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      New Wales boss Craig Bellamy names Aaron Ramsey as captain before hailing Liverpool teen star Lewis Koumas

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      AARON RAMSEY will remain Wales captain but has been told to inspire Liverpool whizkid Lewis Koumas.New Dragons boss Craig Bellamy named his first squad on Wednesday with Ramsey leading a 24-man party into next month’s Nations League ties with Turkey and Montenegro.Craig Bellamy named his first Wales squad on the outskirts of Cardiff on Wednesday morningCredit: GettyLewis Koumas, 18, is in the squad and has scored two goals in his last two games for Stoke on loan from LiverpoolCredit: AlamyBellamy is adamant Cardiff midfield star Ramsey, 33, who has not played for Wales in almost a year, can make a positive impact on the likes of Stoke loanee Koumas, 18.Rambo has suffered a series of injuries since his last international against Latvia in September 2023.The 84-cap ace missed the summer friendlies with Gibraltar and Slovakia.But he has completed 90 minutes in each of Cardiff’s three opening Championship matches this season.read more in footballBellamy said: “He will be captain. I didn’t see any reason to change that for the time being. “I understand the role of the captaincy as I was captain for Wales through all the age groups and into the senior team.”I’m aware of what he’s doing, his training programmes. You can’t doubt his quality.  “We’re talking about one of the best players to ever play for Wales. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”A player that’s represented Arsenal, he’s won cups, played in a World Cup, gone to Juventus and his experience with Nice. “Young players are aspiring to be him and he can help them with that.The Sun’s Shaun Custis and Martin Lipton break down the new changes for the UEFA Champions League format for 2024/25″If you watch his attitude and the details of what he does, that’s what has allowed him to play at a top level for so long. “That’s great to have around. He’s still got football in him.”Ramsey recovered from a horrific leg break after a shocking challenge by Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross in 2010 to play at three major tournaments for Wales and the next target is the 2026 World Cup. Bellamy, who kicks off his reign against the Turks in Cardiff a week on Friday, added: “He was able to come back from that and for what he has achieved in his career tells me he is mentally strong.”He still has a lot to offer and the way we want to play will help him a lot and be perfect for him. I still see a  good footballer.”Koumas, the son of ex-Wales midfielder Jason, is on loan at Stoke from Arne Slot’s Reds. The teen striker made his international bow in the friendly double-header in June, ex-boss Robert Page’s final matches in charge.The two-cap ace scored against West Brom in the league last Saturday as well as Tuesday’s 5-0 Carabao Cup win at Middlesbrough.Bellamy added: “I’ve got young Lewis who wants to become one of the top players. He’s just unbelievable to watch. “He’s fearless and I love that type of profile and player.”His father was incredible but I hope his attitude is better and he takes himself more seriously. “Every time he gets the ball then something positive happens. They are the players you love to coach.”I’m sure he would have looked up to Aaron for a number of years.”Now he gets to see what elite really looks like and I’d like to believe that will develop him quicker. He gets to see his actions, hear him talk and get certain information. “I was lucky I had Mark Hughes, Gary Speed, senior players who I had admired from afar, I caught the end of Ian Rush, who was my hero. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I was able to pick up little bits and see what a serious player was. It benefitted me.”Wales squadDanny Ward, Adam Davies, Karl DarlowBen Davies, Owen Beck, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ben Cabango, Neco Williams, Connor RobertsJordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Josh Sheehan, Aaron Ramsey, Ollie Cooper, Sorba ThomasKieffer Moore, Lewis Koumas, Brennan Johnson, Harry Wilson, Daniel James, Mark Harris, Liam Cullen, Rabbi Matondo More

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      Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz just one game away from Premier League’s most embarrassing record

