birminghammail--2020-08-07--Lescott has it completely wrong about Wolves - and Nuno proved it

After 378 days , 29 games and 15 wins , Wolverhampton Wanderers ' Molineux season is over .
Their mammoth home campaign ended in exactly the same fashion as it started back in July 2019 .
A home win in the Europa League , with Rui Patricio keeping a clean sheet .
Aside from that , the nights could have scarcely been more different .
Exchange Irish minnows Crusaders , for the Greek champions Olympiakos .
Instead of a first-leg lead in the second round of qualifying , Wolves booked their place in the final eight of a major European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30,000 fans that were forced to watch from behind their furniture , rather than bathed in sunlight on the terraces .
Sign up for our Wolves newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here Following the win , Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo , ensured his entire squad gave their home stadium a proper send off , before they depart to Germany for the final-leg of their marathon .
The Portuguese demanded his entire playing and coaching staff returned to the centre circle , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were not to waste this opportunity .
The images were captured live by BT Sport , as Wolves moved one step closer to history .
However , as fans watched Nuno hold court , former Wolves defender and pundit Joleon Lescott , attempted to put a negative on proceedings .
“ It ’ s the most important signing they can make this summer , ” he said about the head coach 's imminent contract negotations .
“ He probably needs a lot of players to stay , I hate to say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially be some of their top players final game at Molineux in a Wolves shirt.
” In recent weeks , Raul Jimenez has been extensively linked with Manchester United , while Adama Traore is reportedly a target for champions Liverpool .
But a simple look at the images told a completely different story .
Whether it was 17-year-old Christian Marques , in his first senior squad , Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho , with 208 Portugal caps between them or Barcelona graduate Traore - every player , was hanging off every word .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or a squad , that is ready to give up on this club or the manager , that has taken them to the precipice of immortality in Wolverhampton .
There may be outgoings , but in Nuno , Wolves have a man that has built a family of players that have been willing to fight for the badge , in a season longer than any other .
In three games , it may be even more historical .

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After 378 days, 29 games and 15 wins, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux season is over.
Their mammoth home campaign ended in exactly the same fashion as it started back in July 2019. A home win in the Europa League, with Rui Patricio keeping a clean sheet.
Aside from that, the nights could have scarcely been more different. Exchange Irish minnows Crusaders, for the Greek champions Olympiakos. Instead of a first-leg lead in the second round of qualifying, Wolves booked their place in the final eight of a major European competition. And that is forgetting the 30,000 fans that were forced to watch from behind their furniture, rather than bathed in sunlight on the terraces.
Sign up for our Wolves newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
Following the win, Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, ensured his entire squad gave their home stadium a proper send off, before they depart to Germany for the final-leg of their marathon.
The Portuguese demanded his entire playing and coaching staff returned to the centre circle, where he impressed upon his players, that they were not to waste this opportunity.
The images were captured live by BT Sport, as Wolves moved one step closer to history.
However, as fans watched Nuno hold court, former Wolves defender and pundit Joleon Lescott, attempted to put a negative on proceedings.
“It’s the most important signing they can make this summer,” he said about the head coach's imminent contract negotations.
“He probably needs a lot of players to stay, I hate to say that and think about that. This could potentially be some of their top players final game at Molineux in a Wolves shirt.”
In recent weeks, Raul Jimenez has been extensively linked with Manchester United, while Adama Traore is reportedly a target for champions Liverpool.
But a simple look at the images told a completely different story. Whether it was 17-year-old Christian Marques, in his first senior squad, Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho, with 208 Portugal caps between them or Barcelona graduate Traore - every player, was hanging off every word.
(Image: BT Sport)
This doesn't look like a team, or a squad, that is ready to give up on this club or the manager, that has taken them to the precipice of immortality in Wolverhampton.
There may be outgoings, but in Nuno, Wolves have a man that has built a family of players that have been willing to fight for the badge, in a season longer than any other.
In three games, it may be even more historical.


birminghammail--2020-08-07--Boy seriously injured after being hit by car

A boy was seriously injured after being hit by a car in Walsall .
Emergency services - including the Midlands Air Ambulance - were called to Darlaston Road on Thursday , August 6 , to reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian .
The youngster , who was being helped by bystanders when paramedics arrived at 6.30pm , was given trauma care at the scene .
He was then taken to Birmingham Children ’ s Hospital for further treatment .
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said : `` Bystanders were providing care to the pedestrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived .
`` The boy was assessed and found to have suffered serious injuries .
`` He was given trauma care at the scene before being taken by land ambulance to Birmingham Children ’ s Hospital for further treatment.
” A West Midlands Police spokesman said : `` We ’ re investigating after a child was hit by a car in Darlaston Road , Walsall at around 6.30pm yesterday evening .
`` The 10-year-old was taken to hospital with injuries to their leg . ''
Anyone with information can contact the force via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midnight or call 101 at anytime .
Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 .
People are asked to quote log 3728 of August 8 .

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A boy was seriously injured after being hit by a car in Walsall.
Emergency services - including the Midlands Air Ambulance - were called to Darlaston Road on Thursday, August 6, to reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian.
The youngster, who was being helped by bystanders when paramedics arrived at 6.30pm, was given trauma care at the scene.
He was then taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for further treatment.
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A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Bystanders were providing care to the pedestrian, a boy, when ambulance staff arrived.
"The boy was assessed and found to have suffered serious injuries.
"He was given trauma care at the scene before being taken by land ambulance to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for further treatment.”
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "We’re investigating after a child was hit by a car in Darlaston Road, Walsall at around 6.30pm yesterday evening.
"The 10-year-old was taken to hospital with injuries to their leg."
Anyone with information can contact the force via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 at anytime.
Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
People are asked to quote log 3728 of August 8.


birminghammail--2020-08-07--Explained: Who is Rob Mackenzie? The transfer guru that will lead Villa forward

