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da bet nacional： With rumours regarding Andreas Pereira’s potential exit not going away, Fulham have now reportedly set their sights on signing an in-demand Premier League midfielder for Marco Silva.

Fulham transfer news

da jogodeouro： The Cottagers remain one of the most exciting sides to watch in the Premier League. No longer a side scrapping away in the battle to avoid relegation, Fulham have once again become an established top-flight side under Silva – who is doing an excellent job. His side’s recent success may not come without its consequences, however. In fact, they could fall victim to their own success.

Related Fulham now keen to sign "special" Man City star ready to leave in January

He’s a man in demand…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Dec 28, 2024

With the January transfer window now open, Fulham are reportedly fearful that Marseille could reignite their interest in Pereira and secure the Brazilian’s signature this month. And they’re not the only club reportedly interested. Recent reports have indicated that Brazilian club Fluminense are progressing in talks to sign the midfielder in what would be a major blow this month.

It seems as though that fear has led them straight to a potential replacement too. According to Football Insider, Fulham are now eyeing a move to sign Will Hughes in what could come at no cost at all if he leaves Crystal Palace as a free agent at the end of the season.

The London club aren’t the only side interested, however, with West Ham United and local rivals Brentford also keeping an eye on the situation. A player with plenty of experience in the top flight, the interest in Hughes’ signature should come as no surprise.

From a business standpoint, selling Pereira for an impressive fee and welcoming a possible replacement in the summer without having to splash out, themselves, could represent a shrewd move for all involved at Fulham.

"Leader" Hughes could seamlessly replace Pereira

More combative than the elegant Pereira, Hughes would step straight in to replace the Brazilian at Craven Cottage and sit next to both Alex Iwobi and Sasa Lukic. Forming a tireless midfield three, Silva’s side could even benefit from swapping the old for the new all whilst wisely cashing in.

Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Will Hughes

Andreas Pereira

Goals

0

2

Assists

3

1

Tackles Won

21

4

Ball Recoveries

66

62

Also able to create whilst completing impressive work off the ball, it’s no surprise that Hughes has been at the centre of Oliver Glasner’s praise throughout his Crystal Palace tenure.

The Palace manager told reporters as relayed by Tribal Football last month: “Will Hughes not just a performer, he’s also a leader in the dressing room. He’s an experienced guy, an English guy, he’s been here for several years, he knows the club, he knows his teammates, and of course he’s an outstanding good football player.

“His passing, his fighting spirit, and he’s one of the few players, maybe a little bit old generation, who is talking on the pitch. Every manager is looking for some guys who are talking on the pitch, he’s one of them, so he’s very important for our game.”

Crystal Palace do have the option to extend Hughes’ Selhurst Park deal, but if they don’t, Fulham could be in a position to pounce in a cheap transfer.

Brook and Joe Root score unbeaten tons during 294-run stand to lift England out of trouble

Alan Gardner23-Feb-2023Harry Brook came into the Wellington Test in possession of some of the most outrageous stats in the history of the game for a batter at the start of their career – and promptly turned the amps up to 11 with an astonishing display on day one at the Basin Reserve.It began with Brook tip-toeing to the crease amid the wreckage of England’s top order, as New Zealand’s reshaped seam attack capitalised on helpful morning conditions to reduce the tourists to 21 for 3. He walked off with the weather closing in again, but with England in a far sunnier mood. In between times, Brook had peeled off a career-best 184 not out from 169 balls, taking his Test average above 100 (and with a strike rate of 99.38 into the bargain).Oh, and Joe Root scored an immaculate, unbeaten hundred, too.Their unbroken stand of 294, already the third-highest for England’s fourth wicket in Tests, turned the tables completely on New Zealand after they had made what seemed an impeccable start on winning the toss and choosing to bowl for the second week running.Related

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Believe the hype: Harry Brook is heading where few have gone before

