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It’s incredible how quickly the mood can change in football, and West Ham United are a great example.

Following their third defeat in as many games at the start of the week, it felt like the club were destined for a dreadful season, but now, after a few brilliant signings, there is a sense of renewed optimism in some areas of the fanbase.

Now, there is still a lot of work for Graham Potter and Co to do before fans can get ahead of themselves, but the additions of Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa certainly help.

Moreover, if reports are to be believed, the club are in the market for more signings, including an international compared to Jude Bellingham.

West Ham target Bellingham-esque star

Even though the transfer window comes to a close on Monday evening, West Ham continue to be linked with a host of talented players.

Transfer Focus

For example, Feyenoord’s captain Quintien Timber could be available for just £25m and would add some steel to the middle of the park, and Conor Gallagher is now being touted for a return to the capital.

However, neither one of these brilliant players has been compared to the world-class Bellingham, unlike another international the Hammers are keen to sign.

At least that is according to a recent report from German publication BILD, which claims West Ham are very interested in Patrick Wimmer.

In exciting news, the report has revealed that the East Londoners are now expected to bid for the Wolfsburg player before the window closes.

It would certainly be a surprise move, but the £33k-per-week dynamo would be an excellent addition to Potter’s squad, especially as he’s been compared to Bellingham.

How Wimmer compares to Bellingham

Before exploring some of the other reasons West Ham should sign Wimmer this summer, it’s essential to examine this remarkable comparison to Bellingham and where it comes from.

In this instance, the analysis stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League, and the Europa League.

In this case, FBref has concluded that the Real Madrid star is the second most similar midfielder to the Wolfsburg ace.

Progressive Carries

2.34

2.68

Shots

2.08

2.17

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.17

1.12

Expected Assists

0.17

0.16

Key Passes

1.22

1.52

Shot-Creating Actions

3.61

3.80

Goal-Creating Actions

0.61

0.47

Successful Take-On %

53.6%

54.7%

The best way to understand how that conclusion was reached is by examining some of the underlying metrics in which the pair ranked closely.

These include metrics such as progressive carries, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-on percentage, key passes and more, all per 90.

These numbers paint the picture of an all-action player who can be a goal threat in his own right, but is also an effective creator for his team.

In addition to this incredibly encouraging comparison to one of the best players in the world, the “wonderful” Austrian international, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, is also an entertainer.

This is evident when watching his highlights, and while output is always going to be the most important thing, having a player in the side who can get the stadium on its feet is also hugely important.

Ultimately, it would be a surprise deal, but West Ham should do all they can to sign Wimmer before Monday evening, as he could provide the side with that bit more x-factor.

Fernandes upgrade: West Ham to submit bid for another big-money midfielder

The experienced international would be an excellent signing for Graham Potter and West Ham.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 29, 2025

Leeds United recently made an approach for an “elite” player, who has since signed for Premier League rivals Manchester United in a last minute deadline day move.

Farke likely to be disappointed after Leeds' quiet deadline day

Heading into deadline day, Daniel Farke made it clear that he wanted to make two more additions to his squad, with the manager particularly keen to strengthen in attacking areas, having identified Facundo Buonanotte and Harry Wilson as targets.

However, the Whites were unable to get any new signings through the door, with it being widely reported the Cottagers pulled the plug on a deal for Wilson at the last minute, while Buonanotte ended up signing for Chelsea on loan until the end of the campaign.

As such, Farke is likely to be frustrated by the end to the transfer window, but the manager can take some solace in the fact he has managed to improve his squad in a number of key areas this summer, not least between the sticks.

Lucas Perri was signed as a replacement for Illan Meslier, who has been attracting interest from the likes of Rangers and Lorient, but a report has now revealed a different goalkeeper was being considered as a replacement for the Frenchman at one stage.

According to a report from Belgium (via The Daily Mail), Leeds made an approach to sign Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, but ultimately walked away from a deal when they discovered the hefty asking price.

