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      Ivan Toney vows to shoot Brentford into the Prem like Zlatan Ibrahimovic… then sing like Neil Diamond in dressing room

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      IVAN TONEY claims to have the confidence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the singing voice of Neil Diamond.
      And while no-one at Brentford has yet heard him belt out Sweet Caroline or Forever In Blue Jeans, they have certainly seen his self-assurance in front of goal.

      Ivan Toney has got off to a storming start to life at Brentford with 10 goals

      The striker – yet to do his initiation song which he promises to be a Diamond classic – believes he has Ibrahimovic qualities that will help shoot him and the Bees into the Premier League.
      Toney, 24, signed for £5m from Peterborough in the summer, was the man tasked with filling Ollie Watkins’ shoes after his £28m switch to Aston Villa.
      And while Watkins thumped 28 goals last season, his replacement has already fired 10 goals in his first 11 games and has just won the SkyBet Championship player of the month award.
      And he told SunSport: “I’ve always liked Zlatan. I just love his confidence.  Some people see it as arrogance but you must be like that to succeed. 

      “I’m similar to Zlatan in both my confidence and the way I play. When he wants to do something, he just does it. I have some of that in my game and personality. And I believe I’ll be a Premier League striker.”
      Brentford’s famous BMW frontline of Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Watkins plundered a staggering 61 goals between them last season but they lost in the play-off final against Fulham after blowing automatic promotion by losing their last two games of the season against Stoke and Barnsley.
      Only Mbeumo remains with Benrahma on loan at West Ham – which means there is pressure on Toney to fill the void.

      Brentford’s BMW frontline fired 61 Championship goals last season
      But Brentford have a great track record of continually refreshing themselves. After Neil Maupay moved to Brighton, Watkins stepped up to the plate – and now it is the turn of Toney.

      And he said: “There’s always pressure but I don’t feel it. That’s why Brentford brought me in. They believed I could fill the shoes of all the strikers that had been in there before.
      “Do I think I can get 25 goals? Yes. If you set targets, they must be sky high because if you finish just under it’s still going to be a good achievement.
      “Brentford keep producing 25-goal strikers – so why can I not be the next one? I believe it, the manager believes it, my team-mates believe it – so why not go for it?
      “When you’re a striker, confidence is key. The only person who can do it – and sometimes the only person who believes you can – is yourself. If you believe, anything is possible.”
      Toney was a late bloomer in football and was spotted aged 13 by Leicester. But he was told he had something special when he played in front of his mum’s house at Eastfield Park in Northampton.

      Ivan Toney won SkyBet’s Championship player of the month for October
      He said: “My cousin Nathan Hicks used to be on the books at Leicester and I played with him, my other cousins and friends, at the front of the house.
      “They were all 18 to 20 and I was handling it well and they all thought I could play – and in the end Leicester scouted me and I was with them from 13 until they released me at 16.”
      He joined home-town club Northampton – and made his first-team debut, aged still 16, against Bradford in the FA Cup in November 2012.
      First he played under Aidy Boothroyd and then Chris Wilder. And it was under the current Sheffield United boss where he made his mark – scoring twice at Dagenham in a 3-0 win that helped to maintain the Cobblers’ EFL status.

