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      Craig Dawson could soon be playing in Champions League with West Ham… and that’s no surprise to old Watford team-mates

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      CRAIG DAWSON could be playing Champions League  football next season — and there seems to be a lot of  surprise about that fact.
      But not from those of us who played with Craig at Watford.

      Troy Deeney has praised the quality of Craig Dawson, who is on loan at West Ham from WatfordCredit: Rex Features

      Since he broke into the West Ham side just after Christmas, the Hammers have gone from strength to strength, and you cannot see him losing his place.
      Craig is a solid bloke, a family man, a brilliant pro and a defender who simply loves defending — something of a rarity in the Premier League these days.
      He can play too, he has a lovely pass in him and has always had goals in his locker. A centre-half scoring four goals in a dozen games, as Craig has done, can do wonders for any team.
      Yes, he was relegated at Watford last season, as he was during his previous Premier League campaign with West Brom — but nobody was blaming Craig for us going down.

      When West Ham signed him, I wasn’t surprised. David Moyes values a down-to-Earth pro with a strong work ethic and that is Craig to a T.
      Like me, he played non-league and lower-league football, with Radcliffe Borough and Rochdale. When you’ve come up through that route, commitment and workrate are virtually guaranteed.
      You look around West Ham and you see a lot of people – like Craig – who are proving doubters wrong.
      Moyes himself had seen his reputation take a battering ever since he left Everton for Manchester United. But he is a fine manager.

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      Dawson has become a key player under West Ham since breaking into the team after ChristmasCredit: Rex Features
      You watch West Ham and you see a team unit, with a proper framework, everyone knowing their jobs and working hard for each other.
      Within that framework, those West Ham players are able to express themselves but if they don’t put in the hard yards, they don’t get into a David Moyes team.
      A midfield three of Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek and Jesse Lingard is never going to get out-run.
      I am so happy for Jesse. I know him fairly well and I know he has been through a really tough time. He gets pelters on social media for the most innocuous things and people seem to have him wrong.
      He is a talented boy, a World Cup semi-finalist with England and an FA Cup-winning goalscorer with Manchester United.
      But to go on loan to West Ham, having not played Premier League football for a year, then to hit the ground running as he has done, tells you a lot about his character. He has given Moyes’ team a whole new dimension.
      Rice is some player – he can tackle, he plays really good forwards passes, takes free-kicks, penalties, corners from either side.
      West Ham did well to keep him with Chelsea keen, and it’s important they continue to do so because there will always be interest from other clubs.
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      Dawson has chipped in with three goals in 12 Premier League games this campaignCredit: AP:Associated Press

      West Ham midfielder pairing Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice have starred this campaignCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Declan is one of the nicest and funniest kids in football. On the pitch or off it, he always has a witty one-liner. He is a player, and a man, that West Ham can build a club around.
      He’ll have learned a lot from Mark Noble – who at, 33, has announced that next season will be his last as a player.
      One-club men like Noble are virtually non-existent in the modern game.
      I’m sure he could have moved and earned more money elsewhere but he loves that club.
      I hope he gets guards of honour everywhere he goes next season. We won’t see his like again.
      And then there’s Michail Antonio, who may not be a 20-25 goals a season striker but is someone that no defender will enjoy playing against – another great team man, his strength, speed, stamina and intelligence are top-notch.
      There are good players and good people everywhere at West Ham which is why it is so encouraging to see them still in the conversation for a Champions League place so late in the season.
      I’ll also put a word in for Paul Nevin, one of Moyes’ backroom staff.

      Jesse Lingard has thrived at the London Stadium after joining on loan from Manchester UnitedCredit: EPA
      You’ll know Stuart Pearce and Kevin Nolan but you may not know Paul – he’s the mixed-race guy you will often see alongside Moyes.
      I’ve got to know him through some of the ‘diversity in football’ work I do and he’s such a good coach and a bright bloke. He isn’t showy or mouthy but when he speaks, people listen.
      Oh and I’ll even put in a good word for West Ham’s owners – David Sullivan and David Gold.
      They owned my club, Birmingham, when I was a kid and they are far more appreciated now than they were at the time – given the mess the club are in under their current ownership.
      They did a very decent job with the Blues, we had some good times, and if it hadn’t been for their ‘kids for a quid’ initiative at St Andrews, I would never have been able to afford to go and watch football like I did.
      I do still think West Ham are massive underdogs in the race for the top four but if they can pull off a result at Manchester United on Sunday, then we may have to re-think that.
      And everyone at Watford would be happy to see Craig Dawson lining up with that Champions League anthem playing next season.

