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      in Soccer

      Almost 2,500 football fans lose TEN TONNES in weight after signing up to get fit

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      ENERGETIC football supporters have lost an incredible TEN TONNES in weight after signing up to get active.Nearly 2,500 fans signed up to their clubs’ Fit Fans scheme to lose the equivalent of ten Volkswagen Beetles.
      Energetic football supporters have lost an incredible TEN TONNES in weight after signing up to get activeCredit: Alamy
      Clubs across the English Football League offer advice on diet and weight loss to footie followers who want to shed excess weight.
      Nutrition and fitness experts come into the clubs for an initial 12-week programme before the fans take part in community activities.
      Sessions will be promoted this week as 72 league clubs take part in their Week of Action which also includes Wigan hosting a football session for Afghan refugees.
      Cardiff City will showcase a project where military veterans are supported to beat loneliness and social isolation.

      IT project manager Jonathan Sutcliffe, 39, has lost more than two stone since joining the Bradford City get-fit scheme.
      He said: “I’ve got two boys and before I didn’t have the energy to play football with them.
      “Now I can’t wait to kick a ball about with them.
      “The scheme has helped me with my overall well-being and I’ve even gone down one or two sizes when it comes to my clothes.
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      “The advice I’ve had on changing my diet a bit and getting my steps up from 500 a day to around 35,000 is really paying off.”
      Mike Evans, Chief Executive of the EFL Trust said: “FIT FANS is a great example of how EFL Clubs make a really significant contribution to the health of our communities.
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      “Using the power of EFL club badges to attract supporters to the programme, the results we have seen so far are outstanding as FIT FANS focuses on long term lifestyle changes unlike many other weight loss programmes.
      “We hear so many positive stories not only about health improvements, but also strong camaraderie and friendships being formed within the FIT FANS family.” More

    • 188 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Richard Wood wants more Wembley memories as Rotherham gear up for Sutton cup final showdown

      by

      RICHARD WOOD hopes to create more happy Wembley memories for his two kids today.The Rotherham captain was the hero as his two goals in the 2018 League One play-off final fired them into the Championship.
      Rotherham captain Richard Wood was a hero at Wembley four years ago
      His youngest son Graye has watched over and again the video of the 2-1 win over Shrewsbury after extra-time.
      Today League One Millers face League Two Sutton in the Papa John’s Trophy Final.
      And defender Wood, 36, told SunSport: “The main thing that sticks in my mind and a lot of it is a blur looking back.
      “I remember the two goals the most.
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      “The second one, in extra-time which won us the game, sticks out the most and seeing my children’s faces when I scored.
      “It was irreplaceable. It’s a memory that’ll stay with me and my family for the rest of our lives. It was some day.
      “My youngest lad Graye, who is 11, watches the game at home and at his nan’s house as well. He has literally learned the entire commentary of both my goals — he can say it word for word. 
      “And he and his older brother Jenson, who is 13, are so excited to be going back. Because they’re both a little older and have had a taste of it, they are even more excited this time round.”
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      Wood’s experience of playing at Wembley will be invaluable in the dressing room where he is only one of three players that featured in the game that are still at the club.
      Striker Michael Smith and defender Joe Mattock are the other two.
      And he said: “When you look at the pitch, as you arrive there or are warming up, it takes your breath away. 
      “I try to explain to the lads not to be too nervous. Don’t spend too much nervous energy. Too much is bad. Enjoy it for what it is. 
      “Not too many people get to play at Wembley. So you must take advantage of that feeling and enjoy it.
      “But after the warm up and you do all the bits before, I just focus on the game then.
      “You must put your heart and soul into it and give everything you’ve got.
      “You visualise what you want to happen on the day and for me it was just to get promoted. I never thought about scoring, let alone getting two!”
      Sharing those special moments with loved ones are a huge motivation for Wood when he steps out onto the pitch every week.
      And he said: “It’s why I want my family and children to watch me play right to the end of my career and create new memories.
      Proud dad Richard Wood with his two boys Graye and Jenson
      Richard Wood’s two goals fired Rotherham into the Championship
      Rotherham team-mates celebrate with Richard Wood after his second goal
      “Football is of course rewarding and well paid. But for me it’s about scoring goals, winning matches, playing at Wembley, getting promoted. To play there is something I will treasure and it’s a moment I know they will all remember for the rest of their lives too.”
      Standing in his and Rotherham’s way today is League Two club Sutton, who only won promotion from the National League this summer.
      A bit like Rotherham, they are a club that feels it is punching above its weight but continue to be well run and are progressing while more glamorous clubs are faltering.
      Wood said: “They are a good side and deserve to be here. They’ve been the underdogs and I admire any team like that which clearly have a real togetherness. 
      “Even though we’re in different leagues, that doesn’t come into my thought process.
      “We’ve been watching them and how they play — and it’s irrelevant what league they’re in, we’ll be treating them exactly the same as we would any other team, higher division, same division or lower.
      “It’s a football match and whoever turns up on the day usually wins.” More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      George Baldock eyes the double – Premier League promotion with Sheffield United and a Greece call up