As in Mount Maunganui, England’s aggression helped wrest the initiative away – by the time the forecast rain arrived midway through the evening session their overall run rate was 4.84. But that only told part of the story, with Brook and Root employing different methods to counterattack after Matt Henry and Tim Southee had made the early incisions on a green pitch that was expected to flatten out.Brook, as has been his wont during a patch of regal scoring that began with a century in his second match, in Rawalpindi before Christmas, chose barely fettered aggression throughout his innings. Southee was dispatched for three consecutive boundaries in his fifth over, and that set the tone for Brook’s approach; in all, 24 fours and five sixes came from his bat during another coruscating display.He moved to fifty just before lunch, as England reached the break on a more even keel, then raised a 107-ball hundred – his fourth in nine Test innings – during the afternoon session, during which the visitors rattled off 136 runs in 27 overs to transfer the pressure on to New Zealand’s beleaguered attack.Brook’s assault, audacious as it was, displayed a high degree of calculation. With New Zealand picking only three frontline bowlers – Henry, back after the birth of his child, and top-order batter Will Young coming in for Mount Mauganui debutants, Blair Tickner and Scott Kuggeleijn – Brook in particular chose to go after the support.Against Daryl Mitchell, nominally the fourth seamer, he struck four sixes – three towering blows down the ground and one impudent ramp to fine leg – and went at a strike rate of 158.06. Michael Bracewell’s offspin was dispatched for 22 off 15, while Neil Wagner saw his short-ball tactics dismantled for the second Test running, conceding six fours and a six. Only Henry, who gave Brook a few moments of concern early on, kept things tight, conceding just 33 off 49 balls bowled.While Brook plundered runs almost at will, adding his third fifty from just 38 balls, Root was content to slipstream his junior partner. His 29th Test hundred featured just seven boundaries, the majority of which came during the latter stages of the day – one via a perfectly executed reverse-ramp off the bowling of Wagner, the shot which had brought his downfall in the first innings last week at Bay Oval.He was on 23 at lunch, coasted along to 72 at tea and was visibly relieved to bring up three figures for the first time in 12 innings, turning Wagner into the leg side from the final delivery before the rain began to fall in earnest.Such a position of English dominance took on even more outlandish proportions given how incisively New Zealand had begun the morning session. Basin Reserve has a reputation for flattening out, never mind how green-tinged the surface, and most captains winning the toss look to eke out whatever small advantage they can: it is more than a decade since a team opted to bat first in a Wellington Test.Southee knew all this, saying that New Zealand were “accustomed to a very good cricket surface” at the ground, and would therefore have been delighted by the start for his side. Henry struck twice in his first three overs and Southee added a third as Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett all failed to make much headway.Henry beat Duckett with a beauty in his first over, although a review only proved the ball had flicked the trouser pocket. There were just a handful of scoring shots in the opening exchanges, as England were forced to temper their Bazball instincts, and the card read 5 for 1 in the fourth when Crawley felt at a wide ball from Henry – albeit on a perfect length – to be dismissed for his fourth single-figure score in six knocks.Pope fired off a volley of attacking shots in response but he was soon gone, as Henry jagged one away on an off-stump line to find the edge. Bracewell held the sharp chance at third slip, and then took an even better catch in the following over to leave England three-down. Duckett was again looking to be proactive, driving hard at one in the channel from Southee, and the edge flew to the left of Bracewell, who threw himself full length for a one-handed take, even managing to juggle it safely as the ball threatened to pop loose after his arm hit the turf.England were on the back foot, but soon began landing their punches in a familiar counterattack. Brook’s first boundary was edged wide of the cordon as Henry got the ball to kick from a length, but England’s form batter launched into Southee next over before clubbing Mitchell down the ground and then taking on Wagner with a series of belligerent blows through the leg side. Brook was on the move and soon looked unstoppable – which to all intents and purposes he was.

Trevor Griffin invited to re-apply for job after seventh-placed finish in 2022

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2022

Trevor Griffin has been invited to re-apply for his job•Getty Images

The MCC have advertised for a new London Spirit coach in the women’s Hundred after missing out on the knockout stages in the tournament’s first two seasons.Trevor Griffin, the Western Storm and Sydney Thunder coach, took charge of Spirit in the last two seasons but has been invited to re-apply for his job as part of an open recruitment process. Hundred coaches are appointed on one-year contracts which can be extended by mutual agreement.Spirit missed out on the play-offs on net run-rate in 2021 but struggled in 2022, losing four of their six games and finishing second-bottom in the group stages.Related

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“London Spirit has recently opened the process to recruit a head coach for its women’s team in the 2023 edition of the Hundred,” an MCC spokesperson said.”This open recruitment process is designed to find the best possible head coach for London Spirit women for 2023, with all candidates who meet the criteria, including the head coach from 2022, invited to apply.”London Spirit, in conjunction with the England and Wales Cricket Board, will announce the outcome of the recruitment process at a later date.”Dates for the Hundred’s 2023 season have not been officially announced but the tournament is expected to run from the first week of August until the weekend of August 26. Applications for Spirit’s vacancy close on November 21.

