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      Manager bans his football team from CELEBRATING and tells them to give handshake or pat on the head instead

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      NIGEL CLOUGH has banned his Mansfield Town players from CELEBRATING goals.The son of Nottingham Forest legend Brian laid down the law to stars following their unbeaten start to the League Two season.
      Nigel Clough has put his foot down on Mansfield Town players celebrating goalCredit: Alamy
      Clough wants his stars to remain focused and ‘save energy’ with a handshake or pat on backCredit: PA
      Mansfield have won eight of their 16 games so far and sit third in the table.
      Fans are starting to dream of promotion to League One, especially with their side boasting the meanest defence so far.
      But Clough, 57, reckons his players can do even more to help their chances.
      He believes too much energy is wasted on celebrations after a goal is scored.
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      The ex-Derby County and Burton Albion boss believes stars should instead settle for a handshake or pat on the back if there’s still all to play for.
      However, Clough concedes he won’t deny his team a jubilant celebration should they score a decisive goal in the last minute.
      He told BBC Radio Nottingham: “I don’t really see the point of celebrating goals when the game is still in the balance.
      “If you score a last-minute winner and you know it’s almost the last kick of the game, then by all means. But do your celebrating at the end of the game, which is why we [Mansfield] always go over to the supporters.”
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      Explaining that the only appropriate time to celebrate is after an achievement, he continued: “Yes, you have that individual moment when you do score, but I think it goes a bit over the top.
      “Be a bit more reserved about it, save your energy certainly – because when they kick off, you have to go get the ball back.
      “At the end of the game, if you have been lucky enough to have won, then that’s the time to celebrate.
      “Even the end of the season, because yes you celebrate each win, each unbeaten game, but then if you don’t achieve anything it’s a little bit wasted.
      “But the individual games are important to recognise when we have this great record. We have just won for the first time at Salford when we haven’t been brilliant – we dug in and won, scored two good goals and that in itself is worth a little celebration, but nothing over the top.”
      Clough has drawn up his new rules after his own experience as a player at Forest and Abion.
      He added: “You got a little pat on the back, a pat on the head or someone shook your hand – people like Ian Bowyer or Garry Birtles, who have won European Cups.
      “And even when you see them scoring in semi-finals of the European Cup, or even the final, there was no everyone running into the corner flag and everything because they knew then that once they kicked off, you need all the energy you have got to get the ball back to try to preserve your lead, or increase it or whatever.” More

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      Southampton chasing Man City starlet Jadel Katongo with teenager impressing after switching to new position

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      MANCHESTER CITY’S latest hot prospect Jadel Katongo is being chased by Southampton.England Under-20 cap Katongo is starring on loan at Peterborough, where he is emerging as a versatile talent.
      Jadel Katongo is on loan at Peterborough from Manchester CityCredit: Alamy
      The 19-year-old was known as a centre-half as a kid but is now being tried as a midfielder and looks impressive.
      Manchester-born Katongo has been at City since he was nine and is well known to Saints transfer supremo Jason Wilcox.
      Southampton have raided Man City’s academy in the recent past with four stars making a switch last summer.
      Katongo was also watched by Burnley last week as a possible long-term project.
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      The Clarets could trump Southampton’s pursuit by offering the teenager Premier League football.
      However, it remains to be seen how long that will be the case as they sit bottom of the table with just four points from their opening 12 games.
      Meanwhile, Saints are beginning to mount a promotion charge under manager Russell Martin having been relegated last season.
      Unbeaten since September, the South Coast side have won six and drawn two of their last eight matches.
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      That run has seen them leap up to fourth in the Championship table.
      But they are still eight points adrift of the automatic promotion places as Leicester and Ipswich have opened up a substantial gap.
      It is Saints’ first season outside of the Premier League since the 2011/12 campaign. More

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      Awkward moment football fan falls asleep during match before being woken up by rival supporters singing about him