Ahead of another busy summer transfer window , Aston Villa are set to complete the hire of Rob Mackenzie as head of recruitment .
Joining from Leicester City partners OH Leuven , Mackenzie will assist Johan Lange in revamping Villa 's approach to recruitment - and reportedly the pair know each other well .
Despite the millions that will be spent in the market , the pair could be Villa 's biggest signings of the summer and will be able to push the club forward .
In the absolute unthinkable worst-case scenario that Villa drop a league - ideally not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a step-up on others .
That could be the case in the Premier League as well , with a number of clubs choosing to progress with agency driven recruitment .
It is key that Villa find stability and longevity in all areas - because time may reward them , especially considering that the man who brought Esteban Cambiasso , Heung-Min Son and Riyad Mahrez to the Premier League is involved with the club .
So , what is Mackenzie all about ?
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or click here Well - the short version is this .
As a scout , Mackenzie has seemingly been on the cusp of key developments within the football recruitment industry , and is involved in progressive conversations about the future of recruitment in football that do n't ignore traditional methods .
Mackenzie started off at Leicester City in 2009 and within two years as first-team analyst , he became the head of technical recruiting which involved managing databases , player records and footage of potential prospects to allow the recruitment team to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a spell at Tottenham Hotspur - where Mackenzie organised scouting targets across Europe in-person and remotely , managing traditional and technical scouting for the club over the course of almost two years .
Mackenzie linked back up with Nigel Pearson at Derby Country for a short spell before a number of years of independent work that led him back to Leicester City - sort of - joining their sister club OH Leuven as head of recruitment in 2018 , where Mackenzie brought in new approaches and developed recruitment strategy and structure for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role at Aston Villa .
`` Scouting and recruitment , from the analytical side , has seen a hell of a lot of evolution in the last five , six , seven years , '' said Mackenzie to LeicestershireLive .
`` Now you have all these systems like Wyscout and Opta data that cover a whole host of leagues , at that time it was really limited .
`` I was fortunate enough that the culture at the club , which still exists now in terms of the infrastructure that Nigel [ Pearson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gave me the freedom to bring in something from the analytical and profiling spectrum into the scouting arena .
`` Back then you had to scrap around on Youtube for video footage of players .
Every club uses Wyscout now and you can get access to the Macedonian second division at the drop of a hat .
We ran searches of different leagues across Europe and in England to profile players , in terms of minutes played , appearances made , where they are in their careers so we had an understanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mackenzie is also very familiar with FC Copenhagen - having praised the structure and policy of the club under Lange after attending matches and meetings at the Danish side throughout the year .
That may lead to Villa continuing to look at undervalued markets - while keeping an eye on experienced talent .
In an interview with Sky Sports , Mackenzie highlighted performance spikes - or improvements in performance levels as key to the process .
However , small sample sizes can be misleading , and Villa 's approach going forward will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swayed by an overwhelmingly positive bias in favour of exciting and perhaps overvalued talent .
`` Players are typically highlighted as a result of a scout having seen them play well live or through the various processes that are now implemented within clubs ' training grounds , '' said Mackenzie to Sky Sports .
`` Sometimes that is the easy part , the difficult part is gaining an understanding of what that player 's usual performance level is and how suitable they are for what you are trying to achieve as a team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build the most accurate picture of this , clubs tend to monitor the performance levels of a number of highlighted players over a significant period of time .
They will do this through sending scouts to watch the player live , and the more forward thinking clubs will also monitor players ' performance data over time to see if there are any significant changes .
`` You are always looking for that spike or indication that there may be a spike coming in the near future based on the information that you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it might be about to happen . ''
It 's key that Villa arrive just in time for that 'spike ' - and not after .
That will be Mackenzie 's key challenge .
Mackenzie values all aspects of a player - and Villa 's scouting methods going forward wo n't be just submitting bids for xG overachievers , taking an agent 's word for it or trusting one pair of eyes in France - or anything of the like .
It will be complete .
It will involve technical scouting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit in the team .
Ideally , each player signed under the remit of the new recruitment team will require fewer risks outside the obvious ( that bringing in ANY player is somewhat of a risk ) .
The players brought in - judging from the combined approaches of Mackenzie and Lange - will be a tactical , mental and physical fit for the team , with successful players then building a template for the future .
Expect nothing less than a consistent and detailed process from Villa going forward .
Is overachievement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process of sustained over-performance that brings the expected - or average performance - to a higher standard ?
Certain players - with the right mindsets and skills - are more likely to 'spike ' performances and step up to higher levels .
That can be easier in certain positions .
Leicester identified two such players in Wilfred Ndidi and N'Golo Kante , who did n't just succeed with their skills and ability on the pitch , but with their personalities and mentality .
Finding such players is key to the success of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the transfer market and there is a proven track record of that at the Foxes - a pathway that Mackenzie helped build .
Leicester did n't just benefit from Mackenzie during his time at the club , but after .
The original approaches that identified talents like Riyad Mahrez among others continued to lay the groundwork for massive moves in the club 's recent history .
Anthony Knockeart was the first signing at Leicester City that relied on 'technical ' scouting - or a reliance on remote analysis before watching the player in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make nearly 100 appearances for the Foxes - before depth issues and a contract disagreement led to him leaving the club .
Brighton picked up the player eventually , and now he 's at Fulham .
Since Leicester signed him , the player has been in and around the top level of European football for a while - playing in Belgium before a Championship return .
Next season , he 'll be back in the Premier League with Fulham .
`` When we looked at Knockaert at Guingamp , '' said Mackenzie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the first ones who I felt the input that I provided to support Steve and David Mills within scouting made a difference because they had a far deeper understanding of who this player was .
`` We were able to provide some level of statistical evidence of what Anthony had been doing , on and off the ball , and how that compared to the players Leicester had at the time .
`` We were trying to be one step ahead of our competitors in the Championship .
We were able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t have . ''
That 's just one example , and not even the best - but that signing laid the way for Riyad Mahrez , amongst others .
With Knockeart , Leicester 's scouting team found a win , and then another , and then another - by identifying emerging and undervalued competitions where players of great ability can be found .
That has evolved into the club having one of the best recruitment records in the country - overall .
We have n't even mentioned that he helped bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and while the South Korean superstar needed time to adapt to English football , he has n't looked back since .
A stable Villa squad should allow room for some more potential signings under Lange and Mackenzie .
It 's not just about potential It is n't just in the unknown where data and analysis can operate .
Can experience make a difference in a team , and are scouts readily looking at 'older ' players to fill gaps in the team ?
Well , Leicester did n't miss a beat with that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star Esteban Cambiasso as a 'difference-maker ' , landing the midfielder in deal considered somewhat of a coup for the club - at the time .
A difference did he make - the club survived in the Premier League after being promoted and Cambiasso picked up the player of the year award , but left in the summer that saw the team prepare for a Premier League season in which they would shock the world and lift the title .
What was used to identify Cambiasso ?
According to Mackenzie , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games of Inter Milan , Cambiasso 's experience at the highest level and a number of character references .
All of this was quickly built into a profile that built the player up as a good fit - if not perfect fit - for the side , and it worked out .
Cambiasso delivered in the manner he was expected to do so and Leicester stayed up .
Cambiasso then created a template for the club to use again , or in Mackenzie 's case to take to OH Leuven .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an experience player , but creating a profile or template that can be used to judge the next player of high-level experience the club is tracking .
That likely means that Villa wo n't ignore the obvious opportunities to upgrade with senior players - but only if the right one is available for the club .

