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Former Nottingham Forest defender Michael Dawson has announced his retirement from professional football. 

The 37-year-old was most recently with Chris Hughton’s side, but departed when his contract reached a conclusion at the end of the 2020/21 season.

But he didn’t make a single appearance for the Reds in the 2020/21 league campaign, as Forest finished 17th in the Championship table, in what was a disappointing season for the City Ground faithful.

In the campaign prior to that, Forest finished seventh in the second-tier standings, with Dawson making 19 appearances in total for the Reds in that campaign.

Dawson signed for Nottingham Forest in his second spell back in 2018, and made 121 appearances in total for the Reds over two separate spells with the club.

Speaking after his departure from the City Ground was confirmed this summer, Nottingham Forest Chairman, Nicholas Randall issued high-praise for Dawson, and labelled him as the ‘model professional’.

Now, plenty of Nottingham Forest supporters have taken to social media to react to the news of Dawson’s retirement, with many wishing him well for the future.

Take a look at the best of the reaction from Twitter, via the Nottingham Forest social media account, below….

Forest fans hail Dawson

“Need to find a space for him on the sidelines, the passion he shows is infectious.”

Credit: @PearceWh97

“Glad that he finished his career where it all began. All the best for whatever the future holds.”

Credit: @Willh1985

“Love the man. Get in the coaching staff!”

Credit: @NFFCRY

“Forest legend.”

Credit: @Hughtxn

“Legend. Great career and right time to bow out.”

Credit: @Trickyred1

“Absolute legend.”

Credit: @rbikysx

“Hero x.”

Credit: @mattnffc_

“My Captain.”

Credit: @carpo_yeah

Former All Leeds TV and now JustJoe Football Show presenter Joe Wainman has blasted Conor Gallagher after the midfielder opted to join Crystal Palace on a season-long loan instead of heading to Leeds United.

Gallagher was in-demand after impressing during a temporary stint at West Bromwich Albion, where he made 32 appearances last term.

Although the 21-year-old was unable to stop the Baggies suffering relegation back to the Championship, Gallagher still caught the eye of several clubs and was immediately linked with another move away from parent club Chelsea.

After an encouraging first season back in the Premier League following a 16-year wait, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds were keen to bolster their options by tempting Gallagher to Elland Road.

However, the Yorkshire club were left disappointed as Gallagher chose to join Crystal Palace instead.

Gallagher’s move to Selhurst Park comes after a summer of change at the club, with Patrick Vieira replacing Roy Hodgson as manager and several players departing.

Wainman has accused Gallagher of lacking ambition following his summer switch.

He told Football FanCast: “Missing out on Conor Gallagher was a little bit sore because I did see him as being a great Bielsa player in terms of what he can offer on the pitch.

“By all accounts, Leeds waited a month for him to come back and that was frustrating because I know how good Victor Orta is when he presents to prospective players.

“It stinks of a lack of ambition from Conor Gallagher.”

Leeds United pundit Paddy Kenny believes that Leeds United would be taking a “massive risk” in starting Kalvin Phillips in the opening weeks of the Premier League season, due to his involvement in UEFA EURO 2020 [Football Insider].

The Lowdown: Leeds United prepare for 2021/22

Though acquiring high-profile talent in the transfer market will certainly be on Marcelo Bielsa’s mind this summer, maintaining the condition of existing key players will also be of paramount importance to the 65-year-old.

One man who will need to be routinely evaluated is 25-year-old Phillips, due to how indispensable he has become at Elland Road – the Whites lost seven of the nine league matches he missed last season.

The Latest: Kenny urges caution after Phillips’ “ridiculous” effort

In an interview with Football Insider, 43 year-old Kenny revealed his concern over the lack of recovery time Phillips may have between international duty and the start of the campaign, claiming his running at the tournament was ‘ridiculous’:

“He needs a rest. Have you seen some of his running stats for the tournament? They are ridiculous.

“He’s an unbelievably fit player. But I think after losing the final, mentally, he’ll need a break.

“It’s a massive risk for any player that’s been involved in the Euros to come straight back in. You’re risking injury, either later on or at the start of the season.

