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      Sunderland’s billionaire owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus planning £60m transfer spree if Black Cats go up to Championship

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      BLACK CATS owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is itching to spend if they go up.Contacts close to Louis-Dreyfus in France reveal that he has earmarked £60million for new faces for Sunderland.
      Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is planning a huge transfer spree if Sunderland get promotedCredit: Rex
      But that cash will NOT be spent all at once.
      The 23-year-old vowed to rebuild Sunderland earlier this year after slamming his predecessors for “asset-stripping” the League One club.
      Heir to an estimated £4billion fortune, the new Black Cats owner acquired a majority stake from Stewart Donald back in February.
      The Swiss said: “It is a fresh start.
      “It has been many years now where the club had no real long-term vision and also cost-cutting at its forefront, which basically led to an asset-stripping in almost all departments, which required rebuilding from the start.
      “It will be a long-term plan – hopefully we can take it forward together and bring better times to the club.”
      On the pitch, Sunderland continued their march to promotion as they came from behind to beat Oxford 3-1 ahead of the crunch trip to Peterborough.
      Lee Johnson’s men stretched their unbeaten run to 11 as Lynden Gooch, AIden McGeady and Max Power struck after James Henry’s opener.

      That left them two points behind with a game in hand against second-placed Posh going into the Easter Monday showdown.
      Johnson said: “It’s a huge three points against a very good side. We got the goal at a great time.”
      And on Peterborough, he added: “It’s an opportunity for three points and there’s still much to play for.”
      Sunderland takeover confirmed by EFL as billionaire heir Kyril Louis-Dreyfus promises new era for Black Cats More

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      Sunderland 3 Oxford 1: Gooch, McGeady & Power stretch unbeaten run as fuming U’s boss Robinson is sent to the stands

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      SUNDERLAND continued their march to promotion as they came from behind to beat Oxford 3-1 ahead of the crunch trip to Peterborough.Lee Johnson’s men stretched their unbeaten run in League One to 11 as Lynden Gooch, AIden McGeady and Max Power struck after James Henry’s opener.
      Aiden McGready rifles Sunderland into a 2-1 lead against OxfordCredit: Getty
      James Henry is mobbed by his team-mates after firing Oxford aheadCredit: Getty
      Lynden Gooch celebrates after he drew Sunderland moments before the breakCredit: Getty
      That left them two points behind with a game in hand against second-placed Posh going into the Easter Monday showdown.
      Johnson said: “It’s a huge three points against a very good side. We got the goal at a great time.
      “Second half we took risks, particularly when they went down to ten men.
      “We managed the situation very well until the last few minutes. Then we got the break and got the third.
      And on Peterborough, he added: “It’s an opportunity for three points and there’s still much to play for.”
      Oxford took the lead on 21 minutes through Henry.
      The Black Cats clawed level seconds before the break thanks to trickery of Jordan Jones as he assisted for Gooch to get in front of his marker and prod home before a tunnel bust-up between both clubs staff and players at the break.
      The U’s had been the side during the first period, and they continued to cause the most threat until an end-to-end moment on 61 minutes proved key.
      BETTING SPECIAL: 40/1 ON A PENALTY FOR EITHER SIDE IN MAN UTD vs BRIGHTON

