Category: Uncategorized

Soccer is a team sport played by a team of 11 players against another team of 11 players on a field (uncategorized).

The team has one designated goalkeeper and 10 outfield players. Outfield players are usually specialised in attacking or defending or both. A team is typically split into defenders, midfielders and forwards, though there is no restriction on players moving anywhere on the pitch.

It is known as soccer in North America, but is called football in most of the rest of the world. Its full name is Association Football.

We bring to you all the latest soccer news (uncategorized), match previews and reviews, as well as international transfer news from clubs around the world. Update 24/7.

  • Arsenal star lifts lid on impact Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial red card had on Gunners

    Arsenal star lifts lid on impact Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial red card had on Gunners

    Myles Lewis-Skelly is sent off

    Lewis-Skelly was sent off in the first half for Arsenal

    Jurrien Timber said the Gunners didn’t want to make a point after the red card controversy at Molineux. They just wanted to take all three.

     

    Any moans and groans were parked at half-time as Mikel Arteta and his men sifted through the wreckage of what appeared to be a fatal decision.

     

     

    Leandro Trossard makes Michael Oliver anger clear in reaction spotted on camera

    Arsenal will leave it to the authorities to decide if referee Michael Oliver’s decision to send off Myles Lewis-Skelly for tripping Matt Doherty should be overturned.

     

    But they had no redress at the interval. However, it did concentrate the visitors’ minds. Timber said: “It’s bizarre. When you are in games there are a lot of things happening. I didn’t expect a red card.

     

     

    “You don’t always agree with the decisions but, in the end, you just have to accept them and go. You have to react. It’s the only thing you have in your hands. You can’t keep talking about it. So, we didn’t at half time.

     

    “The manager told us that we needed to have courage going into the second half. That we would have to sacrifice a lot because it was going to be hard with ten men. Wolverhampton away is a tough match.

     

    “It’s not nice to go into the second half like this. But it is what it is. We showed character. That’s what we needed. We didn’t want to prove a point, we wanted to take all three.

     

    “That’s it. We were ten men. We felt like we deserved it. We were still trying to control the game. We did that. We pushed forward. We took our momentum and took the three points.”

     

    Arsenal started their campaign with three dismissals in their opening eight games.

     

    Declan Rice saw red for delaying the re-start against Brighton, picking up a second caution. It was a similar story for Leandro Trossard at Manchester City while William Saliba was dismissed for dragging down Evanilson at Bournemouth.

     

     

    This was different. However, although those incidents were regrettable, they at least gave the Gunners an inkling of how to push on. And that’s exactly what they did. The visitors emerged with a renewed sense of vigour, taking the game to Wolves.

     

    They were helped by Joao Gomes’s two rash moments. He was booked for kicking the ball away in the first-half. Wolves boss Vitor Pereira told the Brazil international to ‘be careful’ after the break. He wasn’t watchful enough and a lunge at Timber saw him dismissed.

     

    Perhaps the Portuguese should have headed that one off and substituted the midfielder who was walking a tightrope after also committing a couple of fouls in the opening 45 minutes. Following his dismissal, the air of optimism evaporated quickly.

     

    Riccardo Calafiori produced what the Dutchman described as ‘a striker’s finish’ to convert in the final quarter after Nelson Semedo headed clear Gabriel Martinell’s right-wing cross. Timber added: “It’s not the first time it’s happened to us.

    Leandro Trossard makes Michael Oliver anger clear in reaction spotted on camera

    “It’s still hard but on the other side we also know how to deal with it now. We’ve been through a lot this season. But we would never not fight. This is the character of the team. Our defence showed we are a team – and we are not easy to beat.

     

    “And we gained energy. Games like this give you that. The way the fans reacted to the red card – it got us going.”

     

    Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

  • 650+ Track And Field Fans Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images – iStock

    650+ Track And Field Fans Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images – iStock

    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One girl stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in blue colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

    On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One girl stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in blue colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium.

