Latest news with #DavidPrutton
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Club World Cup didn't start the fire – it didn't light it but we'll try to fight it
Does it feel too much? Premier League bleeding into the playoffs into the Champions League into the international break … we're still bleeding … rip off your shirt and make a tourniquet! The European Under-21 and Under‑19 Championships into the Club World Cup, overlapping with the Women's Euros … oh look the Premier League fixtures for 2025-26 are out and the EFL ones come out next week … and there's David Prutton paying (excellent) homage to David Mitchell's pisstake of Sky Sports on Sky Sports: 'Catch all of the constantly happening football here it's all here and it's all football. Always. It's impossible to keep track of all the football.' You start to imagine Billy Joel rewriting We Didn't Start the Fire … an endless list of footballers and pundits, of owners and streaming services, of controversies and grimness amid the beauty and joy. Will it ever reach breaking point? To legacy fans (who liked football before the start of June) the Club World Cup may feel like the moment where you switched off, or just didn't switch on in the first place. If football began yesterday, you'd probably plan it with a tournament with club sides from all over the globe. But football didn't begin yesterday. Jonathan Wilson can tell you exactly when that was. And of course you don't have to watch this shoehorned land‑grab of a tournament, but sometimes it would be nice to not even have the option. The inflated prize money, where that wealth has come from and the impact huge sums of money going to individual clubs will have on leagues around the world are the start of the problems. Then there's the fear of the US's Immigration and Customs Enforcement service coming to deport a couple of players (or some of those coming to watch). The crowds are, to quote Gennaro Gattuso, 'sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit' – more than 400,000 empty seats so far (BBC), 1.5m tickets sold so far for the tournament (Fifa). The tournament overlapping with the Women's Euros is disgraceful. Careers may be shorter, and we should care about this issue – but how many of us will just support the next guy in the shirt? The reality will be the same whenever players with the potential to reach the peak of the game suffer injury or loss of form. Take Dele Alli or Ansu Fati: we just stop calling them elite and then let them drift from our minds. There will always be top players playing for top clubs. There will always be the best player and so on and so on. Unless players strike it will carry on down the same path. It is obviously easier for neutrals to ignore it. But if you happen to be, say, a Chelsea fan, then part of deal is that you follow your team in their games. Sure there's a hierarchy of importance – Premier League over Carabao Cup – but it doesn't feel like you can just keep this file closed. It might the most obvious thing ever written, but if your team is playing, your team is playing. To criticise the Club World Cup is to be accused of having a Euro- or Anglo-centric view of the game – and that might be fair. 'Try telling those Botafogo fans that this doesn't matter.' The scenes at full time after their win over PSG were wonderful. Who wouldn't want to see Lionel Messi score another great free-kick? Do you know what, I'm probably OK. Fifa, the guardian of the game, is plonking this in with little care for elite player welfare or the fans or the women's game. It is not alone. Uefa enlarged the Champions League; the prize money there already distorts smaller European leagues. The Premier League won't filter enough money down to the EFL. League Two clubs won't vote for more teams to come up from the National League. The Club World Cup is just the ultimate example. The notion of the football family is a nice one to cling to. But it only really exists when you can tweet that you care about something that has no material impact on your prospects. This tournament will grow as its history grows. There will always be people who want to watch football because, well, football is great. The danger as always is what comes next: franchise football teams, franchise footballers, a world league, the end of the pyramid. You can't blame people for just wanting to watch a game without thinking of the greater good, or bad. This is the football you are given, you can watch it if you like. Those of us lucky enough to work in the game should constantly recognise the privilege, and even when I'm complaining about the amount of football, I'm watching Cambridge United's shirt-reveal video over and over (not because I'm in it, but because Paul Wanless is at the chippy! Steve Fallon is in the Cambridge Blue!) and I'm checking the Spurs transfer gossip. The game has that hold over us, and it is a shame that there are too many people right at the top who want to exploit that. Surely a month off would be good for everyone? Just four or five weeks without VAR, instead the soothing voice of Marais Erasmus rocking and rolling it – that's hit him outside the line, surely? In the meantime … come on Billy … get out your piano … overwhelm us with just the sheer amount of all this stuff … Lionel Messi, Ben Mee, Gianni's shiny trophy key Player welfare, PSR, Tuesday's Stoke away Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Mick McCarthy, regulator, sportswashing, Opta data Scrapping replays, Thomas Frank, we are the FSA (Instrumental break) VAR, Player X, Women's Euros, Sir Becks Botafogo, IShowSpeed, Joey Barton's Twitter feed Fit and proper owners' test, Harry Kane needs a rest City's charges, gambling sponsors, where's Ange's series three? We didn't start the fire …
