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Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters will already be fearing the worst regarding their side’s bottom-of-the-table position in the Premier League.

Only a sorry two points have been accumulated so far this season, with the Old Gold hierarchy ultimately left with no choice but to sack Vitor Pereira, after Wolves slipped to their disastrous eighth loss of the campaign already away at Fulham on Saturday.

Now, the hunt is on to appoint a miracle worker in the West Midlands, who can turn around this awful start, with a whole host of names being tipped to take on the vacancy.

The latest on Wolves' hunt for a new manager

The only certainty at the moment is that Gary O’Neil will not be re-entering the Molineux dug-out.

Indeed, rumours had begun to circulate that O’Neil was the favourite to take over from Pereira and return in dramatic circumstances. But, the ex-AFC Bournemouth head coach has since withdrawn himself from the race, after holding advanced talks.

Moreover, Michael Carrick is also on Wolves’ radar, with the former Middlesbrough manager still looking for work after being let go by Boro.

With three caretaker matches in charge of Manchester United also under his belt, he could potentially relish the chance of being a saviour for Wolves in the top division.

Carrick’s replacement at the Riverside Stadium in Rob Edwards is also high up the alleged priority list, having previously lined up for Wolves as a player, before earning his managerial stripes at Luton Town and beyond.

Yet, the most out-there name being linked to the Wolves vacancy right now could be viewed as Erik ten Hag, with reports from ESPN indicating that the Dutchman is ‘interested’ in holding talks with the Molineux outfit over the vacant job.

It’s stated that Ten Hag would like to return to the Premier League after his torrid spell at Manchester United, having had his already tattered managerial reputation put through the wringer again when axed three games into his Bayer Leverkusen stint this season.

Still, even with his back-to-back failures hanging over him, ten Hag has been a success in his career elsewhere, as Wolves potentially prepare to welcome a new Nuno Espirito Santo-style figure to Molineux.

How Ten Hag can be Wolves' new Nuno Santo

Despite his sketchy recent track record, the ex-Ajax manager would also be seen as an upgrade on O’Neil walking through the door.

Indeed, despite being the butt of many a Red Devils joke by the time of his dismissal, the 55-year-old guided United to 44 top-flight wins from his 85 games in charge. O’Neil has only 25 league wins next to his name on the contrary.

With other high-profile managers also struggling to get a tune out of the Premier League giants, since he left the Theatre of Dreams, it’s clear the problems run far deeper in Manchester than just who occupies the stressful dug-out.

Nuno has also been up against it in the top division since exiting Wolves, with spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest not exactly going to plan. But, having overseen 73 wins in charge of the Old Gold in the top-flight, he is still heralded as one of the finest bosses they have possessed in the elite division in recent memory.

Despite his wobbles, Ten Hag will hope he will be seen as a similarly ambitious appointment, like when Nuno entered the Wolves dug-out in the Championship after successful stints in La Liga and Liga Portugal, when taking in his glittering managerial numbers above.

The unemployed boss collected three Eredivisie titles as manager of Ajax, with a Champions League semi-final run also being spearheaded by the Dutchman, who has been noted as being a “world-class” operator by his former United midfielder in Fred.

An FA Cup success also came his way during his hot-and-cold reign in Manchester, as the 55-year-old attempts to become a much-loved name at Molineux by steering Wolves away from certain relegation.

If he pulls that unbelievable feat off, he will definitely be seen as the second coming of Nuno – with Ten Hag also regularly setting his teams up in the Portuguese’s preferred 4-2-3-1 make-up – as another bold coup of an appointment potentially goes down a treat.

After all, landing Ten Hag would surely be seen as a more exciting development than retreading old ground with O’Neil.

Wolves want Rob Edwards after Gary O'Neil snub, timeline of appointment revealed

Is the former Luton Town boss the right man for the job?

ByHenry Jackson Nov 4, 2025

These players, and some others, will be looking to impress at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, especially with the IPL auction and T20 World Cup coming up

