Benedict Ferraby’s Post

If you have access to the BBC Iplayer and are wanting a game of football to watch, do yourself a solid and go watch the SPFL Trust Trophy Final between Airdrieonians FC and The New Saints Football Club. Its a great game, between two well matched teams who play some lovely attacking football. Now the Eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed the elephant in the room. What's a Welsh league team doing in the final of a Scottish Cup competition. Great question! The answer? The SPFL Trust Trophy is wild and I love it. Here's the breakdown of teams involved in a round by round basis, all ties are a single game knockout. Round 1 11 Premiership B Teams Top 4 teams from the Highland and lowland leagues respectively from 22/23 Bottom 3 teams from 22/23 League 2 Round 2 11 winners from previous round Remaining 22/23 League 2 teams Bottom 2 22/23 League 1 teams Round 3 10 round 2 winners Remaining 22/23 League 1 teams Clubs 2nd-10th in Championship 22/23 Relegated club from 22/23 Premiership 4 invited clubs - This year TNS, Bala Town F.C., Coleraine Football Club and Cliftonville Football Club Round 4-Final Straight knockouts Just a good mad mix of teams, but it's the invited teams aspect I love the most. Football is always comparisons, who would play well in what league etc. My Father in law is convinced that Northern Irish teams would beat most Scottish teams for example. Well here is a competition that puts it to the test. Long live competitions that do things differently. I know it's probably a pain for most of the Scottish teams involved but for the neutral it's great. #football #soccer #competition #tournament

👀 Check out this EXCLUSIVE interview with Sky Sports EFL expert Don Goodman!  He shares his honest expert opinion on: 🚨 Black Country Derby Prediction The debate on whether Wolves would win has been surrounded by the differences between the PL and Championship clubs. However, could WBA capitalize on set pieces? 🤔 Ipswich Town's Promotion Prospects Getting 4 points vs Sunderland & Leicester was a huge moment. We got insights on potential automatic promotions, considering their schedule. Michael Beale's Slow Sunderland Start The transition from the famous Tony Mowbray has been difficult. Goodman revealed his thoughts on Mowbray's experience, which outpaces Beale's. Hull City's Transfer Window Don shared his thoughts on Signing Fábio Carvalho as a catalyst move. However, the addition of Ryan Giles would make them prime playoff contenders. Danny Rowe's Impressive Sheffield Wednesday Job Despite little chance when he took over. The obvious question is: will they avoid relegation? Click below for the full interview with more Championship analysis! What other topics did you find most interesting? 💬 https://lnkd.in/dxuvfsxy

These Championship Players Are Ready For The Premier League – Opinion https://ift.tt/cZdLWAY The Championship season is nearing its conclusion and for the teams who miss out on the playoffs or automatic promotion, there will be a sense of anxiety as the Premier League’s PSR rules could lead to top-flight clubs looking for bargains in the second tier of English Football.  Currently, the Championship is full of talent, highlighted by being the former home of several star players including Jude Bellingham and Viktor Gyokeres who have both gone on to excel further since leaving the second tier. Leicester, Leeds, Ipswich and Southampton’s players are excluded as two of the four teams will be automatically promoted in May ensuring that their star players are safe ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. Therefore, let’s take a look at the five players I have selected… Gabriel Sara The Canaries pulled off a coup in the summer of 2022 when signing Sara for a reported £11 million from Brazilian side Sao Paulo. The midfielder had been a regular with his former side and at just 23 at the time of the move, had plenty of room to realise his full potential. Fast forward to the current season and he has been involved in 30% of his side’s 76 goals from the middle of the pitch with 12 goals and 11 assists in league action thus far. The Brazilian is the key player in Norwich’s push to finish in a play-off place and has almost certainly proven he is ready to display his talent on a bigger stage. There are very few weaknesses in his game but it is in forward areas where he is at his most devastating. A player who is capable of playing in either of the six, eight or ten roles will be an attractive proposition for top-level sides that require versatility in the middle positions. Sammie Szmodics The Republic of Ireland international has EFL fans running out of superlatives to assess his goalscoring exploits. It is almost inevitable that he will collect the Golden Boot as top scorer and that is all the more impressive when you consider that Rovers sit five points off the bottom three at the time of writing. His 24 goals have him four clear of his nearest challenger. The 28-year-old has become the player he is today the hard way, proving his scoring credentials in League One and Two with Peterborough and Colchester respectively. Blackburn may be looking to cash in and if Szmodics can polish up areas of his all-round game he could be the kind of poacher that many Premier League sides are currently lacking. Jacob Greaves The defender’s inclusion in this list may come as a surprise but he deserves to be recognised off the back of his commanding displays at the heart of the Hull City defence. The 23-year-old has been an almost ever-present for the Tigers who have been a credit to the division for some of their play this season. Greaves has been commanding in the air, winning on average 4.2 aerial duels per game, leaving him third out of all Championship defenders...