      KOP HIT RED WALL
      WE all know Liverpool have had a traumatic time with injuries and they have clearly suffered through the loss of the atmosphere at Anfield, during their horrible run of six straight home defeats.
      But it feels as though that group of players have hit the wall and maybe people shouldn’t be entirely surprised.
      This is a club which waited 30 years to celebrate the title, but never got to celebrate it properly.
      Jurgen Klopp’s players didn’t even get to relax and reflect on their success during a proper summer break either. People can under-estimate that.
      With games coming so thick and fast, lockdown is not a good time to be trying to get out of a slump – no chance for team bonding sessions or anything like that.
      Sure, Liverpool’s reversal of fortunes has been extraordinary – but then these are extraordinary times to be living through.

      West Ham vs Leeds as it happened More

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      Arsenal can’t afford sloppy mistakes like against Olympiacos and Burnley when they face Tottenham’s fab front four

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      ARSENAL will be in big trouble if they shirk their defensive duties against Tottenham’s front four.
      I think Jose Mourinho has the most potent attacking force in Europe right now.

      Arsenal cannot afford to make sloppy errors against TottenhamCredit: Enterprise News and Pictures

      The Gunners were punished in successive gaves against Olympiacos and BurnleyCredit: BT Sport

      Mikel Arteta favours playing out from the back, like Manchester City but I don’t think he has the players to pull it off.
      The Gunners got caught out against Olympiacos and Burnley doing that.
      Recently Mourinho has employed Gareth Bale, Son Heung-min, Harry Kane and Lucas Moura in what is effectively a 4-2-4 and they all have a very good press.
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      This attack thrashed Burnley and Crystal Palace, scoring eight goals. So Arteta’s defenders have to do two things: communicate and not allow themselves to be dragged out of position.
      It is vital they talk to one another.
      Arteta has good defenders but I’m not convinced there is a communicator among them.
      Kane will drop into the No 10 role and, as a centre-back, you can’t be tempted to follow him because that leaves space behind.

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      For me, Kane is the dream centre-forward.
      He has five goals in his last four games, while also providing two assists.
      And I reckon Spurs’ talisman can do it against Arsenal to bag the North London bragging rights.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Mikel Arteta slams Arsenal stars and warns them to stop taking unnecessary risks More

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      Valerien Ismael has Barnsley dreaming of Premier League return after unbeaten run eclipsing likes of Man Utd and Chelsea

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      WHEN Valerien Ismael took over at Barnsley his target was to avoid relegation.
      But after seven wins in a row and a draw from their last eight games – they are on the second best unbeaten run in the country – they travel to Bournemouth today sitting in a play-off spot.

      Barnsley are on the second best winning run in the country

      Valerien Ismael has got Barnsley fans dreaming of a fairytale return to the Premier League

      And this incredible run of form has got fans dreaming of playing Premier League football next season.
      The Tykes have only been in the top flight for one season in their entire 134-year history after Danny Wilson famously led them there 24 years ago.
      Ismael told SunSport: “The main focus was to reach 50 points as soon as possible and we now have 58.
      “We want to see how many we can get before the international break in three games time. Then we can see what we can reach this season – can we go for more?”

      Barnsley were seconds from dropping into League One last season until Clark Odour’s dramatic stoppage-time winner at Brentford.
      And when Ismael took over from Gerhard Struber in late October, the Tykes were struggling again – having failed to win in their first seven league games.
      But the French coach has won 17 of his 28 Championship matches in charge with a 3-4-3 formation and an intense pressing game.
      Ismael said: “We’ve done it step by step. The first aim was to implement the philosophy then get results and then get them consistently. When you do that, you climb the table.