Shashank Kishore25-Nov-2025Prithvi ShawAfter losing his spot in the Mumbai team and going unsold in IPL 2025 following concerns over form, fitness and discipline, Shaw has rebooted his career in Maharashtra. The move has given him a fresh start, and he has responded with an impressive return to red-ball cricket – 470 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 92.33 in the Ranji Trophy. With the white-ball leg of the season beginning, Shaw is also in contention to lead Maharashtra once Ruturaj Gaikwad links up with the India ODI squad for the South Africa series. A natural powerplay aggressor, Shaw will be eyeing big runs and hoping to make a strong statement to IPL teams about what he could bring to the table in 2026.Riyan Parag is among the candidates who could captain Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026•BCCIRiyan ParagParag stepped in as Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain during Sanju Samson’s injury-enforced absence in IPL 2025, but his own form failed to reach the heights of the previous season. With Samson now moving to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Parag has a chance to reassert himself, both as a performer and as a leader, when he turns out for Assam. He hasn’t been close to an India call-up for nearly a year after a shoulder injury. His form in the recent India A series against South Africa A too was lukewarm, making this an important stretch to rebuild momentum. There’s also the Royals’ long-term captaincy to stake a claim for, with the franchise having backed him heavily since 2018.Venkatesh Iyer was released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL 2026 auction•Associated PressVenkatesh IyerA headline-grabbing INR 23.75 crore signing, Iyer was at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025 with major expectations around him, only to be released a year on after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Appointed vice-captain, he managed just 142 runs in seven innings with a single half-century and wasn’t used with the ball, largely because of the Impact-Player rule. With that restriction not applicable at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Iyer now has a chance to reset. He’ll likely return to the top of the order for Madhya Pradesh and take on key overs for them as they look to go one better than last year’s runners-up finish. For Iyer, this is a crucial window to remind IPL teams why he commanded such a high price just a year ago.Akash Deep is still a work in progress in T20 cricket•BCCIAkash DeepPicked for INR 8.25 crore by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of IPL 2025, Akash Deep endured a frustrating season. Family reasons forced him to be a non-starter when the season began. Then, when he returned, he picked up a niggle. And by the time he started, he seemed woefully undercooked, and went at 12.8 an over across the six games he played for three measly wickets. For someone who has climbed the ranks quickly, Akash Deep is still far from being an established IPL, or T20, player, having started with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as a net bowler and then playing a handful of games across 2023-24. But Indian fast bowlers often command top billing at IPL auctions because of the flexibility they offer with regards to team balance. Which is why a good Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy could make Akash Deep an in-demand quick when the auction comes around.Ravi Bishnoi could be in demand during the IPL 2026 auction•BCCIRavi BishnoiPicked as an uncapped player for INR 4 crore by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2022, Bishnoi has seen his stocks plummet sharply over the past year. The return of Varun Chakravarthy and the rise of Washington Sundar, who lends depth as an allrounder, has meant Bishnoi has slipped in the pecking order as far as the national team goes. His IPL fortunes have nosedived too; in the last two seasons, he’s managed all of 19 wickets across 25 matches. Having been released, he’ll hope to put in performances of note for Gujarat to once again be back in the reckoning not just among IPL teams but also the national team.Umran Malik is back to bowling at full tilt•KKR Knight ClubUmran MalikHe burst on to the scene at IPL 2022 hitting 156.9kph on the speed gun for Sunrisers Hyderabad, but the journey since has been anything but smooth. Malik’s fitness, form and attitude have all been under the scanner, forcing him to spend more time on the sidelines and in rehab than on the cricket pitch. He missed the entire 2024-25 domestic season and the IPL that followed with bouts of injury (hip and hamstring) and illness, but has since returned and has been bowling full-tilt and has even taken part in training camps under Abhishek Nayar. Importantly, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where Nayar is now head coach, have retained Malik for the upcoming season. After playing just one Ranji game in the first leg, Malik now has a chance to show IPL teams why he’ll be an asset.

The current WTC finalists have been part of some fierce battles since 2000. Here’s a list

