Championship

OLLIE TANNER used to play alongside Arsenal star Bukayo Saka but ended up in non-league before being snapped up by Cardiff.And now the 22-year-old winger is hoping to repay the Bluebirds’ faith by helping them avoid relegation into League One.Ollie Tanner is hoping to keep Cardiff in the ChampionshipCredit: GettyThe winger dropped down to non-league after coming through at ArsenalCardiff travel to QPR this afternoon sitting third from bottom after Derby beat Preston on Wednesday night to dump the Welsh side into the drop zone.Tanner is enjoying his second full season playing Championship football. And he is in no mood to fall back down a division.He said: “We shouldn’t be in this position but we must get ourselves out of it. Cardiff should be a club challenging for promotion to the Premier League where it belongs — not fighting relegation.“Some games this season, we’ve been unlucky. But other times we’ve not been good enough.READ MORE ON ARSENAL“Conceding poor goals has been a problem a lot of the time and it’s our own doing.“We work so hard to create and score goals then concede easy ones.“It’s the most frustrating thing. We are where we are and we must correct that, stop letting them in and score more. It’s the basics.”Tanner is mentally tough for the fight ahead.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates He experienced the glamour of being at Arsenal and the hard yards of slugging it out in non-league with the likes of Bromley, Folkestone and Lewes.The winger played alongside Saka in the Gunners’ youth team during his six years with the North Londoners.The football boot customiser who’s scoring BIG with the game’s biggest stars are | Football FixersHe said: “Saka was unbelievable — right from the first game I played with him.“He was always the one that was going to the top. It was a great education at Arsenal but being released by them wasn’t easy.“I ended up in non-league and that taught me a lot. It’s so easy to lose your way.“You either sink or swim. Thankfully, I swam.“I found a club in Lewes, who were playing in the Isthmian Premier, and a manager in Tony Russell and his assistant Joe Vines who helped me massively.“They are a big reason I’m now playing in the Championship.”Tanner signed from Lewes three years ago and had a tough first season where he had to not only adapt to training full-time rather than part-time but also cope with a five-division leap.He added: “There were lots of things where I had to sharpen up but I’ve got there now.Read More on The Sun“It’s a hard division but I’ve got lots of games under my belt. “All focus now is on staying up.”Tanner played with Bukayo Saka in the Arsenal academyCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

SAM ALLARDYCE has revealed he dropped Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier “straight away” as persisting with him was “harmful”.The veteran boss was given the job for the club’s final four Premier League games of the 2022/23 season in a desperate attempt to avoid relegation.Sam Allardyce has opened up on his decision to drop Illan MeslierCredit: No Tippy Tappy FootballMeslier has made several high-profile mistakes this seasonCredit: RexBig Sam failed to keep the club up, picking up just one point during his brief stint in charge.But his first action after being appointed was to drop under-fire Meslier for back-up stopper Joel Robles for the end of season run-in.The Frenchman had made several high-profile errors – just as he has done this season as Leeds push for promotion back to the Prem.On axing him, Allardyce told Footy Accumulators’ No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast: “I dropped him? I never gave him a game. I dropped him straight away.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I had watched the previous games and I spoke to quite a few people who had been at Leeds watching him quite a lot and the first thing they said is ‘he’s a great goalkeeper, but he is having a crisis at the moment’.”We all know the two most important people are your goalscorer and goalkeeper, so he went out of the team straight away.”He did not take it well, not that it really bothers me. A bit of sulking. When you go in as a manager because you have to make these decisions.”But it had to be done, he looked nervous when he was the mainstay, it looked like it was harming him. It looked like it was going to make him worse, leaving him in even if he was going to be disappointed to be out.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMeslier has made three errors directly leading to goals this season, which is the joint-second highest number in the Championship.Leeds fans have also questioned him on several other goals they have conceded and he came under intense criticism for two he let in last Saturday in a 2-2 draw to Swansea. New Leeds boss Sam Allardyce halts press conference and fines journalist for embarrassing gaffeThe pressure has finally told and boss Daniel Farke has decided to drop him for this weekend’s trip to Luton.He confirmed “I have taken my decision and spoken to the goalkeepers, Karl Darlow will play Saturday.”It’s been important that we had clarity early in the week, so Karl could concentrate on this.”Ex-Newcastle keeper Darlow has not played for Leeds in the league since December 2023.Karl Darlow is set to replace Meslier for the run-inCredit: Getty More