      Oxford were still offering a threat as Elliott Moore came close with a header but the numerical advantage soon started to take its toll.
      Sunderland’s Charlie Wyke was just about to pull the trigger but was denied by Hanson’s excellent last-ditch tackle.
      Instantly the action was up the other end, but Mark Sykes’ lunging attempt to get it caught Luke O’Nien and resulted in a second yellow card.
      Jones’ thumping strike from 20-yards cannoned off the bar as Johnson’s men pushed forward for a late winner.
      Towering Moore in particular was proving to be on a one-man mission to stop the Black Cats, but eventually the pressure proved too much.
      Karl Robinson was sent off following Sunderland’s second goalCredit: Getty
      Max Power celebrates his goal by sliding in front of the visiting Oxford benchCredit: Getty
      Sunderland caught Oxford napping with a quick but hotly-disputed free-kick after a foul on Chris Maguire by Cameron Brannagan.
      Gooch dribbled down the right of the area and pulled the ball back for McGeady to slot home from the edge of the box.
      Oxford boss Karl Robinson was raging and received his marching orders for his furious protests and was forced to watch on frustratingly as his team conceded a third at the death as Power finished off a counter before inciting things further by celebrating in front of the visiting bench.
      Robinson said: “It was a good game of football, spoiled by you know who. I don’t want to say his name.
      “We had a player down for that second goal. There was a duty of care to see if the player was injured, the man in the middle wanted to make it about him.
      “I’m frustrated because the players were excellent, even down to ten men.”
      Sunderland head to promotion rivals Peterborough next on Easter MondayCredit: Getty
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Sunderland takeover confirmed by EFL as billionaire heir Kyril Louis-Dreyfus promises new era for Black Cats More

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      Bolton boss Ian Evatt reveals inspirations behind his desire for success

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      IAN Evatt has revealed Bolton’s remarkable run is being fuelled by an American Football coach, the trainer to the most famous basketball player of all time and an Olympic rowing gold medallist.For their teachings and messages drive him – even when it comes to him walking and training his dog.
      Ian Evatt has revealed what he uses for inspiration as he looks to earn Bolton promotionCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Bolton boss has guided his side to 13 games unbeaten, including 11 wins, which has propelled them to the thick of League Two’s promotion race.
      But earlier in the season, many were wondering how long he would have left as Wanderers floundered near the bottom of the Football League.
      And at no time did what he has taken on board from others counted more.
      Evatt said: “I read books on leadership and mentality like The Score Takes Care Of Itself by Bill Walsh, Ben Hunt-Davis’ Will It Make The Boat Go Faster and Relentless by Michael Jordan’s fitness coach, Tim Grover.
      “I’ve learned a lot from them and the messaging from all is about trusting the process and believing in it.
      Bolton is a much happier place than it has been in recent years
      “Unless as a manager you thoroughly believe in your philosophy and style, how would you expect the players to believe in it?
      “The test of that is when things aren’t going right. You can adapt and tweak formations but the philosophy needs to remain the same.
      “It’s no good me coming in saying, ‘We want to be possession-based, we’re going to attack, we’re going to build from the back,’ the  after four bad results we end up smashing it and 4-4-2.
      “What message would that send to the players? It would mean I don’t believe in it myself. When times are good, when times are bad, you stay consistent.
      “I lost six in a row in my first year at Barrow, we had seven points from nine games in my second, I was the first Bolton manager to lose their first five competitive games.
      Evatt revealed one of the books he reads is by Michael Jordan’s fitness coach, Tim Grover
      “But when the players buy into what you’re doing, improvement comes.”
      Bolton may have gone 13 unbeaten but they are still fourth in League Two going into tomorrow’s clash with Colchester.
      But Evatt is adamant the mindset would be no different if they were third and in an automatic promotion place.
      He added: “The players are naturally going to look at the league table and results, they are human beings.
      “But if we can perform for the remainder of the season to our levels and win all nine games remaining, nobody can stop us.
      Bolton are currently 13 games unbeaten
      “People will probably say mentally it’s better to be the chaser than the leader but I don’t see it that way.
      “At Barrow, there was no change and it all comes down to behind the scenes. It’s about repetitive messaging, even though when I said this at the start of the season people probably thought I was an idiot.
      “But unless you believe you’re going to be the best at anything you do, for me there’s no point turning up. I can’t deal with mediocre or being average.
      “I want to be the best in everything I do, whether that’s walking my dog and having it trained better than everybody else’s.
      “The players have to have that same attitude when it comes to football.” More

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      When are the EFL playoffs? Dates, kick-off times and TV channels for Championship, League One and League Two

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      THE EFL season has reached its business end with promotion battles taking shape.And the campaign will conclude with the traditional play-off finals at Wembley, which will be played in front of fans if the government roadmap stays on track.
      Fulham were 2020 Championship play-off final winnersCredit: PA
      Fulham, Wycombe and Northampton Town were the promoted sides last year, but who will be participating in the play-offs this year and when will the games take place?
      When are the EFL play-offs?

