data-mm-id=”_pwzvln0l8″>For a former Super Bowl winning coach, Mike Tomlin came into the 2019 NFL season with plenty to prove. Well, he's done just that, authoring his finest coaching performance for the Steelers, which is saying something because, again, he's won one Super Bowl and appeared in another. Remarkably, after starting the year 0-3, after losing their starting quarterback in Week 2 and having two unproven quarterbacks rotate in and out since, after losing their Pro Bowl running back James Conner for most of the season because of the injury, the Steelers are now 7-5 and in position to make the playoffs. Even more remarkably, they've done it by completely changing their identity, something Tomlin has to get full credit for. Previous to this year, they were a pass-first, high-octane offensive team. They may have came into the year wanting to do the same thing. Then Ben Roethlisberger went down and they had to adjust. So what does Tomlin do? Doubles down on defense, the smartest decision he's made as a coach. The Steelers, despite being 0-2 at the time, traded their 2020 first-round pick (and other picks) for corner and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Since the move, Fitzpatrick has had five interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one touchdown. That injection of life has been complemented by T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree, and Cameron Heyward providing big pressure up front. The defense as a whole is giving up 16.4 points per game since the trade. He's made all the right moves at all the right times, and it's added up to wins. Spoke to Steeler players about Mike Tomlin. Players on defense pointed to the adjustments made at half. They said he “straight up went high school football coach and drew up how they were going to defend Cleveland “ since they Browns showing a different look. “He saved the game”— Dianna (@diannaESPN) December 1, 2019Perhaps most impressively, and most importantly, Tomlin has managed the emotions of a team that was in a cultural transition following the departures of Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell and the loss of Roethlisberger. He got his players to believe in what they were trying to do, to believe they could compete for a playoff spot despite being 0-3, to believe they were right and all the pundits who said they had no chance to win were wrong. The players listened, they believed, and the Steelers can make a run at a Wild Card spot because of it. Of course, that Super Bowl win was impressive, too. But let's not forget, that team had veteran leaders on both sides of the field (Hines Ward, James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, LaMarr Woodley and others) who played a huge role in that run and the other run that ended in a Super Bowl loss to the Packers. While there are veterans and great players making huge contributions to this team, Tomlin has orchestrated the whole thing this year; he saw what his team's strengths could be, and put his players in a position to succeed. It's paid off, and all thanks to Tomlin, who has answered any questions remaining about his ability as a head coach.
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Eberechi Eze believes his injury nightmare two years ago gave him the platform for England recognition.
The Crystal Palace midfielder is eyeing a senior debut after being included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
The call came after Eze was named in England’s provisional Euro 2020 squad in May 2021 – only for a serious Achilles injury on the same day to wreck his dreams.
His has fought back and insists his six months on the sidelines only gave him strength and confidence in his ability.
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC)
Eze said: “I know without setbacks and difficult moments it’s hard to grow and be the person I am today. I look back at those memories fondly because I k…
Market: West Brom draw no bet
Odds: 8/15 @
In what is a real Midlands derby on Friday night, Birmingham will welcome West Brom to St. Andrew s for what could be a fiery affair.
Starting with the hosts, while Birmingham might have shown some extended inconsistencies this season, the Blues are coming off the back of a thrilling display away from St. Andrew s. Mounting a stunning last-gasp comeback against Swansea as they eventually snatched a 4-3 victory in south Wales, John Eustace will be desperate for his side to build on that performance. However, despite claiming just their second win from their previous nine domestic showdowns across all formats, the one-time Premier League outfit have continued to show a host of issues on home soil. Almost finding themselve…
Widespread concern met the decision for Denmark and Finland to return to the pitch less than two hours after Christian Eriksen had first collapsed in Copenhagen on Saturday.
An alarming incident prompted serious fears for Eriksen s life, fears that were eased but not eradicated by positive updates on the midfielder s condition.
For those watching from afar, the swift restart could not have been anticipated. There was wonder instead for how Belgium and Russia could possibly play later.
The Belgium squad features Eriksen s Inter team-mate Romelu Lukaku and long-term Ajax and Tottenham colleagues Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
But, sure enough, confirmation was forthcoming of the resumption in Group B s first fixture, set for 20:30 CET, with Belgium s…
Getafe are interested in prolonging the stay of Manchester United loanee Mason Greenwood at the Estadio Coliseum, according to . The La Liga are willing to explore options for making the transfer permanent, but at this point, it is believed another loan deal would be easier to do.
United suspended Greenwood back in January 2022 following accusations of attempted rape, coercion and assault, which were eventually dropped due to a withdrawal of key witnesses from the proceedings. The 22-year-old forward joined Getafe on a temporary basis in September last year, scoring seven goals and producing five assists in 22 appearances in all competitions since.
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Prediction: Spain win
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The international break is upon us as we gear up for the first set of fixtures at this level since the World Cup last winter. The primary focus will now be on UEFA Euro 2024, with the road to qualification beginning over the course of the next few days. Today, we ll take a look at what should be an incredibly competitive encounter as Spain and Norway begin their journey to try and reach Germany next year.
Spain
It was another similar story for Spain at the 2022 World Cup. They showed great promise and had a few tremendous results, but they ultimately couldn t get themselves over the finish line. Oh, and as has been the case so often since their golden era came to an end, they were knocked out by a side th…
Former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern is determined to become Livingston’s number one as he bids to banish the “frustration” of making just one appearance in the last three years.
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McGovern – who won 32 caps for his country and featured at Euro 2016 – has not played since being given a one-off run-out for Norwich in an FA Cup tie at Wolves in February 2022, but he is adamant he is not resigned to being a back-up keeper for what remains of his career.
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Emma Hayes says that the Conti Cup “is absolutely important to her” ahead of Chelsea’s final against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Blues will be looking to keep their quadruple hopes alive, having lost the final of the competition in the past two seasons.
Chelsea suffered a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in 2022 before they lost 3-1 to Sunday’s opponents last season.
It’s the final up next.
Let’s bring that trophy home.
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW)
Hayes, whose side beat Arsenal 3-1 in the Women’s Super League two weeks ago, highlighted the importance of her team giving their all at Molineux.
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Southampton manager Russell Martin was proud of his players for beating QPR 2-1 after another week of dealing with transfer disruption.
Adam Armstrong bagged his fourth goal of the season after Samuel Edozie and Jack Colback had cancelled each other’s strikes out in the first half.
Saints were without Che Adams – who is wanted by Everton – and Bayer Leverkusen-bound Nathan Tella after weeks of uncertainty around the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia.
“There has been so much change and disruption, so I am pleased with the mentality of the group,” Martin said.
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Emre Can of Juventus is keen on a move to Manchester United, according to Tuttosport (via ).
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Stefano Pioli has become the latest head coach to lead both Inter and city rivals AC Milan.
Former Inter boss Pioli joins an exclusive club after replacing Marco Giampaolo at Milan, who finally lost faith just seven Serie A games into his tenure.
Pioli is no stranger to San Siro, having spent a season on the blue side of Milan in 2016-17.
Inter had won 12 of their first 16 Serie A matches under Pioli before a run of five losses and two draws prior to his sacking in May two years ago.
Official Statement: Stefano Pioli
— AC Milan (@acmilan)
As Pioli prepares to take the reins amid backlash from Milan fans and the hashtag #PioliOut , we look at the coaches to have worked on both sides of the divide in a fierce rivalry dating back to …