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      Daryl Dike and Alex Mowatt have been key figures in Barnsley’s run
      “We did it in December by winning six games out of eight and, even in January when we lost three in a row, the performances were brilliant.
      “So we didn’t lose confidence or faith in the way we play football. We believe this is the right way.”
      Ismael, 45, is proving to be one of the bright up-and-coming managers.
      And he revealed how he settled and believed in his philosophy after his last match in charge of Wolfsburg four years ago – despite the fact it cost him his job.
      He said: “Management is difficult. It takes time to adapt and know exactly what you want.
      “When you fail, it’s not a mistake – it’s normal. You must find a solution, a new way to play and your philosophy.
      “In Germany in my last game at Wolfsburg we played 3-4-3. We lost 2-1 against Werder Bremen but it was a brilliant performance.
      “From there, I knew what I wanted and with more experience am clearer in my mind what I want to see.”
      Ismael moved to Austria last season and made great waves at LASK.

      Barnsley loan signing Daryl Dike celebrates his stunning winner against Birmingham
      He led them to their first-ever Champions League play-off and, after losing to Club Brugge, managed them in their first-ever appearance in the Europa League – where they topped their group which included Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven and Rosenborg.
      They eventually lost to Manchester United in the last 16.
      He said: “LASK was the breakthrough for me because that gave me confidence.
      “It was good to see everything I believed and trusted in could be taken to the next level and now we’re doing it successfully in England too.”
      The January transfer window was massive for Barnsley. Not only did they keep their best players, they signed strikers Daryl Dike and Carlton Morris.
      USA ace Dike, 20, already has three goals in six starts since his loan move from MLS club Orlando City – including an absolute belter against Birmingham – while Morris has four goals from three starts since joining from MK Dons.
      Ismael said: “They’ve taken us to the next level and now we’re getting rewards of being able to keep our key players.
      “That is a new thing for Barnsley. If you can work with consistency and continue to develop the guys, you can reach something.”
      A big part of Barnsley’s success has been the fitness levels.
      Ismael understood the importance of that when he won the Bundesliga title in 2006 as a player at Bayern Munich under Felix Magath.
      But the German boss flopped when he managed Fulham – unable to save them from Premier League relegation before struggling in the Championship.

      Felix Magath was a “special manager” but Ismael says you cannot coach like he did now
      Ismael said: “You build your own mentality and philosophy as a coach while looking at what made a manager like that special.
      “But the way Magath managed you cannot do now. You have to be close to your players and communicate your ideas.
      “We had strong fitness work with Magath where the aim was to destroy you!
      “In training now, the purpose is to prepare the guys so they’re fresh to give 100 per cent in games.
      “Back then, we were so tired but the quality was so high in the squad.
      “That is not the way – especially in the Championship where you have 46 games in a season – and because of the pandemic are playing three times a week.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      “You have to give players the room to recover – not just the body but the mind.”
      Ismael – who also won the Bundesliga as a player with Werder Bremen in 2004 – has always felt he had unfinished business in English football.
      As a young player, he was unable to make an impression after Crystal Palace bought him for a then club-record £2.75million from Strasbourg in January 1998.

      Valerien Ismael failed to make an impression as Crystal Palace’s recording signing in 1998

      Terry Venables gave Ismael an early insight at Crystal Palace into working with a top coach
      Aged 22, he only made 13 appearances as the Eagles were relegated.
      But he got an early insight into what makes a good coach by playing for former England boss Terry Venables.
      He said: “I was too young to make that move and shouldn’t have done it in January either.
      “But it was a new experience for me to work for such a big manager like Venables.
      “I took a lot of experience from him. In training you felt the attitude and experience he had – it was good to see that.”
      There is no doubt that if he gets Barnsley promoted, it will be a football miracle.
      So what is Ismael’s ultimate ambition as a manager?
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      He said: “To be known for the way I play football. It’s important when people are talking about the manager, they can say that was the right way to play.
      “If you think about Pep Guardiola, you think that’s the right way to play football.
      “When they play this football, they reach titles and for me this is the most important thing – to implement my way to play.”

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      Goal machine Charlie Wyke aiming to fire Sunderland to Papa John’s Trophy glory against Tranmere at Wembley

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      CHARLIE WYKE keeps scoring and Sunderland continue winning.
      You could almost copy and paste that statement every week with both in such relentless form.

      Charlie Wyke has been in stunning form for Sunderland this season

      Boss Lee Johnson – since taking over in December – has set the Black Cats up to play to Wyke’s strengths and it is paying dividends.
      Sunderland face Tranmere on Sunday in the Papa John’s Trophy – aiming to win their first Wembley final since lifting the FA Cup back in 1973.
      They go into it with Wyke having now scored an incredible 26 goals in all competitions.
      And Sunderland now sit just two points off the automatic promotion spots in League One after winning six and drawing one of their seven games.

