
Jason Knight: Ireland need to develop a ruthless streak
Jason Knight has admitted the Republic of Ireland’s new generation must develop a ruthless streak if they are to fulfil their potential. A difficult Euro 2024 Group B campaign drew to its seemingly inevitable conclusion on Saturday evening when a 1-0 defeat by the Netherlands in Amsterdam sent the Dutch through to next summer’s finals in Germany and Ireland home to lick their wounds. Stephen Kenny’s men knew in advance of the game at the Johan Cruyff Arena that even the safety net of a play-off place via the Nations League had evaporated, and they were left to reflect upon home and away defeats by France, the Netherlands and Greece and a return of just six points at Gibraltar’s expense to show for their efforts. Asked what lessons they had learned, Bristol City midfielder Knight said: “It’s fresh, but playing against Holland and France is about having a clinical edge. “That’s been a large part of all the games we’ve been equal in: they’ve taken their chances and we haven’t. We defended well in large of parts of all the games. Looking back briefly off the top of my head, we lacked a bit of creative spark and those goals when we needed to capitalise. “The confidence is good. We’re playing some good attractive football at times. We’ve fallen on the wrong side of results against good teams. France and Netherlands aren’t minnows of world football. “There’s confidence within the group and definitely confidence we’ll turn it around.” Knight, 22, is one of the flag-bearers for Kenny’s drastically overhauled squad which has seen the manager promote from the Under-21 ranks and promote a front-foot approach. His efforts have met with limited success – Ireland have won just six of the 29 competitive games they have played under his charge, and that bottom line is perhaps the most potent weapon in the armoury of those calling for change. Kenny is out of contract after Tuesday night’s friendly against New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium and his future will be decided at a meeting of the Football Association of Ireland’s board on November 28 when members consider a review of the campaign. Whatever the outside noise, the 52-year-old’s his players remain steadfastly behind him and Knight reiterated that message when asked about the future. He said: “Well, my view is that the manager is still here and we’re treating it as so. The manager has been great to me and the players. We want to be winning more games for him, but we’ll see what happens.” Defeat in Amsterdam came courtesy of Wout Weghorst’s 12th-minute strike, although the game was not as close as the scoreline suggested and but for some less than effective finishing and the efforts of Republic keeper Gavin Bazunu, Ronald Koeman’s men could have had qualification tied up long before the final whistle. Knight said: “We wanted a good performance and result, which ultimately we didn’t do. There were good parts to it. We just lacked a bit of creativity and cutting edge up top. “There’s no doubt they’re a good team, but we can certainly be better in all aspects of our game, especially creating and scoring goals.” Read More Neco Williams confident Armenia can aid Wales’ Euro 2024 qualification bid On this day in 2019: Mauricio Pochettino sacked by Tottenham Stephen Kenny confident with Republic of Ireland’s solid base for bright future England full-back Kieran Trippier not taking his place at Euro 2024 as a given Wout Weghorst fires Netherlands to Euro 2024 as Ireland end with whimper Saracens overcome injuries to England stars in thrashing of Harlequins
2023-11-19 20:29

Nashville SC vs Inter Miami - Leagues Cup preview: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
Everything you need to know about Inter Miami's Leagues Cup final against Nashville SC, including how to watch on TV, live stream, predicted lineups and prediction,
2023-08-19 18:28

Trent Alexander-Arnold names teammates who have helped shape his play style
Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed the teammates who have helped inspire his style of play.
2023-10-15 04:59

Miles Bridges' 3-pointer with 6.6 seconds left in OT helps Hornets beat Celtics; Tatum scores 45
Miles Bridges hit a 3-pointer with 6.6 seconds left in overtime and the Charlotte Hornets snapped a six-game home losing streak with a 121-118 win over the Boston Celtics
2023-11-21 11:17

Erik ten Hag sends strong message to Harry Maguire as Manchester United exit looms
Erik ten Hag has told Harry Maguire to go to West Ham if he is not confident enough to fight for his place at Old Trafford. Manchester United have accepted a £30m bid from the Hammers for their former captain, who has dropped out of the team as Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have become the first-choice centre-back partnership. But while Ten Hag insisted he wants to keep Maguire as he hopes to have two players for every spot in the side, he believes the England international should go if he does not believe he can get back into the side. “He has to fight for his place,” the United manager said. “He has the ability to be a top-class centre-back and he is the best for England so why shouldn’t he be the best for us? But he has to prove it. When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to go, then he has to make a decision, but I’m happy with him. “We don’t have a squad with 11 players, and the last year proved definitely we need all the players. That means you need some high-level players who are maybe not starting but that can change so there is an internal competition, everyone has to fight for his place. “Every player when they were good they will get their games but no one can play all the games and finally you find out what is the best team. In the squad now all the positions are double and every player has the perspective to fight for his place. You have to show with your contribution it’s the best team performance. It is up to the players if they have game time or less.” Ten Hag also suggested he could keep Dean Henderson. United have been in talks with Nottingham Forest about the goalkeeper but with third-choice Tom Heaton out for several weeks, United may be reluctant to let Henderson leave. Ten Hag added: “He was always in my mind so I think we have a strong keeper group with Onana, Henderson and Heaton.”
2023-08-14 14:57

Olson drives in 5 runs as Braves sweep Brewers 8-6
ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Olson drove in five runs with two homers, including a go-ahead, two-run blast in the eighth, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-6 on Sunday to cap their sweep of the high-scoring series.
2023-07-31 06:24

2 Braves trade rumors we hope are true, 1 we hope doesn't happen
As the Atlanta Braves near the MLB trade deadline, there's increasing chatter that a deal might be likely.Atlanta is one of the best teams in baseball, so there's an argument to be made that standing pat, or making small deals to improve the roster, is the best bet for Alex Anthopoulos...
2023-08-01 23:25

Belgium-Sweden Euro qualifier abandoned after killings
The Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden was abandoned at half-time on Monday after a "terrorist attack" in Brussels left two Swedish...
2023-10-17 05:17

Florida football: Billy Napier picks his QB1, now holds his breath
Florida football head coach Billy Napier made the final decision on his starting quarterback.Speculation no more. Florida football head coach Billy Napier has finally announced his starting quarterback, three weeks before the season is set to begin. And the award goes to...After much thought...
2023-08-14 01:22

Vikings get long-awaited reunion with former first rounder after Jordan Hicks injury
Nothing beats a good comeback story, and the Minnesota Vikings could have a feel-good reunion before the 2023 NFL season ends.
2023-11-14 07:50

Butler: Miami's man for 'moments of truth'
Desperate. Urgent. Maniacal. Psychotic. Incredible. Unique...
2023-05-31 09:27

Royce Lewis Flips Over First Baseman, Lands on Head in Scary Scene
Royce Lewis landed on his head after a collision at first base.
2023-06-05 05:18
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