🎧 Fine margins decisive as Rams are undone at Swansea
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
Derby move 'the real deal'
New Derby County signing Patrick Agyemang has called the Rams "the real deal" after watching highlights of their matches before joining the 24-year-old US international striker made the move to Pride Park last month in a deal that could rise to £7.3 will not be making his league debut in Derby's Championship opener away to Stoke City on Saturday due to a long-standing hernia injury, which is expected to keep him out for several games."My agent got in contact with Derby earlier this year but they kind of left me out of it. They just said focus on your football, play, and do what you got to do," Agyemang told BBC Radio Derby."Once I got into the Gold Cup with the national team, that's when I really got the first real [sign], this team is really interested."So, I said OK. As a player you do your research right away and see how they are, and right from there I was very interested."Agyemang is one of 11 new arrivals at Pride Park this summer with head coach John Eustace being given the funds to invest in his squad following a 19th-place finish last season. After making his MLS debut for Charlotte FC in 2023, Agyemang gained the attention of US head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who handed the forward his first international cap in January.A record of five goals in 12 appearances has helped him cement a place in Pochettino's starting line-up ahead of a World Cup on home soil next despite his increasing international profile, Agyemang admitted he was nervous about meeting Eustace."Initially, I went to watch the highlights [of Derby's games] and I've seen how passionate everyone was in the game, and the fans are crazy, so I was like, 'This is the real deal,'" Agyemang said."I had a Zoom call [with Eustace]. I was nervous, but right when I started talking to him, it felt really natural."They kind of talked to me more as a person rather than a player, and for me that's very important. Obviously, I'm coming to play football, but I want you to know who I am as a person as well." The youngest of three boys, Agyemang said he owes his success to his family."We talk all the time," he said of his brothers, Emmanuel and Enoch."If I feel like I've had a good game, they say, 'No, that was a terrible game.'"It's good because I like to have people in my corner and they are my two closest [friends] for sure."They're so convinced they can beat me in one v one's every time. It's crazy but it's brotherly love."Agyemang, who grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, said he became "obsessed" with football at the age of five, fed in part by his father, Patrick Sr."The first time I played for East Hartford, he was my coach. At the beginning I wasn't having as much fun – if the thing didn't go my way, I started crying."As time went on, I couldn't wait for Saturdays, I just wanted to keep playing the game and never stop."He added: "My parents worked multiple jobs and I thought that was normal until you see other people's families, and I thought, 'Oh shoot, my parents are working really hard.'"They've done a lot for me, they've sacrificed a lot for me – it's a blessing because I'm able to start helping them now."So whenever I score, if they're in the stands, I always point to them... after games, we always celebrate together. I call them first, we pray together before the game, and then we pray after games."Listen to the full interview with Patrick Agyemang and more about Derby County on BBC Sounds.
BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
Eustace tempers expectations ahead of big kick-off
Derby County boss John Eustace said his side are "nowhere near the finished article", ahead of their opening day clash against Stoke ensuring their Championship survival on the final day of last season, the Rams have been busy this summer, and Eustace stressed to BBC Radio Derby there is still plenty of work to do."You can see the amount of players that we have signed and the amount of players that have gone out as well," he said."We have to assess who is fit and there won't be many of the new players who will be fit for the first two or three games, but we will know more after the first international break. That is why I am stressing that it is a 46-game season."We are nowhere near the finished article, but we are working to find that progress." The Rams have made 11 new additions to the squad, however Eustace, 45, said he doesn't want fans to get "carried away" with expectations."We are rebuilding a new team here and that is not done overnight, he said. "We are up against some unbelievable squads, and it is just important that people don't get carried away with the new signings turning up on Saturday and playing, or that we are going to be playing like Barcelona because the likelihood of that is very slim, but what we are building here is something special."Speaking on the changes that he wants to implement for the forthcoming campaign, he added: "We want to try to change our style of play and not be as direct as we were last season, but that is going to take time, that is a slow process."Click here to listen to the full interview via BBC Sounds.
