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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

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    Watford star Imran Louza charged with SPITTING at Swansea’s Ryan Manning by FA and faces six-game ban

    WATFORD midfielder Imran Louza has been charged with spitting at Swansea’s Ryan Manning during their Championship clash last week.The 23-year-old Moroccan international could face a six-game ban as punishment for the offence.
    Watford star Louza could be banned for up to six gamesCredit: Rex
    Louza came on 11 minutes into the second half of the second tier clash at home to Swansea on Wednesday evening.
    And the alleged incident is thought to have occurred during the lengthy stoppage time at the end of the game.
    More than 20 minutes of added time were played due to a delay caused by a problem with the officials’ equipment.
    With Watford trailing 2-1 in the dying moments, they had an appeal for a penalty denied which led tempers to flare.
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    It is believed that it was then where Swansea’s players claimed Louza spat at Manning.
    And the FA have now released a statement following the incident.
    It read: “Watford FC’s Imran Louza has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E1.1 following their EFL Championship game against Swansea City FC on Wednesday 5 October 2022.
    “It is alleged that the midfielder spat at an opposing player towards the end of this fixture, and he has until Thursday 13 October 2022 to provide a response.”
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    Watford have been in poor form in recent weeks – with manager Rob Edwards sacked at the end of last month and replaced by Slaven Bilic.
    They have won just one of their last six games and endured a second successive defeat away at Blackpool on Saturday.
    As a result, Watford sit 12th in the Championship table, four points adrift of the play-offs and six points above the relegation zone. More

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    Man Utd star Amad Diallo forced to play for Sunderland Under-21s as £37m winger struggles to make impact on loan

    MANCHESTER UNITED loanee Amad Diallo was in action for Sunderland Under-21s last night as his loan struggles continued.The Ivorian joined the Red Devils from Atalanta for £37million in January 2021 but is yet to make an impact.
    Amad Diallo is yet to make an impact at SunderlandCredit: Rex
    Amad, 20, signed a one-year loan deal with Sunderland on transfer deadline day.
    But he has since managed just one start and five substitute appearances for Tony Mowbray’s side – and is yet to register a goal or an assist.
    In a bid to get Amad more match sharp, the Black Cats dropped him down to their Under-21s side for last night’s PL2 clash with Leeds United.
    But it didn’t seem to do the trick, with the Whites running out 1-0 winners, despite Amad playing the full 90 minutes.
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    The winning goal was scored by Wilfried Gnonto – who is a six-cap Italy international but curiously hasn’t cracked Leeds’ first-team yet.
    Amad also had a somewhat underwhelming spell on loan at Rangers during the second half of last season.
    He wasn’t used at all by boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst in their incredible run to the Europa League final.
    Overall he managed 13 appearances for Rangers, scoring three times.
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    After returning from Scotland, Amad did travel on Man United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, having the chance to impress Erik ten Hag.
    He also scored in the Old Trafford friendly 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano.
    Amad has made nine competitive appearances in total for the Red Devils, scoring once.
    His latest loan spell has some United fans concerned.
    One wrote on social media: “If Amad doesn’t score here then I’m finished.”
    Another added: “Amad Diallo playing for Sunderland academy Wtf.”
    He needs to find a better end productTony MowbraySunderland Manager
    Asked about Amad last week, Black Cats boss Mowbray said: “He’s just a young boy really, but he’s supremely talented.
    “To see his touch, and see how fast and direct he is, it’s a lovely thing to watch on the training pitch.
    “You see how talented he is, and you can see why he’s at Man United, but you can also understand why he’s out on loan, to develop the core materials you need to be a competitive footballer.
    “He needs to find a better end product. He has all this soft, lovely feet and brilliant skills, but he needs to shoot when he gets in the box.
    “When he sees the goal, he needs to shoot, and he needs to add goals and assists to his name.
    “It’s not enough just to be a lovely footballer who can dribble and go past people, but never have an end product.
    “That’s the message, yet it’s not a simple one.
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    “You have to keep repeating it to him all the time – we have to drill into him that we want him to shoot and get in the box.
    “Can he score a scruffy goal, can he get a rebound off the goalie? We have to get him into those positions, but when it all clicks for him, he’s going to be some footballer because he’s got every attribute you want.”
    Amad, 20, scored for Man United in pre seasonCredit: Reuters
    The Ivorian spent the second half of last season at RangersCredit: Willie Vass More

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    Fans all say the same thing as Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa play out bore draw to remain in relegation trouble

    MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL fans were all saying the same thing after watching Nottingham Forest’s draw with Aston Villa.Emmanuel Dennis gave the hosts the dream start after quarter of an hour as he headed home Morgan Gibbs-White’s free-kick.
    Viewers were quick to slam the quality on display in Forest’s draw with Aston VillaCredit: Rex
    But a rocket from Ashley Young just seven minutes later from 25 yards levelled the scores.
    Despite the exciting start, the match soon dipped and eventually ended with Forest being held by Villa to a 1-1 draw.
    And those that tuned into Sky Sports to watch the action were soon taking to Twitter afterwards to slam the quality that they had seen.
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    One viewer wrote: “Nobody can convince me that Forest Villa game wasn’t a Championship play off semi-final, first leg. Just awful football teams.”
    Another tweeted: “That Forest Villa game was Championship standard at the absolute most!”
    A fellow fan commented: “Villa vs Forest was a championship game.”
    And another said: “Truly awful standard Forest v Villa poor Championship standard tbf.”
    However, a fellow fan claimed: “Villa and Forest are so bad, it’s disrespectful to even call them Championship level.”
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    The result ended a run of five consecutive defeats for Steve Cooper’s side.
    Forest have now moved up to 19th in the Premier League table, a point above Leicester.
    They sit four behind Steven Gerrard’s Villa who remain 16th. More