Latest news with #StatmanDave
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘An absolute must': Ferdinand taken aback by Amorim's decision to bench ‘game-changer' vs Arsenal
Manchester United fans got their first look at how Ruben Amorim plans to approach the campaign ahead following their season-opener defeat to Arsenal. While we can expect that Benjamin Sesko will be leading the line from the off this weekend and Andre Onana will replace Altay Bayindir between the sticks, the rest of the personnel were essentially Amorim's first-choice team. As such, supporters were surprised to see that there was no room for Amad Diallo, who's on the back of his most prolific campaign for the club after notching a hugely impressive 11 goals and 10 assists in 2024/2025. How Amad fared vs the Gunners Amad's next chance to start is on Sunday when the side travel to Craven Cottage. (Photo by) Amad's lack of game time was one of many reasons Erik ten Hag so frequently came under fire last season, given the Ivorian had just overseen a stellar loan spell with Sunderland. Yesterday, he was granted a 35-minute cameo to try and turn the tie around, replacing Diogo Dalot in the 55th minute when United were trailing 1-0. Whilst chasing the game, Amad was able to have an 'explosive' impact off the bench; he won 100 per cent of duels (seven), 100 per cent of his tackles (three) and completed 100 per cent of his dribbles (two), as per StatmanDave. Ferdinand on Amad concerns Therefore, it comes as no surprise to see that Rio Ferdinand has pleaded with Amorim to grant the 23-year-old the prominent role he deserves. When reacting to the evening's affairs at Old Trafford, he said (via Rio Ferdinand Presents): 'Amad came on second half and I think he did enough to show that against any team that you feel you're going to dominate possession, he has to play. 'I think he'll even be sitting there, Amad, saying, 'Play me against anybody, because I'll get our team higher up the pitch and I can beat people.' 'The way that Amorim plays you need people that are going to beat people with the ball or run beyond people and Amad can do both. It's just, can he do it from a right wing-back position? If Man Utd do get pinned back at any time he's playing, is he able to defend and cope defensively? They're the question marks we've got. 'But if you set out to dominate the game possession-wise, Amad is an absolute must in this team. Whether it's right wing-back or right wing, I think he has to play. 'I think over the last season and even in this one game here today, he's shown that he's got the confidence and the ability to be a game-changer.' More Stories / Latest News 'An absolute must': Ferdinand taken aback by Amorim's decision to bench 'game-changer' vs Arsenal Aug 18 2025, 8:53 Romano: Man United will 'definitely' sanction deal for £64m star before deadline day, decision made Aug 18 2025, 7:45 'Beyond me…': Journo left completely bewildered by Ruben Amorim decision to start 'hopeless' Red Aug 18 2025, 6:30
BBC News
04-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
How to follow FPL on BBC Sport in 2025-26 season
The Premier League kicks off on Friday, 15 August and so does fantasy can join the BBC Sport League on the official Fantasy Premier League game using the code bbcfpl - or by clicking this link., externalAnd this season BBC Sport will have even more FPL content than before. Here is what to expect. Listen to the FPL Podcast by BBC Sport The latest episode of The FPL Podcast from BBC Sport comes out every Wednesday on BBC Alistair Bruce-Ball, Statman Dave and Chris Sutton every gameweek as they discuss, digress and debate all things FPL. More expert advice on BBC Sport We have signed up four FPL experts for 2025-26 and each week one of Pras, Holly Shand, FPL Heisenberg and Gianni Buttice will bring you their top tips, answer your questions and tackle the most pressing talking points in the FPL Thursday, we'll publish the BBC Sport team of the week - our best free hit XI to give you inspiration for the coming on Friday mornings you can read the FPL Talking Point, as that week's expert and the podcast team tackle a pressing issue for fantasy managers - such as whether to sell underperforming premiums or what to do when a good team has a bad fixture run. Live Q&A every Friday Set your alarms for 15:30 BST every Friday when we'll have a 90-minute question and answer session, live on the BBC Sport website, with one of our FPL can send your questions in on SMS and Whatsapp as we answer your deadline dilemmas. More FPL on social and in our live coverage Make sure you are following BBC Sport on TikTok, external, Instagram, external and X, external for more FPL tips and we'll be have more FPL insights this season across our live coverage online, TV and radio.
BBC News
30-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'With him in their side, they should win the league'
On BBC Radio 5 Live's Big Transfer Talk Show, the panel discuss the impact that Viktor Gyokeres could have at Arsenal."This guy is ridiculous and there are so many ways that he improves Arsenal," said Statman Dave. "With him in their side, they will win the league. Depth is a massive thing - they have two in every position and they should win the league this season."Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
BBC News
30-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
The trouble Newcastle may face in the transfer market
On BBC Radio 5 Live's Big Transfer Talk, the panel discuss Newcastle's issues in the transfer Dave said: "If you sell a player for £150m and you have not planned it, clubs know you are going to come with that cash."Listen on BBC Sounds
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The eight most prolific divers in England's top divisions revealed
The eight most prolific divers in England's top divisions revealed (Image: Getty Images) Relegated League One side Bristol Rovers have topped one table this season – being crowned the most prolific divers in England's top divisions. The West Country team recorded eight yellow cards for simulation, the most of any team over the course of the past three seasons. Advertisement Premier League giant Chelsea followed with seven bookings for taking a tumble – the same number as Burton Albion. Manchester City, Newcastle United, Crawley Town, Accrington Stanley and Barrow have been reprimanded six times each after being caught trying to con the ref. (Image: SWNS) Football statistician Statman Dave ran the numbers as part of Snickers' wider Off Your Game campaign, with the Deep Diving Audit offering a data-led look at diving across English football. Dave O'Brien, who pored over match footage, referee reports and extensive game insights to reveal all the most dramatic diving data, said: 'Diving has always been a part of the game, but when you look at the numbers, like I've done for Snickers' Deep Diving Audit, it's clear that some clubs and players really know how to keep things interesting. Advertisement 'Whether it's tactical, instinctive, or maybe even hunger-related, one thing is for sure, when players are off their game, it shows. 'And sometimes, it's not just the ball that goes rolling.' Nearly all cases of diving occurred in the second half, with a particular uptick during the 90th minute – and 70 per cent of dives took place in the penalty area. With Brighton & Hove Albion being named as the club players have dived against most in the Premier League. Strikers are responsible for 26 per cent of all dives over the last three seasons, whereas in defence, only one centre-back was carded for a diving offence. Advertisement Looking at the 2024/25 campaign specifically, 75 per cent of dives occurred when the players' team wasn't winning, with the average dive last season lasting nine seconds. Additionally, the average diving age is 22, they most typically wear white boots – and are also English, with these players making up 42 per cent of dives in the season just gone. Diving in the men's game is significantly more prominent compared to the women's – with just one diving booking found on record from the last three seasons in the Women's Super League. Snickers has enlisted football experts Statman Dave and Nada Allali to create a video which uncovers the most over-the-top tumbles across the England's top leagues. Advertisement Delia Lendais-Metral from the chocolate brand said: 'Let's face it, when you're hungry, you're not quite yourself. 'The Snickers Deep Diving Audit taps into those moments when things go slightly off, on or off the pitch.' 'Whether it's a mis-timed slide or a full-blown flop, this is a fun reminder that staying fuelled helps keep you on your game.' Most dive-prone clubs of the past three seasons (22/23, 23/24, 24/25)