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Championship playoff final is a time for heroes … and a big cash prize
This means more. Though in truth, this means more money. Probably not enough money. But a lot of money nonetheless. The long weekend stretching ahead involves English football turning its attention to Wembley and the Football League playoffs. Step forward, David Prutton, Andy Hinchcliffe and, of course, Gary Weaver, the poet laureate of portentous commentary, teeth gritted in anticipation that the very next moment could be the one that changes destiny, changes history, becomes time for heroes. Unleash the Weavergasm. First up, the big one, Saturday's Championship decider between Sheffield United and Sunderland. The cash prize most recently quoted is £170m. The most valuable game in football, they say. The target is the best league in the world™. The lucky winners trouser a load of cash by gaining entry to a competition likely beyond their capabilities. It was only this week Manchester United and Spurs were serving up their Bigger Vase turkey of a final, with the honour of getting gubbed each week in Bigger Cup's mega-group stage next season heading to Tottenham. Coincidentally, the winning manager in Bilbao, Ange Postecoglou, seemingly modelled his flamin' tactics on those of 100% Blade Chris Wilder, who will lead out his beloved club at Wembley. It wouldn't take too much to transpose Richarlison's role as chief agitator at San Mamés to a Wilder team. Not that he is without tactical innovations; who can forget those overlapping centre-backs of six years ago? Everyone thinks they know what to expect from a Wilder team, though this current group is much changed from the doomed relegation team he inherited last season for his second spell at Blades. They will give everything for the cause, run their hearts out and defend like demons. So would you if Wilder was waiting for you in the dressing room. Régis Le Bris, Sunderland's manager who sounds like he should be a high-end West End restaurateur, has proved himself the best of the Eurocrat designer coaches in the Championship. The attack-minded Le Bris commands a set of sparkling young guns, including Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham. Chat to fans of either finalist, and the excitement of playing in the Premier League is tempered by recent experience and the terrible record of recently promoted teams. 'We are really aligned, really together on the plan and we're going to attack the Premier League in our way, so it's really exciting,' roared Russell Martin, while signing a new contract following Southampton's playoff win a year ago. 'We're not going to go mental,' Luton manager Rob Edwards cheered two years back in the aftermath of victory at Wembley. 'We have to play to our strengths which is what we've tried to keep going since I've come in.' Neither went well. This means more … of the same? Ben Fisher will be at Wembley on Saturday to answer Matchday live reader questions about the playoff final in the buildup to the game. If you have a burning desire to ask him something, email Join John Brewin from 7.45pm BST for hot Serie A title-deciding clockwatch coverage of Como 0-0 Inter and Napoli 0-0 Cagliari. I get that emotions are high, you've got two teams that have got a lot at stake fighting it out on the pitch. But we as a football club can't accept somebody spitting in the face of one of our staff' – Ross County chief suit Steven Ferguson condemns the Livingston fan accused of spitting on assistant boss Carl Tremarco after the teams' Scottish Premiership playoff final first leg 1-1 draw. As a confirmed slacker who has been lazily praying for a big fat pay-off from The Man for some time now, it saddens me to see Ruben Amorim offer to leave without compensation should his employers have noticed that he really isn't very good at the job (yesterday's Football Daily). Perhaps young Ruben would like to spare a thought for all of us other hopeless underachievers out there, for whom a compensated pay-off is a goal rather than an unnecessary encumbrance' – Colin Reed. Re: Kevin Goddard's missive (yesterday's Football Daily letters), the avian description he is desperately looking for is 'C0ckerels'. Furthermore, it stands out a mile that he's not watched Spurs recently because, believe it or not, that poor final with its scrappy goal was by no means the most awful and inept performance we have had to endure this season' – Stephen Rankin. After watching the paint dry on Wednesday evening in Bilbao, I spared a thought for Harry Kane and wondered which was the lesser trophy-winning achievement? Beating the 16th-placed Premier League team in a European final of low quality, or capturing the Bundesliga with perennial underachievers, Bayern Munich (16 out of the last 20 titles, but who's counting?). Anyway, congrats Harry and Ange and Tottenham' – Che Matthews. Send letters to Today's letter o' the day winner is … Colin Reed, who lands some Football Weekly merch. We'll be in touch. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed . This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, .
