Aston Villa have offered a new contract to a "superb" Villa Park gem, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Aston Villa form under Emery
Unai Emery has worked wonders since arriving in the Midlands and is on course to guide Villa to Champions League football during his first full campaign in charge. Currently, Villa are three points clear of Tottenham, however, Spurs have a game in hand, so it could be a dramatic end to the season.
Fulham 1-2 Aston Villa
17th February
Aston Villa 4-2 Nottingham Forest
24th February
Luton Town 2-3 Aston Villa
2nd March
Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Aston Villa
10th March
West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa
17th March
The Spaniard and his side are also still in the Europa Conference League, looking to follow in West Ham’s footsteps by lifting the trophy in May.
Despite all attention being on matters on the pitch, Villa and NSWE appear to be working behind the scenes in regards to new deals. For example, Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso is a target and talks are set to open soon over a possible free transfer to Villa.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery during a Premier League game.
However, closer to home, Villa have also tabled a new deal to an exciting teenager, looking to extend his time at the club.
Aston Villa offer Rory Wilson a new five-year contract
According to Romano, Aston Villa have offered young forward Rory Wilson a new five-year deal at Villa Park. His current contract expires in 2025 and he appears to be catching the eye of a number of clubs elsewhere after a prolific campaign in front of goal.
Wilson joined Villa in 2022 from Rangers and signed a first professional contract six months later after he turned 18. As Romano mentions, Wilson has been in free-scoring form at youth level, so it’s no surprise that Villa want to keep him beyond 2025.
Scotland U17 manager Brian McLaughlin waxed lyrical over Wilson prior to his move to Villa, saying:
“Rory is another who can play again in the next campaign. We have been brave enough to go really young at this age group.
“So Rory is leading the line as a 2006 against big powerful 2005s. But he is a clever player, his touch is good, his attitude is superb and his finishing, for a young boy to be able to finish the way he can finish, just clinical and calm in front of goals.
“He knows he is always going to get a chance because his movement gives him that. It was another top performance from him and even when we put him on the left to give another young boy a chance off the bench it wasn’t a problem because he knows he can score off the left.”
It could be just a matter of time until we see Wilson involved in Emery’s first-team plans, especially if he puts pen to paper on this new contract offer.
With just eight games remaining in what now looks like an impossible fight to seal automatic promotion, Southampton have been dealt a further blow in the form of the latest injury news.
Southampton injury news
There was a moment in time when Russell Martin's side looked destined to complete their promotion comeback and secure an automatic place. Now fourth and 12 points adrift of second place Leeds United albeit with two games in hand, the Saints look destined to turn to the Championship play-offs at the end of the campaign. It's there that Martin will hope to have as many of his stars available to seal eventual Wembley glory and an instant return to the Premier League.
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Before Southampton's last-gasp defeat at the hands of Championship leaders Ipswich Town, Martin's injury list looked relatively simple to deal with, as just Ross Stewart and Juan Larios – both due to return later this month – were missing. However, that loss had more consequences than first expected, with the Saints dealt a fresh injury blow.
Russell Martin confirmed to Adam Blackmore of BBC Radio Solent that Stuart Armstrong will now miss Southampton's game against Blackburn Rovers this weekend, revealing: "He took a massive whack on the head in the second half against Ipswich and started feeling groggy."
Forced into a change as they look to return to winning ways, Southampton's job against Blackburn just became that much harder.
Southampton need "great" Armstrong's experience more than ever
Navigating a way past the Championship play-offs is one of the most daunting tasks in English football. It's where upsets are born and Premier League dreams go to die. And Southampton, well on course to reach that daunting task, will be well aware that they, alongside one of Ipswich Town, Leicester and Leeds United, will be among the favourites to go up.
It's those moments when experience matters most and that's exactly why the Saints need Armstrong's return as soon as possible. Martin, who was a teammate of the 32-year-old's during his playing days, was full of praise for the midfielder in pre-season.
"I know how good of a player he is. He’s such a smooth footballer and is such a great athlete. He possesses everything he needs to play at the very top and I think we will give him a platform where he can really show what he can do."
