Ryan Reynolds has endorsed “Squeaky Bum Time” deodorant at Wrexham, with the League Two promotion race shredding nerves in North Wales.
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Wrexham fans have stormed the STok Cae Ras pitch following their promotion to League One despite the club telling them not to.
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Manchester United have been struggling for form this season after a third-place finish in the Premier League and an EFL Cup victory last term, having lost eight from a possible 16 games in the current campaign.
One of the primary reasons behind United's poor start to the season has been an injury list that keeps on growing. The Red Devils have lost a number of key players already through injury, including Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, who were key players for Erik ten Hag during his debut season in the Old Trafford dugout.
The left-back position has been hit worse than any other area, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia sidelined, and Tottenham Hotspur loan signing Sergio Reguilon having just recovered from a hamstring problem.
However, United's issues on the left side of the defence could have been alleviated by keeping hold of one man who is having an excellent season so far.
At the weekend, Manchester United travelled to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham. Diogo Dalot was deployed at left-back by head coach Ten Hag while Aaron Wan-Bissaka came back into the team in his preferred position on the right.
So far this season, a whole host of players have taken turns filling in at left-back, including Reguilon, Dalot, Victor Lindelof, and even Sofyan Amrabat. In fact, Lindelof has featured more times in this position than any other player this season.
Thankfully, for Ten Hag, Shaw is finally set for a return to the team after the international break this month. The England international was Ten Hag's first-choice at left-back in the previous campaign, according to WhoScored, but picked up a muscle injury at the beginning of September and has missed 14 games in all competitions for the English giants. This is his longest spell out of the squad since the 2016/17 season.
Meanwhile, backup left-back Malacia has missed the last 110 days with an unknown injury issue, although the Manchester Evening News reported that the Dutchman underwent surgery on his knee during the summer, causing him to miss the side's pre-season tour in the USA. Malacia is back in training but his return date remains a mystery for now.
Man United do have another first-team left-back on the books by the name of Brandon Williams but the academy product was sent out on loan to Ipswich Town the week before the summer window slammed shut. However, with injury problems mounting at Old Trafford, especially at the back, Ten Hag may rue his decision to let Williams leave for Portman Road.
In Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first full season in charge of the Red Devils, Williams became a household name and managed to keep Shaw out of the starting lineup. At one point in the 2019/20 campaign, the fullback's valuation soared to £10.4m, as per Transfermarkt.
Unfortunately, Williams couldn't sustain his spot in the first eleven past 2020 and quickly fell out of favour at the Theatre of Dreams, spending time on loan at Norwich City when the Canaries were in the top flight two seasons ago.
Nevertheless, Williams has found his form again and has been integral to Ipswich's excellent start to the season in the Championship, scoring twice in ten appearances, one more than United's struggling £375k-per-week star Marcus Rashford. One of these goals was a sumptuous solo run against Preston North End which started in his own half. Head coach McKenna labelled the effort as "incredible".
Williams' stats this season make for impressive reading when compared to all players in his position in leagues most similar to the Championship, as per FBref.
The 23-year-old ranks in the top 1% for goals per 90, the top 14% for successful take-ons per 90, the top 10% for through balls per 90, the top 12% for passes into the final third per 90, the top 5% for tackles per 90, the top 2% for tackles won per 90, the top 2% for fouls drawn per 90 and the top 2% for aerial duels won per 90.
Williams is also outperforming Reguilon in the same position. The Englishman has averaged 3.23 tackles per 90 this season compared to the Spaniard's 1.5, as well as boasting 1.54 interceptions per 90 to his counterpart's 0.5 per 90. Williams is more of a threat going forward too, averaging 35.8 ball carries per 90 to Reguilon's 26 and 4.92 progressive passes per 90 to the Spurs loanee's 2.5.
Capable of playing on both the left and right side of the defence, Williams could have been a very useful component for Ten Hag this season amidst a damning injury crisis at the back. But one man's loss is another man's gain as the right-footer is playing a vital role in helping Ipswich vie for an unprecedented promotion back to the promised land.
Wrexham striker Paul Mullin posted two strikingly similar images as he revelled in back-to-back promotions for the Welsh club.
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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has paved the pathway for the current crop of academy stars to make their respective breakthrough at first-team level.
The German tactician was brought in over the summer to oversee a hopeful promotion-winning campaign back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
However, the pressure to mount a promotion push has not stopped the ex-Norwich City boss from leaning on the inexperienced youth within the Whites squad.
17-year-old gem Archie Gray has featured in 15 of their 16 league matches this season and his progression shows that the opportunities will be there for the U21 stars if they do enough to catch Farke's eyes.
With this in mind, one player whom Leeds and their supporters should be getting excited about is 19-year-old forward Luca Thomas, who has produced more goals and assists than first-team ace Wilfried Gnonto this season.
The teenage dynamo has caught the eye with his impressive performances for the U21s this season and could be a future star for the Whites.
