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Championship Team of the Month for January: Teemu Pukki, Josh Sargent, Ian Maatsen included | Football News

Published

2 months ago

February 1, 2023

The festive period is well and truly over, but the games just do not stop coming. With the conclusion of January, WhoScored.com delve into its first Championship Team of the Month of 2023.

Burnley, Norwich, Sheffield United and Rotherham all have two players in the XI, with Preston and Wigan also represented.

Goalkeeper: Viktor Johansson (Rotherham) – 7.23

The Rotherham shot-stopper kept two clean sheets in his three Championship fixtures in January, and in that time no goalkeeper in the league made more than his 16 saves. His solid form sees him between the sticks in the Team of the Month with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.23.

Right-back: Alan Browne (Preston North End) – 7.45

Alan Browne was the only player in the league to put in two Man of the Match performances in January and completes the month with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.45. The Irishman got himself on the scoresheet against Birmingham in Preston’s 2-1 win at St. Andrews and assisted Ched Evans’ injury-time winner against Stoke.

Centre-back: Jordan Beyer (Burnley) – 7.58

The first of two Burnley defenders to make the grade, Jordan Beyer has been a key player throughout January, a month that saw Vincent Kompany’s men go unbeaten. He scored the only goal in Burnley’s trip to Coventry making him well worthy of a spot. Beyer was very composed on the ball throughout the month, successfully completing 90 per cent of his attempted passes in January.

Centre-back: John Egan (Sheffield United) – 7.42

John Egan makes an appearance in the January Team of the Month with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.42. The Sheffield United defender was in the right place at the right time, making 22 clearances in January, an important contribution to the Blades’ unbeaten month. He also scored a 95th-minute equaliser against QPR, snatching Sheffield United a valuable point on the road.

Left-back: Ian Maatsen (Burnley) – 7.73

Completing the four-man defence is Ian Maatsen, who recorded a WhoScored rating of 7.73 in the month. He was a force to be reckoned with at the back for Burnley in January making 12 tackles in his three Championship appearances. The 20-year-old also scored both goals in Burnley’s win at Swansea and is well deserving of his place in the team.

Central midfield: Josh Sargent (Norwich) – 7.43

The USA international makes the side after he returned a WhoScored.com rating for the month of 7.43. The exciting youngster scored the third goal in Norwich’s away win at Coventry and has now contributed 25 per cent of Norwich’s goals scored so far this season, with 10.

Central midfield: Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United) – 7.52

Oliver Norwood was another consistent performer in January scoring one goal and generating a WhoScored.com rating of 7.52. The midfielder won a total of six 50/50s in the month, ranking third in the league.

Central midfield: Hakeem Odoffin (Rotherham) – 7.44

The Rotherham midfielder was on target for his first goal of the season against Blackburn in Rotherham’s 4-0 rout at Ewood Park. Hakeem Odoffin was a constant threat in the air in January winning a total of 22 aerial battles in the month, and he gets the nod with 7.44 WhoScored.com rating.

Right wing: Oliver Cooper (Swansea) – 7.30

Oliver Cooper scored two league goals in January including a consolation goal against Burnley and the third Swansea goal against 10-man Sunderland, to take his tally for the season to five. He’s in with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.30.

Striker: Teemu Pukki (Norwich) – 7.84

With a rating of 7.84, Teemu Pukki is the WhoScored.com Championship Player of the Month following his contribution, of two goals and two assists, to Norwich’s ascent. The Finland forward bagged a double and provided an assist against Preston in the Canaries’ 4-0 win at Deepdale. His second assist came against Coventry in the six-goal thriller in, which Norwich won 4-2.

Left wing: James McClean (Wigan) – 7.70

Wigan’s James McClean rounds off the Team of the Month after his successful January. McClean reinforced a statistically calculated strength of ‘dribbling’ as he made the fourth most successful dribbles in the month, with seven. He is currently Wigan’s Player of the Season and ends January with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.70.

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LeBron James returns for season-ending push with Los Angeles Lakers after liaising with unnamed foot specialist | NBA News

Published

6 mins ago

March 27, 2023

The Real Preneur

LeBron James returned from a foot tendon injury to help the Los Angeles Lakers make a final push for the play-ins.

Although one doctor suggested “season-ending surgery”, the 38-year-old decided to finish the season on the court after getting a a third opinion from an unnamed foot specialist.

James returned to the Lakers on Sunday after a month-long absence with what he revealed was a significant tendon injury.

He wasn’t in the starting line-up for only the second time in his 20-year NBA career, but he still led the Lakers with 19 points in their 118-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

James also said his doctors told him that he was “healing faster than anybody they’ve seen before with the injury”.

One more factor contributed to his decision: James got a third opinion from an unnamed foot specialist.

“I went to the LeBron James of feet, and he told me I should [delay possible surgery],” James said, declining to name the doctor.

The NBA’s leading scorer hadn’t played since February 26, when he complained of right foot soreness after a win at Dallas.

James considered surgery after getting the sobering diagnosis, but his team-mates’ outstanding play down the stretch and his own inner determination contributed to his decision to keep playing.

“They go 8-5 and obviously had a chance to – the hell with the play-in, we actually can be a top-eight seed,” James said. “It definitely changed my mindset on me coming back and trying to be a part of this”.

“Well, I don’t even want to say [it] changed my mindset. It just enhanced what I was trying to do as far as my workouts, as far as my treatment and everything”.

“They played such great basketball. I was just ecstatic, from me being in a boot to me getting out of the boot, you guys saw me on the sideline, just so happy about what the guys are doing.”

James returns with eight games left in the Lakers’ regular season as they attempt to avoid missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year and the third time in James’ five seasons in Los Angeles.

The Lakers provided few updates on James’ condition during his absence, and James kept the details of his recovery firmly under wraps on social media.

The 38-year-old said he doesn’t know whether he’ll need surgery after the season, but he expects to have an MRI exam after he’s done playing for the summer. He said he would be at full strength for training camp in the fall even if he has the surgery.

He’s now looking healthy at a key point for the Lakers, who could finally have their full roster available for the final games of the stretch run.

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Jenson Button finishes in top 20 on NASCAR debut despite heat exhaustion

Published

21 mins ago

March 27, 2023

The Real Preneur

Jenson Button was making his NASCAR debut at the Circuit of Americas in Texas and said he was afraid he would faint during the race as he suffered from heat exhaustion; former F1 world champion finished in 18th place

Last Updated: 27/03/23 10:40am

Jenson Button suffered from heat exhaustion and nearly retired on his NASCAR debut, before finishing 18th.

The former F1 world champion, 43, said he feared fainting while driving his Ford Mustang during the 68-lap race at the Circuit of Americas in Texas on Sunday.

“Finished 18th after almost stopping because I had heat exhaustion. It was so hot. I don’t have a fan in my seat, which really didn’t help me too much,” Button said.

“I stopped twice for a minute. They put ice on me, gave me loads of water, and I went back out.

“I was so close to getting out of the car because I thought I was going to faint. I must have drank eight (or) nine bottles of water during the race.

“The team kept me calm, and it’s the reason why we got a good result in the end. So, I was happy.”

Button will next compete in the inaugural Chicago Street Race on July 2 before racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on August 13.

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Super League: Team of the week from Round 6 of the 2023 regular season | Rugby League News

Published

44 mins ago

March 27, 2023

The Real Preneur

Four Warrington Wolves players make our latest Betfred Super League team of the week after they stayed unbeaten so far in 2023, with three each from Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos included as well; Wigan Warriors and St Helens are also represented

Last Updated: 27/03/23 10:22am

Josh Charnley's hat-trick for Leigh earned him a place in our team of the week

We go through the statistics and put together our combined XIII of the standout performers from the latest round of matches in the Betfred Super League…

1. Matt Dufty (Warrington Wolves)

The full-back was heavily involved as the Wolves maintained their unbeaten start to the Super League season with a 38-0 win away to Castleford Tigers.

Dufty scored a try, assisted another, broke four tackles and assisted a linebreak. He gained 128 metres with the ball in hand as well.

