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Many Nottingham Forest fans have been slamming the performance of Gaetan Bong in their 0-0 draw at West Brom in the Championship on Friday night.

It was a spirited performance from the visitors to come away from The Hawthorns with a point, although they would have perhaps thought that they should have had all three when Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby was sent off in the 70th minute after getting his second yellow card of the night.

Nonetheless, while there were some impressive performances in a Forest shirt, Bong flattered to deceive, losing out on four of his duels and failing to record a single dribble, blocked shot, interception, key pass or accurate cross from the left wing-back position (SofaScore).

The former Brighton defender was also guilty of losing the ball 22 times in total, the second-most out of any of his teammates on the pitch (SofaScore).

Nottingham Forest fans on Bong display

These Nottingham Forest fans slammed Bong’s performance on Twitter, with one supporter going as far as to claim that the Cameroonian has been a ‘liability’:

“Gaetan Bong stresses me out!”

Credit: @leefarny

“Thought our attacking players were poor tonight. One of those days. Bong is the worst player I’ve ever seen for Forest.”

Credit: @Callum_shaw

“Bong’s so bad he makes Yates look like peak Zinedine Zidane!”

Credit: @Hatwell88

“Get Bong off the pitch, absolute liability”

Credit: @barkerc31

“Not being mean but watching Bong head a ball is painful”

Credit: @scarletone77

“Unreal just how poor Bong is”

Credit: @AbbottAshley

In other news, find out whose display against Luton was blasted by many Forest fans

Even the most optimistic of Tottenham fans would be pushing it to expect a deadline day before the close of play today, with murmurs emerging from the club strongly hinting that the long-term strategy will take precedence over knee-jerk, short-term thinking. 

The end of the transfer window is looming on the imminent horizon and Tottenham look set to go back-to-back windows without making a single new addition to their squad.

Reports linking the club with a handful of talented players have run rife this month but nothing by way of a formal bid appears to have been lodged for a rumoured target.

It seems clear that the stadium move and the need to offload a handful of players deemed surplus to requirements is dictating their activity, but a recent report from football.london appears to suggest that this short-term phenomenon should become a thing of the past in the summer.

The report claims that Spurs are monitoring the development of Jarrod Bowen, Max Aarons, Jack Clarke, Che Adams and Luca Connell, all of which are young English players under the age of 22, with Adams and Bowen representing the oldest of the bunch.

Clearly, Levy and Pochettino have devised a long-term strategy which is well aligned with the club’s identity and current philosophy. The Argentine has made no secret of his desire to trust in young players, and the fact Spurs are targeting five of the Championship’s most promising talents is far from surprising.

Supporters may well feel frustrated by the club’s refusal to spend money once again this month, but it must be considered that the short-term suffering will merely represent an anomalous blip in their history as they prepare to undergo a transition both on and off the field.

Once they have freed up their wage budget by offloading the likes of Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, Vincent Janssen and Fernando Llorente, Levy will be in a strong position to assess Tottenham’s financial capabilities and make accurate judgements on exactly the type of players they need to bolster the squad.

Bringing in some of the most talented players the Championship has to offer, such as Clarke and Bowen, will give Pochettino some of the tools he needs to lay the foundations for a glowing future.

Naturally, Spurs will also need to enter the market for experienced players to ensure the club are well prepared to remain strong in the event that Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld follow Mousa Dembele out the exit door.

It’s a tempestuous time in north London right now both on and off the field, but the long-term transfer strategy which has been put in place should guarantee the arrival of an influx of precocious homegrown players ahead of the first full season at the new White Hart Lane.

