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Under-fire Forest manager Ange Postecoglou launched into a passionate defence of his managerial career and believes he will never be accepted in England, despite his track-record of winning trophies. Postecoglou goes into Saturday's clash with Chelsea knowing another defeat could cost him his job, just weeks after taking over from the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo.

Clock ticking for Postecoglou

Postecoglou only took the helm at the City Ground last month and is currently winless after seven games, the worst start by a Forest manager in over a century, which has led to speculation about his job. This follows his departure from Tottenham where he won the Europa League in May, but was dismissed shortly after following Spurs’ 17th-place finish in the league – the club’s worst Premier League placing. But Ange sees it a different way and believes people’s minds are already made up on him, despite landing another piece of major silverware. He said: "I guess from my perspective, I just don't fit. Not (talking about) here. Just in general. If you look at it through the prism of: I'm a failed manager who is lucky to get this job – I know you're smirking at me and that's what's being said and I can find the print where that's being said – then of course it looks like this manager is under pressure. There is an alternative story. I came to the Premier League two years ago, I took over Tottenham – 'Spursy Tottenham'. I was told by the chairman at the time: 'This club has to win a trophy. We've tried to bring winners in, Jose (Mourinho) and Antonio (Conte) and it hasn't worked, we need something different.' I was slightly offended by that as I see myself as a winner."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDid final focus hamper league progress?

The Aussie boss has pointed to the many mitigating factors last season which worked against him and, ultimately, led to Spurs finishing in lowly 17th place. A clearly frustrated Postecoglou said: "If I have to explain why we finished 17th, it doesn't have to be too in-depth. Just look at the last five or six different team sheets in the league last year to see who I prioritised, who was on the bench and who I was playing. The last game against Brighton, the players were out for two days partying – which I sanctioned because I felt they deserved to. So we finished 17th, if people think that's a reflection of me and my coaching, then people are looking at it through the prism of: I just don't fit. So we get to the current space where there's a different story to tell that maybe I'm maybe not a failed manager who was lucky to get this job – but maybe I'm a manager where if given time, the story always ends the same. At all my previous clubs it ends the same: me with a trophy."

Postecoglou is feeling the heat at Forest

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis will have a decision to make if he watches his side lose another game, but Postecoglou is doing his best to stay positive, despite the mounting issues. He said: "The flip side is I'm really still excited about the opportunity here. That's how I'm embracing it. I have a group of young players who are willing to change, that's the first thing. I'm heading down that road. The rest of it? I'm not going to waste my time or my energy worrying about that. Whether it's internal or external I couldn't care less. At the end of the day, I will do what I think is the right thing to do to bring success to this football club and that's what I'm focused on. Of course there's pressure. There's pressure anyway. So if we win on the weekend, the pressure is there. There's always pressure. There's a difference between pressure and saying that somebody should lose their job after five weeks. I mean, I only just found an apartment to move into, which may be a bad decision on my behalf. I should have stayed in temporary digs. That's how early it is. So there's a difference."

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Getty Images SportIs Ange relishing facing Chelsea?

There’s no respite for Postecoglou, as Forest host Chelsea this weekend, a team he lost to four times while manager of Tottenham. The Forest boss said: “It's always important to win the next game irrespective of what's happened previously. It's no different tomorrow. We're facing a very good opponent but we're here at home which is good and looking forward to the challenge of it. A good couple of weeks training with the guys who were with us here. We had a few on international duty but they came back in good condition and ready to play."