      by

      GEORGE BALDOCK is eyeing a double … promotion to the Premier League and a call-up to the Greece national team.The Sheffield United right-back, 29, has been in superb form this season and has ambitions to play international football.
      Baldock in action for Sheffield United
      Aylesbury-born Baldock’s late grandmother Athanasia was Greek and moved to the UK in 1950 with his English grandfather.
      And he is set to finally have all the right paperwork in place to make him eligible to play for Greece after two years of interest from their FA.
      He told SunSport: “The massive hold up has been because of covid and Brexit slowing down the process.
      “I’m about a week away from getting all the final things done as everything is now going in the right direction.
      .css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1h37p88{background-color:rgba(236,245,247,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}FINALS COUNTDOWN .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}World Cup draw UNDERWAY as England wait with bated breath for opponents
      “Had I been half Greek, the whole process would’ve been a lot quicker — but sadly my nan is no longer with us and there’s paperwork everywhere.
      “It’s all about getting the right information to the Greek authorities but I’ve persevered with it and the finishing line is in sight.
      “Hopefully I can play well enough to get in the team.”
      Baldock is finally back from a one-month injury lay-off as the Blades travel to Stoke on Saturday and speculation has been rife that Greek giants Olympicos are weighing up a move.
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      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      But he has ruled out any move — saying: “I’m extremely focussed on Sheffield United. Everyone in the city knows that.
      “I’ve put everything into the club from day one when I moved here and have loved every minute of it.
      “There might come a time when they no longer want me but in terms of the speculation I’m fully focussed behind this club.”
      Baldock believes the only way is up under Paul Heckingbottom.
      Blades boss ‘Hecky’ has been a revelation since taking over from sacked Slavisa Jokanovic in November.
      At the time, the club were down in 16th place after an underwhelming start to life back in the Championship following relegation from the Premier League.
      But fast forward four months they are flying, sitting in the play-off spots — having won 11 of his 19 games in charge, having only lost three of those.
      Baldock said: “I’ve not got a bad word to say about Slav because he’s has a great track record in the Championship, having previously got Fulham promoted, and I’m sure he’ll be successful again with another club.
      “But the moment Hecky took over, training and intensity levels went up. It all rolled into his first weekend in charge against Bristol City, we got off to a flying start and he’s been absolutely brilliant since.”
      Many people at Bramall Lane believe he should have been given the job in the summer after his stint in caretaker charge last season after Chris Wilder departed.
      Although the club got relegated, performances improved under Heckingbottom and won three of their last six Premier League games.
      Baldock added: “There weren’t many positives to take from last season — but Hecky restored a bit of hope and faith and we picked up a bit.
      “So it was no surprise to me and the players when he was reappointed this time round.
      “He has done a fantastic job. We all knew him and were all comfortable around him. 
      “And Hecky has carried on where he left off and been brilliant.
      “The man is so passionate — as well as being an honest and respectful guy.
      “He’s very intelligent and it’s only this time working and speaking with him that I realise how vast his knowledge of the game is and how he looks at things.
      “His management skills are brilliant and he has everything in his armory to succeed.”
      CHAMPIONSHIP RUN IN
      Baldock and most of his Blades team-mates won promotion with the club three years ago — beating Leeds to the second automatic spot.
      United are eight points behind second-placed Bournemouth, who have two games in hand.
      Although after today’s trip to the Potteries, the Blades host QPR on Tuesday before welcoming the Cherries to Bramall Lane next weekend.
      And Baldock said: “I’ve been with this group of players for the past five years and they’re mentally strong characters who are used to big-pressure games.
      “Now it’s all about putting everyone together and hopefully creating something special.
      “Since Hecky came in, it has just been about climbing the league and trying to gain a position.
      “The season we went up, Leeds had a gap on us with a few games in hand.
      “The gap is bigger now but football is a crazy game and anything can happen. Our pure focus is on climbing the table and just see how it goes.”
      One player who has yet again been vital for Sheffield United is none other than talisman Billy Sharp.
      Despite turning 36, the striker has fired 14 goals from his 30 Championship starts this season.
      And Baldock said: “Sharpy really is like a fine wine – he just gets better with age.
      “He’s like Benjamin Button and incredible.
      “I’ve had this time to watch him from the stands during being injured. I see how much he runs, how fit he is and what great condition he is in.
      “I can never quite understand the away fans’ chants of ‘You fat b*****d’. I can’t see where they get that from. He”s in such fit shape and runs as much as anyone. He has that quality and knows how to assist and score goals. 
      “Sharpy often can tell us, ‘How are you not running when I’m doing this at the age of 36!’
      “The thing about him is he backs it up. He bleeds Sheffield United blood. He’s an absolute legend and deserves all the accolades and credits he gets.
      “I’m good friends with him away from the game and I see how much he cares for the club.”
      Baldock’s stunning effort in the 4-0 win against Swansea won him the SkyBet goal-of-the-month gong for February.
      It was his first goal since netting a winner against Norwich in the Premier League back in December 2019.
      And he said: It was such a good team goal — starting back to front.
      “I found myself high up the pitch. I saw Rhys Norrington-Davies was firing up a cross and had been working hard on trying to get into the box more so I had to sprint to be honest. 
      “The ball fell nicely for me and it was about trying to get good contact. It flew off my boot. I saw it bounce back off the bar. I ran off and had a little look back and saw the ball cross the line.”
      Paul Heckingbottom has revitalised his side’s fortunes More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Sutton United chairman jokes boss Matt Gray has FAILED… because team doing too well ahead of Papa John’s Trophy Final