Southampton manager Russell Martin.
With that said, the boss will be hoping to see Armstrong make a swift return to action following this weekend's clash against Blackburn.
Após perder o jogo de ida da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil para a Chapecoense, fora de casa, o ABC terá dura missão para reverter o resultado de 3 a 1 da primeira partida. Apesar da dificuldade, o zagueiroVinicius Leandro diz acreditar na classificação alvinegra nesta quarta-feira, às 16h30 (de Brasília), no Frasqueirão.
+ Veja a tabela da Copa do Brasil
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– Além do aspecto financeiro para o clube, significaria muito para os jogadores conseguir essa classificação. O adversário é complicado, é uma equipe da elite do futebol brasileiro, mas iremos buscar essa vaga. Ainda temos o propósito de conseguir o sonhado acesso na Série D e essa classificação nos daria mais força e confiança para conseguirmos conquistar o nosso objetivo – disse o atleta.
+Veja os técnicos com mais vitórias no Brasileirão na era dos pontos corridos
Ainda segundo o defensor, a receita para a classificação é ter mais dinâmica. Para o jogador, foi isso o que faltou na primeira partida.
– Temos que fazer gols, mas, além disso, um jogo com mais pegada. Faltou dinâmica na ida e isso foi cobrado durante a semana. Tivemos uma longa semana de treinos e pudemos trabalhar a posse de bola e ter mais velocidade nas jogadas. Acredito que temos chances reais de classificação – concluiu.
Kylian Mbappe will become majority owner of a professional football club at the age of just 25 after striking a deal for Caen.
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Mbappe agrees deal to buy Caen
Forward will be majority shareholder
Still only 25 years of age
WHAT HAPPENED?
Following rumoured interest in recent weeks, reports that Mbappe will pay just under €20 million (£17m/$22m) to purchase most of the shares in Caen. Pierre-Antin Capton will hold the remainder of the shares, worth €5m (£4.2m/$5.4m)
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Mbappe has become the highest earner at Real Madrid with reported net wages of €15m (£13m/$16m). That was a significant reduction on his Paris Saint-Germain contract, but a signing bonus worth in excess of €100m (£84m/$108m) over the course of his contract is set to make up for that loss. In early 2024, valued his various endorsement deals to be worth $20m (£16m), making him extraordinarily wealthy.
DID YOU KNOW?
Mbappe nearly signed for Caen as a youngster after the club saw his potential to be a future star and the family considered it a healthy and sheltered enivoronment for the youngster. But the deal fell through when Caen were relegated from Ligue 1.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?
In the short-term, Mbappe will be eager to make his Real Madrid debut, which is expected to be in next month's UEFA Super Cup. But he will now want to make an impact at Caens, typically a yo-yo side and currently in France's second tier since 2019. Way into the future, he could even play for his own club, just as Didier Drogba did at USL side Phoenix Rising in 2017.
Rangers have been handed a blow on the transfer front to cap off a tricky week for Philippe Clement's side.
Rangers title chase hanging by a thread
At the third time of asking, the Scottish Premiership clash between Rangers and Dundee took place last week, but Rangers will have left it wishing it hadn't – a 0-0 draw meant that they have taken just five from their last 15 possible points in the top flight.
Following Rabbi Matondo's last minute equaliser against Celtic at Ibrox, Rangers knew that if they were to win all of their remaining games they would be crowned champions for just the second time since 2011. Since then, they suffered a shock 3-2 loss to lowly Ross County to leave the title in Celtic's hands, while the draw with Dundee means that they trail their major rivals by three points after 33 games, and look rank outsiders for the title once more courtesy of their inferior goal difference.
Scottish Premiership as it stands
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Goal Difference
Points
Celtic
33
24
6
3
54
78
Rangers
33
24
3
6
49
75
Philippe Clement still believes his side can bridge the gap, but admitted it may take winning all five of their remaining games to do so: "I still believe that. I was maybe the only one in Glasgow who believed that in October, probably the only one of the all town who believed that.