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Ahead of another busy summer transfer window, Aston Villa are set to complete the hire of Rob Mackenzie as head of recruitment.
Joining from Leicester City partners OH Leuven, Mackenzie will assist Johan Lange in revamping Villa's approach to recruitment - and reportedly the pair know each other well.
Despite the millions that will be spent in the market, the pair could be Villa's biggest signings of the summer and will be able to push the club forward.
In the absolute unthinkable worst-case scenario that Villa drop a league - ideally not - the recruitment department will enable them a step-up on others. That could be the case in the Premier League as well, with a number of clubs choosing to progress with agency driven recruitment.
It is key that Villa find stability and longevity in all areas - because time may reward them, especially considering that the man who brought Esteban Cambiasso, Heung-Min Son and Riyad Mahrez to the Premier League is involved with the club.
So, what is Mackenzie all about?
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
Well - the short version is this. As a scout, Mackenzie has seemingly been on the cusp of key developments within the football recruitment industry, and is involved in progressive conversations about the future of recruitment in football that don't ignore traditional methods.
Here's the longer version...
Career history
Mackenzie started off at Leicester City in 2009 and within two years as first-team analyst, he became the head of technical recruiting which involved managing databases, player records and footage of potential prospects to allow the recruitment team to make informed decisions on personnel signings.
Then, a spell at Tottenham Hotspur - where Mackenzie organised scouting targets across Europe in-person and remotely, managing traditional and technical scouting for the club over the course of almost two years.
Mackenzie linked back up with Nigel Pearson at Derby Country for a short spell before a number of years of independent work that led him back to Leicester City - sort of - joining their sister club OH Leuven as head of recruitment in 2018, where Mackenzie brought in new approaches and developed recruitment strategy and structure for the club
Mackenzie will perform the same role at Aston Villa.
What's his method?
"Scouting and recruitment, from the analytical side, has seen a hell of a lot of evolution in the last five, six, seven years," said Mackenzie to LeicestershireLive.
"Now you have all these systems like Wyscout and Opta data that cover a whole host of leagues, at that time it was really limited.
"I was fortunate enough that the culture at the club, which still exists now in terms of the infrastructure that Nigel [Pearson] and Steve [Walsh] introduced, gave me the freedom to bring in something from the analytical and profiling spectrum into the scouting arena.
"Back then you had to scrap around on Youtube for video footage of players. Every club uses Wyscout now and you can get access to the Macedonian second division at the drop of a hat. We ran searches of different leagues across Europe and in England to profile players, in terms of minutes played, appearances made, where they are in their careers so we had an understanding of who they are as players."
Mackenzie is also very familiar with FC Copenhagen - having praised the structure and policy of the club under Lange after attending matches and meetings at the Danish side throughout the year.
That may lead to Villa continuing to look at undervalued markets - while keeping an eye on experienced talent.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Mackenzie highlighted performance spikes - or improvements in performance levels as key to the process.
However, small sample sizes can be misleading, and Villa's approach going forward will be to highlight key performers without being swayed by an overwhelmingly positive bias in favour of exciting and perhaps overvalued talent.
"Players are typically highlighted as a result of a scout having seen them play well live or through the various processes that are now implemented within clubs' training grounds," said Mackenzie to Sky Sports.
"Sometimes that is the easy part, the difficult part is gaining an understanding of what that player's usual performance level is and how suitable they are for what you are trying to achieve as a team and as a club.
"To build the most accurate picture of this, clubs tend to monitor the performance levels of a number of highlighted players over a significant period of time. They will do this through sending scouts to watch the player live, and the more forward thinking clubs will also monitor players' performance data over time to see if there are any significant changes.
"You are always looking for that spike or indication that there may be a spike coming in the near future based on the information that you have collated. The big challenge is knowing when it might be about to happen."
It's key that Villa arrive just in time for that 'spike' - and not after. That will be Mackenzie's key challenge.
Complete scouting
Mackenzie values all aspects of a player - and Villa's scouting methods going forward won't be just submitting bids for xG overachievers, taking an agent's word for it or trusting one pair of eyes in France - or anything of the like.
It will be complete. It will involve technical scouting, identifying a strength of personality and a fit in the team. Ideally, each player signed under the remit of the new recruitment team will require fewer risks outside the obvious (that bringing in ANY player is somewhat of a risk).
The players brought in - judging from the combined approaches of Mackenzie and Lange - will be a tactical, mental and physical fit for the team, with successful players then building a template for the future.
Expect nothing less than a consistent and detailed process from Villa going forward.
Planning to 'overachieve'
Is overachievement luck? Or is it an identifiable process of sustained over-performance that brings the expected - or average performance - to a higher standard?
Certain players - with the right mindsets and skills - are more likely to 'spike' performances and step up to higher levels. That can be easier in certain positions.
Leicester identified two such players in Wilfred Ndidi and N'Golo Kante, who didn't just succeed with their skills and ability on the pitch, but with their personalities and mentality.
Finding such players is key to the success of any football club hoping to stun others in the transfer market and there is a proven track record of that at the Foxes - a pathway that Mackenzie helped build.
Leicester didn't just benefit from Mackenzie during his time at the club, but after. The original approaches that identified talents like Riyad Mahrez among others continued to lay the groundwork for massive moves in the club's recent history.
Identifying gems
Anthony Knockeart was the first signing at Leicester City that relied on 'technical' scouting - or a reliance on remote analysis before watching the player in-person.
After joining, he went on to make nearly 100 appearances for the Foxes - before depth issues and a contract disagreement led to him leaving the club. Brighton picked up the player eventually, and now he's at Fulham.
Since Leicester signed him, the player has been in and around the top level of European football for a while - playing in Belgium before a Championship return. Next season, he'll be back in the Premier League with Fulham.
"When we looked at Knockaert at Guingamp," said Mackenzie to LeicestershireLive, "he was one of the first ones who I felt the input that I provided to support Steve and David Mills within scouting made a difference because they had a far deeper understanding of who this player was.
"We were able to provide some level of statistical evidence of what Anthony had been doing, on and off the ball, and how that compared to the players Leicester had at the time.
"We were trying to be one step ahead of our competitors in the Championship. We were able to generate insight that at that time others didn’t have."
That's just one example, and not even the best - but that signing laid the way for Riyad Mahrez, amongst others. With Knockeart, Leicester's scouting team found a win, and then another, and then another - by identifying emerging and undervalued competitions where players of great ability can be found.
That has evolved into the club having one of the best recruitment records in the country - overall.
We haven't even mentioned that he helped bring in Heung-Min Son to Spurs either, and while the South Korean superstar needed time to adapt to English football, he hasn't looked back since.
A stable Villa squad should allow room for some more potential signings under Lange and Mackenzie.
It's not just about potential
It isn't just in the unknown where data and analysis can operate. Can experience make a difference in a team, and are scouts readily looking at 'older' players to fill gaps in the team?
Well, Leicester didn't miss a beat with that.
Mackenzie and the club identified Argentine star Esteban Cambiasso as a 'difference-maker', landing the midfielder in deal considered somewhat of a coup for the club - at the time.
A difference did he make - the club survived in the Premier League after being promoted and Cambiasso picked up the player of the year award, but left in the summer that saw the team prepare for a Premier League season in which they would shock the world and lift the title.
(Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)
What was used to identify Cambiasso? According to Mackenzie, it was a detailed coding of his performances in games of Inter Milan, Cambiasso's experience at the highest level and a number of character references. All of this was quickly built into a profile that built the player up as a good fit - if not perfect fit - for the side, and it worked out. Cambiasso delivered in the manner he was expected to do so and Leicester stayed up.
Cambiasso then created a template for the club to use again, or in Mackenzie's case to take to OH Leuven. It's not just about the one-time use of an experience player, but creating a profile or template that can be used to judge the next player of high-level experience the club is tracking.
That likely means that Villa won't ignore the obvious opportunities to upgrade with senior players - but only if the right one is available for the club.


birminghammail--2020-08-07--talkSPORT pundit launches furious Wolves rant after Europa League win

talkSPORT pundit and former Chelsea player Jason Cundy has launched an astonishing rant , claiming the sooner Wolves are out of the Europa League , the better .
Nuno Espirito Santo 's side moved one step closer to their first European honour , with a nervy , battling 1-0 win over Olympiakos at Molineux .
Raul Jimenez 's first-half penalty means Wolves progress to the Europa League mini-tournament , with a game against Sevilla on Tuesday night in Germany .
Sign up for our Wolves newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be forced to beat Manchester United and Inter Milan , if they are to win the trophy and with it , passage to next season 's Champions League .
And Cundy , a big Chelsea fan , is desperate for Wolves to fall short , fearing what could happen if they qualify for the continent 's top tournament .
On his talkSPORT show , he said : “ I ’ ve just ordered my Sevilla shirt for their next game ... “ I don ’ t understand – and don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want Wolves winning the Europa League .
It ’ s quite simple , it ’ s not difficult for me to explain this and it shouldn ’ t be hard for people to understand it .
“ If Wolves were to win this European competition , it puts them in a very different position to threaten my club , Chelsea .
They hold onto a lot of their player , they hold onto their manager .
“ Not only that , it puts them in a position where they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they can go out .
Imagine what Wolves could look like if they were to win the Europa League and have Champions League football .
I don ’ t want to see that happen at Wolves .
“ As an Arsenal fan , you shouldn ’ t want to see it , they are a threat to the top-six .
They didn ’ t quite make it last season , finishing seventh .
Any Spurs fan shouldn ’ t want them , any Everton ... any fan of a side in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threaten .
“ My argument is quite simple , I want Wolves out of it !
The sooner the better .
As simple as that .
”

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talkSPORT pundit and former Chelsea player Jason Cundy has launched an astonishing rant, claiming the sooner Wolves are out of the Europa League, the better.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side moved one step closer to their first European honour, with a nervy, battling 1-0 win over Olympiakos at Molineux.
Raul Jimenez's first-half penalty means Wolves progress to the Europa League mini-tournament, with a game against Sevilla on Tuesday night in Germany.
Sign up for our Wolves newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
As well as Sevilla, Wolves could be forced to beat Manchester United and Inter Milan, if they are to win the trophy and with it, passage to next season's Champions League.
And Cundy, a big Chelsea fan, is desperate for Wolves to fall short, fearing what could happen if they qualify for the continent's top tournament.
On his talkSPORT show, he said: “I’ve just ordered my Sevilla shirt for their next game...
“I don’t understand – and don’t take this personally Wolves fans – I don’t want Wolves winning the Europa League. It’s quite simple, it’s not difficult for me to explain this and it shouldn’t be hard for people to understand it.
“If Wolves were to win this European competition, it puts them in a very different position to threaten my club, Chelsea. They hold onto a lot of their player, they hold onto their manager.
“Not only that, it puts them in a position where they have deep pockets, not the deepest, but they can go out. Imagine what Wolves could look like if they were to win the Europa League and have Champions League football. I don’t want to see that happen at Wolves.
“As an Arsenal fan, you shouldn’t want to see it, they are a threat to the top-six. They didn’t quite make it last season, finishing seventh. Any Spurs fan shouldn’t want them, any Everton...any fan of a side in the Premier League that Wolves could overtake or threaten.
“My argument is quite simple, I want Wolves out of it! The sooner the better. As simple as that.”


birminghammail--2020-08-07--BMW driver arrested after 'one-day-old car' crashes into bollard near city

A BMW motorist who 'only had his vehicle for one day ' has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after a crash in Shirley .
The dark-coloured motor was billed as a `` write-off '' by officers from West Midlands Police after the incident at the junction of Sandy Hill Road and Stratford Road , Shirley , in the early hours of Friday , August 7 .
The driver was taken into custody on suspicion of dangerous driving , failing to stop and being uninsured .
The West Midlands Police Specials team tweeted : `` Driver of this BMW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , failing to stop for @ Trafficwmp His one day old vehicle that he forgot to insure is now a write off .
# CMPGSPECIALS . ''
People on social media were quick to react over the crash .
One person wrote : `` One day old for him maybe , that thing looks old . ''
In a different incident , police pursued a 'stolen ' car and arrested three people in Rectory Park Road , Sheldon .
The Force Response team said a dog handler and sniffer dog was used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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A BMW motorist who 'only had his vehicle for one day' has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after a crash in Shirley.
The dark-coloured motor was billed as a "write-off" by officers from West Midlands Police after the incident at the junction of Sandy Hill Road and Stratford Road, Shirley, in the early hours of Friday, August 7.
The driver was taken into custody on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop and being uninsured.
The West Midlands Police Specials team tweeted: "Driver of this BMW is currently in custody for dangerous driving, failing to stop for @Trafficwmp His one day old vehicle that he forgot to insure is now a write off. #CMPGSPECIALS."
People on social media were quick to react over the crash.
One person wrote: "One day old for him maybe, that thing looks old."
In a different incident, police pursued a 'stolen' car and arrested three people in Rectory Park Road, Sheldon.
The Force Response team said a dog handler and sniffer dog was used to locate the driver in rear gardens.