Scouts from both Sunderland and Leeds decided against bringing in Lammens, given that it would be a risk to throw him straight in as first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League, and he ended up joining Man United for a fee of around £18m instead.

"Elite" Lammens would've been risky signing for Leeds

Despite being described as having “elite potential” by scout Ben Mattinson, signing the former Royal Antwerp man would’ve been a gamble for Leeds, given that he is yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s major leagues.

The Belgian is just 23-years-old, meaning Perri has far more experience, and barring the trip to Arsenal, the Brazilian has made a solid start to life at Elland Road, keeping two clean sheets in his opening three Premier League games.

Leeds had deal agreed to sign "important" ace who once silenced Elland Road

It was a day to forget for the Yorkshire club…

2 ByTom Cunningham Sep 2, 2025

Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca was also left very impressed by the 27-year-old’s performances in Ligue 1 last season, saying in March: “Right now, the best goalkeeper in the world is Lucas Perri.”

As such, Leeds made the correct decision signing the former Lyon man instead of Lammens, who has a daunting season ahead of him, with the young Belgian tasked with trying to establish himself as number one for Man United.

The duo’s unbeaten 90-run stand helped Vidarbha overcome a top-order collapse in the second innings

Shashank Kishore19-Feb-2025An unbroken 91-run stand for the fifth wicket between Yash Rathod and Akshay Wadkar helped Vidarbha overcome a top-order collapse in the second innings, as they ended Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Mumbai on 147 for 4, which effectively is a lead of 260.Rathod was unbeaten on 59, his second fifty-plus score in the match, while Wadkar’s 31 not out was a typically gritty effort in which he batted out 102 deliveries. The left-right combination was the perfect balm for a nervy Vidarbha dressing room as spinners Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian began making the ball talk on a Nagpur deck that had begun to show signs of variable bounce.Mumbai’s day could’ve been far worse if not for wicketkeeper-batter Akash Anand, who brought up his second first-class century, to help whittle down their deficit. Anand, 29 who opened the innings nearly batted through, and had been on the field right from the start of the game until he was the ninth batter dismissed. Anand had earlier made his maiden ton last month in the final group fixture against Meghalaya. Unlike that knock, this one was a stonewalling effort that took him 247 deliveries to construct.Resuming on their overnight 188 for 7, Anand put together a 69-run stand for the eighth wicket with Kotian, who made 33. Kotian should’ve been out on 6 when he was dropped early in the day by Wadkar off Yash Thakur. After his dismissal, to Parth Rekhade who did a bulk of the damage on the second evening with his left-arm spin, Mumbai managed to add just 23 more as they were bowled out for 270, thereby conceding a 113-run lead.Vidarbha’s second innings was off to the worst possible start as Shardul Thakur struck second ball to remove Atharva Taide at the stroke of tea. Danish Malewar, and not Rekhade, who walked out to bat at No. 3 built the lead with a brisk 29 before chipping one back to Mulani as he looked to flick against the turn.The game came alive when Karun Nair and Dhruv Shorey fell in the space of three overs as Vidarbha slipped to 56 for 4, with their lead just 169. Both Nair and Shorey were out lbw, to Mulani and Kotian respectively, as they were defeated by sharp turn from the rough.Mumbai were denied from there on for the large parts of the final session as Wadkar and Rathod blunted a tiring attack to take the fight into the fourth day, with the hosts well in control of proceedings. Shivam Dube, who picked up a five-for in the first innings, was only called in to bowl after the 40th over, by which time Wadkar and Rathod had seemingly stemmed the damage.This leaves the defending champions, the 42-time winners, needing to make big inroads early on Thursday to have any chance of staying alive.

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez is reportedly keen to take over at Manchester United, with Fabrizio Romano claiming the Spaniard would 'go immediately' if offered the job – even without European football. The revelation comes as Ruben Amorim faces growing scrutiny after the Red Devils' poor start to the Premier League season.

Xavi to make a move to Old Trafford?

