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      Jamille Matt is having the time of his life at Forest Green and wishes he had made the transfer years ago

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      JAMILLE MATT is enjoying the best days of his career at Forest Green.The 32-year-old striker loves the club so much he wishes he had joined them years ago.
      Jamille Matt has been banging in the goals for Forest Green Rovers this season
      Matt has scored 16 goals this season for the League Two leaders, and is the division’s second-top scorer.
      Rovers are seven points clear of second-place Tranmere with a game in hand as they host Carlisle on Saturday.
      And Matt said: “The whole environment we’ve got at the club from top to bottom is excellent.
      “From chairman Dale Vince and director of football Richard Hughes, the manager Rob Edwards, the whole support staff, players and fans. It’s great to be here.
      “We had a good team and squad last season but they’ve brought the manager and a few new players in to build on that.
      “The gaffer has improved every single player, every area of the pitch and made us more ruthless.
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      “He’s made us better individually and as a team and we’re getting the results too so it’s fantastic to be part of.
      “Take the chairman. He trusts the people he’s put in place. The structure is there to be successful.
      “It’s about everyone doing their jobs. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here. And I wish I had started at a club like this at the start of my career.”
      Matt has been promoted from League Two twice – having gone up with Fleetwood in 2014 and Blackpool in 2017 through the play-offs.
      He also suffered the agony of losing a final at Newport against Tranmere in 2019.
      And he feels as though he has some unfinished business in League One and would love to prove himself there with Forest Green.
      WELCOME MATTJAMILLE MATT’S clubs
      Kidderminster (2010-13)
      Fleetwood (2013-16)
      Stevenage (2015-16, loan)
      Plymouth (2015-16, loan)
      Blackpool (2016-18)
      Grimsby (2016-17, loan)
      Newport (2018-20)
      Forest Green (2020-22)

      He said: “I’ve never had a fair crack at League One.
      “At Fleetwood, just as we were about to start the season I did my cruciate and lateral ligaments so missed the first season. 
      “I managed to get back the second season but boss Graham Alexander got sacked and I no longer could get the game time.
      “We won promotion at Blackpool but I tore my hamstring before the end of the season and when I got fit I wasn’t given a chance.
      “In the games I played, I held my own. I’d love to show what I can do with Forest Green.”
      Matt was nominated as the League Two player of the season and this season was awarded the club captaincy.
      He said: “In terms of potency and effectiveness, I’m definitely playing my best football and so honoured to be captain.
      “I want to use all my experience to help the younger boys here – and hopefully I can keep scoring goals to help the team into League One.” 
      Matt believes Forest Green Rovers are an even better side than last season
      Everyone knows that Forest Green are a vegan club – in terms of no meat is allowed to be consumed by the players while on a team duty in training or on matchdays.And although by his own admission, Matt is a “meat eater”, the food served up at the Gloucestershire club has inspired him to eat vegan food at home.He said: “It’s made me much more aware of the choices I’ve been making and the impact on the environment.
      “I’d incorporated more meat-free options in my diet before I came to the club,”But the menu we have at the training ground has inspired me to have three or four days a week meat free. My favourite dish is the vegan spag bol. “There are obvious health benefits and as the oldest player in the squad it’s important to look after my body – and the nutrition side is important.” More

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      in Soccer

      Derby takeover: Carlisle Capital launch formal offer to buy crisis-club for £28m asking price

