TUESDAY-OCTOBER 20, 2020 Sport 05 Lampard says Chelsea stars didn't follow key Jess Thirlby on tactical instruction in 3-3 draw with Southampton leading Frank Lampard has re- that on the pitch and it isn't Kepa has come under in- "It is my job to do it," he or number two [that draws at- vealed that his Chelsea play- about communication from that tense scrutiny due to his shot- added. tention]. Netball from afar ers missed the tactical instruc- point at all." stopping difficulties and a se- "Kepa is a goalkeeper at "The big thing for me at tion to 'go long' from the back Chelsea's new goalkeeper ries of high-profile mistakes, this club and we know he came Chelsea is that my players, if in over there, so they're com- to break Southampton's press Edouard Mendy could miss both but Lampard has repeatedly in on a big transfer, there's cer- they are in difficult moments, ing out of jet lag and are ad- in the 3-3 draw at Stamford the upcoming games, which moved to protect the club's tainly no hiding from that. It then a huge thing in football is justing their body clocks. Bridge. means Kepa Arrizabalaga will record signing and explained draws people's eyes and atten- confidence. Kepa needs to be There's a lot to still deal with… Chelsea squandered a two- continue in goal despite con- why he doesn't look to scape- tion on Kepa. Then he becomes supported in that way and I will the group are still going goal lead against the Saints as ceding three against goat the confidence-hit Spain Spain's number one, the always support him in that. through a really vigorous pro- Timo Werner's stunning dou- Southampton. international. minute he is the number one skysport cess around Covid-19. ble was cancelled out by goals "With New Zealand having from Danny Ings and Che Ad- no cases, you can imagine ams. there's a lot in place that the Kai Havertz restored the team are having to deal with. Blues' lead, but Ralph Hasen- That takes its toll. I'm just try- huttl's side dominated ing to give them a bit of time throughout the second half and and space, then in the back- ultimately got their equaliser ground I'm chipping away." when Jannik Vestergaard head- The fact that we have actu- ed home in stoppage time. ally got the squad over there, Having conceded 54 goals and they’re preparing for an last season, and continued to Jess Thirlby speaks to Sky international Test series in this struggle at the back this sea- Sports News about leading from current world, is quite an in- son, Lampard says that his tac- afar after a positive coronavi- credible feat really. tical instruction to play longer rus test left her unable to trav- Ahead of this Test series, fell on deaf ears. el to New Zealand with her Thirlby and her team were tre- "I certainly didn't want to team for their forthcoming se- mendously thorough in terms play brave football in the last ries against New Zealand. of their planning, which includ- moments of the game," Lam- The Roses are taking on ed a plethora of different sce- pard said. "That was my mes- world champions New Zealand narios, however she admits her sage to them, that I wanted at the end of the month, live on not being able to go, was not them to go longer and break the Sky Sports, and shortly before one that she wanted to pay close press. I don't think the players their departure it was an- attention to. "If those in the did that enough. nounced their head coach would netball world have talked about "We tried to play too much not be able to go with them. the 'what ifs?', I think that and some of that is ingrained After following as many we've covered a lot of them and in the players that they want to precautions as possible ahead more," she said. try and play football. That's of the tour, and not having had "We've been meticulous as certainly something I am not a any symptoms, Thirlby said she well as being agile and we re- big advocate of with high pres- was "shocked" by her test re- main really flexible. It is, and sure, as something you can do sult. In her absence, Kat Rat- will continue to be, a very dy- is miss out the pressure to get napala and Colette Thomson namic landscape and environ- the ball high up the pitch and were selected to lead the Roses ment that we're working in." use the players at the other end Jason Kokrak secures maiden on the ground in New Zealand. I genuinely believe that of the pitch. Just over a week on, Thirl- down the line, this presents a "That was probably my big- by spoke to Gail Davis for Sky huge opportunity which actu- gest disappointment that the Sports News and discussed how ally might strengthen this team players didn't put into action." she is feeling and what it is in the months and years to PGA tour win in Las Vegas come as we head towards Bir- Chelsea face a difficult like leading from afar. mingham. We didn't ask for it week now with a first Champi- The world No 53 carded 233rd PGA Tour start and se- overnight leader Russell Hen- to give Kokrak a one-shot lead "I feel absolutely fine, phys- ons League clash against Eu- ically I'm absolutely fine," but I think that there will be a eight birdies in a bogey-free cures him an invite to next ley, with Talor Gooch four heading to the par-five last. lot of good that comes out of it. ropa League holders Sevilla be- 64 at Shadow Creek to finish year's Masters and PGA Cham- strokes back in fifth spot. Kokrak hit a monster drive Thirlby said. "It's been more fore travelling to Old Trafford challenging mentally for me. As a head coach, Thirlby is on 20 under and two ahead of pionship, with the win also lift- Kokrak - starting the day to leave a wedge into the 18th an exceptionally detailed and to face Manchester United in his playing partner ing him inside the world's top three behind Henley - rolled in green and set up a closing two- "As a family, we've all been the Premier League. in