“You’ve got to look at the bigger picture, you can rest him and have him for the rest of the season or rush him for the start of the season and he gets an injury that rules him out for ages.” [Football Insider]

The Verdict: Phillips needs rest

Correctly, the 43-year-old points out the imperative need for the England midfielder to get some time off to recuperate after a busy summer of international football.

Dominating the middle of the park for the Three Lions in the tournament, Phillips made 32 ball recoveries in seven games for his native country [UEFA EURO 2020].

In 2020/21, he was ever present for Leeds United, registering four goal contributions from 31 appearances; one goal and three assists [Transfermarkt].

Never shy of a challenge, the Leeds-born Phillips successfully carried out 2.6 tackles per game in the Premier League across the season [WhoScored].

Looking ahead, the Whites should look to do whatever it takes to keep the Thorp Arch academy product free from injury, and if that means resting him for the first couple of matches then so be it.

In other news, a defender is close to sealing an Elland Road exit.

Western Australia conceded first innings points to opponents South Australia just nine overs short of the scheduled close of play on the second day of this four-day Pura Cup match at the WACA ground in Perth on Saturday.The Redbacks bowlers maintained their discipline, bowling in the corridor and more or less frustrated the Warriors batsmen into coughing up their wickets.Five of six catches were taken behind the wicket when the batsmen went fishing or chasing at balls outside the off stump. Four leg-before-wicket decisions were given against batsmen not really playing a stroke. This inevitably came after batsmen had watched ball after ball sail outside the off stump. Lulled into a false sense of security, batsmen failed to deal with the odd straight one that posed a serious lbw threat.Against this backdrop Chris Rogers played a patient knock of 64 and shared in four partnerships in the middle of the innings.Scott Meuleman 7 (17 balls) started the rot when he skied a catch back to Damien Fleming in just the fifth over of the innings. Interestingly, coming as early as it did, with thirteen runs on the board, this was the only catch in front of the wicket.Out strode former Zimbabwe Test cricketer Murray Goodwin. However, he too returned as quickly as he came out – leg before wicket to Paul Rofe for a third-ball duck. Western Australia were reduced to 13 for two.Goodwin must be under a lot of pressure to perform in a side that is not having the best time of it and has been struggling in recent times. There was an air of disappointment that 12th man Shaun Marsh had not taken Goodwin’s place after the 19-year-old scored so well in the ING Cup one-day fixture against the sameopponents earlier in the week.Marcus North survived past the luncheon interval when he and Michael Hussey added 65 for the third wicket, taking the Warriors’ score to 78 before the pair were separated. North made a solid-looking 25 (85 balls) before he feathered anedge to the ‘keeper Shane Deitz off the bowling of Rofe to give the leanbowler his second wicket of the innings.Hussey neared fifty but could not quite reach the half-century mark. His 48 included a slow 52-minute period with Chris Rogers immediately after the wicket of North. Of the 14 overs sent down in that near hour span, 10 were maidens and just 18 runs were added to the total. Hussey added just three runs to his score in that entire period. His innings abruptly ended in a moment of frustration when he took a swipe at a Ryan Harris delivery outside off and was caught by David Fitzgerald at first slip. Western Australia slumped to 96 for four.Ryan Campbell (4 runs, 19 balls) padded up once too often to Mick Miller and was given out leg before wicket. His only scoring shot came when he lifted Harris over the slips. At this stage Western Australia were in trouble, staring down the barrel, 111 for five. They were still well shy of the follow-on mark.Coming in at this stage Brad Hogg played with typical aggression. Especially effective when cutting behind point Hogg was at the crease till he too chased a wide delivery from Ben Johnson and was caught behind for 25 (50 balls). With Rogers he added 45 for the sixth wicket which fell at 156.Top scorer for Western Australia with 64 (130 balls, 12 fours), Rogers finally fell to a ball from Fleming which straightened off the seam and then cannoned into his pad, trapping him plumb in front of the stumps. North’s 47-run association with Matthew Nicholson saw that Western Australia reached 203 before the seventh wicket fell.Before the scorers needed to mark another run, the wicket of Matthew Nicholson fell in just the next over. He hung the bat out at a ball from Rofe and was caught at second slip by Mick Miller for an entertaining 28 (54 balls) which included just ten scoring shots, six of which were fours.Jo Angel joined Brad Williams in the middle and defiantly helped the Warriors limp past the follow-on target of 209. But Angel was trapped in front by Fleming after scoring just one and it took the umpire some time before he was eventually given out as the scoreboard read 212 for nine.Michael Clark (5 runs, 7 balls) was last to go with the score on 217, getting himself caught at deep backward point by Harris when he cut at a Rofe delivery and only managed a top edge.Brad Williams was unbeaten on 8 (6 balls) when the innings came to a close. The three partnerships he was involved in, all ended in a three-over burst against a resurgent attack soon after the new ball was taken.Rofe with four for 55 was the pick of the bowlers. He and Fleming (3-52) used the new ball well and reaped the rewards of disciplined bowling. Miller (1-32), Harris (1-42) and Johnson (1-26) played a supporting role. John Davison was the onlybowler used who ended wicket-less.Redbacks sent out openers Johnson and David Fitzgerald to see off seven overs atthe end of the day. Johnson was unlucky when he played on to Brad Williamswhilst defending. The ball came off the inside edge and took the back pad beforefalling onto the off stump. Johnson made five from 11 balls and wasreplaced by night watchman John Davison.Fitzgerald and Davison batted safely to stumps when the South Australians had14 runs on the board for the loss of a solitary wicket.Warm humid conditions are forecast for tomorrow with a fine day to follow. In these conditions, one can only surmise than an outright result is entirely probable.