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"OK, you guys point out the ranking a lot. I know we need maybe to win five games to do that. We still have our own fate in our hands."
They are at least in another cup final, where they will once again meet Celtic next month. But there are more issues ahead.
Rangers star nearing agreement elsewhere
Now, it has emerged that midfielder John Lundstram is closing in on an agreement to leave the club this summer. The ex-Sheffield United midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season, but Clement was keen to keep him and tie him down to a new deal.
“There have not been any more talks now. For the moment, there will be in the future. I know both sides love each other so I expect a solution at the end”, he explained last week.
Rangers'JohnLundstramduring training.
Lundstram has appeared in 31 of Rangers' 33 Scottish Premiership games this season, but according to reports from Turkey this could be his last campaign at Ibrox.
Translated by Sport Witness, Turkish media claim that Rangers' contract offer "hasn't pleased the midfielder" and that he's "decided to leave" as a result. With that in mind, Trabzonspor have "accelerated contacts" with Lundstram following the "green light" from their club hierarchy, and are aiming to reach an "agreement" in the coming days.
With Borna Barisic already seemingly leaving the club at the end of the season, losing Lundstram too would be a major blow for Clement and Rangers, but it seems the likeliest outcome right now.
After an impressive first season for Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager, in which he won the Carabao Cup and finished third, the Red Devils’ form in 2023/24 has taken a big nosedive.
This term, United have lost 12 Premier League games so far, and sit on just 50 points, and finished rock bottom of the Champions League group. Incredibly, United conceded 15 goals which is the most by a Premier League side in the group stage, as per Opta Joe.
Ten Hag’s side currently sit sixth in the Premier League, although they are significantly underperforming. According to Understat, United should be 13th according to expected points, on 37, and would be just eight points clear of the relegation zone.
There have been longstanding rumours that United’s new minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns a stake of 27.7% in the club, will look to bring in a new manager ahead of the 2024/25 season. Reports have suggested various names, including Ruben Amorim, who seems destined for Liverpool, although he has denied agreeing personal terms.
However, there could be one former Premier League manager, who won the Champions League with his previous club, in with an outside shot at getting one of the biggest jobs in club football.
A manager with a point to prove in England
According to Caught Offside, German boss Thomas Tuchel is an outsider to take over at Manchester United next season. Brus says “experienced” managers like Tuchel “are liked by United”.
With Tuchel set to leave Bayern Munich this summer, United could have a free run at the German manager, and would also not need to pay a release clause, which would save the Red Devils money.
It certainly feels like Tuchel has a point to prove. Having been sacked by Chelsea in 2022, after winning the Champions League in 2021, he moved to Bayern Munich. It has not worked out at the Allianz Arena for Tuchel, who failed to win the Bundesliga after Bayer Leverkusen ended their 11-year dominance emphatically.
However, Tuchel’s Bayern side did beat Ten Hag twice this season in the Champions League group stages, at the Allianz Arena and at Old Trafford.
Tuchel’s availability could present an opportunity which United could capitalise on next summer, with a potential sack incoming for Ten Hag, and no release clause to provide a stumbling block for the German.
How Tuchel’s style translates to Man United
So, how did Tuchel set up his Chelsea side at their best, and how that could translate over to United? The German manager took over an underachieving team and within months had won the Champions League and reached an FA Cup final.
Essentially, Tuchel did this by resting a defensively solid team who were athletic and fit enough to get back and stop counterattacks, with quick and direct attacking play, using wingbacks for maximum width.
Defensively, Chelsea under Tuchel were well drilled and had a good rest defence to prevent counterattacks, which had been an issue under Lampard. As explained by JJ Bull of The Atheltic in a YouTube video from September 2011, “If there is a turnover and they have to get back, they are back immediately”. Thus, they needed to be an athletic and fit side to get players back to help ensure they were not leaving their defenders exposed.
Going forward, Chelsea under Tuchel attacked with maximum width created by their wingbacks, and positional rotations which allowed for space in behind to attack with direct and vertical passes. These rotations included attacking players dropping deep to drag defenders with them and create space for teammates in behind an opponent’s backline.