Tottenham fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Pacemen James Harris and Jim Allenby picked up nine wickets between them to help power Glamorgan to a nine-wicket win over Worcestershire in the County Championship match at New Road

28-Apr-2010
ScorecardJames Harris’s fourth first-class five-wicket haul hurried Worcestershire’s demise•Getty ImagesPacemen James Harris and Jim Allenby picked up nine wickets between them to help power Glamorgan to a nine-wicket win over Worcestershire in the County Championship match at New Road.Harris grabbed 5 for 56 and Allenby 4 for 23 to dismiss the hosts for 171 and leave their side to score just 39 to secure their second Division Two victory of the season. They wrapped up their resounding win inside two days to plunge woeful Worcestershire to their first defeat of the campaign after they lost their last six second innings wickets for just 11 runs in 10.1 overs.It was Glamorgan’s first Championship win at New Road since May 2002 which they achieved by reaching their easy target in only 7.4 overs for the loss of Mark Cosgrove. After trailing by 133 on first innings, Worcestershire’s hopes of a crucial solid start to their second knock suffered a blow when a poor stroke by Daryl Mitchell led to him being caught by wicketkeeper Mark Wallace off record-breaking teenager Harris.Following three successive Championship ducks, Phil Jaques was relieved to stick runs on the board and steadily moved to 25 before becoming Harris’ 100th first-class wicket for Glamorgan. By having the Australian caught at square leg by Ben Wright, he became the youngest bowler to reach the landmark for the Welsh county at the age of 19 years and 347 days.It beat the record of Robert Croft who achieved the feat when he was 22 years and 32 days old. Jaques’ departure paved the way for a half-century stand between Vikram Solanki and in-form Moeen Ali, who was Worcestershire’s first innings star when he made an unbeaten 85.The partnership was finally broken when Solanki played down the wrong line to Allenby and was bowled for 18 after putting on 58 in15 overs with Moeen, who reached his 50 with one six and eight fours off 55 balls.Along with Alexei Kervezee, Moeen helped Worcestershire wipe out their daunting first innings deficit in the 34th over. It was not long afterwards, however, before Moeen flicked David Harrison down the leg side and was caught by Wallace for 58 containing one six and nine fours off 65 balls. Kervezee, put down by Huw Waters while on 20, was then joined by Ben Smith to take Solanki’s strugglers to 154 for 4 at tea.Their uphill battle continued after the interval, however, when Kervezee failed to capitalise on his lucky let-off and was caught in the gulley by Dean Cosker off Harris. Much worse was to follow when Smith, Richard Jones and Alan Richardson all fell in quick succession to Allenby before Harris saw off Ben Scott and Jack Shantry.Glamorgan had started the day on 228 for 4 off 46 overs and were all out before lunch for 267 in 67.2 overs with paceman Richardson claiming 5 for 86. After having overnight figures of 1 for 81 the Worcestershire newcomer produced a far more impressive performance to add four more scalps in 8.2 overs.Included among them was Allenby who took his overnight 49 to 55 before being caught behind by Ben Scott after hitting nine fours off 81 balls. Glamorgan’s top scorer was Wright who resumed on 71 and added another eight runs before falling to Jones. He notched one six and 10 fours off 107 deliveries and put on 96 in 20 overs with Allenby.

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is plotting to raid former club Rangers with a January swoop for midfielder Glen Kamara.

And, as to be expected, the transfer update has had plenty of Villa fans talking on social media.

Villa are considering a midfield addition in the New Year after Marvelous Nakamba’s serious knee injury.

Kamara has been a player linked with following Gerrard to the Midlands ever since the latter moved to Villa Park in November, and it seems as if a formal offer is set to be launched.

According to TEAMtalk, also shared by The Sun, Rangers are considering selling Kamara for big money, with Gerrard and Villa keen on his services.

Ibrox officials are well aware of interest in the Finland international from Villa, with Kamara described as a player who would fit in a ‘top-six’ Premier League side by former Rangers star Antti Niemi.

Villa fans react

The AVFC Faithful shared the news regarding Kamara on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with some excited over his ability while others questioned his fit as a replacement for Nakamba…

“At least he would be cheap. But another number 8, when we have five of those already? Sounds crazy”

Credit: @daviddjuphammar

“Doesn’t excite me at all.”

Credit: @DaveHin55518309

“That’s boss lad”

Credit: @danielhavfc

“A good fit for the hole we need to fill. Could be a cut-price deal suitable for Jan, and SG and coaching staff know what they are getting. Wouldn’t complain at all.”