    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One man stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in red colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One man stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in red colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

    On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One man stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in red colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium.

    Sports doodles Various simple sports drawing doodles track and field fans stock illustrations
    Sports doodles Various simple sports drawing doodles track and field fans stock illustrations

    On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One man stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in bright colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines and running tracks is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the image.

    Marathon Thin Line Icons - Editable Stroke A set of marathon icons that include editable strokes or outlines using the EPS vector file. The icons include a person running the streets of a marathon, race starting gun being held up to the air, marathon runner with spectators cheering in the background, race jersey, person stretching before running, marathon race corse, person training for a marathon by running up mountain, marathon runner taking a drink from water bottle, mountain race course, marathon runners racing one another, hands checking activity tracking watch, running shoes, hands clapping, marathon runner crossing finish line with arm raised in the air, marathon race medal, high five, race winner crossing finish line in first place, energy bar, two marathon race finishers with arms around each others shoulders and a marathon race finisher with medal around neck and arms raised up in victory. track and field fans stock illustrations
    Marathon Thin Line Icons – Editable Stroke A set of marathon icons that include editable strokes or outlines using the EPS vector file. The icons include a person running the streets of a marathon, race starting gun being held up to the air, marathon runner with spectators cheering in the background, race jersey, person stretching before running, marathon race corse, person training for a marathon by running up mountain, marathon runner taking a drink from water bottle, mountain race course, marathon runners racing one another, hands checking activity tracking watch, running shoes, hands clapping, marathon runner crossing finish line with arm raised in the air, marathon race medal, high five, race winner crossing finish line in first place, energy bar, two marathon race finishers with arms around each others shoulders and a marathon race finisher with medal around neck and arms raised up in victory. track and field fans stock illustrations

    A set of marathon icons that include editable strokes or outlines using the EPS vector file. The icons include a person running the streets of a marathon, race starting gun being held up to the air, marathon runner with spectators cheering in the background, race jersey, person stretching before running, marathon race corse, person training for a marathon by running up mountain, marathon runner taking a drink from water bottle, mountain race course, marathon runners racing one another, hands checking activity tracking watch, running shoes, hands clapping, marathon runner crossing finish line with arm raised in the air, marathon race medal, high five, race winner crossing finish line in first place, energy bar, two marathon race finishers with arms around each others shoulders and a marathon race finisher with medal around neck and arms raised up in victory.

    Relay runners exchanging batons on track track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Relay runners exchanging batons on track track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Couples watching very realistic Cycle competition on TV :biggrin:A group of young friends are shocked while watching very realistic Cycle competition game on TV. They are sitting on a sofa in the modern living room. The TV set is on the loft brick wall. It is evening outside the window. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Couples watching very realistic Cycle competition on TV :biggrin:A group of young friends are shocked while watching very realistic Cycle competition game on TV. They are sitting on a sofa in the modern living room. The TV set is on the loft brick wall. It is evening outside the window. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

    :biggrin:A group of young friends are shocked while watching very realistic Cycle competition game on TV. They are sitting on a sofa in the modern living room. The TV set is on the loft brick wall. It is evening outside the window.

    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One man stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in red colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One man stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in red colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

    On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One man stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in red colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium.

    Sport stadium vector flat isometric icon set Sport stadium vector isometric icon set. Roller park, Mix boxing, Cricket and Athletics concept design elements. Outdoor sports venues for championships, training, matches etc. track and field fans stock illustrations
    Sport stadium vector flat isometric icon set Sport stadium vector isometric icon set. Roller park, Mix boxing, Cricket and Athletics concept design elements. Outdoor sports venues for championships, training, matches etc. track and field fans stock illustrations
    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One girl stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in blue colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One girl stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in blue colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

    On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One girl stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in blue colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium.

    Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent Race Start Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA - August 15, 2015: Runners compete in a rugged race up 14,115 foot Pikes Peak on the Barr Trail near Manitou Avenue in Manitou Springs Colorado track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent Race Start Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA – August 15, 2015: Runners compete in a rugged race up 14,115 foot Pikes Peak on the Barr Trail near Manitou Avenue in Manitou Springs Colorado track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One girl stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in red colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One girl stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in red colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

    On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One girl stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in red colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium.