Relating this back to Manchester United, some of the pieces of Tuchel’s Chelsea-style system fall into place. Mount is an obvious one, playing the same role he did at Stamford Bridge. Captain Bruno Fernandes might also be a good option to play next to the former Chelsea man.
Rasmus Hojlund would also offer an astute option at centre-forward, with Tuchel liking a striker of such a profile. Kobbie Mainoo would fit the role Mateo Kovacic played under Tuchel well, receiving the ball off the centre-backs and using his carrying skills to progress play, and Andre Onana is an easy pick in goal.
Kobbie Mainoo in Premier League action for Manchester United.
However, there are certainly some positions United must target. They would likely need at least one new fullback, and should also look to recruit at centre-back and in midfield to enhance their squad and fit Tuchel’s style.
Despite their direct nature, Tuchel’s Chelsea were a side who loved to keep possession of the ball. In 2021/22, they had the third-highest average possession in the Premier League, with 62.3%. Only Manchester City, with 68.2%, and Liverpool with 63.2%, had more than the Blues did in 2021/22, as per Sofascore.
Thomas Tuchel
This season, Manchester United have struggled to retain any substantial amount of possession under Ten Hag. They have the tenth most in the Premier League, with just 50%, according to Sofascore.
Therefore, you could certainly argue that United simply do not have the quality of player who can keep up with the demands of Tuchel’s high-possession game. However, it is worth bearing in mind that in Ten Hag’s first season in charge, they had the sixth most in the Premier League, with 53.8%, as per Sofascore.
Often this season, we have also seen United’s players, particularly in midfield, looking tired and unable to cover the copious amounts of space left open. Whilst Tuchel would surely not be so reckless as to leave big gaps in midfield, he will certainly place demand on his side to get back quickly to help prevent counterattacks, which they may struggle with.
Should the German take charge at Old Trafford, it would be fascinating to see what moves he makes in the transfer market, and how he would utilise the existing players at United.
Tuchel is clearly a wonderful manager who has struggled of late, described by Fabrizio Romano on X as “incredible” in 2020. He would certainly have a point to prove at Old Trafford, and only time will tell if, and how, he would fare as Manchester United manager.
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O São Paulo empatou com o Cuiabá por 2 a 2, no Morumbi, e segue sem vencer no Campeonato Brasileiro. Até aqui, em seis partidas, foram apenas três pontos conquistados, com três empates e três derrotas.
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Após a partida, o goleiro Thiago Volpi falou sobre a atuação do Tricolor contra os cuiabanos e evitou colocar a culpa nos desfalques da equipe. O time de Crespo não contou com jogadores em todos os setores.
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– Não vou falar de desfalques. A gente tem um respeito grande por todos os jogadores, por mais que tenha um número fora, aqueles que entram tem total capacidade de vestir a camisa do São Paulo. Não podemos atribuir os resultados aos desfalques – disse Volpi ao ‘Premiere’.
Volpi também negou que o São Paulo está de ‘ressaca’ após o título do Campeonato Paulista, que completou um mês nesta quarta-feira (23).
– O time não tem tido a fortuna de ganhar. Jogamos bem, mas tomamos gol de bola parada e contra-ataque. Não tem ressaca. Estamos trabalhando muito forte todos os dias. Infelizmente não veio a vitória. Agora é seguir falando menos e ir lá para o Ceará para fazer um grande jogo para conseguir a vitória no Brasileiro – finalizou.
O São Paulo agora volta a campo no domingo (27), quando enfrenta o Ceará, às 20h30, no Castelão, pela sétima rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
رد عدلي القيعي رئيس شركة الكرة السابق في النادي الأهلي، على تصريحات الإعلامي عمرو أديب، المعروف بانتمائه لنادي الزمالك، بشأن أزمة التحكيم الأخيرة.
