CATEGORIES

HOPES HANGING BY JUST A WIRE

WARRINGTON TOWN boss Paul Carden admits he can no longer see the season being played to completion.

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL IN 2021...

LEAGUE suspensions, no clear end in sight, frustrating ‘free weekends’. 2021 doesn’t start off with a great outlook for Non League football. But inspired by Ian Drury – there’s one for the older generation – I am confident that Non-League, if it pulls together, can thrive in the coming months.

GLOVERS ARE THE COMEBACK KINGS AFTER FESTIVE ROUT

6-1 loss sparks a derby revival

LEMON JUST SO SWEET AS GULLS SCALE NEW HEIGHTS

NATIONAL LEAGUE CONNOR

CLOCK IS TICKING

Tier changes prompt concern for the season

PAUNOVIC SALUTES ‘FANTASTIC' JOAO

VELJKO Paunovic is de-lighted that Reading are starting to change their mentality after a win at Huddersfield.

STANISLAS CHEER FOR THE CHERRIES

Late goal sees off Potters

SAM'S THE MAN AS ROVERS SINK POOL

PAUL Tisdale sang the praises of Sam Nicholson after the midfielder's sublime first-half volley had proved the winner in an entertaining clash.

Maturing maestro realises his potential

MICHAEL O’Neill, the manager of Stoke City, claimed recently that he was “squeezing everything” out of Nick Powell.

JIMMY IS BACK AT BREWERS

Hasselbaink’s huge challenge

LOWE STINGS THE HORNETS

Converted forward is lauded by Cooper

HANDS OFF OUR EMI, RAPS FARKE

DANIEL Farke backed Emi Buendia to stay at Nor-wich after watching him produce a brilliant winner to see off Barnsley.

FRANCOMB WARMS UP FOR LEEDS..

GEORGE Francomb fired Crawley Town into the play-off spots to leave boss John Yems hailing his side’s mentality.

ELIJAH'S HUNGRY TO AD TO HIS HAUL

ELIJAH Adebayo has already matched last season’s goal tally but the Walsall hitman still feels ‘annoyed’ about the ones that got away.

COVID-HIT DONS DID ME PROUD – HODGES

GLYN Hodges says AFC Wimbledon should not blame Covid-19 for their defeat to leaders Lincoln City, despite asking the EFL to postpone the game.

‘Tinners' always made me man of the match

JON SKURR - THE FORMER WAKEFIELD, SEDGLEY PARK AND ROTHERHAM No.8 AND IRELAND SEVENS HEAD COACH

Turbo Teddy takes try of the year prize

SO 2020 is finally in the rear-view mirror and it’s all eyes on 2021 and what that can bring but, strangely, I am convinced rugby’s annus horribilis still contained much action that we will recall fondly in roaring pubs and clubhouses in years to come.

‘We trust in luck a bit to beat the Covid curse'

RORY Hutchinson has spoken of how not being able to see his grandmother for over a year has brought perspective to a rough season for club and country.

Simple ways to make the game better for all

New Year is a time for resolutions, so let me suggest a few for the Premiership. None of them need approval from World Rugby, so let’s just make them happen.

I see echoes of my great Bath side in Baxter's Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs have strong similarities in key areas with the Bath side under Jack Rowell during my time as a player. Above all, you need a smart coach who has the ability to communicate brilliantly with all his players. On top of that he needs to get his message across through a talented group of assistant coaches and leading players.

Jalibert in box seat to replace Ntamack

The news broke on Monday, the day after his jaw. France fly-half and World Rugby’s Breakthrough Men’s Player of the Year for 2019 Romain Ntamack needed an operation on a double fracture sustained during Toulouse’s Christmas weekend win over Bordeaux.

Ball joins Alun Wyn as doubt for Pivac

JAKE Ball will find out this week whether his final Six Nations fling with Wales can go ahead.

Hopefully by spring all levels of game will return

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME

Alfie could become The Boss – but not yet

The Alfie Barbeary bandwagon was rolling at ever-increasing speed along the road to Twickenham until he picked up an injury last weekend and it will take plenty of stopping the moment he returns, being a Barbeary-sized vehicle.

Mavericks like Danny must choose their battlegrounds

DANNY Cipriani is not the first maverick player to not get capped as many times as the talent they possess suggests they should, and his recent departure from Gloucester again raises the question of how to get the best from players with exceptional gifts.

Roberts: New Bok challenge is step up

JAMIE Roberts has warned his Dragons side and the rest of the Guinness PRO14 they must be ready for a significant step up in quality when the division officially expands further into South Africa.

Monye and Obano put World Rugby to shame

As a year that has been like no other draws to an end, it’s timely to reflect on what needs to be done to ensure that rugby can continue to thrive.

Tragedy on the Andes became story of heroism

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

Turnbull try completes Blues' late comeback

CARDIFF Blues captain Josh Turnbull praised the resilience of his side after they ground out a narrow victory over archrivals the Dragons in horrible conditions at Rodney Parade.

Try these hidden joys of the Championship

THERE has been plenty of flack flying about recently for rugby administrators as they struggle to find a way through the Covid maze but a hat tip to all concerned for keeping the faith and coming up with an attractive looking format for an abbreviated Championship which, touch wood, will get underway early in March, a year after the action ground to a halt.