Glasgow Rangers suffered their joint-worst defeat in a European match on Wednesday night when they were hammered 6-0 by Club Brugge in their Champions League qualifier.

“Rangers fans deserve a lot better” are the words that left Ally McCoist’s mouth in his post-game analysis on TNT Sports’ coverage of the match, and it was a fair comment to make.

Russell Martin has only won three, drawing four and losing three, of his ten matches in charge of the Ibrox giants he was appointed as the new head coach in the summer.

Why Rangers should sack Russell Martin

The Light Blues have conceded 17 goals, failed to win any of their Scottish Premiership matches, and been knocked out of the Champions League within the first month of the 2025/26 campaign.

However you want to spin it, whatever mitigation there is to add with signings or red cards, it has not been good enough, and the supporters, as Ally said, deserve better.

The Scottish Sun reports that a section, at least, of supporters were chanting in favour of Martin losing his job. Anyone who tuned in to watch the match or was there in the flesh would have heard some of the choice words that came from the travelling fans.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

There is no getting away from how disastrous the start to the season has been and, with a clash with Celtic at Ibrox on the horizon, the board should make the decision to brutally part ways with him.

The manager Rangers should replace Russell Martin with

Back in April, prior to Rangers appointing Martin, McCoist backed the Scottish giants to pursue a deal for Sean Dyche, who is currently out of a job.

He said: “I’d take Sean [Dyche at Rangers] all day. I think Sean Dyche is an excellent manager, excellent. His work at Burnley was nothing short of remarkable.”

With this in mind, the board should consider parting ways with Martin to pursue a deal for Dyche, who could solve the woeful defensive shortcomings that have been seen on the pitch this season.

The English tactician has clear principles in place for how he wants his side to be compact and defend spaces in a 4-4-2 formation, as explained in the video above.

A 4-4-2 system that can easily pivot to a 4-4-1-1 out of possession or a 4-2-3-1 in possession provides tactical flexibility without giving up numbers defensively or leaving the team overexposed in transition, as has been the case with Martin’s system.

Sean Dyche’s Premier League career
Season	Matches played	League position
24/25	19	16th
23/24	37	15th
22/23	18	17th
21/22	30	18th
20/21	38	17th
19/20	38	10th
18/19	38	15th
17/18	38	7th
16/17	38	16th
14/15	38	19th
Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Dyche has enjoyed a very respectable career in the Premier League with Burnley and Everton, which also speaks to his defensive coaching because he has largely steered his teams clear of relegation with his hard-to-beat set-ups.

However, the out-of-work boss also coached a winning team with Burnley in the past when he racked up 93 points to win the title in the Championship in the 2015/16 campaign, his last season outside of the Premier League.

Having a manager who has a blend of experience in coaching a winning side, as Rangers need to be in the Premiership, as well as knowing how to organise and structure a defence effectively, could be exactly what is needed at Ibrox.

Therefore, Dyche, despite maybe not being an exciting appointment on paper, could be the silver bullet that the 49ers need to turn to after this horrendous start under Martin, if they decide to sack him.

Release clause triggered for £10m+ Rangers star as 49ers accept permanent transfer

The striker took drastic measures to secure an exit.

By
Callum Kemp

Aug 27, 2025

Disappointment, frustration and false hope are undoubtedly the best ways to describe the current situation at Manchester United football at present.

The younger generation of supporters will likely have followed in their loved one’s footsteps in following the Red Devils, but many won’t have seen the success achieved in years gone by.

Sir Alex Ferguson put the club on the map with his near 27-year stint in charge, leaving Old Trafford as a footballing legend given his tally of 16 top-division titles.

The Scotsman gave the fanbase a reason to be proud of following the club, subsequently helping them achieve the global status they currently possess.

However, it’s not been all plain sailing for everyone involved at the Theatre of Dreams in recent years, currently enduring a 12-year drought without a Premier League title.

Such a spell doesn’t appear to be coming to an end anytime soon, especially if the man currently leading the side doesn’t change his current philosophy on the field.

The failures of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system

Back in November, huge excitement was built up within the United fanbase after Ruben Amorim took the reins following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag a few weeks prior.

He won the Liga Portugal title back in the 2023/24 campaign, doing so with a 3-4-2-1 system, which he also brought with him after making the move to Old Trafford.

It was a radical change from the 4-2-3-1 often utilised by former Red Devils managers, but it’s one that has failed to change their fortunes on the pitch since his appointment.

The 40-year-old has only achieved a measly 38% win percentage in the role, winning just eight Premier League games, which resulted in the club’s 15th-placed finish in 2024/25.

Amorim’s fortunes haven’t changed in the new season, only winning one of the last four outings and even losing the most recent outing against local rivals Manchester City.

He also spoke out after the defeat, with huge questions being asked about his current system, but insisted he won’t be moving away from his current philosophy.

However, it’s clear that after 47 matches in charge, he’s been unable to transform the squad, desperately needing a change in system if he is to save his job in the coming weeks.

The player who Amorim must unleash in a system change

Much has been made about the lack of success at United over recent years, but fingers have been pointed to the way of the manager and the hierarchy, given the poor recruitment.

Rasmus Hojlund was Amorim’s number one centre-forward option last campaign, but massively failed to deliver, only scoring four times in the Premier League throughout his 32 appearances.

The Dane was subsequently moved on during the summer transfer window, leaving on loan to join Serie A side Napoli – with the deal potentially turning into a permanent one next summer.

However, he’s already hit the ground running for Antonio Conte’s side, scoring on his debut against Fiorentina last weekend – which could indicate that he was held back by Amorim’s system.

Another player who’s suffered since Amorim’s arrival is academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo, with his career massively stagnating over the last couple of months.

The 20-year-old burst onto the scene in 2023/24, registering 35 appearances in all competitions and finding the net five times from his deep-lying midfield position.

Goals against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City in the FA Cup were memorable moments for the youngster, but also ones that made him a regular starter under Ten Hag.

He was even included in England’s Euro 2024 squad, making six appearances throughout the tournament, which led to Alex Turk labelling him a “£100m-plus footballer”.

However, Mainoo has only been restricted to 22 starts in the last 12 months, none of which have come in the early stages of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

As a result of his lack of action, the player requested a loan move during the summer, but it was rejected – a decision that could prove to be a blessing in disguise if Amorim changes his system.

A 4-3-3 formation could allow the Red Devils to have more solidity in the middle of the park, with Mainoo able to regain regular minutes in a trio alongside Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.

His reduced minutes last season restricted his progress, but the youngster managed to produce some impressive figures, which highlight his ability to play in a box-to-box role.

Kobbie Mainoo – PL stats (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

25

Minutes played

1656

Pass accuracy

87%

Chances created

1.7

Successful dribbles

1.3

Tackles won

63%

Duels won

5.9

Interceptions made

1.2

Recoveries made

4.8

Stats via FotMob

He created 1.7 chances per 90 and completed 1.7 dribbles per 90, subsequently allowing him to develop the ball into forward areas and find the new £200m trio at the top end of the pitch.

Mainoo also won 63% of the tackles he entered, making 1.2 interceptions alongside such a tally – showcasing his ability to regain possession and have a positive impact at both ends.

If he can replicate such numbers in a system change, there’s no reason as to why he can’t once again be a key component in any future success at Old Trafford.

However, the main focus at present will be on the managerial situation, with Amorim desperately needing to move away from his current philosophy if the club are to overturn their dismal ongoing slump.

Related Amorim can save his job by axing Man Utd flop who is this season's Onana

Ruben Amorim is certainly facing the sack at Manchester United if he doesn’t change their fortunes.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Sep 16, 2025

There is a palpable optimism in the air at Everton at this moment in time.

Long gone are the days of relegation anxiety under Sean Dyche, with David Moyes back at the helm, as seen in the Toffees occupying a promising fifth spot in the early Premier League standings after securing two wins from a possible three on offer.

In a brand new home too at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, all matters involving the Toffees feel refreshed and rejuvenated, with new loan recruit Jack Grealish stealing all the positive headlines, too, for his blistering start to life on Merseyside.

How Grealish's unbelievable Everton start compares

Everton really did lay down a marker with their summer transfer activity, with Grealish the arguable pick of the bunch, away from recruiting the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry.

While the aforementioned Dewsbury-Hall is also up and running in Everton blue with a goal and assist, the former Aston Villa man already looks a man reborn in his fresh location, after a worrying fall-off under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Grealish has stunned his new, adoring contingent of supporters by picking up a sublime four assists from just three Premier League outings, leading to Moyes waxing lyrical that the Birmingham-born 29-year-old is “even better than I thought he was”.

To add context, it would take Grealish 13 clashes for the Citizens to reach the same amount of goal contributions in top-flight action, while it would take him a slightly lesser 11 contests as Villa’s captain during the breakout 2019/20 season to reach that tally of assists in the league.

It will cost Everton a grand £50m to win Grealish’s services outright at the end of the season, and on current form, that might well be a lavish price worth paying.

The confident Toffees haven’t always hit instant gold like they have here, however, with a past hiccup in the transfer market seeing them ditch an underperformer for £22.5m, who is now worth more than the skilful number 18..

The "world-class" ace now worth more than Grealish

Indeed, Everton have been susceptible to a transfer blunder or two over the years, with Moise Kean’s name sticking out in this regard, as he continues to fire home goal after goal for Fiorentina – 25 to be exact – despite consistently firing blanks on Merseyside.

Another ex-Toffees flop in Ademola Lookman also now plies his trade in Italy, with the Atalanta attacker desperate for a Premier League return during the hectic transfer window just gone, only to remain situated in Bergamo.

He will no doubt dust himself down and get going in Serie A again, however, having wreaked havoc in the hustle and bustle of the Italian top-flight for many a season now.

Indeed, his 2024/25 offering for Ivan Juric’s men saw him collect a staggering 27 goal contributions in all competitions, with those ridiculous numbers more than backing up claims that the tricky attacker is “world-class”, as he was dubbed by commentator Matteo Bonetti.

Games played

48

118

Goals scored

4

52

Assists

2

25

Transfer fee/value

£22.5m

£52m

It’s a far cry away from what a far more timid Lookman would muster up at Goodison Park, with a weak four goals and two assists tallied up from 48 appearances on Merseyside. At the time, therefore, Marco Silva’s men might well have thought they’d done well to offload the Nigerian forward for £22.5m.

However, their lack of patience has come back to bite them, with his estimated valuation now coming in at around £30m more at the £52m mark – which is even more than Grealish’s price tag – off the back of a mammoth 77 goal contributions falling into his lap in Italy.

Thankfully, although they did lose the Serie A “superstar” for cheap – as he’s been further lauded by 90Min’s Sean Walsh – Moyes and Co. do at least now have a Lookman-style talent on their hands in Grealish, with plenty more expected of the enigmatic Englishman as the season drags on.

Everton on verge of £17m move for Doucoure-esque "difference-maker"

This could be a brilliant signing for the Blues.

ByHenry Jackson Sep 1, 2025

Leeds United have now reportedly made the decision to allow an “impressive” player to leave the club when the January transfer window arrives.

Farke provides Leeds injury updates before Bournemouth

The Whites face a tough assignment in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, hosting a Bournemouth side who have impressed greatly so far this season.

Speaking ahead of the game, Leeds manager Daniel Farke provided a “mixed” injury update, with Jayden Bogle’s return to full training a clear positive.

“Overall in terms of injuries, some mixed news. So with Jayden [Bogle] good news, he is back in team training. It was nothing too serious, just a bruise was a bit sore and painful in the first few days. But since yesterday [he is] back in team training so he will be available if nothing major happens.

“Some good news with Daniel James, so progress with his rehab. Yesterday was the first time he joined us in team training and he has a chance to be involved depending on how his body reacts right now to the load of training, so we will take a late decision with him.

“Some bad news with Willy Gnonto, he won’t make it. So still some problems with his calf, he is not back in team training so he will definitely also miss the match. I hope to have him back in team training next week.”

Farke will likely know his starting lineup for Saturday’s match, but it looks like one squad player may not be at the club for too much longer.

Leeds expected to sell Meslier in January

According to a new update from TEAMtalk, Leeds will look to sell goalkeeper Illan Meslier in January, having fallen out of favour between the sticks under Farke. Serie A giants Inter Milan are said to be “leading the race” to snap him up.

It is claimed that the Whites “would accept a modest fee, potentially just covering the remainder of his contract, to avoid losing him for free next summer”.

Selling Meslier, who was once worth £50m, in January makes perfect sense, considering he has dropped down the pecking order at Leeds, clearly no longer being seen as a key man, following too many errors last season.

It feels like the right time for a new challenge for all parties, even though the Frenchman is a talented player who is still young for a ‘keeper, with Farke praising him earlier this year.

“He is focused every day, pretty settled and concentrated. It’s what you have to do in a side that dominate many games. Sometimes he has to be there with a first save after 60 minutes, pretty switched on. Compliments to his good work, played a major part, many clean sheets, number of clean sheets, pretty impressive.”

He can steal #9 from DCL: Leeds star looks like the best since Archie Gray

Leeds might have another gem on their hands to rival Dominic Calvert-Lewin…

ByJoe Nuttall Sep 26, 2025

Meslier can still go on to enjoy a good career, but his aforementioned mistakes last season have seen Leeds supporters lose faith in him, and his time at Elland Road has simply reached its natural conclusion.

أُسدل الستار رسميًا على منافسات دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية لموسم 2025-2026، بعدما اكتملت قائمة المتأهلين إلى دور المجموعات بتأهل 16 ناديًا من مختلف أنحاء القارة، في مرحلة اتسمت بالإثارة والمفاجآت.

ونجح نادي الزمالك في حجز مقعده في دور المجموعات بعد فوزه على ديكاداها الصومالي بنتيجة (7-0) في مجموع المواجهتين، ليؤكد عودته القوية للمنافسة القارية هذا الموسم.

كما تأهل المصري البورسعيدي بعد فوز مثير على الاتحاد الليبي بنتيجة (2-1) بعد التعادل سلبيًا في لقاء الذهاب، ليكون الفريق المصري الثاني في البطولة.

من جهة أخرى، واصل الوداد المغربي وشباب بلوزداد الجزائري مسيرتهما المميزة بعدما تجاوزا عقبة أشانتي كوتوكو الغاني وهافيا كوناكري الغيني على الترتيب.

كما تأهل عزام يونايتد التنزاني على حساب كي إم كي إم من زنجبار، فيما حجز اتحاد العاصمة الجزائري بطاقة التأهل إلى جانب زيسكو يونايتد الزامبي ومانيما يونيون من الكونغو الديمقراطية.

في المقابل، حجز سان بيدرو الإيفواري وأولمبيك آسفي المغربي وسينجيدا بلاك ستارز التنزاني أماكنهم في المجموعات بعد نتائج قوية، إضافة إلى تأهل ستيلينبوش وكايزر تشيفز من جنوب إفريقيا، وأوتوهو من الكونغو، ودجوليبا المالي، ونيروبي يونايتد الكيني.

وأعلن الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم (كاف) إقامة قرعة دور المجموعات يوم الإثنين الموافق 3 نوفمبر 2025 في مدينة جوهانسبورج بجنوب إفريقيا، حيث سيتم خلالها تقسيم الأندية الـ16 إلى أربع مجموعات.

