Latest news with #Reo-Coker
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Ex-Premier League ace eats his words on live TV as Wrexham star makes Ryan Reynolds vow
Ex-Premier League ace eats his words on live TV as Wrexham star makes Ryan Reynolds vow Wrexham have won a third successive promotion by finishing second in League One, and one of the Red Dragons' players has had the last laugh over a TV pundit's pre-season prediction Wrexham star Ollie Palmer made Nigel Reo-Coker eat his words (Image:) A former Premier League footballer has apologised on live TV for underestimating Wrexham's potential to escape from League One. Ex-Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker shared scepticism about Phil Parkinson's team securing a remarkable third consecutive promotion at the beginning of the 2024-25 season. The CBS Sports pundit was later left red-faced as Wrexham clinched automatic promotion to the Championship in April. Reo-Coker has now extended his apologies to the club's supporters after the Red Dragons finished second in League One. Wrexham striker Ollie Palmer urged the 41-year-old to make amends during the American networks' broadcast of the League Two play-off final between AFC Wimbledon and Walsall. Reo-Coker said: "I didn't think Wrexham would get promoted again. I didn't think it would be a [case of] back-to-back-to-back. I apologise Wrexham fans. Yes, you proved me wrong." Despite external doubts, Palmer disclosed that Wrexham's higher-ups held a quiet confidence about gaining promotion from League One before the season. However, their optimism was not broadly publicised as they aimed to handle expectations. Palmer said: "I think a lot of people didn't expect us to do it. I think we were tipped to be around mid-table. I get that, but that's the beauty of football. We achieved something really special, and it was a privilege to be a part of it. Article continues below Nigel Reo-Coker has apologised to Wrexham fans after doubting their chances of promotion (Image: CBS Sports ) "A lot's changed at the football club. The gaffer kept it in house and said that if we can keep doing what we're doing, he would accept nothing less than automatics. That was the demand he put on us, and we kept that quiet. "But as it came to the end of the season, that was the only option. We did it, and we created history. It was an amazing moment." Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have reiterated their ambition to take the club to the Premier League following their recent promotion. 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. But Reo-Coker believes that reaching such heights next season is premature, labelling the Championship as "different gravy" compared to League One. Palmer, however, isn't dismissing the prospect of a remarkable fourth consecutive promotion, drawing attention to the precedent set by Luton and Ipswich. Both teams have previously managed successive promotions from League One to the Premier League. The 33-year-old is also confident that Reynolds and McElhenney will invest the necessary funds to ensure Wrexham are contenders in the next division during the summer transfer window. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here Article continues below "I know doing four is ridiculous and I'm not saying that," Palmer said. "But if you look at Luton, did they do that? Didn't they go back-to-back? We've got backing where the club wants to go again. "I'm not trying to put pressure on the lads and I should probably stop talking, but all I'm trying to say is, we could take inspiration from Luton and Ipswich. "The gaffer and the owners are going to invest and improve the squad, there's no doubt about that. If you say that you're riding the wave then maybe [it could happen]."
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Premier League icon forced to apologise as Wrexham star makes Ryan Reynolds vow
A former Aston Villa star has said sorry to Wrexham supporters during a live TV appearance after doubting their chances of gaining promotion from League One this season A former Premier League star has been forced to apologise on live TV for doubting Wrexham 's chances of climbing out of League One. Ex- Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker was asked for his views on Phil Parkinson 's side's hopes of achieving a historic third successive promotion at the start of the 2024-25 season. The CBS Sports pundit said at the time that he did not think they would be able to go up again. Reo-Coker has now said sorry to the club's fans after Wrexham confirmed automatic promotion to the Championship in April by finishing second in the third-tier. The 41-year-old was prompted to apologise by Red Dragons striker Ollie Palmer as they appeared together during the American TV network's coverage of the League Two play-off final between AFC Wimbledon and Walsall. Reo-Coker said: "I didn't think Wrexham would get promoted again. I didn't think it would be a [case of] back-to-back-to-back. I apologise Wrexham fans. Yes, you proved me wrong." While pundits may have had their doubts, Palmer revealed senior figures at Wrexham were quietly confident of their promotion prospects in League One before the campaign started. But their hopes were largely kept under wraps in public in order to manage expectation levels. He said: "I think a lot of people didn't expect us to do it. I think we were tipped to be around mid-table. I get that, but that's the beauty of football. We achieved something really special, and it was a privilege to be a part of it. "A lot's changed at the football club. The gaffer kept it in house and said that if we can keep doing what we're doing, he would accept nothing less than automatics. That was the demand he put on us, and we kept that quiet. "But as it came to the end of the season, that was the only option. We did it, and we created history. It was an amazing moment." Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have restated their goal of taking the club all the way to the Premier League following their latest promotion. However, Reo-Coker said next season would be too soon for them to achieve their aim, describing the Championship as "different gravy" to League One. Palmer refused to rule out the possibility of an incredible fourth successive promotion, though, after highlighting the benchmark set by Luton and Ipswich. Both teams have previously achieved back-to-back promotions from League One into the top flight. The 33-year-old also voiced certainty that Reynolds and McElhenney will spend the money required to make Wrexham competitive at the next level during the summer transfer window. "I know doing four is ridiculous and I'm not saying that," said Palmer. "But if you look at Luton, did they do that? Didn't they go back-to-back? We've got backing where the club wants to go again. "I'm not trying to put pressure on the lads and I should probably stop talking, but all I'm trying to say is, we could take inspiration from Luton and Ipswich. "The gaffer and the owners are going to invest and improve the squad, there's no doubt about that. If you say that you're riding the wave then maybe [it could happen]." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
BBC News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Still a lot of questions about this Chelsea side'
Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker remains unconvinced by Chelsea, despite the Blues seeing off champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast he is not yet ready to say Chelsea will qualify for next season's Champions League."You would have to say they are still in it but there are still a lot more questions about this Chelsea team," Reo-Coker said. "Just on the game against Liverpool, they took 45 minutes to get going and then they missed some real good chances."Whether it is the Premier League celebration hangover. Chelsea were let off the hook in this game. It's going to come down to Newcastle v Chelsea next [weekend] when they play each other."Whoever wins that will be the one who makes it [into the Champions League positions]. I would put my money more so on Newcastle. From their performances and from the way they look. They have won the League Cup this year and they have got tunnel vision."With Chelsea, there are still quite a few questions. I don't think they are strong enough defensively."Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Sensational' Bodo/Glimt are not to be underestimated
Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has warned Tottenham "not to underestimate" Thursday's Europa League semi final opponents Bodo/Glimt because they have been one of the standout teams in this players' will have to recover - and fast - following Sunday's thumping at Liverpool."The performance was not good enough," said Reo-Coker on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "The mental side of it for these players, who are going into two legs of a game that can book them a place in a European final, will be interesting."I don't think you would want to lose in that manner before such a big game - even if it is to Liverpool."No one really expected Tottenham to win because they made eight changes but Ange Postecoglou has now probably dug himself an even deeper hole because how are you going to get these players up again for such a big game?"I would warn Spurs now not to underestimate Bodo/Glimt. They have been one of the fantastic teams in this Europa League. I have covered them in this competition and they are a sensational footballing side. Whether that be on their artificial pitch at home or grass away."They are going to cause Tottenham some serious problems."Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Magpies are 'confident as a team and as a group of individuals'
"Some people say 'confidence is a hell of a drug' and that is what Newcastle have right now," said Nigel Reo-Coker describing the Magpies performance against Manchester win over United was also their 12th in 16 league matches and their fourth in a row."Since winning the cup, I felt like they were going to kick on to another level and that is what we are seeing performance wise," added Reo-Coker on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "They have Alexander Isak, one of the hottest strikers in the world right now, but they have a core strength in their midfield."You struggle to find a better balanced midfield than Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton when you combine all of their talents and attributes. They can win the ball, control the game, score and be physical, so they have everything. "You can tell they are confident as a team and as a group of individuals."Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison added: "They have been relentless and they have done it without key players as well. They might have had no Anthony Gordon, but Harvey Barnes has stepped up in his absence and that is because everyone in the squad knows what they are doing. "Jacob Murphy has been a revelation and even Isak, who has started to look tired, is still delivering."It's a big result for them against Manchester United and they definitely did play for their manager Eddie Howe, who we know is in hospital, and they are flying."Over the years United against Newcastle has been a really tight game, and I know United are not in good form, but Newcastle blew them away. Most importantly, they are in a great position to finish in a Champions League spot this season."Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds