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      BEN BRERETON DIAZ is just one game away from setting the Premier League’s most embarrassing record.The Chilean striker was a star in the Championship with Blackburn, but he has been unable to recreate that form in England’s top-flight.Ben Brereton Díaz has not won in the Premier League in 16 attemptsCredit: GettyHis run started during his loan spell at Sheffield United last termCredit: RexMarvin Sordell holds the record of 17 top-flight games without a winCredit: PA:Empics SportBrereton Diaz, 25, has played 16 games in the Premier League across spells with Sheffield United and current side Southampton.He joined the Blades on loan from Villarreal last season but did not win a single match.In the 14 games he played for the Yorkshire side he scored six goals but lost ten and drew four.His individual form earned him a summer transfer to newly-promoted Southampton.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHowever, a fresh start has not improved his results on the pitch, having ended on the losing side in both games so far this season.Southampton were beaten by 10-men Newcastle in their first game before losing to Nottingham Forest.This means that Brereton Diaz has not won a game in the Premier League in 16 attempts.Only Marvin Sordell went longer before tasting victory, as he went 17 without a win.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe lost 13 of his first 17 fixtures in the top-flight and only avoided defeat in four matches.Sordell’s run went across spells with Bolton and Burnley, but he never played in a game that ended in victory.’Ben Brereton Diaz is a disgrace and should face charge with Schar’ | The Whistleblower, Mark HalseyEvery Prem match Brereton Diaz has played inHere is a look at the results of Premier League games invlving Ben Brereton Diaz…Sheffield United 2-2 West Ham UnitedCrystal Palace 3-2 Sheffield United Sheffield United 0-5 Aston Villa Bournemouth 2-2 Sheffield UnitedSheffield United 2-2 Fulham Liverpool 3-1 Sheffield United Sheffield United 2-2 Chelsea Brentford 2-0 Sheffield United Sheffield United 1-4 Burnley Manchester United 4-2 Sheffield UnitedNewcastle 5-1 Sheffield UnitedSheffield United 1-3 Nottingham ForestEverton 1-0 Sheffield UnitedSheffield United 0-3 Tottenham HotspurNewcastle 1-0 SouthamptonSouthampton 0-1 Nottingham ForestNext match?Brentford vs SouthamptonBrereton Diaz has equalled the record set by ex-Derby County star Emanuel Villa.The Argentinian striker only played 16 games in the Premier League during the 2007/08 season but also never finished on the winning side.The Saints star will be hoping to put an end to the horror run in the next league match.Southampton travel to London to face Brentford on matchday three of the Premier League.The Bees beat Crystal Palace in their first match of the season before losing to Liverpool last time out.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Bungling Burnley academy manager quits after sending bombshell message slamming ‘mad’ and ‘lazy’ players to WRONG group

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      A BOSS at Burnley has resigned after providing a scathing assessment of the first-team – and accidentally sending it to the wrong WhatsApp group.Dave Longwell was appointed Burnley’s academy manager last November while former Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany was gaffer.David Longwell has stood down as Burnley’s academy boss after the blunderCredit: Burnley Football ClubBut he has been forced to step down after writing a warts and all document outlining the negative aspects of each player in new manager Scott Parker’s squad.The report – which appears to have been written for an agent – is also critical of Kompany, who left Burnley at the end of last season for Bayern Munich.Longwell starts his Burnley current squad ratings report saying: “This is not easy to number as so many subjective parts re – what they cost, current injury, age, etc.“There are so many players as well as Vinny signed a lot in the Champ then more when promoted to the Prem and then as struggling more again in January and then more again in the summer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Big issue they can’t get players out for the finance they spent and it’s been left a mess with that many players and Vinny who signed them left.”He then goes through each of the 37 players and gives his view of them.While goalkeeper James Trafford – a £19m signing from Manchester City – and midfielders Josh Brownhill and Josh Cullen are given rave reviews, others are not so fortunate.Longwell slams one star as “lazy/not good attitude” before saying the club should not have kept him when they received an offer from another team.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe goes on to call a different player a “big waste of money” and he hits out at his team-mate, labelling him “miles off it in the Premier League and too weak for England.”His brutal report continued as he described three other stars as having a “strange athletic shape”, “rubbish” and a “disaster – mad guy”.Bungling Burnley academy manager quits after sending bombshell message slamming ‘mad’ and ‘lazy’ players to WRONG groupA source said: “He wrote this report which was pretty scathing about quite a few of the first-team.“It looks like it was written for an agent because there was a lot of detail about how much he thought each player was worth.“He sent it on WhatsApp but sent it to the Under-21 players so the first-team and the manager found out.“It is a pretty indiscreet document so I believe he was hauled in and the only available outcome was that he would leave the club.”On Monday, Paul Jenkins, Burnley’s director of football development, wrote to all parents of academy players to confirm the club had accepted Longwell’s resignation.He previously worked as academy manager at Shrewsbury Town and Scottish side St Mirren.He also worked in a similar role for US club Orlando City before moving to New York Red Bulls prior to moving back to the UK in 2019.When he was unveiled in his role at Turf Moor, Longwell said: “I look forward to building on the club’s rich tradition of developing young talents and contributing to its future success. “Together with the dedicated academy staff, we will grow and nurture the next generation of football stars at Burnley.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBurnley, who were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, are fifth in the Championship having won two of their first three games under Parker, losing the other.The club was contacted for comment. More