Stats analysis of the Carlton Mid Tri-Series final between Australia and England in Perth

Bishen Jeswant01-Feb-2015502 Number of international wickets taken by Stuart Broad, making him only the third English player to take 500 wickets, after James Anderson and Ian Botham. He started the game on 499 wickets and returned figures of 3 for 55.89 Runs conceded by Chris Woakes, the fourth-highest by an English bowler in an ODI innings, and the second-highest against Australia. The most runs conceded by an English bowler is 97, by Steve Harmison against Sri Lanka in 2006.141 The fifth-wicket partnership between Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh, the highest ever fifth-wicket stand in Perth. This was Australia’s first 100-plus stand for the fifth wicket in Perth.3 Number of Australian batsmen – James Faulkner (50), Maxwell (95) and Marsh (60) – who made fifties in the first innings, batting at No. 5 or below. This is the second such instance involving three Australian batsmen and the tenth overall.3 Number of times Maxwell has been dismissed in the nineties in ODIs since 2013, the most for any batsman, tied with Shikhar Dhawan.48.1 Faulkner’s batting average, the fifth highest for any Australian batsman. Faulkner has scored 770 runs, in 38 ODIs, including a hundred and four fifties.24 Number of balls Faulkner took for his 50, the sixth fastest by an Australian batsman. This is the second instance of Faulkner scoring a fifty off 24 balls, the other being against India in 2013.

MatériaMais Notícias

da apostebet： A boa e velha rivalidade do futebol campineiro voltou a ficar em alta por conta da última jornada da Série B.

– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE B

Enquanto a Ponte Preta bateu o CSA fora de casa, o Guarani deu a resposta ao vencer o líder Cruzeiro no Brinco de Ouro da Princesa.

Com o triunfo diante do Azulão, a Macaca chegou aos 18 pontos, na 16ª posição. O Bugre é o 18º, com 17 pontos.

Na próxima rodada, caso a Ponte Preta não vença o Criciúma, fora de casa e o Bugre derrotar o Bahia, em casa, o Guarani ultrapassa o seu maior rival.

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Rangers have been linked with a move for an “unbelievable” player, but he may now decide against heading to Ibrox for two key reasons, according to a new transfer development.

Latest Rangers news

Philippe Clement badly needed some respite this weekend after seeing the pressure heaped on him further last week, following the Gers’ 2-1 defeat away to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

Thankfully, the Belgian managed that, helping Rangers reach the Scottish League Cup final after winning 2-1 against Motherwell in the semi-finals at Hampden Park. Cyriel Dessers and Nedim Bajrami scored the goals for the Ibrox outfit, overturning a 1-0 deficit, as they booked a place in the showcase event against Celtic.

Despite this win, other managers continue to be linked with the Gers job, should they part company with Clement in the near future. Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen has been mentioned as a potential option for the Scottish giants.

It should be stressed that the current manager is believed to be safe in his job for the time being, however, with Rangers feeling that now isn’t the right time to relieve him of his duties, given the general situation at the club.

Away from the managerial situation, the Gers will also want to sign players in the January transfer window, but they have suffered a blow regarding one target.

"Unbelievable" ace may turn down Rangers move

According to Football Insider, Rangers “will struggle” to sign Motherwell youngster Lennon Miller, due to the current financial issues at Ibrox and their form under Clement this season.

The 18-year-old is arguably one of the biggest teenage talents in Scottish football and the Gers have been linked with signing him, but the report states that “the uncertainty surrounding the club and the potential pressure to help turn Rangers’ season around are expected to heavily influence” his decision, with the player not keen to come into Clement’s current set-up.

Miller is a massive talent who came up against Rangers on Sunday, failing to get the better of them, but there is no doubt that he would be an exciting signing. Gers legend Barry Ferguson is a huge admirer, once saying of him: “The Motherwell kid has unbelievable talent.

“I was at the game where he came off the bench at Ibrox for his league debut. He was 16 years old, Motherwell were losing and it was a massive moment for such a young player. But he was demanding the ball from his team-mates, some double his age. It was brilliant to watch. From that moment I knew there was a player there.”

This sums up what a big talent Miller is, and why it would be such a disappointment to see Rangers miss out on signing such a gem of a midfielder, but it is understandable why he may have reservations about joining currently.