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      A WEST Brom fan who FELL ASLEEP during his side’s clash with Southampton was woken up after opposition fans teased him with hilarious chanting.The Baggies were beaten 2-1 by Saints at St Mary’s in the Championship on Saturday afternoon – their first defeat in five games.
      The West Brom fan, at the end of the row in a grey beanie hat, was caught asleep in the away end by Southampton supportersCredit: X @MenInBlazers

      He woke up after the home fans began mocking him with a hilarious chantCredit: X @MenInBlazers
      And one away fan failed to keep himself awake for the entirety of the game as he nodded off mid-match.
      A section of Southampton supporters noticed the gentleman was having a kip in his seat.
      And they proceeded to loudly sing: “He’s still asleep,” over and over again.
      Eventually, the man woke up much to the home fans delight as they cheered him opening his eyes.
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      They then began chanting: “He’s woken up.”
      The clip went viral on social media, exceeding two million views on Twitter.
      England legend Gary Lineker was one person who reacted to the brilliant clip as he simply replied with two laughing emojis.
      Meanwhile, another fan added: “This is gold, I was there today 🤣🤣.”
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      While someone else said: “Classic 🤣🤣🤣🤣.”
      And a third responded: “Best leagues with the best chants. 😅🙌🏻”
      Southampton have gone on an eight-match unbeaten run which leaves them fourth in the Championship table.
      West Brom sit seventh, outside the play-off places on goal difference. More

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      ‘I’m angry and I’m disgusted’ – Wycombe boss responds to claims he tried to get match ABANDONED over sickening injury

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      WYCOMBE boss Matt Bloomfield is “disgusted” after hearing claims he tried to get Saturday’s defeat against Stevenage abandoned following a sickening injury.Brandon Hanlan and then Wanderers’ team-mate Luke Leahy were taken to hospital after being carried off, meaning 26 minutes were added on.
      Matt Bloomfield was unhappy at ‘a lot of what happened’ but above all delighted that Luke Leahy was ‘responsive’ before going to hospitalCredit: Rex
      Players showed their concern as Leahy was treated after a collisionCredit: Prime Media
      Hanlan landed awkwardly on his shoulder following an aerial challenge with Stevenage captain Carl Piergianni late in the first half.
      And Leahy was seriously hurt near the end of the League One match after what appeared to be a clash of heads with team-mate Josh Scowen.
      Stevenage were leading at that stage thanks to Jamie Reid hitting the only goal of the game 14 minutes into time added on in the opening half.
      Bloomfield said afterwards he was “angry” at many things during the match and “categorically denied” attempting to get it called off.
      Stevenage manager Steve Evans had commented: “My players were telling our bench that Wycombe wanted the game abandoned – the staff, the players wanted the game stopped 1-0 down, 8 minutes to go.”
      But Bloomfield responded: “I’ve been told I’ve been accused of trying to get the game called off but I can categorically deny, 100% at no point was I trying to get the game called off.
      “We were preparing our players to restart the game – the referee came across to speak because he realised the severity of the situation more than what I did.
      “I was asked how I was, how my players were – and I replied to the questions I was being asked so at no point did I try to put pressure on the referee to call it off.” 
      Bloomfield added: “I’m angry and I’m disgusted by a lot of what’s happened today.
      “Luke’s gone straight in an ambulance to hospital but the pleasing thing to report is he was responsive by the time he left Adams’ Park.
      “It was a pretty scary moment there in terms of his health.
      “Luke’s gone down, he’s unresponsive – a couple of their players told me they thought something might have been going on with his body on the pitch.
      “He was unresponsive for a while and our doctor was extremely concerned for Luke.”
      Meanwhile, Evans added: “I’ll be the first to message Matty [Matt Bloomfield] to make sure Luke is okay.”
      And of referee Ben Speedie opting to continue the match, he added: “I instructed my staff and players to stay away just before the referee made the decision.
      “I told them if the match official determines this game is going to be stopped we will be respectful as it’s a tough call.” More