Manchester United’s struggles under Amorim have raised fresh questions about the club’s direction, with the Red Devils languishing in 14th place after three defeats in six games. Their latest 3-1 loss to Brentford has added pressure on the Portuguese coach. Amid the uncertainty, Romano has revealed that Xavi is eager to return to management and views Old Trafford as an ideal opportunity.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRomano reveals Xavi's interest in Premier League move

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: "Xavi is studying the Premier League. Xavi is monitoring the Premier League and Xavi would go immediately to Man United, even without European football – he would go immediately to the Premier League."

Xavi’s interest comes at a time when Amorim is under mounting scrutiny following an underwhelming start to life in England. United’s hierarchy have yet to make a decision, but the prospect of a high-profile replacement could intensify pressure on the current boss.

Xavi could help stabilise a sinking ship

The former Barcelona boss, who won La Liga and the Supercopa in 2022-23, has been out of work since leaving Camp Nou earlier this year. His readiness to accept the United role highlights his confidence and belief in the long-term potential of the project at Old Trafford. Xavi’s attacking philosophy and elite playing pedigree would make him an appealing candidate for a club in search of identity.

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GettyMan Utd's next few games could decide Amorim's future

United’s upcoming fixtures could be decisive in determining Amorim’s future, with any further slip-ups likely to test the board’s patience. Should the situation deteriorate, Xavi’s availability could tempt the club into making a change sooner rather than later. For now, the Spaniard continues to bide his time as speculation over the Red Devils' next move grows.

Josh Windass revealed a gruesome injury to his social media followers after coming off early in Wrexham's Championship draw with Leicester City. The Foxes went ahead in the first half through Jordan James’ and held onto their lead until the 77th minute. However, nerves and wastefulness opened the door for Wrexham, with Nathan Broadhead grabbing a late equaliser at the King Power Stadium.

Agony for Windass in Foxes clash

Windass left fans wincing after revealing a new injury. The forward came off just after the hour mark, replaced by Broadhead, who turned saviour for the Red Dragons with a late equaliser. What came next was a grim social media update. Windass posted a close-up of his severely bruised ankle, swollen and mangled, with the caption:

@windassjnr Instagram

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWindass’ injury curse strikes again

Windass only recently clawed his way back from a hamstring tear suffered in Wrexham's 3-2 defeat to West Brom. That setback kept him out of five matches before he finally made his return against Norwich on September 20. Now, the 31-year-old could be set for another period on the sidelines, with a medical examination on his ankle likely to take place later this week. Manager Phil Parkinson may be robbed of one of his most experienced heads for another important stretch of the campaign.

Parkinson’s warriors refuse to fold

Parkinson’s men continue to show steel after a tough start to the 2025-26 campaign. The boss, who has masterminded three successive promotions to guide Wrexham into the Championship, stuck with the same XI that battled through a bruising 1-1 draw with Derby just days earlier. And once again, his players found a way. Lewis O’Brien’s relentless chase of a lost cause created the late chance against Leicester, and Broadhead’s ice-cool finish ensured Wrexham’s remarkable record of scoring in every league and cup fixture this season remained intact.

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Getty Images SportHollywood derby up next

All eyes now turn to Friday night, when Birmingham City arrive at the Racecourse for the latest edition of the “Hollywood derby”. Injuries may be piling up, but Wrexham’s spirit is unbreakable, and the script feels primed for another nail-biter.

Akash Deep is fit again and expected to play his first match of the season

Himanshu Agrawal03-Apr-20252:11

Can Rohit Sharma find form against LSG?

