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      in Boxing

      Trying to make Chris Eubank vs Conor Benn happen was like coming into a car crash, they hate each other, says Ben Shalom

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      BOXING promoter Ben Shalom has likened making Chris Eubank Jr’s fight against Conor Benn to a car crash.The feuding pair finally agreed to fight last month after years of bickering.Arranging Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn’s fight has been likened to a car crashCredit: GettyPromoter Ben Shalom admits he can’t believe the fight is finally going aheadCredit: PAEubank Jr and Benn will collide on April 26 at Tottenham’s 62,000-seater stadium.And it will finally lay to rest the ghosts of their failed clash in October 2022.The scrap was axed when Benn failed two Voluntary Anti-Doping Association Tests.The unbeaten welterweight contender then had the fight of his life to try and prove his innocence and get his career back on track.READ MORE IN BOXINGBenn, 28, was later charged by UK Anti-Doping and a bitter dispute with the British Boxing Board of Control ensued after the fighter was stripped of his license.It saw him take his career to America, where he had two routine wins up at super-welterweight against Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson.Eubank, 35, went on to have a double header with Liam Smith, 36, losing the first by KO before winning the rematch by stoppage.He then beat Kamil Szeremeta in his last bout in October – with Benn ringside in Saudi Arabia.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSFollowing his seventh-round stoppage of Szeremeta, 35, he faced off with Benn in the ring to fuel speculation their bitter bout was back on.And a month later, UKAD released a statement to confirm Benn’s ban had been lifted – clearing him to fight on home soil again.Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn square up as Neymar ‘acts like guest referee’ in baffling scenesBoxxer founder and fight promoter Shalom has now lifted the lid on the difficulty of setting up Eubank Jr’s fight against Benn.Speaking to Betfred, he likened negotiations to a car crash and admits Turki Al-Sheikh was the driving force behind the bout.Shalom said: “The thing about Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn is that it’s bigger than boxing, and there’s very few events that are, so of course getting it over the line was tricky.“We weren’t involved in the first scheduled fight with the chaos surrounding the drug testing and failed drugs tests, so we came into an absolute car crash, which involved two fighters that absolutely hate each other.“They don’t even want to talk to each other or give anything, but it was the fight to make.“Both fighters were talking about doing other fights and all this, but we always knew that this was the fight to make. It was hard, everything was an argument.“For me, Chris Eubank Jr is far and away the A side and bigger name and of course I’m going to say that, but I think his resume proves that and the fights he’s been in before prove that.”But we were dealing with a tricky character and another promoter in Matchroom.“It was almost like full circle, I have to be honest, because when I came into the sport, probably Matchroom at the time, even though that’s changed now with Frank Warren, were the leaders and they were trying to make our life very, very difficult.”So to come full circle and be at the negotiating table for Eubank Jr vs Benn is a crazy story and boxing’s full of crazy stories.“We finally got it over the line with the help of His Excellency (Turki Al-Sheikh) because he was able to take ego out of the window and Conor didn’t have to see how much Chris was earning, which I think was half the battle.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The interest in it is huge, the history is huge and it’s definitely one that will go down in the history books and be remembered for a very long time.”So I’m delighted to be involved in what I believe will be the biggest show in British boxing, if not boxing, this year.” More

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      in Soccer

      Duncan Ferguson gets public apology from non-league club after he’s caught on camera throwing cup of tea away

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      A NON-LEAGUE club has apologised to Duncan Ferguson after he was spotted throwing away a bad brew from the stadium canteen.Cymru Premier side Flint Town United caught the former Everton star quite literally ‘spilling the tea’ during a recent match at the Essity Stadium.Duncan Ferguson was caught on camera trying a cup of tea from Flint Town UnitedCredit: X @FlintTownFCThe Scot didn’t seem to like it and quickly poured it onto the floorCredit: X @FlintTownFCDuring the game, a camera zoomed in on Ferguson just as he was taking a sip of the beverage.The Scot pulled a face before looking back down at his cup.He then looked around before flinging his entire drink on the floor and walking away.The video was shared on social media by Flint Town with a comment that read: “We would like to apologise to Big Dunc, and hope his next brew at the Essity Stadium is far more enjoyable!”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA canteen assistant from the club was then quick to write: “As a level 1 catering assistant in said canteen I like to make the following statement: 1) We use Tetley tea bags. 2) The individual is in charge of making his own brew. 3) Our prices are the best in the town.”Big Dunc come back for a famous Keith burger next time.”Football fans loved the social media exchange, with one person writing: “That is absolutely fantastic 🤣.”Another commented: “This is amazing!”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile a third joked: “He should’ve gone with the Bovril instead!”Ferguson retired from professional football in 2006 following a six-year spell with Everton.Ex-Rangers star Duncan Ferguson spotted shovelling snow off Inverness pitch as he leads ‘army’ of helpers-The 53-year-old has since been placed in charge of the Toffees twice on an interim basis.He last took charge of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2024.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      in Soccer