self-isolation, so the chil- thorough one. She is someone Schauffele, who held at least 30 for the first time. an eight-footer at the second putt birdie, which doubled his who takes the time to consider Lampard went onto clarify a share of the lead for large England's Tyrrell Hatton and posted four straight bird- winning margin when dren have been thrown back that he believes his players into home-schooling of sorts. If her own actions and what im- parts of the final round. closed out another impressive ies from the fifth to move ahead Schauffele signed off his six- pact they will have on the team, didn't understand the impor- Kokrak's long-awaited week with a final-round 65 to of Schauffele, who had made under 66 with a final-hole par. I'm honest, if I thought it was tance of the instruction, rather tough a few months ago [it which is highlighted by her breakthrough came in his jump into tied-third alongside the early move with three bird- "I did a good job of hitting approach to leading from over than it being a communication ies in his first five holes. the spots where we were try- wasn't]. "At the minute, they're issue. certainly not seeing the best 10,000 miles away. Schauffele made a 20-foot ing to putt it to," Kokrak said. "The most important thing, "I am not concerned about gain at the ninth to reach the "Very happy with how I've version of mummy because I'm the communication; we cer- headstrong in connecting with is that everything I do and my turn in 32 and within one of been putting and kind of pay- role in this situation, needs to tainly work very hard through the lead, only for Kokrak to ing off with all the work I've the group overseas and playing the week to have that," he add- my part in terms of leading be purposeful and have the hole from a similar distance at been putting in." team front and centre," she ed. "What I am concerned with the 10th and add another from Henley gave himself an them in the ways that I can. The is game management and, in children and my husband are said. "I don't want to be taking long range to match his play- outside hope with a 25-foot on roles that just don't make the game, the players have to ing partner's birdie at the par- birdie at the 16th but couldn't getting the morsels left at the end of a day I think! any sense, I'm not there and I'm gauge that on the pitch, it is four 11th. find the final-hole albatross "As you can imagine, we're not on the ground. part of what being a top player The world No 8 made a six- to extend the contest, settling just finding our rhythm [con- "Kat and Colette are not at Chelsea is about. foot birdie at the 12th and for a par, while Hatton ended necting with New Zealand] but inexperienced coaches. I have "Absolutely, it is the play- pitched in from off the 13th his week strongly my mixing I couldn't be prouder of the more than enough confidence ers' choice. If there is a moment green to regain his share of the nine birdies with two bogeys group. in them to execute the things where the players have to see lead, before bogeying the 16th to finish on 17 under. out a game, then we have to do "They are only a few days that we had planned. "I just really want to be there to sup- port them and relieve pressure, so that they can get on with the job on the ground of actually delivering to this group of play- ers and getting them ready." fast bowler retires Thirlby is covering all bases to ensure she can be 'present' and gain as much in- formation and value as possi- ble from this tour. She has from all forms of at the age of 36 worked alongside England Net- ball's performance analyst to Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul has retired from all forms of cricket at the age of 36. be able to watch training live The paceman played 47 Test matches, 130 one-day internationals and 60 T20 inter- and is using video-conferenc- ing to the max. "The live nationals for his country between 2003 and 2016. streaming of sessions isn't be- Gul is probably most noted for his success in T20 cricket with Pakistan and he was cause I'm not confident in ev- the leading -taker at both the 2007 and 2009 World tournaments. erybody, it's so that I can be re- The seamer picked up 13 in seven games in both competitions, helping ally efficient in terms of how I Pakistan to the final in 2007 and then to the title two years later. give feedback and it helps in- Gul recorded stunning figures of 5-6 against New Zealand at The Oval during the form the planning," she said. 2009 tournament in England, a feat he matched against in a T20I at "It's not because I place that Centurion in 2013. much self-importance on the impact that I can have, it's more Gul announced his retirement after his team Balochistan were eliminated from for awareness so that I can con- Pakistan's on Friday night and was given a guard of honour by both tribute to the best of my abili- his team-mates and players from their opponents, Southern Punjab. ty. "As I said before, I think that "It has been an honour to represent my club, city, province and country at various this will be the making of us, levels for two decades," said Gul. both on the court and off the "I have thoroughly enjoyed my cricket, which has taught me the values of hard court."When it comes to the work, respect, commitment and determination. next Commonwealth Games - Birmingham 2022 - I think that "During this journey, I have had the pleasure of meeting numerous people who have we will look back on this jour- helped and supported me in some way. I want to thank all those people as well as my ney and realise that these were team-mates and peers for their support. the moments which strength- "I owe a big thank you to the fans who supported me throughout my journey. ened the team and led to some They have been an inspiration, especially at times when the going was not great. success.