      Ivan Toney is loving life at Brentford and wants to take them into the Prem
      Toney said: “Chris taught me about positional awareness so I could score more goals and had faith in starting me in that must-win game. I repaid him.”
      Wolves pulled out of signing him in 2015 after putting him through a medical: “They cited I had scoliosis in the back but I think that was just an excuse – I’ve never had any issues with my back.”
      But that just opened the door for Newcastle, who snapped him up instead. Toney spent three years at St James’ Park and made two cameo Premier League appearances off the bench against Chelsea and Manchester United as well as two others in the League Cup against Northampton and Sheffield Wednesday.
      He said: “I moved to Newcastle as a young boy aged 18 and went straight into the Premier League. It was crazy.
      “The players I was playing and training with I was more used to playing them in the FIFA game!
      “But I took it in my stride and was grateful to be there because I learned so much.
      “I felt the tempo was a lot faster to anything I’d ever been used to. I’d go onto the field and think I have time to take a touch – but you often don’t have the luxury at that level.
      “It has helped me for the rest of my career and given me a great sniff of where I could be playing.” 
      But most of his time at the club was spent on loan – two spells with Barnsley, two with Scunthorpe and stints with Wigan and Shrewsbury.Toney found that tough and admitted: “It wasn’t the best situation for me because you’re on your own constantly moving around every six months. Also when a club keeps loaning you out, it makes you feel unwanted by your parent club.”
      But it was at Peterborough where his career took off – scoring 23 goals in his first season and then last term was on 26 when the League One campaign was ended by the coronavirus in March.
      And he said: “I found my feet there. The manager Darren Ferguson, when he came in, was great to me and said, ‘You can be as good as you want to be as long as you work hard for it.’ My game really kicked on under him.”Peterborough and Brentford have similar models in the way they keep recruiting and selling up-and-coming talent – and that is why Toney signed for both clubs.

      He said: “Peterborough have a good record with their strikers. If you don’t get promoted with them, they let you move on. “It’s exactly the same with Brentford but it’s not just that here though. I feel they’re a club able to play in the Premier League.
      “Also I like manager Thomas Frank a lot. He’s someone who I want to work hard for. What I like about him is he literally will do anything to help anyone – not just players, but the staff and anyone around the club. He’s genuine and everything you want from a manager.”

      Ivan Toney vowed to belt out some Neil Diamond classics to his team-mates
      Toney has not done his initiation song yet but has been told he will have to do it.And he is promising to sing a Diamond classic and said: “With a deep voice like mine, I try to hit the high notes. I don’t mind singing.
      “I’ll go for Neil Diamond because you have to know your dressing room. I get the feeling there are quite a few of his fans in there. I just hope they all join in so I’ll be let off lightly.” More

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      Ben Amos was oblivious to real world in Man Utd bubble… but has found his feet ELEVEN clubs later at Charlton

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      BEN AMOS has learned so much since leaving the cosy surroundings of Old Trafford.
      And the keeper says the biggest of the lot has been: “There is a big world outside Manchester United.”

      Ben Amos won the SkyBet League One player-of-the-month for his top form

      Ben Amos during his early professional playing days at Manchester United

      Sir Alex Ferguson gave him his debut at the age of 18.The keeper played seven times for United – once in the Premier League, five in the League Cup and once in the Champions League.But after the legendary former manager retired in 2013, Amos never got a look-in under either David Moyes or Louis van Gaal.Amos, now 30, is making his mark at Charlton – having played for ELEVEN different clubs.And he said: “The big thing I’ve learned since leaving is there’s a world outside Man United.“I was going into proper men’s football week in, week out. At United I had been getting a little taste of first-team football and then I’d be out.“I’d sit and wait and wouldn’t be allowed out on loan. It was difficult to get a flow of first-team games.“So what I learned was the Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday grind of men’s football.”Amos admits he was inside a Manchester United bubble – oblivious to the sometimes harsh realities of the game outside of it.He said: “I wasn’t aware of it at the time. You expect everywhere to be held to the same standards of the Ferguson reign.“But you learn there is life outside of that. It’s not necessarily better or worse. Places are just run differently. It’s part and parcel of growing up.”Ferguson clearly rated Amos to have given him chances. The then rookie keeper held his own too.
      In those seven outings, he kept three clean sheets and conceded five goals and the team won five, drew one and lost one.

      Sir Alex Ferguson gave Amos seven first-team starts at Manchester United

      Ben Amos working with David De Gea in training at Manchester United
      And Amos said: “Sir Alex had faith in me and gave me opportunities at 18. I’ll be eternally grateful for that.“He kept a distance from his players. He worked on that fear factor – including with the senior players.“But, at the same time, he could crack a joke with you.
      “Sir Alex kept everyone guessing and you were always on your toes – even if you were a world-elite footballer.”