      ‘We really wanted him’ – Napoli chief reveals Alejandro Garnacho request that saw Man Utd star’s transfer fall apart

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      ALEJANDRO GARNACHO’s transfer to Napoli fell apart after the star made an “unfair” request to join them.Garnacho, 20, at one stage looked destined to leave Manchester United during the winter transfer window.Alejandro Garnacho’s move to Napoli failed due to one ‘unfair’ reasonCredit: GettyNapoli sporting director Giovanni Manna said they ‘really wanted him’Credit: GettyThis was due to him partly not fitting Ruben Amorim’s system, partly owing to a lack of minutes and partly due to PSR pressure on Man Utd.Napoli and Chelsea were among the main clubs linked with the winger, but ultimately a deal was not reached with Garnacho finding a new lease of life at Old Trafford.The Italian side had been looking to sign a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed for Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the month in a deal worth £59m.But Giovanni Manna, sporting director of the Naples outfit, has now revealed why a deal to sign the Argentine fell apart.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking at a press conference on Wednesday, he said: “We discussed and met Garnacho even before Kvara left, we made an important offer to United. We really wanted him.”The player wanted to leave the Premier League in January because in July it’s different; he wanted to be satisfied financially, something that we can’t do at the moment.”We don’t want to and I don’t even think it’s fair when there’s an average salary in the dressing room and you put a young player who earns a higher salary.”It’s not right towards the others who are doing important things.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”We created a competitive team for a competition, and we are there thanks to the coach and the team, it wasn’t right.”Despite extensive discussions with the Red Devils, Napoli were also unable to agree a transfer fee despite the asking price being lowered to £55m.Manchester United player ratings against Crystal PalaceNapoli were also in the race for Patrick Dorgu, before he eventually moved to Man Utd in a deal worth £25m plus £4m in add-ons.Manna added: “Napoli must take strong players, whether they’re young or older. “For example, we negotiated Dorgu for the summer, then if United arrives and makes an offer outside the market it’s difficult to tell them to wait for us.”I’ll give you a practical example – if there’s an opportunity like [Scott] McTominay we’ll take it, but we’re not a club that takes a free agent for a five million salary and six million commission, that’s not our modus operandi, many others do it. “We take the good ones, the functional ones, if they have a prospect it’s better, but it’s not a necessary condition.”We took Buongiorno, Gilmour, but also Spinazzola, McTominay, Neres, Romelu, strong players in their market moment.”It seems that we had to do who knows what, we had to replace Kvara, we didn’t do it as we wanted but this summer we made few mistakes and the team is showing it.”Taking the step to please Garnacho means that I put someone in there with players who have been busting their asses since July… it’s not right, then we wanted to do it.”I’m not happy, we didn’t succeed, but the market didn’t end yesterday, it starts again and we will have to be good and show strength now. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Staying focused on the Champions League objective, which doesn’t mean not dreaming but staying focused, otherwise if you fly then you fall and hurt yourself. “This Napoli deserves only positive words, always and in any case, what is being done nobody expected.”Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      in Soccer

      Glam footballer Alisha Lehmann poses in racy lingerie as she lands deal with major underwear brand

