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      Hull clash with Birmingham bizarrely delayed as goals are to BIG with staff forced to SAW two inches off posts

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      HULL’S Championship clash with Birmingham was delayed because the goals were TOO BIG.In bizarre scenes officials had to SAW two inches off the posts to make them the right size.
      The goal posts at Hull had to be SAWN to the right sizeCredit: Ben Early/News Images
      The game was delayed because the goals were too bigCredit: Rex
      Kick off was delayed by 20 minutesCredit: Rex
      The posts had to be cut down by two inchesCredit: PA
      Kick off was delayed by 20 minutes as staff scrambled to fix the problem.
      It’s believed the posts were two inches taller than the permitted eight feet.
      The goal line technology, as well as the posts, also had to be readjusted before the game finally got underway.
      It’s the second week in a row that the Championship has had sizing issues with goal posts.
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      Last Saturday Cardiff won 3-1 at Wigan – but the game was played with one of the goals two inches bigger than the other.
      On that occasion the game was delayed for seven minutes over the crossbar issue.
      In the end play continued with the two goals different sizes.
      But at Hull the problem was spotted before kick off and could therefore be sorted.
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      The action in the bottom of the table clash did eventually get underway at just after 3.20pm.
      Hosts Hull went into the game just two places above the drop zone, with Birmingham only two spots ahead of the Tigers.
      It was the second game of the day to be delayed with the Premier League clash between Leeds and Arsenal suspended for 40 minutes because of a power cut.
      Goal line technology had to be readjusted after the posts were cut downCredit: PA More

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      West Brom eyeing highly-rated Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher as new manager to replace axed Steve Bruce

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      RISING STAR Steven Schumacher is under consideration to fill the West Brom hotseat.The Baggies axed Steve Bruce on Monday and Plymouth’s Scouser Schumacher, 38, is a “fresh” name on the club’s shortlist.
      Steven Schumacher has led Argyle to top spot in League OneCredit: Rex
      The likes of Roy Keane and Chris Wilder are already linked but impressive Schumacher has also been whispered at a high level after his success since succeeding Ryan Lowe at League One Argyle.
      Schumacher could be interested in a quick move up to the Championship  — and his compensation should not put off the Baggies.
      Wigan boss Leam Richardson, Millwall’s Gary Rowett and out-of-work Carlos Corberan are also strongly linked to The Hawthorns.
      Schumacher has led the Pilgrims to top spot in the third tier after a blistering start to the season.
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      Argyle have won nine of their last ten League One matches, drawing the other 2-2 against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
      Their latest triumph came in the form of yesterday’s 4-1 battering of MK Dons at Stadium MK.
      Argyle got off to the perfect start, when Chelsea loanee Jamie Cumming fumbled Morgan Whittaker’s low shot over the line in the ninth minute.
      Niall Ennis made it 2-0 on 25 minutes after neat build-up play – with Finn Azaz profiting on loose MK passing to make it three before the break.
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      Will Grigg pulled one back with a smart finish shortly after half-time, only for Azaz’s second to kill the contest off just shy of the hour mark.
      After the match, Schumacher said: “I’m really pleased with the performance. It was a great win. To score four goals was brilliant.
      “We spoke to the players right at the start of the week and spoke about how we need to be a little bit better in possession of the ball.
      “We felt if we could take the ball today and starve them of it, then we would have a chance.
      “The focus all week was on possession, moving the ball, and trying to play through the lines to our number tens and to be accurate with it.”
      Schumacher, 38, has the Green Army top of League OneCredit: Rex More

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      Luton Town ‘appalled’ after striker Elijah Adebayo racially abused after scoring for Hatters in 3-1 win against QPR

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      LUTON TOWN say they are “appalled” after star Elijah Adebayo was subjected to sickening racist abuse after scoring in Saturday’s 3-1 win over QPR.The 24-year-old striker bagged Luton’s opening goal at Kenilworth Road, sending his side on their way to victory.
      Elijah Adebayo was racially abused online after scoring in Luton Town’s win over QPRCredit: PA
      It was the third time Adebayo has been racially abused this yearCredit: PA
      It was a moment to celebrate as Town recorded their first league win over QPR in 16 years.
      And fans toasted the occasion as Luton soared to seventh in the Championship table.
      However, Adebayo’s day turned from joy to horror as he was sent “disgusting racist abuse” on Instagram afterwards.
      The ace received two messages from one account on the social media platform.
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      And the vile slurs have since been reported to Bedfordshire Police.
      A club statement read: “For the third time in less than a year, Luton Town Football Club has had to report or assist with enquiries into disgusting racist abuse aimed at our striker Elijah Adebayo.
      “Two racist slurs from the same account on our Instagram post of the scoreline at the end of the win over Queens Park Rangers, which have been widely shared on social media, were reported to Instagram’s parent company, Meta, and the EFL immediately by the Club.
      “We are appalled that we are having to do this in 2022 and, as our players continue to do just before kick-off in all matches in which we participate, everyone at Kenilworth Road stands together with Elijah and any other player who suffers racist abuse, either online or in person.
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      “Bedfordshire Police have been made aware of the posts and we have spoken to Elijah to offer him all the support he needs if he wishes to take this forward.
      “We have had enough of saying enough is enough. This despicable discrimination simply has to stop.”
      Adebayo thanked Luton Town and his teammates for their support afterwards, as well as fans who had sent him well-wishes.
      He tweeted: “Appreciate all support and messages!” More

