Latest news with #cleanSheets
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'There was no fear - just pride, intent & purpose'
It's amazing to think the last competitive match was at Wembley — and now, here we were at The Valley, ready to embark on our Championship thoughts naturally turned to whether we could cope in this harsh environment. A new mindset has taken hold - keep clean sheets, score crucial goals - football is a simple fan zone buzzed with excitement before kick-off. The pitch looked lush under the bright sunshine, and the atmosphere was full of Chris Powell received a heartfelt reception from The Valley faithful — a touching tribute to a club was a poignant minute's applause for three members of the Charlton family we've sadly lost: Pierre Bolangi, Ethan Ade-Oduwale, and Jorge the team sheets landed an hour before kick-off, Charlton had five debutants in the starting XI; Watford had it turned out, we acquitted ourselves well — attacking the task head-on, just as Nathan Jones promised. There was no took the early initiative with a Lloyd Jones effort that forced a smart save from Watford keeper Egil our early pressure, Watford began to grow into the game, showing the technical quality in their ranks. Selvik, Ngakia, Louza, and Baah particularly caught the eye on this blue-sky afternoon.A tasty battle was developing between Charlton's left wing-back Josh Edwards and Watford's explosive winger Kwadwo Baah. On 42 minutes, Baah came off worse in one of their duels, ending up face down near the Alan Curbishley Stand advertising assessment: After an excitable Charlton start, Watford regained their composure but they were grateful to Selvik for keeping them level with two fine the hour mark, it felt like there was nothing between the sides but you sensed either team could strike at any Edwards limped off on 80 minutes after an epic shift, concern set in. His presence will be vital in upcoming games against Bristol City and minutes of stoppage time were added and two defining moments were still to later admitted Watford should have had a penalty after Kaminski clashed with debutant Nestory came the wonder moment in the 94th minute. The Valley erupted and once again, Nathan Jones dropped to his knees in Coventry swung in a deep corner, Lloyd Jones headed it back across goal, and there was new boy Harvey Knibbs to prod home. What a moment for the was a memorable afternoon. After the euphoria of Wembley in May, we've begun life in the Championship with a last-gasp winner against a side who supposedly don't lose on opening there were some shenanigans between the two sets of players. Even Nathan Jones got involved in some animated gesturing towards the Watford fans. But when he made his way to the Covered End to celebrate with the Charlton faithful, the passion was clear — every punch in the air reflected the magnitude of the not forget, this is a manager who took us from 19th in League One in February 2024 to this moment of vital points were secured and when survival is the first aim, it's a fantastic start. But under NJ's leadership, you sense there may be more gears to go through in this it's early days, there was no fear from this Charlton side just pride, intent, and the new boys and we should be proud of ourselves.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Monumental errors' outweigh Meslier positivity
Goalkeeper Lucas Perri is the latest addition to Leeds United's defensive ranks and joins a pretty full-looking goalkeeping department. Which means one thing. Someone will leave. The new man comes expecting to be first choice and with some billing. Back in February, his coach at Lyon, Paulo Fonseca, called the Brazilian 'the strongest goalkeeper in the world' after an impressive display against Marseille. At one stage, some might have felt that tag could, down the line, have been used for Illan Meslier. However he now looks the most obvious option to depart. Sadly, for the Frenchman statistics such as becoming the youngest ever goalkeeper to keep 10 Premier League clean sheets, have been outweighed by numerous monumental errors over the past 12 months. Regular listeners to our podcast 'Don't Go To Bed Just Yet' will know I have long defended the 25-year-old. However, on episode 135 even my faith began to wobble following his display in the 3-3 draw at Hull. Daniel Farke's support, at that time, remained steadfast as it would be over two months before further errors against Swansea saw Karl Darlow given the nod at Kenilworth Road. The Welshman performed well when called upon, but he will surely now find himself back in the unique supporting role of a back-up stopper. Alex Cairns is the fourth currently on the books and, like Darlow is classed as a homegrown player. Add to that him being a local lad who isn't expecting to play and you have an ideal third choice. If Meslier is the one to seek pastures new I would add just one thing…a hefty sell-on clause…just in case! Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds
BBC News
30-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Monumental errors' outweigh Meslier positivity