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      ALISHA LEHMANN took social media by storm in a racy lingerie photoshoot.Lehmann, 26, teamed up with major underwear brand Tezenis and shared pics of her shoot on Instagram.Alisha Lehmann took social media by stormCredit: Instagram @tezenisofficialLehmann posed in raunchy underwearCredit: Instagram @tezenisofficialLehmann shared the photos across social mediaCredit: Instagram @tezenisofficialLehmann’s photos received over 500,000 likes on InstagramCredit: Instagram @tezenisofficialThe forward posed in a black lace ensemble ahead of Valentine’s Day and the snaps received over 500,000 likes.Lehmann posted the following caption: “My first Valentine’s Day with @tezenisofficial.”The Switzerland international’s photos left her 16.7million followers in awe as they stormed the comments’ section.One fan commented: “Looking good.”Read More on FootballAnother posted: “You are wonderful.”A third wrote: “Always happy to see you.”This fan said: “Beautiful.”And that one gushed: “OMG.”Most read in FootballLehmann has been in a relationship with ex-Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz.The couple both left Villa for Juventus in the summer, making history as the first ever boyfriend and girlfriend transfer.Glam footballer Alisha Lehmann looks stunning as she shows off skills in a bikini leaving fans ‘jealous of Douglas Luiz’Luiz, 26, switched the Midlands for Turin in a £50million deal and reportedly signed a contract worth about £100,000-a-week.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Scroll down to see more of Alisha’s glam lifeAlisha Lehmann played for Aston VillaCredit: RexLehmann was one of the WSL’s top starsCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7She has amassed a loyal following onlineCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7Lehmann has 16.7million Instagram supportersCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7Alisha posed for her 2024 calendarCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7She regularly posts saucy snapsCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7Lehmann is not shy when it comes to the cameraCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7She now plays for JuventusCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7Lehmann likes to travelCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7Fans cheer her on across the worldCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7Alisha has joined the Prime teamCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7Lehmann looks delighted to be partnering KSI and Logan PaulCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7Lehmann is the most-followed female footballer in the world.Credit: instagramLehmann was asked if she could send Drake one of her football shirtsCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7She received a surprising request from rapper DrakeCredit: instagramAn A-list celebrity had offered her £90,000 for a night of passionCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7The footballer is sponsored by PrimeCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7She is also a Switzerland internationalCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Wrexham stars get raunchy dance lesson from Channing Tatum in brilliant Super Bowl advert

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      CHANNING TATUM teamed up with Wrexham to film a hilarious Super Bowl commercial.Tatum, 44, was drafted in by the Red Dragons’ Hollywood celebrity owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as well as the club’s sponsors Stok Cold Brew.Channing Tatum was drafted in by Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan ReynoldsTatum linked up with Wrexham sponsor Stock Cold BrewTatum tried to teach the Wrexham players how to celebrate goalsWrexham aces watched Tatum’s dance moves in aweTatum and the Wrexham players got groovy Magic Mike styleThe Step Up star was filmed barging into the Welsh giants’ dressing room revealing to the players that McElhenney and Reynolds are unhappy with their celebrations before sipping the sponsor drink.That is when the American actor puts the cult hit Everybody Dance Now on full blast and he channels in his inner Magic Mike to show off some moves to the players who are left absolutely stunned.Tatum says: “Alright boys! Your bosses are not happy with your celebration dances. So, drink up. Try to keep up.”Most important thing: Eye contact! Come on, champ. They saw you score, but now let them feel you score. Alright, you guys got it?”Read More on FootballThat is when all the Wrexham players join Tatum in the groove and the actor’s phone starts to ring.A voice is heard sounding a lot like Reynolds, with whom the 21 Jump Street star appeared recently on Deadpool & Wolverine.The voice asks: “What’s up doc?”Tatum responds: “They’re ready!”Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThat is when Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson walks in and watches in shock as the players and Tatum get too excited.So much so that the commercial ends on a hilarious note suggesting that Parkinson’s aces went full Magic Mike.Wrexham stars including ex-Premier League ace party with Hollywood hunk Channing Tatum after Cambridge drawA shirt is thrown towards Tatum, who gasps: “No, no! I promised Ryan and Rob I’d keep it classy! Everyone put your clothes back on!”The commercial will be shown on FOX Sports during Sunday’s Super Bowl clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.Tatum becomes the latest celebrity to link up with Wrexham, who are reaching superstar status despite playing in League One.The likes of Anthony Hopkins, Eva Longoria, Will Ferrell, Jason Sudeikis and Kit Harington have linked up with the club one way or another since McElhenney and Reynolds’ takeover in 2020.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson makes a funny cameoTatum got the players to dance along with him in the dressing roomCredit: Instagram / stokcoldbrew More

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      in Motorsport

      Generous Lewis Hamilton splashes out on incredible custom gift for 3,000 ex-Mercedes colleagues after Ferrari switch