Key wickets dent Gloucestershire’s hopes after pair of half-centuries

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay24-May-2025Gloucestershire 156 for 4 (Bancroft 60, Hammond 51) trail Northamptonshire 469 (Zaib 159, Sales 81, Harrison 63) by 313 runsNorthamptonshire leg-spinner Calvin Harrison followed up a career-best knock of 63 with two wickets to keep his side in control of their Rothesay County Championship clash against Gloucestershire at Wantage Road.Harrison, on loan from Nottinghamshire, shared a ninth-wicket partnership of 90 with Liam Guthrie as the home side posted a daunting total of 469, built around Saif Zaib’s career-high 159.Visiting captain Cameron Bancroft defied Northamptonshire with a gritty 60 – his first half-century in seven innings – while Miles Hammond hit a more pugnacious 51, but both fell shortly before stumps to leave Gloucestershire 156 for four, still 164 short of the follow-on target.Harrison finished the day with two for 40, with Luke Procter and Harry Conway picking up a wicket apiece.Resuming on 327 for six, Northamptonshire built steadily throughout the morning session, with Lewis McManus square cutting Matt Taylor to the boundary to take his stand with Zaib into three figures.Taylor had McManus caught behind for 43 in his next over, persuading the right-hander to nibble outside off stump, but Zaib soon progressed to 150 for the first time as the home side pocketed a third batting bonus point.They declined to attempt a swift dash for a fourth, particularly after Zaib’s marathon knock finally came to an end, slashing Archie Bailey to slip, but Harrison, who drove confidently on the off side – including an all-run four off Bailey – and Guthrie batted capably.Gloucestershire brought back Zaman Akhter, who had been wayward early on, for a second spell at the David Capel End and Guthrie immediately steered him to the long-on boundary, prompting them to switch to an all-spin attack leading up to lunch.That included the occasional off-breaks of Hammond, who continued after the interval but was soon targeted as Harrison, having passed his half-century, thumped him to the fence twice in quick succession.Fellow spinner Ollie Price made the breakthrough when Harrison reverse-swept him into the hands of backward point and, with Guthrie holing out for 33 in Graeme van Buuren’s next over, it was finally time for Gloucestershire’s openers to strap on their pads.There was an early scare for Bancroft, who dragged Guthrie onto his pad rather than the stumps, while Ben Charlesworth survived a hesitant inside edge off Conway in similar fashion.The pair appeared to have settled into their rhythm, but Procter’s consistent spell as first change brought rewards when he found the outside edge of Charlesworth’s bat and Ricardo Vasconcelos snapped up the chance at slip.However, Bancroft kept the scoreboard ticking along after tea, leg-glancing Conway to the rope and then flicking the seamer off his hips for four more while Ollie Price dropped anchor at the other end.Price had just begun to flex his muscles by sweeping Harrison for two boundaries and tried to turn the leg-spinner around the corner again – but Vasconcelos anticipated the shot and scurried around behind McManus to take the catch.New batter Hammond held firm and flourished against the spinners, scoring freely on both sides of the wicket to reach his fourth 50 of the campaign from 60 balls, sharing a stand of 80 with Bancroft.But Harrison returned to pin Hammond leg before and the skipper departed in the next over, caught down the leg side off Conway as Gloucestershire limped through to the close.

Gio Reyna has opened up about the controversy that marred his 2022 World Cup, reflecting on his fallout with then-U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter and the lessons learned from that turbulent period. The U.S. international admitted he would handle certain moments differently if given the chance but insisted he shouldn’t shoulder all the blame for what unfolded.

AFP'That’s really what it stemmed from'

Reyna spoke in depth about the events that unfolded during the 2022 World Cup, acknowledging that frustration over his limited role under then-manager Gregg Berhalter ultimately sparked the tension between them.

“At the end of the day, I was just upset that, you know, I wasn’t really playing,” Reyna said to . “I was playing at Dortmund. I thought that I wanted to play at the World Cup, and ultimately, in the end, I didn’t do that, and that’s really what it stemmed from.”

“I guess the frustration and the disappointment was just wanting to play and help my country. It’s so far removed now and so far in the past, I don’t even really want to talk about it anymore.”

Reyna admitted he would approach things differently if given another chance, but maintained that the situation was not solely his or his family’s fault.

“Maybe in certain ways, but I’m not just going to sort of sit here and take all the blame for something that was made out to be completely my fault, which I believe it wasn’t, and also my family’s, too,” he said.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportPochettino's message to Reyna

Now at Borussia Moenchengladbach, the 22-year-old is focused on rebuilding his form and proving to Mauricio Pochettino that he belongs in the 2026 World Cup squad.

