Countdown to 2025-26 season is on - but are Wolves ready?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
Arsenal legend calls for Martin Odegaard to be axed as captain
Arsenal legend Tony Adams has urged Mikel Arteta to appoint Declan Rice as the club's captain. Adams believes Rice possesses a winner's mentality, which is crucial for Arsenal to secure the Premier League title. He argues that current captain Martin Odegaard lacks the leadership qualities necessary to guide the team to a league championship. Adams challenged Arteta to make this 'big call' to demonstrate his own winning ambition and lead the team to major silverware. Arsenal, who have finished second for three consecutive seasons, are set to begin their new campaign against Manchester United.
BBC News
26 minutes ago
- BBC News
Thousands raised to help injured veterans become pilots
An "emotional" 24-hour rowing relay has raised more than £2,000 to help injured servicemen and women retrain as commercial for Warriors, a charity which helps injured veterans fly, and Gloucestershire firefighters took it in turns to row their target of 250,000m (820,200ft) for the charity on an indoor rowing "row-a-thon" took place at Gloucestershire Airport, and the distance target was exceeded by 40,000m (131,200ft)"It's been really emotional, and really tiring as well, I'm looking forward to putting my feet up after this," Jason Ivey, managing director of the airport, said. Wings for Warriors works with military rehabilitation units, other charities, businesses, and the public to inspire injured veterans to build sustainable futures for row began at midday on Wednesday, with the team giving themselves until midday on Thursday to hit the 250,000 metre target, which they reached at 08:52 BST.A total of £2,060 had been raised as of Friday afternoon through the row-a-thon, which Ben Lancaster, a beneficiary from Staverton, said was "so much fun".Mr Lancaster served in Afghanistan and was severely injured by an improvised explosive device. "I got discharged from the parachute regiment in 2013, it's been a long time trying to regain that sense of purpose, and now Wings for Warriors helped give that back to me," Mr Lancaster said."The camaraderie, the laughs, and the push to squeeze out one more kilometre were brilliant."Mr Lancaster said the charity had rebuilt his "confidence and sense of direction"."We've got multiple examples of guys that have lost limbs, been severely burnt, proper traumatic injuries and at some point have been at a very low ebb in their lives," he said."18 months to two years later, they're passed and flying for airlines as commercial pilots. It's a fantastic charity."
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Premier League POWER RANKINGS - PART TWO: Arsenal finally nabbed their No 9 and Chelsea splashed their Club World Cup winnings, but who had the best summer of all? And where does YOUR club land in the list?
While a number of clubs have struggled through a difficult pre-season and sticky transfer window, there are some Premier League fans who will be absolutely delighted for the return of top-flight football this weekend. Liverpool supporters may have missed their first chance of silverware last Sunday with their Community Shield, but the glimpses of new signings such as Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong in competitive action will have lifted spirits longer term. But how do the rivals looking to put a dent in their title defence aspirations measure up? Here, Daily Mail Sport's experts review every club in the top flight's pre-season travails, and single out who has made the most of their time before the restart - and whose fans might be watching the first match of their campaign hiding behind their hands. After reading through who came out best of the worst in part one, why not have a read through part two, to find up who is on top ahead of the start of the new campaign. 