logo
'We have made huge strides'

'We have made huge strides'

BBC News01-03-2025

Coventry manager Frank Lampard said his side must remain focussed after victory over Oxford United saw them climb into the Championship play-off places.Speaking to BBC Radio CWR after seeing his side win 3-2 on the road at the Kassam Stadium, the Sky Blues boss said: "We have made big strides there is no doubt. Performances and results and it's a good feeling. "We just have to continue it because I say the same every week, the minute you rest on a good feeling it becomes difficult in this league. From where we were three months ago to now has been good work."Coventry were twice pegged back by Oxford and had a penalty saved before Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored the deciding goal.Lampard said: "We were not at our best today but I think that can happen with these sorts of games. Possibly the early goal gave us a sense that we were really controlling the game but that went away."At this stage when we are trying to churn out results and points you've got to look at the team when you are not at your best can you win games? Three goals and we missed a penalty so we managed to do it."We lacked that element of control but I liked our reactions to the goals in the second half and the bits of quality."Listen to Frank Lampard's full interview with BBC CWR on BBC Sounds

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Threats and blackmail don't work' – Sporting chief hits back at Man Utd target Gyokeres and reveals fee he won't accept
‘Threats and blackmail don't work' – Sporting chief hits back at Man Utd target Gyokeres and reveals fee he won't accept

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

‘Threats and blackmail don't work' – Sporting chief hits back at Man Utd target Gyokeres and reveals fee he won't accept

Man Utd legend has urged his old club NOT to sign the star RES IS HISTORY 'Threats and blackmail don't work' – Sporting chief hits back at Man Utd target Gyokeres and reveals fee he won't accept SPORTING'S president has furiously hit back at Manchester United target Victor Gyokeres saying: "Threats and blackmail don't work." The Sweden striker is considering going on strike to force through a dream move to United or Arsenal. 3 Sporting chief Frederico Varandas has hit back at Viktor Gyokeres Credit: Alamy 3 Gyokeres is said to be considering strike action to force an exit Credit: AFP Gyokeres, 27, is furious with Sporting for going back on their word over a transfer promise to him and plans not to play for the club again. He believes he had a gentleman's agreement to leave the Portuguese giants for £50million with a further £8million in add-ons but that claim has been rubbished by president Frederico Varandas. And the Sporting chief insists he will not be bullied into letting the ex-Coventry forward move to the Prem on the cheap this summer. Varandas said: 'Sporting will not accept blackmail and insults – you should know me better by now. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL MIC SWAP Carrick takes up new offer alongside Man Utd icon O'Shea just days after Boro axe 'One thing is certain, we will not accept £50m plus £8m. As of now, Sporting has not received any bids for Gyokeres. "He is a fantastic professional, to this day he has had zero offers. He has a three-year contract with Sporting.' Responding to claims they have changed their stance, Varandas gave his version of the meetings they had last summer. He says the only guarantee he gave to the forward was that he would not ask for the full £85m of his release clause. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS He said: "It was agreed that Sporting would not demand the release clause at the end of the season, especially because he was going to be 27. "We knew about Viktor's dream of going to a club where he could fight for the Champions League and we have common sense. "We guaranteed that we would not demand £85m. Sporting has common sense, it keeps its word. "The president of Sporting said that the club would not demand the clause and that we would adjust the value to Viktor's performance. 'But he was one of the best players ever to step on the pitch in Portugal with 63 goals and ten assists. Now I see the agent is releasing information to the press.' United boss Ruben Amorim has made Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo his top priority after signing Matheus Cunha earlier in the window. 3 Ruben Amorim could look for a reunion with Gyokeres Credit: Getty But he worked with Gyokeres at Sporting and could yet firm up the interest if the Red Devils can shift some of their existing forwards this summer. United legend Rio Ferdinand is not convinced by the striker and said: "I don't think he's the guy. I've not watched him loads but I've watched him probably three times really, really closely. "And three times I've gone, 'He ain't getting that opportunity in the Prem'. "When I see him physically matched, what else is there? Is there enough - after he's physically matched - to get him a goal?' Arsenal remain in the frame for him too with new director of football Andrea Berta a big fan from his days at Atletico Madrid. The Gunners are working on a deal for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko but are currently unwilling to meet the German club's asking price. Should that move reach a stalemate, they could go back for Gyokeres if they felt he gave better value for money and could make more of an instant impact. However Sporting are not willing to let their prized asset go without a fight. Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford

‘Threats and blackmail don't work' – Sporting chief hits back at Man Utd target Gyokeres and reveals fee he won't accept
‘Threats and blackmail don't work' – Sporting chief hits back at Man Utd target Gyokeres and reveals fee he won't accept

The Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Sun

‘Threats and blackmail don't work' – Sporting chief hits back at Man Utd target Gyokeres and reveals fee he won't accept