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The Rangers midfielder enjoyed a terrific afternoon at Hampden Park on Sunday.

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The Gers don’t feel like a stable club, in terms of the managerial situation and ongoing issues in the boardroom, but hopefully, those problems can be resolved and he ends up seeing his future at Ibrox.

West Ham are already looking ahead to the January transfer window as they look to turn around their poor start to the Premier League season, according to a fresh report.

West Ham boss Lopetegui in the firing line

Another disappointing defeat and performance piled the pressure on West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, as his side fell to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time when Edson Alvarez was sent off, the Hammers offered very little as they were comfortably beaten by Forest, leaving the London side languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, a point above newly promoted Leicester City.

It followed a summer in which they backed Lopetegui significantly, signing eight new players for a total outlay in excess of £150m, headed by the arrival of Championship player of the year Crysencio Summerville and promising centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.

But, the former Wolves boss has already become the first West Ham boss to lose his first three Premier League home games, and there is little sign of the situation improving ten games into the season, piling pressure on him.

Though the Hammers board are still sticking with him, there is a feeling that upcoming games could be crucial as the Hammers face three sides below them alongside games against Arsenal and Newcastle, the calibre of teams that Lopetegui was signed to try and compete with.

West Ham’s next five games

Everton (home)

Newcastle United (away)

Arsenal (home)

Leicester City (away)

Wolves (home)

One of their biggest problems has been finding the net, with West Ham having scored 13 times so far this season and lacking a clinical striker. Now, they are already looking to fix that in January.

West Ham ready to sign striker for £30m

It has been reported in Brazil that West Ham are ready to raid the South American market once more to sign Corinthians striker Igor Jesus. The Hammers have already signed Luis Guilherme in recent months, though the teenager is yet to feature significantly for Lopetegui’s side as he adapts to life in English football.

And Brazilian outlet Globo [via Sport Witness] claim that West Ham are now ready to follow that addition up with a move for Jesus. In fact, in “recent days”, intermediaries have “approached Botafogo owner John Textor” in order to make a verbal offer for Jesus, with West Ham “wanting to offer £30m” to sign the 23-year-old striker.

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West Ham must sack Lopetegui to bring in this “fantastic” coach as his replacement.

ByConnor Holden Nov 4, 2024

It is added that “Botafogo were impressed with these figures suggested by the agent but will only respond when Julen Lopetegui’s side table an official proposal”, something which could be forthcoming at the end of the Brazilian season, which coincides with the Premier League’s January transfer window.

Though they signed Niclas Füllkrug in the summer transfer window, injury to the German means that West Ham are still lacking a threat at the top of the pitch, with Michail Antonio and Danny Ings now in the twilight of their careers.

Jesus has grabbed eight goals and three assist this season in Brazil, and should he be able to translate his form to the Premier League, he could be a key signing for the Hammers as they look to recover from a dreadful start to the campaign.

Manchester United are one of a number of teams keeping a close eye on a rising talent in Germany, according to a recent report. The Red Devils were very busy during the summer, as they added five players to their squad, but since the transfer window closed they have been linked with more arrivals for 2025.

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ByBrett Worthington Oct 8, 2024 Man Utd transfer news

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Old Trafford at this moment in time, as pressure continues to grow on manager Erik ten Hag – it is still unclear if the Dutchman will be in charge of the club for the game against Brentford after the international break.

However, that isn’t stopping the transfer rumours from circling, despite the fact that the January transfer window is still a few months away. United brought in Manuel Ugarte during the summer as a replacement for Casemiro, but the Red Devils are now being linked with another new arrival to do just that again. Indeed, United are said to be interested in signing midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid.

The French international is apparently “on the list” of many Premier League clubs, with United one side interested in signing him. As well as looking to strengthen their midfield once again, the Red Devils also have their eye on Sam Tickle of Wigan Athletic. The goalkeeper is said to have been watched by United, as he continues to impress in England’s third division. The 22-year-old is seen as someone who can provide cover and competition for Andre Onana.

Man Utd scouts watch possible Antony replacement

According to Sudwest, relayed by Hard Tackle, Manchester United are keeping an eye on winger Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart. The 23-year-old winger may not be a household name yet, but has been impressive in the early part of this season and has interest from other clubs as well as United.