      Ben Amos has been in inspired form for Charlton in League One this season
      Amos is in his second spell with the Addicks having had a season on loan in League One from then parent club Bolton three years ago – and the team reached the play-offs.He signed permanently last year after a loan at Millwall but had a frustrating first season on his return – finding himself second-choice to Dillon Phillips and picking up an finger injury that kept him out for four months.So he had to watch from the sidelines as the Addicks were relegated from the Championship.
      Amos said: “It’s part and parcel of being a keeper. I was expecting to play. but joined just 10 days before the season so Dillon started and to his credit he did well. I didn’t get a look-in.“I then had an operation on my finger and that was the best part of four months out.“That is your season done at that point. I did get back at the end of the January. But by that time Dillon was in his groove.“That was great for him – but, thinking selfishly, it was frustrating for me.“But, first and foremost, Dillon and I are friends – we’ve been away on holiday together. We had healthy competition.“I didn’t overthink it. I couldn’t control what Dilon was doing on a matchday so just did my bit every day and was ready if called upon.”Phillips left the club in the summer to join Cardiff, which has enabled Amos to claim the No1 position.And he has had a superb start to the season – and went 575 minutes without conceding before Che Evans beat him twice in two minutes in Charlton’s 3-2 win at Fleetwood before the international break.That has coincided with Lee Bowyer’s men winning six matches on the spin and unbeaten in seven.Amos rates the clean sheet in the 0-0 draw against promotion rivals Sunderland before the six-match winning run as his most satisfying.He said: “We’d just lost back-to-back games against Doncaster and Lincoln – and that result against Sunderland put us back on the right track. Hopefully we can continue that form.”
      Thomas Sandgaard’s takeover of the club has been pivotal to Charlton’s change in fortunes – after an entire season of unrest off the field.

      New owner Thomas Sandgaard has brought a feelgood factor back
      The American-based Danish businessman has given the club some calming stability – and crucially backed Bowyer in the transfer market.In total, he has sanctioned TEN signings – defender Ryan Inniss, Chris Gunter, Ian Maatsen, Akin Famewo, midfielders Ben Watson, Andrew Shinnie, Marcus Maddison, Adam Matthews and strikers Paul Smyth and Omar Bogle.

      Amos said: “Everything he promised he has delivered on so far – and all the things I’m hearing and seeing has been good – long may it continue.“He even has been sending us special medical equipment that his company distributes – so is going over and beyond to help us be successful, which is welcome after what happened in previous months.“The feel-good factor is ultimately driven by results but the stability is need as a springboard to be successful.“We have strength in depth all across the pitch and I don’t think we’ve got going yet. We have loads more in us to kick on, really gel and put in better performances.”

      BEN AMOS FANS’ Q&A

      BEN AMOS answers questions sent to SunSport by Charlton fans.

      MICK McCORMACK: What aspects of your game do you feel you have improved over the last 12 months?BEN AMOS: My distribution definitely. I’ve been working non-stop on that. I try to make gains every day with coach Andy Marshall, he pushes me with tiny little details that we can polish and work on. There isn’t one thing. It’s fine tuning.
      BEN CHURCH: How did you manage the backwards hand save in the play-offs against Shrewsbury? I still can’t get over how you did that.BEN AMOS: Just instinct. I’ve always got that desire to keep the ball out of the net and at that time I found myself with my back to the player and the shot came in. I kept my eyes on it and with pure desperation to keep the ball out I managed to make the save.
      RAY STOWER: Being in goal in empty stadiums at the moment, does that take the pressure off you as a keeper?BEN AMOS: Not for me personally. The pressure is trying to win the game, keep clean sheets and do your best. I focus on myself. If I do that I sleep easier than if I hadn’t.THOMAS SANDGAARD: The back four have a lot of trust in you – how much have the experienced defenders helped you?BEN AMOS: They’re good lads first and foremost. We’re always speaking to each other about the game where they are enthusiastic to learn and have the desire to keep the ball out of the net.That is the first thing I want as a goalkeeper. They have helped me in that respect because there becomes a trust with more games we play. We speak so much how to keep the ball out of the net. More

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      Premier League under pressure again by MPs over why £50m Football League bailout not agreed amid coronavirus pandemic

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      PREM boss Richard Masters has again been asked by MPs to explain why the £50million lower division bail out has not been agreed.
      Masters and EFL chairman Rick Parry were both grilled by the DCMS all-party select committee last week over the continued stand-off.