Big picture – Batting yet to click for both LSG and MISince they came into existence in 2022, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have the joint-best head-to-head record against Mumbai Indians (MI). LSG have a 5-1 record against the five-time champions, but face them in Lucknow with problems to solve.With the bat, Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh have played impactful knocks. But the others, including Rishabh Pant, are yet to perform. Pant has only made 17 runs in three innings, while Ayush Badoni, whom LSG had retained, has made 51. Aiden Markram has also had a slow start to the season, and that compounds LSG’s woes after they were hit by injuries to fast bowlers Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan. Akash is now fit to play his first game of the season.Related

Manjrekar: 'Things are slipping away' for Rohit Sharma

Pant 'still figuring out a lot of things for the team'

MI began their season with back-to-back losses before bouncing back with a comprehensive win against Kolkata Knight Riders. Even without Jasprit Bumrah, MI have been among the best bowling sides this season: they are second-best in terms of wickets taken, average and economy rate.As for their batting, Suryakumar Yadav seems to be back in form, while Ryan Rickelton made a rapid half-century against KKR. But Rohit Sharma’s low returns – just 21 runs in three innings – remain a concern. This contest, then, could be a test of both teams’ batting.Form guideLucknow Super Giants: LWL
Mumbai Indians: WLLTeam news and likely XIIs – Akash Deep set to returnAkash is ready to go for LSG after recovering from the back injury he suffered last December. He could replace Avesh, who has gone for 75 runs in seven overs this season, and taken just one wicket.Lucknow Super Giants: 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Mitchell Marsh, 3 Nicholas Pooran, 4 Rishabh Pant (capt & wk), 5 Ayush Badoni, 6 David Miller, 7 Abdul Samad, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Digvesh Rathi, 10 Akash Deep, 11 Ravi Bishnoi, 12 M Siddharth.Will MI include an extra spinner in Mujeeb Ur Rahman if Lucknow is expected to be spin-friendly? The only game Mujeeb has played this season came on a black-soil pitch in Ahmedabad, where he was taken for 28 runs in two overs. If Mujeeb is back, it could be at the expense of Will Jacks.Mumbai Indians: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Hardik Pandya (capt), 6 Naman Dhir, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Deepak Chahar, 9 Trent Boult, 10 Ashwani Kumar, 11 Vignesh Puthur, 12 Mujeeb Ur Rahman.Rishabh Pant has scored just 17 runs in his first three innings this season•BCCIBig questionMI have a history of unearthing young Indian talent. Even Bumrah and Suryakumar first grew their T20 game at MI. This season, MI have unleashed left-arm wristspinner Vignesh Puthur and left-arm quick Ashwani Kumar to telling effect. While Puthur has four wickets in two games, Ashwani has four in one.In the spotlight: Ravi Bishnoi, and MI’s spinnersRavi Bishnoi is LSG’s highest wicket-taker since 2022. LSG retained him for INR 11 crore, but he has been expensive so far this season. He has three wickets in 11 overs at an economy rate of 12.54. In the middle overs, Bishnoi’s eight overs have for gone at 12.25 per over. The next highest for anyone to have bowled at least that many overs during that phase is Ravindra Jadeja’s 8.32. LSG will hope Bishnoi, their prime spinner, is back in rhythm before it’s too late.Mitchell Santner (left-arm orthodox), Puthur (left-arm wristspin), Mujeeb and Jacks (both offspinners) lend plenty of depth and variety to MI’s spin department. MI have the second-best economy rate (8.12) and the third-best average (27.28) of all spin-bowling teams this season, and could field three of their four spinners in Lucknow, where, if the pitch provides turn, LSG’s batters might not have it easy.Pitch and conditions: LSG to use black-soil pitchThis IPL, home advantage has become a hot topic. The red-soil pitch LSG played on against Punjab Kings did not impress their mentor Zaheer Khan, who went on to say that it looked like the opposition’s curator prepared it. Against MI, LSG will switch over to a black-soil surface, which is expected to be more spin-friendly. That could help LSG’s spinners, but they will be wary of the move backfiring against MI’s own spin contingent.Temperatures in Lucknow could touch 38 degrees Celsius during the day, but could cool down considerably by the time the game starts at 7.30pm. There’s no chance of rain.Key Stats Since 2017, 15 batters have at least 2500 runs in the IPL. Of them, Rohit Sharma has the lowest strike rate (130.09). His team-mate Suryakumar Yadav is third best at 147.98. Since the start of 2024, Nicholas Pooran comfortably leads the six-hitting charts in all T20 cricket. He has smashed 202 sixes in this period, and is far ahead of Heinrich Klaasen (121) in second place. Of the regular home grounds of the ten IPL teams since 2022, Lucknow has been the second-best spin-bowling venue behind Mullanpur in terms of both economy rate (7.44) and average (26.07).