Goalkeeper Lucas Perri is the latest addition to Leeds United's defensive ranks and joins a pretty full-looking goalkeeping department. Which means one thing. Someone will new man comes expecting to be first choice and with some billing. Back in February, his coach at Lyon, Paulo Fonseca, called the Brazilian 'the strongest goalkeeper in the world' after an impressive display against one stage, some might have felt that tag could, down the line, have been used for Illan Meslier. However he now looks the most obvious option to for the Frenchman statistics such as becoming the youngest ever goalkeeper to keep 10 Premier League clean sheets, have been outweighed by numerous monumental errors over the past 12 listeners to our podcast 'Don't Go To Bed Just Yet' will know I have long defended the on episode 135 even my faith began to wobble following his display in the 3-3 draw at Hull. Daniel Farke's support, at that time, remained steadfast as it would be over two months before further errors against Swansea saw Karl Darlow given the nod at Kenilworth Welshman performed well when called upon, but he will surely now find himself back in the unique supporting role of a back-up Cairns is the fourth currently on the books and, like Darlow is classed as a homegrown player. Add to that him being a local lad who isn't expecting to play and you have an ideal third Meslier is the one to seek pastures new I would add just one thing…a hefty sell-on clause…just in case!Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds
The Sun
30-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Trent Alexander-Arnold has moved on but Liverpool's new-look full-backs could dominate Dream Team this season
DREAM TEAM managers were able to rely on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson year after year but that era has passed. With the 2025/26 season looming large, gaffers are now weighing up Liverpool's new full-back partnership of Jeremie Frimpong (£5m) and Milos Kerkez (£5m). 4 The pair are among the most expensive defenders in the game ahead of Gameweek 1, only Daniel Munoz, Josko Gvardiol and Virgil van Dijk (£5.5m each) cost more. These punchy price tags are partly due the fact the Reds are the reigning Premier League champions and, as the strongest team, are expected to keep clean sheets on a regular basis. In fact, no player contributed to more clean sheets (21) than Van Dijk last season, a testament to the club's defensive fortitude since Arne Slot's appointment. Even so, selecting Frimpong from the get-go comes with a certain degree of risk as he is untested in the English top flight. Many new arrivals have taken to the Premier League seamlessly but just as many (if not more) have needed time to transition while others have never fully adapted. 4 However, the Netherlands international is a hugely exciting prospect with sky-high potential. Few defenders in world football are as attack-minded as Frimpong, who often fulfilled a role more akin to a winger in Bayer Leverkusen colours. The 24-year-old registered 26 goal involvements in 2023/24 and a further 17 last season - outstanding numbers in his position. However, for all his success, Frimpong has rarely played in a back four for club or country. It seems unlikely that Slot will deviate from the tactics that worked so well last season so it will be interesting to see whether Frimpong is afforded the same licence to attack. Might the former Celtic man have to share his minutes with Conor Bradley (£3.5m)? Such a strategy might be a smart move from Liverpool's perspective but it would certainly limit the pair's Dream Team viability. 4 On the opposite side, Kerkez has already proven himself in the Premier League having impressed for Bournemouth since his transfer from AZ Alkmaar in 2023. Avid followers of the Premier League would agree the Hungarian left-back was among the best players in his position last season. Kerkez notched 205 Dream Team points via two goals and six assists but even those stats don't do justice to the effective nature of his performances. There is a sense among some Dream Team bosses that swapping the Cherries for Liverpool could propel him to the stratosphere. 4 Kerkez started all 38 league games last season and is expected to be first choice at Anfield but Robertson remains a Liverpool player. Those attuned to such matters expect Kerkez to be the main man and the experienced Scotsman to adopt a mentor role. Funnily enough, Liverpool are due to host Bournemouth in Gameweek 1 and wouldn't it be fitting if the 21-year-old got underway with a healthy double-digit return at the expense of his former club? At the time of writing, Frimpong features in 14.8% of teams created while Kerkez's ownership is 8.7%. They are the sixth and ninth-most popular defenders in the game respectively.
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hearts 'getting into good habits' insists McEntee
Summer signing Oisin McEntee is enjoying settling into life at Hearts and is happy to serve head coach Derek McInnes wherever he sees who joined from Walsall has been deployed at right-back in Hearts' unbeaten start to their Premier Sports group stage, despite it not being his "most natural" impressed in Saturday's 4-0 win against Stirling Albion as the Tynecastle side attempt to create "good habits"."It was always going to be a difficult game," McEntee said of their meeting with the Binos. "We came into it prepared right and we showed them a lot of respect coming in with our preparation and it's just good to get a 4-0 win."But we're a little bit frustrated. We need to improve on a lot of things, but still, you can't complain about winning 4-0."We're trying to get into good habits and keeping clean sheets is a really good habit, as is winning games. So we just need to keep switched on and keep preparing properly for these games."I'll play wherever the gaffer puts me."It's enjoyable and it's been a good introduction into the side. I'm just trying my best to get a place in the team and wherever it may be."It's not my most natural position, but wherever the gaffer wants me to play, I just need to improve on it - I'm trying my best."