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      I won Champions League with Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, now I’m making my own way in the EFL

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      JOE EDWARDS worked with Thomas Tuchel and Frank Lampard and helped Chelsea win the Champions League.Today he starts another chapter as new Millwall boss as they travel to bottom club Sheffield Wednesday.
      Joe Edwards takes charge of Millwall for the first time today against Sheffield WednesdayCredit: MILLWALL FC
      He was assistant to Frank Lampard at both Chelsea and EvertonCredit: Getty
      Edwards, 37, was assistant to both bosses at Stamford Bridge and followed Lampard to work under him at Everton.
      He recalls when Lampard was replaced at the Blues in January 2021 by Tuchel, who led the team to Euro glory.
      He said: “When Thomas inherited the team, it was abrupt. We’d been top of the league in December and had a 17-game unbeaten run.
      “The team and squad Frank built was very strong and it was also definitely fit.
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      “We had some poor results and, as is the case with Chelsea, that can prove costly for the manager.
      “Thomas came in and respected what had been built, particularly the physical condition of the team and how we could work without the ball. He picked a system that suited the senior players.

      “He kept the plan and approach to each game simple, respecting the experience of the players and where they had come from under Frank.
      “From there he kept a lot of continuity in training, the message and consistency, and built a lot of momentum.”
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      Ex-Lions boss Gary Rowett led them to eighth, 11th, ninth and eighth positions during his four seasons in charge and they just missed out on a play-off spot last season.
      He left by mutual consent last month, with the club hoping to move into a more fluid, possession-based approach.
      Edwards said: “My whole purpose and plan is to move in a slightly different direction in terms of playing style and the identity on the pitch. We must be mindful of that.
      “You can look at the fact they just missed out on play-offs and say, ‘Build on that’.
      “But often it is not that simple where we go again and to build from the top half of the table.
      “The reality is we’ve had a slow start to the season so I see it as a process.  There has been a steady way of working for a number of years under Gary, which has served the players well because they have played to their strengths.
      “As a group, they’ve been a tough team to play against.
      “I want to enhance some of that — it won’t be a case of ripping everything up and starting from new.
      “It’ll be an example of what happened at Chelsea when Thomas took over a team put into a good position by Frank.
      “It’ll be a case of looking at what’s working well and what makes this team tick.”
      The Championship is like the Prem now in terms of many clubs playing a more possession-based game rather than the up-and-at-’em style the division was famous for.
      Edwards added: “Football has always been heavily influenced by the arrival of different nationalities of coaches.
      “They bring many different playing styles and as a coach you get influenced by seeing so much and having access.
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      “It’s now an era where teams want possession and to dominate games that way.
      “It gets to a point where if you don’t move forward then you can get left behind.”
      Edwards has been in charge of England’s U20 teamCredit: Getty More

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      Tom Brady to test friendship with Ryan Reynolds as Birmingham boss Wayne Rooney targets huge Wrexham transfer raid