وكان عمرو أديب أدلى بتصريحات له في البرنامج الخاص به على قناة إم بي سي مصر، حول أزمة التسريبات الأخيرة لطاقم تحكيم مباراة الزمالك والبنك الأهلي، مؤكدا أنه يجب إعطاء درع الدوري للأهلي، في إشارة إلى مجاملة النادي الأهلي.
وقال القيعي خلال تصريحات عبر قناة الأهلي لبرنامج “ملك وكتابة”: “عمرو أديب مُضطر أن يبدو مازحًا حتى لا يتم التحفيل عليه”.
وأضاف: “مجرد ما يُحقق انتصارا تشهد شراسة من رجل إعلامي في مستواه وتأثيره، علينا أن نأتي بالتاريخ ونضعه أمام الناس، الكل يقول الحقيقة بأسلوبه”.
طالع | بمشاركة الأهلي.. فيفا يعلن موعد قرعة كأس العالم للأندية 2025
وتابع: “عمرو أديب يقول أنتم تدمرون الكرة المصرية، أنا أريد أن أعدلها وأجعلها نحن نُدمر الكرة، هذا ينطوي عليه هو شخصيًا، الانفجار وطلبه أن يتم استقدام حكام أجانب، الأهلي يُهاجم منك ومن البعض في معسكرك عندما يطالب بحكام أجانب”.
وواصل: “أيضًا قال لو عملنا منطق العدل، منطق العدل إن التحكيم يتحيز لك بهذا المنظر وتحصد بطولات، يا أستاذ عمرو لو عملنا بمنطق العدل سترى البطولات الحلال والبطولات الحرام، هذه دعوة لكل من يريد أن يحلل الدوري من سنة 48 وحتى اليوم، والكأس أيضًا، الكأس أخطر، سموحة فقد لقبين للكأس من أخطاء، كان عمرو أديب بيحتفل ولم يتحدث عن العدل”.
وأكمل: “نسبة فوز الزمالك بالبطولات خلال هذه الفترة لم تحدث في تاريخه، تقول لا يوجد استقرار، أنت تفوز في ظل عدم الاستقرار لأن هناك من يلتزم بتعويضك، هل يوجد نادي يستطيع أن يسدد ديون مليار جنيه وخزينته فارغة؟، لا أحد يسأل من أين لك هذا؟، في ظل إن هناك أندية أخرى تتعرض لإيقاف القيد ولا أحد يساعدها”.
A young member of Ange Postecoglou's squad has been working tirelessly in Tottenham training to improve as he sets lofty ambitions, according to a source close to him.
Postecoglou outlines Tottenham ambition beyond top four finish
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The Lilywhites find themselves locked in a fierce battle with Aston Villa for fourth spot, and it appears to be neck-and-neck, though Tottenham's inconsistency will be a real concern for Postecoglou.
Spurs put Villa to the sword with an impressive 4-0 victory away to Unai Emery's side a fortnight ago, but followed up that incredible display with a very disappointing 3-0 loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage – which was the first time they failed to get on a Premier League scoresheet in around a year.
Tottenham's last five matches under Postecoglou
Fulham 3-0 Tottenham
Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham
Tottenham 3-1 Crystal Palace
Tottenham 1-2 Wolves
Tottenham 2-1 Brighton
Postecoglou's style of play and general charisma as a manager has won over plenty of admirers at N17, and if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League, he's made a stern case that it won't affect what he's trying to build at the club long term.
"I don't see fourth as the prize. I don't want to finish fourth if we haven't grown and developed as a team," said Postecoglou on finishing fourth.
"Part of the narrative is to push you in these kinds of positions where you think that fourth is some kind of achievement that gives you something for next year.
"Fourth would be great if I feel like we're growing as a team, and we're creating something that is going to bring us success next year. But fourth is not our goal… If we finish fifth, and if I think we've got a team to challenge next year, then I won't be disappointed."
In terms of evolving the squad over these coming seasons, centre-back is a key area of the squad Postecoglou wishes to strengthen at Spurs, despite the signing of Radu Dragusin from Genoa in January.
