Mancini calls for focus

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini wants his side to show more focus after conceding a last-gasp goal against Torino last week.

Roberto Mancini: Bemoaned lack of concentration last week

Last Sunday's 1-0 home defeat to Toro dropped Inter to 10th place heading into Sunday's game at Sassuolo.

Mancini is frustrated that his players lacked the discipline to defend the last corner kick of the game that allowed Toro defender Emiliano Moretti to head home the winner.

"The defensive distraction shown by my players at Torino cannot happen again," Mancini told Italian newspaper Il Giornale. "You simply cannot make those mistakes.

"This is a lesson for my players.

"We need to improve a lot on our technique.

"We need to show true leadership on the pitch."

Inter have won just one of their last five league games.

They are 10 points adrift of Napoli, who are third and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot, but Mancini has not given up hope of his team finishing in the top three this season.

"Just when it looks impossible, things happen and we cannot give up," he said. "I remember the Premier League title I won at Manchester City (2011-12).

"We won in the 94th minute of the final game of the season having trailed eight points behind Manchester United."

Inter, who are level on 26 points with city rivals AC Milan, are without defenders Juan Jesus and Danilo D'Ambrosio, both suspended this weekend.

Mancini is unlikely to hand midfielder Marcelo Brozovic his Serie A debut at Sassuolo.

The Croatia international joined Inter on a two-year loan deal from Dinamo Zagreb this week.

Opponents Sassuolo have lost just once at the the Mapei stadium this season.

The Emilia-Romagna outfit heads into the encounter on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Cagliari, their fifth loss of the campaign.

Sassuolo, coached by Eusebio Di Francesco, have won just one of their last seven games to drop to 12th place, one point adrift of Inter.

The hosts are without defender Francesco Acerbi and striker Floro Flores, both suspended.

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Smith 'stable' after collision

Huddersfield defender Tommy Smith is in a stable condition in hospital after suffering a nasty head injury towards the end of Saturday’s Championship match with Leeds.

Huddersfield Town's Tommy Smith was taken away in an air ambulance after he was

Smith collided with Huddersfield goalkeeper Joe Murphy as the pair unsuccessfully tried to prevent Billy Sharp from scoring a late winner for the visitors.

The injury caused a 10-minute delay to the game and Smith was eventually airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary because the roads surrounding the stadium were gridlocked with matchday traffic.

And Huddersfield were thankfully able to issue a positive statement regarding their player’s condition on Saturday night.

The statement read: “Tommy became unconscious in the incident late in the game and was stretchered off after a lengthy period of treatment on the pitch.

“In the medical room his condition caused increased concern and, after the full-time whistle, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) was called. The YAA landed on the pitch at the John Smith's Stadium and Tommy was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary. 

“Tommy has subsequently undergone scans and tests and is now in a stable condition.

“We are pleased to report Tommy has been sitting up and talking to members of Huddersfield Town's staff who have visited him on Saturday evening.

“Tommy will stay overnight in Leeds General Infirmary for observation.”

And Huddersfield were quick to thank the emergency services for their handling of a very concerning situation.

“Huddersfield Town and Tommy's family would like to thank everyone for their well wishes throughout the course of Saturday evening,” the statement added.

“Everyone at the club would also like to record their thanks to all the medical team and safety staff on duty at the John Smith's Stadium, our charity partner the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and staff at Leeds General Infirmary for the care they have given Tommy.

“We all wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

        

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Adams thrilled with Tranmere

Tranmere boss Mickey Adams was delighted with a fourth away win of the season as they beat Exeter 2-1.

Micky Adams: Good second-half performance

The result moved Rovers up to 17th, with a gap of three points to second-bottom Mansfield.

The visitors went in front when Jennison Myrie-Williams squeezed the ball in from an acute angle on 28 minutes, but Exeter were soon level when Alex Nicholls was fouled and picked himself up to curl home the resulting free-kick from 20 yards.

But Rory Donnelly won it for the visitors with a neat finish on 50 minutes, although Max Power missed the chance to wrap the game up when his attempted chip from the penalty spot was saved by Christy Pym.

"I thought we had a good second half performance," Adams said. "I was a bit disappointed with our ball retention in the first half. We got to grips with their shape in the second half and could have won the game more comfortably.

"We didn't play to our strengths in the first half and (were) disappointed to concede the goal as we did but we were more on the front feet in the second half.

"I didn't want to come here and let the players think a draw would be a good result for us. I wanted to come here and be positive.

"My philosophy is to try and win games of football. I am delighted overall with the performance and the win."

On Power's penalty, Adams added: "Max is a lucky boy. He thinks he is going to score every time, but I don't think that is the right time to be doing that."

For Exeter, it was a third straight home defeat, although manager Paul Tisdale was pleased with his side's showing.

He said: "It was a really good performance, but the wrong result.

"I'd be foolish if I didn't look at scoring goals and keeping them out because that is the essence of the game, but having seen us play today, last week and the week before, I am pretty happy that we are back on track with our performances.

"The result went against us today, but on the whole I thought today was a really good performance, but I am disappointed that we have lost.

"I am not worried about the way we are playing, but I am worried about us not getting results and the gap between us and the play-offs widening because we want to be in those play-offs.

"There are things we could have done better and things we can improve on, but as a whole - and with four players out today that would probably have started - I thought the team played quite well.

