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      From Ajax to Millwall, how Zian Flemming is bringing some Dutch courage to the Lions’ play-off push

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      ZIAN FLEMMING is adding some Dutch courage to Millwall’s attempt to finally make it to the promised land. Dubbed the ‘Bermondsey Bergkamp’, the 24 year old is already a fan favourite down at The Den since his £1.7m club-record move from Fortuna Sittard in the summer. 
      Flemming is raring to go again in the Championship after scoring a hat-trick against Preston before the World Cup breakCredit: Focus Images
      SunSport’s Frankie Christou speaking with Flemming at Millwall’s training ground ahead of their clash with SunderlandCredit: Startraks
      Flemming’s eight Championship goals – including a hat-trick away at Preston before the World Cup break – has Millwall in with a chance to move up to 4th tomorrow with a win at Sunderland. 
      And after snubbing European clubs to join the Lions, the Amsterdam-born attacker believes Gary Rowett’s side are ready to stay in the playoffs.
      He told SunSport: “Millwall are a club with authenticity with raw crowds. 
      “It is an old club with passionate fans and you can see it at the training ground and the stadium. 
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      “It is all just simple and I feel like it is a club built on passion and hard work.
      “I joined because there was a solid foundation of 8th- and 9th-placed finishes and the plan is to make that step into the top six and I am part of that plan. 
      “With my help and the other signings, as well as the rest of the team, I want to get in the top six.”
      The Amsterdam-born attacker was coached by Bergkamp alongside the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek and Donyell Malen in Ajax’s academy. 
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      The comparisons with Arsenal legend Denis Bergkamp come from Flemming also not being considered a traditional number 10.
      Yet, despite having a football education most other Championship players could only dream of, Flemming’s physical nature has seen him thrive in just five months in England. 
      Flemming explained: “When you leave Ajax you realise how special it was, but I was a kid just enjoying myself. 
      “Bergkamp was my gaffer at the U12s. I knew his name but I was too young to really know him. 
      “So when he became our gaffer our parents had to tell and show us how big he is. 
      “We needed some education because it was before our time. 
      “I have seen a lot of his goals because luckily we have YouTube.
      “He is a different kind of player who was extremely stylish and technical, whereas I am more physical and goal oriented.” 
      Flemming starred in Ajax’s academy before winning the second division with Jong AjaxCredit: Getty
      He was a fan favourite at Dutch side Fortuna Sittard before moving to Millwall in the summerCredit: Getty
      Despite a fast start to life at Millwall, it was not all plain sailing for Flemming after growing issues halted his progress as a teenager. 
      But after fighting his way back into Ajax’s second side, he adopted his famous arm flex goal celebration which sees him adopt Millwall’s ‘We Fear No Foe’ mantra by paying homage to UFC bruiser Nate Diaz. 
      He said: “I was not growing but at 17 I started growing quickly which caused problems with my body. 
      “In the end I was not able to train for some weeks. I was struggling for like two seasons in a row. 
      “I grew like 20cm and when I got back I tried to do what I was doing before but I could not do it. 
      “I had to learn how to use my body again. I worked hard on my coordination. I was ready to go again but they kept picking other players. 
      “When I finally got my chance and started scoring I started doing the celebration symbolising Nate Diaz in the UFC. 
      “I remember his face was all bloodied and he won. So I saw it as a metaphor and a symbol for me.” 
      Flemming’s fighter mentality was also moulded by his decision to leave Ajax’s prestigious academy to kickstart his career. 
      After excelling in Ajax’s second team, scoring 10 goals in 21 appearances as the side won the Dutch second league for the first time, he secured a free transfer to Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle in 2018.
      A tough start saw him loaned back down to the second division where he became NEC Nijmegen’s top scorer which secured a permanent move to Fortuna Sittard.
      He notched 12 goals and seven assists in his debut season, leading the club to an 11th-place finish before signing off last year with a final-day goal to keep them up. 
      Flemming said: “I could tell there was no space to move up to the first team at Ajax, so it was logical to make that step because otherwise you are just stuck in the second team. 
      “Being in the second division was a step up to the real world because it is very physical but I was still at Ajax. 
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      “At my other clubs I had to think more defensively, because at Ajax you would always have possession.
      “But my mindset has not changed, I want to be the whole package. My main focus is scoring goals.” More

