Journalist/Broadcaster
@TheAthleticFC
. FWA European Football Writer of the Year 24. SJA best audio documentary winner 22 & 23. Also
@SkySportsNews
presenter
Honoured to win this award from
@theofficialfwa
&
@FedExEurope
for the coverage of the aftermath of last year’s earthquakes in Turkey and the impact on football & beyond for
@TheAthleticFC
.
Thanks to those who told their stories of loss and bravery after the tragedy.
Been in Malang, Indonesia since Tuesday investigating Kanjuruhan stadium disaster where at least 131 people died in unimaginably cruel circumstances.
Thank you to everyone who spoke so bravely.
Warning: content distressing
Free to read on
@TheAthleticUK
On a visit to Indonesia to discuss the aftermath of the Kanjuruhan stadium disaster - and on the day the death toll rises to 133 - FIFA president Gianni Infantino sees fit to have a kickabout with his Indonesia FA pals.
🚨 Breaking:
@TheAthleticUK
understands
#NFFC
have now made opening offer for
#WatfordFC
’s Emmanuel Dennis. Reported last month re interest, understand that is now developing.
More here.
#CFC
transfer latest
Told deal for keeper Edouard Mendy to move to Stamford Bridge is “almost done” from source at Rennes. Understand fee is €20m (+ €5m add-ons).
@TheAthleticUK
Breaking:
#CFC
agree deal with Rennes for midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu. Fee approx £23.5m. Long term contract for 19yo. Medical due next 24hrs.
Details
@TheAthleticFC
🚨 Breaking:
@TheAthleticUK
understands deal now agreed in principle between
#WatfordFC
&
#NFFC
for transfer of Emmanuel Dennis. Fee accepted in region of £20m. Final negotiations ongoing, personal terms not expected to be issue.
More here.
#WatfordFC
transfer breaking
Discussions are indeed ongoing with
#THFC
over permanent signing of midfielder Moussa Sissoko. Deal not fully agreed yet. Frenchmen has 2 yrs left on contract.
@TheAthleticUK
Story first flagged by
@FabrizioRomano
#WatfordFC
breaking
Ismaila Sarr ruled out for Arsenal with hamstring injury. Unclear how long he will be missing at this stage. Roy Hodgson says may mean missing next 3 but unclear.
@TheAthleticUK
Funny moment in
#WatfordFC
presser when Slaven Bilic was asked about facing Nigel Pearson, a manager who used to be at Vicarage Road…
His dry response with a shrug, said in good spirit:
“Who didn’t manage Watford…?”
Wanted to show you Gate 13 at Kanjuruhan Stadium where many were trapped & died in tragedy on Oct 1 & explain about what happened there & show how so many have come to pay respects.
More video within
@TheAthleticUK
written articles below in thread plus audio documentary.
One of the outer security fences at Wembley breached underneath the main steps, mad dash to get in before being closed again by stewards.
@TheAthleticUK
#Euro2020Final
#ENG
#ITA
Excl:
#WatfordFC
engaged in talks with US investment group over initial minority investment which could lead to full sale. Talks based on £150-200m valuation ($190-250m).
Full details alongside
@David_Ornstein
for
@TheAthleticFC
here ⬇️
Breaking •
@TheAthleticUK
#WatfordFC
striker Emmanuel Dennis will not go to AFCON - Nigeria FF official release confirms he has been “excused”.
Official reason not confirmed as yet but some background here raised by Ranieri post WH.
🚨 Breaking -
@TheAthleticUK
#WatfordFC
in advanced talks with Forest Green Rovers manager Rob Edwards over becoming Roy Hodgson’s replacement from next season. Talks with John Eustace have ended.
Details here.
#WatfordFC
Breaking
Understand Roy Hodgson will be new Head coach on short term deal until end of the season, assisted by ex-Watford boss Ray Lewington. Hodgson previously worked for Pozzo at Udinese in 2001. Due to meet players today.