“I do obviously think about [the World Cup] pretty often as it’s somewhere where I need and want to be,” Reyna said.  “But I try to focus daily here, stay present here, work here every day, and hopefully believe everything will fall into place.”

He also said Pochettino stressed the need to get consistent playing time in order to return to national team duty. 

“I think Pochettino was very clear with saying, ‘You need to play, perform and then if you do that then you have a good chance to come in again,’” Reyna revealed. “It’s all on me now.”

Despite the move to Gladbach, Reyna has had similar struggles for playing time at the German club. Die Fohlen sit dead last in the Bundesliga, and the American has played just 122 in four matches so far. 

GettyDealing with injuries

Injuries have impacted Reyna throughout his career, and they've played a role in his limited action this season. The midfielder revealed he is trying to take a more proactive approach with his fitness. He described developing a more collaborative relationship with athletic coaches and implementing new strategies to handle the mental challenges that accompany repeated injuries.

“I’ve learned a lot about my body,” Reyna said. “The first 24 to 48 hours are always going to suck. There’s no way around that. What I’ve learned now is, after those one or two days where [there’s] obviously a lot of pain, a lot of downtime, down energy, you just have to get on with it. You have to kick on, you have to really just attack the rehab.”

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Getty Images SportLooking ahead

The November international break will be Reyna’s final chance to earn USMNT minutes in 2025, with friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay on the schedule.

After several summers of limited transfer activity, Newcastle United’s latest window was one of ambition and intent.

Six players arrived – Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga – as Eddie Howe sought to add depth to a squad competing on both domestic and European fronts.

For a team balancing the Premier League and the Champions League, rotation is key.

Injuries to Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall have already underlined the need for options across the pitch, particularly in wide areas.

With fierce competition for places alongside new striker Woltemade, Newcastle’s attacking balance has been under scrutiny.

Before their 4–0 demolition of Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise, Newcastle’s expected goals tally was among the lowest in the Premier League.

Their attacking play often lacked cohesion, with promising build-up undone by wastefulness in the final third.

However, recent performances suggest Howe’s side are beginning to find rhythm.

The convincing victory in Europe was followed by a much-improved display against Nottingham Forest, in which Newcastle generated 3.45 expected goals – a sharp contrast to their earlier struggles.

The hope now is that the Magpies can build on these encouraging signs, putting an end to the inconsistency that has plagued their forward line throughout the campaign.

And as fans look for stability, it’s hard not to think back to one of the most unpredictable – yet beloved – figures of Newcastle’s recent past.

Saint-Maximin – the symbol of Newcastle’s inconsistency

Allan Saint-Maximin arrived at St James’ Park in 2019 from Nice for a fee of up to £20m, instantly becoming one of the Premier League’s most entertaining dribblers.

Over four seasons, he made 124 appearances, scoring 13 goals and producing countless moments of brilliance.

The Frenchman’s close control, flair and fearlessness in one-on-one situations made him the heartbeat of Steve Bruce’s Newcastle.

In a side often fighting relegation, Saint-Maximin was their escape valve – famously scoring twice away at Burnley to lift the Magpies six points clear of the drop zone.

He could enthral a crowd with a single run, his trademark headband and unpredictable movement making him impossible to ignore.

But just as he could dazzle, he could frustrate.

Injuries repeatedly halted his momentum – 46 matches missed through various setbacks – while his reluctance to track back limited his use in Howe’s high-intensity system.

As the team evolved into a pressing unit built on discipline and structure, the flamboyant Frenchman began to look like a relic of another era.

In 2023, Saint-Maximin left for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.

The fee, undisclosed but rumoured to be significant, sparked questions about Newcastle’s compliance with financial regulations, particularly given the Saudi ownership connection.

Al-Ahli also brought in Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy that same summer, symbolising a broader exodus of Premier League talent to the Gulf.

Saint-Maximin remains adored by the fanbase, but his story is a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough in Howe’s Newcastle.