Four of United’s five summer signings were under the age of 24, and this is something INEOS wants to continue doing in their transfer policy. Leweling has started all six of Stuttgart’s Bundesliga games this season, during which he has scored one goal and recorded one assist. The winger has also started both Champions League games, as he grabbed an assist in the 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid. His form for his club has now earned him a call-up to the German national team for their upcoming games against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Netherlands.

Apps

48

Goals

5

Assists

9

This report states that United had scouts present during Stuttgart’s recent game against Borussia Dortmund, which they won 5-1. Leweling, who is on a weekly wage of 19,615 euros, which is roughly £16,431, didn’t score in the game against Dortmund, but his performance impressed United scouts.

The Red Devils already have some options in the wide areas, but Antony has struggled ever since joining the club, while Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo are yet to hit consistent form despite their raw talents.

In Nelson, UAE offered further proof, if it was necessary, that the ICC’s theory of leaving the Associates out of the next World Cup is a load of rubbish

Brydon Coverdale in Nelson19-Feb-20151:21

‘Give us a chance and we’ll impress you’ – Tauqir

“The World Cup itself, the premium event, without exception should be played between teams that are evenly matched and competitive.”So said the ICC chief executive David Richardson in the lead-up to this tournament. It was his way of justifying the decision to trim the World Cup from 14 teams back to 10 at the next event in England in 2019. No more Associates, no more one-sided thrashings, no more boring, meaningless pool matches. That was the ICC’s theory.On Thursday in Nelson, UAE offered further proof, if it was necessary, that the ICC’s theory is a load of rubbish. The eighth match of this World Cup was played between a Full Member, Zimbabwe, and an Associate, UAE. And it was the closest contest yet, a tense battle full of momentum changes and uncertainty. By the ICC’s reckoning, it shouldn’t happen.Zimbabwe got away with the win, but only just. One level-headed, mature partnership between Sean Williams and Craig Ervine was the difference. They came together at 167 for 5, with 119 runs still needed from 104 balls. If UAE were not favourites, they must have been mighty close. In the end, experience got Zimbabwe over the line.Experience that UAE simply do not have, and cannot have. It was their first ODI against a Full Member nation in nearly seven years. It was almost their first win against one. A few fielding mistakes crept in, in a few loose balls, just the odd nervy moment. Williams, in his 71st ODI, steered Zimbabwe to victory. UAE, in their 19th as a team, fell short.The UAE batsmen, such as Shaiman Anwar, surprised Zimbabwe with their ability to strike the ball cleanly•ICCThere is such potential beyond the Test world. Everyone knows how good Ireland are, their win at the same ground against West Indies this week was not unexpected. It is a disgrace, an insult to both Ireland and to the cricket public that they may not be part of the next World Cup. Scotland got to within three wickets of upsetting New Zealand this week.Afghanistan are the only Associate to have been roundly beaten so far in the World Cup, but they were far from humiliated. They were the first team in the tournament to keep an opposition – Bangladesh – to sub-300 batting first in Australia. Only one game between Full Members so far has been remotely close – South Africa’s win over Zimbabwe. Evenly matched and competitive, huh?If the ICC thinks the Associates are pushovers, they are living in the past, which would be no great surprise. This is no longer the era of Sultan Zarawani wearing a floppy hat to face Allan Donald, of sides like East Africa and Bermuda making up the numbers but never getting close to competitive.UAE are considered the weakest of the 14 teams at this World Cup, but they batted with skill and boldness, and for the most part fielded sharply and bowled tightly. After the match, Williams was asked if the gap between the Full Members and the Associates had shrunk.”The gap has closed a very, very long way,” Williams said. “I believe that every single team at this World Cup deserves to be at this World Cup.”UAE surprised Zimbabwe with their ability to strike cleanly down the ground. The finest example was the sublime six that brought Shaiman Anwar his half-century from 37 balls when he drove Tinashe Panyangara back over his head. It was the shot of a man who belongs at international level, as were the nine fours that he struck.The 43-year-old star batsman Khurram Khan scored 45 and steadied UAE after they wobbled to 40 for 2 early. Until he was well caught at backward point, Khurram looked so calm and composed that nobody would have guessed this was his World Cup debut. He may well become the cult figure of this tournament, if the #KhurramKhanfacts Twitter hashtag is any indication.Then there were late boundaries struck by Amjad Javed and Mohammad Naveed, the Nos. 8 and 9. Amjad was powerful down the ground, not with wild slogs. There are No. 8s in Full Member sides who offer less with the bat than Javed. As if to prove he was also a force with the ball, he later clocked Sikandar Raza on the helmet with a bouncer.Their bowlers might lack the pace of most sides, but they find ways to contain. Zimbabwe opener Regis Chakabva was so stuck that when he trod on his stumps for 35 off 62 it was actually a blessing for Zimbabwe. In the field, UAE dived and worked hard, letting a few through only as the innings wore on. Their captain, Mohammad Tauqir, seemed almost offended when asked if their fielding let them down.”A couple of runs here and there,” Tauqir said. “We were better than Zimbabwe in fielding.”He was right. Zimbabwe were awfully sloppy in the field. And considering how little UAE have played at the elite level, their performance was admirable. The ICC has spoken of ensuring more exposure for Ireland and Afghanistan to the Full Members in the next few years, to help them qualify for the World Cup. But what of teams like UAE?”If we play only at Associate level, we cannot improve the game,” Tauqir said. “The more we play at the highest level we can improve our cricket.”This was the first time UAE had played Zimbabwe in a one-day international. That in itself is an indictment of cricket’s blinkered approach. The Full Members should play far more often against the Associates and Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, as the lowest-ranked Full Members, should be front and centre in such fixtures.But between the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, Zimbabwe played only one ODI series against an Associate side, drawing 2-2 with Afghanistan last year. Bangladesh played 50 ODIs between the World Cups and only one – yes, one – was against an Associate: Afghanistan in the Asia Cup.Such fixtures must be far more frequent. UAE here in Nelson, and Ireland here earlier this week, and Scotland in Dunedin, and Afghanistan in Canberra, have shown the gap between the haves and have nots has shrunk. The Associates are competitive, and must be respected as such. A 10-team World Cup is short-sighted and short-changes the game.In the end, Zimbabwe got out of jail, but the monopoly held by the ICC’s ten Full Members was brought into question once again. Richardson and the ICC should take note that this match in Nelson was as evenly matched and competitive as this World Cup has been.