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      LEWIS HAMILTON gifted his former Mercedes colleagues a custom piece of artwork as a show of gratitude after leaving the Formula One giants at the end of last season.The 40-year-old called time on his 11-year stint with Mercedes in December after signing a huge contract with Ferrari.Lewis Hamilton started at Ferrari last monthCredit: AlamyHamilton gifted his ex-colleagues a special piece of artwork after leaving Mercedes at the end of 2024Credit: EPADuring his time with the German team he won six world championship titles among other individual accolades.And to show his gratitude for the support his colleagues gave him over the decade, Hamilton commissioned a unique piece of artwork from renowned motorsport artist Paul Oz.The piece depicts the seven-time world champion’s car at the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix.Each of his 3,000 former colleagues received a print of the artwork, with the original painting taking pride of place at the team’s Brackley headquarters.Read More in FootballIn a recent Instagram post which has now been deleted, Oz said: “Now that it’s public knowledge and all 3,000 Mercedes GP employees have received their prints of this, I can talk about it.”Commissioned by Lewis himself as a departing present for everybody at Mercedes… class act!”My only remit was that I should focus on the car rather than Lewis, and so I chose to paint an image from Monaco 2019, just a few days after Niki Lauda passed and the team ran a red halo to remember Niki. Lewis stuck it on pole then dominated the race.”Oz is a renowned motorsport portrait artist and sculptor who also created the busts of Bruce McLaren, Ayrton Senna, James Hunt and Niki Lauda at McLaren’s base in Woking. Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHamilton is currently taking part in pre-season testing with his new team in Barcelona.The 2025 F1 season kicks off next month in Australia.Lewis Hamilton visits Ferrari HQ as he arrives at Maranello for his first official day with the Scuderia More

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      in Soccer

      Stunning 20,000-seater new football stadium set to be built in Mediterranean city loved by Brits as £42m plan unveiled

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      A STUNNING new stadium is set to be built in a city much-loved by Brits travelling to Spain. CF Intercity have secured the rights to build a 20,000-seater ground in Alicante. CF Intercity have secured the rights to build a 20,000-seater ground in AlicanteAlicante is a much-loved destinationCredit: GettyIntercity president Salvador Marti believes it will cost the club around £42million to build.The 100,000 square metres of land formerly housed a ceramics factory.Intercity currently plays its home matches at the 2,000-capacity Estadio Antonio Solana.An ambitious sports and cultural leisure complex will also be built to help secure an economic hub for Valencian community.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe land is strategically located, close to all motorway connections, five minutes from the centre of Alicante and ten minutes from the airport.In 2024, 421,321 Brits travelled to Alicante, according to Olive Press News Spain.Intercity currently competes in the third-tier Primera Federacion and is Spain’s first publicly listed football club.Right now, work is being done in six different areas of Alicante, including in some neighbouring municipalities. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe acquisition of these plots is taking place at the same time as Legends, a leading global company specialising in premium events, is making progress on the development of the business plan for Alicante Park.Legends holds a preferential right for the development and management of the site.Work restarts on ‘world’s greatest football stadium’ that had been abandoned for 16 years as £250m revamp is agreedIntercity noted the purchase option is subject to the relevant administrative and technical permits from local authorities.The land is current classified as rural meaning that, in principle, no construction work can be carried out on it.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      in Soccer

      Burnley might be close to instant Premier League promotion but fans want ‘toothless’ Clarets to start scoring goals