Omkar Mankame09-Jun-20252nd Test, Cape Town, 2002This was Shane Warne’s 100th Test, and he made sure to make it his own. His 63 in the first innings helped Australia gain a sizeable lead in a thrilling partnership with Adam Gilchrist. He then picked up a six-wicket haul in South Africa’s second innings, but Australia were still left chasing a massive 331 after the hosts racked up 473.Justin Langer (58) and Matthew Hayden (96) laid the platform, but it was Ricky Ponting, who closed out a memorable win with a sublime hundred. With Warne at at the other end, Ponting brought up his century and the win with a six off Paul Adams.Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz saw Australia home in Johannesburg in 2006•Getty Images3rd Test, Johannesburg, 2006After dominant wins in Cape Town and Durban, Australia were pushed hard in the third Test. Brett Lee’s counterattacking 64 off 68 balls at No. 9, following Michael Hussey’s 72, lifted the visitors to 270 after South Africa had posted 303 in their first innings.Chasing 292, Hussey’s 89 and Damien Martyn’s 101 set up the chase, but Australia wobbled after Hussey’s dismissal, collapsing from 198 for 2 to 275 for 8. Michael Kasprowicz joined Lee with 17 still needed. The pair exorcised the ghosts of 2005, as Lee stayed unbeaten on 24 and Kasprowicz finished seven not out.AB de Villiers scored an unbeaten 106 to seal South Africa’s chase of 414•PA Photos1st Test, Perth, 2008Australia were in transition ahead of the 2008-09 home summer. It took a lower-order rescue act to lift them to 375, before Mitchell Johnson’s career-best 8 for 61 restricted South Africa to 281. With a lead of nearly 100, Australia extended it to 413 – seemingly more than enough.Enter Graeme Smith, who lost opening partner Neil McKenzie early, but then took the total to 172 in collaboration with Hashim Amla before both fell in quick succession. Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers took them to 303 before Kallis fell with the target still over 100 away. But de Villiers, who remained not out on 106, finished the job with JP Duminy.The champagne flows after South Africa’s series win•PA Photos2nd Test, Melbourne, 2008Smith hailed this result as a shift in the power balance of world cricket, becoming the first South African captain to win a Test series in Australia. In reply to Australia’s 394 at the MCG, South Africa stumbled to 184 for 7 before Duminy’s career-best 166, aided by a gritty 76 from Dale Steyn, earned them a 65-run lead. Steyn, who had taken 5 for 87 and then contributed with the bat, followed up with 5 for 67 to crush Australia’s hopes of squaring the series. South Africa chased down 183 to end two decades of Australian dominance at home.Michael Clarke raises his bat after reaching his first hundred on his home ground•PA Photos3rd Test, Sydney, 2009Australia pulled off a last-gasp win in Sydney, despite a valiant effort from the injured Smith. Batting at No. 11 with a broken left hand and sore right elbow, Smith survived 29 minutes with Makhaya Ntini in a bid to save the match, before Johnson ended the fight with five minutes left. Facing a whitewash, Australia had posted 445, driven by Michael Clarke’s 138, and gained a 118-run lead thanks to Peter Siddle’s 5 for 59. A strong second-innings show allowed Ponting to declare generously, setting South Africa 376 in nearly four sessions.The scoreboard tells the tale of Australia’s misery at Newlands in 2011•Getty Images1st Test, Cape Town, 2011Clarke’s unbeaten century took Australia to 214 for 8 by stumps on day one, and the Test was done by day three, with South Africa chasing down 155 to seal a commanding eight-wicket win. But the match was defined by a chaotic second day, where 23 wickets fell across four innings. Clarke guided the tail on the second morning to post 284, before Shane Watson and Ryan Harris ripped through South Africa, who lost nine for 47, to be bowled out for 96. But Philander, Steyn and Morkel hit back, skittling Australia for 47 – their lowest total in over a century. Smith and Amla calmly saw the day out at 81 for 1, setting up the 236-chase.Pat Cummins took 6 for 79 on debut•AFP2nd Test, Johannesburg, 2011Australia came into this Test on the back of their lowest total in 109 years. On a seaming Johannesburg pitch, they secured a 30-run lead after South Africa’s 266. Debutant Pat Cummins then gave Australia hope with a six-wicket haul, setting up a target of 310. At 19 for 2, Ponting and Usman Khawaja steadied the chase, but Morne Morkel and Steyn struck back, reducing Australia to six down with 95 still needed. The equation narrowed down to 12 with two wickets in hand. Cummins held his nerve, hitting two boundaries to seal a tense win.Faf du Plessis (left) batted over a day to save the 2012-13 Adelaide Test•Getty Images2nd Test, Adelaide, 2012For nearly four days, only one result seemed likely. Australia piled up 550 at a brisk 5.12 runs per over, powered by Clarke’s 230 off 257 balls and Hussey’s 103 off 137. They took a 162-run lead and set South Africa a daunting target of 430. On the final day, South Africa were 77 for 4 with debutant Faf du Plessis sharing the crease with de Villiers. The childhood friends battled through 408 balls in a tense blockathon. After de Villiers fell, Kallis and du Plessis added 99 runs in 235 balls, and South Africa held on for a draw with two wickets to spare.Ryan Harris wheels away in celebration after sealing the series for Australia•Getty Images3rd Test, Cape Town, 2014With the series level at 1-1, Australia arrived in Cape Town and posted 494 for 7, powered by Clarke’s unbeaten 161 and David Warner’s 135. Johnson, at his fiery best, took four wickets to restrict South Africa to 287. Warner’s second Test century set a daunting target of 511 – more realistically, survival for nearly five sessions. South Africa battled through 134 overs with two wickets in hand, but Ryan Harris struck in the final hour to remove Steyn and Morkel, preserving Australia’s unbeaten Test series record in South Africa since readmission. It was South Africa’s first defeat since becoming No. 1 in Test cricket.Travis Head’s innings proved to be the difference•Cricket Australia via Getty Images1st Test, Brisbane, 2022The Test lasted just two days and six sessions, but was packed with action, wickets, and a few runs. Brisbane served up a pitch so green it almost blended with the outfield. Australia’s bowlers were sharp and accurate, especially late in the first and throughout the second innings. South Africa’s totals of 152 and 99, with Kyle Verreynne’s 64 and Khaya Zondo’s unbeaten 36 as the top scores, fell well short. For Australia, Travis Head’s counter-attacking 92 off 96 balls proved decisive, helping build a 66-run lead. In a match where only two players passed 40 and 34 wickets tumbled in two days, his innings was the difference.