      by

      ALL aboard on yet another leg of Sutton United’s incredible journey.Fresh from entering the Football League last summer for the first time in their 123-year history, not only are they competing for yet another promotion to League One but on Sunday will be playing in the Papa John’s Trophy final at Wembley.
      Sutton get on the road to Wembley for this weekend’s Papa John’s Trophy final
      Chairman Bruce Elliott talks to Justin Allen about Sutton’s epic journey
      But chairman Bruce Elliott says manager Matt Gray has FAILED to meet his objectives.
      Gray, 40, is only in his third season in management and Elliott told SunSport: “Last year we asked him to keep us in the National League because we thought we were punching above our weight — but instead he got us promoted into the EFL.
      “And this season, we asked him to just get us to 50 points so we can have a second year as members of the Football League.
      “But not only did we reach that target in February, we’ve still got another chance of promotion and he’s got us to Wembley. So he has failed again!
      “Yet, joking aside, you couldn’t make this sort of stuff up. We’re still pinching ourselves.”
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      A vintage London bus — hired by the trophy’s sponsors — rolled into Sutton town centre this week as the team met fans ahead of Sunday’s big game.
      Sutton, who have sold nearly 14,000 tickets, will be hoping its fourth time lucky at Wembley after losing all three of their previous trips — but it will be their first appearance under the arch and first at our national stadium since 1981.
      And Eliott has been to all THREE — watching the club in the FA Amateur Cup final in 1963 and 1969 as well as the FA Trophy final in 1981.
      He said: “When I went in 1963 I was a teenager and the first time I’d ever been to Wembley. We lost 4-2 to Wimbledon with Eddie Reynolds scoring four headed goals.
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      “I’ve been chairman since 1996 and in that time we’ve won promotions, had our best-ever FA Cup run where we reached the fifth round against Arsenal in 2017 and become Football League members for the first time in our history. 
      “But the one last thing I still had to tick off was getting to a Wembley final and we’ve done it.”
      Having been a Tottenham youth team-mate of Peter Crouch and Ledley King, Gray had to retire as a player aged 25 due to injuries after a short non-league career playing for Barnet, Hayes and Havant & Waterlooville.
      And he spent 12 years serving as an assistant at Eastleigh as well as in League Two with Aldershot and Crawley before becoming a coach under Paul Doswell and then replacing him when he stepped down.
      The Sutton boss said: “I always wanted to go into coaching and management. 
      “It was engrained into me from childhood by my dad and grandfather from the age of 10. We’d be watching games and they’d be quizing me about what formations different teams were playing. I always had that eye for it and passion for coaching.
      “I didn’t expect to be in it so young though after having six operations in six years — three back, three knee.
      “I gained a lot of experience. I wanted to become a manager but it had to be at the right club because I wasn’t a household name.”
      TOUGH START
      And — although what Gray has achieved at Sutton is nothing short of miraculous — he admits his start to management was tough.
      He said: “I won two and drew three of my first five games in charge but then went on a run of one win in 14. For that to happen so early in my managerial career was a baptism of fire.
      “But not once did I have any concerns about the board sticking by me. They’ve always been supportive and I know how well we had been playing in that run. We just weren’t getting the results or the rub of the green.
      “I knew it would change with a couple of tweaks here and there and Bruce and the board have forever been supportive. We’ve not looked back since.”
      Captain Ben Goodliffe returns to the stadium almost a year after he watched England in the Euro 2021 Final against Italy with team-mate Dean Bouzanis.
      The former personal trainer, 22, said: “I’d never have thought beyond my wildest dreams I’d be playing there myself less than a year later!
      “I’ve snapped up 60 tickets for family and friends. I can’t wait to play in front of them and all the fans.
      “Joining Sutton after I was released by Wolves three years ago has been the best thing to happen to me. I’ve played more than 100 games for the club and we’ve evolved from a non-league side to one that is trying to get into League One.
      “The recruitment of players here has been brilliant and the gaffer likes us all to have banter away from football but when it’s time to work we all knuckle down.”

      Boss Matt Gray has brought some huge colour to the story of Sutton United More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Morecambe ace Amilcar Codjovi safely back in Manchester as he recalls harrowing escape from war-torn Ukraine

