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      Gary Neville holds huge inquest into Salford’s disappointing form with Man Utd legend desperate for promotion

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      GARY NEVILLE has held a huge inquest into Salford’s shaky promotion campaign.Co-owner Neville got all players and staff together BEFORE their Papa John’s Trophy win at Wembley for a major analysis of their League Two problems.
      Gary Neville is hoping to see Salford City continue their ascent up the leagueCredit: Rex
      Neville, 46, wanted all the grievances aired after seeing results leave them chasing the play-off pack for a second season.
      Despite lifting their first senior cup, Neville sees rising up the league as a priority.
      After back-to-back promotions, City finished 11th in their League Two debut campaign.
      Salford dispensed with manager Graham Alexander in October despite an unbeaten start to the campaign.
      And replacement boss Richie Wellens has been unable to cement a play-off spot since he took charge.
      On Saturday, top-of-the-table Cheltenham claimed a 2-0 win against the Ammies thanks to an early goal from Sean Long and a Liam Sercombe sealer.
      Salford have won just one in eight in the league and sit ninth, six points off the play-offs and ten away from automatic promotion.
      Speaking after the defeat, Wellens slammed his stars and warned: “The attitude was poor from the start.
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      When players decide to drift off and do whatever they want to do then that’s what we got served up.Richie Wellens

      “If we stay humble, do the basics right, listen, and take out onto the pitch what we’ve worked on then we’re alright, we’ll pick up results in this league.
      “But when players decide to drift off and do whatever they want to do then that’s what we got served up.
      “I’ve never watched our warm-up but I watched it today because our changing rooms, obviously they’ve moved them, so you can see the warm-up. Our warm-up I’m not happy with at all.
      “I said to [coach] Warren Joyce when they came in if the game was won on the warm-up, we’re already beat, it was a shambles so I’ll be looking into that. The game started off pretty much as what I’d seen in the warm-up.”
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      Charlton owner Sandgaard tells new boss Nigel Adkins he’s ‘already booked his flights’ for the play-off final

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      CHARLTON owner Thomas Sandgaard told new boss Nigel Adkins: “Get us up — I’ve already booked my flight for the play-off final.” Dane Sandgaard, a keen rock guitarist, is recording with his band in Colorado for an album he hopes to release this year.
      Owner Thomas Sandgaard has told Nigel Adkins to get Charlton promotedCredit: PA
      The Addicks are sixth with one eye on returning to the ChampionshipCredit: Startraks
      But, before that, he wants to see the Addicks back in the Championship.
      Adkins tomorrow takes charge of his first game since replacing Lee Bowyer as they visit Wimbledon, with Charlton sitting in sixth.
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      Asked what he would prefer first, promotion or to complete his album, Sandgaard said: “Since I’ve already booked my flight for the League One play-off final at Wembley, we better get promoted before I finish the album!
      “I’m not the most patient of people, so I’d really like both done this year.”
      On a Zoom chat with Adkins and myself, Sandgaard repeated his appeal to his new manager. No pressure, Nigel.
      The former Southampton chief was cautious in front of his boss. He said: “It’s great — but you have to be realistic as well.
      “It’s good to set goals, to be positive and have ambitions. We are working towards something and are passionate about it.”
      Sandgaard has made it no secret he also wants to return Charlton to the Premier League after a 14-year absence.
      Since I’ve already booked my flight for the League One play-off final at Wembley, we better get promoted before I finish the album!
      Adkins established himself as Sandgaard’s No 1 choice. The fact that he took Southampton from League One to the Prem, as well as guiding Scunthorpe into the Championship, impressed. Adkins admitted: “I want to manage in the Premier League again, the ambition matches mine.
      “All the building blocks are there — and in the meantime we hope to win a few games.
      “We want to develop our own players, which is important.
      “And we want to connect with the supporters — they have been through such a lot.
      “This season we have got ten games, and if we can keep the ball out of the net at one end and score at the other, then you never know what can happen.”
      Sandgaard, who bought the club in the summer, says that Bowyer’s departure was not a hammer blow.
      He added: “Lee did a great job in difficult circumstances.
      “We have to acknowledge that and I wish him only the best at Birmingham. But, for the club and the team, losing him wasn’t a really big blow.
      “That is because the squad is in a good place right now.”
      Lee Bowyer has been appointed new manager of Birmingham City after leaving Charlton
      Sandgaard has been quietly working behind the scenes to strengthen on and off the field.
      And that was shown by him purchasing the Charlton Athletic women’s team, to bring it under the club’s umbrella for the first time since 2007.
      This week, he appointed former Tottenham boss Karen Hills to manage a team that will be going full time in July.
      He said: “For me, it’s all about making improvements on the inside. To the training ground, all the medical improvements — now the first-team boss and coaches.
      “Not only was it the right thing to bring the ladies’ team back to the club — but women’s football happens to be taking off right now, so it makes commercial sense as well.”
      Thomas is good. His heart is in the right place and he has a vision for the clubNigel Adkins
      Adkins has been impressed with how Sandgaard has brought energy to a club that had been so badly lacking it.
      He added: “Thomas is good. His heart is in the right place and he has a vision for the club.
      “You don’t need to complicate things, just keep it simple.
      “We can build now that I am here to support him and I know he is here to support us. ‘We’re all together’ is the message.”
      So does Adkins share Sandgaard’s passion for rock music?