There is little to suggest that Liverpool are close to turning a corner and sustaining a respectable level of performance any time soon. What is most concerning is that the Reds and their boss, Arne Slot, have shown little sign of finding a solution to any of the many problems plaguing their campaign.

Liverpool’s Premier League title defence lies in tatters. There is a grudging acceptance across the red streets of Merseyside that Arsenal’s grip on top position is out of reach. Certainly, the gulf in quality between the two sides this season suggests that Liverpool will have to settle for a lesser prize on the league front.

Liverpool have been outclassed in successive top-flight fixtures, and change is surely needed now. Indeed, Liverpool languish in 11th place in the Premier League, having scored 18 goals and conceded 20.

Defensively, it’s been a mess, and the noise concerning Ibrahima Konate is only intensifying after the thrashing dealt by Nottingham Forest brought the French defender’s season to its lowest ebb.

Why Konate is becoming a huge problem for Liverpool

Konate, 26, was immense throughout the 2024/25 campaign, a powerful partner for Virgil van Dijk. He, of course, won the Premier League title, settling as a regular starter in Didier Deschamps’ France squad too.

Now, Konate is only offering the vestiges of that former level. What is most frustrating is that he has proven his quality before, but the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold beside him as exposed Konate’s issues in establishing confident build-up patterns.

But these two versions of Konate are so staggeringly opposed that it is hard to accept this is the same player. Errors and baffling decision-making have been central parts of the £70k-per-week talent’s season, and you can’t help but question whether he is somewhat distracted by outside noise.

Konate is playing out the final year of his contract at Anfield, and though FSG have offered him an extension, there has yet to be a breakthrough as speculation regarding Real Madrid’s interest continues to linger.

The season-ending injury suffered by Giovanni Leoni in his first game for the club after signing from Parma for £27m this summer was a cruel blow. A detrimental blow. The 18-year-old’s absence has been keenly felt, not least because a move for Marc Guehi fell through on deadline day.

With Slot insinuating that Liverpool’s focus this winter might be on areas further upfield (heavy speculation centres on Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo), it might be that the Reds opt to make do at the back.

If this is to be the case, Slot must surely hand one of the club’s most talented young defenders a chance to shine.

Liverpool's academy Konate solution

Slot has shown a willingness to give youth a chance since taking over at Liverpool before the start of last season. Amara Nallo, for example, has been handed a few opportunities at senior level, albeit with those outings on the major stage leaving the up-and-comer beleaguered after red cards in both matches.

However, Nallo isn’t the only teenage centre-back who is playing himself toward senior contention, with 19-year-old Wellity Lucky inching toward a breakthrough after commanding displays for Rob Page’s development side.

The Spain-born defender moved to England aged 11 before joining Liverpool’s academy scene, and he has gone from strength to strength in the years since joining, having now made 60 appearances for the club’s respective youth levels.

Earlier this season, the “highly-rated” defender, as he was described by Reds reporter Ben Bocsak, made his professional debut off the bench as Slot’s side were beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace at Anfield in the Carabao Cup.

In the process, he was rewarded after being “outstanding this season” in the Premier League 2, as has been said by youth correspondent Jack Lusby.

A commanding and dominant defender with a promising ability to read and then snuff out opposition attacks, Lucky has shown that he can take his power and potential and transfer that over to contests against senior opponents. In the Football League Trophy this term, Lucky has impressed against the bustle of outfits like Crewe Alexandra and Chesterfield for the U21s.

Front-footed and fast, you could even say that he offers shades of a player like Konate, which could make adding him to the mix an attractive prospect from a stylistic standpoint.

Wellity Lucky – EFL Trophy Stats (25/26)
Match Stats (* per game)	#
Matches (starts)	2 (2)
Touches*	90.5
Accurate passes	61.5 (88%)
Key passes*	0.5
Dribbles*	1.5
Ball recoveries*	6.0
Tackles + interceptions*	3.0
Clearances*	5.5
Duels (won)*	5.0 (83%)
Data via Sofascore

It might not have been against top-level opponents, but for Lucky to have won 83% of his duels across the two fixtures bespeaks his incisiveness in defensive phases. Moreover, his cameo against Palace last month saw him complete all 22 of his attempted passes while making a recovery too. Small factors, but promising nonetheless.