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      Francis Joseph dead at 62: Footballer who became first black player to represent Wimbledon dies as tributes flood in

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      FRANCIS JOSEPH has died aged 62, former club Wimbledon have confirmed.A striker by trade, Joseph made history in 1980 by becoming the first black player to represent the Wombles.
      Francis Joseph has passed away aged 62Credit: Rex
      Joseph became a distinguished figure at Plough Lane, banging in the goals to earn their Player of the Year award after the 1980-81 campaign.
      He left Wimbledon for Brentford in 1982, but would return for a loan spell five years later.
      In total he played 50 times for the Wombles, bagging 16 goals.
      Joseph would also become an iconic figure across London at Brentford – scoring 44 times in 110 appearances between 1982 and 1987.
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      He later played for Reading, Sheffield United, Gillingham and Fulham during a prolific career.
      Posting a tribute to their Twitter account, AFC Wimbledon wrote: “We are saddened by the passing of former Wimbledon striker Francis Joseph.
      “Francis became the first black player to represent the Dons in the Football League when he made his debut in 1980 and was our Player of the Year.
      “Our thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP.”
      We are saddened by the passing of former Wimbledon striker Francis Joseph. Francis became the first black player to represent the Dons in the Football League when he made his debut in 1980 and was our Player of the Year.Our thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP. pic.twitter.com/p47IQtXFHT— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) November 18, 2022

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      After finishing his playing career in non-league, Joseph went on to coach at Wealdstone.
      Upon the news of Joseph’s passing, the National League side wrote: “Everyone at the club is shocked and saddened to hear the news that former Wealdstone coach Francis Joseph has passed away.
      “RIP, Francis.”
      Brentford also paid tribute, posting: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Francis Joseph.
      “Francis joined Brentford in the summer of 1982 and scored 44 goals in 110 league appearances. The thoughts of everyone at #BrentfordFC are with his family and friends at this time.”
      Former England striker Brian Deane posted: “Sad news this morning hearing Francis Joseph has passed away.
      “Another one I’m grateful to for some early memories in football. What a guy 😞. Joe I’ll be having a sensible Bacardi and Coke for you this weekend. RIP big guy.”
      Chesham United, another former club of Joseph’s, tweeted: “We are shocked and saddened to hear the news that Francis Joseph has passed away, as well as being the father of current Chesham forward Zak Joseph, Francis played for the club in the 95/96 season
      “Our thoughts are with Zak and his family at this difficult time.
      “RIP, Francis.”
      SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr wrote: “Francis Joseph was a wonderful monster of a man who my family really loved.
      “He was hugely & rightly proud of his boy Zak. Spoke to him last month when he called to talk boxing & we laughed for about an hour. He was still ready & willing to fight absolutely everyone. Real Crazy G.”
      Joseph went on to coach at Wealdstone in his latter yearsCredit: Rex More

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      Yaya Toure ‘rejects Wigan job’ with Man City legend to stay on as Tottenham U16 coach despite management ambitions

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      MANCHESTER CITY legend Yaya Toure is tipped to reject any interest from Wigan and stay at Tottenham as youth coach – despite hoping to become a manager.The former Barcelona midfielder, 39, geared up for a boss job with assistant roles at Ukraine’s Olimpik Donetsk and Russian club Akhmat Grozny.
      Yaya Toure is said to have no interest in the chance to manage WiganCredit: Getty
      But it’s claimed Toure has ruled himself out of contention for Championship side Wigan despite their admiration for his pedigree.
      The Ivory Coast all-time great is now in his first backroom role in England after Spurs officially recruited him in August.
      Tottenham also brought in their former strike hero Jermain Defoe as a coach.
      And Simon Davies, who graduated from Manchester United’s famous ‘class of ’92, was named Spurs’ Head of Coaching Methodology.
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      Toure joined as Tottenham’s head coach at Under-16s level.
      But it followed a part-time role for the previous eight months at Spurs while he worked towards his Uefa A licence.
      Toure is well settled in the area – possibly one factor why he’s happy to remain there, for now at least.
      Journalist Mike Minay has suggested Wigan were “attracted” to the idea of the ex-Monaco star succeeding Leam Richardson, who was sacked as manager last week.
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      But Minay believes Toure “doesn’t wish to be considered” for the position.
      The Premier League icon retired from playing in January 2020 after six months with China’s Qingdao Huanghai. More

