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Wales Online
26 minutes ago
- Wales Online
'I was at Wrexham's first Championship game and overheard something I didn't like'
'I was at Wrexham's first Championship game and overheard something I didn't like' Wrexham were beaten 2-1 by Southampton in their first game in the Championship for 43 years on Saturday - and an incident during the match meant it was definitely a day to forget Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson faces a conundrum after the Southampton defeat (Image:) Wrexham were given a harsh introduction to the Championship on Saturday, as they suffered a late 2-1 defeat at Southampton. I was present at St Mary's to witness the Red Dragons' first match in the second tier in 43 years and, despite the outcome, there were numerous positives to take away. Phil Parkinson's team took the lead when Josh Windass successfully converted a penalty in the first half after Wales international Kieffer Moore was pushed to the ground. The roar from the over 3,000 travelling supporters was a sound that will remain with me for quite some time, as the Hollywood-backed club demonstrated their ability to compete at this level. Admittedly, the moment was somewhat marred by the ecstatic Southampton fans who celebrated as Ryan Manning scored an equalising free-kick in the 90th minute. The Saints' supporters grew even more boisterous as Jack Stephens added insult to injury by scoring off the crossbar in the sixth minute of extra time. However, it wasn't the noise of approximately 27,000 home fans celebrating that afternoon that disturbed me the most. Rather, it was the distressing thud that echoed in the second half when Wrexham forward Moore had an attempt blocked before collapsing to the pitch in pain. The former Bournemouth striker became Parkinson's eighth summer acquisition when he arrived from Sheffield United for a reported £2million fee in the week leading up to the Southampton fixture. The 33-year-old's signing on a three-year contract was praised by fans, and rightly so. His commanding presence suited the number nine role perfectly against the Saints with some superb link-up play. Article continues below Kieffer Moore's second-half injury cast a further shadow over Wrexham's defeat to Southampton (Image:) It was instantly apparent that Moore had sustained a painful injury when he went down. He bravely attempted to continue but was forced off for Sam Smith in the 54th minute. Wrexham's goal led a charmed existence at periods during the opening 45 minutes at St Mary's, but Moore helped ease some of that burden by ensuring the ball stayed up top. It was no surprise that his exit from the field saw them find it difficult to retain possession thereafter, and a Southampton goal became virtually certain. Regrettably, there was additional disappointing news following the final whistle as Parkinson revealed Moore had sustained an ankle ligament problem, which may result in an extended spell out of action. The former Bolton boss said: "We've lost Kieffer, which is obviously a blow. His performance was outstanding, everything we know he brings to us. We've just got to assess that injury as quickly as we can. It was his ankle ligaments." Wrexham received a brutal welcome to the Championship at Southampton (Image: Midnite) Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. Parkinson is now left with a conundrum, the solution to which hinges on the extent of the damage. Ollie Palmer could be the most obvious replacement, but his struggle for goals in League One last season and recent rumours of a departure from Wrexham complicate matters. A rare foray into the loan market or even another permanent signing might be necessary, given the importance of the number nine role in Parkinson's squad. It's an unwelcome predicament as he aims to establish the North Wales team as a formidable presence in the Championship. Article continues below There were, however, other notable performances against Southampton, with newcomer Conor Coady expertly commanding the defence following his transfer from Leicester City. Danny Ward, another who left the Foxes this summer, also put on a commendable display between the sticks. Despite the circumstances, Wrexham supporters appeared relatively upbeat as they made their way to Southampton Central station post-match, bracing themselves for the five-hour journey back home. Yet, Moore's injury undoubtedly cast a shadow over what was otherwise a bright day on the south coast.