Slot continues to show a reluctance to give Joe Gomez a run of chances, and if Konate continues to flatter to deceive, it’s surely only a matter of time before things change there.

Could that open up an opportunity for a youngster such as Lucky? After all, he has earned Slot’s approval already this year, and Nallo’s struggles under the boss’s wing suggest that Lucky could be set for a promotion sooner rather than later.

To throw Lucky into the deep end would hardly be a propitious move, but if Slot can ease him into life among the big boys, this could add an exciting and fresh dimension to a defence crying out for support.

Read between the lines and you could surmise that Liverpool will prioritise a wide forward this summer. In this, the need for academy support at the rear is significant, and Lucky could be the shrewd solution to thread the connection between the club and the fanbase back together.

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Nov 23, 2025

Chema Andres has opened up about his early days in Real Madrid's youth squad under Xabi Alonso revealing the “spectacular” training sessions under the Spaniard and as he revealed he scored the first-ever goal of the Liverpool legend’s coaching career.

The youngster who scored Alonso’s first goal as a coach

Andres' journey has taken him from Madrid’s youth fields to the centre of Stuttgart’s midfield, but one of his most defining memories goes back to 2018. At just 13, he entered the Madrid academy and soon met, Alonso, who would leave a lasting mark on him.

Chema recalls that season vividly. Alonso, then beginning his coaching career in Madrid's youth academy, was still transitioning from iconic midfielder to manager. In the very first match of his managerial career, the first goal scored under Alonso’s leadership came from a young Andres. 

“He was my first coach at Real Madrid. We arrived together in the Under-14 A team, and I scored the first goal in the first match on a rebound, which is a bit of a funny story,” he said in an interview with .

But it wasn’t the goal that stayed with him the most, it was the training. 

"When training sessions finished, he would stay behind practicing passes to the goalkeepers or long balls that went straight to their feet; it was spectacular," he added. "He would have us practice with him, but of course, there was no comparison between his passes and ours."

AdvertisementgettyAndres' smooth landing and rapid rise at Stuttgart

Seven years later, Andres is no longer a youth hopeful but has since become a Bundesliga starter. After making his senior debut for Madrid in early 2025, he moved to Stuttgart this summer, seeking consistent top-flight minutes. Few expected the adaptation to be so seamless, including Andres himself.

Asked about why he chose to join Stuttgart, the 20-year-old said: "It's a team that invests heavily in young talent. They aren't afraid to put young players in the spotlight in high-level matches. They instilled confidence in me a long time ago and presented a project that was interesting to me."

In his first months, he delivered commanding performances, earning trust from manager Sebastian Hoeness and the sporting director. His physical presence, tactical maturity, and passing range made him an immediate fit.

Yet the off-field transition was tougher. “I recently saw [Alejandro] Grimaldo say it was an impossible language. I totally agree. Learning German is the hardest thing I'm doing. Luckily, I speak English well and communicate easily. But I want to keep learning and see if I can get by in German in a few months," Andres laughs.

"I'm very happy. Nobody imagined the adaptation would be so smooth, not even me. It's been a very good four months, and I hope the next four will be at least as good."

Looking back at Madrid and the U-21 dream

Despite his move abroad, Los Blancos remains in Chema’s story. His move to Germany wasn’t driven by frustration, he clarifies, though limited minutes at the Club World Cup nudged him toward a decision.

"I don't think it was the deciding factor, but it did tip the scales. I had considered it beforehand, but I waited until after the World Cup so as not to get ahead of myself," Andres says.

His development has been shaped by mentors: Raul and Alvaro Arbeloa in the Madrid academy, Lucas Vazquez and Thibaut Courtois when he trained with the first team, and his grandfather, who attended almost every match while Chema was growing up. “The poor man still hasn't been able to come see me in Germany, but he will. He's a key person in my life; without him, I wouldn't be here," he added.

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Getty Images SportThe next steps for Andres

This season, Andres has emerged as one of Stuttgart’s most promising players. His combination of height, physicality, clean distribution and reading of the game has strengthened Stuttgart’s midfield significantly. The 20-year-old has scored a goal and registered an assist in 12 games for the club across the competitions.

His contract includes Madrid’s buy-back clauses, a clear sign that the Spanish giants still believe in his ceiling. Stuttgart, meanwhile, see him as a long-term anchor in midfield.

Looking ahead, Chema keeps his objectives simple which is to earn more minutes in Stuttgart, remain a regular with Spain’s Under 21s, and finish the year better than he started it. When asked about the senior national team, he laughs it off saying: “Forget it, that’s not on my mind right now."

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl was understandably unhappy with how his team played in the 0-0 draw with Falkirk at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

In his post-match press conference, as relayed by the Heart & Hand podcast, the German boss cited decision making as one of the key reasons why his side failed to claim all three points.