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      DEFENCES might win you titles, but fans of “toothless” Burnley are demanding football’s tightest team start entertaining by scoring some goals too.The Clarets are second in the Championship largely due to their miserly backline. Scott Parker is bidding for Premier League promotion with a third different sideCredit: GettyThe Clarets sit second in the Championship but have scored 37 goals this termCredit: GettyBut they could blow their immediate return to the Premier League thanks to their less-than-impressive strike rate.To say that Burnley’s football hasn’t been riveting would be an understatement.They have irked fans with ten 0-0 draws so far this term – the joint-most by a club in an entire Championship season since 2008 – with 16 games to go.But the Clarets have by far the best defensive record in English professional football, conceding just NINE goals in 29 matches.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThat’s ten fewer than any other side in the country, with Leeds and Birmingham next best on just 19, while they have conceded five fewer than any team playing in the top two tiers of any league in Europe.In fact, Burnley have conceded the fewest goals of any team in Premier League and EFL history after 31 matches. Their record even surpasses Jose Mourinho’s famously stingy 2004-05 Chelsea side, who had conceded ten goals after 31 games on their way to a Prem record low of 15 goals conceded in a season.Burnley’s rock-solid defence, which boasts the likes of Chelsea loanee Bashir Humphreys and Manchester City product CJ Egan-Riley, has seen them keep 22 clean sheets this term.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd while England’s young goalkeeper James Trafford has been excellent between their sticks, the Clarets can’t do the business up the other end of the pitch.It’s been 46 days and counting since fans have watched one of their own score at Turf Moor – a fortress where they remain unbeaten.Jonjo Shelvey completes shock Championship transfer after six-cap England star, 32, saw contract TORN UP by Turkish clubChelsea loanee Bashir Humphreys starts at left-back for BurnleyCredit: RexMichal Helik’s Oxford own-goal on Tuesday was the first goal scored at Turf Moor since Burnley’s 2-1 win over Watford on December 21.Turf Moor had witnessed three consecutive goalless draws before Tuesday and the home fans ironically chanted “we’ve scored a goal!” earlier this week.Nonetheless, the hopeful Clarets are pushing for automatic promotion due to an extraordinary defensive record of NINE consecutive clean sheets.That is one of just 12 runs of nine consecutive clean sheets in Football League history. The last side to record a longer run was Torquay United in August 2010, when they registered ten straight clean sheets. Burnley can match that record at home to Hull next week.Manchester United hold the Premier League record with a run of 14 shut-outs in 2008.Many Burnley fans are sick of watching 0-0 draws at homeCredit: PABut despite their league position and just two defeats all season, a section of fans are turning on manager Scott Parker’s “predictable” style of play.Burnley supporter and TurfCast Youtube host Joe Redmond told talkSPORT: “Hindsight is a wonderful thing. “I wanted to keep Vincent Kompany last season and at the start of this one.”It’s a tough debate. If we get back to the Prem, I think we’ll be more pragmatic than what we were like last season.”But at the moment we’re not winning enough games. We should be beating more teams. Us fans expect 0-0 draws now.”It’s not us just missing chances, it’s the fact that we’re not creating anything.”Burnley have been held to ten 0-0 draws this seasonCredit: GettyAfter Tuesday night’s win, a contributor told TurfCast: “I’m not a fan of Parker. He’s so predictable.”I won’t escape that 1-0 win. We are toothless in front of goal.”We look terrified of putting the ball in the back of the net.”Burnley’s non-penalty expected goals total of 28.2 is the third lowest in the division.Combine a lack of goal-mouth action at both ends of the pitch, and Burnley’s league games this term are currently seeing the fewest goals per game in a season in EFL history.Meanwhile Parker has repeated the defensive soundness that got his Bournemouth and Fulham sides promoted a few years back.But unlike times of old, Parker doesn’t have a reliable goalscorer like he once did in Aleksandar Mitrovic or Dominic Solanke.The club’s 37 goals leaves them 11th for most scored, with midfielder Josh Brownhill the top goalscorer with nine this season.By comparison, promotion rivals Leeds, who sit two points clear of the Clarets, have scored 60.But do Burnley fans even want their side to go up after how bad last season went?Redmond said: “Me personally, yeah. Don’t get me wrong it is a slog in the Premier League.”Last season was my worst-ever season as a Burnley fan. I hated every single minute of it. We were getting tanked every single week.”But you want to be the best you can be. You want to be dining at the top table with the top teams. “If it means getting battered every week and we have to regroup, then so be it.”But eventually, if you keep going up, you’ll stay up and level up.”What, perhaps, is most telling is what happened after Parker led Fulham and Bournemouth up.The Cottagers sacked the Englishman after they were relegated upon their return, but sealed an immediate promotion under Marco Silva in 2022/23.Meanwhile, the Cherries stayed in the Prem but axed Parker within a month of him guiding the club there.If Mitrovic’s 43 goals brought Fulham back to the Prem, Burnley’s lack of goals might cost them.In their last 100 Championship matches, Burnley have lost just FIVE games. But they also have old gaffer Kompany to thank for that.Unlike Kompany’s side, Parker’s aren’t exciting to watch.Parker defended his side’s defensive strength as “remarkable” amid claims they lack entertainment value.The 44-year-old said: “Our default position as a team is let’s get out of here, let’s protect our goal, let’s keep this to a nil.”And I get that it’s not fashionable or certainly not what some people want to hear.”But currently what this team have and what we have as a group is nothing short of remarkable, what we’ve done in the defensive phase.”I understand on the entertainment side, it is probably less so, but that’s a work in progress.”Former Tottenham star Marcus Edwards signed from Sporting Lisbon in January, and fans were asking for him to play against Oxford.The Clarets meanwhile did hit five past Plymouth Argyle at the Home Park Stadium at the end of January.READ MORE SUN STORIESBurnley’s run of 18 games unbeaten is the second-longest stretch behind Liverpool (19) in the top-four tiers this term.While, an FA Cup fourth-round victory away at Southampton on Saturday will surely boost morale. Especially if they bang in a few goals. More