      Richard Masters has come under pressure to solve the financial crisis that’s hit the football pyramidCredit: PA:Press Association

      Committee head and Tory MP Julian Knight said he would send out public letters to both men on a weekly basis until the situation was resolved.
      And now Knight has published the first batch of correspondence, telling both the Prem and EFL MPs are “disappointed that you have not yet come to an agreement that will ensure the survival of football clubs through the current pandemic.”
      Knight added: “There is enough money in the game to save football clubs but we are beginning to doubt whether there is enough leadership to make that happen. 
      “We urge you to stop squabbling and come to an agreement. 

      “Fans have been waiting too long. 
      “We expect, and the fans deserve, better.”
      SunSport revealed that Championship clubs gave the green light for the League One and Two sides to take advantage of the bail out after the Prem made a £200m loan offer for the EFL top flight.
      But Parry and his clubs are demanding the entire £50m is in the form of a grant, rather than just the first £20m with the rest on a loan, as the Prem proposed.

      EFL chairman Rick Parry was grilled by the digital, culture, media and sport committee Credit: PA:Press Association
      Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston both put extra pressure on Masters and Parry yesterday, insisting it was an obligation on football to sort out its Covid-19 problems.
      The Government is ready to green light a “fan-led review” of the game, and intends to use the Covid crisis stand-off as the starting point and justification for the process.
      Prem chiefs point out that by making 40 per cent of the money a grant, with the other 60 per cent a no-interest loan, they are actually offering Leagues One and Two better terms than the Government has in its new £300m sports “winter survival package”, which is demanding repayment of £250m at “low commercial rates”.
      But Knight warned: “We are losing patience. 
      “Fans have waited a long time for a solution that would safeguard their clubs but all they can see is squabbling at the top of the game. Football and its followers deserve better.
      “The current fiasco in reaching an agreement isn’t about the lack of money, but lack of leadership.

      “We’re putting the current leaders of the Premier League and the EFL on notice. We want to be kept in the loop about every discussion, every meeting, every call, every email, to save clubs at risk. 
      “Nothing should be withheld from the Committee, and so that fans can see what’s going on, we’ll make these updates public.
      “The predecessor DCMS Committee called for legislation to bring in an independent system of football licensing and regulation if the game wasn’t able to reform itself. That time may be fast approaching.” More

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      Wayne Rooney confirms he’s chasing full-time Derby job as ‘ambitious’ Man Utd legend moves into coaching

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      WAYNE ROONEY has confirmed he wants to become Derby’s next boss.
      The England and Manchester United legend, 35, claims he would lack ambition if he did not want to take over the rock-bottom Championship club.

      Wayne Rooney has stated his intentions to become the full-time Derby boss

      We revealed on October 15 that Rooney was in line to replace Phillip Cocu, who was axed on Saturday.
      Rooney, one of four interim Rams bosses, said: “I wouldn’t be an ambitious person if I didn’t want the job.
      “My ambition is to go into management, especially when you see the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Scott Parker all getting good jobs and doing really well.
      “We have to get the next two or three games out the way first.

      “But if they go well it puts us all in a better position to put our names forward for that role.”
      Rooney has addressed ways of how he can help Derby climb up the table with the club winning just once in 11 games this term.
      He added: “The big thing we need to bring back to the players and into our game is simplicity.
      “You can over-complicate things and that’s not always great for players in this position.

      “Different messages, different line-ups, different ways of playing.
      “When you’re struggling and not winning games of football you are always thinking of different ideas of how you get out of that run of bad form. But often the best way out of that is simplicity.
      “As a player you learn, as your career goes on, that if you give the ball away two or three times, the next time the ball comes to you, keep it simple and naturally your confidence grows.
      “Then you can start making more difficult passes again. I think it’s the same with players.
      “Make things simple, don’t overcomplicate by feeding them information which will frazzle their heads.
      “Just do the simple things right and everything will fall into place.”