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      Tottenham in transfer battle with Brentford to sign Sunderland wonderkid Dennis Cirkin

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      BRENTFORD are set to rival Tottenham for Sunderland’s highly rated left-back Dennis Cirkin.The Bees are looking at the England youth star, 20, as a potential long-term replacement for Rico Henry, 25, if he leaves.
      Dennis Cirkin is a transfer target for Brentford and TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Tottenham are also tracking their former youth team star and he may have a decision to make during the next window in January.
      The Black Cats only signed Cirkin from Spurs last year.
      But the Championship side may be tempted to make a quick profit and cash in on the left-back.
      SunSport exclusively revealed last week that Spurs were interested in re-signing their former academy star.
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      The defender came through the ranks at Tottenham after moving to London from Ireland aged three.
      Spurs then surprisingly let him go last summer, allowing him to move up north.
      The defender was sold to the Black Cats for an undisclosed fee.
      Cirkin has played 50 times in total for Sunderland since joining from Spurs in August 2021.
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      The left-back has featured nine times in the Championship this season.
      He scored in today’s 2-1 win over Wigan after missing the last five weeks through injury. More

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      Andy Carroll destroys former manager Steve Bruce with brutal dig after West Brom boss is sacked ahead of Reading clash

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      READING striker Andy Carroll has taken a brutal swipe at Steve Bruce after he was sacked as West Brom manager. The former England star was speaking to the media ahead of Reading’s clash with the Baggies, which will be their first since Bruce’s departure.
      Andy Carroll is enjoying a second spell at ReadingCredit: PA
      Steve Bruce was dismissed as West Brom boss after an awful run of results left them in the relegation zoneCredit: PA
      Carroll, 33, worked with him at West Brom last campaign and at Newcastle for two seasons.
      But there seems little love between them as the veteran striker took a sly dig at his former manager saying: “It’s always sad to see people get the sack.
      “Especially when we were guaranteed three points at the weekend. It is a shame but that’s football.
      “You don’t get the results, it’s a business at the end of the day. That’s why you have to keep the lads together and work hard as a manager and get the lads working hard for you.”
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      The ex-Manchester United defender is not popular among Geordies due to his underwhelming spell as manager at St James’ Park.
      Bruce was sacked from his position at West Brom with the club 22nd in the Championship table, their lowest league position in two decades.
      The Baggies have won just one league match this season and Carroll admitted he was surprised at how bad his former side are doing.
      He said when asked about their poor form: “I’m surprised.
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      “They’ve got a great squad and a great team. It’s surprising to see them down there but it is the way football is.
      “If they win the next three or four games they’re right back up there.”
      Carroll has netted once for Reading this season and they are enjoying a positive start to the season with the club sitting 5th in the table. More

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      I’m a former Premier League footballer who only learned how to do my own washing thanks to being shipped out on loan