      by

      AMILCAR CODJOVI is safely back in Manchester with relieved mum Sika Marie after a harrowing escape from the war in Ukraine.The former Morecambe kid featured in this column at the start of last month about his fears of a Russian invasion as NATO intelligence reported huge troop build-up on the border.
      Amilcar Codjovi has been reunited with his mother Sika MarieCredit: Dave Pinegar
      Codjovi, 20, had been playing for top-flight Ukraine club Vorskla Poltava, which is only 90 miles away from the Russian frontier.
      But his world got turned upside down when Vladimir Putin ordered his army into battle — and he only managed to escape the carnage after the intervention of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic secured his safe passage into Hungary.
      Codjovi, nine team-mates and their families including a toddler hit the road on a gruelling, hazardous 48-hour and 900-mile dash to safety in which they feared for their lives.
      Putin’s troops moved in the day after Codjovi celebrated his 20th birthday. The Morecambe academy graduate thought he could hear fireworks shortly before going to bed but soon found out it was something far worse.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}OUT OF THE BLUE .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Chelsea to have new owners BEFORE end of season as deadline set for bids
      He told me: “We were staying in club accommodation preparing for a match and I could hear something that sounded like gunshots. I told my team-mates, ‘That must be fireworks’ and I went to bed.”
      They were not fireworks and his sleep was soon interrupted by the wailing sound of air-raid sirens. Russian troops were pouring over the border and he had missed calls from concerned mum Sika Marie in the UK and dad Amadeo, who lives in Spain.
      He said: “I started to worry. I was scared, worried and thought, ‘How am I going to get out of this place? I can’t get stuck here with all this happening.
      “So I quickly packed a suitcase and got ready to get the hell out of there.”
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      Codjovi was beginning to regret not listening to the advice of his parents and agent Soriebah Kajue, who all tried to talk him out of returning to Ukraine after a mid-winter training camp in Turkey.
      It soon became apparent the club’s assurances they would arrange to get their overseas players out of the country could not be relied upon with the situation on the ground deteriorating by the minute.
      So Codjovi joined a party of 10 footballers, their families, including one toddler, on an epic journey to the Hungarian border.
      At times the midfielder feared for his life — passing tanks along the way, hearing explosions and gunfire and at one stage being forced to stop due to a flat tyre.
      He said: “Poland was a lot nearer but the route was too chaotic. There were too many people heading that way so we agreed Hungary was the best option.
      While we were changing the tyre a fleet of tanks suddenly appeared upon the horizonAmilcar Codjovi
      “We filled up with petrol and got on our way. It was so scary, especially when we had to stop because one of the tyres burst.
      “It was in the early hours of the morning and while we were changing the tyre a fleet of tanks suddenly appeared upon the horizon.
      “I was so scared and felt like I was in a scene I’d seen only in Second World War movies and was worried they might open fire on us — but thankfully they were Ukrainian!”
      On the whole epic journey, they only stopped for fuel and toilet breaks.
      The first leg of the escape saw them driven by Ukrainians who dropped them off to be picked up by a minivan that would take them near the border before completing the crossing on foot.
      But when they reached the border, Hungarian guards would not let anyone make the TWENTY-SECOND crossing unless they were in a vehicle!
      Codjovi said: “We were so relieved to have arrived safely at the border but then suddenly our fears increased again as the Hungarians wouldn’t let us in unless we crossed in a motorised vehicle.
      I almost cried. It was terrible that people would try to make money from our very desperate situationAmilcar Codjovi
      “So some people decided to profit from this and brought cars and minivans to the border charging £1,200 per PERSON!
      “I almost cried. It was terrible that people would try to make money from our very desperate situation.”
      Just when it looked like all hope had gone that they could enter Hungary, Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic got wind of their plight.
      Codjovi told me: “My Croatian team-mate Ivan Pesic was calling his country’s embassy and, just as we were thinking about turning back, he got some great news. The Croatian prime minister had called the embassy in Kyiv and they contacted the border guards — and they then let us through!
      “Ivan’s parents brought a couple of cars to pick us up on the other side and they dropped me off in Budapest before I flew back to Manchester.”
      His mum is so happy to have her son back in the UK and she has been spoiling him with her Ivorian cooking.
      The midfielder believes his days playing in Ukraine are numbered and has a strong desire to play in the EFL next season if a club is interested in signing him.
      Codjovi — brought up in Madrid by parents from the Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau — played youth football for Rayo Vallecano before moving to Manchester with his mum when he was 15.
      Both my parents don’t want me going backAmilcar Codjovi
      He spent six months at Liverpool before joining Morecambe where he graduated through their youth system.
      While at Morecambe, he never quite broke into the first team — but since leaving two years ago he has beefed up physically to compliment his technical ability and has experience of playing alongside and against international footballers.
      He said: “I don’t think I’ll be going back to Ukraine anytime soon. Both my parents don’t want me going back. I’m just relieved to be out of there.
      “I’d love to have a proper go at English football and be back here among my family and friends. I believe I can do well here because I’m now at a much higher level than when I left here at the age of 18.
      “I’ve always had the technical ability but was not physical enough. But I know now that I can adapt and be successful here.”
      But one thing is for sure — after his harrowing experience in Ukraine he will work even harder to realise his dreams.
      He said: “My life now feels different. I’ve learned you must live life to the fullest — and go for your ambitions — because you never know what’s going to happen in life. I’m happy to be alive.”
      Codjovi, 20, is determined to get a crack at the EFLCredit: Dave Pinegar More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Looks like a prat’ – Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth’s lairy animal print shirt on Soccer Saturday gets rough reaction