@TheAthleticUK
#WatfordFC
transfer breaking
Deal now agreed for Moussa Sissoko to join from
#THFC
after discussions today. Understand 2 year contract with option of further year, fee in region of £5m. Medical completed.
@TheAthleticUK
Don’t care how old u are, what job you do or team you support. When it’s the opening day of the season & your team has played a belter back in the PL, sitting down to watch MOTD like an excited kid is a bloody great feeling. (Even if you’ve seen the game already). 👍
#WatfordFC
Exclusive for
@TheAthleticUK
Vladimir Ivic will be
#WatfordFC
’s new head coach. 2 year deal agreed.
Full details and background on the Serbian who will take charge at Vicarage Road.
It’s as if FIFA Pres. Gianni Infantino was in pre-WC mode with smiles, thumbs ups & a game of football. Yet he was in Indonesia in the aftermath of the Kanjuruhan stadium disaster & too many of his actions were tone deaf & ill fitting.
✍🏻
@TheAthleticUK
So sad to have lost Fraser Robertson so young. A journalist always committed to the cause, digging and eager to get the stories. Full of energy off camera too and on the golf course. Thoughts with his family at a terrible time.
#WatfordFC
#EFC
transfer breaking
Abdoulaye Doucoure fee agreed with Everton, understand in region of £25m (exact structure unclear at this stage)
Will travel for medical in next 48 hours.
Background to what he will bring here for
@TheAthleticUK
Sat at the World Cup opener and looking around coz the match isn’t looking like it’s going anywhere tbh, loads of empty seats already and it’s just after the hour. Ecuador are cruising but still…
🚨 Breaking:
@TheAthleticUK
understands Emmanuel Dennis will have
#NFFC
medical today & therefore will not be in
#WatfordFC
squad for tonight’s game against Burnley (
#TwitterClarets
). Deal agreed in principle between clubs, fee in region £20m.
More here.
🚨 Breaking:
#WatfordFC
reject 2nd bid in region of £22m + £3m add-ons from
#NUFC
for Joao Pedro,
@TheAthleticUK
understands.
Initial bid package for 20-yr-old Brazilian was in region of £20m (£17m + 3m).
Unclear if end of matter at this stage.
Update: Lesley Ugochukwu heading to US to join
#CFC
squad. Medical yesterday in UK. Will train with team & assessed by Pochettino prior to decision on potential Strasbourg loan. £23.5m deal agreed with Rennes yesterday.
Details
@TheAthleticFC
#WatfordFC
transfer breaking
Understand midfielder Ozan Tufan (Fenerbahce/Turkey international) transfer is near completion and all agreed in principle. Loan with option to buy. Not in UK yet.
@TheAthleticUK
"We'll sack who we want, we're Watford FC, we'll sack who we want."
"Sacked in the morning, getting sacked in the morning."
"How shit must you be, he's still got a job."
From the
#WatfordFC
fans so far.
🚨 Breaking:
@TheAthleticUK
understands deal agreed for
#WatfordFC
to sign
#AVFC
striker Keinan Davis on season long loan with option for permanent. Medical underway.
More here inc news on Hause talks.
🤝
@greggevans40
In nine months time thousands of Hornet babies will be born and they should all be called Gerard Troy Cojones (insert surname)
Magic
#WatfordFC
- absolutely bloody magic!!
Away win, both strikers scoring, slick finishes, high end assists, seeing a game out - SEEING A GAME OUT, 3 English scorers to confuse ‘Worst thing to happen to English football/don’t know who all these players are’ brigade, happy long suffering away fans - well done
#WatfordFC
.
#WatfordFC
transfer breaking
Deal agreed for Parma’s experienced Slovakian midfielder Juraj Kucka to join. 2 year deal, understand fee in region of £2m. Medical Friday.
@TheAthleticUK
(Initial flag by
@FabrizioRomano
👍)
New •
@TheAthleticUK
Inside story of
#WatfordFC
’s new shirt…
• year long process
• design decisions
• player feedback
• fabric tests
• Covid logistics
& Stake .com sponsor…
• financial details
• record deal potential
• avoiding a Norwich
Yesterday was clearly great for
#WatfordFC
but amid the
#EFC
doom & gloom, a moment of great comedy timing from a home fan. He leaned over edge of press box & said to local journo, “I hope you know how to spell shite.”
