ITV

IAN WRIGHT made a thinly veiled dig at Des Lynam after the veteran broadcaster’s bizarre comments about Laura Woods.The Arsenal legend is working as a pundit for ITV at the World Cup, with popular presenter Woods hosting plenty of the action.
Ian Wright was supportive of popular host Laura WoodsCredit: ITV
Woods appeared to appreciate Wrighty’s commentsCredit: ITV
In a column for the Telegraph, Lynam bafflingly criticised Woods for calling the 59-year-old “Wrighty” while working on the Netherlands’ 2-0 win over Senegal.
He wrote: “This was the first live match for ITV and was presented by the ever–smiling Laura Woods.
“She has done quite a lot of presentation work on both radio and television and comes over as both confident and capable.
“She called Ian Wright ‘Wrighty’ which sounds comfortable coming from the likes of Lineker but it made me slightly wince.
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“I may be wrong and perhaps they are close friends but the over-familiarity made me a touch uncomfortable.
“The other pundits were Gary Neville and the former Dutch international Nigel de Jong. Laura refrained from calling them Gaz or Nige.”
Responding to Lynam’s dig, Woods wrote on Twitter: “Jeez. Of all the things covered this is what made Des wince?”
Wright also took to social media in response to the column, adding: “How’s Des vexed that Laura called me ‘Wrighty’!!! Looking for something negative to write.”
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While appearing again with Woods during France’s 2-1 win over Denmark, Wright made another brilliant dig at Lynam.
Woods had asked him: “Is that another example, Ian, of where some people aren’t impressed by it?”
To which he responded: “You know what Lozza, it doesn’t matter, you don’t have to call me Ian.
“Look, how long we’ve known each other? Call me Wrighty like you normally do.”
Fans online loved Wright’s comments, with one writing: “What a top bloke.”
A second tweeted: “As a Spurs fan I couldn’t stand Ian Wright the player. As a pundit and person I think he’s brilliant.”
Another added: “He’s a national treasure.”
Des Lynam made a bizarre dig towards Laura WoodsCredit: PA:Press Association More

WORLD CUP fans have been left stunned by England legend Joe Cole’s “magic hands” while working as a pundit for ITV.Cole, 41, was giving some post-match comments on France’s 2-1 win over Denmark.

Joe Cole had special effects appear near his handsCredit: ITV
Kylian Mbappe netted a brace, while ex-Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen scored for the Danes.
As Cole was talking, a mystical dust appeared as if by magic around his hands.
Special effects may have played a part, but that didn’t stop fans from talking about Cole’s on-screen sorcery.
One stunned viewer said on Twitter: “Joe Cole just did magic.”
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The ITV panel, which also included Manchester United legends Roy Keane and Gary Neville, got on to the subject of England and cautious manager Gareth Southgate.
England played out a World Cup Group B draw with USA on Friday and offered very little in the final third.
Cole says the Three Lions have a knack of opting for cautious managers.
One example he remembers is having defender Phil Neville picked ahead of him at Euro 2004 to come off the bench against Portugal.
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The youngest of the Neville brothers played on the left flank.
Such a decision should have seen Sven-Goran Eriksson sacked, Keane declared.
A fan said: “Rahhhh they started Phil Neville ahead of Joe Cole vs Portugal in Euro 2004. England always Englanding.” More

BORED England fans turned their attention to “haunted lighthouse keeper” Roy Keane during a dreadful game against the USA.The Three Lions struggled during the opening 45 minutes and could not replicate their formidable performance against Iran from Monday.
Keane’s beard, shirt and general demeanour got England fans talking amid a poor game of World Cup football
And after a dreary first-half that did little to energise football fans, the spotlight shifted to the pundits.
Keane, on duty for ITV, caught the interest of viewers for his interesting World Cup look as he analysed the match.
The Irishman was sporting a thick greying beard and wore a patterned grey, beige and white shirt.
Twitter users were relentless as they poked fun of the former Manchester United midfielder.
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One said: “Roy Keane, looking more than ever like a haunted lighthouse keeper facing a deep personal crisis.”
The theme continued as another tweeter said: “Roy Keane looks about three years away from living in a lighthouse.”
Meanwhile, bored fans were also taken aback by Keane’s shirt.
One person said: “Roy Keane wearing a shirt that looks like he stapled three carpet samples together.”
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Another wrote: “Weird feeling when you’ve just watched a #Eng game and your main post match question is ‘where did Roy Keane get his shirt from?’
A third person wrote: “Roy Keane shirt and beard combo….horrific.”
When the action did get underway in the second-half, things did not improve.

Both sides once again struggled to create chances and even England’s Wags struggled to pretend they were entertained.
The game ended 0-0 and boos could be heard at the full-time whistle.
Despite the uninspiring performance, England know they are all but through to the knock-outs unless they suffer a complete collapse against Wales.
Meanwhile, it’s win or bust for the USA in their final group game against Iran. More

ROY KEANE offered a scathing assessment of England’s World Cup chances – and was then told to “cheer up” by his ITV colleagues.The Manchester United legend has already hit the headlines at the tournament in Qatar after his epic row with Graeme Souness earlier this week.
Roy Keane was told to ‘cheer up’ after his brutal assessment of England’s World Cup campaignCredit: Getty
He went on a rant after watching England’s stars enjoying their downtime after the win over IranCredit: Getty
And the Irish hardman had viewers in stitches again in the build-up to England’s clash with USA after ITV showed footage of the Three Lions squad enjoying their down time after the 6-2 win over Iran.
It featured his fellow panellist Ian Wright joining the camp for a game of darts.
Keane was less-than-impressed and, even though he admitted that the mood in the camp was naturally high, that they are ultimately at the World Cup to win it.
He said: “They’ve had a good start, six goals.
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“I never believe all that nonsense about team spirit, I never hear a manager or in the media say there’s a bad spirit in the group.
“There should be after the game and three or four days away.