Mark Spry Heidi Haigh Paraag Marathe Andrea Radrizzani Mike Durham steve haussmann design Steve Lunn Mark Robinson Neil Doherty Liam Sheedy Liam Holton Des Gibson Neil Fullerton Darragh Maloney Daragh Ó Conchúir Jennifer Keeley Phil Merrick Debbie Fishman Sammie Mennell VAR has reached a new low-which is exactly what the FA wants. However, what they didn't want, was for their offices phone lines/emails to be crammed with anger and complaints re: the horror of yesterday as Coventry fought back from 3-0 down to have Man Utd reeling on ropes and then have a last second 4-3 winner chalked off. I've said this many times before and to referee Keith Hackett-the FA want this chaos/confusion and rid of VAR so as to go back to referees/linesmen decisions. There is a saying: '6 of one, half a dozen of other' or 'much of a muchness'. VAR or on field refs are EXACT SAME. Powers that be will always corrupt in favor of moneymen. World Rugby denied Scotland in last minute of Australia semi final so as to have dream final of NZ v Australia. Same here: RICH dream final of City v Utd as opposed to nobody watching NZ blitz Scots or City blitz Coventry . So VAR technicians will computer generate the 'line' to find the 'correct' offside. Lastly: 'how wide is their line'!!!! Same as Horse Racing - there IS no such thing in this digital/beam age of a 'dead heat'. Once again for the zillionth time....all to do with money. The ruination of money and power: if circumstance evidence is enough to convict in most serious crime worldwide, then its here for all to see. The Irish GAA were one of worst offenders calling hundreds of games as 'draws' so as to have lucrative replays. I was at all 4 games of the notorious Meath v Dublin saga. And that my friends was then followed by the Wicklow game which was also a draw!! By the way, they call me a 'conspiracy theorist'. Yea, right. Thats what the suits and ties 'brand' us.

The Intersection of Passion: Family, History, Culture, and Sports There are a few things I cherish as much as my family: history, culture, and my passion for sports. I've always loved football and wrestling, and I started watching basketball in 2016. Given my enthusiasm, I have been closely following the ongoing Euro and Copa America tournaments. I've been quite disappointed with many teams in the ongoing Euros, with England topping my list. It's puzzling why a team with such high-caliber players from top leagues and positions is struggling. This issue with England is either a longstanding one or a reflection of Gareth Southgate's coaching abilities.  Star Players, Subpar Performance Considering the star-studded squad, Harry Kane, the Bundesliga’s highest goal scorer; Phil Foden, Premier League Player of the Season; Bukayo Saka, one of the Premier League’s best right wingers; Jude Bellingham, a midfield powerhouse and Ballon d'Or favorite; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s midfield maestro; Declan Rice, Arsenal’s standout signing; Kobbie Mainoo, Manchester United’s rising star; and defensive stalwarts Kyle Walker and John Stones. Despite this arsenal of talent, England continues to struggle to secure wins and score goals. The frustration doesn't stop with England. Spain shows glimpses of promise but remains inconsistent, while Belgium is plagued by discord and a lack of passion, reminiscent of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.  It’s disheartening to see such talented squads underperforming, especially England, which has yet to secure a major trophy. If Gareth Southgate remains at the helm, I fear continued struggles and disappointment. What are your thoughts on England’s performance and the broader issues seen in these Euros? Let’s discuss! Share your opinions and insights. #Football #Euro2024 #CopaAmerica #SportsAnalysis #FootballPassion #EnglandFootball #GarethSouthgate #TeamPerformance #SportsDiscussion #EuroCup #CopaAmerica2024 #Soccer #PremierLeague #FootballFans #LinkedInSports #SportsCommunity