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      Private investment firm Carlisle Capital has made a formal offer to the administrators of Derby to buy the Sky Bet Championship club, according to reports.Sources close to the firm say it has made a full asking price offer in the region of £28million.
      Wayne Rooney finally has positive news in relation to the takeoverCredit: AFP
      The bid, which is understood to be spearheaded by the firm’s vice-president Adam Binnie, has been made fully in the knowledge that the club could face additional liabilities if one or both of the claims against Derby from Middlesbrough and Wycombe are successful.
      It is understood the offer does not include the club’s Pride Park stadium, which is owned by former Rams chairman Mel Morris, report the PA news agency.
      The group walked away after showing initial interest last year but have returned at a time when the club is facing the very real threat of liquidation, having entered administration last September.
      The EFL has asked Derby’s administrators to produce a funding plan by February 1, saying in a statement on Thursday that by the administrators’ own admission, they would run out of cash by the end of the month.
      Administrators Quantum responded by stating they would be able to prove there are funds that could carry The Rams through until the end of the season.
      The EFL has also called on the administrators to name a preferred bidder.
      The claims of Middlesbrough and Wycombe – and whether they would be classed as football creditors and therefore entitled to the full value of any award arising from their legal cases – have added extra complexity to the situation at Derby, but the bid from Carlisle has been made despite that.
      More to follow…
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      Arsenal verdict: Kieran Tierney trapped in fellow Scot Andrew Robertson’s shadow as Liverpool secure Wembley final trip

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      NOT one but TWO Scotsmen on the same pitch contesting a place in a major English cup final. Hooray for Holyrood.OK, it was only the face off between opposing left backs Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney in the semi-final second-leg of the Carabao Cup.
      Kieran Tierney was bested by fellow Scottish left-back Andrew Robertson as Arsenal lost to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Robertson kept Bukayo Saka quiet throughout in the second-leg at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
      Hardly in the same level of excitement as Graeme Souness, Charlie Nicholas and Kenny Dalgish.
      But it’s still the kind of football milestone that won’t have gone unnoticed north of the border, where putting your boots on the right feet is an excuse for a celebration p*** up.
      Robertson and Tierney often line up together in defence for their national team.
      But at the Emirates it was time to see who handled the occasion better with a place at Wembley up for grabs.
      Liverpool’s crusading and fiery full-back Robertson has lost only one game for club and one for his country this season.
      It might be coincidence but Liverpool didn’t win while he served a three-match ban over Christmas, underlining his influence and importance to boss Jurgen Klopp.
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      He is 25th on the list of Scotland’s all-time greats according to the SFA – sandwiched between fellow tartan illuminaries Andy Goram and Kenny Miller.
      He is embedded in this Liverpool team and cemented into the left back slot for Scotland.
      And he shouldn’t be too concerned about losing it to his Arsenal counterpart anytime soon.
      Where Robertson was vocal, mobile and confident, Tierney struggled to get out of the shadow of an official Scottish legend.
      Tasked with marking rookie winger Kaide Gordon, it should have been a routine night for Tierney to mop up any danger then throw his weight behind waves of Arsenal attacks.
      Particularly with home advantage putting wind in his back after doing the hard bit and grinding a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the first-leg last week.
      It can only have been direct orders from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ordering Tierney to restrain himself and let Gabriel Martinelli do the hard work up front.
      One feeble cross into the box in the first-half and a throw-in near the by-line with 16 minutes to go was the best he could offer going forwards.
      As one of three Gunners defenders closing in on Diogo Jota, Tierney turned away and allowed the Portuguese schemer to stick the ball between his feet en route to the goal with a shot that barely reached the line.
      Robertson meanwhile, did a sterling job keeping Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka quiet on the opposing flank.
      A magnificent block in the first half when the exciting youngster was through on goal, followed by barking a stream of orders at his defence.
      One error early on with a poorly-timed tackle on the exciting England winger led to Alexandre Lacazette grazing the bar with a free kick.
      But Robbo is on his way to Wembley next month and rightly so after an unofficial captain’s performance at the back played a key role in seeing Liverpool through.
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      in Soccer