SPORTING'S president has furiously hit back at Manchester United target Victor Gyokeres saying: "Threats and blackmail don't work." The Sweden striker is considering going on strike to force through a dream move to United or Arsenal. 3 Gyokeres, 27, is furious with Sporting for going back on their word over a transfer promise to him and plans not to play for the club again. He believes he had a gentleman's agreement to leave the Portuguese giants for £50million with a further £8million in add-ons but that claim has been rubbished by president Frederico Varandas. And the Sporting chief insists he will not be bullied into letting the ex-Coventry forward move to the Prem on the cheap this summer. Varandas said: ' Sporting will not accept blackmail and insults – you should know me better by now. 'One thing is certain, we will not accept £50m plus £8m. As of now, Sporting has not received any bids for Gyokeres. "He is a fantastic professional, to this day he has had zero offers. He has a three-year contract with Sporting.' Responding to claims they have changed their stance, Varandas gave his version of the meetings they had last summer. He says the only guarantee he gave to the forward was that he would not ask for the full £85m of his release clause. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS He said: "It was agreed that Sporting would not demand the release clause at the end of the season, especially because he was going to be 27. "We knew about Viktor's dream of going to a club where he could fight for the Champions League and we have common sense. "We guaranteed that we would not demand £85m. Sporting has common sense, it keeps its word. "The president of Sporting said that the club would not demand the clause and that we would adjust the value to Viktor's performance. 'But he was one of the best players ever to step on the pitch in Portugal with 63 goals and ten assists. Now I see the agent is releasing information to the press.' United boss Ruben Amorim has made Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo his top priority after signing Matheus Cunha earlier in the window. 3 But he worked with Gyokeres at Sporting and could yet firm up the interest if the Red Devils can shift some of their existing forwards this summer. United legend Rio Ferdinand is not convinced by the striker and said: "I don't think he's the guy. I've not watched him loads but I've watched him probably three times really, really closely. "And three times I've gone, 'He ain't getting that opportunity in the Prem'. "When I see him physically matched, what else is there? Is there enough - after he's physically matched - to get him a goal?' Arsenal remain in the frame for him too with new director of football Andrea Berta a big fan from his days at Atletico Madrid. The Gunners are working on a deal for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko but are currently unwilling to meet the German club's asking price. Should that move reach a stalemate, they could go back for Gyokeres if they felt he gave better value for money and could make more of an instant impact. However Sporting are not willing to let their prized asset go without a fight.

Newcastle in transfer talks for Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Burnley stars
Newcastle in transfer talks for Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Burnley stars

Metro

time2 hours ago

  • Metro

Newcastle in transfer talks for Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Burnley stars

Newcastle United are looking to make a significant number of signings this summer, currently in talks to buy Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Burnley stars. The Magpies have been quiet in recent transfer windows, but after winning the Carabao Cup and earning themselves a return to the Champions League they are making moves again. Eddie Howe is hoping to strengthen a string of positions, with the forward line particularly being looked at. The left flank is covered as Howe has Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes at his disposal, but he wants competition for Alexander Isak through the middle and for Jacob Murphy on the right. The Daily Mail report that the Magpies are 'pursuing a deal' for Forest winger Anthony Elanga after an impressive season for the Sweden international. Still just 23 years old, Elanga scored six goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for Forest as they enjoyed a surprisingly good season competing in the top half of the Premier League. The Telegraph report that Newcastle are 'aware of a price for Elanga' but there has been little movement yet on a possible move. The Swede only cost Forest £15m when he joined from Manchester United in 2023, but they would likely be looking for over £50m to sell him now. Speaking to Swedish media over the international break, Elanga said: 'There is a lot of talk. 'I focus on what I can do and my focus today was on the match. In football there are always rumours. The most important thing is that I focus on what I can control.' 2024/25 Premier League stats Anthony Elanga Apps: 38Goals: 6 Assists: 11 Jacob Murphy Apps: 35Goals: 8 Assists: 12 Callum Wilson is leaving the club on a free transfer this summer so Newcastle are in need of a new striker as back-up and competition for Isak. Brighton's Joao Pedro has been touted as that man, with the Telegraph's report stating that the Brazilian is interested in a move north to St James' Park. The 23-year-old scored 10 goals in 27 Premier League games over the last campaign after netting nine times the previous season. The Seagulls are open to a sale, but have set an asking price of around £59m for the former Watford forward. At the other end of the pitch, Newcastle are interested in a new goalkeeper and want Burnley's James Trafford. Whether he would be able to displace Nick Pope straight away is not clear, but the Magpies have reportedly opened talks for the 22-year-old who was in Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad. More Trending The stopper signed for Burnley from Manchester City for £15m in 2023 and has made 73 appearances for the Clarets, firstly in the Premier League and last season in the Championship as they bounced straight back to the top flight. Burnley want over £30m for their goalkeeper, with Newcastle unwilling to pay that amount, but discussions continue. Trafford had an incredible season with Burnley as they finished second in the Championship with a scarcely believable defensive record. The goalkeeper kept 29 clean sheets in 45 games, conceding just 16 goals. MORE: Arsenal hold meeting with Viktor Gyokeres' agent as striker makes Manchester United transfer call MORE: Arsenal urged to avoid transfer for £40m 'generation talent' seeking move MORE: Arsenal follow Chelsea in starting transfer talks for Ajax wonderkid

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store