      by

      WYCOMBE WANDERERS boss Gareth Ainsworth is no stranger to a fashion statement. But fans weren’t feeling the bold animal print shirt Ainsworth was rocking while on broadcasting duties for Soccer Saturday.
      Ainsworth showed off an eye catching animal print shirt on Soccer SaturdayCredit: Sky Sports
      His heavily unbuttoned outfit was not a hit with viewersCredit: Sky Sports
      Ainsworth was already mocked only earlier this month by Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling for leaving multiple shirt buttons undone.
      And now the 48-year-old has left fans wincing once again.
      With Wycombe not in action Ainsworth covered Stevenage’s trip to Exeter in League Two for Sky Sports, showing off a lairy animal print shirt in the process.
      Once again the EFL boss elected to leave many of his shirt buttons undone.
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      Viewers were not impressed in the slightest by the fashion statement, with many taking to social media in disbelief at his choice of outfit.
      One mocked: “Gareth Ainsworth on @GilletteSoccerS thinks he looks so cool. He doesn’t. He looks like a prat.”
      Another added: “What the chuffing hell is Gareth Ainsworth wearing?”
      While a third said: “State of Ainsworth on Soccer Saturday.”
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      Long-haired Ainsworth is the EFL’s second longest-serving manager – having been in the Wycombe hot seat for NINE years.
      And when he’s not picking up three points or sporting some questionable outfits, often at the same time, Ainsworth is also a a rock-and-roll star. More

    • 188 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Stoke line up Daniel Farke as emergency replacement if Michael O’Neill leaves after poor season

      by

      DANIEL FARKE is on an emergency hit-list of bosses if Michael O’Neill leaves Stoke.The former Norwich chief is a free agent after leaving his job in Russia.
      Stoke are eyeing Daniel Farke as a potential replacement for Michael O’NeillCredit: AFP
      O’Neill has struggled at Stoke with his side 15th in the ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      Farke, 45, wants to return to England and his name is being whispered in the Potteries where O’Neill has had a poor season.
      Pressure is growing on the owners, the Coates family, with Blackburn’s Tony Mowbray and Derby’s Wayne Rooney on the radar if they act this summer.
      O’Neill finished mid-table with Stoke last year and after a promising start to the campaign this season they find themselves 15th in the Championship.
      Meanwhile former boss Nathan Jones has taken Luton Town all the way up to third playing an entertaining brand of football.

      Farke employed a similar style at Norwich which saw him gain promotion to the Premier League twice before being sacked earlier this season.
      The Canaries won the Championship with ease last season gaining 97 points in the process.
      And although Farke has never quite cut it in the top-flight, Stoke will be happy as long as he takes the club back there.
      Stoke have struggled since relegation from the Premier League in 2018 with a highest placed finish of 14th, which came last season.
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      The Coates family could struggle to attract Rooney to the club after he turned down a move to his beloved Everton.
      The Derby boss stated that he wants to finish the project he has started at Pride Park, with the club’s immediate future still uncertain. More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Carlos Corberan’s passion and Sir Alex Ferguson documentary driving unbeaten kings Huddersfield’s bid for Premier League

      by

      CARLOS CORBERAN is sitting in his office speaking passionately about managing Huddersfield.He is one of the most animated coaches I’ve spoken to.
      Carlos Corberan has got plenty to shout about at Huddersfield