Arsenal summer signing Viktor Gyokeres has impressed since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in a deal which could rise to £64 million, but only in certain Premier League games.

Mikel Arteta’s long wait for a prolific striker was brought to an end by sporting director Andrea Berta in the Italian’s first window at the Emirates, and supporters eagerly awaited the Swede’s debut whilst expecting big things.

Gyokeres bagged an unbelievable 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting before his switch to north London – spearheading the Primeira Liga champions to a domestic double last season – and Arteta is hoping his new number nine can replicate those heroics on British shores.

Despite Arteta’s fondness for Benjamin Sesko, who Arsenal tried to sign in the summer of 2024 and in January, Berta reportedly swayed Arsenal chiefs into moving for Gyokeres instead (The Athletic).

Kepa Arrizabalaga

£5m

Martin Zubimendi

£60m

Christian Norgaard

£15m

Noni Madueke

£52m

Cristhian Mosquera

£13m

Viktor Gyokeres

£55m

Eberechi Eze

£67.5m

Piero Hincapie

Loan

Thus far, the signs have been fairly promising, but some criticism has surrounded Gyokeres’ lacklustre link-up play compared to the likes of Liverpool star Alexander Isak, who was also once a “dream” target for Arteta.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville also believes that Gyokeres won’t be a big-game player for Arsenal, with the 27-year-old failing to make an impact against both Man United and Liverpool this season.

His goals so far have come in a 5-0 win over Leeds United, and most recently, the Gunners’ 3-0 dispatching of Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest last Saturday.

Troy Deeney tips Arsenal to replace Viktor Gyokeres with Kai Havertz

Once £280,000-per-week star Kai Havertz is back from injury, talkSPORT pundit Troy Deeney is convinced that Arteta will bench Gyokeres for the big games in favour of their versatile German.

Football is often reactionary at the best of times, and we believe that Gyokeres simply needs more time to settle in Europe’s most competitive division.

Viktor Gyokeres to deliver on big stage for Arsenal in time

The striker’s lack of impact against Man United and Liverpool is a concern, but that could simply be put down to Gyokeres finding his feet at brand-new club amid plenty of pressure to deliver.

At Sporting CP last season, the Swede produced 54 goals and 13 assists across competitions, thriving under the pressure of title races and European nights. His record shows he doesn’t just score against weaker opposition, either.

Gyokeres regularly delivered goals or assists in decisive matches, including against Porto and Benfica, where his work rate, strength, and ability to lead the line stood out.

His six goals in eight Champions League games for Sporting last season, including a stunning hat-trick against Man City, also work wonders to highlight that Gyokeres can indeed deliver on the biggest occasions.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2024/25 Premier League campaign has been defined by frustration and disappointment.

Five games in, they are rooted to the bottom of the table with zero points and a goal difference of -9.

Their attack has looked blunt, generating one of the lowest expected goals (xG) figures in the division – only Aston Villa, Burnley, and Leeds rank worse.

This stands in stark contrast to their Carabao Cup outings, where they have shown flashes of potential.

They beat West Ham in the second round with a convincing display and now have an opportunity to build momentum against Everton in the third round on Wednesday night.

For manager Pereira, this cup tie feels like more than just a fixture; it’s a chance to breathe life into a faltering season.

The departure of Matheus Cunha, who was instrumental last year, has left a void in Wolves’ attacking play.

While the defensive structure under Pereira’s three-at-the-back system has shown glimpses of resilience, the final third remains the glaring weakness.

Upcoming fixtures, including clashes with relegation rivals Sunderland and Burnley after the international break, demand fresh solutions.