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      I dated football star for 2 YEARS before his ‘mask dropped’ when I fell pregnant – I can’t afford clothes for our boy

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      A WOMAN who dated a football star for two years says his “mask dropped” when she fell pregnant – claiming she now can’t afford clothes for their son.The struggling mum told how the married player paid her just £8 a month for maintenance.A football star paid a struggling ex-girlfriend £8-a-month maintenance payments — leaving her to raise their son on Pot Noodles (stock image)Credit: GettyShe claimed he hid his assets to make sure he qualified for nil rate child support.The woman dated the player for two years before she became pregnant.She said: “The mask fell. He said, ‘You can’t be pregnant, I’m married’. I was stunned.”The mum claims the former Championship player owes hundreds of thousands for the upkeep of their boy, now 14.Read More SportShe says records show he earns less than £7 a week.The girlfriend said: “My son has had to eat £1.80 packet noodles for dinner on really hard days. “He once asked me for an ice cream, I couldn’t afford it. It broke my heart.“He’s had to wear clothes that are too small. He wanted to go to boxing and basketball.Most read in Football”But I can’t afford the fees. Anything I earn goes towards him and my house.”She says she foolishly accepted the ex-player’s offer of £10,000 not to take their finance row to a tribunal.She added: “But I expected the basic child maintenance to continue, which to my surprise was abruptly stopped.”Officials tell me their records show he is earning less than £7 a week, so he can send what he wants.”He comes across as a jovial guy. His hypocrisy is jaw-dropping.” More

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      Football ace paying struggling ex just £8 a MONTH child maintenance leaving her to raise son on Pot Noodles

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      A FOOTBALL star paid a struggling ex-girlfriend £8-a-month maintenance payments — leaving her to raise their son on Pot Noodles.The ex-player, a regular on TV, radio and computer games, hid his assets, she alleges, to make sure he was adjudged to qualify for nil rate child support.A football star paid a struggling ex-girlfriend £8-a-month maintenance payments — leaving her to raise their son on Pot Noodles (stock image)Credit: GettyShe claims the player, who spent part of his more than 20-year career in the Championship, owes hundreds of thousands for the upkeep of their boy, now 14. She says records show he earns less than £7 a week.The girlfriend said: “My son has had to eat £1.80 packet noodles for dinner on really hard days. He once asked me for an ice cream, I couldn’t afford it. It broke my heart.“He’s had to wear clothes that are too small. He wanted to go to boxing and basketball but I can’t afford the fees. Anything I earn goes towards him and my house.”Read More on SportThe couple dated for two years before she became pregnant.She said: “The mask fell. He said, ‘You can’t be pregnant, I’m married’. I was stunned.”She says she foolishly accepted the ex-player’s offer of £10,000 not to take their finance row to a tribunal.She added: “But I expected the basic child maintenance to continue, which to my surprise was abruptly stopped. Most read in Football”Officials tell me their records show he is earning less than £7 a week, so he can send what he wants. “He comes across as a jovial guy. His hypocrisy is jaw-dropping.” More