      Only Paolo Di Canio beats him in my personal list — although Antonio Conte did once sing to me in Los Angeles while on a Chelsea pre-season tour.
      But, literally you could ask ex-Sunderland and Swindon boss Di Canio a question and 15 minutes later he’d still be answering it although would’ve gone off on a tangent while reenacting every scene he was describing. 
      Corberan is not quite in that league — yet on the touchline he kicks every ball, wins every tackle and header, completes every pass and, as an ex-goalkeeper, makes every save. He lives and breathes every moment with his team.
      I often wonder how his players remain calm on the pitch because I’m sometimes a nervous wreck just watching him!
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      But Corberan tells me: “The day I lose this will be the day I lose my passion for football.
      “I love the game. I love all the people who are involved. I love to analyse every single thing that happens.
      “It’s of course important to control these emotions — everyone has a different personality.
      “Some people don’t express themselves a lot, some do, but it’s impossible to be calm without passion. 
      .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      CHELTENHAM FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS – ALL THE LATEST DEALS FOR THE RACING THIS WEEK
      “It’s easier how we manage this passion. Sometimes we manage it well, sometimes not but I do try to be calm.
      “Sometimes when I talk to my family after the game, I tell them I was calm but they say to me, ‘No way.’
      “We are so desperate to build a team that the fans are proud of and that’s why we care so much.”
      But — as Corberan explains — it is impossible to ever be completely calm. For all the work done behind the scenes preparing a team for a match, there is so much you cannot control — things you could not possibly predict or bargain for.
      Even if the game is seemingly in the bag at 2-0 up with six minutes left as it was at The Hawthorns on Friday night, the unexpected can happen.
      In this case, ref Matthew Donohue awarded West Brom a penalty when he wrongly adjudged that Sorba Thomas had caught Alex Mowatt with a high foot.
      Within a minute it was 2-2 and  the Terriers almost lost when Karlan Grant struck the bar.
      Football always keeps you on the edge.
      Corberan said: “What helps make me feel calm is knowing we’ve prepared properly for the game.
      “The more we make the team grow and work during the week, the more calm we can be on the touchline because we know we’ve done everything we can.
      “Imagine if you know the team only has the possibility to face one sort of situation then something else happens. You then don’t have a solution.
      Corberan is popular with his Huddersfield players
      “You can never be relaxed or think everything is under control. Other teams also have good players and good coaches. So you can never feel completely calm.”
      Corberan is endearing and I can imagine how the players must love playing for him.  
      I connected to him instantly because he has that true human quality.
      He is not some boring dullard who doesn’t really want to talk to you and trots out all the same boring stock answers to every question — although he did once mention something about taking each game as it comes!
      The Huddersfield boss loves reading books and watching real-life films and documentaries to understand and learn about human behaviour.
      One of the most recent movies he enjoyed was King Richard where Will Smith plays as Serena and Venus Williams’ father in a film that charts his life and determination to make the two sisters tennis greats.