      Arsenal ratings: Tomiyasu has stinker vs Liverpool as classy Odegaard only bright spark in Gunners’ Carabao Cup defeat

      by

      ARSENAL lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg at the Emirates on Thursday as their Wembley dream crumbled.Takehiro Tomiyasu had an absolute shocker at right-back while Martin Odegaard’s calmness and class in midfield meant he was one of few bright sparks for the home side.
      Martin Odegaard was best of a fairly average bunch at the EmiratesCredit: EPA
      Takehiro Tomiyasu looked miles off the pace and had a night to forgetCredit: Rex
      Alexandre Lacazette hit the bar with a free-kick in the early stages after Bukayo Saka was brought down on the edge of the box.
      And just minutes later Diogo Jota left Tomiyasu for dead before his scuffed effort wrong-footed Aaron Ramsdale and trickled over the line.
      It was a fairly attritional affair for the remainder with neither team creating any huge chances until Jota sealed the win with 13 minutes to go.
      Arsenal lost the ball in sloppy fashion in the middle of the park, Trent Alexander-Arnold looped a trademark ball over the top, and Jota took it on his chest and dinked it over the on-rushing Ramsdale.
      It survived a VAR check that showed Gabriel just played him onside and the Merseysiders cruised to the end without being troubled.
      And here’s what SunSport’s William Pugh thought of the Gunners’ individual performances.
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      AARON RAMSDALE – 6/10
      Couldn’t do much for the first goal as Jota’s mis-hit fooled everyone.
      Huge double save just before the hour mark when he kept Ibrahima Konate’s header out from a corner before blocking Jordan Henderson’s goal-bound effort from the floor.
      Wasn’t to know the England midfielder was offside for the second one.
      Well beaten by a great Jota finish for 2-0.
      Ramsdale could only watch on as Jota put Liverpool aheadCredit: Reuters
      TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 3
      Had an absolute stinker.
      Beaten too easily by Jota as the Portuguese whiz dribbled round him to tuck home the opening goal.
      Generally sloppy in and out of possession from then on.
      Booked for tugging back Curtis Jones after he let the Liverpool midfielder nick it off him.
      Jota dribbled round Tomiyasu too easily before he made it 1-0 in the 20th minuteCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      GABRIEL – 5
      Stood up to everything thrown at him.
      Couldn’t be blamed for Liverpool’s opener and then largely saw the game played in front of him.
      Played Jota onside – just – as the winger took it on his chest and sealed Liverpool’s win.
      BEN WHITE – 5
      Solid enough for most of the evening. Couldn’t do anything for Jota’s opener.
      But let the winger past him too easily in the second-half and saw his blushes saved when Kaide Gordon blasted Jota’s pass over the ball.
      Vital block on an Alexander-Arnold cross just past the hour-mark which prevented an almost certain Liverpool goal.
      Ben White and Gabriel could only watch on as Jota’s effort trickled over the line in the first halfCredit: Getty
      KIERAN TIERNEY – 6
      Professional performance. Earned his money.
      Took a whack in the face from Ramsdale in the second-half which was about the most exciting thing involving the Scot all night.
      Kieran Tierney was his usual professional selfCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA – 6
      Looked a little flustered on occasion as he played at the base of midfield with Odegaard.
      Played a superb ball through to Lacazette which the Frenchman should have scored on 48 minutes.
      No huge impact but OK overall.
      BUKAYO SAKA – 5
      One of his quieter games.
      Struggled against Robertson down Arsenal’s right as Liverpool’s deep defensive block made counter-attacks difficult for the Gunners.
      MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
      Classy and calm under pressure throughout.
      Played slightly deeper to assist Lokonga and looked a cut above his team-mates.
      The Gunners missed his creative influence further up the pitch where he usually plays.
      Martin Odegaard was a cut above when on the ballCredit: Reuters
      EMILE SMITH ROWE (subbed 73mins) – 4
      The game largely passed him by.
      Fluffed a big chance on the hour mark when a cleared Arsenal corner fell to him on the edge of the box but he blazed over.
      And killed a promising Gunners break with 23 minutes to go when his weak pass to Saka was easily intercepted as Liverpool were on the ropes.
      Understandably hauled off as the Gunners looked for an equaliser.
      GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
      Full of energy and running and had Alexander-Arnold worried on occasion.
      But lacked end product whenever he got into a decent position.
      Beat Alexander-Arnold to force an easy save from Caoimhin Kelleher in the second-half.
      Looked like he was playing better than he actually was. Frustrating for Gooners no doubt.
      ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE (subbed, 73mins) – 5
      His free-kick was destined for the top corner before Kelleher got a finger tip to it and brushed it onto the crossbar.
      Booked for a late challenge on Curtis Jones just before the break.
      Blazed over the bar when played through by Sambi Lokonga early in the second-half.
      Hooked as Mikel Arteta chased an equaliser.
      Lacazette got this free-kick over the wall but it cannoned back off the crossbarCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      ⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blogs
      Subs
      EDDIE NKETIAH (replaced Lacazette) – 5
      Zero impact from the bench.
      THOMAS PARTEY (replaced Smith Rowe) – 3
      Was praised in the build up for turning up at the game straight from the airport where he landed at midday from Afcon duty with Ghana.
      But made Arteta wish he’d stayed in Cameroon when he was shown two quick-fire yellow cards and was sent off with mere minutes remaining.
      The first was shown on 87 minutes before a stupid lunge on Fabinho three minutes later sealed his fate.
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      Supercomputer predicts final Championship table if Wayne Rooney’s Derby had NOT been docked 21 points

