All posts by h716a5.icu

Aston Villa are now dark horses in the race for an “amazing” striker, after recently opening talks over a deal, and there is a feeling he would be keen on the move.

Villa keen on new striker after Watkins' slow start

The new Premier League campaign is still at a very early stage, but it would be fair to say Ollie Watkins hasn’t exactly hit the ground running, having failed to score in his opening three games, most recently struggling against Crystal Palace.

The 29-year-old missed one big chance and had just 24 touches of the ball in the 3-0 home defeat against the Eagles, the second-lowest number of any Villa starter.

As such, Unai Emery may be tempted to play Evann Guessand in a central role against Everton on Saturday, while there have also been reports that the Villans could look to bring in a new centre-forward during the January transfer window.

Aston Villa plan move to sign "colossal" star who has £34m+ release clause

The Villans could look to capitalise in the January window.

BySean Markus Clifford Sep 8, 2025

Earlier this week, it emerged that Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta is a target for Emery’s side, and there has since been another update on their pursuit of the striker.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are now dark horses in the race for Mateta, who is thought to be excitied over the idea of a move to Villa Park, given the centre-forward’s ambitions of playing in Europe.

In fact, talks have already been opened with Palace intermediaries, with Villa trying to gauge whether it will be possible to get a deal done this January.

That said, it could be difficult to get the move over the line, given that Oliver Glasner’s side have little interest in sanctioning a departure, and they could demand upwards of £60m+ if the striker is tied down to a new deal.

"Amazing" Mateta has earned move to Europa League club

Palace will be disappointed not to be playing in the Europa League themselves this season, missing out due to issues surrounding multi-club ownership, but the 28-year-old has earned the opportunity to test himself in the competition.

Over the past two seasons, the former Mainz striker has been particularly impressive, maintaining a fantastic goal and assist record in the Premier League.

Season

PL appearances

Goal contributions

2023-24

35

22

2024-25

37

16

Glasner also clearly holds his first-choice centre-forward in high regard, saying last season: “With his two goals today, he is amazing in the box. He has the feeling that a number nine must have in the box. He makes so many runs where he doesn’t get the ball. You need to suffer as a striker because you make so many runs where you don’t get the ball. He gets the reward and it decides the game for us.”

Emery will be hoping the likes of Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott can make an impact going forward, but if the manager still feels a striker is required in January, Mateta could be a fantastic option.

Nottingham Forest are now willing to make a serious offer for a “super” striker, and they have already started preparing the groundwork for a transfer.

Forest keen on signing new striker after slow start

Although we are just four games into the new Premier League campaign, Forest have already changed their manager, with Ange Postecoglou taking charge for the first time against Arsenal last time out, but it was far from the ideal start for the Australian.

The Tricky Trees suffered their second straight 3-0 defeat in the Premier League, following on from the battering at the hands of a struggling West Ham United side before the international break, with Ange’s side looking pretty toothless going forward.

Although going to the Emirates Stadium was always going to be a difficult test, it has been a slow start for Forest, following on from a concerning pre-season, during which they scored just one goal in seven friendly games.

Consequently, there may be some concerns surrounding Ange’s forward line, meaning the new manager may want to bolster his attacking options in the January transfer window, and the Europa League side have now joined the race for a new striker.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Nottingham Forest are now the club best-positioned to sign Sevilla striker Isaac Romero, and they are willing to make a serious bid for the 25-year-old’s services.

The Tricky Trees are already laying the groundwork for a deal, that could amount to around €25m (£22m), which would be an affordable fee for a Premier League side.

Ange’s side believe the Spaniard has all the qualities to succeed at The City Ground, and the door could be open for a deal, given that Sevilla need to sell to balance the books.

"Super" Romero has made impressive start to the season

The Sevilla star has made a solid start to the campaign, scoring two goals in his opening four La Liga games, meaning he is already half-way to matching his league goal tally from the 2024-25 season.

Former teammate Oliver Torres has also raved about the forward in the past, saying: “More than just a good player, Isaac is a good teammate, a good lad, super humble, super hard-working and in the end fortune smiles on people like that.”

Ange must now unleash Nottingham Forest star who "spelt the end for Nuno"

It isn’t just Omari Hutchinson who Nuno didn’t appear to fancy at Nottingham Forest.