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Wales Online
Swansea City 2025/26 predictions: Our writers pick their star man, top scorer and ones to watch
Swansea City 2025/26 predictions: Our writers pick their star man, top scorer and ones to watch Swansea City head into the new season with a decent level of excitement and optimism but challenges remain Swansea City manager Alan Sheehan (Image: Getty Images) Another season is nearly upon us, and Swansea City fans will be brimming with hope and expectation around their side's upcoming Championship campaign. This is the first time Alan Sheehan has gone into a new season as fully-fledged head coach in his own right, and he will be keen on improving on the 11th-placed finish mustered up last term. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. That campaign was largely defined by what was a hugely impressive run of form under the Irishman, who masterminded 23 points from 12 games to steer City away from a choppy start under predecessor Luke Williams. A good start this time around will be crucial if he wants to improve on that standing. But where are his side actually likely to finish? Who will be the main man, and who will be the one to fire in the goals? Here's what our panel of experts reckon Tom Coleman - Swansea City writer Star player: Goncalo Franco Article continues below The Portuguese midfielder arguably has the potential to be one of the best in the division, having enjoyed a really strong opening season in the Championship, and he's likely to be the main man for his side this term. The 24-year-old brings bite and energy in the middle of the park, and relishes a battle. He's also often at the root of Swansea's most promising attacking moves, but could perhaps add a few more goals and assists to his game. A classy operator that could well end up playing Premier League football one day. Top scorer: Liam Cullen Herein lies one of the concerns for Swansea. They don't really have too many out-and-out goalscorers in this squad, and I really hope they address that before the close of the window. Otherwise, it could end up being a long and difficult season. Zan Vipotnik hasn't quite hit the heights expected of him since his arrival last summer, and he has to be eyeing up a big impact this term. Perhaps the Slovenian will come good and net a hatful of goals this term. But as things stand, Liam Cullen seems the safer bet. One to watch: Ethan Galbraith The Manchester United product attracted plenty of admirers during a really impressive spell with Leyton Orient, including a decent outing against Man City in the FA Cup last season. I can't wait to see how he handles the step up to the Championship, as he's shown some really promising signs in pre-season. In possession, the midfielder exudes a level of calm Swansea have arguably been missing since Matt Grimes left the club. It's perhaps a bit reductive to tout him as the long-term successor to the former captain, but there are some similarities in terms of profile. He protects the ball really well, and can clearly pick out a quality pass from deep. My only concern is whether he can handle physicality of the Championship as he's not the biggest of players. But the technical skillset is definitely there. If he can deliver, he could prove to be the man that makes them tick next term. Where will the Swans finish? Swansea finished 11th last time out largely due to their impressive run of form under Sheehan towards the end of the campaign. Anything above that would be considered a success, I think. I wouldn't be surprised if they're briefly part of the top six conversation at some point, but I fear the lack of depth in the squad, if unaddressed, will start to show when the season really kicks into gear. I'll go for 9th. Mathew Davies - Sport content editor Star player: Goncalo Franco The Portuguese just looked a cut above the rest last season and has garnered an almost cult-like status after just one campaign in south Wales. If Franco plays well, Swansea usually do too, which is a good indicator of how important he has become to this side. The only issue Swansea have is whether they can keep hold of him beyond this season. Another top term at this level and Premier League sides will no doubt have their eyes on him. Top scorer: Zan Vipotnik Swansea's search for a new number nine is well documented, with Oli McBurnie linked for some time before his Hull City move was confirmed, while Richard Kone and Jusef Erabi have also been mentioned. But until another goalscorer can be secured it will be Vipotnik who should be leading the line and therefore in pole position to bag the top scorer gong. I really like Liam Cullen's tenacity and link-up play but feel his position is better suited to a support role. Hopefully the Slovenian will be fit for the opener on Teesside. One to watch: Melker Widell There is plenty of intrigue around the Swedish international, who Swansea signed last winter to fend off other suitors. He remained at former club AaB on loan and has now headed to SA1 to form what could be an exciting midfield partnership with Franco. Swansea have a huge Lewis O'Brien-shaped hole to fill this season. Widell could - and should - be the man to fill it. Supporters will be excited to see what he can do at this level and I will be watching on too. Where will the Swans finish? It is difficult to predict where Swansea will finish right now simply because there are still three weeks to go until the window closes. Bag themselves a reliable goalscorer who can contribute 15 goals across the Championship season and their prospects are suddenly that much brighter. A couple of full-backs would be nice, too, as would a pacey winger. But let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet. With the squad as it is, I predict a 10th-placed finish. John Jones - Sports writer Star player: Goncalo Franco The Portuguese star emerged as a leading light for Swansea last season in what was an impressive debut campaign, and there is a lot of expectation on him to be the main man for Sheehan's side again this time around. But I fully expect the 24-year-old 'action man' to rise to the challenge and bring the same energy and aggression that delighted fans last season to the new campaign and he will be central to how the Swans perform. However, as Mat noted, another season like the last for Franco could well see Premier League teams come in for him before too long. Top scorer: New striker Where the goals are going to come from is a big concern for the Swans ahead of the new season, and I'm not overly convinced by the likes of Zan Vipotnik and Liam Cullen. The Slovenian star could well come good after an underwhelming start to his Swans career, while Cullen could end up making me eat my words, but I think Sheehan needs an out-and-out goalscorer in his squad if they are to better last season. Who comes in remains to be seen, but getting a new number nine in the building simply has to happen before the window slams shut. One to watch: Zeidane Inoussa Swansea wasted little time in getting their summer transfer business under way, with Inoussa signing back in May after a conversation with new club co-owner Luka Modric. Those at the club certainly believe him to be an exciting capture and it is hoped that the Sweden U21 international will make the "significant" sum the Swans paid to secure his services look worth every penny. If he can find his feet quickly in the Championship, the 23-year-old should be able to bring pace to the Swans' attack and provide some cutting edge in the final edge. Where will the Swans finish? Article continues below A strong end to the transfer window - and the acquisition of a top goalscorer - will have a huge bearing on how this season pans out for the Swans. With the squad as it is at the moment, I expect them to at least match last season's 11th place finish, but some more smart signings could see them move up the table and start to put pressure on the top six. For now though, I'm going with 9th.