    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One man stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in yellow colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One man stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in yellow colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

    On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One man stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in yellow colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium.

    seats on stadium Empty plastic stadium seats in a row track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One girl stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in blue colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Fans at . stadium with running tracks On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One girl stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in blue colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

    On the foreground a group of cheering fans watch a sport championship on stadium. One girl stands with his hands up to the sky. People are dressed in blue colors. A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the stadium.

    Family with children cheering and watching Cycle race on TV :biggrin:Father and two young children cheering and watching Cycle race on TV. Mother Stands in front of the TV. They are sitting on a sofa in the modern living room. The TV set is on the loft brick wall. It is evening outside the window. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Family with children cheering and watching Cycle race on TV :biggrin:Father and two young children cheering and watching Cycle race on TV. Mother Stands in front of the TV. They are sitting on a sofa in the modern living room. The TV set is on the loft brick wall. It is evening outside the window. track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

    :biggrin:Father and two young children cheering and watching Cycle race on TV. Mother Stands in front of the TV. They are sitting on a sofa in the modern living room. The TV set is on the loft brick wall. It is evening outside the window.

    Sports Fans cheering a game Sports Fans cheering a game track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    Sports Fans cheering a game Sports Fans cheering a game track and field fans stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
    No data found.
  • I don’t see myself as that’- Why Akani Simbine Akani Simbine is avoiding comparisons to Usain Bolt & other legends

    I don’t see myself as that’- Why Akani Simbine Akani Simbine is avoiding comparisons to Usain Bolt & other legends

    Why Akani Simbine Akani Simbine is avoiding comparisons to Usain Bolt & other legends Image source:

    Akani Simbine has explained the reason behind his decision to avoid placing himself in the same class as Usain Bolt and other legendary sprinters.

    South African sprinting sensation Akani Simbine has detailed why he does not want to be named among the greatest sprinters just yet.

     

    The Olympic 4x100m silver medallist is not yet ready to be named alongside the likes of Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Justin Gatlin, and Noah Lyles as he eyes greater milestones going forward in his career.

     

    Despite being one of the most consistent sprinters of all time and a former African record holder, he revealed that there are things he wants to achieve first before being recognised as one of the greats.

     

     

    In an interview with Team South Africa, Akani Simbine revealed that he wants to leave a strong legacy, not just in sports but in every sector in his home country.

     

    ‘It’s my first time seeing snow’- Kishane Thompson admits to culture shock in Astana as he enters new territory

    ‘It’s my first time seeing snow’- Kishane Thompson admits to culture shock in Astana as he enters new territory

    He believes that South Africa has the potential to excel in sports, the economy, and technology among many other projects if they put their best foot forward.

     

    “I don’t see myself as that you know, because my story is still being written but there’s two parts of that, I know I’m one of them, I know I’m part of that story and list but now I’m not trying to kind of like get lost in that,” Akani Simbine said.

     

    “There’s still so much that I want to do with my running and with how I am as a sprinter and how I show South Africa that we can be great and we can compete against the world. that’s my whole thing, in every facet, we have the resources and we can be anything.”

     

    Sha’Carri Richardson: Age, networth, boyfriend, medals won & more

    Sha’Carri Richardson: Age, networth, boyfriend, medals won & more

    Meanwhile, Simbine is undoubtedly one of the sprinters who paved the way for professional sprinting in Africa.

     

    Last season was a mixed for the South African ace who kick started his Olympic campaign with the 150m race at the Curro Podium Final and then later extended the winning streak to the South African Championships.

     

    Akani Simbine then won the 100m at the Diamond League Meeting in Suzhou before competing at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas.

     

    After that, Akani Simbine competed at the Diamond League Meeting in Oslo, the Meeting Madrid 2024, Gyulai István Memorial, Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix and then the Diamond League Meeting in London before heading to the Paris Olympic Games where he finished fourth in the men’s 100m final.

     

    Akani Simbine also anchored the South African 4x100m relay team to a silver medal behind Team Canada. After the Olympic Games, he raced twice before rounding up his season at the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels where he finished fifth.

     

    He now hopes to build up from where he left from as he looks to impress at this season and also make the cut to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

  • Howard Webb urged to DROP Michael Oliver after Arsenal red card controversy

    Howard Webb urged to DROP Michael Oliver after Arsenal red card controversy

    Referee Michael Oliver of the Premier League faced criticism after he decided to dismiss Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal during the Gunners’ 1-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday.

     

  • PGMOL make decision on Michael Oliver and VAR after Arsenal red card controversy vs Wolverhampton

    According to Sky Sports, referee Michael Oliver’s decision to give Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly a straight red versus Wolverhampton Wanderers had the support of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). On Saturday, January 25, during the first half of the Premier League match at the Molineux, the contentious incident took place. After a pause in play in the second half, Matt Doherty’s counterattack propelled the home team forward. But Lewis-Skelly defeated him, and Michael Oliver then gave him his marching instructions. Many people thought the referee would have given the Englishman a yellow card instead, therefore it was a contentious decision. Arsenal was reduced to 10 men after VAR examined the incident and validated the ruling. Remarkably, Joao Gomes of the Wolves received his second yellow card in

    Although they have a game in hand and are six points behind leaders Liverpool, Arsenal has also been playing well in the Premier League. This season, Mikel Arteta’s side has scored 44 goals and given up 21 goals in 13 league victories and two league losses. In the meanwhile, if the red card isn’t reversed, Myles Lewis-Skelly might have to serve a long ban. For a major offense, a straight red can result in a three-match suspension. As a result, the Englishman might miss the EFL Cup match against Newcastle United as well as the Premier League matches against Manchester City and Leicester City.

    I’m

  • Wolves 0-1 Arsenal: Riccardo Calafiori gives 10-men Gunners dramatic victory after Myles Lewis-Skelly is controversially sent off

    Wolves 0-1 Arsenal: Riccardo Calafiori gives 10-men Gunners dramatic victory after Myles Lewis-Skelly is controversially sent off

    Referee Michael Oliver controversially gave Myles Lewis-Skelly a straight red in the first half, reducing the Gunners to 10 men. But they persisted, and Calafiori scored the winning goal just minutes after Joao Gomes of Wolves was sent out for a second yellow card.

     

  • Why Arsenal stars Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino aren’t playing vs Wolves as crisis continues

    Why Arsenal stars Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino aren’t playing vs Wolves as crisis continues

    Mikel Arteta was left without two crucial midfielders for Arsenal against Wolves in a crucial Premier League match due to injury news. Distribute

    Arsenal have been left once again with a critical group of players missing out as Mikel Merino and skipper Martin Odegaard weren’t available for selection against Wolves. Instead, Mikel Arteta welcomed Ethan Nwaneri back into the starting XI whilst an inexperienced bench was picked. Odegaard is unwell and has had trouble getting back to his best since recovering from an ankle injury in November. He wasn’t feeling well, therefore he was benched for Brighton earlier this month.

    It is the same with Willy. Let’s see how it goes this week, but I’m sure they’ll be in for next week.” With the opportunity to guarantee a spot in the top eight of the Champions League and, consequently, a direct route into the round of 16, as well as the subsequent visit from Manchester City, Arsenal has a busy week ahead of them. In contrast to Europe, the league does not allow for failure. Arsenal is aware that if things don’t go out, they might finish the weekend just one point above fourth. However, if they defeat Wolves, they will have played an additional game and will be within one game of Liverpool.

     

  • McKenna’s flexibility gives Ipswich improbable shot at beating the drop

    McKenna’s flexibility gives Ipswich improbable shot at beating the drop

    THIS SEASON’S RELEGATION battle bears an eerie comparison to last year’s.

