Thursday, September 19, 2024
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Premier League news conferences, Women's Nations League build-up & more – BBC

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Paul Heckingbottom sacked by Sheffield United, Chris Wilder returns as manager
Premier League news conferences
Two PL matches on Tuesday evening
Women's Nations League: Scotland v England (19:45, live on BBC One)
Wales & Northern Ireland also in action
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Ben Collins, Katie Stafford and Michael Beardmore
Well, there are busy days, really busy days – and absolutely crazy busy days like today.
It's been non-stop with a host of Premier League conferences – including one from new (and old) Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on the very day he returned to the Bramall Lane hotseat.
As we leave you for the afternoon, it's worth recapping the top stories we've brought you over the past few hours:

Thanks for your company. See you soon!
Right, it's almost time for us to wrap up our live news page for today – but there is still a feast of footballing action for you to enjoy with BBC Sport tonight.
Top of the bill is the final Women's Nations League group game between Scotland and England at Hampden Park – that's on BBC One from 19:30 but you can also watch, listen and follow live text here online.
Before that game kicks off, Northern Ireland host Republic of Ireland at 18:00 GMT – watch here – and you can click here to watch and follow Wales v Germany at 18:30.
We also have live text and radio coverage from the Premier League as leaders Arsenal visit Luton and Wolves host Burnley – you can find that here.
And if you fancy some FA Cup magic? Well, non-league side Alfreton are looking to shock League Two outfit Walsall and reach the third round for the first time ever.
Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland (18:00 GMT)
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe says Tuesday's Women's Nations League match against Northern Ireland is "one you don't want to miss".
The sides will meet at Windsor Park to conclude their respective Group B1 campaigns. The unbeaten Republic have already topped the group; however, the home side need a win to secure second place.
"It's a derby at the end of the day, isn't it? So for sure they're going to come at us," Arsenal's McCabe said.
Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby added: "It will give a really good indication of where we are at so we're really looking forward to it.
"The Republic have been far and away the best team in this group, so we will know about the areas where we know we need to improve."
Wales v Germany (18:30 BST)
Wales
Wales boss Gemma Grainger says her side have benefitted from playing top opposition despite being beaten in their past six matches.
Wales have lost all five of their Women's Nations League qualifiers. They will be relegated to League B whatever happens in Tuesday's final game against Germany in Swansea.
"I've answered this question about 25 times and my answer will remain the same, to be the best you've got to play against the best," she said.
"Preparing to play against the higher ranked teams is something our players are thriving off. The big focus for us will be on the performance against Germany. Playing against them is a fantastic opportunity for us."
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Wales v Germany: Boss Gemma Grainger expects strong Welsh finish
Elsewhere, there are a couple of earlier kick-off's involving our other home nation sides.
Wales host Germany at 18:30 GMT – That's available to watch on BBC Two Wales (first half) and BBC One Wales (second half), or the BBC Sport website.
There's also radio coverage on BBC Radio Wales.
Half an hour earlier, Northern Ireland host the Republic of Ireland – and that's available to watch on the BBC Sport website and BBC One Northern Ireland.
Scotland v England (19:45 GMT)
Scottish football writer Alison McConnell has spoken to Radio 5 Live about the unique circumstances surrounding tonight's game:
"The Scotland players were very indignant when this question was put to them, the suggestion that they might be compromised in any way.
"This is a very unique situation that has come about through Team GB representation at the Olympics. I have to say I would wonder how many Scottish players might genuinely be in with a chance of making the Olympics squad anyway.
"Caroline Weir would have been the one you might have expected. She went to the last tournament with Kim Little – but Caroline is recuperating from an ACL injury and is expected to be out for at least the next 9-10 months.
"Erin Cuthbert might have a chance but Scotland know it's been a very dispiriting, sobering Nations League campaign and their attention and focus is essentially on European Championship qualifying."
Scotland v England (19:45 GMT)
BBC One
You can watch the big Nations League clash live on BBC One tonight, don't forget.
Or you can tune in online to the BBC Sport website to watch.
There will also be radio commentary on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra.
Scotland v England (19:45 GMT)
England
England full-back Lucy Bronze says it is "the rudest thing I've ever heard" to suggest Scotland will want to lose Tuesday's Nations League game to allow Team GB to qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
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Lucy Bronze shares her thoughts before England face Scotland
Scotland v England (19:45 GMT)
England are the nominated nation to qualify for next year's Olympics in Paris on behalf of Team GB.
But in order to qualify for the 2024 Games, England must reach the Women's Nations League final, or finish third if France make the final.
To progress to the knock-out stage, England must overtake the Netherlands to win Group A1. Those two are locked on nine points, with the Dutch finishing at home to Belgium.
The Lionesses trail by three in the goal difference column.
Scotland are already consigned to last place and relegation in the group.
That concludes all of the Premier League press conferences for today.
Before we go (for a lie down), let's hear from the England and Scotland camps ahead of tonight's Women's Nations League match.