      The EFL play-off finals will be played on the May Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday, May 29 – Monday, May 31).
      The EFL have yet to decide in which order the three leagues will play.
      No date has been set for the EFL play-off semi-finals yet.
      However, the regular season finishes on the weekend of Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9.
      Play-off semi-final first legs typically follow around a week after the end of the regular season.

      What TV channel are EFL play-off matches on and can I live stream them?

      Sky Sports hold exclusive rights to EFL coverage, including the play-off games.
      Matches will be shown live on channels such as Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
      Some matches may be shown on the Sky Sports Red Button if they overlap with others.
      To stream EFL play-off matches live, head to your Sky Go account.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.

      Adebayo Akinfenwa and Wycombe Wanderers were promoted from League One at WembleyCredit: Getty
      Northampton Town were victorious in the League Two play-off finalCredit: Getty
      How many fans will be allowed to attend the EFL play-off finals?
      Should the roadmap be delivered as proposed, sports stadiums will be filled with ten thousand fans or 25 per cent of total capacity (whichever is the smaller).
      As Wembley Stadium has a total capacity of 90,000, ten thousand supporters can be expected at each EFL play-off final. More

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      League One drop scrap nothing for Rotherham skipper Richard Wood compared to son battling diabetes

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      RICHARD WOOD knows about struggles so Rotherham’s fight against relegation is water off a duck’s back.The Millers captain’s 12-year-old son Jenson everyday lives with type 1 diabetes.
      Rotherham captain Richard Wood and 12-year-old son Jenson set off for a 100km bike ride to raise funds for a diabetes research charityCredit: RICHARD WOOD

      Richard Wood relishes the relegation battle that Rotherham currently find themselves in
      It is something Woods and his partner Jade have had to worry about since their son was diagnosed with the condition aged two.
      Rotherham are in a battle against dropping into League One and have a crazy schedule – which after Friday’s trip to Millwall and Monday’s home game with Wycombe – includes them playing four games in just eight days.
      But this pales into insignificance when people like Jenson are battling more serious problems.
      Wood, 35, said: “It’s a condition where something is triggered when you’re young.
      “In Jenson’s case, he got ill and his immune system attacked the cells that produce insulin in his pancreas, causing permanent damage.
      “The insulin converts sugars and carbs into energy so we manually have to put it in each day and calculate how many carbs he has had or whatever he is drinking and match that with the amount of insulin his body needs.
      “It’s a constant balancing act. If you’re eating something sugary or high in carbs, your blood sugars increase. If you have too much sugar in your blood, you can become ill.
      “The insulin moves the sugar from your blood to your muscles.

