Football News: Review Of The Day 4th February 2019

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Review of the Day

Pulis Backs Flynn

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis has given his backing to Newport County boss Michael Flynn, who he believes can manage at a higher level. Their two sides are set to face each other again in an FA Cup 4th Round replay, with the winners due to meet Manchester City in the 5th Round. Pulis said of Flynn: "Michael was a tenacious player who got everything out of his ability through his attitude and commitment and he has got to do the same as a manager. Hopefully Michael is successful enough to take Newport up and if bigger jobs come along, they come along. He will have to decide then if it's the time to move on or not. Hopefully he will do it in a similar way to me. People forget that for all the success I have had, I started working with similar teams (to Newport). The Gillingham team I took over (in 1995) were getting 2,000 crowds. You learn more at those clubs and it puts you in good stead for other jobs ahead. I am pleased that we can say there is someone else from that area who has come through and managed in league football. I think Michael has done a fantastic job. He has got a good team and there is an identity there, which is always good. You can see they have been coached, they have been worked with and some effort has gone into it. He is going to have his ups and downs. As managers you have to take the rough with the smooth. But he has got broad enough shoulders and is a strong enough character to know you have to learn from good times and bad times." Flynn rescued The Exiles from relegation from the league in his first few games and has since solidified Newport's place in League Two, as well as leading his team to a shock victory over Leicester City in the FA Cup 3rd Round this season, after knocking Leeds United out last season.

James Left Out To Clear Head

Swansea City manager Graham Potter has said that he left out winger Daniel James as his head was not in the right place following his failed deadline day move to Leeds United. The Welsh international had agreed terms and taken a medical before the deal was pulled just as the window shut. Potter said: "He's had a tough 24, 48 hours, he needed to clear his head," Potter said. And [he] didn't feel he was in the right place to play this weekend, he'll come back in on Monday and be ready to help the team. Unfortunately it's part of football and one of those moments. He's a young lad and a fantastic boy. We've got a lot of time for him but we understand he's been through a tough period so we need to be patient with him." Swansea did manage to offload three high earners that they could not afford to play, but held onto regulars James and Leroy Fer.

Police Investigate Hooligan Problem

After trouble saw police needing dogs and horses to break up trouble between Bristol City and Swansea City fans on Saturday, they are now investigating what they termed "co-ordinated disorder and criminal damage" as hooligan elements rear their ugly, deformed heads once more. Chief Superintendent Paul Mogg has claimed that a large group of Swansea fans arrived "with the intention of drinking to excess and seeking confrontation". Three officers and a dog were injured as police and stewards were attacked. Bristol City released a statement which read that 800 of Swansea's travelling support arrived in the ground 20 minutes after kick-off "and immediately removed the segregation nets on the east corner of the Atyeo Stand. Twenty-five Swansea City fans were removed during the game and there were a number of arrests. Regrettably, several Bristol City supporters were involved in altercations in the corner of the Atyeo Stand and Dolman Stand before being apprehended. The incident in its entirety was captured on CCTV and a formal investigation in conjunction with the Avon and Somerset Police match commander and our head of safety is under way." Police also said that objects were thrown by each set of supporters and there was further trouble after the game with one man arrested for assault, an officer hit in the face with a coin and two officers, one of whom was mounted, pushed into a fence. Seems like football is going back in time to the bad old days of the 70s and 80s.

Crouch Has Sausage Named After Him

A Burnley-based butchers is releasing a new sausage today named after new Clarets' signing Peter Crouch. Crouchie's Red Hot Robot was chosen after the company held a competition for customers to come up with the name. Heys Family Butchers owner Danny Heys told the BBC: "It would be fantastic to see Peter down at the butchers - he will certainly get a warm welcome and some of his sausages to take home for his tea. We usually only do celebratory sausages for players or managers when they have achieved something at the club, but Crouchie coming to Burnley has really caught the imagination of our customers. He really is one of the characters that makes English football so special. Let's hope he can bag a few goals and help us climb to safety and we see the robot in full flow." That is not the only welcome Crouch has received from Burnley fans, who have also seen fit to put a sign on a low bridge warning him to mind his head.

Searchers Find The Plane Wreckage

The privately-funded search for Emiliano Sala has found wreckage believed to be from the plane he was in, near Guernsey. A remotely operated submarine will now be deployed to confirm the findings visually before a recovery operation begins.

Transfers

Former Coventry City and Cardiff City defender Ben Turner has found a new club. The 30 year old has agreed a deal with Mansfield Town until the end of the season. He had been released during the January transfer window by Burton Albion.

Written by Tris Burke February 04 2019 05:48:41