Thomas, who can play down the middle as a centre-forward or out wide on either flank, has racked up three goals and one assist in six Premier League 2 appearances this term, along with one goal in one Premier League Cup outing.
This means that the young ace, whose "class" display was hailed by journalist Thomas Hill earlier this season, has been directly involved in five goals in seven matches across those two competitions.
The Thorp Arch academy starlet made the step up to the U21 squad this year after an eye-catching return of 23 goals and three assists in 32 matches at U18 level for the club.
Whilst there is no guarantee that the 19-year-old whiz will be able to translate those performances over to first-team level, Thomas' form is exciting due to the potential he has to become a senior option – particularly when you consider that the gem is outperforming Gnonto as it stands.
The Italy international, who handed in a transfer request and attempted to secure an exit from Elland Road over the summer, has not enjoyed the greatest of starts to the season.
He has only contributed with one goal and one assist in ten Championship appearances for Farke's side throughout the 2023/24 campaign so far.
The 20-year-old talent has been given plenty of opportunities to stake a claim for his place in the side with six starts but has not been able to produce consistent quality in the final third.
Gnonto also failed to provide a goal or an assist in his EFL Cup outing against Salford, which means that the young gem has been involved in two goals in 11 appearances in all competitions this term.
Therefore, Thomas has racked up three more goals and assists combined in four fewer appearances than the Italian prospect this season, albeit at U21 level in comparison to Championship and League Cup action, and Leeds should be excited by his potential as a goalscorer and creator.
Bayer Leverkusen name huge asking price for Florian Wirtz amid interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be largely satisfied with his summer rebuild after a miserable 2022/23 campaign, and despite impressing since the summer, the need for a specialist No. 6 is clear.
Indeed, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are all acquisitions tantalising success for years to come, but none fit the mould, though Mac Allister has been used from deep to combat the absence of a defensive star in the centre.
Wataru Endo was also signed after failing to convince Chelsea-bound duo Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to make the move to Anfield, but the 30-year-old Japan international is not the convincing long-term solution.
According to Get Italian Football News, Liverpool are interested in signing rising Danish star Morten Frendrup in 2024, with the Genoa ace cementing himself as one of the Serie A's standout defensive midfielders since arriving from homeland side Brøndby in January 2022.
CIES Football Observatory's valuation model reveals that Frendrup's price tag amounts to around £9m at present, though it's likely that his Italian outfit would issue demands of a far greater sum for his departure.
The 22-year-old helped Genoa achieve promotion to the Italian top-flight last season and has been instrumental in rising to midtable so far this year, and the Reds have taken note.
As per Sofascore, Frendrup has started all 12 of his side's league encounters this term, earning three assists and completing 79% of his passes, also making a stunning average of 4.1 tackles and 6.9 ball recoveries per game, having succeeded in 69% of his duels.
With Genoa currently in 13th place – five points off the relegation zone – after 12 matches, the Denmark native's importance is underscored, providing a sturdy foundation for his team.
He has been described as a "destroyer" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who also hailed him as a "superb" and "extremely effective" prospect.
Given the need for a defensive midfielder at Anfield, it's entirely possible that Frendrup is on Klopp's radar, despite CBS Sports' reporter Ben Jacobs claiming that he's not on the radar, but if he is of interest, it could mean that Liverpool are faced with a decision for January, with summer target Andre still linked with a move.
Andre was of a vested interest to Liverpool in the summer but Fluminense's progress in the Copa Libertadores prevented his departure, and while he opted to see out the season, he has been blessed with triumph in the esteemed South American tournament.
Frendrup may be the latest name to enter transfer circulation, and while his signature feels attainable for Klopp's side should concrete attention be thrown Genoa's way, the question remains whether he would be the better fit.
As per FBref, Frendrup ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for tackles, the top 12% for blocks and the top 4% for assists per 90, emphasising his defensive strength and creative streak.
He does, however, need to work on his distribution as a whole, completing only 78% of his passes on average, which places him in the bottom 25 percentile.
Andre, in comparison, is rather on the other end of the spectrum in that regard, ranking among the top 1% of midfielders across divisions similar to the Brasileiro Serie A for pass completion, the top 2% for passes attempted and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90.
Clearly, Andre is a natural with his ball-playing skills and would be the ideal replacement for maestro Thiago Alcantara, whose contract is up at the end of the campaign.
But, with that being said, certain claims have been made that the Anfield bosses are not interested in a mid-season move for the Brazilian, with perhaps the ball-playing skills of players such as Mac Allister and Gravenberch now negating the need for his skill set.
In Frendrup, Klopp could secure an exciting midfielder of the traditional mould at the base of the centre, and while he still needs work, his age and profile mean that he would be the perfect fit to enter the fray and fight for a place in the starting line-up.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have enjoyed a solid start to the 2023/24 campaign and Gary O'Neil can be pleased with the start to life he has had.