    All three of the promoted sides went straight back down last season, and this year’s trio of new arrivals currently occupy the drop zone. Southampton, like Sheffield United last season, look doomed; another ill-equipped squad going down with a wretched points total.

    Seven-straight defeats and sour murmurs regarding transfer strategy mean Leicester look set to follow Burnley as an established Premier League name unable to gain a footing upon their return to the elite.

    Ipswich Town are therefore the Luton Town of this enterprise: the long-absent underdogs playing in a throw-back stadium who end up with the best chance of staying up.

    Ipswich may yet break the comparison: where Luton fell short last year, Kieran McKenna and his players might yet succeed.

    Ahead of today’s trip to Anfield, Ipswich are 18th, but level on points with 17th-placed Wolves, who today face Arsenal.

    Everton are four points ahead and so are barely within touching distance in 16th place. Wolves are Ipswich’s primary target, and so they will be giddy with rumours Matheus Cunha might leave for Arsenal before the end of the transfer window.

    Ipswich’s aggression in the transfer market should aid their survival hopes: Having already added Jaden Philogene and Ben Godfrey, they this week completed the loan signing of the highly rated  Julio Enciso from Brighton, whose 2023 winner against Man City was nominated for the Puskas Award. (Enciso’s arrival is hardly great news for Ireland’s Sammie Szmodics, who is currently sidelined with injury.)

    Only Brighton have had a higher net spend in the Premier League since Ipswich since last summer: in fact, Ipswich’s net spend is currently more than Southampton and Leicester’s added together.

    So while the club have given Kieran McKenna a greater chance to succeed, it is McKenna who gives the club its greatest chance of success.

    McKenna’s rise is truly astonishing: a first-team coach at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho at only 31, and a Premier League manager with back-to-back promotions on his CV by the age of 37. McKenna can also claim one of the greatest character references in the modern game, given he has been anonymously dismissed as “school-masterly” by sources within the United dressing room. Anyone who didn’t fit into United’s rancid culture should be a good fit elsewhere.

    McKenna does not suffer from dogma which appears to have condemned his fellow promoted teams. Leicester, you could argue, were unlucky to lose Enzo Maresca to Chelsea, especially given McKenna was himself linked with the job. Their error, however, was to replace Maresca with Steve Cooper, whose playing style was antithetical and unsuited to those at his disposal. Ruud Van Nistelrooy is now labouring to sift the wreckage.

    Southampton, meanwhile, were doomed from the moment Russell Martin demanded his players play the same way as they did in the Championship, despite the slight complication of coming up against vastly better players. Martin preferred to bemoan his crowd’s anxiety at his side’s kamikaze passing rather than analyse the root of that anxiety.

    McKenna, though, is flexible and pragmatic in a way that’s increasingly rewarded in the Premier League.

    “We have a brave identity of play that we want to stay true to, but we know it’s a huge step up, so we need to be clever how we compete for points”, said McKenna during the course of this season.

    An interesting piece by FourFourTwo prior to season’s start accentuated the fact that McKenna is not wedded to any specific passing style, pointing to figures which showed Ipswich ranked mid-table in the Championship last year for short, long, and medium-length passes. McKenna’s Ipswich, in other words, were a little bit of everything, and to great effect.

    Arijanet Muric, for instance, was signed from Burnley in the summer to be the number one goalkeeper, with his primary skillset being his comfort with the ball at his feet. He is regrettably error-prone with his hands, however, and McKenna has dropped him in favour of the more stolid – and solid – Christian Walton.

    In earning promotion from League One, McKenna played a back three, but switched to a 4-2-3-1 in the Championship. This season he has broadly stuck with that back four, though has occasionally flipped to a back three.

    This has sometimes worked (a creditable 2-2 draw away to Fulham; a narrow 1-0 loss away to Arsenal) and sometimes, er, has not. (See last week’s 6-0 hammering at home to Man City.)