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Championship playoff final is a time for heroes … and a big cash prize
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY This means more. Though in truth, this means more money. Probably not enough money. But a lot of money nonetheless. The long weekend stretching ahead involves English football turning its attention to Wembley and the Football League playoffs. Step forward, David Prutton, Andy Hinchcliffe and, of course, Gary Weaver, the poet laureate of portentous commentary, teeth gritted in anticipation that the very next moment could be the one that changes destiny, changes history, becomes time for heroes. Unleash the Weavergasm. Advertisement First up, the big one, Saturday's Championship decider between Sheffield United and Sunderland. The cash prize most recently quoted is £170m. The most valuable game in football, they say. The target is the best league in the world™. The lucky winners trouser a load of cash by gaining entry to a competition likely beyond their capabilities. It was only this week Manchester United and Spurs were serving up their Bigger Vase turkey of a final, with the honour of getting gubbed each week in Bigger Cup's mega-group stage next season heading to Tottenham. Coincidentally, the winning manager in Bilbao, Ange Postecoglou, seemingly modelled his flamin' tactics on those of 100% Blade Chris Wilder, who will lead out his beloved club at Wembley. It wouldn't take too much to transpose Richarlison's role as chief agitator at San Mamés to a Wilder team. Not that he is without tactical innovations; who can forget those overlapping centre-backs of six years ago? Everyone thinks they know what to expect from a Wilder team, though this current group is much changed from the doomed relegation team he inherited last season for his second spell at Blades. They will give everything for the cause, run their hearts out and defend like demons. So would you if Wilder was waiting for you in the dressing room. Régis Le Bris, Sunderland's manager who sounds like he should be a high-end West End restaurateur, has proved himself the best of the Eurocrat designer coaches in the Championship. The attack-minded Le Bris commands a set of sparkling young guns, including Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham. Chat to fans of either finalist, and the excitement of playing in the Premier League is tempered by recent experience and the terrible record of recently promoted teams. 'We are really aligned, really together on the plan and we're going to attack the Premier League in our way, so it's really exciting,' roared Russell Martin, while signing a new contract following Southampton's playoff win a year ago. 'We're not going to go mental,' Luton manager Rob Edwards cheered two years back in the aftermath of victory at Wembley. 'We have to play to our strengths which is what we've tried to keep going since I've come in.' Neither went well. This means more … of the same? QUESTION TIME Ben Fisher will be at Wembley on Saturday to answer Matchday live reader questions about the playoff final in the buildup to the game. If you have a burning desire to ask him something, email LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE Join John Brewin from 7.45pm BST for hot Serie A title-deciding clockwatch coverage of Como 0-0 Inter and Napoli 0-0 Cagliari. QUOTE OF THE DAY I get that emotions are high, you've got two teams that have got a lot at stake fighting it out on the pitch. But we as a football club can't accept somebody spitting in the face of one of our staff' – Ross County chief suit Steven Ferguson condemns the Livingston fan accused of spitting on assistant boss Carl Tremarco after the teams' Scottish Premiership playoff final first leg 1-1 draw. FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS As a confirmed slacker who has been lazily praying for a big fat pay-off from The Man for some time now, it saddens me to see Ruben Amorim offer to leave without compensation should his employers have noticed that he really isn't very good at the job (yesterday's Football Daily). Perhaps young Ruben would