That & more here for
@TheAthleticUK
#WatfordFC
breaking
Nigel Pearson has been sacked by the club. Players have been informed. No news on replacement at this stage. More to follow on
@TheAthleticUK
Widely reported (by
@FabrizioRomano
etc) Rodrigo De Paul to Atletico Madrid is agreed (E35m, 5 yrs)
Discussed love triangle involving De Paul to Milan, Hauge to Udinese then onto
#WatfordFC
in this for
@TheAthleticUK
& how Spanish champions held key
Re the
#NUFC
goal v
#WatfordFC
today. Have had it confirmed that VAR did simply miss the handball in build up to Schär’s goal & it should have been ruled out. Too late now obviously, but reminder VAR not immune from human error.
Deeney’s goal v Leicester in ‘13 was the greatest moment I’ve ever experienced watching
#WatfordFC
(as you can see). If the net hadn’t have been in the way, the ball he hammered home would’ve landed in my wide open mouth.
Thanks for the memories & good luck for next chapter.
🚨Breaking: Joao Pedro doubt for
#WatfordFC
at
#PNEFC
on Sat due to ankle pain. Has not travelled north with rest of squad & had scan.
#NUFC
strong interest with £22m (+ add-ons) bid rejected.
More for
@TheAthleticUK
Was at City Ground to watch one man wall Brice Samba boss the game for 10 man
#NFFC
v Luton Town. Brilliant penalty save, Odell Beckham Jr one hand take, reflexes, sharp distribution & leadership. If he’d played up front he would’ve scored a hat-trick. Brilliant player.
#WatfordFC
breaking news
Claudio Ranieri will be new Watford head coach. 2 yr deal. Expect official announcement later today. Follows positive talks with Italian & reps this morning. Will bring 3 additional staff.
Further background
@TheAthleticUK
Just one thing before bed & it’s not about transfers… can you believe that referee Rob Jones stopped Joao Pedro from scoring one of the greatest ever
#WatfordFC
goals today… what a run, so bloody clever, but no advantage and just for a lame booking. 😡
#WatfordFC
transfer breaking
Deal now agreed in principle for Troy Deeney to join Birmingham City on free. Final details of severance from Watford - where he's been since 2010 scoring 140 goals - being finalised.
@TheAthleticUK
#WatfordFC
#NFFC
transfer news
Understand that Philip Zinckernagel on season long loan to Forest is likely to be confirmed this weekend. We first highlighted possibility on
@TheAthleticUK
over a month ago.
🚨 Breaking: Ismaila Sarr’s move from
#WatfordFC
to
#AVFC
is not, at this stage, advancing.
@TheAthleticUK
understands negotiations re transfer worth in region of £25m (+add-ons) have taken place but full agreement not reached
More here. w/
@David_Ornstein
Great moment after the
#WatfordFC
goal was scored and Neil Warnock was offered the chance to see a replay (it was approximately a furlong onside) on a Watford iPad. He chose not to and preferred instead to continue shouting at people.
Exclusive •
@TheAthleticUK
Transfer News
• Understand
#WatfordFC
have agreed deals for Nice LB Hassane Kamara & KAS Eupen DM Edo Kayembe
• Besiktas’ Vida is target with CB next
• Ranieri to be backed with incomings
Full details.
#EFC
made late loan offer for
#WatfordFC
's Ismaila Sarr. Has been rejected.
Proposal was loan fee plus obligation to buy if Everton stayed up plus bonuses.
Details explained here for
@TheAthleticFC
#imagineif
we got humped 6-0 and showed support like this.
It’s all part of the rich tapestry of life
#WatfordFC
fans.
Well done
#MCFC
- THE force of English football.
Roy Hodgson has confirmed a raft of injuries ahead of
#WatfordFC
’s meeting with Everton.