ByJoe Nuttall Sep 12, 2025

Forest made major improvements to their attack in the summer, bringing in the likes of Omari Hutchinson, Dilane Bakwa, Dan Ndoye, and Arnaud Kalimuendo, so there are doubts over whether they need to bring in another forward imminently.

However, with Chris Wood now 33-years-old, the New Zealand international could be in the twilight years of his career, so it may be worth bringing in a long-term replacement, and Romero is showing promising signs at Sevilla.

They were found an over short in Hamilton after being two overs short in the first ODI in Napier

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-2025Pakistan incurred an over-rate offence for a second game in a row against New Zealand after they were found one over short in the second ODI in Hamilton. The players were fined 5% of their match fees after captain Mohammad Rizwan pleaded guilty to the offence.Match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the sanction as per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which governs over-rate offences. Players are fined 5% of their match fees for each over the team falls short of bowling in the given time. On-field umpires Michael Gough and Wayne Knights, third umpire Paul Reiffel, and fourth umpire Chris Brown levelled the charge.Pakistan were found two overs short in the opening ODI of the three-game series in Napier, where they lost by 73 runs. They went down in the second ODI by 84 runs to concede the series with a match to spare. Pakistan slipped to 72 for 7 in their chase of 293 and only managed to get to 208 because of fifties from No. 7 Faheem Ashraf and No. 10 Naseem Shah. This was after New Zealand wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay scored an unbeaten 99 to help them post 292, and that was followed by fast bowler Ben Sears registering his ODI-best figures of 5 for 59.Pakistan were also fined for a slow over-rate in the opening match of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which was also against New Zealand. Thus, this is the third successive match against New Zealand – and third in four completed ODIs – in which Pakistan have been docked for an over-rate offence.

Bayern Munich's record-breaking start to the season has earned plaudits, but Didi Hamann sees a potential danger. The German legend believes the team's 'youthful enthusiasm' and excessive running, such as in their 5-1 win over Pafos in midweek, could have 'brutal consequences' later in the season, highlighting a flaw in their otherwise dominant approach.

Can Bayern fall?

Hamann has cautioned Bayern that their excessive physical output in comfortable victories could backfire later in the season, pointing to their recent 5-1 Champions League win over Pafos as a prime example. Writing in his column for , the pundit praised Bayern's historic start under Vincent Kompany but identified their high running stats as a potential concern.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportHamann praises record start but raises concerns

Bayern have enjoyed the best start to a season in their illustrious history, and Hamann acknowledged that Kompany's side are winning "confidently, and almost as if it were a given." However, he highlighted a specific issue from their dominant European victory in Cyprus. Despite cruising to a 5-1 win, where they registered 26 shots to Pafos' six and held 67% possession, Bayern’s players covered a significant amount of ground, a detail Hamann believes is cause for concern in a game that was never in doubt.

What Hamann said about Bayern's 'unnecessary' effort

The ex-Liverpool midfielder pointed to the match statistics as the "only fly in the ointment" for the Bavarian giants. "When you're playing against an opponent two or three leagues lower… you can't overexert yourself so much running-wise," Hamann stated. "Bayern ran over 121 kilometers, Pafos 113. I don't know if that's youthful enthusiasm. But such an unnecessary extra physical effort can have brutal consequences in the spring, when you really need your strength. 

"Real Madrid ran only 110 kilometers in their victory in Kazakhstan, while their opponents ran 114. That's much more intelligent. I think that's a fact that's not insignificant in the final analysis. But it's also the only fly in the ointment right now."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWhat next for Kompany's high-flying Bayern?

Despite Hamann's warning on game management, Bayern's results remain flawless. They sit top of their Champions League group with two wins from two, scoring eight goals in the process, and also lead the Bundesliga with a perfect record after five matches. The intensity will ramp up in their next fixture, an away trip to face fellow top-four side Eintracht Frankfurt in what Hamann has labelled their "toughest test since the match against Chelsea." Kompany will need to balance his side's high-energy approach with the need for preservation as they enter a demanding period of the season.