Former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie has claimed that Leeds United’s Stuart Dallas could spend the rest of his career at Elland Road.

The Lowdown: Dallas stands out for Leeds

The Whites enjoyed a superb first season back in the Premier League in 2020/21, finishing ninth and impressing neutrals with their entertaining style of play.

The likes of Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Patrick Bamford were all key performers, but it was Dallas who won the club’s Player of the Year award. The Northern Irishman was exceptional throughout the campaign, scoring eight goals, registering two assists and thriving across various positions.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Pundit makes big claim

Dallas signed a new three-year deal at Leeds last week, and speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie claimed that he could see the 30-year-old midfielder finishing his career at the club, saying:

“It’s been a long time coming. He just gets it. He is Leeds. But he’s more than that.

“Some players are valuable because they are talented. Some are valuable because of what they bring to a dressing room.

“From what I’ve seen, Dallas is both. He was brilliant all season and some of the goals he scored, wow. He’s one of those where you don’t ever see him leaving. He could be there for the rest of his career.

“I don’t think anyone at Leeds would mind that.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-8/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Priceless performer

From the outside looking in, Dallas may not always stand out too much, but any Leeds fan can see what an invaluable performer he is for the Whites, as reflected by his Player of the Year prize.

At 30, he still has a few years left in him at the top, and it would be wonderful to see him end his career at Elland Road, potentially even extending his stay there after his current deal expires in 2024.

Dallas will likely be a huge player for Leeds again next season as they look to produce an even better campaign than 2020/21. Hopefully McAvennie’s premonition comes to light.

In other news, Leeds reportedly ‘retain an interest’ in one player this summer – find out who it is here.

Sri Lanka A have levelled the ODI series against India A 1-1 after completing a comprehensive 69-run victory at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday

Staff Reporter04-Jun-2002Sri Lanka A have levelled the ODI series against India A 1-1 after completing a comprehensive 69-run victory at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday. The chief architects of the Sri Lanka A victory were the left-handed batsmen Avishka Gunawardene (111) and Naveed Nawaz (120).After the first two matches of the five-match series had been washed out, India A had won the third match yesterday at the same venue by two wickets. Today’s performance by the home team sets up an interesting do-or-die final clash on Thursday.Earlier in the day, Hrishikesh Kanitkar won the toss for India A and sent the home team in to bat first. On a track full of runs, Sri Lanka A lost Test discard Romesh Kaluwitharana (8), caught behind by Parthiv Patel off a nippy Lakshmipathy Balaji.What followed was a deluge of runs; a partnership of 233 runs off just 38.1 overs between Gunawardene and Nawaz. Gunwardene struck ten boundaries and a six in his blistering knock of 111, facing just 121 balls. Gunawardene was cleaned up by Jai P Yadav with the Sri Lanka A total on 251.Five runs later, Nawaz was tragically run out after making a whirlwind knock of 120 (125 balls), which included 14 fours and a six. There were useful contributions late in the order from Chamara Silva (29 off 15 balls) and Jehan Mubarak (25* off 20 balls). Sri Lanka A finished with 321/4 in their 50 overs. Jai P Yadav picked up a couple of wickets, but was too expensive – going for 72 runs off nine overs.India A looked to be cruising towards victory, scoring at around six runs an over. Akash Chopra and young Parthiv Patel added 131 runs for the first wicket in just 22.2 overs. But then they lost four quick wickets in the space of seven overs to slump to 155/4. Kaushal Lokuarachchi struck a double blow, removing Patel (71 off 66 balls) and Gautam Gambhir (3) in consecutive overs. Kanitkar (1) and Chopra (70 off 85 balls) too fell in quick succession, leaving the task of rebuilding the innings to Rohan Gavaskar and Jai P Yadav.Chasing such a huge score, and with crucial wickets down, India A were never in a position to launch an assault. Yadav made 22 off 15 balls and the rest of the tail just wilted away. Gavaskar batted on to compile a half century (53* off 65 balls), as India A were bowled out for 252 runs. Tillakaratne Dilshan, bowling off-breaks, finished with the figures of 8.2-0-40-3.

Queens Park Rangers have made an approach to bring Jordan Archer to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, who revealed in a post on Twitter that Mark Warburton’s side are looking to push a deal through for the recently released Middlesbrough goalkeeper in the coming weeks.

Nixon goes on to state that one of the current QPR shot-stoppers, Liam Kelly, appears to be heading to Scotland, having been linked with both Motherwell and Dundee United this summer, with Archer appearing to be the 25-year-old’s replacement in west London.

Warburton will be buzzing

While Archer has not featured a great deal for a number of his most recent clubs, making four Scottish Premiership appearances for Motherwell and five Championship appearances for Middlesbrough last season, the 28-year-old boasts a wealth of Championship experience, as well as impressing for Millwall when given a shot as a team’s first choice ‘keeper.

Indeed, over his 45 second-tier appearances for the Lions back in 2017/18, the £270k-rated man kept a whopping 18 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 2.9 saves and making 0.2 successful runs out per game, in addition to stopping a total of 131 shots over the course of the season.

These metrics saw the man Neil Harris dubbed an “excellent” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.81, ranking him as Millwall’s 13th-best performer in the Championship that year, playing a huge role in the club securing a highly impressive eighth-place finish.

As such, while Seny Dieng looks likely to be Warburton’s first-choice goalkeeper for the Rs next season, the addition of the £4.1k-per-week Archer would appear to provide the 26-year-old with both fantastic competition and back up for his spot between the sticks, something that will undoubtedly leave the 58-year-old QPR boss buzzing.

In other news: QPR transfer update emerges on “explosive” £10k-p/w machine, Warburton would love him

Sunderland have been offered advice by Kevin Phillips regarding their pursuit of Wimbledon striker Joe Pigott.

What’s the talk?

Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has backed the club to swoop for Wimbledon centre-forward Joe Pigott to replace the outgoing Charlie Wyke this summer.

Celtic are reportedly closing in on a deal for Wyke and the Black Cats are said to be eyeing up the attacker from their League One rivals as a potential replacement.

Phillips has said that his statistics are impressive and that he will be a hero at the Stadium of Light if he can replicate his form on Wearside. He told Football Insider:

“His stats speak for themselves. A record of nearly one in two is a great strike rate.

“My only worry is, coming from Wimbledon, can he handle the pressure of playing for Sunderland? No disrespect to Wimbledon but Sunderland is a big step up.

“I haven’t seen too much of Pigott but the lad can score goals, that is clear. He could be the man to replace Charlie Wyke next season because it looks as if he will be moving on.

“If Lee can get Pigott in and he scores a lot of goals for Sunderland, he will be a hero straight away.”

Bye-bye Wyke

Wyke is out of contract this week and is said to be keen on a transfer to Scotland, which means that the time is right to say bye-bye to last season’s top scorer.

