Tag: challenge

23 November 2025 Off

Wolves: An impossible job? Rob Edwards shown the scale of club’s challenge to stay in Premier League

By Total Football News

There is no doubting Wolves’ endeavour, they worked hard for Edwards but there is a glaring lack of quality and belief in the squad.

That low confidence will sap the skill Jorgen Strand Larsen demonstrated by scoring 14 goals last season, or the energy and class which Andre and Joao Gomes have previously shown in midfield.

It will be up to Edwards and his staff to help them rediscover that

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8 May 2025 Off

Regis Le Bris: Sunderland boss says his side will be sparked by challenge of play-offs

By Total Football News

After an electric start to the season in which they won nine of their opening dozen games, the Black Cats have been in the Championship’s upper echelons.

They have not been lower than fourth at any stage this season and have spent almost six months in that exact position.

Le Bris’ team were still in the conversation about a top-two spot as late as February until a dramatic injury-time defeat

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22 April 2025 Off

Coventry City: Frank Lampard wants players to rise to challenge

By Total Football News

Frank Lampard says Coventry’s players need to be “up to the challenge” as they seek to secure a Championship play-off place.

Despite a 3-1 defeat at basement boys Plymouth on Monday, the Sky Blues remain sixth, a point behind Bristol City and three ahead of Middlesbrough and Millwall, with each club having two games to play.

When Lampard took over, Coventry were 17th, two points above the relegation zone and

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7 March 2025 Off

Liam Roberts red card: Millwall keeper given six-game ban for Mateta challenge

By Total Football News

The written reasons for the Independent Regulatory Commission’s decision will be released in due course.

The FA said: “The standard punishment for this offence was clearly insufficient, and Liam Roberts subsequently denied this.

“Following a hearing, the Regulatory Commission upheld the FA’s claim, set aside the standard three-match punishment, and instead imposed a six-match ban.”

Roberts has been Millwall’s reserve goalkeeper for much of the season – he has

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6 March 2025 Off

Burnley: ‘James Trafford can challenge Jordan Pickford for England spot’

By Total Football News

Over 20 clean sheets and only 10 goals conceded.

James Trafford has got international experience at under-21 level, won the Euros, saved a penalty and was remarkable in the final.

I think that experience he already has is key. People might question the level he is at now but I would argue the Championship is not an easy league. It’s really competitive and has different challenges to the Premier League.

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14 February 2025 Off

Sunderland: Regis Le Bris excited about Leeds United challenge

By Total Football News

Regis Le Bris hopes the big-match occasion will bring the best out of his Sunderland side when they visit Leeds on Monday (20:00 GMT).

The Black Cats salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw against the table-toppers at home in October but will face a different test at Elland Road, where Leeds have won 12 of their past 13 games and only conceded three goals.

“They are a very good team,” Le

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1 February 2025 Off

Liverpool pass ‘tough challenge’ with flying colours

By Total Football News

Liverpool are still progressing nicely in all competitions. They finished top in the league phase of the Champions League to jump into the last 16, are in the fourth round of the FA Cup and on Thursday entertain Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit after the first leg of their semi-final and get to Wembley.

In an interview with Football Focus on Saturday, Slot, who

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17 December 2024 Off

Marcus Rashford: Man Utd forward says he is ready for new challenge

By Total Football News

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford says he is “ready for a new challenge” after being asked about his future at the club.

Rashford, 27, was dropped from the squad for Sunday’s derby which United won 2-1 against Manchester City.

New head coach Ruben Amorim confirmed that there were no disciplinary issues behind his decision, but he appeared to hint he had hoped to see more from the England player on

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14 December 2024 Off

Luke Williams: ‘Play-off challenge is there for us’ – Swansea City boss

By Total Football News

“I think it’s fair to say that a number of players signed in the summer have made steady progress,” he said.

“I am hoping they will continue to improve their performances and that goes hand in hand with developing strong relationships with their team-mates. I think that’s going to help us.

“Then we have the possibility that we bring players to join that group who have a very high level

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10 December 2024 Off

Nigel Pearson on ‘incredible challenge’ of learning to walk again

By Total Football News

Former Leicester City and Watford manager Nigel Pearson has said “learning to walk again has been an incredible challenge” after revealing he was dealing with a “neurological situation” last year.

The 61-year-old said he was waiting for more tests to diagnose the health issue in October 2023 shortly before he was sacked as Bristol City manager.

Pearson posted an update of his condition on social media as he thanked “all

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