A DERBY County star has set an unwanted record after playing against Preston.The Rams won 2-0 to climb out of the Championship relegation zone.Ryan Nyambe broke an unwanted record against PrestonCredit: GettyThey have won four matches in a row under John Eustace, who has transformed the team’s fortunes since being appointed in February.However there was one sour note to their victory over Preston as Ryan Nyambe was forced off after just four minutes.The right-back suffered a hamstring injury, having already missed three months of action earlier in the season after tearing his knee ligaments.To add insult to injury, Nyambe’s short-lived run-out against Preston means he broke an unwanted record.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 27-year-old has now failed to find the net a single time in 202 Championship appearances – no outfield player has managed more.After the match Eustance described losing Nyambe to injury as a “blow”.He said: “It’s a shame for Ryan. He’s had a bad time with injuries since we’ve come in.“He’s trained really well for the last couple of weeks, looked sharp coming into the game, so losing him after two minutes is a big blow.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“We’ll have to see how he is tomorrow after the scan. It’s his hamstring, so hopefully it won’t be as bad as we think, but we wait and see.”Nyambe signed for Derby 18 months ago and helped them win promotion from League One last season.Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline loomsHe has played just 17 times for Derby in the second tier this campaign, with the rest of his Championship games coming for Blackburn Rovers and Wigan. More

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY fans have demanded owner Dejphon Chansiri “sell the club” after players were not paid on time.The Championship side confirmed “a temporary issue” meant stars have not yet received their wages for March. Sheffield Wednesday’s players have not received their wages for MarchCredit: RexThe club confirmed a “temporary” issue meant wages had not reached their starsCredit: AlamyOwner Dejphon Chansiri has been met with fan protests in recent yearsCredit: GettyWednesday fans have demanded the Thai businessman sell the clubCredit: GettyChansiri headed up a Thai consortium which bought Wednesday from ex-chairman Milan Mandaric in January 2015.His tenure began with back-to-back Championship playoff appearances but has since been dogged by financial issues off the field. Protests were held at the recent Yorkshire derby against Leeds by the 1867 Group against Chansiri’s ownership.After news broke on Monday of unpaid wages for March, a statement from the club read: “Sheffield Wednesday can confirm a temporary issue with the payment of player salaries for the month of March.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”This has occurred as a result of significant sums of money owed to the chairman’s businesses which has in turn impacted on the club’s immediate cashflow.”The chairman is working hard to resolve this situation at the earliest possible opportunity and in the meantime thanks everyone for their patience and understanding.”Chansiri’s family controls the Thai Union Group, the world’s largest producer of canned tuna.Fans flocked onto social media, with many urging the Thai businessman to sell. Most read in FootballOne supporter fumed on X: “You don’t need an MBA to know what’s playing out down at Hillsborough. Another embarrassing chapter under Dejphon Chansiri’s ownership. Please sell the club.”Another said: “Chansiri couldn’t run a bath!! He needs to sell now before we end up like Reading.”Fan confronts stewards armed with CORNER FLAG as Sheffield Wednesday fans invade pitch after all-but avoiding relegationWhile a third added: “Completely unacceptable & it’s not the first time is it? Chansiri is damaging Sheffield Wednesday yet again – not fit or proper to be leading our Club. In the best interests of @swfc SELL THE CLUB.”Wednesday have enjoyed a strong season in the Championship, despite issues off the field.Boss Danny Rohl has proved a revelation since joining in 2023. And Southampton are set to swoop in the summer for the in-demand German. The Owls are on course for a top-half finish and could yet manufacture a late-season playoff push.They currently sit 12th in the table, five points off the top-six. Read More on The SunLast month, SunSport exclusively revealed former Wigan owner Talal Al Hammad had looked into acquiring the club.Wednesday, four-time league champions and three-time FA Cup winners, haven’t been in the top flight in 25 years. More