      It is no coincidence that Wyke scored eight goals in the first 18 matches this season – but has fired a further 18 in 20 games under Johnson.
      The striker told SunSport: “This is my third season here and I had two years where I didn’t really score too many goals.
      “The manager has come in and pulled me in for some great chats.
      “He told me that he knew about me while he was Bristol City manager and liked me and how I play. He wants the team to play to my strengths – and it has worked.

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      Charlie Wyke is the third top league goalscorer in England this season
      “It’s just down to confidence and the wingers putting great balls into the box.
      “I’ve been lucky enough to get on the end of them and I’m really enjoying myself at the minute.
      “It’s been fantastic not just for me but all the players.
      “Confidence is high in the group and I know if I make the runs I’m going to get crosses from out wide with people like Jordan Jones and Aiden McGeady and long may it continue.”
      Tuesday night’s 2-0 win at rivals Portsmouth – where Wyke scored with another trademark bullet header – was arguably Sunderland’s best performance of the season.

      Wyke heads home the opener during a vital 2-0 win at promotion rivals Portsmouth
      But while Wyke is scoring for fun, they are also stingy at the back – having only conceded 26 goals in their 33 league games so far.
      And he said: “There’s a good vibe at the club right now. We are going into each and every game thinking we can win.
      “What has been great about the low number of goals we’ve conceded is that we’ve had some defensive troubles too.
      “Tom Flanagan and Bailey Wright have both been injured – but then we have someone like Luke O’Nien who can play anywhere.
      “He was brilliant at Portsmouth and did well whenever he had to step in as centre-back.
      “And our away form has been good. We’ve only lost once which means we travel well too.”
      And Wyke is in no doubt that Johnson has played a massive part in that.
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      Wyke’s goals tally has rocketed since Lee Johnson took over at Sunderland in December
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      He added: “The manager has a great style of play. We do a lot of analysis work and go into games knowing exactly how we want to play and how the opponents are going to play.”
      Sunday’s Wembley trip will be Wyke’s fourth – and he is hoping to finally win one after three losses, two with Sunderland in 2019 in the EFL Trophy final against Portsmouth and in the play-offs against Charlton.
      He also lost while with Bradford in the League One play-off final against Millwall in 2017.
      Wyke will forever remember the Pompey match as Wembley had 85,021 there that day – an attendance only beaten by Barcelona in world football that weekend.

      This time it will be eerily quiet with no fans.
      He said: “Yes, that’s a big shame – I’m gutted my little fella Albie, who is 17 months, won’t be able to attend.
      “But he and partner – along with the rest of my family – will all be cheering me on from their living rooms!
      “Although promotion is our priority this season, it would be good to finally win at Wembley – not just me but the club too.”

      Jonatan Soriano is quick on his feet in training More

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      Portsmouth will have Papa John’s Trophy for just 24 HOURS if they beat Salford – after holding FA Cup for seven YEARS

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      JOHN MARQUIS did an online lockdown family quiz night where a great question came up.
      The Portsmouth striker was asked: “Which club held the FA Cup the longest?” It was Pompey, who lifted the trophy in 1939 at Wembley after beating Wolves 4-1 with the competition then suspended until the 1945-46 season because of the Second World War.

      Portsmouth captain Jimmy Guthrie is presented with the FA Cup at Wembley by King George VI after winning the 1939 final against Wolves

      There will be another question that will certainly crop up at a future pub quiz once life gets back to normal after the Covid-19 pandemic.
      Who were the shortest holders of a domestic British football cup competition?
      If Portsmouth beat Salford on Saturday at Wembley in the Papa John’s Trophy final, they will also own that honour too – as on Sunday, exactly 24 hours later, either Sunderland or Tranmere will win the same competition.
      That is because Saturday’s clash is the postponed final from LAST YEAR while Sunday is this season’s final.

      And Marquis, 28, told SunSport: “The question came up during the first lockdown and fortunately I knew the answer because imagine how embarrassing that would have been as a Portsmouth player if I didn’t!.
      “And if I ever get asked in future who were the shortest holders of a domestic cup I’ll know the answer and hopefully I’ll be able to say ‘Portsmouth.’”
      Ironically though the club were unable to keep the FA Cup at Fratton Park for that entire seven-year period.
      Portsmouth – as a frontline coastal naval town – was a target for German bombing.