“They look happy, playing a game of darts, they’re going to be upbeat.
“The most important thing is winning football matches, let’s see if they’ll laugh in a couple of weeks.”
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His ex-United colleague and former England star Gary Neville was alongside him in the studio and burst into laughter along with Wright.
And England women’s icon Karen Carney was pitchside and said: “He needs to cheer up.
“We’ll see at the end Roy, we’ll see at the end.”
And England may have proved Keane right as they put in a lifeless display to draw 0-0 with the Americans to leave top spot in group B in the balance. More

HEARTBROKEN ITV World Cup pundit Nadia Nadim has paid tribute to her late mother after she was tragically knocked down and killed by a digger.The Afghan-born Danish international, 34, who is working as a pundit for ITV in Qatar, was forced to leave the studio suddenly during Wednesday’s World Cup clash between Denmark and Tunisia.
Nadia Nadim was forced to leave the ITV studio during a gameCredit: Instagram
She paid tribute to her mum, Hamida, right, who was killed after a digger drove into herCredit: Instagram
Her mum was walking home when she was struck from behindCredit: Instagram
Nadia, a former refugee, was part of the broadcaster’s coverage during the goalless draw but was no longer in the studio after the match.
ITV confirmed she had left the studio early but didn’t give an explanation as to why she had been rushed away.
She later revealed the reason for her absence on her Instagram, as she paid tribute to her mother Hamida Nadim, 57, describing her as “the most important person” in her life.
Nadia and her mother were forced to flee Afghanistan when she was just 11 following three years in hiding after her Army general father was murdered by the Taliban.
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Taking to Instagram, the former Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain forward wrote: “Tuesday morning my Mother was killed by a truck. She was on her way back from the gym.
“Words can not describe what I’m feeling. I have lost the most important person in my life and it happened so sudden and unexpected.”
She went on: “She was only 57. She was a warrior who had fought for every inch of her life. She didn’t give me life once but twice, and everything I/ we are is because of her.
“I have lost my home and I know nothing’s gonna ever feel the same. Life is unfair and I don’t understand why her and why this way. I love you and I will see you again.”
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She added: “Her funeral is gonna be soon, (more information to follow). Please come and show her the love, respect and prayers she deserves.”
Southeast Jutland Police said that the 57-year-old was hit by a so-called wheel-digger from behind near her home in the town of Uldum, around 120 miles west of the Danish capital Copenhagen.
The driver of the digger failed to see Hamida as she was walking alongside the road back home from the gym.
Police report that the driver swerved to avoid an oncoming lorry on the narrow country lane, and crashed into the mum-of-five.
“A driver had overlooked the woman, who was walking out on the side of the road,” duty manager Torben Wind told Danish publication Horsens Folkeblad.
“An oncoming lorry came towards the driver, and it was a bit narrow, which is why the driver ended up driving into the woman.”
Hamida had moved to the small village of Uldum in 2018 after Nadia and her sister Giti helped buy her a house as a thank-you for her support for their family.
Tributes poured in for Hamida under Nadia’s Instagram post.
Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the former prime minister of Denmark, wrote: “Oh Nadia. Words cannot describe how tragic this is. Thoughts for you guys. Still remember when I met your strong wonderful mum.”
England and Manchester United player Ella Toone wrote: “Thinking of you.”
And Netherlands and Lyon player Danielle van de Donk commented: “Sending all my love and strength.”
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Nadia, who is among Denmark’s greatest-ever female footballers, was previously named Dane of the Year.
Hamida leaves behind four daughters as well as Nadia: Giti, Diana, Muskan, and Mujda. More

ITV PUNDITS have predicted their winners for the World Cup – but the experts are deeply divided on who will lift the trophy. The tournament in Qatar is a little over a week from kicking-off and anticipation is high for the unique mid-season World Cup.
Gary Neville believes Gareth Southgate’s men could pull off a World Cup to rememberCredit: ITV
Ian Wright was alone among ITV pundits in his pick for who the World Cup winners could beCredit: PA
Predictions vary among fans on will make it to the end, suggesting viewers could be in for an exciting and unpredictable month of football.
And even pundits can’t agree on which nation will be claiming the Jules Rimet trophy.
Seven ITV pundits put forward their guess on the eventual winners – and only one went for England.
Neville – who will also be doing analyst work for BEIN Sports – believes Gareth Southgate’s side can go one better than their Euros 2020 campaign.
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The Three Lions lost on penalties to Italy in the final last year but Neville thinks they can go one step further and replicate the infamous 1966 team.
But Wright has opted for an Argentinian win in what will be Lionel Messi’s final World Cup.
Argentina have previously won the tournament twice in 1978 and 1986 but have since lost in two finals in 1990 and 2014.
Popular pundit Ally McCoist was one of three ITV pundits to go for a Brazil win – alongside Lee Dixon and John Hartson.
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Brazil’s squad is so packed full of talent that Liverpool’s in-form Roberto Firmino could not even find his way into it.
Meanwhile like Neville, Nigel de Jong has opted for his own country to win it and believes the Netherlands can end their World Cup hoodoo.
The Dutch hold the record for most World Cup finals without winning it, having made their way to the grand finale in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
And finally Andros Townsend believes France will retain their trophy after their 2018 World Cup win.
As is tradition, BBC and ITV will share the matches with ITV set to air their first match on Monday November 21 with Senegal v the Netherlands.
Kylian Mbappe will be looking to add another World Cup to his collection after he scored against Croatia in the 2018 finalCredit: AFP More