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      Everton ace Tom Cannon wanted by Fleetwood on loan transfer until end of year as he closes in on first-team breakthrough

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      YOUNG Everton star Tom Cannon is wanted by Fleetwood.The Ireland Under-21 forward, 19, is closing in on the Toffees team.
      Tom Cannon is a loan target for FleetwoodCredit: Getty
      But League One Cod Army are desperate to take him for the rest of the season.
      Fleetwood, managed by Scott Brown, are eyeing a loan move for the teenager.
      He joined the Everton Academy aged 10 and in the summer signed a new three-year deal with the club.
      Cannon has scored nine goals in 13 games for Everton’s U21 side this season.
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      Toffees boss Frank Lampard has taken notice and called him up to the first-team squad in the last week.
      Cannon was subbed on for the final 16 minutes of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth.
      He also came off the bench in the Carabao Cup loss against the same opposition in midweek.
      Lampard said he was “delighted” to be able to hand Cannon his debut on Tuesday.
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      The gaffer said: “I was delighted to get him on the pitch and if they deserve it for how they’re playing for the Under-21s, him and various others then it’s great to have them on the bench, coming on, and getting that first taster.”
      Everton’s second defeat to the Cherries in a matter of days was marred by ugly scenes at full-time.
      Lampard pulled his stars away from a furious away end as police were forced to intervene following the match at the Vitality Stadium. More

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      Canada’s World Cup star Jonathan Osorio interested in transfer to England in January from Toronto

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      CANADA World Cup star Jonathan Osorio has his sights on a move to England after the tournament.Osorio is a legend for Toronto in the MLS but his contract is up and he aims to impress in Qatar.
      Osorio is eyeing a move to the EFLCredit: AFP
      Even at the age of 30 Osorio has interest both in the EFL and abroad — with his main priority a crack at the English game.
      Osorio has signed up with American-based English agent Matt Higgins in a bid to test the market.
      The midfielder kicked off his professional career with Canadian Soccer League side SC Toronto in 2012.
      During his debut season he became one of the club’s top goalscorers and earned the CSL Rookie of the Year award.
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      In 2013 he joined MLS side Totonto FC after training with the club’s academy.
      He has since scored 57 goals and assisted 34 in 318 appearances for the Reds.
      Toronto finished 13th in the MLS Eastern Conference last season – seven points above Wayne Rooney’s DC United.
      Osorio recorded 13 goal contributions in 23 league games, making him one of Toronto’s most influential players.
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      But, he now has his sights set on a successful World Cup campaign with Canada.
      The Maple Leafs are in Group F along with Belgium, Croatia and Morocco. More

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      West Ham youth coach Kevin Keen on shortlist to become new Crawley boss after Kevin Betsy left League Two side

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      WEST HAM U18 coach Kevin Keen is on the shortlist for the Crawley Town job.Former Hammers player Keen, 55, works with the youngsters and knows the club’s traditions inside out
      West Ham U18 coach Kevin Keen is on Crawley Town’s manager shortlistCredit: Rex
      Keen has previous managerial experience with ColchesterCredit: PA
      But he also had a year with Colchester as a manager in 2015-16.
      Keen has been working with West Ham U18s since the summer of 2019, and has been named caretaker manager of the first team in the past.
      Keen has also had various coaching roles with the likes of Liverpool, West Brom, Fulham, Reading, Crystal Palace and Southend.
      Crawley have been looking for a boss since Kevin Betsy left last month.
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      Betsy took over in June but was axed after a disastrous start to the campaign.
      He departed with the club rock bottom of League Two following a 3-0 loss to Grimbsy on October 8th.
      Lewis Young has been in caretaker charge of Town ever since.
      The club are unbeaten in five games since Betsy left, and have climbed up to 18th in the table.
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      As a player, Keen played over 200 games for West Ham.
      He also had a six-year spell with Stoke. More