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      Portsmouth lifted the EFL Trophy two years ago and whoever wins today’s final will only be the holder for 24 hours with Sunderland taking on Tranmere on Sunday
      To keep the trophy safe the cup was kept 10 miles north in the village of Lovedean in a thatched-roof country pub called The Bird in Hand.
      The EFL has told SunSport that because of the uniqueness of this weekend today’s winners will be allowed to borrow a replica of the trophy when they leave Wembley on Saturday evening to enable them to celebrate their achievement – rather than having to return it the next morning.
      Marquis said: “It’s great that we’re being given this opportunity to play the final because for a while there were fears it would never go ahead.
      “It’s the only professional English football trophy that was not played last season so it’s great we haven’t been denied our chance to try to win it.”

      The FA Cup sitting safely in The Bird In Hand pub during the Second World War
      Another quirk is Pompey are the longest holders of the EFL Trophy – having won the last competition in 2019 against Sunderland.
      And victory today against their League Two opponents will see them become the first club to successfully retain the trophy – albeit for one day.
      But Marquis is looking forward to playing at Wembley for the first time – after having his heart broken previously by current Pompey boss Kenny Jackett.
      Jackett left the striker out of the Millwall squad that played against Wigan in the 2013 FA Cup semi-final.

      John Marquis is glad to get another chance to play at Wembley after missing out at Millwall

      Boss Kenny Jackett led Portsmouth to EFL Trophy glory two years ago at Wembley
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      And Marquis said: “I didn’t even make the bench. I was only 20 at the time but had played in all but one of the earlier rounds, including the quarter-finals, and even scored the winner against Aston Villa.
      “So I was expecting to at least be a sub but we had a couple of senior players who had been out on loan that had come back.
      “I was gutted because you’re not sure when you might get that opportunity again.
      “There are no hard feelings with Kenny although I might have to wind him up about it ahead of the game.
      “Hopefully I’ll get my chance this weekend.”
      Pompey have been in terrible league form. Having hit top spot after beating Hull 2-0 in December, they have lost their way.
      Tuesday’s 2-0 home defeat by promotion rivals Sunderland was their fifth in seven games. They now sit sixth in the table – a whopping 10 points behind the second automatic promotion spot.
      And they have two massive league games coming up after the final, against promotion rivals Peterborough and Ipswich.
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      Marquis said: “We’re getting punished for making mistakes and are not getting the rub of the green with referee decisions either.
      “So we see this game not only as a chance to win some silverware and play at Wembley but also to get some confidence and momentum going into those two big league games.
      “We’re not saying we can’t reach the top two but we’ll pretty much need to win every game and hope results go our way to get there.
      “But if we end up in the play-offs, this squad has the ability and quality to get promoted.”

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      Jonson Clarke-Harris has scored more league goals than Mo Salah this season – and is aiming to overtake Ivan Toney

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      JONSON CLARKE-HARRIS had some huge shoes to fill when he replaced a certain Ivan Toney as the main man up front for Peterborough in the summer.
      And not only has he risen to that challenge superbly since moving from Bristol Rovers, he has put himself into a great position to beat his predecessor’s efforts from last season.

      Jonson Clarke-Harris is the fourth-highest league scorer in England this season

      Jonson Clarke-Harris is the League One player of the month for February

      The striker had an incredible February – scoring eight League One goals – to win the division’s SkyBet Player of the Month prize.
      He now has 21 goals from 33 games – more than current Premier League top scorer Mo Salah and just four shy of the 24 Toney had netted before last season was curtailed after 32 matches.
      And JCH is hoping he will end up the campaign bettering those numbers as well as leading Posh into the Championship.
      He said: “Ivan is a goal machine who is tearing up the Championship at Brentford right now and I’ve had to come in to replace him, which is a hard job for any striker.

      “Yet I’m a different player to him but one who can still do the same job as well as want to do even more.
      “It was always my aim to get as close as possible to the amount of goals he scored and even now at this stage of the season I’m thinking I can do better. The numbers are there and they’re saying I possibly can so why not?
      “I feel like I’m going to score every game. I had a chance last Saturday against Burton. I had a chance at Oxford and should have scored.
      “I believe I’m going to get a chance every game, which I hope to take and be the difference between winning, drawing and losing.”