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      CARLTON MORRIS has no regrets about the 14 years he spent at Norwich.The Luton striker returns to Carrow Road on Tuesday for the first time since leaving the club last year to join Barnsley.
      Carlton Morris spent 14 years at NorwichCredit: Getty
      But, despite joining the Canaries youth system at the age of 11, he left the club having only managed 13 minutes of first-team action.
      And that was more than seven years ago, coming on as a late substitute for Nathan Redmond in a 1-0 Championship home defeat against Wigan.
      He never got a look-in and instead was farmed out on loan to Oxford, York, Hamilton, Rotherham (twice), Shrewsbury and MK Dons (twice) before he moved to Yorkshire in January 2021.
      However he scored 14 goals in 32 starts for Barnsley before the Hatters snapped him up in the summer and he is going great guns this season, with six goals from 11 starts under manager Nathan Jones.
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      He said: “I have absolutely no regrets about my time at Norwich.
      “I’m the person I am today because of all the loans I went on. Since the age of 18, I have always been moving around the country and even to Scotland.
      “I got to play under different managers. I can’t put into words how much I learned. I am who I am today because of what I went through.
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      “I learned so many life skills — simple things like not taking my clothes home for my mum to wash because I was away from home and had to fend for myself.
      “Aged 26 now, I’m grateful for the journey I have been on so far but I am not finished yet. It’s time to get myself really going.
      “I came on in that one game for Norwich but did not get another chance after that. The timing just did not work out for me.
      “I was not in a position where I gave anyone at Norwich a choice to play me. They’re a great club and I’ll forever be grateful for everything they did for me.”
      Before that trip to Norwich, Luton host high-flying QPR at Kenilworth Road today.
      The Hatters are unbeaten in five games and Morris’ form has been so good that he won the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for September.
      Elijah Adebayo has proved to be the perfect foil up front.He said: “Eli is a brilliant football and I love playing with him. You never quite know what he’s going to do next.
      “I learned so many life skills — simple things like not taking my clothes home for my mum to wash because I was away from home and had to fend for myself.Carlton Morris
      “I’m glad I’m not playing against him as a defender, he’d be twisting me in circles.
      “There will be no defence in this league that would be looking forward to playing against us two up top.
      “It makes my job easier with him because opponents do not know who to focus on most.”
      Morris believes he can return decent figures this term but his main target is to outscore team-mate Harry Cornick.
      Close pal Cornick scored a bizarre winner against Reading last season, where he crept up behind unsuspecting keeper Orjan Nyland to rob the ball off him before rolling the ball home.
      Morris laughed: “Harry hasn’t stopped talking about it. I’ll just have to make sure I score more this season.
      “But I haven’t set myself a goals target. Thee priority is to score goals as an attacking unit.”
      Luton had a fantastic campaign before losing 1-0 to Huddersfield in the play-off semi-finals — and Morris insists the Hatters can target another top-six finish again.
      He said: “I watched Luton a lot last season as Harry is one of my best friends.
      “This team reflects the gaffer’s personality. It’s a relentless, hard-working team that shows grit and never gives up, never says die and leaves it all on the pitch. I love that.
      “This team 100 per cent has the quality. There is no reason why we cannot be successful.” More

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      Gary Rowett in line to replace Steve Bruce as West Brom manager with Millwall boss keen on return to Midlands

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      GARY ROWETT is in line to replace Steve Bruce as West Brom boss. The Millwall manager is keen for a move back up north after spending three years away from his family in the capital. 
      Gary Rowett could take over as the new West Brom managerCredit: Rex
      The Baggies sacked Steve Bruce on Monday with the club 22nd in the ChampionshipCredit: Alamy
      lbion axed Bruce on Monday with the club sitting 22nd in the Championship – their lowest position for 20 years. 
      Rowett, 48, appeals to the Baggies due to his ability to work with a limited budget in the Championship. 
      SunSport understands Millwall are yet to receive an official approach from The Hawthorns.
      The former Birmingham boss has led the Lions to three top-half finishes. 
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      His side currently sit 15th in the second tier on 17 points from 13 games this term.
      That has them six points clear of relegation-threatened West Brom.
      Former Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan is also a candidate for the Baggies gig. 
      The Spaniard, 39, left the Terriers at the end of last season after leading them to the play-off final. 
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      Millwall lost Jed Wallace to West Brom on a free this summer.
      So Rowett would be reunited with his former star man should he take the vacancy in the West Midlands. More

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      EFL considering AXING 3pm TV blackout with Facebook, Netflix, Google, Apple and Amazon keen on buying rights

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      THE EFL is considering AXING the 3pm TV blackout in order to broadcast every game.And it’s already setting up a bidding war, with parties like Netflix and Amazon keen on buying the rights to matches.
      The EFL is considering lifting the 3pm blackout so they can broadcast every gameCredit: Getty
      The EFL’s current TV rights deal expires at the end of the 2023/24 season.
      Just like the Premier League, there is a blanket ban on broadcasting all 3pm matches on Saturdays.
      But chiefs are now ready to lift the veil and make every single game in the Championship, League One and League Two available for live TV.
      The EFL currently pockets £119million each year through its contract with Sky.
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      But chiefs reckon that figure could soar to an annual figure of £200m by allowing other parties to join in the action.
      The Mail claims invitations will soon be sent to Netflix, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Google regarding future rights.
      The mega-names will be asked to send proposals as the EFL explores its options.
      But there will be no fixed contract as the plan is to televise every single match from the 2024/25 campaign.
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      The EFL’s decision is set to be welcomed by most sides, with just two Championship games currently shown each weekend.
      But the move would first have to be approved by the FA.
      And they in turn will then have to go to Uefa before the idea gets the green light.
      Should the EFL succeed, it could open the door for some in the Premier League to push for a similar broadcasting deal. More