    If Ipswich are to stay up, they need to add more goals to an attack carried on Liam Delap’s broad shoulders. They have scored only 20 goals in the league so far – the third-lowest in the division – and Delap is responsible for eight of them. Perhaps Enciso and Philogene are the right recruits to address that issue.

    Today’s game at Liverpool is their most difficult remaining fixture, and after today only six of their remaining 15 opponents are in the top half. Southampton and Wolves are winnable must-wins at home, while their final away games are at Everton and Leicester.

    And if Kieran McKenna keeps Ipswich in the Premier League, the club’s greater battle begins – keeping Kieran McKenna.

  • Nottingham Forest predicted line-up as Nuno sweating on fitness update ahead of Bournemouth

    Nottingham Forest predicted line-up as Nuno sweating on fitness update ahead of Bournemouth

     

    A late call being made on the fitness of Callum Hudson-Odoi could leave Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo with a big decision to make this weekend.

     

    Hudson-Odoi was forced off in the final minutes of the first half of last Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Southampton. A groin problem saw the winger make way just a matter of minutes after he had put his team 2-0 up.

     

    Nuno has said the wide man will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Bournemouth (3pm kick-off). It could leave the Portuguese with a key call to make, particularly if he has designs on naming an unchanged team.

     

    Against the Saints, Jota Silva came on in place of Hudson-Odoi. The summer signing always brings plenty of energy when he gets on the pitch but has had to settle for a substitutes’ role of late – in the league at least.

     

    If Hudson-Odoi is ruled out against the Cherries, Jota will no doubt hope he gets an opportunity but Nuno could also consider other options. Ramon Sosa could step in if required, although he also has only made one start in the league to date.

     

    Another possibility would be to play Elliot Anderson or Nicolas Dominguez out wide. Both are capable of doing so and are valued by Nuno for their versatility.

     

    On the prospect of Hudson-Odoi being available, Nuno said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday lunchtime: “He felt his groin very tight. He was in a lot of pain.

  • Mikel Arteta reveals Raheem Sterling Arsenal transfer stance as Chelsea recall decision made

    Mikel Arteta reveals Raheem Sterling Arsenal transfer stance as Chelsea recall decision made

    Mikel Arteta was questioned about whether the Gunners would send Raheem Sterling back to Chelsea because he hasn’t performed well in an Arsenal shirt thus far.

    Details In order to get another domestic loan this month, Mikel Arteta has disclosed that Arsenal is “not thinking” of sending Raheem Sterling back to Chelsea. Since going on loan to the Gunners in August, 30-year-old Sterling has had difficulties. The former Manchester City and Liverpool player has made 15 appearances this season across all competitions, scoring just one goal and dishing out two assists. He has only played 633 minutes of first-team football and started seven games.

    There have been rumors that Sterling might be moved back to Chelsea because of his rough start at the Emirates Stadium. With the addition of second-choice goalkeeper Neto, who came from Bournemouth to support David Raya, the Gunners now occupied both of their domestic loan berths.

    The Gunners would have room to consider recruiting another player on loan from an English club in January if Sterling or Neto were sent back. Before his team’s Premier League trip to Wolves on Saturday, Arteta was asked that issue, and the Arsenal manager gave his opinion.

    When questioned about the possibility of either Sterling or Neto leaving Arsenal, Arteta said, “We’re not thinking about that.” In other news, Borussia Dortmund is considering acquiring Oleksandr Zinchenko in January. According to The Telegraph, the Ukrainian international is anticipated to depart the Gunners before the end of the transfer window, and the German club is prepared to make their move to sign him.

    Regarding incomings, Arteta has not ruled out the possibility of the Gunners adding a first-team player this month. With Kai Havertz failing for consistent form this season and Gabriel Jesus sidelined for the season, a new forward seems to be at the top of their shopping list. “Have I ever said no to a striker?” Arteta went on. “It’s obvious that we lack options and goals up front after losing two crucial players in Jesus and Saka. “If we can get the right player, that’s what we’re actively looking at.”