      He grinned: “I’m sure Thomas will sit down and tell me all about it, I’ll let him lead.”
      Sandgaard jumped in and said: “I’ll get Nigel to play the drums!”
      Watch out, I do not think he is joking either, Nigel!
      Charlton boss Nigel Adkins has a vision for club as new manager More

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      Portsmouth announce Danny Cowley as new manager until end of the season with brother Nicky in as assistant

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      PORTSMOUTH have announced Danny Cowley as their new manager until the end of the season with his brother Nicky in as assistant.Pompey sacked Kenny Jackett after their EFL Trophy final defeat to Salford City at Wembley on Saturday.
      Danny Cowley is taking over Portsmouth with his brother Nicky in as assistant managerCredit: Getty

      On Sunday, SunSport exclusively revealed the League One side wanted ex-Cardiff and Millwall boss Neil Harris.
      But former Lincoln and Huddersfield boss Cowley has now been appointed on an initial deal until the end of the season.
      The 42-year-old will act as first-team head coach while his younger brother Nicky will serve as his assistant.
      He told the club’s website: “This is a club with unbelievable tradition, so the board didn’t need to sell it to us. We’re proud and privileged to be here.
      “Hopefully they saw two hard-working people who love the game and we’re delighted to be at Pompey.
      “We always have the ambition of leaving a club in a better position than we found it. We’ll be doing everything in order to achieve that here.”
      The Fratton Park board pulled the trigger on Jackett on Sunday morning with Portsmouth in dire form in League One.
      In nearly four years in charge, the 59-year-old led Pompey to EFL Trophy glory in 2019 but the fallen giants remain in the third tier.
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      Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin added: “Having spent time with Danny and Nicky over the past few days – and speaking to those who know them well – I am delighted that we can finally announce their arrival at Fratton Park.
      “We are all totally focused on giving Portsmouth Football Club the best chance of promotion in what is now, effectively, a 12-game mini-season.
      “I would like to thank them both for the enthusiastic and professional way they have approached working with us for this period and there is an absolute collective desire to achieve success.”
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      EFL discover 25 positive coronavirus tests in latest round of results… ALL of them at Championship side Rotherham

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      THE EFL have revealed they discovered 25 positive results in the latest round of Covid-19 – ALL of them at Rotherham.The Championship strugglers had already produced three positive results the previous week, forcing the cancellation of their matches against Brentford and Luton.
      Rotherham United returned all 25 of the EFl’s latest positive Covid testsCredit: Rex
      Paul Warne’s side are embroiled in a relegation dog fightCredit: PA
      At the time they informed league bosses others had been ordered to self-isolate because of potential close contact – but the next round of testing produced numbers which staggered officials.
      For the further 25 players and staff were all confirmed to have contracted coronavirus leading to their clash with Coventry also being postponed.
      To make matters worse, it is the second time this season the Millers have been forced to cancel matches after suffering an outbreak within the club.
      Now the EFL are investigating just how well Rotherham followed the strict protocols in place throughout the professional game aimed at minimising risk of spreading the virus.
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      The latest outbreak is now known to have infected 28 people in total, leading to the close of their Roundwood training ground for a second time.
      Paul Warne’s side, scrapping to avoid relegation to League One, were back in action for the first time in a fortnight on Tuesday when they were thrashed 4-1 at home by Watford.
      The Millers were due to return to action on Saturday against Bristol City.
      The latest outbreak in their camp, however, will almost certainly lead to the postponement of the fixture.
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      Neil Warnock charged by FA for explosive post-match blast at officials after Middlesbrough’s loss to Swansea