      And he also loved watching Never Give In — a look at the life and career of Sir Alex Ferguson.
      Corberan said: “Football is full of human-beings. There are so many things out there that can make you understand people.
      “I like to analyse the behaviours of people and people who have achieved unbelievable things.
      “I love to know and understand their minds and the reasons behind their behaviour.
      “Real-life films are the ones you have to watch because you can get to see a different side to someone amazing — their true personality. You can take so much knowledge from this.”
      Corberan says he respects the modern-day footballer so much because of the demands that are placed upon them. He happily accepts he “did not have the skills or mindset” required to be a top goalkeeper when he was a kid on the books at Valencia.
      Some people don’t express themselves a lot, some do, but it’s impossible to be calm without passion.Carlos Corberan
      He said: “It’s so different to play a game on the training pitch and another in front of 20,000 people, especially away from home where all of them are against you. You must have the personality to make the right decision or brave decision.
      “That is why I didn’t play at a high level because I didn’t have either the right personality or set of skills. At this level, these players have to do this twice a week. I have a lot of respect for these players.”
      Despite Friday’s late wobble, Corberan’s team have now gone SEVENTEEN games unbeaten in the Championship – the best such run in the country – and he won the SkyBet manager of the month award for February.
      It is all a far cry from a difficult first season in charge. Having worked as an assistant to Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds for two seasons, he took over a side that had just escaped relegation — but a run of just one win in their final 25 games last term could easily have seen him sacked.
      Corberan is the SkyBet Championship manager of the month for FebruaryCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Carlos Corberan worked with Marcelo Bielsa for two years at Leeds
      But the Yorkshire side are now reaping the benefits of sticking by their manager, who has slowly but surely built a team that like to play attractive attacking football.
      He said: “Our job depends a lot on results but I always try to be focussed on the things I can control. My control is preparing the team and preparing them in the best way we can and creating and executing the style we want to play.
      “I respect a lot the support of the club because they’ve supported me in complicated moments. I want to give back and compensate their backing.”
      IT’S NOT HUDD TO TELL, STEVE!
      STEVE BRUCE asked me if I was from Huddersfield after I suggested the penalty West Brom got at The Hawthorns was the wrong call by the referee on Friday.
      Yes, those Yorkshire twangs that I developed from my Kentish upbringing really gave me away there!
      GREAT COL BY U’S
      WELL done, Colchester United who are donating ALL gate receipts from their League Two game next Monday against Forest Green Rovers to the British Red Cross to help towards evacuating Ukrainian refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin’s barbaric invasion of their country.
      Every ticket will be priced at £10 regardless of concession and the team will wear the Ukraine national colours of yellow and blue and the kit will also be auctioned off to raise further funds.
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