A CARDIFF CITY star paid tribute to his brother who sadly died.Andy Rinomhota’s sibling Joseph Itai Rinomhota, 30, passed away after taking a kick to the ribs in his first-ever Muay Thai match in Thailand. Cardiff City player Andy Rinomhota spoke out after his brother Joseph Itai died after a Muay Thai boxing matchCredit: Andy RinomhotaRinomhota plays for Cardiff City in the ChampionshipCredit: GettyJoseph was making his debut in the sport when he received the kick to his ribsCredit: Andy RinomhotaRinomhota, 27, shared a heartbreaking Instagram post paying tribute to his older brother. He wrote: “Nothing could’ve prepared me for what’s happened and no words or pictures are going to be enough to show or express the love I have and will always have for you my brother. “I’m hoping this will help to heal the pain even if only slightly. “You were the most driven and positive-minded person I know, always pushing for more and never settling for the minimum, always looking for that next thing to try and achieve. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”You lived life to the fullest and I know you’d have no regrets even now. “As a brother, they don’t come better than you, caring, kind, supportive, the list is endless, you always looked after me in every way possible and I should’ve told you more just how much that meant to me. “‘Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday’ – I know you’ll continue to watch over me and provide me with the strength and love you always have. “You’ll be with me doing the things we had planned to do together, you will always be in my heart and never forgotten.Most read in Football”Rest in peace Joe.”Andy also shared a collection of photos of his brother throughout the years – including as young children, on holidays, doing activities like indoor skydiving and a selfie sent from Thailand before the fateful events.The final image is a screenshot of Andy’s text to Joseph before he stepped in the ring.It read: “Not sure what time fight is but good luck again! Know you’ll smash it my guy.”Joseph was competing in the Samui International Muay Thai Stadium on the popular tourist island of Koh Samu on Friday. The fight, which kicked off at 9.30pm local time, was stopped by the referee in the third round after the Brit was reportedly kicked in the right side of his rib cage, local outlet Khaosod English reported.He managed to leave the ring and took off his gloves, but suddenly became unwell while unwrapping his hand bandages.Witnesses said he began experiencing muscle tension, struggled to breathe, and his eyes began rolling.Though still conscious, he collapsed shortly afterwards, with his heart said to have stopped.The Brit’s trainer desperately performed CPR until emergency services rushed him to Thai International Hospital, less than two miles from the venue.But despite medics’ efforts, he was pronounced dead at 11pm local time.Read More on The SunZimbabwe international midfielder Rinomhota joined Cardiff in 2022 having come through at AFC Portchester.The Leeds-born star signed for Reading in 2015 and came through to make 139 first-team appearances before the switch to South Wales. Andy shared a series of photos of Joe through the yearsCredit: Andy RinomhotaAndy said ‘nothing could prepare’ him for the devastationCredit: Andy RinomhotaThe brothers clearly had a strong bondCredit: Andy RinomhotaJoseph passed away after he could not be revived in ThailandCredit: Andy RinomhotaHe sent this message before the fateful fightCredit: Andy Rinomhota More

DERBY starlet Morten Lunde Spencer has been forced into an early retirement after being diagnosed with a heart condition at just 21 years old.He announced the decision this week in an emotional Instagram post accompanied by a slideshow of black-and-white photos from his career, in which he said he was ‘heartbroken’ to be sharing the news.Morten Lunde Spencer was a promising young talentCredit: Rex FeaturesA central midfielder, Spencer was known for his passing abilityCredit: Rex FeaturesThere has been a huge outpouring of support for SpencerCredit: Rex FeaturesSpencer wrote: “I will be retiring from professional football due to a cardiac problem I can’t carry on with.”All I’ve ever known is to kick a ball and I have learnt everything from the game. I am thankful and proud of what I have achieved.”I will never forget the memories I have created along an amazing journey. Football is in my DNA and I will continue to support everyine who helped me along the way.”Spencer, a central midfielder, played his first academy matches for Sunderland before moving to Leeds United in 2019 and later to Derby County in 2024, where he featured regularly for the u21s.Read more footballThe Darlington native joined his first team, Marton FC, at just 4 years old.He has also been a regular in England youth setups, receiving his first call up at U15 level before switching allegiance to Norway.Tending to sit deep in midfield, fans regarded him as a ‘maestro’, with strong positional awareness and ability to use both feet. He had been tipped to break through into the Leeds first team, an opportunity which would not materialise.Most read in FootballVarious teammates of Spencer’s have sent messages of support following the news including Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray.The pair played together at Leeds’ academy, with the Spurs midfielder writing: “All the best mate.”Bizarre moment SEAGULL helps EFL club with ‘great flick on’ after being hit by ball in League Two clashSpencer was a standout talent in his academy days.Credit: Facebook – Morten SpencerIan Harte, who made over 200 league appearances for Leeds between 1996 and 2004, added: “Gutted for you Morten! Stay strong.”West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville, who moved to East London from Leeds last year, added a heart emoji and a pair of praying hands, while countless other players and fans added their support to the chorus.Among them was his mother, Heidi, who wrote: “Couldn’t be more proud of you, now and forever.”Speaking to Teesside Live when he earned his first England callup, Heidi gushed about her son’s accomplishments.She said: “We’re all so proud and excited that he’s been called up. He started kicking a ball when he was about two years old.” More