Arokodare's difficult start at Wolves

When Wolves signed Tolu Arokodare from Genk for £24 million, there was genuine excitement.

The 24-year-old forward had just finished as the Belgian Pro League’s Golden Boot winner, scoring 21 goals and establishing himself as a dominant aerial threat.

In total, he netted 41 times in 113 appearances for Genk, suggesting he could be the answer to Wolves’ goalscoring problems.

So far, however, the transition has been anything but smooth.

Arokodare has featured twice in the Premier League for a combined 156 minutes, starting against Newcastle and Leeds. While his physical presence is undeniable, his output has underwhelmed.

Against Leeds, he recorded three shots, but only one was on target. His dribbling attempts yielded no success, and although he contested 13 aerial duels, he only won seven, as per Sofascore.

The numbers reflect a player still adjusting to the intensity and pace of English football.

Wolves fans were expecting a ruthless finisher; instead, they’ve seen a forward struggling to impose himself.

Pereira’s persistence with Arokodare has become synonymous with the side’s wider attacking malaise.

At a time when Wolves desperately need sharpness in the final third, he has looked like a work in progress rather than a solution.

How Pereira can get Wolves firing again

The return of Jorgen Strand Larsen could change the equation entirely.

The Norwegian striker has been Wolves’ talisman since arriving from Celta Vigo, having scored 14 league goals on loan.

That tally accounted for 22% of Wolves’ total strikes, a contribution that proved decisive in avoiding relegation last season.

His commitment was underlined this summer when he signed a new deal until 2030 despite Champions League club Newcastle United tabling bids of £50m and £55m.

Strand Larsen has already opened his account for the campaign, scoring twice in the Carabao Cup win over West Ham.

Yet an Achilles injury has sidelined him for the past two league games, leaving Wolves blunt in attack.

Now fit again, his return offers Pereira an ideal chance to reset the forward line.

The ideal partner for him is Jhon Arias, the Colombian winger-forward who joined from Fluminense for £15m.

Arias contributed four goals and 13 assists in Brazil last season, showcasing his ability to both score and create.

His versatility makes him well-suited to Pereira’s 3-5-2 system, where he could play just off Strand Larsen, stretching defences and linking midfield with attack.

Although Arias has only managed 179 league minutes so far, his technical qualities have been clear, having also been hailed for his “relentless” work off the ball by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Matches Played

12

Goals

1

Assists

4

Progressive Carries

48

Progressive Passes

55

He thrives in tight spaces, has the vision to pick progressive passes, and the pace to break lines – elements Wolves sorely lack when Arokodare leads the line.

If given a run of games, Arias could replicate the kind of strike partnerships Wolves have historically relied upon in Derek Dougan and John Richards.

Everton in the League Cup provides the perfect stage to test this combination.

Strand Larsen’s presence guarantees a focal point, while Arias’ creativity and movement would add unpredictability.

Together, they could finally give Wolves the attacking structure to match the defensive solidity that has, at times, looked promising.

Wolves' most expensive signings of all time

Football FanCast takes a detailed look at Wolves’ 10 most expensive signings of all time.

ByCharlie Smith Sep 5, 2025

Dhoni said the team was looking for consistency from the batters and better powerplay bowling performances