Credit: @Ryan__Wills

“get in”

Credit: @itzwraggy

“Isn’t he a box to box player? We need a CDM bossman”

Credit: @Vinnieno41

In other news: ‘Even worse’ – Many AVFC fans flock to Preece’s January transfer update.

While United's manager has used his selection headaches as an excuse for failure, the Merseysiders brushed aside their injuries to win another trophy

Liverpool's Carabao Cup win over Chelsea was a tale of both senior leadership and youthful exuberance. One defining image was the sight of Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk lifting the trophy together. Klopp shook the club up and rebuilt it in his image while Van Dijk's defensive steel completed their transformation, delivering the latest in a long line of trophies with a towering header deep in extra-time.

The other takeaway was Liverpool's long cast of academy graduates, all born in 2003 or after, streaming off the bench and being utterly unawed by the occasion. As Gary Neville put it so succinctly: "Klopp's kids against the billion pound bottle jobs." Liverpool resembled the walking wounded last week, losing Diogo Jota, Cutis Jones, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah in the days before the final, in addition to the already-missing Dominik Szoboszlai, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker.

And their injury crisis was aggravated during the game as Ryan Gravenberch, Andrew Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister were all forced off. But far from being knocked down by the absence of their best players, Liverpool rose to the occasion. "Liverpool have been absolutely sensational," Neville added. "Those young players have been incredible. Klopp must be so proud."

What a contrast to Neville's own club Manchester United, who had fallen apart against Fulham a day earlier after losing two players to injury. Erik ten Hag pointed to the key absences of Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund as he sought to explain their latest dire home display this season, but he is beginning to sound like a broken record.

After all, Liverpool have demonstrated that injuries do not matter if you have a clear playing identity and rally behind your coach.

GettySenior players not helping out

Ten Hag had taken a chance on youth the day before by handing 19-year-old Omari Forson his full debut against Fulham to cover the absence of Hojlund. It meant there were four academy graduates in the line-up (including three from the 2022 FA Youth Cup winning side) and four more on the bench.

No one could accuse the Dutchman, whose young Ajax team took the Champions League by storm, of not believing in young players. The difference was that while the likes of Van Dijk, Wataru Endo and Luis Diaz led the way for Liverpool, United's senior players shrunk.

Marcus Rashford was anonymous at centre-forward and Bruno Fernandes was incapable of sparking any danger, save for long-range shots. Casemiro and Harry Maguire were clumsy in the tackle and Victor Lindelof again looked lost trying to deputise for Shaw, whose absence for several months has left United with no natural left backs.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesYou win nothing with (just) kids

After the Carabao Cup triumph, Klopp said: "I got told outside you don't win trophies with kids. Write it new." The German was referring to former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen's infamous declaration on in August 1995 after watching United sink to a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa on the opening day of the season.

Those words came back to haunt Hansen at the end of that season when a United team containing David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt went on to win the Premier League title and FA Cup.

But Hansen's words have been taken out of context. He meant you can't win anything with kids. The catalyst of that great double winning side, after all, was Eric Cantona, who was still suspended at the time for kicking a fan but who galvanised the team when he returned in October.

United have a lot of exciting young players such as Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Hojlund, but they badly lack a talismanic figure like Cantona. Current captain Fernandes has not scored a league goal since November, while Rashford is a shadow of the brilliant player who scored 30 times in all competitions last season.

Getty ImagesPressing problems

Another huge difference between United and Liverpool could be seen in the way the two teams are set up and work as a unit. Reds youngsters are educated in the art of 'Gegenpressing' from an early age, allowing the likes of Bradley and Bobby Clark to fit so seamlessly into Klopp's team. But United's senior players seem incapable of pressing together, allowing Fulham to repeatedly play their way through them at Old Trafford.

Fernandes is a big part of the problem as he is a free spirit, often blindly chasing down opponents and ruining United's shape. Jamie Carragher said recently: "He's emotional. He runs 30 yards to close the goalkeeper down. People sometimes get kidded by it and say, 'look at him working hard'. No, he's killing the team."