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      Watch Leeds fan fall through advertising hoarding while scoffing a pie as Championship is branded ‘best league in world’

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      A LEEDS fan was left pie-faced after falling over the advertising board while celebrating a goal.Leeds emerged as 2-0 victors while visiting Sheffield Wednesday on Friday.A Leeds fan was seen celebrating Dan James’ goal with a pie in handCredit: X formerly Twitter / @SkyFootballThe fan was seen clutching the pie as he joined in the celebrationsCredit: X formerly Twitter / @SkyFootballHe was then pushed forward and fell over the advertising boardCredit: X formerly Twitter / @SkyFootballBut the fan managed to keep hold of their pieCredit: GettyGoals from Brenden Aaronson and Dan James either side of half-time left the travelling Whites fans elated.But one supporter in particular got caught up in the celebrations of the second.As James went over to the away fans to celebrate his goal, one man was seen holding on to a pie as he was squashed in the crowd.He then ended up falling over the advertising boards.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, it was then revealed he had managed to keep his pie from falling on to the floor.Fans watching the game from home rushed to social media to comment on the hilarious incident.One fan said: “Absolute cinema for that 2nd Leeds goal there. Bald bloke with a pie, dives into the celebrations, falls over the advertising hoarding, takes a big bite of the pie whilst horizontal. “The Championship is the best league in the world.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA second said: “In the last few days I have seen a cricket fan catch a ball without spilling his pint and a Leeds fan celebrate without losing his pie. In both cases; the very best of British.”A third said: “A Leeds United fan manages to hold onto his pie as he falls through the LED advertising boards.”A fourth added: “No other sport like it..: Leeds score.. Man keeps his pie from safety of the celebrations.. Falls over the advertising board and has a bite of his pie… Football is back…”During their post-match analysis, Sky Sports also spotted the fan and dedicated part of their analysis to the pie-wielding supporter. More

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      Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth concede just THREE MINUTES into QPR clash as fans lay into Man Utd legend

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      WAYNE ROONEY’S nightmare start as Plymouth boss continued when his side conceded after just THREE minutes.Rooney, 38, took on the Argyle job in the summer but kicked off the Championship season with a thumping 4-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.Plymouth conceded after just three minutes to pile the pressure on Wayne RooneyCredit: RexRooney is fighting to get his Pilgrims side ticking this seasonCredit: PAThat was followed by a 1-1 draw at home to Hull last Saturday but they began in the worst way possible at QPR this lunchtime.Plymouth switched off from a corner as Michael Frey headed the Hoops into an early lead – just days after training footage showed the ex-England captain could do a job in midfield for the Pilgrims. And that sparked a furious reaction from supporters – with some even calling for the Manchester United legend’s head already.One said: “Rooney is getting fired before Christmas.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnother wrote: “QPR scoring within the first three minutes of the game, yeah Rooney isn’t going to last very long.”A third added: “Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth looking like they could be the closest thing to ‘down by Christmas’ that the Championship has ever seen.”A fourth commented: “Four minutes in and Plymouth could be 3-0 down. Rooney is so out of his depth.”A fifth replied: “Deary me. Wayne’s better off beating the traffic now, he’ll be sacked anyway.”Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSA sixth joked: “Wazza the magician.”A seventh raged: “I’ll be surprised if we pick up a point away this season.”Aberdeen star Topi Keskinen shows off bizarre Wayne Rooney tattoo And a final user fumed: “Rooney out.”However, 25 minutes later, Morgan Whittaker did produce a stunning strike from range to blast home and get Plymouth back on level terms.But 76 seconds later, Adam Forshaw inexplicably slid in and picked up his second yellow card to reduce Rooney’s side to ten men with more than an hour left on the clock.Plymouth ended the game with nine players after substitute Frederick Habib Yambapou Issaka also saw red in injury time.But Rooney’s side clung on for a crucial point – despite having just one shot on target to QPR’s ten from their 30 attempts.Frey toasts his early goal at Loftus RoadCredit: RexAdam Forshaw saw red in the first half for two cynical yellow cardsCredit: Rex More