      by

      DERBY COUNTY were handed a 21-point deduction earlier this season after entering administration, and given the near impossible challenge of staying in the Championship.But things could have been very different for Wayne Rooney and Co had they not been so far behind almost every other team.
      A supercomputer’s predicted Championship table, WITHOUT Derby’s points deduction
      Rooney has got Derby fans dreaming of survival, despite their hefty points deductionCredit: Alamy
      Reading too were punished with a six-point deduction after breaching spending rules.
      Rooney’s Rams are currently eight points off safety, but a supercomputer at bettingexpert.com has predicted that they would finish as high as NINTH had they not been slapped with the mammoth deduction.
      The prediction, in a world without deductions, has Derby just three places outside the play-offs – and nowhere near the threat of relegation.
      Instead Reading, Peterborough and Barnsley are predicted to fall down to League One.
      Rams fans would have been in for a stress-free season consisting of a mid-table finish, had it not been for their financial woes.
      However in reality with the deduction, Derby are not forecasted to be able to pull off the impossible and avoid the drop.
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      The supercomputer has them to be relegated in second-bottom, ahead of strugglers Barnsley.
      Even managing to not finish at the foot of the table would be some achievement, given the current chaos at the club.
      There is the prospect of the Rams being kicked out of the league mid-season after EFL chiefs demanded proof that the club has funds in bank before February 1.
      After being initially docked 12 points in September after entering administration, a further nine points were chalked off in November after Derby were found to have breached the Championship’s Profitability and Sustainability rules.
      At the time the Rams where a whopping 18 points off safety, and in just two months Rooney has shaved that down to eight, with the possibility of survival on the cards.
      Tom Lawrence’s double at the weekend helped Derby to a 2-0 win over Sheffield United, which would have had Derby 11th in the table were it not for the points deduction.
      The sterling job Rooney has done at Derby has seen the Manchester United legend linked with the managerial role at Everton.
      SunSport exclusively revealed that the former Toffee is on Everton’s list of potential replacements for the axed Rafa Benitez.
      Where Derby would be in the Championship without their 21-point deduction
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      Wayne Rooney’s Derby would be 11th in Championship without massive 21-point deduction from EFL

      by

      TOM LAWRENCE admitted Derby’s odds-defying win was ‘emotional’ after another bad week for the club.But he has no idea whether the Rams squad will be able to stay together this month.
      Wayne Rooney and his Derby squad would be 11th in the Championship without the 21-point deductionCredit: Getty

      Lawrence grabbed two spectacular goals in nine minutes to stretch the crisis club’s unbeaten run to five games and lift them off the bottom  — despite battling a 21-point deduction.
      Without that penalty, Derby would be 11th in the Championship.
      But skipper Lawrence could be a transfer target with Derby — who are still under administration — needing to raise funds, with the situation now out of boss Wayne Rooney’s control and the prospect of the Rams being kicked out of the league mid-season.
      Phil Jagielka and Graeme Shinnie reluctantly moved on in the build-up  when it was revealed a new owner would not be coming in — and the EFL wanted proof of funds until the end of the season.
      But Derby still managed to produce a display which means their unlikely Championship survival bid is still on.
      Lawrence, 28, said: “It’s been tough.  You feel very different things. You feel emotional because there are big players in this group  but I think we showed how professional we are.
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      “If we could keep this group together then I think we could do something special — but I don’t know.
      “It’s just a pleasure to play alongside those lads. They give 100 per cent no matter what and I’m just glad that we could put smiles on faces.”
      Rooney knows who the administrators’  preferred buyer was going to be. But compensation claims from Middlesbrough and Wycombe regarding financial irregularities and points deductions respectively  mean new owners are not prepared to move in.
      Rooney, who is one of the favourites for the vacant Everton job following Rafa Benitez’s sacking, said: “That could go on and on — which I suppose is why the EFL are not getting involved in it.”
      Jagielka, 39, joined Stoke at the weekend.
      Tom Lawrence celebrates his second goal in the 2-0 win over Sheffield UnitedCredit: PA
      Rooney said: “Phil’s had clubs offering more money than what we could pay him but he wanted to stay here.
      “I actually told him to turn down a club last week because I was led to believe we could sign him.
      “Thankfully he’s got a club, I’d have felt a lot worse if he hadn’t. Phil knows it was out of my control.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘If you’re going to train like that, go home’ – How being humiliated by boss Edgar Davids at Barnet motivated Jamal Lowe

      by

      JAMAL LOWE has revealed how being humiliated by Edgar Davids helped drive him from non-league to the brink of the Premier League.The Bournemouth winger was an 18-year-old rookie at Barnet when Dutch legend Davids, who was player-manager, ordered him off the training pitch for making a mistake.
      Jamal Lowe is on the brink of the Premier League with Bournemouth
      Edgar Davids, humiliated a young Jamal Lowe while he was at Barnet
      But a decade later he has a chance of going into the top-flight with Bournemouth, having gone close with Swansea last season.
      Lowe told SunSport: “Davids sent me in from training after I’d done a bad pass. 
      “I was trying to set him to feet and the ball bobbled up and bounced to his chest. He wasn’t happy with that – and told me, ‘If you’re going to train like that, go home.’
      “He told me. ‘Get off the pitch and get changed.’”
      “It was harsh because you must bear in mind I was only 18. I was devastated and didn’t know how to react.
      “I thought, ‘Should I stay out and fight it’ but what else do you do when you’re a kid and a manager who was a legendary international footballer has told you to leave the session?
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      “That was pretty much the end of my chances of playing for him again.” 
      Lowe was frozen out and loaned to a series of non-league clubs before he left the Bees in 2015.
      He had to do the hard yards at St Albans, Hemel Hempstead and Hampton & Richmond before his career started to take off when Paul Cook signed him for Portsmouth.
      Lowe said: “What happened that day at Barnet motivated me. I wanted to prove Davids wrong – although sadly I wasn’t able to at Barnet.
      “It’s at that point my career spiralled into non-league but importantly I got lots of game time.
      “The one thing I wanted to do was stand out – so I made sure I was fitter than everyone else. I wanted to remain a professional athlete even if I was going to be playing in the semi-pro game.
      “And I tried to stand out by scoring goals.
      Jamal Lowe during his Barnet days, which proved a huge learning curve
      “Managers and scouts don’t always watch the games and just look at the goals you’ve scored and sometimes that’s enough!
      “In a funny way, I can thank Edgar now because what he did that day put me into a zone where it showed how easy everything can be taken away from you.
      “I’ve had to take the long way round – but got there in the end.”
      Lowe ended up following Cook to Wigan and was part of his team that were cruelly relegated to League One after the EFL docked them 12 points for going into administration.
      But Swansea snapped him up and he had a fantastic season in South Wales, scoring 14 goals in 45 Championship games, as they reached the play-off final before losing to Brentford at Wembley.
      HIGHS AND LOWESJamal Lowe’s clubs
      Barnet (2012-15)
      Hayes and Yeading (2012-13, loan)
      Boreham Wood (2013, loan)
      Hitchin (2013, loan)
      St Albans City (2013-14, loan)
      Farnborough (2014, loan)
      Hemel Hempstead (2014, loan)
      St Albans City (2015)
      Hemel Hempstead (2015)
      Hampton & Richmond (2015-17)
      Portsmouth (2017-19)
      Wigan (2019-20)
      Swansea (2020-21)
      Bournemouth (2021-)