      Eddie Hearn wants to stage Wayne Rooney vs Rio Ferdinand charity BOXING match at Man Utd’s Old Trafford More

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      Government’s £300m sport bailout revealed with £135m to rugby union, £40m to horse racing and £9m to Championship clubs

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      THE Government has announced the full details of its £300m sports bail out.
      Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston outlined the ‘winter survival package’ in a Commons statement that provides much-needed security for sports peering into the financial abyss as a result of the Covid crisis.

      Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston has outlined his ‘winter survival package’Credit: PA:Press Association

      As expected, rugby union was granted the biggest share of the loans made available, with a £135m fund.
      Of that, £44m will go straight to the RFU, facing a £120m shortfall with no fans allowed inside Twickenham since March.
      Premiership rugby clubs will get a share of £59m, with £9m available to clubs in the Championship and a further £23m to those clubs further down the pyramid.
      Horse racing gets the next biggest share, with courses splitting £40m between them.

      Football’s lowest reaches will receive £28m, including the pre-announced £10m Lottery funding for the National League.
      Steps 3-6 of the pyramid, from the tier below National Leagues North and South to regional leagues, will be able to claim part of the £14m on offer, with £3m available to the upper two levels of the women’s game.
      Other money will go to rugby league (£12m), motorsport – with Silverstone, Goodwood, the British Automobile Racing Club, and MotorSport Vision sharing £6 million – while the Lawn Tennis Association has been offered £5m.
      Netball, basketball and elite ice hockey will each get £4m, badminton £2m and greyhound racing £1m.

      Premiership rugby clubs will get a share of £59mCredit: Reuters

      Huddleston said: “Over the past few weeks we have worked tirelessly with sport governing bodies and clubs across the country to fully assess what support is needed, as a result of the decision to postpone the return of fans. 
      “We know the vast majority of sports – many of which operate on tight financial margins – have been making serious cost reductions, such as locking down grounds, taking up the furlough scheme for many staff and halting excess payments. 

      Sports clubs are the beating hearts of their communities, and this £300 million boost will help them survive this difficult winter period
      Oliver Dowden

      “It is absolutely right that we now intervene to protect entire sports, and the communities they support, as we navigate this pandemic.”
      Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden added: “Sports clubs are the beating hearts of their communities, and this £300 million boost will help them survive this difficult winter period.”
      And Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: “These are unprecedented times for our sector, and those sports and leagues that rely so heavily on spectators for their income that have been especially impacted by the pandemic. 
      “The role they play in their local communities is vital and this package of support from Government will be hugely welcomed.”

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      Danny Drinkwater makes first competitive start for Chelsea since 2018 but loses to Bristol Rovers in Papa John’s Trophy

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      CHELSEA outcast Danny Drinkwater made his first competitive start for Chelsea since March 2018 in the Papa John’s Trophy.
      A tumultuous spell at the West London club has seen the midfielder’s career nosedive.

      Danny Drinkwater turned out for Chelsea’s Under-21 team against Bristol Rovers on Wednesday nightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But he is hoping to pick up the pieces and regain match fitness in the Blues’ reserve side.
      On Wednesday night, he played 90 minutes against Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy.
      It was his first competitive encounter against senior pros for Chelsea since the 2018 Community Shield, and first start since March of that year.
      Unfortunately for Drinkwater, 30, Rovers stole a late win to knock Chelsea out of the competition in a 4-3 thriller.

      Tino Anjorin scored twice in reply to strikes from Brandon Hanlan, Sam Nicholson and Zain Westbrooke for the League One side.
      Marcel Lewis also netted as the Blues kids looked to have taken the game to penalties, before Rovers defender Josh Hare won the game at the death.
      Under Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea, Drinkwater was exiled following the 2018 Community Shield defeat and did not play again that season.
      Last season saw the former Leicester title winner banned from drink driving in May 2019 before being involved in a nightclub brawl that September.

      Personal problems wrecked his loan spells at Burnley and Aston Villa, the latter including a fine of two weeks’ wages for headbutting team-mate Jota in training.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Drinkwater told the Telegraph in September: “I know my Chelsea move hasn’t worked out how anybody would have wanted and I’ve made mistakes.
      “But it’s not as simple as me just not playing football or picking up a wage.
      “Money doesn’t solve anything. The pay cheque doesn’t really help at all, you don’t even think about money.
      “There have been things that come above football that have not been as simple as I’d like.”