طالع أيضًا | لا تدركون شيئًا.. يانيك فيريرا يرد على هجوم جماهير الزمالك ضد محمد السيد الأندية المتأهلة إلى دور المجموعات لكأس الكونفدرالية

1. الزمالك (مصر)

2. عزام يونايتد (تنزانيا)

3. الوداد الرياضي (المغرب)

4. شباب بلوزداد (الجزائر)

5. زيسكو يونايتد (زامبيا)

6. اتحاد الجزائر (الجزائر)

7. مانيما يونيون (الكونغو الديمقراطية)

8. سان بيدرو (كوت ديفوار)

9. أولمبيك آسفي (المغرب)

10. سينجيدا بلاك ستارز (تنزانيا)

11. ستيلينبوش (جنوب إفريقيا)

12. كايزر تشيفز (جنوب إفريقيا)

13. أوتوهو (الكونغو)

14. دجوليبا (مالي)

15. نيروبي يونايتد (كينيا)

16. المصري البورسعيدي (مصر) تصنيف أندية المجموعات في كأس الكونفدرالية

التصنيف الأول: الزمالك، الوداد المغربي، اتحاد العاصمة الجزائري، شباب بلوزداد الجزائري.

التصنيف الثاني: ستيلينبوش الجنوب إفريقي، المصري البورسعيدي، دجوليبا المالي، مانييما يونيون الكونغولي.

التصنيف الثالث: كايزر تشيفز الجنوب إفريقي، أوتوهو الكونغولي، زيسكو الزامبي، عزام يونايتد التنزاني.

التصنيف الرابع: سان بيدرو الإيفواري، سينجيدا التنزاني، أولمبيك آسفي المغربي، نيروبي الكيني.

After months of stories, reports, and rumours, silly season is finally coming to an end, and West Ham United haven’t done half bad.

Fans were understandably worried for a period, but a late flurry, which has seen the arrivals of Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa, has given them reason to be optimistic.

Moreover, following his celebration against Nottingham Forest, it now looks like Lucas Paqueta will be staying in East London for a little while longer.

One superstar who is moving today is Alexander Isak, and while he’s not coming to the London Stadium, West Ham have been linked with a striker who’s won comparisons to him.

West Ham target Isak-esque goalscorer

According to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, West Ham are now interested in Victor Boniface.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The report has revealed that the Hammers are considering a late move for the Bayer Leverkusen star, who remains on the market following his failed medical with AC Milan earlier this summer.

The Italian side were set to sign the Nigerian striker in a deal that would have seen them pay a €5m loan fee and then a €24m buy clause, which comes to around £25m in total.

There is certainly some risk in signing Boniface, but he has proven himself to be a lethal striker in the past and has even been compared to Isak.

How Boniface compares to Isak

While there are some obvious similarities between Boniface and Isak, from their positions to their age range and ability to run in behind players, it goes deeper than that.

According to FBref, the Swedish goalscorer has been the third most similar forward to the Nigerian in Europe’s top-five leagues across the last 365 days.

You can gain a better understanding of how this conclusion was reached by taking a look under the hood, at the underlying numbers in which they rank closely.

Boniface & Isak
Statistics per 90	Boniface	Isak
Non-Penalty Expected G+As	0.73	0.70
Non-Penalty G+As	0.80	0.82
Progressive Carries	2.32	2.71
Shots on Target	1.52	1.34
Shot-Creating Actions	2.86	3.01
Carries into the Penalty Area	1.34	1.41
Successful Take-On	1.34	1.37
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

In this instance, that includes metrics such as actual and expected non-penalty goals plus assists, shot-creating actions, carries into the penalty area, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

In other words, the 24-year-old is a serious goal threat and not just that, but someone who can drag the ball into dangerous areas on his own when needed.

However, while having so many statistical similarities to someone as unbelievably talented as Isak is more than encouraging, all that matters for a forward is scoring goals, and thankfully, he has no issue doing so.

For example, in 62 appearances for Leverkusen, totalling 3496 minutes, the “absolute monster” of a striker, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored 32 goals and provided 12 assists.