Neville has also criticised Fernandes' free role. "He must be told to go and do what you want. Ten Hag is giving him the freedom to go there, there, there. And that means you can never have a combination or a pattern because you've got your main midfield player everywhere on the pitch."

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(C)Getty ImagesLost without Martinez

Ten Hag has acknowledged that not all of his squad fully get his methods or understand what he wants them to do, which becomes a huge problem when just a few key players like Shaw, Hojlund or Lisandro Martinez are unavailable.

"They know what the routines are but definitely things are changed [with injuries]," he said after losing to Fulham. "Not everyone [gets the ideas], other players coming in, different identities, different skills, that is what we have to adapt as a team."

But the fact that a number of players are unable to implement his style and demonstrate the 'automatisms' he talks about ultimately falls on him. More than 18 months into the job, it is still unclear what Ten Hag's playing philosophy is. It seems that with a full squad available, he wants his team to play on the front foot, with Martinez and Andre Onana starting moves from their own area.

But when the Argentine is absent, as has been the case for most of the season, United seem only capable of playing on the counter, leaving Onana with little option but to launch the ball forward with long punts.

And without Hojlund, they have no one capable of holding the ball up and bringing others into play, leading to the hurried attacks they fashioned in the closing stages of each half against Fulham.

Australia captain Michael Clarke has said that Australia need to get better at playing spin, after the side lost all six wickets to spinners during the first ODI in Sharjah

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Aug-2012Michael Clarke, the Australia captain, has said that his team needs to get better at playing spin and although the conditions pose a challenge, he expects his top order batsmen to come good in the series, ahead of the second ODI in Abu Dhabi on Friday.”I guess playing spin bowling is an area that we’d want to continue to improve as a batting group,” Clarke said. “It’s something that we’re focused on, it’s an area we need to continue to get better at.”Australia lost all six wickets to spinners during their chase, as they limped to their target of 199 in the 49th over, in the first ODI on Tuesday.Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez shared five wickets between them and strangled the scoring, going for 30 and 29 runs respectively in their ten overs as Australia hobbled to the target in 48.2 overs. Australia were in trouble when they lost their fourth wicket on 67 in the 18th over. However, crucial half-centuries by Clarke and George Bailey helped them secure a win.”We were under pressure at different stages throughout that game, our batting could improve in areas from the other night, I’d love to see somebody in our top four go and make a hundred.”Clarke said that the hot conditions and the slowness of the pitch hinder free scoring and the batsmen need to show more patience.”I’ve got two starts, two fifties (75 and 66), and I haven’t been able to go on, heat is certainly a factor, [but] more than that it’s the conditions,” Clarke said. “It’s the slowness of the pitch, slowness of the outfield in Sharjah.”Due to the conditions, and also good opposition spinners, it’s hard to hit boundaries with five fielders out [in the middle overs]. So you’ve got to bat for a long period of time.”Clarke, however, was all praise for Australia’s bowlers, who put the reins on Pakistan’s innings by taking the last six wickets for 38 runs to keep the target under 200. “I thought our bowlers did a great job against Pakistan. It was really nice to get off to a winning start.”

A round-up of the fourth day of matches from the sixth round of the Regional Four Day Competition

