      In the Championship, you always have to win the physical battle first: win the headers and tackles, pick up those second balls, and do the dirty side of the game. You get that right and then you can let the quality attacking players do their work.
      Joao Pedro is one of the many great technical players at Watford
      Yet even their attacking prowess is under question now. Their 1-0 loss at struggling QPR on Saturday means they have not scored a goal for 282 minutes. That is a worrying stat at the best of times, never mind when you’re chasing promotion to the Premier League.
      Pozzo’s passion is his enemy. He needs to be calmer when the going gets tough and build a club that has a clear identity. When you go through so many managers, it is impossible to have that.
      The fans’ resentment towards Pozzo has grown deeper and deeper  — and once you lose the supporters you are on a hiding to nothing.
      Although he is the owner, ultimately the club belongs to the Watford fans.
      No team in the Premier League or EFL have gone through as many permanently-appointed managers than the Hornets in the past decade.
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      I was wondering the other day if any other professional football club in the world has?
      Now that sounds like another good pub-quiz question. More

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      Burnley slapped with transfer embargo as Championship leaders release statement

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      BURNLEY have been placed under a transfer embargo by the EFL.The Clarets released a statement confirming the news in which they explained why the sanction has come about
      Burnley have been placed under a transfer embargo by the EFLCredit: Getty
      The club is confident the matter will be resolved swiftly and insist it has been brought about by nothing more than a late submission of their financial accounts.
      Burnley say that was due to a change in their auditors last November and they are fully accepting of the embargo.
      However they expect it will be lifted next month once the latest financial accounts are submitted.
      A club statement reads: “We would like to share with our supporters the disappointing news that the EFL are placing the club under an immediate transfer embargo.
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      “We believe transparency in these matters is paramount and we want to explain why this has happened.
      “In our continued efforts to improve and move forward Burnley Football Club we made the decision to change our auditors in November and the transition has taken longer than we anticipated.
      “We can confirm that we have provided draft accounts and financial information to the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit and we continue to have regular dialogue with the unit to ensure we remain as open and as transparent and answer any questions the League may have.
      “We believe the EFL will have no issue with the detail of our accounts other than their late submission and fully understand and support their position and efforts to sanction any club who fails to comply with any of their regulations.
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      “Both the Club and our new auditors are confident this can be resolved swiftly and we hope our submission will be made next month at which point the embargo will be lifted.
      “We once again wish to assure supporters this will have no detriment to the ongoing success and development of the Club as we move forward.”
      Burnley are runaway leaders at the top of the Championship and have one foot in the Premier League given the 17-point gap to third place.
      Manager Vincent Kompany has transformed the team who are on course to get 100 points. More