      One of Clarke-Harris’ goals in February, against WiganCredit: Rex Features
      Peterborough have had some superb strikers in recent years. Before Toney, there were the likes of Jack Marriott, Britt Assombalonga and Dwight Gayle.
      And JCH says that is all down to the way Posh are set up to attack – constantly creating chances for their front players.
      Joe Ward and Siriki Dembele in particular have been scintillating this season – creating 19 goals between them.
      JCH said: “I’m doing so well because of the players I have around me.
      “It’s all down to how strong our squad is. Most of the quality is from them and they need as much recognition as me. I just put the ball in the back of the net after they give me the chances.

      JCH CAREER RECORD

      Jonson Clarke-Harris has had a long and winding road to this point

      Coventry (2010-2012) – 1 game, 0 goals
      Peterborough (2012-13) – 0 games
      Southend (2012-2013, loan) – 3 games, 0 goals
      Bury (2012-13, loan) – 12 games, 4 goals
      Oldham (2013-14) – 55 games, 10 goals
      Rotherham (2014-18) – 79 games, 10 goals
      MK Dons (2014-15, loan) – 5 games, 0 goals
      Doncaster (2014-15, loan) – 9 games, 1 goal
      Coventry (2017-19, loan then permanent) – 51 games 10 goals
      Bristol Rovers (2019-20) – 49 games, 27 goals
      Peterborough (2020-21) – 35 games, 23 goals

      “That was one of the reasons why I decided to join. I knew there were going to be goals here and that we’d be near the top of the table having a right go for promotion. So it was a no brainer.”
      The other great attraction to Peterborough is that the club do not stand in the way of players moving on to a higher level if they fail to get promoted.
      And the goal ace said: “When you look at the strikers Peterborough have had and the ones they’ve sold for big numbers, they’ve gone on to do it at another level.
      “I’ve not come here to score goals then be sold though. I want to achieve what we’ve spoken about at the start of the season and that is to get Peterborough to the next level. I hope I’ll be the one who makes the difference.”
      JCH says he was able to settle quickly at Posh because of two reasons.
      First, he knew the club having spent a season there when he was 18 and, secondly, he is now only 45 minutes away from his family.
      He said: “I’ve been moving around for the last 10 years during my career. I left home when I was 16 to go to Coventry and never been at a club near to Leicester, where I’m from. It was great – apart from during these lockdowns – to be able to see my mum and sisters more often.
      “When I was here before I wasn’t near the first-team but was around them and that was a great experience – so I already had a great feel for the place.”
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      Second-placed Peterborough have a rare weekend off before hosting promotion rivals Portsmouth on Tuesday.
      And JCH said: “It’ll be good to have a bit of a breather before we get back to work again. It’s going to be non-stop again with three games a week.
      “Tuesday is a big game. We’re in a great position in second at the moment but there are still 13 games to play and other clubs around us. We’re not getting giddy about things.”
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      Lionel Messi demands proof new Barcelona chief Laporta can fund major transfers as Man City wait in wings

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      BARCELONA are preparing for crunch talks with superstar Lionel Messi as Manchester City wait in the wings to swoop.
      Joan Laporta swept into power as the new president last week on the back of a pledge to keep Messi at the Nou Camp.

      Barcelona star Lionel Messi is out of contract at the end of the season with Man City and PSG keen to sign himCredit: EPA

      But his election is no guarantee the Argentinian will commit to a new deal.
      Laporta is yet to come forward with an offer for the 33-year-old because he still has not got the financial package in place to restructure debts that experts believe have spiralled to more than £1BILLION.
      As the end of his contract nears this summer, it is expected Messi and his father will be invited to sit down for talks within the month.
      Then the LaLiga giants will attempt to persuade him to finish his career with them.

      Yet SunSport understands Laporta will have to do more than just play fantasy football by promising a series of big names he will sign to rebuild the current squad.
      Barca failed to reach the last eight in the Champions League this season — emphatically KO’d by Paris Saint-Germain.
      The Messi camp know all too well the financial problems the club are in, and they would need clear proof from Laporta he can deliver on his promises before he entertains the prospect of staying.
      He has made it clear he still wants to be competing for — and winning — trophies in the final years of his glittering career, and will only commit to a project which gives him the best opportunity to do that.