The Old Gold have won four of their 12 Premier League matches so far this season and have secured fantastic victories over Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, that has not stopped them from looking at possible signings to bolster their squad ahead of the second half of the season as they have been linked with a swoop for Norwich City forward Jonathan Rowe.
TEAMtalk named the club alongside Crystal Palace and Aston Villa as the Premier League clubs currently keeping tabs on the England U21 international ahead of the January transfer window.
The Canaries are said to be keen to keep hold of their star attacker and it remains to be seen how realistic a deal for the 20-year-old whiz is at this moment in time.
However, if O'Neil can raid his former club for Rowe then he could land a dream long-term heir to current Wolves star Hee-chan Hwang as a goalscoring left winger.
The South Korea international has enjoyed a terrific start to the 2023/24 campaign and is proving himself to be a fantastic option for the head coach at the top end of the pitch.
Hwang, who only scored three goals in 27 Premier League matches last season, has racked up six goals in 12 top-flight appearances for the club so far, along with one goal in one EFL Cup outing.
His impressive attacking output from the flank has been a joy to watch so far and a welcome boost for Wolves, who only managed 31 goals in 38 league games last term.
However, it is always important to think ahead and Rowe, 20, could be the dream long-term heir to that position – currently held by Hwang, who turns 28 in January.
The 5 foot 8 sensation has burst onto the scene with Norwich this season and has showcased his potential as a winger who can regularly chip in with goals.
He has plundered seven goals and one assist in 16 Championship starts for the Canaries under David Wagner, having come up through their academy system.
The young gem has also managed one goal and one assist in two substitute appearances in the EFL Cup for his side, which means that the exciting forward has racked up eight goals and two assists in 16 starts in all competitions this season.
Rowe has averaged a direct goal contribution every 1.6 starts for the Yellows this term, which shows that he has the ability to make things happen in the final third on a regular basis.
Of course, he is yet to prove himself at Premier League level but his form for Norwich at such a young age highlights his potential and shows why the 20-year-old magician could be a fantastic long-term signing for Wolves.
The England U21 international, whose Three Lions boss Lee Carsley claimed is "in form" this season, could compete with and learn from Hwang before eventually taking over that position as his own further down the line.
NFL legend Tom Brady is “really impressed” with Birmingham native Jude Bellingham after seeing him star on and off the field at Real Madrid.
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With Sunderland sitting ninth and just three points adrift of the Championship play-off places, Tony Mowbray was dismissed in a bold decision from the Black Cats. The former Blackburn Rovers boss guided Sunderland into the top six in the previous campaign before they lost to eventual Wembley winners Luton Town in the semi-final.
It looked as though Mowbray’s side were on course to compete for a shot at promotion once more too, only for Sunderland to bring the manager’s tenure to an end after their 1-1 draw against Millwall. Now, the search is on for the next man to enter the hot seat at The Stadium of Light, with one particularly impressive name reportedly entering the shortlist.
After relieving Mowbray of his duties, Sunderland released a statement on the club’s official website thanking the manager. Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said:
“All at SAFC have thoroughly enjoyed working with Tony and he is quite rightly held in high regard by our players and staff, and our supporters. After arriving at an uncertain time, he helped guide us to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs and played an important role in developing our team. This was a difficult decision to make, but we remain loyal to our ambition and our strategy, and felt that now was the right moment to take this step.
“We are now focused on identifying the right candidate and we will continue to support our coaching team and players throughout the interim period.”
Sunderland could hire 3-5-2 manager who's never beaten the Black Cats
Sunderland could look to appoint this out of work manager, putting the ongoing Mowbray manager saga firmly to one side.
By
Kelan Sarson
Dec 6, 2023
The focus now turns to finding their next manager, with reports suggesting that one specific name has entered the shortlist. According to reliable reporter Ed Aarons of The Guardian, Reims manager Will Still has entered the shortlist to replace Mowbray at Sunderland. The Englishman has earned plenty of plaudits in Ligue 1 and Sunderland’s owner, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has reportedly been impressed.
There’s no denying that Mowbray did an excellent job at Sunderland, but if they are to push on, then Still could be the perfect next step in the club’s push to return to the Premier League. The Reims manager initially stole the headlines last season when the news emerged about Reims’ £22k fine. The French club were paying the fine every week due to the fact that Still didn’t have a UEFA Pro License.
Persisting with their manager despite the fines, the Ligue 1 side finished 11th and have continued their rise, climbing to as high as fifth in the current campaign. Still has earned plenty of praise for his work, including from HLTCO, who posted on X:
"I know Will Still has become a meme on here since rising to prominence in France but I wholeheartedly recommend giving this interview a watch. Given his level of “fame” if you can call it that, he’s remarkably unaffected. He’s just an ordinary bloke doing an extraordinary job."
Whether the Reims man makes the move to Sunderland remains to be seen, but Still certainly appears to have the credentials to take his place in the Black Cats’ technical area. With a busy festive period coming up, those at The Stadium of Light may want to ensure that their search for a new manager ends sooner rather than later.