The 22-year-old endured an afternoon to forget away to Fulham, deputising in place of the injured Micky van de Ven, but Dragusin's work ethic behind-the-scenes indicates he'll definitely improve.
Dragusin working tirelessly behind-the-scenes in Tottenham training
According to the Romanian's agent, Florin Manea, in an interview with Fanatik (via Sport Witness), Dragusin is putting extra hours into Tottenham training – as he sets his sights on a Euro 2024 call up, impressing Postecoglou and improving as a player.
“He hasn’t gone out at all in London, to go out clubbing or anywhere," said Manea.
Radu Dragusin in action for Tottenham
"I don’t even know he’s gone out to eat twice. He doesn’t go out. We went out twice to a restaurant. He leaves at 9am, and comes back at 3-3.30pm, because he puts in an extra two hours of gym every day and an hour on the pitch.
“It’s not exactly easy. It’s like having a job. He grafts and grafts. There’s also this pressure, he’s thinking about the national team, the Euros. He really wants to succeed. I think we can already say that he is one step in the winning boat.”
New Zealand actually had a fairly decent game with the ball – their plans were good, execution not always but spot on but more on than off – but they still lost comfortably to India in the series opener. This tells you two things: when India are chasing, you need to put on an above-par score, and Jasprit Bumrah always stands in the way of such an endeavour. In an innings that New Zealand kept nudging at 10 an over, looking for a final kick to push them past 220, Bumrah conceded just 16 runs in overs 18 and 20, three overthrows included.New Zealand can match India’s accomplished batting line-up over 20 overs with power and innovation, but it is in the bowling that India continue to be a superior side. In the second of the double-header at Eden Park, the hosts will have to find a way to hurt India’s bowling to give their bowlers a chance. Expect Shivam Dube and Yuzvendra Chahal to be put under more pressure and not be allowed to go at eight an over on such a small ground.India’s batting remains good as gold in chases, but if they lose the toss, their newfound intent – and they have shown it when batting first against West Indies and Australia in both T20Is and ODIs recently – will be tested when setting a target on the small ground.
Form guide
New Zealand LLLWW (last five completed matches, most recent first) India WWWWLThe not-often-seen orthodox straight drive from Colin Munro•Getty Images
In the spotlight
New Zealand openers gave them a start in the first T20I, but they ended up with strike rates of 140 and 158. They will want at least one of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro to score at near two runs a ball to get a score big enough for this venue.Five overs for 42 runs and two wickets, Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube will have pleased India no end with their performance in the first match. That there are two allrounders eases the pressure on both of them. If they can keep delivering similar results, India will be closer to finding a plan for the T20 World Cup.
Team news
New Zealand might think of the odd change but they will know it was not in the choice of the personnel that they lost the first game.New Zealand (probable): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Kane Williamson (capt.),4 Colin de Grandhomme, 5 Ross Taylor, 6 Tim Seifert (wk) 7 Mitchell Santner/ Daryl Mitchell, 8 Ish Sodhi, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Blair Tickner, 11 Hamish BennettNow that they have preferred Manish Pandey to Rishabh Pant in the middle order, India are expected to give him a decent run. Expect only one change in the Indian XI: Navdeep Saini in for Shardul Thakur.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul (wk), 3 Virat Kohli (capt.), 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 Manish Pandey, 6 Shivam Dube 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Yuzvendra Chahal, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Navdeep Saini, 11 Jasprit Bumrah
Pitch and conditions
The first T20I featured some dew, which will be on the minds of captains at the toss. Other than that, expect a lot of runs and no stoppages.
Stats and trivia
Ish Sodhi needs one wicket to become the fourth New Zealand bowler to take 50. Mitchell Santner had reached the landmark on Friday.
Only one of the last six matches at Eden Park has resulted in a win for the side batting first.
Quotes
“We had great support. We had 80% India fans here, and the atmosphere was great. You need that in a 200-plus chase, they help us go further, be braver.” “Every time we play India, whether it is a home game, away game or a neutral venue, they’re always very well supported. I am not sure what the numbers were today. There’s probably 20,000, and probably 12,000 were Indian supporters.”