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      It is on this basis that City — and the other interested club, PSG — hope to be able to demonstrate they are in a better position than Barca to match his sporting ambitions.
      The Premier League leaders have adopted a soft-touch approach, unwilling to be seen to unsettle the player or his club, with Etihad bosses enjoying a close relationship with those at the Nou Camp.
      But if they were given the nod by the Messi camp to come up with a formal offer, they could point to the strong squad Pep Guardiola has in place to compete both domestically and in Europe.
      That offer is not so clear-cut for Barca, with Laporta left in no doubt he needs to oversee a rebuild at a time when finances are at an all-time low.
      There is a feeling a move to tempt Sergio Aguero to the Nou Camp could help sweeten the package to convince his close friend Messi to stay.
      But Barca are still in such financial turmoil while they negotiate a restructuring of their finances with Goldman Sachs they are not even close to being able to put any offer on the table for the 32-year-old City forward.

      In pure business terms it has been made clear that the Spanish giants could see their lucrative commercial deals collapse should they lose one of the most recognised faces in global sport.
      But Laporta knows his hands are tied until he convinces Messi to stay — and the forward is prepared to wait to see if the president can transform the Catalans before he makes a decision.
      It leaves the club in a weak position, knowing the Barca legend will not make a final decision until the middle of the summer, until all suitors show their hands.
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      PSG knock Barcelona and Lionel Messi out of the Champions League More

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      in Soccer

      Prem stars invited to fix VAR shambles as league chiefs send survey to all clubs for feedback on system

      by

      PREM stars are being quizzed on how they can fix the VAR mess.
      Surveys are being sent out to all 20 top-flight clubs in an unprecedented move by league chiefs.

      Premier League managers like Man City’s Pep Guardiola have openly blasted VARCredit: Rex Features

      Etihad star Phil Foden was denied what many thought was a blatant penalty against Southampton on Wednesday, highlighting the VAR controversyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy escaped punishment for what seemed a clear trip on Phil Foden during Man City’s midweek 5-2 winCredit: Rex Features

      And managers, captains and top brass will provide feedback on the system, which has been ridiculed all season.
      The shambles reached a new low on Wednesday after Manchester City’s Phil Foden was denied a stonewall penalty against Southampton.
      It sparked outrage from City chief Pep Guardiola, with fellow top-flight bosses rounding to blast VAR once again yesterday.
      League chiefs will now finally listen to their frustrations and surveys are expected to be returned by next Friday ahead of being discussed at the next shareholder meeting on March 25.

      Furious Guardiola claimed it was “incredible” VAR did not award  a penalty when Foden tried to stay on his feet after being taken out by keeper Alex McCarthy in the 5-2 win.
      And Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes the incident may prove to be a turning point for VAR.
      He said: “It’s truly bizarre. It amazes me in the modern game that you try to do the right thing and you get nothing, but when you do the wrong thing you get everything.
      “But maybe the Foden one might spark some interest because of the power of City — and rightly so with the level of the market that they’re at.

      “It’s only positive if they listen and change. It’s not positive if they don’t change. Getting some sort of feedback is necessary.”

      I’m not a lover of VAR. I don’t think I will be and I need convincing.”
      Fulham boss Scott Parker

      Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness slammed the decision not to award City a penalty.
      He snapped: “These guys at Stockley Park must be having a toilet break. It is a nonsense, they look stupid.”
      Newcastle boss Steve Bruce added: “It was a stonewall penalty. It was brought in for the clear and obvious mistake a referee made and I don’t think we’ve got the balance right.”
      Clubs will be sent a series of clips of controversial calls and asked how they believe these incidents should have been judged.
      Fulham gaffer Scott Parker said: “I’m not a lover of VAR. I don’t think I will be and I need convincing.”
      Offside decisions will not be part of the survey because the Premier League are tied to the protocols of lawmakers Ifab.
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      The initiative is a joint idea agreed by Prem chiefs and refs’ boss Mike Riley, who has already consulted the Football Supporters’ Association.
      So far this season, there have been 97 decisions in the top-flight changed after VAR intervention.
      Refs have stuck with their original decisions on six occasions after being recommended to overturn.

      Scott Parker says the game is becoming sterile as VAR kills football More