England boss Sam Allardyce has style as well as substance, says midfielder Adam Lallana September 1, 2016 England midfielder Adam Lallana has dismissed concerns over new boss Sam Allardyce’s reputation as a long-ball merchant as the Three Lions prepare for their opening World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on Sunday. Allardyce was handed the reins following England’s disastrous showing at Euro 2016 which culminated in a shock defeat to European minnows Iceland [...]
Selection dilemmas lie ahead as Jonny Bairstow-inspired England beat Pakistan to boost chances of whitewash September 1, 2016 Skipper Eoin Morgan admits that selection headaches lie ahead after his re-jigged side dispatched Pakistan by four wickets at Headingley to boost their chances of whitewashing the beleaguered tourists. England opted to rotate their bowlers for the clash but were forced into another last-minute change as Jos Buttler suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up. Jonny [...]
Sergio Aguero opts to fight violent conduct charge in bid to be available for Manchester derby September 1, 2016 Prolific striker Sergio Aguero has opted to contest a charge of violent conduct in a bid to avoid a potential three-match suspension – and be available for Pep Guardiola’s maiden Manchester derby. Aguero was slapped with the charge by the Football Association (FA) after allegedly elbowing West Ham defender Winston Reid during Manchester City’s Premier [...]
We enjoy being the Premiership’s prize scalp, insists Saracens back-row forward Jackson Wray September 1, 2016 The tag of domestic and European champions offers rivals a huge incentive, although back-row forward Jackson Wray is refusing to lose any sleep over Saracens’s status as the Premiership’s prize scalp. Sarries became the first English side for 12 years, since Wasps in 2004, to complete the double when they retained their Premiership crown with victory [...]
Summer transfer window 2016: What does the Premier League’s spending extravaganza mean for the wider European game? September 1, 2016 Just over two months after its national team were humiliated in front of Europe at the hands of Iceland, English football has reminded the world, when it comes to the transfer market, it remains king. The Premier League flexed its financial muscles this summer by spending a record-breaking £1.165bn on new players, crushing the outlay of Europe's biggest leagues. Europe's [...]
Tim Visser interview: Top-four Premiership spot and European Challenge Cup title the aim for Harlequins September 1, 2016 Harlequins wing Tim Visser is pulling no punches; securing a place in the Premiership play-offs and lifting the European Challenge Cup are the club’s goals this season. Quins begin their 150th campaign against top-flight newcomers Bristol in Saturday’s London Double Header at Twickenham, aiming to drastically improve upon the past two campaigns which failed to [...]
Bournemouth can shoot for the stars after signing Jack Wilshere, insists Cherries boss Eddie Howe September 1, 2016 Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe insists loan signing Jack Wilshere will propel his side to new levels after the midfielder joined the Cherries on a temporary basis from Arsenal on transfer deadline day. Wilshere only managed three appearances for Arsenal last season after fracturing his left fibula, while a string of injuries have limited the 24-year-old [...]
Betting: Sarries to win it again – but Wasps can provide a sting in the tail September 1, 2016 The rough and tumble of the Aviva Premiership returns on Friday and, on the face of it, Saracens will once again be the team to beat this season. With a forward group hardly shy of confrontation, their famed ‘Wolf Pack’ has flipped Burgers at flanker, swapping cult hero Jacques for his namesake, legendary South African Schalk. [...]
Betting: Big Sam to banish Euro misery with win over Slovakia September 1, 2016 Sam Allardyce’s reign as England manager begins on Sunday afternoon as the Three Lions face Slovakia in Trnava. The road to the 2018 World Cup in Russia starts here for Allardyce and his squad, who will be looking to put the disappointment of this summer’s European Championships behind them. Those hoping for revolution from the [...]
Six charts that sum up the Premier League’s record-breaking summer transfer window spending spree September 1, 2016 Premier League clubs have taken football into a new billion pound era this summer by spending more money than ever before in this transfer window. The division's stratospheric spending broke the £1bn mark for the first time with a day remaining and a record-breaking deadline day, in which clubs spent £155m in 24 hours, pushed its [...]