Cricinfo staff23-Feb-2010Shivnarine Chanderpaul was at the forefront during Guyana’s first win of the season, and for three years in the WICB regional first-class championship, as they beat Leeward Islands by five wickets at the National Cricket Centre in Couva. Chanderpaul followed up his first-innings century with 32 not out, as Guyana, chasing a modest 98 for victory, reached their target before lunch. The result never appeared to be in doubt, although they lost Assad Fudadin and wicketkeeper Derwin Christian continuing from their overnight score of 49 for 3. But Chanderpaul was there to provide the final touch.”It is always good to win, and it will be a big boost to the team’s confidence going into the final round,” said Chanderpaul. “You needed to apply yourself and be patient which is a problem for most of our batsmen.”Apart from spending time in the middle, Chanderpaul was also pleased that his thumb injury, sustained during West Indies’ tour of Australia in December, hadn’t played up. “I’m feeling okay with my injury,” he said. “Victory against Zimbabwe in the coming series will be a psychological boost to the team and the fans in the Caribbean. We have to lift our game and play more intelligent cricket.”Offspinner Amit Jaggernauth starred with the ball to hand Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) a 155-run victory over Windward Islands in Port of Spain. Jaggernauth picked up 5 for 47 as Windwards, chasing 373 for victory, were cleaned up before the lunch interval. T&T had early success after the Windwards resumed from their overnight 129 for 5, with Imran Khan trapping Shane Shillingford leg before for 1. But from then on it was the Jaggernauth show as the Windwards lower order found the mixture of offspinners and googlies too hot to handle. The result helped T&T climb to third on the points table, whereas Windwards hit rock bottom.

Barbados 6 4 0 02 0 57 Jamaica 54 1 0 0 0 48 Trinidad & Tobago 5 2 10 2 0 33 Combined Campuses and Colleges 5 2 3 0 0 024 Leeward Islands 5 1 30 1 0 22 Guyana 5 1 3 0 1 019 Windward Islands 5 1 40 0 0 16

The Three Lions coach's legacy is secure after turning the team's fortunes around dramatically since 2016, but his days in the hot seat feel numbered

While Gareth Southgate and England will have their attention fixed on Euro 2024 having secured their place in Germany, a great abyss lies beyond the summer amid uncertainty over the manager's future. After a testing few months on and off the pitch, cracks have finally begun to show in Southgate's perpetually composed demeanour.

Despite everything he has done for the national team and its standing on the world stage over the last eight years, his selection decisions, performances and, indeed, words have arguably never been under more scrutiny.

With a golden opportunity to end England's agonising wait for silverware on the horizon, and a momentous decision facing him beyond that, it feels as though we are already witnessing Southgate's final days as England manager.

Getty'Not where we want to be'

Southgate should predominantly be judged on qualification for major tournaments and England's performances at those showpieces, with lulls in the months in between perhaps par for the course. However, inconsistent and disjointed displays since the 2023-24 season began are cause for concern with so few games between now and Euro 2024. Their form was even worse going into the 2022 World Cup, courtesy of a forgettable Nations League campaign, and that was arguably reflected in an overall underperformance as they bowed out in the quarter-finals.

Since September, the Three Lions have been held to draws by Ukraine and North Macedonia on the road, and only managed unconvincing victories over Australia and Malta at Wembley. Southgate has a knack for getting the best out of his team when the cards are down, but it's evident that something is amiss.

Speaking after edging Malta recently, the manager rather alarmingly admitted: "We know the level we've got should be better, can be better. Those games that you know you can win at a canter, the number of games these players are playing, it's almost a self-regulation. There are positives, but we know we were not where we want to be and can be."

AdvertisementGettyQuestionable selections

Despite the relative success he has delivered and his usually inoffensive, calm demeanour, Southgate has become a polarising figure for England fans – not least because of his squad and team selections.

While there has always been light-hearted debate over who should start on the wing or at right-back, the manager has come under intense scrutiny in recent months for inexplicably continuing to call upon Jordan Henderson, despite his money-motivated move to the inferior Saudi Pro League at the age of 33 and the political connotations that go with that decision.

There have been some glaring inconsistencies, too, with blind loyalty shown to those who are out of form or out of favour at club level, such as Kalvin Phillips, Marcus Rashford and, previously, Harry Maguire, while in-form Raheem Sterling has been consistently overlooked despite having been one of Southgate's most trusted lieutenants.

No more Mr. Nice Guy

Southgate's vehement defence of Henderson's continued involvement was particularly telling. This is a manager who is revered as someone who, alongside his players, has united the country – taking a stand against racism and discrimination while promoting progressive politics. Indeed, his open letter ahead of Euro 2020, 'Dear England', has even been adapted into a West End stage production.