It’s taken Regis Le Bris just over three months to transform Sunderland from Championship strugglers to bona fide promotion contenders. Last term, under Michael Beale and Mike Dodds, the Black Cats finished 16th in England’s second division, just six points above the relegation zone. This season, however, after nine games played, they are top of the table, having won six and drawn one.

Biggest coup since Defoe: Le Bris could land a 'lifelong Sunderland fan'

Sunderland would love to secure this mammoth deal in January.

1 ByKelan Sarson Oct 8, 2024

Le Bris’ side looked to be facing defeat against Leeds last week after Joel Piroe and Junior Firpo had canceled out Chris Rigg’s opener, however a stoppage-time error from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier gifted Sunderland a point.

“The mindset of the team was good because right until the end we believed that it was possible and then it happened with a mistake,” Le Bris, who was appointed as Sunderland boss in July, said after the draw. “I think we deserved this draw.”

Tommy Watson loving life under Le Bris

One player who is particularly enjoying life at The Stadium of Light right now is youngster Tommy Watson. The 21-year-old winger, who came through Sunderland’s academy, has been a regular feature in Le Bris’ matchday squads this season, despite not having too many minutes to strut his stuff in front of fans.

He made his first-team debut in a 2-1 defeat to Watford in late September, coming on as a late substitute, and has since made two further cameos against Derby and Leeds. Speaking with Sunderland’s official website, Watson spoke of his delight at finally being given a chance to shine on the big stage.

Talking about making the transition to the first-team under his new manager, Watson said: “It’s a bit of a jump up. The games in the Championship are more organised and teams are set up better and harder to break down so you get fewer chances.

“It’s class to be honest. I’ve been waiting a long time for the opportunity. I’ve been on the fringes for quite some time, but the idea of working towards more first-team minutes is a real target.”

Poveda injury update dampens Sunderland mood

Life might be looking up for Watson at the moment, but for Ian Poveda, things aren’t so great. The Colombia international, who joined Sunderland in the summer from Leeds United, has seen his start to life on Wearside hampered by injuries, limiting him to just 44 minutes of Championship action so far this season.

Speaking with the media ahead of last week’s draw with Leeds, Le Bris revealed that he will now have to make do without Poveda for a further “four to six weeks” after the 24-year-old suffered yet another injury setback.

“It’s a shame,” Le Bris said. “But the Championship is long, we still have 38 games to play. Ian is going to be helpful for the team, but he is going to need time to recover.”