Football News: Review Of The Day 28th November 2020

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Accrington Stanley midfielder Joe Pritchard has extended his deal with the club until 2023.

Transfers

Free agent former Derby County, Queens Park Rangers and Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Lee Camp has found himself a new club. The 36 year old has joined Coventry City on a 2-month contract after their first choice keeper Marko Marosi fractured his cheekbone. It will mean Camp, who played for Birmingham City last season, will continue to play home games at St Andrews, where Coventry are currently groundsharing with Birmingham.

Former Chelsea full-back James Clark has joined Wycombe Wanderers until the end of the season.

Finnish international keeper Niki Maenpaa has signed a short-term deal with Stoke City. The 35 year old was released by Bristol City in the summer.

According to Spanish 4th tier side Racing Murcia, former Manchester City, Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Joleon Lescott has come out of retirement to sign for them to play one game. The 38 year old former England centre-back retired in 2017 but Murcia said: "Our president Morris Pagniello and Racing Murcia are happy to announce the signing of English star [Star?!? Is it ok to laugh at that description?] Joleon Lescott, who will play in our Copa del Rey fixture against Levante. This first and historic signing allows the Racing Murcia project to be known internationally and to give relevance to a squad practically made up of players from the city of Murcia and the towns of the region. In the coming days, the club will announce other star players and professionals who will help the team achieve its goals, both in the league and in the Copa del Rey." Murcia had been trying to persuade Samuel Eto'o to sign for them. Murcia were only founded 7 years ago and are owned by Italian Morris Pagniello, who also owns the Superior Squad Sports Management agency. Pagniello had initially tried to have the match hosted in Dubai, but the Spanish FA refused to host the game in another country.

AC Milan technical director, and club legend, Paolo Maldini has confirmed that Milan are interested in signing former Newcastle United player Florian Thauvin. Thauvin is with Olympique Marseille until the end of the season, when his contract expires and he claims the club have yet to offer him a deal. Maldini said: "He is a player whose contract is ending, so he is very interesting from an economic point of view. He has a high level. Given his age, he's not exactly the prototype of the player we've brought in over the past two years, but what we always say is that the right mix is made up of many young players with some more experienced ones who can add something.

Free agent Spanish midfielder Victor Sanchez has signed for Australian A-League side Western United.

Cagliari have released experienced Slovenian midfielder Valter Birsa.

Injury Round-Up

Everton left-back Lucas Digne has been ruled out for 2 to 3 months with an ankle injury.

Managerial Changes

Shrewsbury Town have turned to former Cheltenham Town, Stoke City, Burnley, Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cotterill. The 56 year old is known for providing a lift to clubs before his abrasive personality causes problems.

Wayne Rooney is to take sole charge of Derby County on an interim basis, after two games in joint charge with Liam Rosenior, Shay Given and Justin Walker oversaw a couple of losses. His first decision was to leave himself out for the game against Wycombe Wanderers.

Neil Lennon has denied he will be the next manager to collect his cards and claims he and his Celtic bosses are "totally united" despite the team's poor form and humiliating exit from the Europa League group stages, as they lost 4-1 home and away to a Sparta Prague team that was missing most of their first choice players due to covid in the first game. Lennon said that he spoke with his squad and chief executive Peter Lawell and major shareholder Dermot Desmond: "It was a very productive conversation and I have their full support. We had a long chat after the game and I had a long chat with Peter and Dermot Desmond and we're totally united, we're totally together and we're totally determined that we'll make this into a good season. They are not happy about things, they are honest about things, but they believe in me and I believe in them. I speak to Dermot maybe twice a week and I spoke to the two of them today on a Zoom call this morning to try to find solutions to what we can do better, not just with the first team but all round the club. They have been with me since day one through the good times and we're going through what is perceived as a bad time at the minute. Obviously disappointed at the result last night and the run of results we've had recently, but we are very determined to turn things around. I don't think it'll take that much. I just think the players in some aspects of the game are lacking a little bit of confidence, but it's nothing terminal here. It is not a question of constantly hounding them or criticising them - they are going to get that from the media and social media anyway. What they need now is my support and coaching support and belief that they are really good players. Class is permanent and form is temporary, I have always believed that, and believe they will come good sooner rather than later."

Disciplinary Charges

Preston North End defender Darnell Fisher has been found guilty of violent conduct (looked more like sexual assault to me!) and given a 3 match ban for twice grabbing the genitals of Sheffield Wednesday forward Callum Paterson while marking him at a corner. The officials missed the incident at the time but it was caught clearly on cameras.

United Keep Schtum On Hack

Manchester United confirmed on Friday that they have been hit by a cyber attack and that it is causing disruption to their systems still, but refused to comment on reports in a 'news'paper that the club were being blackmailed for "millions of pounds". A Red Devils statement read: "Following the recent cyber attack on the club, our IT team and external experts secured our networks and have conducted forensic investigations. This attack was by nature disruptive, but we are not currently aware of any fan data being compromised. Critical systems required for matches to take place at Old Trafford remained secure and games have gone ahead as normal. The club will not be commenting on speculation regarding who may have been responsible for this attack or the motives behind it."

Written by Tris Burke November 28 2020 05:34:30