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      NFL legend Tom Brady’s friendship with Hollywood A-lister Ryan Reynolds might be tested – with Birmingham targeting Wrexham’s star midfielder.Elliot Lee has contributed ten goals and two assists in just 16 appearances for the League Two new boys this season.
      Birmingham co-owner Tom Brady may face intriguing talks with actor pal Ryan Reynolds as Brum manager Wayne Rooney eyes Elliot LeeCredit: Getty
      Wrexham co-owner Reynolds might not be smiling so broadly if the Blues step up their interest in goalscoring midfielder LeeCredit: Getty
      Lee has been a sensation for promotion-chasing WrexhamCredit: PA
      But new Blues boss Wayne Rooney is keen on landing Lee – son of former England midfielder Rob – to boost his St Andrew’s squad.
      Whether Reynolds will be quite as keen to welcome Brady to the EFL ownership fold if he nicks his best player is unknown.
      Birmingham have fallen from sixth to 15th in the Championship since appointing England and Manchester United legend Rooney last month.
      Wrexham, meanwhile, are currently in the third and final promotion spot in the fourth tier after coming up as National League champions.
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      For many pundits Lee has been the Dragons’ star player – already reaching double figures in goals compared to five for main striker Paul Mullin and four from targetman Ollie Palmer.
      But Mullin only returned in September after puncturing his lung following a collision with keeper Nathan Bishop in a pre-season friendly against Erik ten Hag’s United..
      Ex-West Ham and Barnsley man Lee, 28, joined Wrexham at the start of last term from Luton.
      Birmingham’s interest in the former Charlton loanee comes as pressure from fans mounts on Rooney.
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      Brum sacked the former Everton star’s popular predecessor John Eustace despite sitting in a play-off spot.
      Birmingham chief executive Garry Cook said a “series of meetings” with Eustace showed his “ambitions” differed from those of the club owners.
      Wayne Rooney is being linked with ex-Luton midfielder Elliot LeeCredit: Rex More

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      Forgotten Premier League star signs for League Two side on free transfer after 4 months unemployed following Watford axe

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      EX-PREMIER LEAGUE star Dan Gosling has signed for a new club after being unemployed for four months.The 33-year-old was released by Watford in the summer despite recovering from a serious Achilles injury.
      Dan Gosling has joined Notts CountyCredit: Getty
      He has now penned a two-month deal at League Two side Notts County.
      A club statement read: “We’re delighted to add a player of Dan’s pedigree to the squad at such an important time.
      “We believe his obvious quality and experience will enable him to help the team in the short-term.
      “Throughout his career Dan has proven himself to be a hard-working, tenacious and highly accomplished midfielder at the top levels of the game.”
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      Fans were buzzing over the signing, one said: “Hell of a signing for League Two. Top pro. Good luck Gozza.”
      Gosling came through the ranks at Plymouth before moves to Premier League sides Everton and Newcastle.

      The former England Under-21 star then spent six years at Bournemouth, playing 193 times for the club as the Cherries earned promoted and then established themselves in the top-flight.
      A move to Watford followed in 2021, but injuries plagued his time at Vicarage Road as he made just 36 appearances.
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      He slammed his former team-mates, claiming “disgraceful attitudes” resulted in relegation a year after he joined.
      Gosling arrives at Notts County to replace Matt Palmer, who will miss the remainder of the season with a knee problem.
      The club are eyeing back-to-back promotions with them currently second in the League Two table. More

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      John Eustace fears managerial return could be KO’d after being sacked and replaced at Birmingham by Wayne Rooney

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      JOHN EUSTACE fears he has missed the boat on a managerial return at Bristol City.Eustace, 43, was the early favourite for a quick dugout comeback — just a couple of weeks after he was sacked by Birmingham.
      John Eustace was sacked with Birmingham sixth in the tableCredit: PA
      But the word from his camp is that he will not join the Robins and he now expects a rival gaffer to get the job.
      Bristol City sacked Nigel Pearson as boss last week.
      The former Leicester boss was axed following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Cardiff.
      Pearson’s final defeat left Bristol City 15th in the Championship table.
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      Curtis Fleming was subsequently named the Robins’ interim manager.
      The former Ireland international led his side to a 1-0 win over Rotherham yesterday.
      Rob Dickie’s 64th minute effort saw Bristol City claim all three points, taking them to tenth in the table.
      After the match, Fleming was full of praise for his players.
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      He said: “I’m really proud of the guys, they worked their socks off.
      “We asked the lads to pass the ball more and they did that.
      “There’s definitely things we need to work on but, for the week that we have had, you couldn’t have asked for anything more from the players, their work-rate, trying to do what you want them to do, getting the result and moving five places up the table.
      “That’s the most important thing.” More