#OllieWatkins' Last-Minute Goal Sends #England to the Euros Finals Ollie Watkins' goal in the final minutes, when needed at the death of a tight game, has taken England to the Euros finals. The execution of the goal itself is absolutely brilliant. Some may think I'm wrong, but as a former professional striker and ex-international, this goal is a classic example of a striker's instinct from the lower leagues. It reminds me of former England striker Ian Wright—shielding the ball from the defender, blocking the sight of both the defender and the goalkeeper, with a first touch and snap shot through the legs of the defender, leaving the keeper no chance. Watkins' natural instinct and ability, honed during his time in the lower leagues and at Aston Villa, truly shined through. Those players who get released from top academies and then have to start from scratch at the lower league level—does it help them have a better mental capacity to grow as a player? #OllieWatkins #EurosFinals #EnglandVictory #GoalOfTheYear #FootballMagic #StrikerInstinct #IanWrightComparison #AstonVillaStar #SoccerExcellence #LastMinuteHero #RoadToVictory #FootballDebate #MentalToughness #fifa #uefa #footballbusiness #techncialability #goalscorer #naturaltalent

https://lnkd.in/eMChM2-H DOES RUGBY NEED CONTROVERSY? This one, I say there are benefits. On Saturday afternoon Gregor Townsend and silky skilled skipper Finn Russell were busy working out how to lose their marbles politely on live TV interviews. Not surprisingly. 100% of respondents to my poll agreed Scotland should not have had a match winning try chalked off v France. The jeopardy in the test match was enthralling and nail biting and the subsequent review high drama. It generated yards of press coverage and was visible on news bulletins nationwide. Tbh that's more than the game would otherwise have been and similarly England v Wales, thanks to kicking ping pong stalemates. Twickenham having made itself into a version of a T20 game is trying to improve it's appeal. But the appeal remains about the way the 80 minutes entertains and the memorable moments. That includes jeopardy and yes, TMO moments of high tension. I guarantee nobody switched channels as the review went on and the dialogue between match referee and TMO played out for everyone. I am not sure Nigel Owens or Wayne Barnes would have let it drag on and may have framed the original question differently, but there it was for all fans to be a part of. Look at the massive coverage a VAR decision in Spurs v Liverpool created earlier this season...Liverpool fans were furious but coverage continued for days. As an England fan I have seen World Cup trys chalked off in finals so I feel the pain. As a rugby fan, I ask does the coverage over such matchday moments dissected in the press and cut up into social media clips help market the game? And in reality are the highly technical laws on kick returns and scrum reset a more likely blocker to people accessing the game?

The Premier League 2024-25 season has kicked off with a bang! As we near the international break, key matches are setting the tone for the rest of the season. Which teams are emerging as early contenders? Dive into the latest insights with Sports News and Views. ⚽ #PremierLeague #SportsAnalysis #Football #sportnewsandviews

