Round-up: End of an era at Wealdstone
Gordon Bartlett has stepped down as manager of Wealdstone after 22 years in charge.
The decision was taken by mutual consent, with the Stones sitting 18th in National League South but keen to chase a play-off place.
The 61-year-old will remain with the club in a new role encompassing youth development and community football.
Since taking over in 1995, Bartlett has taken Wealdstone from Isthmian League Division Three to eighth in National League South last sseason.
Wealdstone chairman Peter Marsden said an announcement on Bartlett’s successor would be made in due course.
Praise for Bakayoko
Antonio Conte believes the size of the occasion gave Tiémoué Bakayoko the energy to get through his Chelsea debut despite the midfielder not being fully fit.
Bakayoko was hurried back after a knee problem for the game against Tottenham at Wembley because Cesc Fabregas’ suspension left the Blues short of other midfield options.
Boss Conte was reluctant to include the summer signing from Monaco but felt he had no choice.
The France international rose to the challenge, playing a starring role in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory – and surprisingly managing to complete the full 90 minutes.
Conte said: “Don’t forget I was a player and I know that sometimes motivation brings you to get over your physical condition.
“In a great stadium, against a great opponent, with a great atmosphere you can have a performance like that.”
Linfield to discuss QPR’s Smyth offer
Linfield’s directors are expected to meet this week to discuss QPR’s offer for forward Paul Smyth.
Rangers have submitted a bid for the Northern Ireland Under-21 international, who turns 20 next month and is under contract until 2019.
There have been reports linking Reading with Smyth and speculation over how much Linfield want for the player.
But QPR have not received an answer since making their offer and no other clubs appear to have made an approach.
A Reading scout recently watched a Linfield game, leading to reports the Royals are chasing Smyth.
Holloway plans changes
Ian Holloway plans to make changes for QPR’s EFL Cup second-round clash with Brentford on Tuesday.
Holloway’s side continued their encouraging start to the season by coming from behind to beat Hull on Saturday.
And the Rangers manager is now hoping a number of his squad players will take their chance to impress in the west London derby.
“I will have to play some different players and I want our fans to understand that,” he said.
QPR U23s win
QPR’s development side made it two wins out of two by beating Huddersfield 2-1.
Axel Prohouly and Aramide Oteh scored for visitors in the game at Huddersfield’s training ground
No Wembley jinx – Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino has again played down the significance of Tottenham’s record at Wembley.
Having struggled in their Champions League games at the national stadium, Spurs lost 2-1 to Chelsea on Sunday in their first home league match there.
They have now lost eight of their last 11 games at what will be their home ground until the club’s new stadium is constructed.
But manager Pochettino insisted his side’s display against the champions showed they can perform at Wembley and that they did not deserve to lose.
Asked if he felt the pitch being significantly larger than the one at White Hart Lane was a factor in their results, Pochettino said: “Please – we need to stop. If you watch football it was clear that Wembley was not the problem.”
He added: “It doesn’t affect us but I understand that we (Pochettino and the media) need to talk about it.
“Wembley is not the reason we lost the game. The team played really well and it’s not fair to blame Wembley. Wembley is one of the best places in the world to play football.
“We created chances to score and they were more clinical than us. That’s football.”
Victory for Ouseph
Rajiv Ouseph opened his World Badminton Championship campaign with a 21-15, 21-13 victory over Adam Mendrek in Glasgow.
Hounslow’s Ouseph, the 16th seed, started to show his class in the latter half of the first game, a run of six straight points opening up an 18-12 lead.
And when world number 117 Mandrek went wide, Ouseph took the game after 19 minutes.