Owen’s PSL commitments could run until May 18, depending on Zalmi’s progress

Matt Roller04-May-2025 • Updated on 07-May-2025Punjab Kings (PBKS) have brought in Mitchell Owen, as their injury replacement for Glenn Maxwell, who was ruled out of IPL 2025 after fracturing a finger. Owen will join PBKS at the end of his stint with Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing season of the PSL for INR 3 crore.ESPNcricinfo has learned that Owen will travel to India as soon as Zalmi’s season comes to an end. Zalmi sit fifth out of six teams in the PSL at this stage, and play their final group-stage match on May 9. If Zalmi qualify for the playoffs, Owen’s PSL commitments could run until the final on May 18 – two days after PBKS’ final group-stage fixture, but before the start of the IPL playoffs. Owen has been eligible to be a replacement player at the IPL since he had registered for the auction late last year, even though he did not make the final shortlist.Owen, the 23-year-old top-order batter from Tasmania, came to prominence in the latest edition of the BBL where he was the top run-scorer overall, playing a starring role in Hobart Hurricanes’ title-winning run.In the final, he scored 108 from 42 balls to win the Player-of-the-Match award. Owen finished with 452 runs from 11 innings, scoring at an average of 45.20 and a strike rate of 203.60. He has since played in the SA20 and the PSL. Owen also bowls medium pace and has 10 wickets in 20 innings in T20s. Ricky Ponting, the Australian head coach of PBKS, has followed Owen’s success closely in his role as Hurricanes’ head of strategy in the BBL.

“He’s a very exciting player, a very exciting package. He is someone that can bat lots of different positions in the order and can bowl some very handy medium pace as well, which will be really good for us”Ricky Ponting on Mitchell Owen

In a PBKS statement*, Ponting said of Owen, “I think we’re all very happy to add Mitchell Owen to our squad for the back end of this season… He’s someone that I’ve watched very closely, especially over the last 12 months.”He’s a very exciting player, a very exciting package. He is someone that can bat lots of different positions in the order and can bowl some very handy medium pace as well, which will be really good for us. I’m really excited to have him as part of the group and looking forward to him getting over here sooner rather than later.”At the PSL, he was a replacement for Corbin Bosch at Zalmi after Bosch reneged on his deal to join Mumbai Indians (MI) as a replacement for the injured Lizaad Williams. Bosch was subsequently served a legal notice by the PCB and banned from the competition for a year.”I deeply regret my decision to withdraw from the PSL, and offer my sincere apologies to the people of Pakistan, the fans of Peshawar Zalmi, and the wider cricket community,” Bosch, who has played two games for MI in IPL 2025, said in a statement released by the PCB at the time.

It wasn’t the start to their Champions League campaign Chelsea would’ve been looking for last night.

The Blues travelled to the scene of their greatest European achievement, but instead of getting another one over Bayern Munich, they were comfortably beaten.

Now, there were several starters who put in a good showing, like Cole Palmer and Robert Sanchez, but there were more who let themselves down.

One of those was Enzo Fernández, and since he’s not really been at it this season, Enzo Maresca should look to drop him for the Premier League clash against Manchester United in two days.

Fernandez's slow start to the season

Now, there is no doubting Fernandez’s quality; he’s a World Cup winner after all and played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s success last year.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, as was the case at the beginning of last season, the former Benfica gem has not started the campaign in particularly impressive form.

For example, while he managed to bag a goal and assist in the win over Fulham, he’s only created one big chance in five appearances.

Moreover, in the Premier League, he has averaged just 1.5 key passes per game, been accurate in 20% of his crosses, completed 41% of his long balls, and been accurate in just 76% of his passes when in the opposition’s half.

Last night was probably the Argentine’s most underwhelming display yet, as even though he was moved further up the pitch, he offered practically nothing in attack while also lacking off the ball.

Minutes

81′

Expected Goals

0.23

Goals

0

Expected Assists

0.01

Assists

0

Touches

34

Accurate Passes

17/21 (81%)

Key Passes

0

Crosses (Accurate)

2 (0)

Long Balls (Accurate)

2 (0)

Shots on Target

0

Big Chances Missed

1

Lost Possession

9

In fact, he amassed an expected assists figure of just 0.01, failed in 100% of his crosses and long balls, failed to have a single shot on target and missed a huge chance created by Palmer.

It was a performance that saw the Standard’s Simon Collings award him a 5/10 match rating at full-time, which was probably rather generous.

In all, it feels like Maresca should do what he did last season and take Fernandez out of the team for a little while, especially when he already has a player who could be the ideal replacement.

The player Maresca should start in place of Fernandez

While there are a few options Maresca could pick from, the player we think he should start against United is Andrey Santos.

Now, there is certainly an argument to be made that handing the 21-year-old his first Premier League start at Old Trafford, a ground Chelsea haven’t won at for over a decade, is a little foolish.