Scotsman
27 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Hearts and Hibs spark splitting the Old Firm debate as pundits trade fiery blows over capital potential
The pundits have had their say on how far Hearts and Hibs could go amid positive feelings at each side. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The pundits have been left embroiled in a Hearts and Hibs battle over the chances of either side splitting the Old Firm. Both sides have started the season in fine fettle, Derek McInnes' men beating Aberdeen in their Premiership opener while David Gray's defeated Dundee on the road. Hearts also won every game in their Premier Sports Cup group stage campaign with Hibs defeating Partizan Belgrade in Europe away from home midweek. Amid Hibs' third place finish and Hearts investor Tony Bloom's vow that he'd be disappointed if the club didn't win the title within a decade, debate has sparked over possibilities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Former Rangers and Raith Rovers man Gordon Dalziel, Scotland hero James McFadden and ex Ibrox plus Hearts star Derek Ferguson were involved on the Open Goal podcast. Have a look at how it unfolded. Hearts and Hibs debate Dalziel: 'The talk now is... Aberdeen was the talk last year, can they split the Old Firm? The talk now is, can Hearts split the Old Firm, right? Which, you know, we'll go on to.' Ferguson: 'Hibs?' Dalziel: 'They'll will never split the Old Firm, behave yourself, right?' Ferguson: 'I'm just f****** throwing Hibs in as well with Hearts, because what have they done last season?' Dalziel: 'Well, Hearts aren't there either.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ferguson 'So Hearts are not going to split the Old Firm? Are you going there again?' McFadden: 'So last season they had near as good a record as Celtic when they went on the run.' Dalziel: 'Who? Hibs? I'm not arguing the point with Hibs and Hearts. I think Hibs and Hearts will be battling to finish third, but if you're telling me right now, if you've got your last coin, are you going to bet this season that any of them will split Celtic or Rangers?' McFadden: 'No, I wouldn't have bet it.' Dalziel 'But do you think it?' Ferguson: 'It's a possibility.' McFadden: 'I don't think it's ridiculous.' Ferguson: 'It's not, that's what I'm saying.' Dalziel: 'Who do you think will win the league this year? Ferguson: 'I've already said that, I think Celtic will win the league.' Dalziel: 'So you think Hearts or Hibs can split Rangers? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ferguson: 'Yes, I do. 'We're just too quick to dismiss the other two in the capital. I think we are.' Dalziel: 'We're not dismissing anybody.' Gordon: 'You dismissed them a minute ago! You just dismissed them.' Dalziel: 'This season, they're not going to split Celtic or Rangers.' Ferguson: 'I'm not dismissing them. I think there is an opportunity there for them, because Rangers are in the rebuild.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dalziel: 'There's an opportunity for everybody. It's a case of will they or won't they.' Ferguson: 'But Rangers are in a rebuild. At the back, I don't think they're the most secure that they're ever going to be, the style of play. They're going to give up chances. So that's why there's a possibility for them.' Dalziel: 'Hibs and Hearts aren't going to give up chances.? Ferguson: 'Hearts and Hibs have got good managers. What I'm trying to say, I'm trying to give you a case for Hearts and Hibs, that they could split the Old-Firm.' Dalzie: 'Are they going to?' Why Hearts and Hibs could split Old Firm Ferguson: 'They could.' Dalziel: 'Yes or no?' Ferguson: 'They could.' McFadden: 'If you're betting, you're not going to bet it, because you would make Rangers favourites but his point's valid. They could do it.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ferguson: 'I just think it's just a wee bit too dismissive, for me anyway. You know, because... and I'm saying because of who's at Hearts now in the manager's job and I like the boy Gray. What he did last season, after a rough start and all that, and how he turned it around. So I just think we're too easy to dismiss him, and that's why I'm not going to dismiss them. So it is a possibility. I'm not a betting man, anyway. McFadden: 'You've got what we spoke about. You've got the Rangers performance from Tuesday night. You've also got the Rangers' performance from last Saturday. So you don't know if that's going to be ironed out.' Dalziel: 'Hibs lost at home in the Europa, didn't they? Faddy, I'm not dismissing how Hearts and Hibs are going to be. I think they'll have good seasons, right? They could even go on and win a cup, right? Because they've got a good squad, good managers and whatever. But to sit here and it's ok to say could. That's great, brilliant, 'could.' The question is, will they? In my opinion, I'm saying no.'
Daily Record
27 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Cyriel Dessers sends direct message to Rangers boo boys
The raging punters didn't hold back after the 1-1 draw with Dundee but the striker has an answer to their displeasure Cyriel Dessers has called on the jittery Rangers support to cut Russell Martin 's new-look Light Blues some slack. The stuttering Ibrox outfit have been booed off in both of their opening two Premiership fixtures after spilling points against both Motherwell and Dundee. There were moments of alarm in the stands during the clashes at Fir Park and Ibrox as Martin's ropey Rangers struggled to get to grips with the new high-risk possession game being introduced by the former Southampton gaffer. Substitute Kieran Dowell was also targeted with jeer s as the Ibrox fall guy was introduced during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Steven Pressley's Dark Blues. Dessers found himself in a similar situation to that last year but recovered to blast 28 goals. Now the Nigeria international has appealed to fans to show support as they work to fix the bugs in their new system and recreate the flowing football they displayed during the Champions League win over Viktoria Plzen. He said: "We're all we're all in this together. The team, the club, the fans, and we need each other as well. "It maybe sounds weird, but we need the fans to give us maybe not the patience or the time, but to help us when we give a difficult pass or we try to dribble or we try a shot, to encourage that and appreciate that, because we do it with a goal. "But yeah, it's also for us on a night, like we had during the week, it's nice to give something back to these fans, give a good performance, give a good win. "This is the only way that this can grow again. Ibrox was rocking this week. It's unbelievable, and we need to go to that place as well in the league games so that Ibrox is rocking as well." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers page, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