      “But if he has too much insulin, it takes too much sugar out of your blood and you don’t get enough to your brain and you can pass out – and people with this condition can die in that scenario.
      “He’s been low a few times and got dizzy. We’ve had to give him adrenaline injections to bring him back up. It’s a constant balancing act.
      “Exercise affects it because you’re using sugar and energy.
      “He’s growing older and doing things with his friends so he must manage it a little himself. Now he wears an insulin pump that injects it automatically.
      “I’m constantly ringing him and texting him to say how are your blood sugars?
      “But he’s doing brilliantly and living as normal a life as possible. He even plays football.”
      Wood has become so passionate about helping others who suffer this horrible condition that he has become an ambassador of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
      And in November – to mark the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin – the Rotherham defender decided to raise funds for the charity by cycling 100km.
      Richard Wood’s son Jenson joined him for the first 20k of his 100k charity bike ride
      No journey is too far for Wood
      He said: “I wanted to do a marathon but couldn’t risk getting injured. I’ve recently got into mountain biking so thought to keep within the theme of 100 years, why not do a 100km cycle.
      “So during the international break in November, I set off one day early in the morning with Jenson. He did the first 20k with me.
      “I did the ‘Wakefield Wheel’, which is 60k all around Wakefield and then the Trans Pennine Trail.
      The 101.5km route taken by Richard Wood took him six hours, 26 minutes
      “I went out towards Huddersfield and back home from there. It was mostly on trails because I’m not keen on road biking.
      “I’d much rather be on a country trail or hills. I also don’t listen to music – I just enjoy my day out. It helps clear the mind.”
      And while Wood is fortunate enough to be a Championship footballer, he knows full well how difficult this pandemic has been as he and his partner Jade run a soft-play centre in Horbury, near Wakefield.
      We can relate to all the small businesses who have struggled and people who have been furloughed during these tough times
      Secret Garden, like many businesses, has been shut down because of lockdown restrictions.
      Wood said: “We opened it three years ago but it’s been shut for the last year so we’re looking forward to getting that going again.
      “We can relate to all the small businesses who have struggled and people who have been furloughed during these tough times.
      “When our two boys – Jenson and Graye – were younger we had been to that many play centres, we wanted to have a go at it ourselves.
      “I love going there for my coffee. I’ve worked there as well when we’ve been busy by picking up the trays and plates from the customers in the cafe.”
      Rotherham are three points adrift of fourth-bottom Birmingham with four games in hand – but have won two out of their last three.
      Richard Wood is still going strong for Rotherham at the age of 35
      And even before that, despite the Millers losing five on the spin, each one was by the odd goal and four of the opponents are challenging for promotion in Bournemouth, Cardiff, Norwich and Reading.
      Wood said: “We haven’t played badly in those games we lost either.
      “It’s not like we’ve been struggling and confidence has been low. We’re in a good place. The lads are positive about it and we’re looking forward to it and the mad schedule we’ve got coming up.
      “Watford aside – where we got battered 4-1 – we’ve been decent and fancy our chances of staying up. It’s in our own hands.”
      Wood is in his seventh season at Rotherham in a career that has also taken in Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry and Charlton as well as loans at Crawley, Fleetwood ad Chesterfield.
      So what is it that he loves about the Millers?
      He said: “We know we don’t have the biggest budget and are not a big team on paper.
      “For a club in the bottom three, there is no sign of a lack of confidence and morale is high.
      “Everyone just pulls together at Rotherham, we do a lot of community work and are hard working. That is what this club is all about. We’re similar to Barnsley in a lot of ways and look what they’re doing right now.”
      Wood puts this down to boss Paul Warne and the squad he has assembled.
      He said: “He’s a great person. I’ve known him a long time. He was a fitness coach when I first came to the club and he helped me out a lot before he became the manager.
      “Since taking over, he’s grown into the role really well.
      “He wants good people in. He wants proper human beings. He believes in that side of it.
      “The manager also cares about all his players and staff as people. That is a really good trait he has got and he’s a really genuine guy.
      “He has rejuvenated the club and it’s a happy place to come to work now.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Rebecca Welch is hoping she can inspire others after becoming the first female referee to be appointed to an EFL match More

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      Premier League clubs splash out £272m on agent fees in last season alone after huge transfer payments despite pandemic

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      AGENTS walked away with a staggering £272million from the 20 Premier League clubs this season – despite the pandemic.While top-flight transfer fees were down by £201m in the summer and more than £150m in January, cash paid to agents and intermediaries over the season went UP by £9m.
      Chelsea splashed out more than £35million on agent fees alone this season, the most in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      Chelsea spent £250m in January on signings including Germans Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, neither of whom have pulled up many trees.
      And the Blues were ‘top’ of the agent table too, splashing out £35,247,822 in fees.
      They were followed by Manchester City, who paid out £30,147,615 and Manchester United, whose outlay was £29,801,555.
      Another seven Premier League clubs paid out more than £10m in fees, led by Liverpool who paid £21,652,589.
      The others were Arsenal, Everton, Leicester, Newcastle – which will shock and surprise Toon fans – Spurs and Wolves.
      Promoted West Brom were the lowest payers on £4,222,059.
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      Many of the payments are related to existing contracts with staged payments made to selling clubs and agents, while new deals and bonuses also see intermediaries in the money.
      Lower down the pyramid, Championship clubs paid out £40.7m, ranging from the £6,827,037 paid by relegated Norwich to Wycombe’s bill of just £126,053.
      Seven League One clubs and Salford in League Two paid more to agents than Wycombe, with Hull splashing out more than £543,000.
      League One Gillingham were the only club in the top four divisions of the English game not to pay out a penny in fees to agents.