Rohl also noted that too many of the players opted to turn back and slow the game down at times, which is why Max Aarons should be dropped from the starting line-up in the coming games.

Why Rangers should stop playing Max Aarons at left-back

The Bournemouth loanee did not put in a terrible performance against Falkirk at left-back, as he won six of his seven duels and both of his attempted tackles, per Sofascore.

However, Rangers will always have a problem when Aarons plays at left-back because he is a right-footed player who, naturally, wants to cut back onto his right foot where possible, which can slow down attacks and affect the fluidity of the team.

This heavily contributes to the problem that Rohl spoke about with too many players turning back to play negative passes, because he is not a left-footed full-back who can open up and bomb on down the flank.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Journalist Jonny McFarlane said at half-time that the “issue down left flank is glaring”, but it took until the 57th minute for Rohl to take Aarons off for Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma.

That may be because the English youngster has been even worse than Aarons, despite being a natural left-back, and he should be replaced in January.

Why Rangers need to replace Meghoma in January

In his aforementioned comments, Rohl mentioned that he already has an idea of what he needs in the January transfer window, and a new left-back should be on the agenda.

In the summer, Kevin Thelwell sanctioned the sales of Ridvan Yilmaz and Jefte whilst only signing Meghoma as a natural left-back option, after he had played just 12 times on loan at Preston in the Championship last season as a teenager.

It was a big ask for the Brentford youngster to step in at Ibrox as the first and only choice natural left-back with his inexperience in the game, and his performances have looked like those of a player who is still learning and developing in senior football.

Minutes

57

33

Key passes

1

0

Shots

0

0

Crosses completed

1

0

Dribbles completed

2

0

Pass accuracy

84%

78%

Duels won

6/7

2/3

As you can see in the table above, Aarons, despite being right-footed, offered more to the team on the ball in his time on the pitch than Meghoma, as a natural left-footer, did after he came on in the second half.

On top of being even worse than Aarons in possession against Falkirk, the 19-year-old full-back’s overall defensive work this season has left a bit to be desired, as he has lost 77% of his aerial duels in the Premiership, per Sofascore.

His defending was also called into question against Brann in the Europa League in Rohl’s first game in charge, as Ally McCoist dubbed his failure to mark Jacob Sorensen from a set-piece as “remarkable” in that 3-0 loss.

Overall, Meghoma has failed to prove that he can be relied upon to start week-in-week-out for the Gers domestically or in Europe, which is why Rohl must replace him when the January transfer window opens for business by recruiting a senior and experienced left-back.

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Bringing a natural left-back who can provide reliable performances for Rangers would allow Meghoma to learn his trade as a back-up, whilst it would also allow Aarons to compete with James Tavernier for a starting berth in his natural role at right-back.

The international break is finally coming to an end this weekend, and West Ham United will be looking to continue their good form.

After a somewhat rocky start to life in the London Stadium dugout, Nuno Espírito Santo finally got a tune out of the Hammers before the break, beating Newcastle United and Burnley.

Those victories have done wonders for the atmosphere around the club, but even so, there is plenty of work to be done in the coming months.

Moreover, the board need to help the Portuguese coach overhaul the squad, and one way they can do that is by moving on one of Graham Potter’s worst signings, alongside Niclas Füllkrug.

The latest on Niclas Füllkrug

While some fans wanted Fullkrug to leave West Ham in the summer, the German decided to stay put and fight to turn things around.

However, like the rest of the team, he started this season in dire form and then, within two games of Nuno’s reign, tore a muscle, which has kept him out of the last four matches.

During that period, it became clear that the former Borussia Dortmund striker wanted to leave the club, and now, transfers expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that he will, and has already been in talks with sides from Germany and elsewhere.

On one hand, it could be seen as a shame that the Irons will be losing a German international after just a season and a half at the club.

However, on the other hand, this is a move the club need to facilitate for everyone’s sake, as describing the 32-year-old’s time in the capital as disappointing would be an understatement.

Appearances

20

7

Minutes

877′

385′

Goals

3

0

Assists

2

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.25

0.00

Minutes per Goal Involvement

175.4′

N/A

For example, since making his move to the club in the summer of 2024, he has scored just three goals and provided two assists in 27 appearances, totalling 1262 minutes.

Worse yet, he failed to score or assist a single goal in the seven appearances prior to his injury this season.

For whatever reason, the international marksman has looked like a totally different player in Claret and Blue from the one who racked up 25 goal involvements in his last season in Germany.

Therefore, getting rid of him in January would be best for all parties, which is unfortunately something that could be said about another international in West Ham’s squad.