Sreshth Shah14-Apr-2025Chennai Super Kings stand-in captain MS Dhoni won the toss and chose to field against Rishabh Pant’s Lucknow Super Giants on Monday.”Blessed,” Dhoni said, about the sea of yellow at the Ekana Stadium, after winning the toss. He wanted to bowl first because of chances of dew later. He said the team was looking for consistency from the batters and better powerplay bowling performances. Shaik Rasheed replaces and Jamie Overton come into the team, in place of Devon Conway and R Ashwin.Pant confirmed Mitchell Marsh was back into the XI after missing the previous game. Himmat Singh goes out of the team. Pant hoped the openers continued their fine form.The teams are playing on pitch no. 5 today, which is the centre wicket. There are square boundaries of 66 metres on both sides and 73 metres straight. The pitch is a mix of 70% red soil and 30% black soil, so it won’t be very slow and some runs should be available.CSK are looking to break a five-game losing streak while LSG are trying to make it five wins in a row.LSG XI: 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Mitchell Marsh, 3 Nicholas Pooran, 4 Rishabh Pant, 5 Ayush Badoni, 6 David Miller, 7 Abdul Samad, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Avesh Khan, 10 Akash Deep, 11 Digvesh RathiLSG’s Impact Player options: Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz, Breetzke, Himmat SinghCSK XI 1 Shaik Rasheed, 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Rahul Tripathi, 4 Ravindra Jadeja, 5 Vijay Shankar, 6 Jamie Overton, 7 MS Dhoni, 8 Anshul Kamboj, 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 Khaleel Ahmed, 11 Matheesha PathiranaCSK’s Impact Player options: Dube, Nagarkoti, Curran, Hooda, Ramakrishna Ghosh

Ange Postecoglou has been sacked as Nottingham Forest manager – just minutes after his side’s 3-0 Premier League defeat against Chelsea ensured they failed to win any of their eight games under his stewardship. The Australian was only appointed as Nuno Espirito Santo’s successor in September but owner Evangelos Marinakis is now looking for his third head coach in a season which promised so much following the club’s return to European football.

Postecoglou pays the price for failing to win in sorry Forest spell

Forest’s loss at the hands of Chelsea proved to be Postecoglou’s final match in a tumultuous spell in charge of the club. Despite calving out goalscoring opportunities through Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White, with substitute Igor Jesus later hitting the crossbar, the hosts were punished for their profligacy in front of goal by Chelsea trio Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James. The result meant Forest failed to taste victory in any of their eight games in all competitions under Postecoglou, having also suffered defeats against Arsenal, Swansea City, Sunderland, Midtjylland and Newcastle. The club also earned two draws under Postecoglou – against Burnley and Real Betis – in a 39-day tenure which saw the 60-year-old manager face chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" from Forest supporters following the 3-2 Europa League defeat by Midtjylland.

AdvertisementForest confirm Postecoglou has been sacked following latest loss

And with owner Marinakis having left in the middle of the second half against Chelsea, Postecoglou has now been relieved of his duties. In a statement released in the immediate aftermath of Forest’s latest defeat, the club said: “Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect. The Club will make no further comment at this time.”

How Forest players discovered Postecoglou had been sacked

According to , Postecoglou spoke to the Forest players for the final time after the Chelsea game, delivering his post-match team talk before leaving the City Ground carrying a bag. The players were then escorted out of the dressing room and up to the boardroom as they were told the news that the former Tottenham manager had been relieved of his duties. Before learning that Postecoglou had been sacked, midfielder Gibbs-White – speaking to shortly after the final whistle – had said the Forest squad were all behind the embattled head coach, despite the club's poor run of results.

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Postecoglou delivered impassioned defence of record before exit

In an impassioned defence of his managerial record, citing how he ended Tottenham’s 17-year drought with victory in last season’s Europa League before being dismissed in June, Postecoglou was positive about his chances of keeping his Forest post in the build up to the Chelsea game.

"The flip side is I'm really still excited about the opportunity here,” said Postecoglou in a pre-match press conference. “That's how I'm embracing it. I have a group of young players who are willing to change, that's the first thing. I'm heading down that road. The rest of it? I'm not going to waste my time or my energy worrying about that. Whether it's internal or external I couldn't care less. At the end of the day, I will do what I think is the right thing to do to bring success to this football club and that's what I'm focused on. Of course there's pressure. 

"There's pressure anyway. So if we win on the weekend, the pressure is there. There's always pressure. There's a difference between pressure and saying that somebody should lose their job after five weeks. I mean, I only just found an apartment to move into, which may be a bad decision on my behalf. I should have stayed in temporary digs. That's how early it is. So there's a difference."