      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League
      Transfer windows play into hands of agents and are the last thing we need.. especially after coronavirus More

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      Rebecca Welch’s rise from Sunday League ref to become the EFL’s first female referee

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      REBECCA WELCH picked up a referee’s whistle 11 years ago at 27 after being dared to do so by a friend.And now the Sunderland-based former NHS worker is set to enter the history books as the first woman to take charge of a men’s English Football League fixture. 
      Rebecca Welch will make history as the first woman to referee an EFL game when Harrogate Town play Port ValeCredit: PA
      Harrogate Town’s League Two Easter Monday clash with Port Vale will see Welch take on one of her most significant match officiating challenges yet. 
      Welch, 37, jokingly told Sky Sports: “A good game on Monday is, by 10 to five (o’clock), they’re talking about the game and not about the ref.
      “I like] the games when nobody remembers who the ref is.”
      Who is Rebecca Welch and how she did become a referee? 
      Welch, who is originally from the town of Washington, took up match officiating while still working in the health service. 
      She earned her qualifications as an official through Durham County FA
      The former NHS admin officer, who has played football since childhood, started her life as a ref in university football clashes and Sunday League games. 
      And while the college football encounters involving teams of female students was a “doddle” her experience of refereeing men’s Sunday division fixtures was less straightforward. 
      Welch, 37, began her life as a referee in university matches and Sunday League clashesCredit: Prime Media

      Welch told the FA’s web site: “I played football and didn’t even think about refereeing until one of my really good friends, who is a referee, refereed us.
      “I spent the whole game telling her how to do her job!
      “Her response was, ‘If you think it’s that easy, give it a go. That’s how it happened and years later here I am.
      “The first couple (of matches) I did were women’s university games and the players weren’t really that bothered about so it was a doddle. 
      “Then the third game I did was Sunderland Sunday league football and it was a completely different kettle of fish. 
      “That took some getting used to but I am so grateful for the grassroots football experience because I never would have got to where I am now without it.
      “Sometimes I used to go home and chuck my bag down and I’d tell myself I’m never doing it again but you soon realise that not every day is going to be a good day in the office – it’s just like anything else. 
      “I had to analyse my performances and work out what I could do to improve and that’s something I really enjoy. 
      “I’ve been doing this for more than ten years now and I guarantee that the good days will far outweigh the bad ones in the long run.”
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      Welch’s match officiating performances have led to her being added to Fifa’s international list of refereesCredit: Getty
      Rise to the top 
      Welch eventually worked her way into the higher echelons of match officiating, becoming part of an elite group on Fifa’s international list. 
      The Sunderland-based administrator also made her mark on the women’s game covering domestic and international encounters. 
      In addition to refereeing the Women’s FA Cup final twice, in 2017 and 2020, Welch has officiated in the men’s National League for three seasons and taken charge of WSL, Women’s Champions League and international clashes. 
      And she has been selected to oversee Harrogate’s clash with Port Vale following an ongoing review of her performances this season and official approval from referee chiefs Mike Riley and Mike Jones.
      The Washington-based ref is reported to be among the individuals included within the Professional Game Match Officials top group of referees. 
      Welch added: “I’ve always said, through all my promotions, I want to be appointed because I am in the top 10 match officials on that list. 
      “I never want to be appointed based on anything else. I’ve got faith in the system, and I’ve been rewarded.”
      Welch took charge of Fiorentina’s Women’s Champions League clash against Slavia PragueCredit: Zuma Press
      What next for Welch 
      Welch, who took charge of the 2020 Women’s Community Shield duel which saw Chelsea beat Man City, wants to be considered for selection for the 2022 Euros and 2023 World Cup. 
      The football official, who describes Sian Massey’s efforts as a Prem assistant referee as “amazing”, hopes to one day see a woman take charge of a Premier League fixture.
      And Welch remains open-minded on the challenge falling to her or another breaking through the glass ceiling. 
      I’ve been very lucky that I turn up and they don’t see me as a female referee, they just say, ‘Rebecca’s here and she’s the ref today’ so that’s quite nice.Rebecca Welch
      And she counts herself lucky not to have encountered any abuse or sexist behaviour so far in her career.
      Welch told Sky Sports: “I’ve got no doubt, in the next ten to 15 years, we will see a female referee in the Premier League. 
      “I don’t really try to focus too much on the future, I always take one game at a time. 
      “If I finish in the top one or two per cent at the end of the season, I put myself in a position to be selected. I’ve got to keep on performing, achieving those marks, to get those rewards. 
      Welch regards Sian Massey as a trailblazer for women refereesCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
      “I’ve received criticism for my refereeing, and that’s part of football. 
      “But I’ve gone through the men’s pathway and I’ve never experienced anything like that (abuse) because I’m a female referee.
      “I’m aware that not everybody is as fortunate as me and I’m aware it does happen. 
      “We need to keep on educating people, about how it makes that person feel. 
      “I’ve been very lucky that I turn up and they don’t see me as a female referee, they just say, ‘Rebecca’s here and she’s the ref today’ so that’s quite nice.”
      Welch believes a woman taking charge of match officiating in the Premier League could happen in ten to 15 yearsCredit: Getty
      Referee Stephanie Frappart ‘not afraid’ to officiate her first men’s game at Super Cup More