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      Charlton giving away £100k Range Rover to a lucky fan after repossessing £1m of luxury motors bought by old owners

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      CHARLTON owner Thomas Sandgaard has revealed the previous regime blew almost £1MILLION on luxury cars.
      The club bought six Range Rovers and a Merc for the likes of former execs Matt Southall, Chris Farnell and Paul Elliott.

      The £100,000 Range Rover on offer to one lucky Charlton fanCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun

      Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard (left) revealed the previous regime spent fortunes on luxury motorsCredit: PA:Press Association

      And having now repossessed the cars, selling most of them for huge losses, Sandgaard has decided to give the Range Rover handed to ex-club lawyer Farnell away to one lucky fan.
      Each time a supporter buys a matchday pass to stream a Charlton match up to December 20, they will also be entered into a draw — with the winner being given the keys to the £100,000 motor on Boxing Day.
      Sandgaard, who rescued the club from going into administration in September, told SunSport: “I’ve been working hard since taking over to get these vehicles repossessed — with some of these gentlemen reluctant to hand back the keys.
      “It’s crazy that people previously involved with this club decided to spend almost £1m on cars for themselves at a time when it was on its knees. It tells you they only had one agenda: to strip the club of its assets.

      “I’ve sold six of them at a huge loss but decided that the fans should have the chance to get their hands on one of them.
      “It’s the least we can do after what happened at this club.”
      Sandgaard is so angry this was allowed to happen that he plans to lobby the EFL and Parliament to stop questionable owners taking over clubs.
      He said: “The amount of money spent on cars at Charlton was more than the amount Macclesfield were wound up for.

      “I’m so worked up about this. We have to do something about these types of owners and filter them.
      “I plan to speak to EFL chair Rick Parry about this to see if there is something we can do.
      “And if the EFL cannot do it, I am going to start a petition to start a parliamentary debate and perhaps the politicians can legislate.”

      Thomas Sandgaard announces to Jim White that he is the new owner of Charlton Athletic More

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      EFL to allow five subs in all Championship, League One and League Two clashes for remainder of season

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      THE Football League have informed clubs they are now allowed to make FIVE substitutions in all games for the rest of the 2020-21 season.
      The EFL has revealed they have been locked in talks with Championship, League One and League Two clubs in recent days.

      EFL clubs are now allowed to make five subs for the rest of the 2020-21 seasonCredit: Rex Features

      And now they have agreed to allow managers five subs per game in a bid to limit player injury.
      In the Championship, clubs are now allowed to name NINE players on the bench.
      In Leagues One and Two, bosses are allowed to name just seven subs in their match-day squad.
      An EFL statement read: “Following consultation with clubs, the EFL Board has agreed to increase the permitted number of substitutes to five in all Sky Bet EFL.

      “[The new rule will begin in] fixtures taking place from 12pm on Friday November 20 for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.
      “Regulation 33.4 has been amended to permit:
      Championship Clubs to name up to nine substitutes in their matchday squad, with five permitted to take to the pitch in any fixture.
      League One and League Two Clubs to name up to seven substitutes in their matchday squad, again with five permitted to take to the pitch.”
      In June, the Premier League revealed they would allow clubs to name nine subs on the bench and introduce up to five per game in three groups.
      The rule remained in place until the end of the delayed 2019-20 season.

      But for 2020-21, the Premier League forced clubs to return to the three-sub rule, with just seven named on the bench.
      The Big Six – Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and the Manchester giants – were frustrated in August when they were outvoted.
      All-in-all, 11 clubs voted for just three subs, while nine were in favour of the five-sub rule.
      There has been an outcry from bosses and pundits alike following a spate of injuries in recent weeks, with some teams forced to play up to three times per week.
      Liverpool have been hit the hardest, with nine first-team players – including their entire first-choice back-four – all injured.
      Premier League bosses may now be forced to re-think their strategy.

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