That means he’s averaged a goal involvement every 1.40 games, or every 79.45 minutes, since joining the German outfit, which is a world-class rate of return.

Ultimately, even though there is an element of risk in the deal, West Ham should do what they can to bring in Boniface before the window shuts at 7pm.

Their own Guehi: West Ham make contact to sign PL "monster" on Deadline Day

The experienced titan is just what Graham Potter and West Ham United need.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Sep 1, 2025

Sultans posted 228, and no Lahore Qalandars batter converted a start as the innings petered out for 195

Danyal Rasool22-Apr-2025

Yasir Khan hit 87 off just 44 balls•PCB

Multan Sultans finally got their PSL 2025 campaign off the ground, brushing Lahore Qalandars aside by 33 runs. In the first game at home on a stiflingly hot evening in Multan, Yasir Khan’s blistering 87 off 44 balls at the top gave his side an eay advantage they never relinquished. Iftikhar Ahmed’s unbeaten 40 from 18 deliveries and cameos through the innings helped Sultans post 228 – the highest-ever score in Multan in the PSL.Qalandars never batted at the tempo needed to overhaul a total of that size, and Sultans’ bowlers were far more unerring in their execution. Michael Bracewell and Ubaid Shah found wickets up top as no Qalandars batter converted a start, and the innings petered out, stopping at 195 for 9.For Sultans, their opening pair of Yasir and Mohammad Rizwan began brightly, going after Shaheen Shah Afridi in his first two overs. But it was the takedown of Zaman Khan and Haris Rauf that set the tone. Bowling the fifth over, Zaman was plundered for three sixes and a boundary by Yasir. In the sixth, Rizwan picked off Rauf’s hard lengths at will, smashing him for 20 as Sultans soared to 79 in the powerplay.Asif Afridi, the only bowler who kept Sultans quiet, got rid of Rizwan, but Yasir kept powering along. He brought up his half-century with a six off Rishad Hossain, before he and Usman Khan went after Daryl Mitchell. Meanwhile, Rauf’s return only brought more misery upon Qalandars as Usman smashed him for another 19 runs; all told, Rauf would conceded 54 in his three overs.When Shaheen returned to bowl the final over, it was Iftikhar who found his range, taking 14 off a wayward over as Sultans surged to 228. Shaheen, Haris and Zaman, once the pride of Qalandars’ attack, had combined to concede 119 runs in eight overs.Michael Bracewell continued to do well for Multan Sultans•PCB

Sultans have failed to defend a higher total than this, but if Qalandars were to have a hope, they needed a vintage start from Fakhar Zaman. Initially, they appeared to get it when the opener went after David Willey, taking 30 runs off his first two overs, before smearing the parsimonious Bracewell for a six. In Ubaid’s first over, though, Fakhar heaved one that sailed above the Multan floodlights, but Josh Little held his nerve to cling on to a superb catch to cut his cameo down at 32 off 14 balls.Abdullah Shafique and Mitchell tried to keep the game alive through an enterprising third-wicket partnership that produced 36 from 22 deliveries. But the demands of the asking rate were much too stratospheric. Sultans responded with a triple strike to remove the pair as well as Rishad, thus leaving Sam Billings and Sikandar Raza as the final hopes for Qalandars.Billings was finding the middle of the bat, going after Little in an 11th over that produced 16 runs and brought the asking rate to just over 13 runs an over. Ubaid, too, went for a pair of sixes in the 15th over. But, crucially, Ubaid had the last laugh off the final delivery. Billings tried to heave over midwicket, but top-edged to Kamran Ghulam. Ubaid, meanwhile, comically struck Usman in the face as he celebrated his third wicket with a bit too much exuberance.The game, though, was done and dusted. Raza hung around and slapped a few huge sixes to bring the margin of defeat down, and off the final ball of the innings, brought up a 27-ball fifty. But Qalandars’ hope of victory had long dissipated, and the Multan crowd got to see their side launch a campaign that may just be taking off.