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      Joey Barton ‘facing legal fight against former Bristol Rovers bosses after blasting them as negligent in explosive rant’

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      JOEY BARTON is reportedly facing a legal fight after blasting former Bristol Rovers bosses as negligent in an explosive rant. The former Manchester City midfielder, 38, only took over at the Memorial Stadium in late February.
      Joey Barton could be involved in a legal challenge after his criticism of previous Bristol Rovers bosses Paul Tisdale and Ben GarnerCredit: PA
      He replaced Paul Tisdale on a contract until 2023, with Tisdale himself only succeeding Ben Garner in November.
      And according to the Daily Mail, lawyers have been contacted after Barton accused the duo of negligence and described their training sessions as a ‘farce’.
      Speaking after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, Barton directed his anger at the two previous managers, Tisdale and Garner.
      He fumed: “They’ve set these boys up for failure and we’ve got to try to reverse that trend.
      “Whatever has gone before me has been negligent. If they were doctors, they should certainly be struck off for what’s gone on here before.
      “I could show you the footage of the training sessions. They’re a farce. It wasn’t done correctly.
      “How do I know that? Look at the league table. Look at the fact two managers have been removed from the job.”
      Barton – who had an acrimonious departure from Fleetwood in January – took over with the Gas just two points above the League One relegation zone.
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      In his ten games in charge, Rovers have won twice and now sit 23rd, two points adrift of safety.
      He continued his rant by detailing some of the specifics of what he believes Tisdale and Garner got wrong, with neither playing professionally consistently at the top level like Barton.
      The one-cap England international then appeared ready for a comeback from the pair and offered to talk through their so-called errors.
      Barton continued: “Two-and-a-half-hour sessions on a Friday — what chance have the lads got?
      “It’s like having a 15-round spar the night before you have a 12-round scrap. What chance have you got? You’re going to get your head punched in.
      “It’s because they don’t know what it’s like to go in the ring, the Colosseum. They’ve read it in a book and they’ve done it on a course and they don’t know. It’s criminal.
      “Those coaches will probably want to take me to task on that and I’ll have absolutely no issue in showing them exactly what they got wrong and where they got it wrong, and they’ll be better coaches for it.
      “If they want to get on the phone and have a conversation with me, no problem at all.”
      Garner was head coach at Bristol Rovers between December 2019 and November 2020Credit: Getty
      Tisdale replaced Garner at the Memorial Stadium but lasted just 19 matches, losing 11Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      Joey Barton says QPR were the least favourite of his ex-clubs More