      He said: “I loved my time at Swansea and had to learn to play in a completely new position as a striker.
      “But I’ve never felt lower on a football pitch than losing the play-off final. It’s the worse way to miss out on promotion – you’re better off not making the play-offs than going through all that devastation.
      “You get all the build-up and have been working hard all that season to just reach the play-offs, then you work hard to get to the final and to then fall at the last hurdle is terrible.
      “But you have to learn from it and use that experience the next time you get there.”
      I’ve never felt lower on a football pitch than losing the play-off final at Swansea. It’s the worse way to miss out on promotion.”Jamal Lowe
      Boss Steve Cooper’s departure from the Liberty Stadium made his mind up to leave.
      He said: “I started a few games this season with Swansea but with the manager change it seemed like the club was going in a different direction and that maybe I wasn’t going to be needed anymore.
      “Bournemouth are a massive club with big aspirations and their ambitions match mine so when they wanted me I went for it. And it has turned out to be a great move.”
      The Cherries travel to Luton on Saturday where a win will keep them top of the Championship.
      And Lowe has had to adapt to being used mostly as a substitute this season but is loving his time in Dorset.
      Jamal Lowe, here coming on for Dominic Solanke, has been used from the bench mostly this season
      He said: “It’s all been about making sure week in, week out, you’re as fit as the players who are playing 90 minutes.
      “It’s about coming on and making a positive impact. Most of the time I’ve come on, we’ve been winning so it’s been a case of seeing the games out.”
      Lowe has loved playing for Scott Parker – and believes his style of play is the best in the Championship.
      He said: “Scott was a top player and demanded high standards of himself in terms of work rate and attention to detail – and he is exactly the same now.
      “Scott is in the same bracket as Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, who have had good careers and pride themselves on that they always set their standards sky high.
      Bournemouth manager Scott Parker is a 100 percenter who never allows standards to drop
      “They’re all 100 per centers and that is how they manage. You can’t drop below 100.” 
      Speaking of high standards, one player who has been superb this season is 36-year-old former Chelsea and England defender Gary Cahill.
      And Lowe admitted: “He is quite literally a wall, nothing is getting past him.” More

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      in Soccer

      Former Newcastle kid Dan Barlaser is Rotherham’s ‘Geordie Pirlo’ who hopes to play for Turkey