Former Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick has revealed how Wrexham captain James Wrexham responded to an “are you getting too old” question, with the veteran winger being teased over his age after seeing game time limited in 2025-26. McClean still has an important role to play for the Red Dragons, but is no longer a guaranteed starter at Championship level.

• Ageing McClean playing supporting role at Wrexham

  McClean has helped Phil Parkinson’s side into the second tier having joined them in 2023 as a League Two outfit. He has enjoyed back-to-back promotions, as part of a historic hat-trick of steps up the EFL ladder, and savoured two all-expenses-paid trips to Las Vegas courtesy of Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac.

  His contract has been extended to 2027 but, at 36 years of age, he is having to make peace with playing more of a support role. McClean has still figured in 10 games for Wrexham across all competitions this season – including eight of their nine Championship fixtures.

  McClean remains a model professional, with the standards that he sets away from the field making him so important to Parkinson and Co. He retains the ability to make a telling contribution on the pitch, but is used as an example to others of what it takes to reach the top and stay there – with there no threat of him ever backing down from a challenge.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Wrexham star 'wasn't happy' after being given teasing

  Hendrick knows all about McClean from their days together in the Ireland camp and – speaking to Boyle Sports, who offer the latest football odds – has said of a larger-than-life character: “He's not been starting much lately. I actually texted him, saying, ‘Are you getting too old to be starting now?’ He wasn't happy, typical James McClean, always biting back. But James has played in the Premier League, Championship, and League One. He knows what it's all about, with over 100 games for Ireland. He has that experience. Believe it or not, he's not what people think, he's actually quite quiet and calm.

  “He trains really hard, of course, but he enjoys having fun around the training ground. So, it'll be great for the younger lads coming into the squad, or those who haven't played in the competitions or leagues he has. They'll definitely learn a lot, especially from how he conducts himself and how hard he works. James is maybe 36, and I'd be surprised if there's a harder-working player at Wrexham right now. I think he will keep driving those standards. As I said, older players might not be vocal or shouting, but they have a certain aura. People keep an eye on them, watching what they're doing, wanting to learn from them. I think that will help push the squad.”

• Wrexham warned Championship 'is a grind'

  Everybody at Wrexham has their sights set on reaching the Premier League, with A-list co-chairmen doing their best to turn that dream into a reality. Hendrick believes patience will be required in North Wales, with it possible that Tom Brady and Birmingham will earn a shot at making that jump up the divisions before Reynolds and Mac do.

  Hendrick added: “Everyone had high hopes, and a lot of people look at momentum. The Championship is a grind, everyone knows that. Many clubs have been there for years and know how to stay in the league. You're not going to just turn up as Wrexham or Birmingham and beat these teams. The game between them wasn't the most exciting if you ask me.

  “I think both teams spent money, trying to target players with high wages, more than some teams relegated from the Premier League are paying. They definitely have the backing, but it's still early days.

  “Wrexham are trying to gel players together and have been unfortunate in a few games, but it takes time. I don't think either team is under pressure of relegation, but Birmingham might have a better chance of making the top-half play-offs, as they look more comfortable.

  “They brought Tom Huddlestone in as one of the coaches. He had an amazing playing career and has learned his craft, coming through the Man United system, similar to Kieran McKenna at Ipswich or Lee Grant at Huddersfield. It seems Huddlestone has learned how to translate his footballing knowledge into coaching, which is a really good move for Birmingham.”

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  What comes next for Wrexham?

  Wrexham and Birmingham played out a 1-1 draw at the Racecourse prior to the latest international break being reached. There are just two points between them in the table at present, with the top six still well within reach, and Parkinson’s side will return to action on October 18 when taking in a trip to Stoke.