The team now values consistency, adaptability and tactical reliability as much as individual brilliance – lessons that feel especially relevant as they watch another gifted winger trying to find his rhythm on Tyneside.

Howe's new Saint-Maximin at Newcastle

At 23 years old, Anthony Elanga represents Newcastle’s next big hope on the flanks.

The Swedish international, who came through Manchester United’s academy between 2015 and 2021, joined from Nottingham Forest this summer in a deal worth £55m.

It was a statement signing – one that underlined Howe’s commitment to pace, directness and youth in attack.

Elanga’s raw “frightening” ability – as per journalist Laurie Whitwell – is unquestionable.

During his time at Forest, he registered 11 goals and 21 assists in 82 appearances, including an impressive 11 assists last season.

Matches Played

38

Goals

6

Assists

11

Progressive Carries

102

Progressive Passes

63

His acceleration, intelligent movement and ability to stretch defences make him a natural fit for Howe’s high-tempo system. Yet, much like Saint-Maximin before him, Elanga’s biggest challenge is consistency.

After a mixed start to life at St James’ Park, he silenced critics with a scintillating display in the 4–0 Champions League win over Union Saint-Gilloise.

Playing off the right, Elanga tormented defenders throughout, winning a penalty and earning the Man of the Match award.

His work rate matched his flair – he covered 7.8 kilometres, made 13 sprints, and recorded 54 touches with 30 passes (25 accurate), as per Sofascore. He also created one big chance, underlining his growing influence in the final third.

However, just as momentum seemed to build, Elanga’s form dipped again.

Against Nottingham Forest, he struggled to impose himself, cutting a frustrated figure as Newcastle’s attack once more lacked fluency.

It was a performance that reignited questions about whether he can deliver consistently at the elite level – questions that Saint-Maximin faced throughout his stay on Tyneside.

Howe has publicly defended his new signing, emphasising patience and adaptation.

It’s a familiar story for Newcastle fans: a player of immense potential, capable of brilliance one week and anonymity the next.

But if Elanga can channel his explosive talent into reliable performances, he could become the wide player Newcastle have long been searching for.

With the club pushing for another top-four finish and European progress, that balance between chaos and control might just define Newcastle’s season.

Newcastle's £100m star is becoming their new Shearer and it's not Woltemade

This Newcastle general is surely one of the finest players in the Premier League.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 9, 2025

Do Australia’s selectors stick to the tried-and-tested players or make some changes ahead of the three Tests in the Caribbean as the Ashes looms on the horizon?

Andrew McGlashan16-Jun-2025Can Khawaja reach Sydney?Going by Andrew McDonald’s comments after the World Test Championship final, Usman Khawaja has his ticket booked for the Ashes. Overall, his numbers from the last two years are very respectable at a time when opening the batting his tough: 1428 runs at 39.66. Among openers, only India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal made more in this WTC cycle.Related

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But dig a bit deeper and there is a concerning trend. After an outstanding 2023 Ashes where Khawaja’s average touched 50, there has been a decline. He averaged 22.00 against New Zealand last year and 20.44 against India. There is no shame to being troubled by Jasprit Bumrah – who isn’t? – but there is evidence to suggest it’s not just a Bumrah problem. His twin dismissals to Kagiso Rabada continued that trend, especially from around the wicket where, since the start of 2024, he averages 17.33 compared to 44.40 from over. In the last eight Tests in all conditions, he has averaged just 18.72 against pace bowling at a strike-rate of 45.83. The next worst Australian batter in that period (with a minimum of 12 innings) is Marnus Labuschagne with 22.90.There is, of course, an exception to this lean run – the double century in Sri Lanka where he dominated against spin. That brings us to another part of the debate. McDonald himself said that certain conditions don’t link directly to the Ashes and that may apply in the West Indies. If, and there remains uncertainty over this, the surfaces are slower and lower, perhaps offering some turn, and Khawaja makes runs, they will be important and worthy. But how relevant? On the flip side, if there’s some life for the quicks – in Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales, West Indies have a good pace attack – and Khawaja struggles, where does that leave him?