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      NEIL WARNOCK has been charged by the FA for his explosive post-match blast at officials.The Middlesbrough manager slammed referee Gavin Ward for a number of decisions in the 2-1 Championship loss to Swansea earlier this month.
      Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has been charged by the FA for his post-match rant about officials after Boro lost to SwanseaCredit: PA
      SunSport revealed last week the FA had launched an investigation into Warnock’s comments and he now has until March 22 to respond to the charge.
      An FA statement read: “Neil Warnock has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to Middlesbrough FC’s match against Swansea City FC in the EFL Championship on Saturday 6 March 2021.
      “It is alleged that comments made by the manager during a post-match interview constitute improper conduct as they questioned the integrity of the match official and/or implied bias and/or were personally offensive and/or bring the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3.1.
      “Neil Warnock has until 22 March 2021 to provide a response to this charge.”
      Warnock also accused Swansea of benefiting from decisions in the match at the Liberty Stadium on March 6 because manager Steve Cooper’s dad Keith was a former top-flight official.
      His attack on Ward came after he disallowed Marc Bola’s strike, with Yannick Bolasie adjudged to have fouled Jay Fulton in the build-up.
      After Boro levelled, Ward then awarded the Welsh side a penalty deep in injury-time for a George Saville foul on Jake Bidwell, which Andre Ayew converted from the spot.
      Warnock, 72, said: “They are all heroes, they all want the celebrity status.
      “It’s wrong. My lads have been let down by a team of officials who weren’t good enough today. It’s not right.”
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      Warnock added: “I don’t know if it’s Cooper’s dad whose influencing this?
      “He must have all the numbers. But, joking apart, they can’t keep having decisions like that.”
      Boro are eighth in the Championship – just five points off the play-offs.
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      Nigel Adkins appointed as Charlton manager to replace Lee Bowyer in surprise choice and targets Premier League

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      CHARLTON have appointed Nigel Adkins as manager to replace Lee Bowyer.The former Southampton and Scunthorpe boss has been out of work since leaving Hull in 2019 – but hopes to replicate his St Mary’s success at The Valley and get Charlton from League One into the Premier League.
      Nigel Adkins has been appointed Charlton managerCredit: Getty
      Charlton Athletic are delighted to announce Nigel Adkins as the club’s Manager. Welcome to the Charlton family, Nigel! 🔴⚪ #cafc | https://t.co/f36HsGcQDw— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) March 18, 2021

      But Addicks owner Thomas Sandgaaard has given him a two-and-a-half-year contract as he looks for a League One play-off push from his sixth-placed side following Bowyer’s departure to Birmingham.
      Adkins said: “It’s a really exciting opportunity for me – something that has happened very quickly.
      “I’m really pleased to be here and am looking forward to meeting the players and getting started. 
       “I had a conversation with Thomas and he highlighted where he wants this club to go. It’s an exciting and long-term vision.
      “Getting to the Premier League is something that we all want and something that I have done before. I want to achieve that again.
      “The team got a great result on Tuesday night (a 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers) and now we need to keep driving on together, because we have got a chance of winning promotion this season.”
      Adkins’ best spell in management came at Saints, taking them from League One to the Prem between 2010 and 2013.
      Before that he was boss of Scunthorpe, where he was promoted from physio, leading to the chant: “Who needs Mourinho, we’ve got our physio!”
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      ADKINS’ MANAGERIAL CAREERADKINS has managed the following clubs
      Bangor (1993-96)
      Scunthorpe (2006-10)
      Southampton (2010-13)
      Reading (2013-14)
      Sheffield United (2015-16)
      Hull City (2017-19)
      Charlton (2021-)

