News
Wales’ Display Against England Falls Short of Expectations
Following a 48-7 defeat to England in the Six Nations, Wales assistant coach Matt Sherratt revealed that the team underwent a candid post-match analysis.
Matt Sherratt, formerly the head coach at Cardiff, currently serves as an assistant coach for Wales.
Following Wales' defeat to England in the Six Nations opener, assistant coach Matt Sherratt acknowledged that the team's performance was subpar.
Steve Tandy's team is set to face France in Cardiff on Sunday, amidst a streak of 12 consecutive losses in the tournament and 22 defeats in 24 Test matches since the 2023 World Cup.
The match against England at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham saw Wales concede seven tries and receive four yellow cards, in addition to 16 penalties, highlighting the team's disciplinary issues.
After the game, Wales captain Dewi Lake expressed that the team had failed to meet expectations, while wing Josh Adams was visibly distraught.
When questioned about the acceptability of the team's performance, Sherratt responded with a straightforward "no".
He further emphasized that the team's goal is to make the nation proud, and the recent performance was disappointing for both the players and staff.
Sherratt noted that while effort was not lacking, it is insufficient at the highest level of sports, where more is required.
Wales has appointed James as the new scrum coach, replacing Jones in the position.
The team has identified areas that require improvement, with multiple issues to address.
A guide to the upcoming Six Nations match between Wales and France is available.
Sherratt described the post-match review on Tuesday as "brutally honest", which scrutinized the 48-7 loss to England.
He clarified that the review was honest, rather than brutal, and that the two-day break allowed the team to process their emotions.
By the time the team reconvened on Tuesday, players had already engaged in discussions and were aware of the issues that needed to be addressed.
Sherratt emphasized that the coaching staff does not solely dictate the team's direction, as senior players who were also affected by the loss are involved in the process.
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England secured a convincing win over Wales, who had a poor performance.
Sherratt stated that the players struggled to execute the strategies they had practiced during training on the field.
He expressed disappointment that, despite two weeks of preparation, the team was unable to translate their training into a decent performance.
This failure to deliver was, according to Sherratt, the most disappointing aspect of the match, regardless of the final score.
Despite the team's poor run of results, Sherratt remains committed to their original plan, with four Six Nations matches remaining.
He believes that constantly changing course can erode confidence in their approach, and instead, they will strive to refine their existing strategy.
Sherratt acknowledged that the team has been inconsistent in their performances, sometimes showcasing their intended style of play, as seen in matches against Argentina and New Zealand, but failing to do so in other games.
The focus now is on consistently executing their intended strategy on the field.
While the team is open to adjusting their plan to achieve a better result, they will not completely overhaul their approach.
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Questions have been raised about the identity of the Welsh team.
Under Tandy's leadership, Wales has conceded 248 points and 34 tries in five games, with no dedicated defence coach.
Tandy has taken on the dual role of head coach and defence coach, a position he previously held with Scotland and the British and Irish Lions.
Former players, including Alex Cuthbert and John Barclay, have expressed doubts about Tandy's ability to handle both responsibilities.
However, Sherratt has confirmed that the current arrangement will continue.
He defended Tandy's capabilities as a defence coach, citing his experience with the British Lions, and attributed the team's issues to multiple factors.
This weekend, Sherratt, as the attack coach, will face off against France's defence coach, Shaun Edwards, a former Wales favourite.
Sherratt has a history of working with Edwards, having collaborated with him at Wales, Cardiff, and the Ospreys, and regards him as a world-class coach.
He emphasized that the upcoming match will be a test of the Welsh players against the French defence, rather than a personal showdown between him and Edwards.
News
Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire
Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.
The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.
Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.
The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.
According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.
Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.
With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.
The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.
An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.
A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.
Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.
Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.
Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.
For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.
If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.
News
Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role
Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.
Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.
Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.
Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.
As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.
Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.
Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.
According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.
Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.
Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.
Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.
Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.
The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.
Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.
Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.
Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.
Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.
If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.
For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.
News
Peter Murrell faces allegations of misusing £459,000 in funds over 12 years
Allegations have been made that he bought various items, such as luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome, in an improper manner.
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, is facing allegations of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

An indictment document obtained by BBC News outlines the case against Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The alleged embezzlement is said to have occurred between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment.
It is claimed that Murrell used party funds to purchase luxury items, including jewellery, cosmetics, and vehicles, such as two cars and a motorhome.
The Scottish Sun was the first to report on the details of the indictment.
A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, 20 February, where Murrell is expected to appear.
During his initial court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Murrell made no plea and was subsequently granted bail.
Murrell's arrest in 2023 was part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the SNP's funding and finances, which led to him being charged with embezzlement in April 2024.

Although Sturgeon was questioned by police as part of the investigation, she is no longer considered a suspect.
BBC News has obtained a copy of the indictment against Murrell ahead of his upcoming court appearance.
It is worth noting that the indictment is subject to change until the case is heard in court and may be amended throughout the judicial process.
The indictment alleges that Murrell purchased a £124,550 motorhome for personal use and created false documents to justify the expense as a legitimate party expenditure.
Murrell is also accused of using £57,500 of party funds to buy a Jaguar I-PACE car in 2019, and falsifying an invoice to conceal the true nature of the purchase.
Furthermore, it is alleged that when the Jaguar was sold in 2021, Murrell deposited more than £47,000 into his personal bank account.
The indictment also claims that Murrell embezzled £16,489 from the SNP to partially fund the purchase of a Volkswagen Golf in 2016.
A list of over 80 retailers is included in the indictment, where Murrell allegedly made purchases totalling more than £159,000 between 2014 and 2022, using party credit or charge cards for personal expenses.
The retailers named in the indictment include Harrods, the Royal Mint, John Lewis, Homebase, and Argos, among others.
It is alleged that Murrell used SNP credit or charge cards to make these purchases and then inserted false or inaccurate accounting codes and descriptions into the party's accounting systems.
The indictment also accuses Murrell of making purchases worth over £81,600 through Amazon using the same method.
Murrell served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years before his departure.
Murrell and Sturgeon were married in 2010, but announced their separation in January 2025, after being together for many years.
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