The West Ham flop Nuno needs to axe

While it took a little while for them to settle in, it would be fair to say that most of West Ham’s summer signings have improved the squad.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

El Hadji Malick Diouf, for example, is a tremendous attacking full-back, Kyle Walker-Peters is great cover and even Callum Wilson has scored a couple of goals and is fine as a low-cost option.

However, one player who wasn’t low-cost and certainly has not improved the squad is Mads Hermansen.

Potter and Co paid Leicester City around £18m for the Danish international in the summer, and unfortunately, that fee is looking worse and worse with each passing game week.

For example, on his competitive debut for the club, he conceded three against Sunderland, then let in five at home to Chelsea the following week.

It was after the game against the West Londoners that Jamie Redknapp argued that he “needs to be changed”, and iconic commentator Ian Darke described the 25-year-old’s start to life in East London as “horrible.”

He then kept his first clean sheet against Nottingham Forest, but the next game saw him let in another three goals, this time at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Since then, the 25-year-old hasn’t been anywhere near the starting lineup, and in his place, Alphonse Areola has reminded the club that while not the most spectacular of keepers, he can do a job.

Therefore, when the winter window opens, the board should be looking to recoup as much as they can on the former Foxes star, as he’s clearly not good enough to be the number one, and he cost too much and is too unreliable to be a number two.

Ultimately, it might be ruthless, but for the good of his own career and the squad, West Ham need to ensure Hermansen follows Fullkrug out the door in January.

West Ham flop was compared to Pirlo, now he's "National League standard"

He has shown no Pirlo-esque ability since moving to West Ham United.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 18, 2025

Astros fans will gladly take infielder Carlos Correa's performance through his first nine games back with the team—a .405/.476/.622 slashline with two home runs and six RBIs.

However, to Correa, his return to Houston has a deeper meaning. Asked by reporters Monday what his favorite part of being back with the Astros was, he provided a simple response.

"Playing with (second baseman, left fielder and designated hitter) Jose Altuve again," he said via Michael Shapiro of the .

The two infielders played together from 2015 to '21, where their journeys were bound for better or for worse. When Houston won its first World Series title in 2017, both were in the lineup; when the Astros' sign-stealing operation came to light in 2019, both took public image hits.

In 2022, Correa signed with the Twins—only for the reeling squad to trade him back to Houston on July 31 of this year.

Though both are in their 30's and playing several different positions, they have resumed their collective status as one of baseball's most visible infield tandems—and figure to get a huge ovation against the Red Sox Monday.

Newcastle United won two games of football last week, thumping Benfica in the Champions League before rallying late on at home against Fulham at the weekend to claim three points in the Premier League.

Three much-needed points. Newcastle had only won two of their opening eight top-flight fixtures beforehand, and Eddie Howe’s side were clearly suffering as a by-product of the drawn-out summer Alexander Isak saga.

Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa have arrived at St. James’ Park to replace the Sweden star, and the former is firing on all cylinders, with five goals from his first ten Magpies outings in all competitions. His general play has impressed everyone at the club, and the entire fanbase besides.

But the 29-year-old Wissa has yet to make his debut as he recovers from a knee injury. The former Brentford star is slated to return in the coming weeks.

Despite this, there are a curious number of reports suggesting the Toon are considering adding to their forward ranks next year.

Newcastle eyeing another striker

Newcastle are showing signs of progress after a stodgy start to the season from an attacking standpoint. Woltemade hit the ground running after his £69m club-record move from Stuttgart, but the overall fluency had fallen from its former level.

With Bruno Guimaraes leading the creative resurgence and the likes of Anthony Gordon starting to find their form, there’s a sense that Newcastle’s strikers could hit lofty levels in the coming years.

While it may seem like Newcastle are well stocked at number nine, William Osula is expected to depart if he cannot establish regular minutes, and how Wissa will fare is as yet uncertain.

Because of this, Caught Offside believe technical director Ross Wilson is preparing a bumper bid for Brentford centre-forward Igor Thiago, who has been in fine fettle so far this season.

The Magpies are getting ready to lodge a €40m (£35m) offer for the Brazilian, though it’s felt more would be needed to convince the Bees to pay up. Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested.

Brentford are under no financial pressure to cash in, and thus Thiago may only leave if the Bees lose their sting and sink into the second tier at the end of the season.

What Igor Thiago would bring to Newcastle

Admittedly, Newcastle don’t need three top-class strikers in the long run. Not with Osula still making his presence known and with the likes of youngster Sean Neave just waiting to announce himself.

But if Wissa fails to make the grade after an injury-hit start to life on Tyneside, Thiago would be a compelling replacement, having rebounded from an injury-hit debut year at Brentford to make a prolific start to the new campaign under Keith Andrews’ management.