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      It is these spells Sandgaard is hoping Adkins will replicate, rather than his more disappointing stints at Reading, Sheffield United and Hull.
      Charlton owner Sandgaard added: “I believe Nigel is the perfect personality, with the perfect background and the perfect experience to get us to where we want to be.
      “Both Nigel and I want us to playing football in the Premier League and I can’t wait to see us there.”
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      Alan Pardew in line for return to English football after ‘expressing interest in taking Portsmouth job’

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      ALAN PARDEW has reportedly expressed an interest in taking the Portsmouth job.Pompey sacked Kenny Jackett after their EFL Trophy final defeat to Salford at Wembley on Saturday.
      Alan Pardew is ‘interested’ in the Portsmouth jobCredit: Getty
      And former West Ham and Newcastle boss Pardew, 59, fancies a crack at the Fratton Park gig, according to reliable south coast football journalist Alex Crook.
      The TalkSport presenter tweeted: “Am told Alan Pardew and Phil Parkinson have both expressed an interest in the #Pompey job.”
      With his side in dire form in League One and slipping out of the play-off places, the Fratton Park board pulled the trigger on Jackett, 59, on Sunday morning.
      In nearly four years in charge, Jackett led Pompey to EFL Trophy glory in 2019.
      But back-to-back play-off slip-ups against Sunderland and Oxford ensured the club remained in the third tier with many fans calling for a change.
      On Sunday, SunSport exclusively revealed Portsmouth want ex-Cardiff and Millwall boss Neil Harris.
      Pardew’s colourful career took a new direction in November with his latest adventure as technical director for CSKA Sofia.
      He left Dutch side ADO Den Haag in April 2020 just two months after ultras hijacked his training session and tried to teach tactics to the players.
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      Am told Alan Pardew and Phil Parkinson have both expressed an interest in the #Pompey job— Alex Crook ⚽️🎙 (@alex_crook) March 16, 2021

      And for the first time in his life he is challenging for the title — even if it is in a league only slightly more competitive than Scotland’s annual two-horse race.
      Elsewhere former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has offered to take the reins for free until a permanent boss is appointed.
      He told talkSPORT: “I’m ready – I’m getting bored.
      “I’ll walk up there tomorrow for nothing. I’ll do the job for nothing.
      “It’ll keep me busy and get me out of the house. Although I can’t do it until Cheltenham is over.”
      Former Portsmouth and Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has also chucked his hat in the ring.
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      Banned ref Darren Drysdale given low-key return as fourth official at Scunthorpe vs Southend after squaring up to Judge

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      BANNED ref Darren Drysdale is being handed a low-key return to action as fourth official at Scunthorpe on Saturday.Drysdale was suspended after being found guilty of improper conduct during a heated clash with Ipswich midfielder Alan Judge last month.
      Darren Drysdale will return to action as fourth official this SaturdayCredit: Getty
      He is free to start work again but is being sent to Scunthorpe’s League Two relegation home game against Southend United where he won’t even be on the pitch.
      An FA disciplinary panel heard that Judge called Drysdale a ‘cheating bald c***’ as they locked heads during Ipswich’s match against Northampton on February 16.
      Judge disputes that account strongly and says his club has audio footage to prove his did not swear or label Drysdale a cheat.
      Drysdale, 49, admitted losing his composure in the incident but maintained the abuse he received that night was ‘the worst ever’ in his officiating career.
      He still received a ban that was backdated to February 19 and ran until March 10.
      The trip to Scunthorpe will be his first game since the episode in the 90th minute of a goalless draw at Portman Road.
      The two men squared up after Drysdale booked Judge for simulation instead of awarding him a penalty.
      The Football Association have warned Drysdale about his future conduct.
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      He returns from suspension for squaring up to Ipswich’s Alan JudgeCredit: MatchDay Images Limited

      And a visit to Glanford Park where he will be kept out of direct contact with players as much as possible is seen as the best way of easing the controversial official back into the fold.
      Both teams have plenty on the line Saturday with Essex side Southend desperate for points as they look to avoid relegation to the National League.
      Scunthorpe are also at risk of being dragged in as they sit 18th.
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