like to spare a thought for all of us other hopeless underachievers out there, for whom a compensated pay-off is a goal rather than an unnecessary encumbrance' – Colin Reed. Re: Kevin Goddard's missive (yesterday's Football Daily letters), the avian description he is desperately looking for is 'C0ckerels'. Furthermore, it stands out a mile that he's not watched Spurs recently because, believe it or not, that poor final with its scrappy goal was by no means the most awful and inept performance we have had to endure this season' – Stephen Rankin. After watching the paint dry on Wednesday evening in Bilbao, I spared a thought for Harry Kane and wondered which was the lesser trophy-winning achievement? Beating the 16th-placed Premier League team in a European final of low quality, or capturing the Bundesliga with perennial underachievers, Bayern Munich (16 out of the last 20 titles, but who's counting?). Anyway, congrats Harry and Ange and Tottenham' – Che Matthews. Advertisement Send letters to Today's letter o' the day winner is … Colin Reed, who lands some Football Weekly merch. We'll be in touch. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. RAIN ON YOUR PARADE? Here at Football Daily Towers we usually leave the weather reporting for other Big Website departments but, given that we have to make the above subhead work, we feel obliged to update you on the forecast for the various trophy parades that are taking place over the weekend. First up, you may have heard that Tottenham Hotspur or Spurs will be dusting off an open-top bus to show off Bigger Vase down Tottenham High Road (18C, cloudy) at 5.30pm (BST). The 17-year-wait for silverware has made the victory lap such a big deal that the offspring of some Football Daily employees have been sent home early from school despite living six miles away. On Monday Liverpool will finally set off on their eight-mile schlep through the city (14C, rain) to show off a league title trophy for the first time since 1990 (the bus was kept in storage in 2020 due to Covid). Many fans will be playing spot Jürgen Klopp, with the former manager having said in March he will be attending. But perhaps the most eye-catching celebratory bus trip will be that taken by Crystal Palace (17C, rain) to show off the first major trophy in their history. It promises to be short, sweet and incredibly loud as the bus cruises down Whitehorse Lane to Holmesdale Road. The playoff finals mean there could be even more parades on Monday (and maybe even Tuesday) with Sheffield United (14C, rain) Sunderland (14C, rain), Charlton (17C, rain), Leyton Orient (17C, rain), Wimbledon (17C, rain on Tuesday) or Walsall (14C rain on Tuesday) possibly joining the hit parades. NEWS, BITS AND BOBS Former Manchester United player Brandon Williams has received a suspended jail sentence for dangerous driving after he reached almost 100mph before crashing his car in Handforth, Cheshire. Advertisement Ivan Toney and Trevoh Chalobah have been included by Thomas Tuchel for England's matches next month, but Harry Maguire, Marc Guéhi, Dominic Solanke have not received the call/WhatsApp. Full squad here, but still no recall for Morris Danc [Snip – Football Daily Ed]. Phil Foden has also been left out, but Pep Guardiola thinks a change [of summer plans] may do him good. 'For us he's a baby, a baby boy from the academy,' sniffed Guardiola. 'That's the most important thing. He needs rest and it's going to happen now, after Sunday.' Xabi Alonso is poised to be announced as Real Madrid boss after the club finally confirmed Brazil-bound Carlo Ancelotti's exit. And Craig Gordon, 78, has signed on for another season as Hearts' goalkeeper and says he is 'determined to make it better than the last'. ROAD TO HAMPDEN It's Aberdeen v Celtic in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday and Dons boss Jimmy Thelin is using Oliver Glasner's Wembley shock as a template for success. 'Does Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup last weekend show what can happen? Yes!' he bugled. 'A final is always a final. If you go into the game in the right [frame of mind] … the possibility is always there.' STILL WANT MORE? Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola gets his chat on with Ben Fisher about his record-breaking season, his love of the south coast and, erm, birdsong. Advertisement For the final time this season, all together now, 10 things to look out for in the Premier League this weekend! And Ben McAleer picks out 10 players who may be heading for the big top flight door marked Do One this summer so you don't have to. Podcasts, ITV, Fox? Gary Lineker transfer speculation swirls after his BBC exit, writes Michael Savage. John Ashdown on how watching Sheffield United in playoff finals has been a lifetime of hurt. 'It is my favourite place, my lucky place, and it stays with me all the time.' Jerzy Dudek tells Andy Hunter how the 'Miracle of Istanbul' changed his life. Suzanne Wrack notes that Alessia Russo has hit another level – but will it be enough against Barça? Advertisement How bad was Spurs v Manchester United in comparison to other European club finals? Michael Butler investigates. And Jonathan Wilson reckons United face an urgent dilemma: ditch Amorim or revamp the squad? MEMORY LANE It's playoff final weekend: with Charlton and Sunderland bound for Wembley in the League One and Championship deciders, respectively, our minds inevitably drift back to one of the all-time greatest games in May 1998. But to get there in the first place, Charlton needed to see off Ipswich Town in the semis, which is precisely what Mark Bright and co did with 1-0 victories in either leg. The vanquished opposition for Sunderland in their semi … Sheffield United. ANOTHER BANK HOLIDAY, IS IT? SEE YOU AGAIN ON TUESDAY
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Tyrhys Dolan told to give 'serious thought' to Rangers transfer as Cyriel Dessers makes feelings clear on one accolade
It is your latest update concerning all things Rangers all in one place Tyrhys Dolan has been told if Rangers or Celtic come calling you MUST take it seriously. The Blackburn Rovers winger has been linked with a move north of the border with his contract expiring this summer. In the English Championship he proved seven goals and six assists across 44 games and is one that Sky pundit David Prutton believes always lookins capable of making something happen - a trait both set of supporters love to see. Speaking to Football League World, he said: "He's a good player Tyrhys, always lively, always looks like he's capable of making something happen. "The expectation of him when he went to Blackburn was not directly related to what his output then became, because I think they thought he was a bit of a slow burner and one for the future, but he very much got stuck in and was a big part of a squad that was very competitive in the last few Championship seasons. "I think the frustration with them comes with falling away as and when it mattered i.e. very early spring which meant that at times, barring the final day just now, at times by the time it came to the last knockings they were just firmly and constantly in mid table. "So I think yeah on a free, or compensation given the age of the player potentially, but Christ when one of those two [Celtic and Rangers] come knocking you've got to give it some serious thought." Elsewhere, Cyriel Dessers has taken to social media after finishing the season as the top scorer in the Premiership. The Rangers hitman has notched 29 goals across all competitions with 18 of those coming in the league. He hit the 50 goal milestone in the recent win over Dundee United and while it has been a frustrating domestic campaign for the LIght Blues as a whole, there is some personal pride for Dessers as he ends the season topping the scoring charts. He wrote on Instagram: "Scottish Premiership Top Scorer 2024-25. Not the big trophy we all wanted, but a wee reward for never giving up…" Meanwhile, Rangers pair John Souttar and Connor Barron have been picked for Scotland. Steve Clarke has called up the duo for the June friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein. Nathan Patterson - now at Everton and formerly of Rangers - is also back in the fold as is Napoli star Billy Gilmour.