birminghammail--2020-08-07--Aston Villa make key transfer move with incoming appointment

Aston Villa are set to complete the appointment of former Leicester scout Rob Mackenzie as their head of recruitment .
According to the Express and Star , Mackenzie will work with new technical director Johan Lange to revamp the club 's senior transfer policy - with a focus on analytics at Villa .
Mackenzie - formerly of Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur joins Villa from Belgian side OH Leuven who , according to the report , have utilised a modern scouting approach under Mackenzie to help the club up to the Belgian top-tier , with the side winning promotion last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here Now , Villa will moved forward with an overhauled and modern scouting department with Lange and Mackenzie at the head of it - specialising in total analysis combining data tracking with in-person profiling of targets .
At Leicester , the recruitment team involving Mackenzie managed to bring in N'Golo Kante , Anthony Knockaert , Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy using methods that were perhaps considered a little more unorthodox at the time - especially concerning players playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Leicester had no in-person presence via scouting in the country at that time .
Villa now should be looking forward to an upgraded and complete recruitment analysis team led by the two new hires that can make sure the club gets the biggest impact for the money it will spend on experience and potential in this summer , and the summers to come .

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Aston Villa are set to complete the appointment of former Leicester scout Rob Mackenzie as their head of recruitment.
According to the Express and Star, Mackenzie will work with new technical director Johan Lange to revamp the club's senior transfer policy - with a focus on analytics at Villa.
Mackenzie - formerly of Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur joins Villa from Belgian side OH Leuven who, according to the report, have utilised a modern scouting approach under Mackenzie to help the club up to the Belgian top-tier, with the side winning promotion last season.
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
Now, Villa will moved forward with an overhauled and modern scouting department with Lange and Mackenzie at the head of it - specialising in total analysis combining data tracking with in-person profiling of targets.
At Leicester, the recruitment team involving Mackenzie managed to bring in N'Golo Kante, Anthony Knockaert, Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy using methods that were perhaps considered a little more unorthodox at the time - especially concerning players playing in France, due to the fact that Leicester had no in-person presence via scouting in the country at that time.
Villa now should be looking forward to an upgraded and complete recruitment analysis team led by the two new hires that can make sure the club gets the biggest impact for the money it will spend on experience and potential in this summer, and the summers to come.


birminghammail--2020-08-07--Jorge Mendes makes Man United demand to Wolves target

Jorge Mendes is reportedly ‘ pressing ’ James Rodriguez to accept an offer that Manchester United have made for James Rodriguez .
A host of clubs have been linked with the Colombian international – after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Real Madrid .
Rodriguez has fallen completely out of favour under Zinedine Zidane , with the midfielder refusing to travel for some of their La Liga games towards the end of the season .
Sign up for our Wolves newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here Wolverhampton Wanderers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is represented by Mendes , the agent that has close links at Molineux .
Along with Wolves , Man United and Everton have expressed Premier League interest , while Atletico Madrid are keen to bring him across the city .
However , according to a report in Mundo Deportivo , Man United have already launched a bid for the 29-year-old , with his agent keen for him to accept it .
That ’ s in contrast to previous reports that had claimed Atletico were set to seal the signing of Rodriguez for as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested a fee had been agreed with Real , only for Atleti ’ s president Enrique Cerezo to pour cold water over the rumours .
Cerezo told Radio Marca : `` We have an excellent and young squad .
“ I do n't think he is in Atletico Madrid 's plans . ''

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Jorge Mendes is reportedly ‘pressing’ James Rodriguez to accept an offer that Manchester United have made for James Rodriguez.
A host of clubs have been linked with the Colombian international – after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Real Madrid.
Rodriguez has fallen completely out of favour under Zinedine Zidane, with the midfielder refusing to travel for some of their La Liga games towards the end of the season.
Sign up for our Wolves newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
Wolverhampton Wanderers have been heavily linked with Rodriguez, who is represented by Mendes, the agent that has close links at Molineux.
Along with Wolves, Man United and Everton have expressed Premier League interest, while Atletico Madrid are keen to bring him across the city.
However, according to a report in Mundo Deportivo, Man United have already launched a bid for the 29-year-old, with his agent keen for him to accept it.
That’s in contrast to previous reports that had claimed Atletico were set to seal the signing of Rodriguez for as little as £13.5m.
It had been suggested a fee had been agreed with Real, only for Atleti’s president Enrique Cerezo to pour cold water over the rumours.
Cerezo told Radio Marca: "We have an excellent and young squad.
“I don't think he is in Atletico Madrid's plans."


birminghammail--2020-08-07--Every word from Nuno on Patricio, Jonny's injury & Wolves vs Sevilla

Wolverhampton Wanderers are going to Germany after a hard-fought battle with Olympiakos at Molineux .
Raul Jimenez 's early penalty ensured Wolves prevailed on the night but goalkeeper Rui Patricio was the hero with two stunning saves .
Nuno Espirito Santo 's side now face five-time winners Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-finals in Duisburg on Tuesday .
The Wolves boss was in jubilant mood in his post-match press conference - here 's everything he said : Sign up for our Wolves newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We started well but didn ’ t play good .
They created a lot of problems for us .
We had to suffer , we had to defend .
Rui was huge , he was massive for us today .
I ’ m proud of the way we do things , how we do things .
We started with a big achievement of going up ( from the Championship ) .
We made the first season in the Premier League , now we are in the second season .
To repeat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is very difficult !
I ’ m happy with the team , the way we keep on going right until the end .
We believed until the end .
But , of course , Rui was huge for us .
That ’ s what he ’ s there for .
He was fantastic .
Well done .
Let ’ s wait for the doctor Matt ( Perry ) .
It doesn ’ t look good .
We started in Molineux against Crusaders more than a year ago .
Everyone has to realise it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And we finished in Molineux , with a fantastic victory to put us in the last eight .
I don ’ t know how many miles we ’ ve been this season .
We ’ ve been to Asia also .
That ’ s what I said to the boys , ‘ Make it worth it ’ , and we did .
We ’ re going to Germany .
It was the last game at Molineux this season , we missed our fans .
It was not the same without them .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what I said .
I told the boys : ‘ Ok , our holidays must wait .
We ’ ll have it , but not for now ’ .
VAR is something that can be on both sides .
It ’ s there to judge .
We were many times on the other side and I didn ’ t mention anything .
We trust them and we hope they judge well and they become faster because the emptiness without fans waiting for the decision doesn ’ t make sense .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today but not with the right attention .
We are now going to face a very tough opponent with very good players .
But let ’ s try to compete .

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Wolverhampton Wanderers are going to Germany after a hard-fought battle with Olympiakos at Molineux.
Raul Jimenez's early penalty ensured Wolves prevailed on the night but goalkeeper Rui Patricio was the hero with two stunning saves.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side now face five-time winners Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-finals in Duisburg on Tuesday.
The Wolves boss was in jubilant mood in his post-match press conference - here's everything he said:
Sign up for our Wolves newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
Nuno’s pride
It was very hard. A tough tough game. We started well but didn’t play good. They created a lot of problems for us. We had to suffer, we had to defend. Rui was huge, he was massive for us today.
I’m proud of the way we do things, how we do things. We started with a big achievement of going up (from the Championship). We made the first season in the Premier League, now we are in the second season.
To repeat the history of the 50s and the 60s is very difficult!
Rui Patricio
I’m happy with the team, the way we keep on going right until the end. We believed until the end. But, of course, Rui was huge for us. That’s what he’s there for. He was fantastic. Well done.
Jonny Otto’s injury
Let’s wait for the doctor Matt (Perry). It doesn’t look good.
Scenes of celebration
We started in Molineux against Crusaders more than a year ago. Everyone has to realise it’s been a long time. And we finished in Molineux, with a fantastic victory to put us in the last eight.
I don’t know how many miles we’ve been this season. We’ve been to Asia also.
That’s what I said to the boys, ‘Make it worth it’, and we did. We’re going to Germany.
The post-match speech
It was the last game at Molineux this season, we missed our fans. It was not the same without them. But the boys must be proud, this is what I said.
I told the boys: ‘Ok, our holidays must wait. We’ll have it, but not for now’.
VAR to the rescue
(Image: Getty Images)
VAR is something that can be on both sides. It’s there to judge. We were many times on the other side and I didn’t mention anything. We trust them and we hope they judge well and they become faster because the emptiness without fans waiting for the decision doesn’t make sense.
Sevilla tie
We’ve seen some flashes of the game today but not with the right attention. We are now going to face a very tough opponent with very good players. But let’s try to compete.