10. Burnley Pre-season record: 2-0 v Huddersfield (A), 2-2 v Shrewsbury (A), 0-1 v Stoke (A), 0-1 v Lazio (H) How has it gone: Instead of exotic trips to America and the Far East, Scott Parker's promoted side haven't been further away than Shrewsbury following a training week in Portugal. The manager has prioritised work on the grass above air miles to prepare for the challenge ahead. Burnley kept 30 clean sheets last season and Parker's approach to survival will be less gung-ho than predecessor Vincent Kompany. He won't have minded single-goal defeats to Stoke and Lazio as he beds in 13 new players. Parker used wing-backs against the Italians and looks set to stick with the formation at Tottenham on Saturday. England's Kyle Walker is key on the right of three central defenders. Goalkeeper Max Weiss has done well filling the gloves of James Trafford who joined Manchester City. The German saved a penalty last weekend to deny Lazio's Mattia Zaccagni. Stand-out performer: Quilindschy Hartman Joe Bernstein 9. Crystal Palace Pre-season record: 1-0 v Millwall (H), 3-0 v Crawley Town (A), 1-1 v Mainz (A), 2-3 v Mainz (A), 3-1 v Augsburg (A), 0-1 v Augsburg (A), 2-2 (3-2 pens) v Liverpool (Wembley, Community Shield) How has it gone? What should have been a summer spent revelling in the joy of a first major trophy quickly turned sour the moment the notification dropped that the spoils of that deserved victory - namely, Europa League football - were in jeopardy. Instead, Eagles fans spent the summer clinging to the fading hope of remaining in Europe's second-tier competition, only to lose out on that dream - along with the £20 million windfall it would have brought. The mooted departures of Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze further darken the outlook, but that gloom is tempered somewhat by an encouraging pre-season under Oliver Glasner - and more Wembley glory to bookend the new campaign. Stand-out performer: Justin Devenny Tara Anson-Walsh 8. Manchester United Pre-season record: 0-0 v Leeds United (A), 2-1 v West Ham (A), 4-1 v AFC Bournemouth (A), 1-1 v Everton (A), 1-1 v Fiorentina (H) How has it gone? Greater intensity about United during pre-season and a new line-up has more match winners on the pitch with the additions of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. There are still familiar concerns about big gaps opening up too often in midfield and the lack of a reliable goalkeeper is a big concern for supporters. Ruben Amorim himself has admitted that while they have taken steps forward, he is still expecting his side to 'suffer' in the Premier League, which perhaps underlines how United's rebuild is still a work in progress. Stand-out performer: Leny Yoro Nathan Salt 7. Aston Villa Pre-season record: 0-1 v Walsall (A), 1-3 v Hansa Rostock (A), 2-2 v Eintracht Frankfurt (A), 2-1 v St Louis City (A), 2-2 v Nashville (A), 4-0 v Roma (N), 1-3 v Marseille (A), 2-0 v Villarreal (A) How has it gone? Villa have started to hit their stride at the end of pre-season and looked sharp in all three of their final games, against top-level opposition. It was a slow burner before that but Unai Emery is more interested in trying out tactical innovations - such as a back three - than he is in results, during this period. The one concern is Morgan Rogers, who took a knock to his ankle against Roma, but Villa are hopeful the England forward will be fine for the opener against Newcastle. Ollie Watkins has looked in good shape and seems to have benefited from a full pre-season. Stand-out performer: Ollie Watkins Tom Collomosse 6. West Ham Pre-season record: 3-1 v Grasshoppers (A), 1-2 v Manchester United (PL Summer Series, New Jersey), 2-1 v Everton (PL Summer Series, Chicago), 2-0 v Bournemouth (PL Summer Series, Atlanta), 1-1 v Lille, won on pens (H) How has it gone? Much better than expected. Morale was at rock bottom after a dismal end to the season and little signs of a squad overhaul during the first half of the transfer window. Slowly, though, things are just starting to click into place for Graham Potter. El Hadji Malick Diouf looks an exciting prospect down the left and young keeper Mads Hermansen slots into a position the Hammers desperately needed filling. The less said about Callum Wilson's arrival on a free transfer the better but Niclas Fullkrug has come back leaner, fitter and sharper than ever. He's scored in every pre-season game so far and is linking up well with Jarrod Bowen. Pre-season performances have been decent but they still need some midfielders if they are to succeed and are pursuing a deal for Matheus Fernandes from Southampton. Stand-out performer: Niclas Fullkrug James Sharpe 5. Arsenal Pre-season record: 1-0 v AC