2. Bevan French (Wigan Warriors)

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Highlights of the Super League match between Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils

Two tries from the 2022 Super League Dream Team selection helped Wigan overcome Salford Red Devils in a thrilling 20-16 win on Friday.

French’s tries came on the back of him gaining 185 metres and making 58 post-contact metres. He broke the line three times and bust 11 tackles as well.

3. Tom Opacic (Hull Kingston Rovers)

The Australian led the way for the Robins as they got back to winning ways and inflicted more misery on Wakefield Trinity in a 34-6 triumph at Be Well Support Stadium.

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Highlights from the Super League match between Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR

Opacic provided an assist for a try and a linebreak too, along with breaking the line twice himself and busting seven tackles. He gained 52 metres with the ball in hand as well.

4. Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)

The centre atoned for his second-half sin-binning by completing Leeds Rhinos’ comeback win over Catalans Dragons as the hosts triumphed 32-22 on Saturday.

That was Newman’s second try of the game, having assisted a linebreak, broken the line twice and bust one tackle. He gained 104 metres with 42 post-contact metres as well.

5. Josh Charnley (Leigh Leopards)

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Highlights of the Super League match between Hull FC and Leigh Leopards

A hat-trick from the winger helped set Leigh on their way to an impressive 24-16 win away to Hull FC in Saturday’s Super League match.

Charnley’s treble came in a game where he gained 116 metres and made 47 post-contact metres, breaking the line three times and busting six tackles.

6. Blake Austin (Leeds Rhinos)

The former Great Britain international was at the heart of the Rhinos’ comeback win against Catalans at Headingley.

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Highlights of the Super League match between Leeds Rhinos and Catalans Dragons

Austin assisted two tries and two linebreaks, along with breaking the line twice and busting four tackles. He was a strong running threat too, gaining 129 metres and gaining 46 post-contact metres.

7. Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards)

The scrum-half earned the praises of his father and Leigh head coach Adrian Lam for his role in helping the Leopards to victory away at Hull FC.

Lam assisted a try and a linebreak and was a constant running threat. He gained 66 metres, breaking the line once and busting five tackles, along with controlling things with his in-play kicking.

8. Paul Vaughan (Warrington Wolves)

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Highlights of the Super League match between Castleford Tigers and Warrington Wolves

The former Australia international again showed why Warrington brought him over from the NRL by laying the groundwork for their victory over Castleford.

Vaughan gained 171 metres and made 101 post-contact metres with the ball in hand, breaking the line once and busting six tackles. He came up with 23 tackles in defence too.

9. Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves)

The hooker made his presence felt off the interchange bench after Daryl Clarke played just 15 minutes due to injury in Friday’s win for Warrington at Castleford.

Walker provided an assist for a try and assisted two linebreaks as well, along with gaining 117 metres and busting two tackles. He made 21 tackles in defence too.

10. Matty Lees (St Helens)

The prop was named player of the match in St Helens’ 14-12 win away to Huddersfield Giants for his defensive effort which saw him make 58 tackles in a full 80-minute stint in the front row.

England international Lees gained 58 metres with the ball in hand too, with one tackle break.

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Highlights of the Super League match between Huddersfield Giants and St Helens

11. Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)

Another strong showing in the back row from the Wolves’ testimonial man proved key as they made it six wins from six in Super League in 2023.

Currie gained 85 metres with 43 post-contact metres, assisting a try and assisting a line break too. In defence, he came up with 29 tackles.

12. Kai O’Donnell (Leigh Leopards)

The former Canberra Raiders second row put in a fine display on both sides of the ball to help the Leopards triumph at the MKM Stadium.

O’Donnell scored a try on the back of gaining 120 metres with 62 post-contact metres, making one linebreak and busting five tackles. He made 33 tackles with a 100 per cent completion rate too.

13. Cameron Smith (Leeds Rhinos)

The loose forward put in another impressive performance in both attack and defence to help Leeds hand Catalans their first defeat of the year in Super League.

Smith assisted one try and one linebreak, along with gaining 60 metres, making 41 post-contact metres, and busting five tackles. He came up with 42 tackles in defence as well.

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