No Sarr, Dennis, King, Femenia, Kucka, Cleverley, Nkoulou, Forde
Plus Cucho & Louza remain out.
(Unconfirmed whether I will be named on the bench)
@TheAthleticUK
Other good things to talk about from
#WatfordFC
’s performance but one of my highlights was watching this determined swarm of Hornets working their nuts off to get back. 💪
#WatfordFC
transfer news
Philip Zinckernagel having medical ahead of move from Bodo Glimt in Norway. Expect 4/5 year deal. Danish winger. Has scored 19 league goals in 28 games in 2020.
@TheAthleticUK
“I miss everything of this club every day. When I was there I enjoyed my best time in football, but also my worst because after the injury it was really difficult for me”
Interview with Santi Cazorla for
@TheAthleticFC
#AFC
#Arsenal
This corner of Vicarage Road is magical. Might not look it but it is. The smell of onions from this burger van intensifies as you make your way up the road as the floodlights light up the night. It’s THE smell. Been like this for as long as I remember. Here for
@TheAthleticFC
❤️
Love Brentford’s evolution, compared to Watford’s. They’ve links to & pride of the past, but don’t lazily lean on it for validation. They’re a modern, forward thinking club with genuine new ideas & wholesome culture. They’ve a developing identity. I don’t know what Watford’s is.
#WatfordFC
#EFC
transfer
Know there’s been a bit of a delay - getting Allan then James sorted plus few final legal bits and bobs have created bit of a bottle neck - but reliably informed that Abdoulaye Doucoure’s Everton transfer will finally be announced Tuesday
@TheAthleticUK
Listening to Boris Johnson at PMQs is soul destroying. What a hopeless PM. Shatters the last vestiges of hope this country has with every clumsy, bumbling word that lollops out of his mouth. Feel for so many that have suffered so badly due to Covid & have to listen to that mess.
#WatfordFC
#EFC
transfer latest
Details on Abdoulaye Doucoure deal. Medical completed today. 4 year contract. Fee understood to be £22m. Expect official confirmation/announcement next 24 hours.
Background to transfer for
@TheAthleticUK
#WatfordFC
transfer latest
Understand Ismaila Sarr is expected to stay at club beyond today’s 5pm domestic deadline and plan is for him to play some part this evening against Derby. Situation unlikely to change even with late bid.
@TheAthleticUK
New for
@TheAthleticUK
Full details on Nigel Pearson sacking with two games to go at
#WatfordFC
• What Pozzo told players
• Heated exchange at West Ham
• Tactical & future contract doubts
• High profile names uncertain
• How Pearson found out
If a well-founded concern is raised by someone at a club in danger, it’s instantly perceived that there’s an ulterior motive.
My take for
@TheAthleticUK
on Troy Deeney’s decision to stay away from
#WatfordFC
training, for now.
🚨Breaking:
#AVFC
’s Kortney Hause has agreed in principle to season long loan deal at
#WatfordFC
.
@TheAthleticUK
understands terms agreed this morning with medical scheduled before final signing.
More here w/
@greggevans40
Oscar Garcia left Reims in October amid a family crisis, a month later his daughter died after an 8 year illness which first surfaced as he got the Watford job.
I thank him for being so open about his life in football as he plans a return.
@TheAthleticFC
🔁 Transfer news
Emmanuel Dennis to return to
#WatfordFC
on loan from
#NFFC
after previous loan at Basaksehir cut short. Straight loan, no option. Medical scheduled next 24 hours.
⬇️ Further Details ⬇️
@TheAthleticFC
🚨 New •
#WatfordFC
transfer news
Sarr, Dennis, Masina & Rose left out of pre-season tour group to Austria. Negotiations ongoing with clubs re onward transfers.
Details on those weighing up options & more for
@TheAthleticUK
here.
Just reading more about the bisht gown that Messi wore for the World Cup trophy lift and they are commonly made from goat wool.
Seems pretty apt really. 🐐
#FIFAWorldCup
#Messi
𓃵
@TheAthleticFC