Six goals from nine Premier League matches is what he has, and despite his prolific returns, his manager has praised him as a “selfless” forward who “always puts the team first”.

The 24-year-old has also completed 60% of his dribbles this season while winning 5.4 duels per game, as per Sofascore, demonstrating his robustness and the desire to get stuck in and contribute.

Key virtues for a striker in a Howe set-up, right?

Hailed by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley for being “relentless in his work rate”, there’s little question that Thiago boasts the energy and tenacity to make waves under Howe’s wing.

FBref highlight this perfectly, showcasing the striker’s defensive qualities across the early Premier League campaign. What’s most curious is his likeness to Woltemade, with both physical and rangy forward blessed with more technical skill than might be apparent at a glance.

Premier League 25/26 – Thiago vs Woltemade
Stats (per 90)	Thiago	Woltemade
Goals scored	0.73	0.75
Assists	0.00	0.00
Touches (att pen)	3.64	4.53
Shots taken	2.43	2.26
Shot-creating actions	1.82	1.51
Pass completion (%)	71.0	76.9
Progressive passes	0.85	1.70
Progressive carries	0.49	0.57
Successful take-ons	0.73	0.57
Ball recoveries	1.58	2.64
Tackles + interceptions	1.58	1.51
Aerial duels won	3.27	1.51
Data via FBref

With both stars eager to progress the ball and get stuck in defensively, you can see why Howe has been sold after the early weeks of the campaign.

Woltemade’s link-up play is one of his defining assets on the field. In this, he is similar to the ‘selfless’ Thiago, and it’s curious to note that both stars have enjoyed clinical starts to the season regardless.

Level on six goals with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, Thiago has only been outscored in the top flight this term by the unstoppable Erling Haaland, who is on 11 strikes.

They are not carbon copies, though, these two strikers. This could work to the advantage of Howe’s project, to be sure, providing equally dynamic forwards to bounce off the likes of Gordon and Anthony Elanga, who has still not got going this season, willing to serve as physical focal points and use crisp passing to play the fleet-footed wingers through.

One of the staples of Howe’s Newcastle project is the collective ability to weather adversity and bounce back stronger. Thiago looks tailor-made in this regard, having featured so little last year under Thomas Frank as he recovered from that knee injury, and yet having played with such confidence and quality across the opening months of the season.

While it doesn’t seem likely that Newcastle would spend a pretty penny on a striker like Thiago without first cutting some costs, he’s been earmarked and has the talent and playing style to become a major player under Howe’s wing down the line.

Not just Joelinton: Newcastle's "true legend" may now be on borrowed time

Newcastle may well part ways with this Howe mainstay at the end of the campaign.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 29, 2025

This marked just the second time that a New Zealand batter has occupied the top spot, following Glenn Turner’s reign in 1979.

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Nov-2025Daryl Mitchell has dethroned Rohit Sharma to become the new No. 1 batter in the ICC ODI rankings. This marked just the second time that a New Zealand batter has occupied the top spot, following Glenn Turner’s reign in 1979.A number of contemporary greats like Martin Crowe, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have spent time in the top-five of the ODI batting rankings but have never been No. 1. Mitchell made the move up after scoring his seventh ODI century, against West Indies on Sunday. He injured himself during that innings though and was ruled out for the rest of the three-match series.Temba Bavuma also enjoyed a significant rise, breaking into the top five of the Test batting rankings for the first time. The South Africa captain scored the only half-century in extreme conditions in Kolkata and helped his team end a 15-year period without a Test win in India. Shubman Gill, currently injured, is just outside the top 10 with 737 rating points. Joe Root, preparing to play the Ashes on Friday, leads the Test batting pack followed by England team-mate Harry Brook.Marco Jansen, also a key contributor to the events at Eden Gardens, waits just outside the top 10 among the Test bowlers rankings and has broken into the top five in the allrounders rankings. Jasprit Bumrah remains at No. 1 after picking up six wickets in the match, followed by Matt Henry and Noman Ali.Pakistan’s 3-0 ODI series win over Sri Lanka resulted in upward movement for their legspinner Abrar Ahmed, who has moved up 11 spots to No. 9 on the bowlers’ list. Rashid Khan remains at the head of the pack followed by Jofra Archer and Keshav Maharaj.Jacob Duffy was the highest wicket-taker in the five T20Is that New Zealand played against West Indies in November and it reflects in his rise to No. 2 on the bowling rankings. Varun Chakravarthy is ahead of him and Rashid is just behind.Three Indians – Gill (No. 4), Virat Kohli (No. 5) and Shreyas Iyer (No. 8) – alongside Rohit (No. 2) make up the top 10 in the ODI batting rankings. Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran is at No. 3.