However, the young Brazilian does not seem like the sort of player to be overawed by that sort of thing, and his overall play from last season warrants him getting this chance.

He’s more than comfortable playing in a couple of midfield roles and has shown himself to be just as effective at breaking up play as he is at scoring and creating goals.

For example, in 34 appearances for Strasnourg last year, totalling 3024 minutes, the Rio de Janeiro-born ace scored 11 goals and provided five assists.

In other words, he maintained an average of a goal involvement every 2.12 games, or every 189 minutes.

Moreover, according to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for tackles won, the top 4% for goals per shot and tackles in the middle third, the top 10 for tackles plus interceptions and more, all per 90.

Tackles Won

2.23

Top 2%

Non-Penalty Goals – npxG

+0.11

Top 3%

Goals/Shot

0.19

Top 4%

Tackles (Mid 3rd)

1.59

Top 4%

Non-Penalty Goals

0.27

Top 5%

Tackles

3.22

Top 5%

Pass Completion % (Long)

78.2%

Top 7%

Touches (Def 3rd)

19.12

Top 8%

Goals/Shot on Target

0.57

Top 9%

Goals + Assists

0.37

Top 10%

Tkl+Int

4.30

Top 10%

Fouls Drawn

2.00

Top 10%

Dribblers Tackled

1.42

Top 12%

Penalty Kicks Won

0.03

Top 12%

These numbers help to back up the claim made by analyst Ben Mattinson that the youngster is a “duel monster” who is “brilliant at screening the backline.”

Going even further than that, talent scout Jacek Kulig called him a “one-man war machine in midfield” due to his ability to seemingly do it all and constantly dash from one box to another.

Ultimately, there would be an element of risk in starting Santos over Fernadez on Saturday, but the Argentine hasn’t looked anywhere near his best this season, and based on his performances last year, the Brazilian could be just what Chelsea need.

Maresca must drop Chelsea dud who was as bad as Chalobah vs Bayern

Chelsea lost to Bayern Munich in their first Champions League game of the season.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 18, 2025

Vinicius Junior is no longer "untouchable" at Real Madrid, according to reports, with Los Blancos prepared to sanction a sale if the right offer arrives. That deal would need to smash all kinds of records, with the Spanish giants demanding €250 million (£217m/$290m) for their Brazil international forward. Few teams can afford to meet that asking price, but big-spending sides in the Saudi Pro League could.

Fresh Vinicius Jr rumours after €1 billion contract talk

Ambitious outfits from that part of the world have previously seen a move for Vinicius speculated on. When he was at the peak of his powers, as a leading contender for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, it was suggested that the South American could be handed a contract worth €1 billion (£868m/$1.2bn). No deal was done, but the rumours remain.

There is still the possibility of Vinicius following ex-Real Madrid superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to the Middle East. He has registered five goals and four assists through 10 appearances this season, but has seen Kylian Mbappe become the main man at Santiago Bernabeu.

AdvertisementGettyVinicius Jr contract: Real Madrid may listen to offers

Real have plenty of alternative attacking talent at their disposal and are forever in the market for ‘Galactico’ additions. Bringing in huge money for Vinicius would allow them to reinvest in other areas of Xabi Alonso’s squad.

A sale may just happen, with claiming that: “Vinicius Junior is no longer untransferable to Real Madrid! The club is reportedly seriously considering a sale to Saudi Arabia next summer. The expected amount? No less than €250 million for the Brazilian star. A scenario that seemed unthinkable just a few months ago.”

Vinicius is only tied to a contract in Spain through to the summer of 2027, meaning that some big decisions on his future are fast approaching. If he were to indicate that no extension will be signed, then Real would have little choice but to open themselves up to offers.

It has been claimed that Al-Ahli are in “direct talks” with representatives of the Brazilian superstar. They are supposedly prepared to table a bid that would eclipse the world-record €222m (£193m/$257m) transfer that took Neymar away from Barcelona and over to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

Confidence in Saudi Pro League that deal can be done

Leading figures in the Middle East have previously stated their confidence when it comes to bringing Vinicius on board. Omar Mugharbel, CEO of the Saudi Pro League, told in January 2025: “We don't have dreams, it's a matter of time and negotiation. Foreign players have always been part of Saudi teams. In recent years, the number of possible foreign players in teams has changed. This season we have included the number of eight plus two others under 21 years of age.