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      Joey Barton SENT OFF by Bobby Madden as ex-Celtic star Scott Brown reunion ends with ex-SPFL ace’s 99th minute equaliser

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      JOEY BARTON was SENT OFF in the dying minutes as he renewed acquaintances with former Old Firm rival Scott Brown.The Bristol Rovers boss was given his marching orders by Scottish referee Bobby Madden in the 89th minute of their hotly-contested League One tussle with Brown’s Fleetwood Town.
      Joey Barton returns to the field to clap off the fans
      Shaun Rooney celebratesCredit: Rex
      But it only gave the one-time Rangers star a view from the stands as former St Johnstone star Shaun Rooney grabbed an equaliser for Brown’s Fleetwood in the 99TH MINUTE as these two sides fought out a 2-2 draw.
      The ex Celtic man and one-time Rangers midfielder famously locked horns in a 5-1 Celtic win at Parkhead.
      Barton – an ex-Fleetwood manager himself – and Brown had both shrugged off their shared backstory pre-match as they insisted that episode was firmly in the past.
      But there was no shortage of drama as these two mid-table sides fought out a four-goal thriller.
      Ex St Johnstone man Rooney – a double cup winner during his time in Perth – fired the visitors into the lead in the 23rd minute before Josh Coburn levelled things for a Rovers side who featured another ex-Hoops man in Scott Sinclair.
      Aaron Collins then gave the home side the lead 10 minutes before the end of regulation.
      But there was plenty more drama in store as Barton was sent to the stands in the 89th minute by Madden.
      He overdid it when complaining about a challenge by Fleetwood midfielder Josh Vela on Rovers sub Luca Hoole – and the Scot gave him his marching orders.
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      The home fans didn’t like it, with some aiming chants of ‘cheat’ at the Scottish whistler.
      But it was Brown and assistant boss Steven Whittaker who got the last laugh when Rooney bagged his second of the game and Fleetwood’s equaliser in the NINTH minute of stoppage time.
      He nodded in a cross from Danny Andrew at the death to nick a share of the spoils for Broony’s men.
      Barton didn’t do press afterwards, with assistant Andy Mangan saying: “That second half performance was our best display of the season. 
      “The lads are gutted not to win, and the draw feels like a defeat, but there were so many positives to take from today.”
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Arsenal verdict: Carabao Cup exit a blessing in disguise with one less distraction for Arteta in bid to end Prem drought

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      THERE were groans around the Emirates when Karl Hein made his fatal error in the 27th minute.The debutant’s slip and trip on Brighton’s Danny Welbeck began Arsenal’s descent into Carabao Cup despair.
      Arsenal’s Carabao Cup exit can only be a blessing in disguise for Mikel ArtetaCredit: Reuters
      And the night ended in a 3-1 defeat with Mikel Arteta’s men being dumped out of the competition earlier than expected.
      But is the result really the end of the world for Arsenal?
      Playing (mostly) top-class football, thumping rivals like Chelsea and Spurs, and competing for a first Premier League title since the Invincibles of 2004?
      The answer is simply no.
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      In fact, tonight’s exit can only be a blessing in disguise for Arteta, who almost certainly won’t be shedding any tears tonight.
      That’s because he now has one less distraction to deal with.
      And Arsenal no longer have to worry about a competition many see as meaningless.
      Yes, it’s always nice for potential league champs to kick-start things by landing the first trophy of the season.
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      But at the end of the day, Arteta will not be remembered nor championed for winning the Carabao Cup.
      He already has an FA Cup in the bank.
      And every diehard Gooner only has eyes for the Premier League this term.
      Arteta can now forget having to prep for eight or nine changes ahead of a random midweek fixture.
      He can also rule out further long trips away from London, making his already-knackered players even more tired.
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      Now Arsenal can fix their sights almost completely on the title, with the Europa League and FA Cup a nice sideshow.
      And nobody can be surprised if Arteta cracks a wry smile on his drive home tonight. More