Can Manchester United Do It Again? Finally, the 2024/2025 football season is set to begin in the top leagues across Europe! As teams in Europe’s celebrated leagues brace themselves for another long haul of football, entertaining fans with weekly doses of football magic – mesmerising dribbles, jaw-dropping passes, devastating shots, excellent tackles, and adrenaline-pumping goals – the stage is indeed set for another season of unbridled football happiness. In England, the season begins with its traditional curtain-raiser as two top teams in Manchester slug it out this time in the 102nd FA Community Shield. Last season’s English Premier League champions, Manchester City, and FA Cup winners, Manchester United will battle at the Wembley Stadium for a chance to lift the Community Shield on Saturday, August 10. Saturday’s showpiece will be Manchester United’s 31st appearance in the Community Shield. With 21 wins out of their previous 30 appearances, the Red Devils will be hoping for a repeat of last season’s FA Cup 2-1 victory against their fiery opponents. The question now is: Can Man United do it again? On the contrary, this fiery opponent, Manchester City, will be out for revenge. Having made history again last season as the first-ever English top-flight club to win four consecutive titles, Pep Guardiola and his Man City team will have eyes on nothing but victory. Whether they can achieve this against the most successful team in the Community Shield history remains a mission we’ll wait to see. Both teams will miss a few of their first-team players. Man City will be without their Brazilian goalkeeper, Ederson, and Euro 2024 finalists Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, and John Stones. For Manchester United, new signing Leny Yoro will be out due to injury, while Rasmus Hojlund, and Tyrell Malacia have also been ruled of the game. Whatever the outcome of the game, however, fans across the world will be excited to watch their favourite football stars grace the field once again to battle for glory. We await! What is your prediction for the match? #FACommunityShield #ManCity #ManUnited #Football #EnglishFA #EPL

4 Morgan Whittaker replacements Plymouth Argyle should consider in the summer – Opinion https://ift.tt/nJNe62l Plymouth Argyle‘s Morgan Whittaker is expected to be a highly sought-after player, as the 23-year-old deadly inside forward has recorded a staggering 25 goal contributions already this season. The Greens have already had to fend off interest for the deadly in-form attacker, with rumoured interest from Italian giants Lazio and Premier League sides Brentford and West Ham to name a few. The potential sale for the Championship newcomers could yield huge financial rewards, having only acquired Whittaker for £1 million, at the start of the season, but replacing the player, regardless of money, will be a big challenge. Listed below, are some potential names Argyle could potentially look at, for replacing Whittaker. Plymouth Argyle’s Potential Targets Ruben Rodrigues – Oxford United  Keen-eyed fans will perhaps point out that Rodrigues’ numbers this season dwarf those of Whittaker, it’s Rodrigues’ consistency and ability to adapt and flourish in stepping up the pyramid of English Football. This is the Portugueses’ first season in professional English football, having moved from Notts County last season. After three sensational years at Notts, which saw the talented winger record 54 goals in 139 games, Rodrigues made the jump up to League One and has since adapted well to the step up, netting seven times along with three assists. Similar, but not quite to the same extent as Whittaker, Rodrigues has a licence and confidence to shoot, averaging 1.78 shots per 90. Whilst Rodrigues wouldn’t perhaps immediately replace the goals that Arygle will crave, he will offer a real versatility, even more so than Whittaker, with the Portuguese attacker boasting the ability to play in a range of attacking positions. Kwame Poku – Peterborough United  Peterborough have already sold one of their incredibly exciting wingers this season, to Coventry, as Ephron Mason-Clark joined the Sky Blues in January and for any Championship clubs that missed out, look no further than Kwame Poku. Ghanian winger, Poku, is on course for a sensational double-figure haul for both goals and assists this season in League One, as he continues to prove that he’s one of the best attackers in the league. If it’s the constant threat of goal, through the use of long-range efforts and quick feet to find deadly positions that Argyle desires to recreate from Whittaker, then Poku may very well be the man. A staggering 3.03 shots per 90 and 0.94 shots on target per 90 explains the threat of goal that Poku creates, ranking 20th out of 353 players for shots per 90. Of course, we need to take the step down in League into account, but Poku’s all-round game pips Whittaker, with a greater passing accuracy (81.8% compared to 74.3%) and a higher expected assists (4.99 compared to 4.31) Chris Conn-Clark – Altrincham A name that will be gathering plenty of attention, and for goo...