A self-proclaimed LGBTQ+ ally, Henderson's lucrative move to Saudi Arabia – where homosexuality is punishable by death – belies those supposed values, and Southgate is now complicit in that. However, to date his response and defence of both himself and Henderson has been tone deaf and disappointing, with his exasperated tone suggesting that media scrutiny might be getting to him.

In a fraught press conference in September, he said: "My job is to pick a football team. I don’t think you can pick a football team based on any prejudice about where they might be playing their football. I am a bit lost with some of the questioning. You walk in to talk about a squad for football and we are wading into complex political situations, which I am not really trained to do."

He then doubled down when Henderson was booed during the friendly with Australia at Wembley, saying: "I really don’t understand it. He’s a brilliant role model for all of the group in his professionalism and his approach. Some people deciding to boo I really don’t understand what that is for. Come on.

"I don’t really know where we are heading with everything. I’m hugely impressed with the impeccable values and decisions that everyone in our country is making now. I know what’s created it and it’s happened but it defies logic to me that you would give a player – who is putting his heart and soul into playing for England – why you would boo him? Is that going to help him or the team? I don’t understand it.”

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Getty ImagesAn underwhelming World Cup

Southgate has built an unlikely reputation as an adept tournament manager since taking the reins from Sam Allardyce in 2016, memorably guiding England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the Euro 2020 final in consecutive major tournaments, although they came up agonisingly short on both occasions.

Expectation, then, was heightened when last year's World Cup rolled around, with the hope that England could finally go one step further. However, although they swiftly clicked into gear and cruised into the quarter-finals, their hopes were brought to an abrupt end by France as Harry Kane missed that crucial penalty.

There is no doubting the quality in the French squad, but a quarter-final exit was quite literally a step backwards for Southgate's England given what had come before, resulting in the nagging sense that a golden opportunity had been passed up by an exceptional set of players. Indeed, with the tools he has at his disposal, Southgate arguably should have delivered some form of silverware, with the Nations League also eluding him.

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Kano approved.

After a glimpse of the kits at Paris Fashion Week last month, adidas and the Jamaica Football Federation kick off their highly anticipated partnership with a collection of grail-worthy kits. The official release of the kits gives us a proper look at the new home and away kits, alongside a pre-match jersey and wider collection.

adidas

Designed exclusively by Wales Bonner, the adidas Jamaica 2023-24 kit collection celebrates the powerful relationship between Jamaican culture and football, blending football and fashion seamlessly.

adidas

The home jersey comes dressed in the country's world-famous rich and vibrant black, gold, and green with fine '80s-inspired pinstripe details to echo the subtle groove of Jamaican music and style. 

adidas

Woven from the collective memories of proud Jamaicans, the away jersey celebrates the nation's commitment to fine craftsmanship, with its premium collar and cuffs in the signature Wales Bonner crotchet texture.

Inspired by traditional Fair Isle knitwear and Grace Wales Bonner’s own Jamaican heritage and Caribbean cultural influence, the navy pre-match jersey and anthem jacket make for a versatile duo both on and off the pitch.

adidas

The Reggae Girlz (women's team) are to debut the game day collection at the FFA cup of Nations being held from the 13-25 February 2023, with the Reagge Boyz (men's team) debuting the away kit during their Concacaf Nations League group stage match against Mexico on 26 March 2023.

adidas x JFF x Wales Bonner 2023-24 kit collection price & how to buy

The Jamaica Football Federation 23-24 home, away, and pre-match jersey kit collection is available to buy now from adidas. Here's a closer look at some of the items available:

Shop: Jamaica 2023 kit collection

Available in XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, and 3XL.

Advertisement

Available in XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, and 3XL.

Available in XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, and 3XL.

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Available in XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, and 3XL.

The 2017-18 FIFA Ultimate Team of the Season has been revealed, with all this year's biggest and best performers getting huge ratings boosts

EA SportsSergio Aguero – Man City89 > 97AdvertisementEA SportsDele Alli – Spurs84 > 92EA SportsCesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea86 > 92ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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EA SportsDavid Silva – Man City89 > 95