birminghammail--2020-08-07--Aston Villa transfer news and rumours live

Hello and welcome to Fridays 's LIVE Aston Villa coverage from BirminghamLive .
Right here , we 'll be keeping you informed on all the key developments as Villa 's transfer window ticks along .
All the latest Villa news , views rumours will be added to this live blog throughout the day , with new signings and transfers linked to the club .
Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma still remain the key targets for Villa following Brentford 's play-off final defeat earlier in the the week - so will be keeping a close eye on the situation concerning those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names on the list though - with incoming technical director Johan Lange is the man tasked with delving into the market on Villa 's behalf this summer as he looks to arm Dean Smith with the tools he needs to keep the club in the Premier League again - as a centre-forward signing remains key to the club .
Jack Grealish continues to dominate Villa talk , the midfielder linked with a big money move away this summer with Manchester United and Arsenal both linked .
So stay with us on today 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all the latest Villa transfer news and opinion .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Ben Husband, James Rushton)

Hello and welcome to Saturdays's LIVE Aston Villa coverage from BirminghamLive.
Right here, we'll be keeping you informed on all the key developments as Villa's transfer window ticks along.
All the latest Villa news, views rumours will be added to this live blog throughout the day, with new signings and transfers linked to the club.
Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma still remain the key targets for Villa following Brentford's play-off final defeat earlier in the the week - so will be keeping a close eye on the situation concerning those two players.
They are just two names on the list though - with incoming technical director Johan Lange is the man tasked with delving into the market on Villa's behalf this summer as he looks to arm Dean Smith with the tools he needs to keep the club in the Premier League again - as a centre-forward signing remains key to the club.
On Friday, Rob Mackenzie joined Lange as the club's head of recruitment, the former Leicester City and Spurs guru will be part of Villa's revamped transfer strategy.
Criag Shakespeare was also announced as Smith looks to refresh his non-playing staff as well.
Jack Grealish continues to dominate Villa talk, the midfielder linked with a big money move away this summer with Manchester United and Arsenal both linked.
So stay with us on today's blog and be sure to check back for all the latest Villa transfer news and opinion.


birminghammail--2020-08-07--What Brentford have said amid Aston Villa interest in Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Brentford striker Ollie Watkins .
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic season for the Bees , helping them to the play-off final where they eventually missed out on promotion to the Premier League .
And he is now being linked with a host of clubs , Villa being just one .
Below we run you through all the latest on Watkins , including Brentford 's stance on the talented striker .
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It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store Villa have been tipped to complete a double swoop for Brentford stars Watkins and Said Benrahma .
You can find out everything about the Benrahma situation here , but here we focus on Watkins who netted 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watkins is a huge player for the Bees , under contract until 2023 , but after they missed out on promotion with defeat to Fulham in the play-off final , his departure suddenly appears inevitable .
Though , there are plenty of teams being linked with a move .
Aston Villa are one of those teams , but they are said to be joined by Leeds United and Crystal Palace in expressing an interest .
According to Sky Sports , Brentford value their star pair at £50m , suggesting Watkins is valued at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be 'at least £18m ' for the striker , but it now seems it will take another £7m to get the deal done .
Watkins joined Brentford from Exeter City for around £1.8m in 2017 , so whether it 's £18m or £25m , they are set to make a huge profit on their frontman .
As mentioned above , Watkins still has a long-term contract with the Bees with an option of a further year , so Brentford will be in a strong position at the negotiation table .
What Brentford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't been drawn on speculation , but he is not surprised there is interest in his star men .
“ We played a top season , and we have some top players .
It ’ s of course natural that there is going to be interest , ” he told Sky Sports .
“ For me , it ’ s not about that now .
I ’ m not thinking about that .
I just know one thing - when we start again next season , we ’ ll have a very strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be ready to push .
“ I think there are good examples of the past , where teams come back even stronger , even hungrier and even more determined .
“ With this group of players , and this club , 100 % we ’ ll come back even stronger .
”

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The Aston Villa and Ollie Watkins saga that has rumbled for weeks seems to be reaching a conclusion.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a fantastic season for the Bees, helping them to the play-off final where they eventually missed out on promotion to the Premier League.
And he is now being linked with a host of clubs, Villa being just one.
Below we run you through all the latest as Dean Smith looks to have got his man.
Villa agree fee with Brentford
Villa are set to smash their transfer record to land Watkins.
Watkins is Dean Smith's top transfer target and a £28million deal has been struck with Brentford to bring him to Villa Park.
The BBC suggests the deal could also include £5million in add ons which would take the total to £33million and Villa are hoping to wrap it up quickly now.
Watkins will become the club's second signing of the transfer window following the £16million arrival of right-back Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest.
Sky Sports report he travelled to Birmingham last night and is set for a medical today.
He could be posing for pictures, holding the Claret and Blue shirt by close of play today.
Villa move would be 'perfect'
Watkins could have a similar impact to Tammy Abraham if he completes a 'perfect' move to Villa, former England winger Trevor Sinclair has said.
While Villa's forwards struggled for goals last term, Abraham found the net 26 times when he was on loan from Chelsea in the 2018/19 season and Sinclair believes Watkins would provide the same kind of boost.
“Villa would be perfect for him,” Sinclair told talkSport. “When they had Tammy Abraham they were flying and Ollie has got the same kind of figure and physicality.
“He’s quick and knows how to score a goal and get in the right areas. He would be perfect for Villa. I think he’s been a class act and deserves the move.”
Tottenham register interest
Villa aren't alone in their interest with a number of Premier League clubs looking to sign Watkins - and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined the race.
Jose Mourinho is looking to find a striker who can occasionally fill in for star striker Harry Kane in north London and The Mirror suggests Watkins is a target.
Big-money offer
Villa are reportedly ready to blow their competition out of the water, offering the Bees striker a bumper £70k-per-week contract.
According to the Sun, Smith and the Villa hierarchy are preparing to offer a financial package to the player, which should see them move ahead of the competition.
The same newspaper then reported last Sunday that Watkins is now 'likely' to join Villa with Brentford's capture of Ivan Toney from Peterborough the breakthrough Smith's side needed.
Villa were 'frustrated'
Villa had become frustrated with their pursuit of Watkins because of the lack of progress over a deal, according to Sky Sports.
BirminghamLive previously reported how Smith wants to get the move over the line to allow Watkins to settle in during pre-season.
But a report from Sky last month stated: "With Sheffield United, Fulham and Crystal Palace also keen on the 24-year-old, Villa fear they are in the middle of an auction, and are reluctant to get involved in a bidding war."
None of that seems to matter now.
Watkins 'keen' on Villa move
Watkins preferred a move to Villa, according to reports.
According to Sky, he wants to reunite with Villa head coach Smith should the opportunity come about.
As Brentford manager, Smith signed Watkins from Exeter City three years ago and helped oversee his development before being appointed at Villa Park.
Brentford admission
Brentford boss Thomas Frank hasn't been drawn on speculation, but he is not surprised there is interest in his star men.
“We played a top season, and we have some top players. It’s of course natural that there is going to be interest,” he told Sky Sports.
“For me, it’s not about that now. I’m not thinking about that. I just know one thing - when we start again next season, we’ll have a very strong side out there again, and we’ll be ready to push.
“I think there are good examples of the past, where teams come back even stronger, even hungrier and even more determined.
“With this group of players, and this club, 100% we’ll come back even stronger.”


birminghammail--2020-08-07--50 county lines drug operations running in the West Midlands

Police have identified 50 county lines drug operations running in Birmingham and the West Midlands - with many of the gangs involved also handling guns .
A chilling new report has revealed how the region is now the UK ’ s second biggest exporter of heroin and cocaine to rural towns , outside of London .
The details were revealed to the Ethics Committee of West Midlands Police Crime Commissioner 's Office .
A report said about 50 drugs lines had been identified by West Midlands Police so far this year , many involving the exploitation of children .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as posing the greatest risk to the vulnerable , where there is credible intelligence to suggest that exploitation is taking place , are prioritised for further intelligence development to support investigations .
“ The National Crime Agency ( NCA ) assesses that the West Midlands is one of three key areas where firearms are associated with the operation of county lines.
” Organised Crime Groups ( OCGs ) and smaller but increasingly dangerous Urban Crime Groups ( UCGs ) are involved in the lucrative trade , where secret phone hotlines are used for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : “ The West Midlands is the second biggest ‘ exporter ’ of county lines to smaller towns and rural areas , with 9 % of deal lines nationally originating in the WMP area .
“ It is assessed that almost two-thirds of the wider region ’ s OCGs are predominantly involved in drugs activity , some of which includes county lines and that the lines between USGs and OCGs are becoming more blurred , with USGs causing increasing harm .
“ The strong connection between drugs supply and firearms is evidenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of violence is common to both protect and enable criminal business interests.
” County Lines crime sees drug gangs exploit and coerce vulnerable people , often children , to carry and sell illegal drugs from one area of the UK to another , usually across police and local authority boundaries .
In June West Midlands Police revealed it had smashed 20 County Lines networks and made 200 arrests in just six months , rescuing 82 children Superintendent Rich Agar , the West Midlands Police lead officer for County Lines , told BirminghamLive : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Lines drugs gangs .
We run regular operations targeting suspected offenders and have had real success in bringing down drugs supply chains and arresting suspects .
“ County Lines drug offenders often groom children or vulnerable people to run or deal drugs on their behalf so we also work with partners to identify people at risk of exploitation and offer them support .
“ We ’ re currently finalising a project that will see us work with a charity to repatriate any children arrested in other parts of the country who we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs gangs .
We hope the scheme will help us understand how they ’ ve been exploited and better target offenders .
“ Our operations are intelligence-led and we are continually analysing police data to identify who may be linked to a County Line and who could be at risk of exploitation from these individuals.
” Earlier this year a County Lines taskforce – part of the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit ( ROCU ) – took down 12 County Lines and arrested 22 people .
Chief Inspector Ronan Tyrer from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ County Lines gangs are a poison in our communities ; we will be relentless in ridding them from our streets and , crucially , protecting vulnerable victims.
” In March we told how a county lines mastermind flooded heroin and crack cocaine into a Midlands town via Birmingham .
Bodrul Islam , 31 , ran the ‘ Dee Line ’ which dealt around £200,000 worth of Class A drugs a year into Hereford .
West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit − working alongside West Mercia Police − found Islam made frequent train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station where he restocked drug couriers and pocketed cash profits .
CCTV showed the 31-year-old returning to London clutching bags from designer clothes outlets having spent his ill-gotten gains on shopping trips while in Birmingham .
Police raided Islam ’ s home in Earlham Grove , Newham , and found him with the main drugs hotline plus thousands of pounds in cash .
He was jailed for 11 years after admitting conspiring to supply Class A drugs .
*To report suspected drug dealing in your community contact message police via Live Chat at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 .

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Police have identified 50 county lines drug operations running in Birmingham and the West Midlands - with many of the gangs involved also handling guns.
A chilling new report has revealed how the region is now the UK’s second biggest exporter of heroin and cocaine to rural towns, outside of London.
The details were revealed to the Ethics Committee of West Midlands Police Crime Commissioner's Office.
A report said about 50 drugs lines had been identified by West Midlands Police so far this year, many involving the exploitation of children.
The report added: “Those lines assessed as posing the greatest risk to the vulnerable, where there is credible intelligence to suggest that exploitation is taking place, are prioritised for further intelligence development to support investigations.
“The National Crime Agency (NCA) assesses that the West Midlands is one of three key areas where firearms are associated with the operation of county lines.”
Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) and smaller but increasingly dangerous Urban Crime Groups (UCGs) are involved in the lucrative trade, where secret phone hotlines are used for advertising and selling drugs.
The report added: “The West Midlands is the second biggest ‘exporter’ of county lines to smaller towns and rural areas, with 9% of deal lines nationally originating in the WMP area.
“It is assessed that almost two-thirds of the wider region’s OCGs are predominantly involved in drugs activity, some of which includes county lines and that the lines between USGs and OCGs are becoming more blurred, with USGs causing increasing harm.
“The strong connection between drugs supply and firearms is evidenced in the West Midlands where the use of violence is common to both protect and enable criminal business interests.”
County Lines crime sees drug gangs exploit and coerce vulnerable people, often children, to carry and sell illegal drugs from one area of the UK to another, usually across police and local authority boundaries.
In June West Midlands Police revealed it had smashed 20 County Lines networks and made 200 arrests in just six months, rescuing 82 children
Superintendent Rich Agar, the West Midlands Police lead officer for County Lines, told BirminghamLive: “We tirelessly pursue people linked to County Lines drugs gangs. We run regular operations targeting suspected offenders and have had real success in bringing down drugs supply chains and arresting suspects.
“County Lines drug offenders often groom children or vulnerable people to run or deal drugs on their behalf so we also work with partners to identify people at risk of exploitation and offer them support.
“We’re currently finalising a project that will see us work with a charity to repatriate any children arrested in other parts of the country who we suspect have been groomed by West Midlands drugs gangs. We hope the scheme will help us understand how they’ve been exploited and better target offenders.
“Our operations are intelligence-led and we are continually analysing police data to identify who may be linked to a County Line and who could be at risk of exploitation from these individuals.”
Earlier this year a County Lines taskforce – part of the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) – took down 12 County Lines and arrested 22 people.
Chief Inspector Ronan Tyrer from the ROCU, said at the time: “County Lines gangs are a poison in our communities; we will be relentless in ridding them from our streets and, crucially, protecting vulnerable victims.”
In March we told how a county lines mastermind flooded heroin and crack cocaine into a Midlands town via Birmingham.
Bodrul Islam, 31, ran the ‘Dee Line’ which dealt around £200,000 worth of Class A drugs a year into Hereford.
West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit − working alongside West Mercia Police − found Islam made frequent train trips to Birmingham’s Grand Central station where he restocked drug couriers and pocketed cash profits.
CCTV showed the 31-year-old returning to London clutching bags from designer clothes outlets having spent his ill-gotten gains on shopping trips while in Birmingham.
Police raided Islam’s home in Earlham Grove, Newham, and found him with the main drugs hotline plus thousands of pounds in cash.
He was jailed for 11 years after admitting conspiring to supply Class A drugs.
*To report suspected drug dealing in your community contact message police via Live Chat at WMP Online, phone 101 or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


birminghammail--2020-08-07--Celebrity rehab company to close five children's care homes in Birmingham

A celebrity rehab firm will close five children 's care homes in Birmingham .
The Priory Group had secured a £40m contract to run five former city council care homes for up to 30 looked-after children and teenagers in 2016 .
Now the firm - behind the famous London rehab clinic The Priory - and its namesake in Roehampton - said the homes `` no longer suit the needs of those placed there . ''
Ofsted said the company resigned their registrations in four out of five homes after their `` failure to keep children safe and comply with children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children 's homes are in Tile Cross , the Jewellery Quarter , Handsworth , Harborne and Rednal .
Young people have already been moved into alternative accommodation and two youngsters at the one remaining care facility will be moved to alternative settings that suit their needs .
The GMB Union said the service was `` vital '' to young people in Birmingham , which had also put 80 jobs under threat .
An Ofsted spokesman told BirminghamLive : `` We can confirm that this company has resigned the registrations of four of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This came after their failure to keep children safe and comply with children ’ s home regulations .
As a result , we suspended registration in some cases and issued notices proposing to cancel their registration . ''
The Priory Group had previously held discussions with Birmingham Children ’ s Trust - which run Birmingham children ’ s services - and Ofsted over its decision .
A Priory Group spokesman said : “ As the contract was coming to an end in January 2021 , in consultation with all stakeholders – including Ofsted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Trust - we have taken the difficult decision to close the homes because they no longer suit the needs of those placed there .
`` We were also finding it increasingly challenging during Covid-19 to recruit both the right leadership for the homes and appropriately qualified , permanent staff to look after young people with complex needs .
“ There are currently two young people in our services , and we are working very closely with those individuals , their families and carers , the Trust and others to ensure a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet their needs .
`` We do understand this will be a difficult time for everyone associated with the services and every effort will be made to support them .
We will look to redeploy staff within our organisation wherever possible.
” GMB Organiser Stuart Richards said : “ We ’ ve had years of this contract being mishandled and mismanaged .
Four of the homes are already closed due to poor inspections and the remaining home only has two children .
“ This is a vital service that we can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff who are able to provide much-needed residential care to looked after children in Birmingham .
“ We don ’ t need more privatised care .
We need to put people before profit and we need this provision to be brought back in house .
GMB Union is seeking clarification on where children have been placed as a result of the Priory Group ’ s inability to run these homes and how much more this is costing the council . ''
The GMB Union said it is supporting members through the consultation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 .
A Birmingham Children ’ s Trust spokesperson added : “ We have been aware of the Priory Group ’ s intent for some time now .
Because of this we have been able to sensitively plan for the transition of the young people , who have been in Priory Group accommodation , into alternative provision or independence .
”