      by

      DAN BARLASER is called the Geordie Pirlo at Rotherham and one day he hopes to be the toast of Istanbul.Millers fans love their playmaking midfielder from Newcastle so much they sing a song comparing him to the Italian great.
      Dan Barlaser is loved by the Rotherham fans who call him the Geordie Pirlo
      Barlaser’s dad Sener is from the Turkish capital and his side of the family would love to see him play in the Premier League and represent their national team.
      The 24-year-old played for Turkey at Under-16s and Under-17s level before switching allegiances to England at Under-18s.
      But – while his ultimate ambition is to play in the top-flight – Barlaser would also love a crack at playing for Turkey if the chance presented itself.
      He said: “If they were qualifying for major tournaments then it would be a no-brainer. I’d definitely consider it.
      “I’ve a lot of family living over there. They were always trying to get me to support various Turkish teams when growing up but I stayed neutral so I didn’t upset anyone!
      “Turkey gave me a chance to show myself on the international stage as a kid. We went out to Germany, France and Italy – and I even learned to speak Turkish.
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      “I was in the same team as Enes Unal, who was at Manchester City but now plays in La Liga for Getafe. He’s a regular in the Turkey team now.”
      Barlaser’s dad is a football nut and was a key figure in his early career.
      He said: “In Turkey, football, basketball and volleyball are the main sports and my dad loved all of them.
      “He was good friends with the coach at Swalwell Juniors in Newcastle and I ended up playing for them.
      “Of course, nearly every Geordie kid is a football fan who wants to play for Newcastle and I was fortunate enough to get signed up, go through their youth system and play for the first team.”
      Dan Barlaser with his dad Sener, mum Alison and girlfriend Jade
      Barlaser started two FA Cup games and two League Cup games for the Toon before he left his boyhood club for Rotherham in October 2020.
      He worked under Alan Pardew, Steve McClaren, Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce during his time as a pro.
      And the midfielder said: “It was tough under Pardew because I was only 17.
      “But I was involved a lot more when McClaren was there. He even had me on the bench for a Premier League game against West Brom.
      “He was a good coach – the sessions he put on were enjoyable. He did tactical stuff more but it was with the ball.
      “Rafa was good tactically. Everyone knew what they were doing under him and he gave me my debut so I’ll always be grateful to him.”
      Dan Barlaser made four starts at Newcastle where he went through the club’s youth system
      Barlaser was disappointed not to get a chance under Bruce after spending a successful 2019-20 season on loan at Rotherham.
      He said: “There are not many young players who have come through the Newcastle ranks over the past decade.
      “I was disappointed not to get a proper chance because I had done well on loan but that is football so you have to progress your career elsewhere.” 
      His performances have played a huge part in Rotherham’s table-topping season so far.
      He has been involved in 10 of the team’s 45 goals so far – with five assists and five strikes himself. 
      Four of his goals came in December, landing him the SkyBet Player of the Month award.
      And, despite suffering the heartache of relegation from the Championship in May, Barlaser insists both he and the Millers are far better this season.
      He said: “We couldn’t dwell on what happened so the aim from the first day of pre-season was to work hard, be the fittest team in League One and go straight back up. That was the objective and we’re halfway there now.
      “Many of the lads have that experience of the last time the club was in League One and know how to win games at this level.
      “Since I joined Rotherham I’ve grown as a player and the defensive side of my game has improved too.
      Dan Barlaser has added more goals to his games this season at Rotherham
      “This season I’ve added goals to my game, which is the most pleasing thing.
      “I get a lot of assists because I take set-pieces but now I’m looking to score 10 myself.”
      One of the big improvements for Rotherham this season has been in the goals-for column. Only second-placed Sunderland, who have played two games more, have scored more.
      Fellow Geordie Michael Smith has been a standout player and the striker has 15 league goals so far.
      Barlaser said: “He’s scoring goals for fun and is a top professional who works hard. I see him only getting better and better.
      “Last season we were good going forward because we created countless chances but couldn’t finish them off.
      “That was the problem in the Championship, when we went 1-0 up for example, we didn’t put the second away to go 2-0 up. We were dropping points. 
      Dan Barlaser’s goals have earned him the SkyBet player-of-the-month award
      “This season we’ve been converting the chances and we’re right up there.”
      Barlaser wants to be back on the Championship stage to give him the platform to realise his ambitions.
      He said: “If we get promoted and you get good stats in the Championship, Prem clubs will come sniffing. That is always the case.
      “My goal is to play in the Premier League. I’ve had a taste of playing on loan in League Two with Accrington and League One and the Championship here. I would love to complete the set of playing in all four professional divisions.” More