The Victoria quick claimed 21 wickets in four matches to back up a successful home season

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff28-Apr-2025Nottinghamshire have bid a fond farewell to their short-term Australian signing Fergus O’Neill, who departed after his four-match stint as the leading wicket-taker in the country.O’Neill, the Victoria quick, took his bow with 3 for 74 in the second innings against Sussex, taking his season’s tally to 21 and helping them to a nine-wicket win that puts them top of the first division. In the previous round he took a career-best 5 for 19 against Warwickshire.Related

Farhan Ahmed – a generational talent keeping it real for Notts

Nottinghamshire go clear at the top as Duckett, Hameed make quick work of Sussex

“Fergie’s been outstanding, can’t talk too highly of him,” said Nottinghamshire captain Haseeb Hameed.”For a 24-year-old to come in for his first overseas stint and do what he’s done is outstanding, and the biggest thing I can say about him is that he became a leader in the group very quickly.”You just had to watch him field yesterday, let along the 20-odd overs he bowled, to see he’s got a massive heart.”O’Neill was only eligible for a short-term visa so his stint had to end after four rounds. Evidently, Nottinghamshire want him to return. “Hopefully, we can build a few more memories together in the future,” Hameed said.His impressive haul for Nottinghamshire followed a Sheffield Shield return of 38 at 21.07 which saw him named the competition’s player of the year. He also represented Australia A earlier in the season where he took five wickets in Mackay.O’Neill now has 133 first-class wickets at 20.03. During his time with Nottinghamshire he also showed his batting potential with a half-century against Warwickshire.

West Ham United have more than one potential successor for Graham Potter on their managerial shortlist, as pressure grows on the tactician following a very lacklustre start to the 2025/2026 season.

The managers under consideration by West Ham as Potter exit likely

Reports of a potential sacking for Potter are not going away any time soon, and some suggest that the 50-year-old could be shown his P45 if West Ham suffer defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday (Hammers News).

If that is the case, David Sullivan and the boardroom are believed to be assessing multiple candidates to succeed Potter, including some very intriguing names.

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12, Graham Potter

27.3%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

Former West Ham and Chelsea star, Frank Lampard, who’s now doing a stellar job at Coventry City and nearly guided them to Premier League promotion last season, has been linked this month.

Meanwhile, it is also reported that West Ham have their eyes on free agent Nuno Espírito Santo, who’d arguably come as the best option considering his excellent work at Nottingham Forest last season.

Nuno was shown the door thanks to a public fallout with Evangelos Marinakis, but guided Forest back to European football for the first time since 1995 after a fairytale 2024/2025 season.

José Mourinho is off the table after agreeing to join Benfica (Fabrizio Romano), though Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna was an apparent guest of the West Ham boardroom last weekend during their 3-0 London derby defeat to Tottenham.

However, in the last 24 hours, news has come to light that Sullivan favours a return for ex-boss Slaven Bilic, who could now re-join the Irons after leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Fateh last year.

West Ham discuss appointing Sean Dyche amid Slaven Bilic interest

That is according to GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs, who reported via X that Bilic is joined on West Ham’s radar by former Everton and Burnley boss Sean Dyche, with internal discussions held.

The tactician helped to briefly steady the ship at Everton and performed wonders at Burnley in the Premier League for years, despite a serious lack of funds or squad investment compared to their top-flight rivals.

Would Sean Dyche be the right manager for West Ham?

If Dyche were to come instead of Bilic, the London Stadium would undoubtedly see a very well drilled, committed and hard-to-beat side.

There are question marks, though. Dyche’s style of play is often criticised as too pragmatic, which was a regular complaint of David Moyes’ methods during his final year in charge, and West Ham supporters may crave more expansive football after years of grinding results.

He has also never managed a squad with genuine top-six ambitions, so expectations could test his limits, not to mention the toxicity and fan unrest surrounding West Ham right now.

Dyche isn’t helped by his ties to Millwall either, with the tactician making 75 appearances for West Ham’s bitter rivals during his playing career and earning real admiration at The Den.

That being said, he is highly-rated by his managerial peers, like Tottenham boss Thomas Frank.