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A celebrity rehab firm will close five children's care homes in Birmingham.
The Priory Group had secured a £40m contract to run five former city council care homes for up to 30 looked-after children and teenagers in 2016.
Now the firm - behind the famous London rehab clinic The Priory - and its namesake in Roehampton - said the homes "no longer suit the needs of those placed there."
Ofsted said the company resigned their registrations in four out of five homes after their "failure to keep children safe and comply with children’s home regulations."
The children's homes are in Tile Cross, the Jewellery Quarter, Handsworth, Harborne and Rednal.
Young people have already been moved into alternative accommodation and two youngsters at the one remaining care facility will be moved to alternative settings that suit their needs.
The GMB Union said the service was "vital" to young people in Birmingham, which had also put 80 jobs under threat.
An Ofsted spokesman told BirminghamLive: "We can confirm that this company has resigned the registrations of four of these five children’s homes.
"This came after their failure to keep children safe and comply with children’s home regulations. As a result, we suspended registration in some cases and issued notices proposing to cancel their registration."
The Priory Group had previously held discussions with Birmingham Children’s Trust - which run Birmingham children’s services - and Ofsted over its decision.
A Priory Group spokesman said: “As the contract was coming to an end in January 2021, in consultation with all stakeholders – including Ofsted, the local authority and Birmingham Children’s Trust - we have taken the difficult decision to close the homes because they no longer suit the needs of those placed there.
"We were also finding it increasingly challenging during Covid-19 to recruit both the right leadership for the homes and appropriately qualified, permanent staff to look after young people with complex needs.
“There are currently two young people in our services, and we are working very closely with those individuals, their families and carers, the Trust and others to ensure a smooth transition to alternative settings that best meet their needs.
"We do understand this will be a difficult time for everyone associated with the services and every effort will be made to support them. We will look to redeploy staff within our organisation wherever possible.”
GMB Organiser Stuart Richards said: “We’ve had years of this contract being mishandled and mismanaged. Four of the homes are already closed due to poor inspections and the remaining home only has two children.
“This is a vital service that we can’t afford to lose. We have dedicated staff who are able to provide much-needed residential care to looked after children in Birmingham.
“We don’t need more privatised care. We need to put people before profit and we need this provision to be brought back in house. GMB Union is seeking clarification on where children have been placed as a result of the Priory Group’s inability to run these homes and how much more this is costing the council."
The GMB Union said it is supporting members through the consultation, which is due to end on August 19.
A Birmingham Children’s Trust spokesperson added: “We have been aware of the Priory Group’s intent for some time now. Because of this we have been able to sensitively plan for the transition of the young people, who have been in Priory Group accommodation, into alternative provision or independence.”


birminghammail--2020-08-07--Aston Villa, the Belgian market and three wildcard suggestions

Part of Aston Villa 's transfer policy last season became a Belgian bunfight as they recruited one Belgian and three players plying their trade over there .
Villa snapped up Belgian international defender Bjorn Engels , who was playing for Reims in France , and raided Club Brugge for Marvelous Nakamba and Wesley Moraes , as well as signing Aly Samatta from KRC Genk in January .
Before that , in January 2019 , they drafted in Lovre Kalinic from KAA Gent and even further back plucked Christian Benteke from Genk in 2012 .
Football clubs have a tendency to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruitment .
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In our daily Aston Villa bulletin , we 'll be bringing you the latest breaking news , transfer features and comment pieces , as well as the key talking points for fans .
How do you sign up ?
It 's easy and only takes seconds .
Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up .
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We also have a free app which you can download .
It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store Rather than attempting to cover the world as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on one region , country or continent in order to become educated and well-informed before signing players .
France is a popular market because of the unearthed gems that can be found for reasonable prices in Ligue 1 and 2 , with Brentford signing four players from that area since 2017 .
German clubs are increasingly attempting to lure young English talent to the Bundesliga , while Celtic have a history of signing Scandanavian players .
Who was your Villa player of the season ?
But is Villa 's Belgium obsession a thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pitarch , better known as 'Suso ' , has been replaced by new sporting director Johan Lange as the club 's new transfer guru ?
The vibes coming from Villa Park are that , having lived so dangerously last season , Villa will instead look for established talent from the Premier League or Championship .
Their main signings will surely be tried and trusted first team ready footballers doing the business on these shores rather than the room-to-grow recruits from overseas who rocked up a year ago .
That 's not to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they wish to bolster the depth of their squad for that difficult second season .
And the appointment of former Leicester and Tottenham scouting specialist Rob Mackenzie will mean they have someone who knows the Belgian league very well indeed , arriving as he does from OH Leuven .
So if Villa 's new talent spotters do decide to dig out the number of the Belgium scout from down the back of a sofa in Suso 's old office , who could be on their radar ?
We asked our Reach Sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye over the Jupiler Pro League to come up with some suggestions .
Wildcard unknowns can sometimes spring a surprise in a pleasant way and Benteke certainly fell into that category by making a name for himself at Villa .
But , as the following examples show , with the best talent already transferred or on their way elsewhere , Belgium is unlikely to be a fertile area for the calibre of player Villa need to lift them up the Premier League this summer .
Two of the biggest talents in Belgium at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sander Berge and Jonathan David .
Berge has already been snapped up by Sheffield United , while David 's 18 league goals and five in European competition have put him on the radar of Lille and Borussia Monchengladbach .
So who are the best of the rest when it comes to stars strutting their stuff in Belgium - and would any of them be good enough to help Villa kick on ?
Peter Zulj is probably a year or two older than Villa would desire at 27 , but he could be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Premier League .
Zulj , who moved from Sturm Graz to Anderlecht in January for £2 million , is a left-footed central midfielder , The 6ft 1ins Austrian is creative and of the 46 central midfielders to have accumulated more than 1,000 minutes in the Belgian top flight , he places in the top five for through passes per 90 , passes to the penalty area per 90 , and progressive passes per 90 .
He has quite a presence in the middle of the park and he influences proceedings rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very strong aerially but when it comes to spreading the play and helping his team build moves , he 's very capable .
An example of one of his passing networks from this season is pictured below .
If the Belgian club are interested in making a quick profit , perhaps they would entertain a sale inside the next 12 months ?
Genk 's Joakim Maehle is considered to be a solid talent and at 23 years-old still has plenty of room to grow .
He 's 6ft 1ins , mobile and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery into the penalty box .
The Genk right-back would n't be much of a marquee signing and Smith does have Frederic Guilbert and Ahmed Elmohamady at his disposal , but Maehle is a low-risk option , who should n't be too expensive .
Maehle - once compared with the other 35 full-backs in the division who have amassed over 1,000 minutes on the field - shows up as quite an active dribbler .
He ranks third for dribbles completed per 90 and top for progressive runs per 90 , with the latter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tendency to carry the ball forward when he 's afforded space .
He also averages the second-most touches in the penalty box , although that could stem from the general dominance of Anderlecht compared to others teams .
Overall , Maehle looks good enough to be a steady performer in England , if Smith wants to add cover and competition to that No.2 slot .
Jeremy Doku is a wildcard option largely because he 's just 18 years-old .
He seems to have bags of scope to grow to a very high level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Watford and RB Leipzig as clubs wise up to his potential .
Despite his age , Doku has played around 1,250 senior minutes this season .
He 's fast and averages around eight completed dribbles per 90 , which is more than any other player in the division based on those who have amassed over 1,000 minutes .
He 's short at just 5ft 7ins but he 's the type of player who can cope without support in tricky situations , often deployed out wide .
Doku does n't yet have tangible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than one shot per 90 .
But he tends to operate as a winger rather than a wide forward , hitting more crosses per 90 than any other Villa player this season .
He may not be ready for English football just yet , but he 's a talent that Villa 's scouts are likely to be aware of and with or without Suso directing proceedings are sure to keep an eye on .