“It has always been in the DNA of this league to bring in players from outside to make it more attractive. What has changed massively, especially in the last two years, has been the quality of the players who come. Benzema, among others, create a bigger impact, both nationally and internationally.”

Al-Ittihad sporting director Ramon Planes, who once filled a similar position at Barcelona, told in July of Vinicius treading the same path as Portuguese GOAT Ronaldo: “I don't rule it out.

“I think it's part of the idea and plan to be one of the most powerful leagues in the world. The World Cup has been a good test for the Saudi league. Within that plan, to allow players to come at an important point in their careers, Vinícius could be included.

“He has everything in his favor. If you analyse the profile of the player who comes, even in our team, last summer we made a lot of moves and were market shakers. Players like Steven Bergwijn, [Houssem] Aouar, Moussa Diaby are coming. Players who are 25, 26, 27 years old, in good moments of their careers. Plus, the youngsters we're banking on, like Unai Hernández or Mario Mitaj. I don’t rule it out at all…and Vinícius certainly has all the conditions to join this league.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWhat next for Vinicius Jr? Brazil duty & return to Madrid

Vinicius remains on Real Madrid’s books for now and will be looking to help them cement a standing at the top of La Liga when returning to domestic action against Getafe on Sunday – with Vini currently away with the Brazil national team as they play friendly fixtures in Asia.

Yoane Wissa is reportedly set to avoid a nine-month injury layoff, with Newcastle's £55 million ($74m) striker eyeing a return against former club Brentford. The 29-year-old, yet to even kick a ball for the Magpies since arriving on Tyneside, injured his knee while on international duty with DR Congo just a week after completing his move. The timing could not have been worse, as he hadn't even trained once with his new team-mates before disaster struck.

A setback even before a start at Newcastle

Eddie Howe had previously confirmed that Wissa’s recovery had been slower than hoped. Speaking earlier this month, the Newcastle boss revealed the forward had undergone another specialist consultation, which pushed back his expected comeback.

Howe previously explained: "Yoane saw a specialist again yesterday for a check-up on his knee. We probably think now it’ll be eight weeks rather than six from the point of the injury. It’s no recurrence or problem, just slightly longer."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesNewcastle fans have new hope

According to the , fears that Wissa had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) were wide of the mark. Instead, the injury is to his posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). It is a less serious but still delicate setback. Crucially, surgery will not be required. Recovery timelines for PCL injuries can vary widely, from a few weeks to several months, depending on the extent of the damage. Because Wissa’s injury was relatively mild and non-surgical, there’s growing confidence he’ll be back before the end of November. At the moment, the swelling in his knee remains the final obstacle. Once that subsides, the former Brentford talisman will begin full-contact training.

It was earlier suggested that Wissa was eyeing the West Ham clash on November 2 for his long-awaited debut. However, that timeline has been further pushed back, and a reunion with his old club Brentford a week later could be the more realistic comeback date. It is mentioned that Newcastle are in no rush to force an early return. They believe Wissa is a long-term asset for the club, and patience is the key while dealing with such a critical injury.

Wissa has resumed activity on grass

The forward has already resumed running on grass, and while he could theoretically play through pain using injections, Wissa does not want to take any shortcuts. Moreover, beyond the immediate concern of getting him fit, another issue is quietly brewing, which is the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament, set to take place between December 21 and January 18 in Morocco, could see Wissa called up by DR Congo. Initially, many assumed Wissa would only have a brief window with Newcastle before jetting off to represent his country. But that assumption might now be changing. The suggests that his suggest that his participation in AFCON is not guaranteed. The focus, for now, is entirely on rebuilding strength and ensuring his long-term fitness. With the World Cup on the horizon next summer, Wissa’s management is equally keen to ensure he doesn’t aggravate his knee injury by rushing into international action.

Meanwhile, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, has called out Wissa and urged him to stay with the Magpies and skip the AFCON. 

"It will be a really difficult decision for Wissa not to go to AFCON because you always want to represent your country," Shearer told . "But what I would say is, because of him not training or playing during the summer, he could've shown more responsibility in not playing as much as he did in those two games when he went away on international duty and hadn't played at all. But it's really tough to say to someone they can't and won't represent their country when it means so much. And we know AFCON is huge and players want to play in that tournament.

