Former QPR star makes transfer claim over Bristol City defeat, Spurs consider Sunderland star

Former QPR and Scotland striker Jamie Mackie believes Birmingham City reaped the rewards of their impressive summer transfer work in Saturday’s win over Bristol City.

The Robins were well beaten in their visit to St Andrews and found themselves two goals down by the time the half-time whistle had been blown. On-loan Arsenal defender Auston Trusty’s brace put the hosts in control and another summer signing put the seal on the win as Wolves youngster Dion Sanderson added a third goal 15 minutes from time.

Mackie praised Blues manager John Eustace and admitted he has been impressed by the work he has completed in overhauling their squad.

He said: “I think what he (Eustace) did well was utilising the loan market and getting in younger players from big clubs and allowing them to express themselves. It’s been really encouraging.

“When the club is in a bit of a precarious position off the field, young players come in and don’t think about what’s going on around the club. Instead have a point to prove to their parent clubs which helps the club they are on loan at.

“You can see that today. Trusty has come in from Arsenal, they signed Sanderson from Wolves, Bielik who’s a touch older is from Derby and got Longelo too. They’ve made really good signings and it’s paid dividends today. Chong registered two assists after making his deal permanent from Manchester United.”

New contender emerges for Middlesbrough role

Reports over the weekend suggested former Manchester United star Michael Carrick is the front-runner for the vacant role as Middlesbrough manager. 

The former England midfielder is said to preparing to be interviewed by Boro chairman Steve Gibson as he looked to appoint a successor to Chris Wilder. But The Sun have now suggested former Huddersfield Town manager Carlos Corberan is seen as Carrick’s main rivals to take over at the Riverside Stadium.

The 39-year-old is available after a short spell with Greek giants Olympiakos was brought to an end and he could be tempted to return to the Championship for the first time since he left Huddersfield earlier this year.

Spurs consider move for former defender

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move to take Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin back to North London.

The young defender made his way through the ranks at Spurs but failed to make a first-team appearance before joining the Black Cats for an undisclosed fee in August 2021.  The 20-year-old has made a big impact on Wearside, helping Sunderland end their four-year stay in League One.

After impressing in the early months of their return to the Championship, The Sun have suggested Spurs are now planning a January bid for their former academy star.

Burnley manager makes transfer admission over Coventry City star

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has admitted he had an interest in Coventry City’s in-demand forward Callum O’Hare during the summer transfer window.

The 24-year-old was said to be on the radar of a whole host of clubs after impressing for the Sky Blues last season - but a hamstring injury ended the possibility of a move away from the former Premier League club.

Clarets boss Kompany has revealed his admiration for O’Hare after his side claimed a 1-0 win over Coventry on Saturday afternoon.

“Yes, I mean there was a queue of clubs interested in Callum O’Hare and that’s what happens with good players,” he told Coventry Live.

“And he wasn’t the only one of that Coventry team who did well last season, and I think that now it’s completely normal that without these players, and if you add Ian Maatsen, who was wearing our colours today, there’s a few players missing there so it tales a little bit of time for the next ones to step up. But only coaches usually understand that.”

Ince backs recent signing to succeed at Reading

Reading manager Paul Ince has expressed his hopes for recent signing Andy Carroll after he scored his first goal for the Royals in Friday night’s defeat at Queens Park Rangers.

The Geordie frontman put Ince’s side ahead with a first-half penalty but they were left empty-handed from their visit to Loftus Road as Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes grabbed a goal in each half to give the points to their hosts.

Ince is hopeful Carroll can remain fit and explained why the former England target man is so important to his squad.

He told GetReading: “Lucas got it and he’s usually the penalty taker, so whether they agreed before I don’t know. I just thought if he was taking it, make sure he doesn’t miss it. He is so important for us, his fighting spirit. We didn’t have that in the first-half, we were very passive.

“Carroll gives us so much so it’s important to keep him fit. It’s always nice as a striker to score and I’m sure he’ll score plenty more for us.”

Lions manager eyeing push for the top six

Millwall manager Gary Rowett is targeting a play-off push after his side moved to within four points of the top six with a home win against Middlesbrough.

The Lions claimed all three points from their home game with Boro thanks to a goal in each half from Zian Flemming and that continued their solid start to the season.  Rowett admitted an automatic promotion spot may be out of their range but sees no reason why his side can’t replicate what the likes of Luton Town and Barnsley have done in recent seasons.

Rowett told London News Online: “We haven got the budget or infrastructure to be greedy enough to say we should be in the top two. I don’t think that’s something we should say. That’s not to say we don’t want to get somewhere close, but I don’t think we should be saying that.

“What we should be saying is that we want to be challenging for that top six again, with a fair wind and a few people in form then maybe we have a fair chance of getting in that – just like Luton and Barnsley have done in recent seasons. That’s where I see us.”