The club should not be trying to keep players who do not want to be in the building and the 26-goal forward seemingly falls into that category. This does, however, leave a major hole to fill in Lee Johnson’s squad and Kristjaan Speakman needs to act swiftly to fill it.

The Sunderland chief now needs to spring into action to seal a deal for the Wimbledon hitman. Pigott is an excellent attacker at League One level and enjoyed a fantastic season last term, scoring 20 times and assisting five goals for his teammates.

Former Wimbledon manager Wally Downes once praised the target man as being “magnificent” and said that he was being rewarded for his hard work, highlighting the quality he possesses at this level.

He told Echo News:

“Joe has been magnificent in the last six or seven weeks and he got his rewards for battling.

“He’s led the line really well lately and got another win.”

The 6ft 1 beast could, therefore, be exactly what Johnson needs in the transfer window. With his top scorer set to depart this week, the former Bristol City coach is in desperate need of a prolific attacker who can find the back of the net and that is what Pigott has been for Wimbledon.

The 27-year-old scored 20 times in League One for The Dons and that is why the Black Cats must sanction a deal to snap him up this summer to make sure that they do not end up missing Wyke’s influence on the team.

AND in other news, Speakman must sanction SAFC swoop for “very brave” 13 G/A dynamo, Johnson needs him…

Eddie Howe ‘got stage fright’ before his talks with Celtic broke down, Hoops legend Chris Sutton has claimed in his Daily Record column.

The lowdown

Former Bournemouth boss Howe held talks over the vacant manager’s role in March and remained Celtic’s number-one choice up to the end of May, when the move collapsed (via Sky Sports).

The Englishman ultimately rejected the club’s overtures, with suggestions that the composition of his backroom team was a source of disagreement.

Celtic then moved to appoint Yokohama F Marinos boss Ange Postecoglou as Neil Lennon’s long-term successor.

Howe continues to bide his time after leaving Bournemouth at the end of the 2019/20 season following their relegation from the Premier League.

The latest

Sutton hailed the ‘bravery’ of Postecoglou after he agreed to take charge despite his lack of experience in European football.

And he also fired a parting shot at Howe, whom he accused of leaving Celtic ‘high and dry’.

“What I would say is fair play to Postecoglou,” Sutton, who played for the club between 2000 and 2006, wrote.

“I admire the guy for being brave enough to take this job.

“The likes of Eddie Howe got stage fright and ran away, leaving Celtic high and dry.”

The verdict

It might well have been down to the backroom team or another dispute, but equally, you can see why Howe may have daunted by the task.

Celtic finished 25 points behind their unbeaten arch-rivals Rangers, and their squad is in need of an overhaul this summer.

And on top of that, supporters who have become so used to domestic success (Celtic had won nine titles in a row before Rangers halted their run) are unlikely to afford a manager much patience in a lengthy period of transition.

Perhaps Howe will want to walk into a more comfortable set of circumstances, or a club without such a remarkable expectation for domestic dominance, such as manageress Crystal Palace, who have been linked with the former Cherries man as well.

In other news, this Celtic midfielder looks to be on his way.  

Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer fears Marcelo’s wages would have a negative impact on the Whites’ dressing room.

Talk of the Real Madrid left-back joining Leeds this summer has recently emerged, with the Mirror reporting that the Yorkshire club are ready to do battle with Premier League rivals Everton for his signature.

According to one website, Marcelo is currently earning over £250,000 a week. And while you would not expect him to be paid anywhere near that at Leeds, a side who were only promoted to the top flight last year, a player of that profile is still likely to command big wages.

It is a concern for Palmer, who has warned his old side about paying one player so much money. On the Brazilian potentially moving to Elland Road this summer, the ex-Leeds star told FFC:

“I remember when we were at Leeds United and they brought in Tony Yeboah. If you bring in a player like Tony Yeboah and he’s on more money than everybody else, you get away with it because Tony Yeboah was getting us a win bonus, getting us into Europe.

“He delivered, he came and delivered and he was a great lad – then you get away with that. It’s when you’ve got a player that comes in who earns an awful lot of money and doesn’t do it, and then it kills the dressing room. You’ve got to be very, very careful.”

It is certainly something for Leeds to consider, who will have to give the 33-year-old a two-year contract, according to the same Mirror report.