"It'll be a tough ask, but I understand that there'll be a lot of people thinking that he's never played for Newcastle and he needs to show some loyalty towards us. I get it and understand that point-of-view because Newcastle shelled out a lot of money on him and he hasn't been able to take to the St James' Park turf as yet. It'd be a really tough decision for him and Newcastle. Whether there's a way around it, I'm not so sure."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWoltemade coming in clutch for Newcastle

The Magpies' cautious stance with Wissa is made easier by the blistering form of Nick Woltemade, Newcastle’s other new striker who arrived for £69 million ($93m) this summer. The towering German has quickly found his rhythm, netting four goals in seven appearances, and has seamlessly filled the void left by Wissa’s absence. As Newcastle prepare to face Brighton this weekend, the German striker will once again lead the line.

Noor Ahmad took 4 for 31 for CSK, who slowed KKR down in the four overs after the powerplay

ESPNcricinfo staff07-May-2025Noor Ahmad took four wickets on a sharply turning surface as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) kept Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to 179 for 6 in Eden Gardens’ last league match of IPL 2025. On one of the most spin-friendly surfaces of the tournament – there were 20 not-in-control shots against spin during KKR’s innings, the joint second-most of any innings this season – CSK’s three spinners took a combined 5 for 84 in 11 overs.Given the conditions, and given the fact that they have Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy and Moeen Ali in their attack, KKR may well have been the happier side going into the innings break.Choosing to bat first, KKR probably knew they had to make the most of the powerplay, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz set the tone before becoming the first batter dismissed for 11 off nine balls. He hit a four and a six, swung hard and missed on numerous occasions, and then chipped one straight to midwicket.Narine and Ajinkya Rahane continued in that spirit, and took KKR to 67 for 1 at the six-over mark, hitting eight fours and two sixes between them during the powerplay. Neither looked in full control – Rahane survived a chance when a diving Matheesha Pathirana put him down at long leg – but both went hard at the bowling in this period. Narine, coming into this game having scored 118 runs off 48 balls against R Ashwin while only being dismissed once, took 14 off the offspinner in the fifth over.With the fields spread, Ashwin’s next over, the seventh, only went for two. With the ball often turning square, KKR didn’t hit a single boundary in the first four overs after the powerplay, and lost two wickets. Both fell in Noor’s first over, with Narine stumped after the ball slipped between his legs, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi feathering one behind.Rahane and Manish Pandey, who came in for the injured Venkatesh Iyer, then put on 32 off 28 balls, before Andre Russell arrived to give KKR the late push they desired. His 21-ball 38 was the driving force behind KKR scoring 70 off their last six overs, even though Pathirana closed out the innings with a 20th over full of singles.

Looking ahead to the January transfer window, Derby County and John Eustace have now been told to go and sign a Premier League gem who was previously a playoff hero.

Eustace bemoans "poor" Derby attack

Whilst they did manage to keep up their current run of just one defeat in their last six Championship games, Eustace was left frustrated at Derby’s decision-making going forward in a 1-1 draw with Charlton on Tuesday night. After James Bree’s opening strike, the Rams left it until the 79th-minute to find an equaliser through Matt Clarke and are now one point above the dropzone.

Having his say on the draw, Eustace told reporters: “I thought it was a difficult first half, though we did get into some really good areas, especially early on.

“In the final third again, decision-making was poor tonight, so it’s something that we’ve got to keep improving on. We got in some good areas, and then we were disappointing in the manner we conceded.

“When you go a goal down, especially at home, there’s always a lot of pressure on you and quite rightly so. We weren’t happy coming in at half-time and the fans weren’t happy. I thought the lads showed great character after half-time to change our style and play a lot more football throughout the second half.”

Results could see the Rams drop into the relegation zone in the coming weeks and that will be the greatest concern at Pride Park after avoiding the drop by just one point last season.

Alas, there is still time for things to change and the January transfer window could play a big part in that, especially if the Rams follow the advice of one of their former players.

Lee Hendrie tells Derby to go and get Watson

Speaking to Football League World, former Derby star Lee Hendrie told Eustace to go and get Tommy Watson in January.

After scoring the winner in the play-off final to send Sunderland up last season, the young winger completed a move to Brighton & Hove Albion, but has struggled for game time ever since. Now, Hendrie believes that Derby should hand Watson a January loan move.

A loan move back to the Championship would certainly make sense for the 19-year-old and as Derby set sights on survival, they should listen to Hendrie’s request.