"Unfortunately, that's life. I am not cross with the players and we will analyse it and try and make improvements, but I am very disappointed with the result, not the performance. As I said to the players, though, we are at that stage of the season where it is about results, rather than performances."

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Banned Costa will not change

Chelsea striker Diego Costa insists he will not alter his aggressive style of play after serving his three-match suspension.

Diego Costa: Chelsea striker will stick with his physical approach

The 26-year-old was retrospectively given the ban this week for violent conduct after an independent regulatory commission on Friday ruled he deliberately stamped on the ankle of the Liverpool midfielder Emre Can during Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg.

Although Costa claims there was no malicious intent behind the stamp, he will take the decision in his stride but not let it affect the way he approaches the game.

No angel

"As far as what happened on Tuesday, the main thing is when I get home I can go home and I can go to sleep knowing that I've not done anything wrong, because I never meant to do that and it was not on purpose," the Spain international told the Daily Telegraph.

"You can clearly see that on the video. But it is a suspension. I have to accept that, I have to take it. Obviously I feel sad because I'm not going to be able to help the team, to play. But I have accept it and respect it.

"I'm not saying I'm an angel. I'm no angel. You can see that. But every time I play I will play the same way because that's the way I am. That's what I need to do in order to support my family. That's my bread and butter.

“Also, that's what I need to do for this club and for the fans of this club, for the supporters and for all the people involved in this club.

"On the pitch I will always be like that. That's my character and I will always compete and compete - always. I'm a different guy off the pitch, as you can see, but on the pitch I will not change.

“And I want to say this again: you can look at the video and interpret it however you want, but I know when I get home I can sleep in peace because I know I didn't mean to do it."

Contact sport

The former Atletico Madrid forward believes he is suffering because the modern game is becoming less physical.

"I'm always loyal, I always go 100 per cent, I always go on the limit but I think the people that think that I am a violent player, it's because they interpret football a different way; they see it in a different way," he added.

"Back in the old days there used to be way more contact and a lot of things that were permitted. These days everyone is looking at it and I don't think that is good for the game.

"I have a go at defenders and they have a go at me. We argue. Whatever happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. After the game I shake hands with the defender. Job done, I go home, he goes home.

“We're all mates. It's all good. That's how I see football. That's how I play football. I'm not going to change it – football is a contact sport."

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Sheffield Utd v Swindon preview

Team news for Saturday's League One clash between Sheffield United and Swindon Town at Bramall Lane.

Ryan Flynn: Fit to feature

Sheffield United's new signings John Brayford, Kieron Freeman and Paul Coutts are all hoping to be included in the squad for the home game against Swindon.

Defenders Brayford and Freeman and midfielder Coutts all completed permanent deals last week but were not involved in the midweek Capital One Cup tie against Tottenham.

Midfielder Ryan Flynn was United's only injury doubt ahead of Wednesday's game but overcame an Achilles injury to play the full 90 minutes, while teenage striker Che Adams is pushing for his first start following his two goals.

The Blades, a point adrift of the play-off places, are looking to bounce back from their defeat at MK Dons in their last league match.

Swindon remain without midfielder Massimo Luongo as he continues to star down under.

The former Spurs man has picked up four assists, a goal and two man of the match awards for Australia in the Asia Cup and with his country having made the final, Swindon will remain without one of their star players until next week.

Fellow midfielder Ben Gladwin has gone under the knife in a bid to solve a knee problem and he looks set for three or four weeks on the sidelines.

Swindon have just returned from almost a week in Tenerife as they made the most of their spare weekend and enjoyed some warm-weather training.

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Crawley Town add Fowler

Crawley have announced the signing of midfielder Lee Fowler on an emergency 93-day loan.

Lee Fowler: Joined on an emergency loan

The 31-year-old joins the Reds with a wealth of experience, having made over 300 appearances since making his professional debut for Coventry in 2000.

Fowler spent the first half of this season at Vanarama Conference side Nuneaton where he featured 23 times, scoring three goals.

Boss Dean Saunders told the official club website: "I have worked with Lee before and I know his qualities.

"He is the sort of player who can make us tick in midfield.

"This is a good opportunity for him to prove his ability at League One level.

He's a bit like Dean Morgan in that regard and I believe he can make a big contribution between now and the end of the season."

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Crewe v MK Dons preview

Team news for Saturday's League One clash between Crewe Alexandra and MK Dons at Alexandra Stadium.

Brad Inman: Could play some part

Crewe winger Brad Inman is available to play some part when the Alex welcome MK Dons to Gresty Road.

The 23-year-old missed last weekend's 1-0 victory over Port Vale with a back injury but he is in contention to feature after making a full recovery.

Forwards Lauri Dalla Valle and Marcus Haber are also fit and are vying for a place in the starting line-up.

Alex boss Steve Davis can no longer call on Uche Ikpeazu, who has been recalled by parent club Watford and subsequently sent to Doncaster, or Adam Dugdale, who has left the club to join Tranmere.

Dons manager Karl Robinson, who will serve the third game of a four-match touchline ban, is hopeful Devante Cole will be fit for the trip.

The striker, on loan from Manchester City, suffered a shoulder injury during the 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe on Tuesday night after coming on as a substitute early in the second half.

However, midfielder Mark Randall and winger Ben Reeves (hamstring) continue to struggle with the injuries that have kept them out of the squad recently.

The likes of Lee Hodson, Dean Bowditch, Daniel Powell, George Baldock and Tom Hitchcock are options for Robinson should he wish to change one or two things.

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