Milan (A), 3-2 v Newcastle (A), 0-1 v Tottenham (A), 2-3 v Villarreal (H), 3-0 v Athletic Bilbao (H) How has it gone? Arsenal have finally brought in a No9 in Viktor Gyokeres, to the excitement of fans, and have strengthened their squad across the pitch. The Gunners underwhelmed against Tottenham and Villarreal, though showed their class in the other fixtures. There is a feeling that the north London club still need a left winger to be fully complete, with Gabriel Martinelli's position under much scrutiny. The big talking points are on whether Gyokeres can bring his goalscoring exploits from Sporting Lisbon to the Premier League, and if the impressive 15-year-old Max Dowman could feature for the first team this season. Stand-out performer: Martin Zubimendi. Isaan Khan 4. Manchester City Pre-season record: 1-0 v Preston (H), 3-0 v Palermo (A) How has it gone? A low-key pre-season after the Club World Cup, where focus has been on training rather than matches. City's first friendly was behind closed doors - Rico Lewis scoring - before new signing Tijjani Reijnders stole the show out in Sicily with a second-half brace. There are injury worries going into the campaign, with Pep Guardiola saying Rodri won't be fully fit until September. Attack-wise they looked potent at Palermo (Erling Haaland scoring off his weaker foot) and in America but there are defensive issues and general solidity to sort out. And although the outgoings are ramping up, with Jack Grealish and James McAtee leaving this week, there will be more to come. Stand-out performer: Tijjani Reijnders Jack Gaughan 3. Brighton Pre-season record: 6-1 v Wycombe (H), 3-1 v Stoke (A), 2-0 v Los Palmas (A), 2-0 v Coventry (H), 1-0 v Southampton (A), 2-2 v Southampton (A), 2-0 v Wolfsburg (H), 2-1 v Wolfsburg (H) How has it gone: How hard Brighton fans must be finding it to tell themselves that it does not do to dwell on pre-season results. Eight games, seven wins, a draw, and 20 goals for Fabian Hurzeler's side. And that's all after they sold star striker Joao Pedro to Chelsea. It helps you're your pre-season goals came from 13 different players. Veteran front man Danny Welbeck netting four in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wycombe, Yankuba Minteh has two goals and an assist from the campaign, Georginio Rutter notched one and set up three more. New left-back Maxim De Cuyper has settled in well as the replacement for Pervis Estupinian. Brighton have impressed even without ball-winning midfielder Carlos Baleba, a target for Manchester United, for much of pre-season with a mysterious fitness issue. Baleba is the latest cab off the brilliant Brighton midfielders rank after Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and co. If Baleba does go, Brighton have shown many times they know how to replace them. Standout performer: Yankuba Minteh James Sharpe 2. Liverpool Pre-season record: 3-1 v Preston (A), 5-0 v Stoke (H), 2-4 v AC Milan (Hong Kong), 3-1 v Yokohama F Marinos (A), 4-1 v Athletic Club (H), 3-2 v Athletic Club (H), 2-2 (2-3 pens) v Palace (Wembley, Community Shield) How has it gone? This pre-season has all been centred around getting the new players up to scratch after a busy transfer window. The likes of Florian Wirtz has excelled while teenagers Rio Ngumoha, 16, and Trey Nyoni, 18, have made significant cases to be in the first-team picture. The only worry has been the defence with only one clean sheet and teams seemingly able to pick holes in the Liverpool back four. Stand-out performer: Florian Wirtz Lewis Steele 1. Chelsea Pre-season record: 2-0 vs Bayer Leverkusen (H), 4-1 vs AC Milan (H) How has it gone? It all happened so fast - two friendlies in three days amid a pre-season lasting less than a fortnight. Levi Colwill's ACL injury suffered on day one was a blow, but the vibe is purely positive otherwise. All of their goals scored versus Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan came from new arrivals in Estevao Willian, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, who has looked lethal since arriving from Brighton. While a fair few fans want to see them competing for the Premier League title, the concern is at some stage, their extraordinary long 2024-25 season which culminated in Chelsea being crowned world champions may catch up with them in 2025-26.