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Part of Aston Villa's transfer policy last season became a Belgian bunfight as they recruited one Belgian and three players plying their trade over there.
Villa snapped up Belgian international defender Bjorn Engels, who was playing for Reims in France, and raided Club Brugge for Marvelous Nakamba and Wesley Moraes, as well as signing Aly Samatta from KRC Genk in January.
Before that, in January 2019, they drafted in Lovre Kalinic from KAA Gent and even further back plucked Christian Benteke from Genk in 2012.
Football clubs have a tendency to target specific locations when it comes to recruitment.
Aston Villa daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox In our daily Aston Villa bulletin, we'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer features and comment pieces, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up here. If you decide later that you no longer wish to receive the emails, simply follow the unsubscribe link in one of the newsletters - but we don't think you'll want to. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region. Google Play Store and App Store
Rather than attempting to cover the world as a whole, some opt to capitalise on one region, country or continent in order to become educated and well-informed before signing players.
France is a popular market because of the unearthed gems that can be found for reasonable prices in Ligue 1 and 2, with Brentford signing four players from that area since 2017.
German clubs are increasingly attempting to lure young English talent to the Bundesliga, while Celtic have a history of signing Scandanavian players.
Who was your Villa player of the season?
But is Villa's Belgium obsession a thing of the past now that Jesus Garcia Pitarch, better known as 'Suso', has been replaced by new sporting director Johan Lange as the club's new transfer guru?
The vibes coming from Villa Park are that, having lived so dangerously last season, Villa will instead look for established talent from the Premier League or Championship.
Their main signings will surely be tried and trusted first team ready footballers doing the business on these shores rather than the room-to-grow recruits from overseas who rocked up a year ago.
That's not to say that Villa will completely abandon foreign markets if they wish to bolster the depth of their squad for that difficult second season.
And the appointment of former Leicester and Tottenham scouting specialist Rob Mackenzie will mean they have someone who knows the Belgian league very well indeed, arriving as he does from OH Leuven.
(Image: Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
So if Villa's new talent spotters do decide to dig out the number of the Belgium scout from down the back of a sofa in Suso's old office, who could be on their radar?
We asked our Reach Sport scouting guru Josh Williams to cast his eye over the Jupiler Pro League to come up with some suggestions.
Wildcard unknowns can sometimes spring a surprise in a pleasant way and Benteke certainly fell into that category by making a name for himself at Villa.
But, as the following examples show, with the best talent already transferred or on their way elsewhere, Belgium is unlikely to be a fertile area for the calibre of player Villa need to lift them up the Premier League this summer.
Overview
Two of the biggest talents in Belgium at the start of the 2019-20 season were Sander Berge and Jonathan David.
Berge has already been snapped up by Sheffield United, while David's 18 league goals and five in European competition have put him on the radar of Lille and Borussia Monchengladbach.
So who are the best of the rest when it comes to stars strutting their stuff in Belgium - and would any of them be good enough to help Villa kick on?
Peter Zulj (Anderlecht)
Peter Zulj is probably a year or two older than Villa would desire at 27, but he could be an outside bet to make an impact in the Premier League.
Zulj, who moved from Sturm Graz to Anderlecht in January for £2 million, is a left-footed central midfielder,
The 6ft 1ins Austrian is creative and of the 46 central midfielders to have accumulated more than 1,000 minutes in the Belgian top flight, he places in the top five for through passes per 90, passes to the penalty area per 90, and progressive passes per 90.
He has quite a presence in the middle of the park and he influences proceedings rather than being a passenger. He's not very strong aerially but when it comes to spreading the play and helping his team build moves, he's very capable.
An example of one of his passing networks from this season is pictured below.
If the Belgian club are interested in making a quick profit, perhaps they would entertain a sale inside the next 12 months?
Joakim Maehle (Genk)
Genk's Joakim Maehle is considered to be a solid talent and at 23 years-old still has plenty of room to grow.
He's 6ft 1ins, mobile and has good offensive qualities, including a decent delivery into the penalty box.
The Genk right-back wouldn't be much of a marquee signing and Smith does have Frederic Guilbert and Ahmed Elmohamady at his disposal, but Maehle is a low-risk option, who shouldn't be too expensive.
Maehle - once compared with the other 35 full-backs in the division who have amassed over 1,000 minutes on the field - shows up as quite an active dribbler. He ranks third for dribbles completed per 90 and top for progressive runs per 90, with the latter offering an insight into his dynamism and tendency to carry the ball forward when he's afforded space.
He also averages the second-most touches in the penalty box, although that could stem from the general dominance of Anderlecht compared to others teams. Overall, Maehle looks good enough to be a steady performer in England, if Smith wants to add cover and competition to that No.2 slot.
Jeremy Doku (Anderlecht)
Jeremy Doku is a wildcard option largely because he's just 18 years-old.
He seems to have bags of scope to grow to a very high level and has already been linked with Liverpool, Watford and RB Leipzig as clubs wise up to his potential.
Despite his age, Doku has played around 1,250 senior minutes this season. He's fast and averages around eight completed dribbles per 90, which is more than any other player in the division based on those who have amassed over 1,000 minutes.
He's short at just 5ft 7ins but he's the type of player who can cope without support in tricky situations, often deployed out wide.
Doku doesn't yet have tangible end product, however, averaging less than one shot per 90. But he tends to operate as a winger rather than a wide forward, hitting more crosses per 90 than any other Villa player this season.
He may not be ready for English football just yet, but he's a talent that Villa's scouts are likely to be aware of and with or without Suso directing proceedings are sure to keep an eye on.


birminghammail--2020-08-07--Sandwell's 'mini lockdown' eases after big drop in confirmed cases

Sandwell Council has relaxed its coronavirus advice to residents after a 30 per cent fall in new cases over the last seven days .
The authority has revealed that those shielding from Covid-19 across the borough do n't need to anymore after the number of new cases fell by a third .
But health chiefs are continuing to ask residents to not have visitors to their home - except for those in their `` bubble '' .
Advice on care home visits in Sandwell remains that they should remain closed to visits except for window visits and special arrangements for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of infection in care homes is not at a level at which the advice on visits can change .
Council chiefs say a significant number of infections across households also still remain and the advice remains that people do not have visitors to their home except for those within their social bubble and essential visits by those providing care and support .
Across the region there were a total of 13 deaths registered in the same fortnight ( ending August 1 ) - for Birmingham , Coventry , Dudley , Sandwell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council leader , Councillor Maria Crompton , said : `` As we all know the current situation in relation to the outbreak is changing , sometimes on a daily basis , which means we are now in a position to review our advice to local people based upon local evidence and Government advice .
`` In the current situation we would now advise that those who are shielding in Sandwell do not need to continue to do so but we strongly urge people to continue to follow all the Government advice .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should remember they are extremely clinically vulnerable in relation to coronavirus and if infected are at higher risk of very serious illness .
So , social distancing , hand washing and other general precautions are vital .
`` I would like to thank people for responding so well to all the advice from our public health team , who have been out and about talking to people across the borough and giving advice on how to halt the surge .
`` We have done a lot of work , with intensive community engagement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting to see that pay off , with the week on week infection rates coming down significantly .
`` However , these things change quickly and we have to stay incredibly vigilant – the situation in Sandwell , as across the country , remains extremely serious and we all need to do everything we can to avoid the need for further local restrictions over the coming weeks . ''

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Sandwell Council has relaxed its coronavirus advice to residents after a 30 per cent fall in new cases over the last seven days.
The authority has revealed that those shielding from Covid-19 across the borough don't need to anymore after the number of new cases fell by a third.
But health chiefs are continuing to ask residents to not have visitors to their home - except for those in their "bubble".
Advice on care home visits in Sandwell remains that they should remain closed to visits except for window visits and special arrangements for end of life visits.
The current level of infection in care homes is not at a level at which the advice on visits can change.
Council chiefs say a significant number of infections across households also still remain and the advice remains that people do not have visitors to their home except for those within their social bubble and essential visits by those providing care and support.
Across the region there were a total of 13 deaths registered in the same fortnight (ending August 1) - for Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Deputy council leader, Councillor Maria Crompton, said: "As we all know the current situation in relation to the outbreak is changing, sometimes on a daily basis, which means we are now in a position to review our advice to local people based upon local evidence and Government advice.
"In the current situation we would now advise that those who are shielding in Sandwell do not need to continue to do so but we strongly urge people to continue to follow all the Government advice.
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"Generally, people who have been shielding should remember they are extremely clinically vulnerable in relation to coronavirus and if infected are at higher risk of very serious illness. So, social distancing, hand washing and other general precautions are vital.
"I would like to thank people for responding so well to all the advice from our public health team, who have been out and about talking to people across the borough and giving advice on how to halt the surge.
"We have done a lot of work, with intensive community engagement in the Smethwick area and we are starting to see that pay off, with the week on week infection rates coming down significantly.
"However, these things change quickly and we have to stay incredibly vigilant – the situation in Sandwell, as across the country, remains extremely serious and we all need to do everything we can to avoid the need for further local restrictions over the coming weeks."