Brighton v Brentford (Wed, 19:30 GMT)
Brighton & Hove Albion
On Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Chelsea, Roberto de Zerbi said: "We played a good game against a very good team. I’m sorry for the result because the way we conceded three goals was very bad and we can’t concede goals in that way.
"We have to move on and think about Brentford.
"We are playing well, we are doing something important within the football."
Brighton v Brentford (Wed, 19:30 GMT)
Brighton & Hove Albion
On the latest team news, Roberto de Zerbi said: "Today and tomorrow we will analyse the situation, but I don't want to take a risk with any potential new injuries.
"At the moment, I think the squad that played at Stamford Bridge can play tomorrow.
"Kaoru Mitoma didn’t play at Chelsea because he played 65 minutes in Athens and it was a big risk on match time. Tomorrow I think he can play and start the game, but we will see in the morning."
Brighton v Brentford (Wed, 19:30 GMT)
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi has confirmed discussions have opened over a new contract with the club.
"We are speaking," he said.
"I usually work to be happy and to enjoy myself and I feel very good in Brighton. At the end we have to make sure our targets are the same.
"It’s an honour for me working in Brighton. I don't try to reach a higher level, the important thing for me is putting serious work in with good players.
"It is important for me to fix an important target."
Speaking of Brighton, Roberto de Zerbi is our final press conference of the day.
Here are the top lines from the Seagulls boss …
Brighton v Brentford (Wed, 19:30 GMT)
Brentford
Final thoughts from Brentford boss Thomas Frank on Wednesday's opponents Brighton: "I look forward to this game against Brighton, the way they play.
"Of course there will be spells where we need to defend well.
"It’s always difficult and they’re probably favourites, but we believe we can go there and do something.”
Brighton v Brentford (Wed, 19:30 GMT)
Brentford
On Bryan Mbeumo stepping up this season, in the absence of Ivan Toney, Thomas Frank said: "Bryan has been very good for us.
"He’s taken the lead in terms of being the go-to guy with the goal, assists, and offensive actions. His work rate is incredible"
On utility man Saman Ghoddos, Frank added: “I don’t think he’s played centre back yet, but every other position. He’s ready, committed and fantastic for the group.”
Brighton v Brentford (Wed, 19:30 GMT)
Brentford
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking about the Bees' growing injury list, in the build-up to Wednesday's trip to Brighton:
"Like with everything we go under the radar," said Frank.
"We have had key players out for long periods of the season.
"It’s big credit to the players who are available. I’m very proud of the players, the culture, and the hard work the staff put in to put us in a position."
Brentford are missing Kristoffer Ajer, Nathan Collins, Mikkel Damsgaard, Josh DaSilva, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey and Mathias Jensen, plus the banned Ivan Toney.
Sheff Utd v Liverpool (Wed, 19:30 GMT)
Liverpool
Finally from the Reds boss, his thoughts on the importance of their late winner against Fulham in terms of the title race:
"Our late winner was very important – it has nothing to do with a title-winning season but if you can do that every week you would win the league.
"We can take a lot of things from that game into tomorrow. The begining was really good and after we were 3-2 down was really good – in between we could have done better.
"But I don't think a second about where we could end – but we have to be where we are now until April and if you are still there then, you can talk about whatever is possible. But I have no clue now where we will be in April because we have played without a few players already and now we have lost Joel [Matip].
"It is such a tough period coming up now so there is no chance of thinking ahead of the next game – our focus is on Sheffield United, play the best possible game and keep going."
Sheff Utd v Liverpool (Wed, 19:30 GMT)
Liverpool
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher after the stand-in's mistakes against Fulham:
"I really think he played a good game, in possession he was good, especially with his feet. But then we concede two goals – one was unlucky, if a ball goes through legs, it goes through legs, it happens.
"The second one, our goalkeeping coach and Ali [Alisson] explained to me, 'we are front-footed goalkeepers', they told me. He stepped into the situation and if Tete tries to control the ball, he is there – but he doesn't, he takes a first touch and the ball is past him.
"These little things happen – it has nothing to do with quality or whatever. It is a philosophy thing and he could have saved the ball with a little bit more luck.
"So just keep going, do the same things – we can expect against Sheffield United they will have set-pieces and we need him to be offensive and get off his line. I am absolutely fine with everything."
Sheff Utd v Liverpool (Wed, 19:30 GMT)
Liverpool
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on facing a Sheffield United side managed by Chris Wilder, not Paul Heckingbottom, on Wednesday night:
"Obviously I remember the way Sheffield United played under Chris Wilder – the underlapping wing-backs, that was one part of it.
"He has training today, maybe another session tomorrow morning so we can probably bin our analysis!
"Somebody told me yesterday it might happen. We will see but we have to focus on ourselves.
"I don't think he will change too much so we don't have to think too much about it and we should really just prepare for a football game with a team with five at the back, 5-3-2, 5-4-1. We have to make sure we give them a proper job to think about.
"As much as I am happy for Chris that he is back in a job there at his club, if he thinks about us he will think 'oh my God, they come from everywhere'. But the game will be played tomorrow, not today in a press conference."
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