Steve Borthwick's time is running out and the truth behind Marcus Rashford and Man Utd's sorry, confusing divorce |
|
|
Don't be fooled by upbeat England – losing has become the hallmark of Steve Borthwick's reign |
The good news is that England are taking the positives. Again. It may be seven defeats in nine games, but did you see the way they fought for a losing bonus point with the game gone? How about how the tweaked defensive system frustrated Ireland – until it didn't. Remember, of course, that the defending champions are a great team; five points is no difference at all, really. What a learning experience this will prove to be.
Play that tape, Steve. "That was a Test match where, for large parts, there wasn't much in it," England head coach Steve Borthwick said. "I think this group of players is building and is going to be a very, very good team.
"Ireland are such an experienced team and have been world class for so long – it was a tough Test match and that experience showed in the third quarter. We gave them field position and scoreboard pressure in a critical period. But I am very proud of the way the players attacked the game in the first half and how they came back to score a couple of tries to get the bonus point."
Read in full here |
|
|
| Newsletter written by Karl Matchett |
|
|
In depth and this week's best features |
|
|
Don't forget to complete your registration |
We've noticed that you still have not completed your registration to The Independent. Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism. It allows us to better understand our readers and tailor your experience. |
By registering, you'll also gain access to a range of exclusive benefits, including: |
- Limited access to Premium articles
- Access to The Independent app
- Access to more than 20 newsletters
- Commenting on independent.co.uk
|
|
|
How Marcus Rashford and Manchester United reached a sorry, confusing divorce |
Ruben Amorim was contemplating the notion of a humiliation. It wasn't a question about Crystal Palace beating Manchester United – they do that most seasons, sometimes twice in a campaign now – or even about his side losing five of their last six home league games and trailing for much of the other to the bottom club.
Rather, he was asked if it would be humiliating if Marcus Rashford, the player he had banished even before his exile to the Midlands was rubberstamped, proves prolific on loan at Aston Villa. "Humiliating? It's not embarrassing," Amorim replied. "When you loan a player - and I don't think it's official - you expect him to play and to improve, so there is nothing humiliating there."
There is a case that, given Amorim's hardline approach has weakened United's negotiating stance over a footballer who once looked their most valuable asset, it is vital Rashford does score goals aplenty for Villa. Should Amorim remain in charge at Old Trafford, there may be no way back, given the way that whatever is said in press conferences or on Instagram, the teamsheets have given little evidence of a rapprochement. It may have been a throwaway remark, and a very quotable one, when Amorim said last week he would rather put his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital on the bench than Rashford if the forward did not give his maximum every day. It nevertheless felt revealing. Read in full here |
|
|
David Moyes has liberated Everton from the Dyche straitjacket and is reaping the rewards |
If Sean Dyche needed half a season to accomplish it, David Moyes has achieved as much in half a month. Everton sacked a manager with three wins in 19 Premier League games. His replacement has doubled that tally in their last three matches.
Everton scored seven league goals in open play in four months under Dyche. They have delivered seven more in their last two home matches for Moyes. A heady couple of weeks has left Everton 10 points above the bottom three. "I wish I was 10 points clear at the top of the league," smiled the Scot. But if the returning manager placed his legacy on the line by coming back, he again looks like Everton's Moyesiah.
Moyes inherited a team with a chronic inability to find the net. If the failings of an embarrassingly feeble Leicester side helped, he now has one who struck at record-breaking pace. Some 137 years after Everton joined the Football League, Abdoulaye Doucoure scored their fastest ever goal. "After 10 seconds I was thinking, 'My goodness, this is fabulous'," said Moyes.
Read in full here |
|
|
Join the conversation or follow us |
|
| Download the free Independent app |
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Sports newsletter. To unsubscribe from The Independent's Sports newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345
Read our privacy policy and cookie policy
|
|
|
|
0 comentários:
Postar um comentário