St Helens forward Batchelor facing four weeks out
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
Asiimwe signs Charlton deal and joins Dons on loan
Charlton Athletic defender Nathan Asiimwe has signed a new contract and joined AFC Wimbledon on a season-long full-back, 20, has signed a two-year deal with the Championship club, who have an option to extend the contract by a further will spend the coming season with the newly-promoted League One side, managed by former Charlton player and boss Johnnie ended last season on loan at Walsall and was part of the Saddlers side pipped to promotion by the Dons in the League Two play-off final at Wembley. He also had a spell on loan at Hartlepool United last season and has made 28 appearances so far for Charlton's first team since graduating from their academy. Asiimwe told AFC Wimbledon's website, external: "This was an attractive opportunity for me because I know the gaffer briefly from Charlton."This is a step up to a new level for not just me but Wimbledon too, so this is a natural progression for me."I like to be energetic down the flanks and help out in both boxes where possible. I know I can defend well but also support the attack with good deliveries into the box."
BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
How do Watkins and Sesko compare to Hojlund?
At present Rasmus Hojlund is Manchester United's first-choice centre-forward, but United have been linked with moves for both Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Hojlund scored just four goals in 32 Premier League games last season for United - and is yet to find the net in pre-season - both Sesko and Watkins posted much healthier 2024-25 figures. Sesko scored 13 in 33 top-flight appearances in Germany for RB Leipzig, while Watkins netted 16 in 38 for Aston Hojlund signed for United in the summer of 2023, then-boss Erik ten Hag described him as "a real frontman" but both Watkins and Sesko offer more all-round games. Watkins has an excellent assist record, while there is more to 6ft 5in Sesko than just a classic number nine. He is fast, comfortable receiving the ball to feet with his back to goal or hanging on the shoulder of the last defender and racing onto a through ball. Plus he can score goals of all types from all sorts of distances. He has outperformed both Watkins and Hojlund in several key metrics so far in his elite-level of the three, Sesko has the best shot conversion rate and, at 22, offers equal longevity to Hojlund. If Ruben Amorim is looking for a player who provides a focal point and can compete in aerial duels, Sesko is also probably a better fit than Watkins, who is six inches shorter than the Slovenian and whose game is more about movement and runs into space.
BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Trust me son - they'll love you' - Dicks on Hammers move
Former West Ham defender Julian Dicks has been reflecting on his move to the Hammers in the latest episode of BBC Radio Scotland's Sacked in the Morning moved from Birmingham City to the Hammers as a 20-year-old in 1998 for £300,000 for his first taste of top-flight Upton Park was converted into an all-seater stadium during the 90s, the 'Chicken Run' at the front of the East Stand was notorious for the intimidation from the fans gathered there - as Dicks knew from his experience being an opposition player there as a 17-year-old."I remember [West Ham manager at the time] John Lyall and Eddie Baily the chief scout coming to St Andrew's and being in the office," he said. "John was a chain smoker so the office was full of smoke. I was 18 going on 19."They told me West Ham had made an offer, wanted to sign me, and would offer £650 a week. As soon as he said it, I thought 'I'm there' and then they told me they would pay me £50 per appearance. "John asked me what I thought and I said it was OK but inside I was all over the place. John told me I had five minutes to think about it and said: 'That's all you'll need'.Not a Hammers fan? Find and follow your club here"It was before mobile phones, so I went out to phone my missus at the time. The phone was engaged, and I went back in and said I'd love to sign for West Ham. "He asked me: 'But what do you know about West Ham?'"I said: 'I know you, Billy Bonds and I know the chicken run'."He had a smile on his face. I told him it was a horrible place to play for the opposition - it was brutal. When I was 17, I played there and it was really scary. You knew the fans could just reach out and grab you."John said: 'When you sign, trust me son, they'll love you'."That was the case. My relationship even now with the West Ham fans is unbelievable. They were the best fans in the world to me - they were incredible."Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