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      Premier League and EFL tips this weekend including acca, Saturday banker and 57/1 longshot

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      SUNSPORT tipster Craig Mahood takes a deep dive into this weekend’s English football, now that the competitions are up and running in full swing! Amongst the tips and predictions is a special 17/1 accumulator, best Saturday single bet and a whopping 57/1 longshot treble attempt for those that like one at big odds!Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles herePremier League and EFL tips this weekend including single, acca and huge longshotWilliam Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*The 5-fold acca – back it with William HillIt’s a 17/1 five-fold for punters this week and we start in the top flight with FULHAM (5/6) who host Leicester City.The Cottagers went down narrowly – and late – at Old Trafford last week to kick-off the new Premier League season but looked a really good outfit for much of that contest.More new additions this week have them looking in a much stronger position following the window and they’re fancied to get on the board for the season against a Leicester side who were outplayed for the majority of the game with Spurs on Monday, nicking an equaliser in the second half.LUTON TOWN (5/4) make the trip north to face a Preston side who appear all over the place at the moment.North End are now onto their THIRD manager of the season in Paul Heckingbottom, who hasn’t had much time to put his ideas across and takes over a side yet to score in the league. Luton haven’t started well themselves but can capitalise on the whirlwind off the park at Deepdale.How to claim William Hill’s new customer offerWilliam Hill £60 welcome bonusVisit the William Hill website HERE*Register an account using the Promo Code: T60Once your account is registered, click ‘opt in’ on the ‘Vegas Promotion’ pageDeposit a minimum of £10 in your main account to receive a £20 Vegas Bonus for use on Selected GamesThen place a bet with a minimum stake of £10 at odds of 1/2 or greater on any football marketOnce that’s settled, your account will be credited with £40 in free betsWilliam Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Sticking in the Championship, WATFORD (19/20) have scored 11 goals in their last three games and are one of three sides with a 100% record in the division.They host Derby who had a good result at home to Middlesbrough last time out but the Hornets should have enough on early season form to make it three from three.HUDDERSFIELD (4/9) are another side with two wins from two – after a strong pre-season – and in England’s third tier they host Shrewsbury who sit bottom after two games.And CHESTERFIELD (8/13) round-off the acca as they host Salford in League Two, having thumped Crewe 5-0 last time out and beating Man City U21s on penalties in the cup in midweek. Salford have one point and no goals to their name after two.Saturday English football accaBack with William HillFULHAM vs LeicesterPreston vs LUTONWATFORD vs DerbyHUDDERSFIELD vs ShrewsburyCHESTERFIELD vs SalfordBack all five to win at 17/1 with William Hill HERE*William Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Saturday singleThere’s plenty of tight games across the country on Saturday, with plenty of odds-against home sides.But we’re going with the shortest price team on the coupon this weekend and Manchester City at home to Ipswich.The Premier League new boys were great in the first half against Liverpool, going in goalless at half time.And while they only lost two goals in the second half, it could quite easily have been five or six and ruthless Manchester City won’t let those chances pass.Man City to score over 3.5 goals at 6/5 with William Hill – CLAIM HERELongshotFor this one, we’re on the hunt for a bit of a bigger price and have selected a BTTS & win treble.It starts with Crystal Palace who host West Ham, with both sides on the end of a defeat in their opening game – though did score when doing so.This looks a tight game on paper but Crystal Palace have won four of the last five meetings with the Hammers – with both teams scoring in all four – and the other game was a 1-1 draw.Wrexham host Reading in a tasty League One fixture with the Hollywood side usually a good bet for a BTTS pick (ignoring last week) and can get the edge over a Reading side who look like being up there for promotion come the end of the season.And finally, Newport host Accrington with both sides scoring in all four of the games involving those teams in the league so far.Newport were good 3-1 winners over Doncaster last time, with Accrington registering just one point so far.Crystal Palace, Wrexham and Newport all to win & both teams to score in each game at 59/1 with William Hill – CLAIM HEREWilliam Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk*18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. More