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James Sharpe

@thesharpeend.bsky.social

Sports Reporter for Mail Sport | Former Leicester City correspondent at Leicester Mercury | SJA feature writer of year shortlist 2021 | Co-host of Fantasy Island FPL podcast

379 Followers  |  8 Following  |  28 Posts  |  Joined: 13.11.2024  |  1.6189

Latest posts by thesharpeend.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Meet reformed cocaine-dealing caddie who was denied visa for The Open EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY JAMES SHARPE: TheΒ friendly voice at the end of the phone sounds jovial, but you need not strain your ears to hear the steel in the words of a man left behind.

❌ Banned from UK over 30-year-old cocaine conviction
⛳️ Unable to caddy for Harris English at #TheOpenChampionship
πŸ”₯ β€œIt seems like a double standard.”

Exclusive interview with Eric Larson.

20.07.2025 17:12 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How Frank's Spurs will play and why he CAN replicate Brentford success In swapping Big Ange for Flexible Frank, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has switched one of the Premier League's most unshakably principled managers for one of the most adaptable.

πŸ” Analysis: How Spurs will look under Thomas Frank.

πŸ” Premier League's most adaptable manager
πŸ“ Specific tactical plans for each opponent
πŸ‘‘ Turning Brentford into set-piece kings
πŸ”‘ Why Maddison could hold key

#thfc #coys

13.06.2025 11:39 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

βš’οΈ Calling West Ham fans.

Now the transfer window is open for business, what would you like to know? Players coming and going, Graham Potter, plans for next season. Whatever you like.

Putting together the next Q&A. Will try to answer them all!

#whufc #coyi

02.06.2025 11:14 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Thousands flock in for Crystal Palace FA Cup trophy parade JAMES SHARPE: As the Crystal Palace buses carrying their FA Cup heroes reached the corner of Whitehorse Lane and Park Road, and Selhurst Park came into view, the grey clouds gave way.

A day at Crystal Palace when the rain fell, flare smoke filled the air and heroes were welcomed at a parade supporters never thought they’d see.

πŸ†πŸ¦…πŸšŒ

#cpfc

26.05.2025 22:00 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The reasons why Forest's Champions League dreams are falling apart Champions League football looked firmly within the two-time European Cup winner's grasp. One win in six has seen Nuno's side drop out of the top five with just three games to go. What's gone wrong?

πŸ₯Ά Wood's hot streak goes cold
πŸ“‰ Defensive numbers off a cliff
πŸ₯΅ Thin squad stretched to its limits

Why #NFFC's Champions League dream is falling apart β€” but why it's wrong to say they're bottling it.

(Also, don't worry, you're playing Leicester next.)

10.05.2025 20:42 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ“‰ The demise of Leicester City
πŸ‘€ Vardy motivation
πŸƒ Defenders weak v pace (and strength)

@mattdaviesff.bsky.social is joined by @thesharpeend.bsky.social to give us the lowdown on Leicester (and West Ham) #nffc

🍎 Apple podcasts: tinyurl.com/m3uzn4r8
πŸ“± YouTube: tinyurl.com/mwrejysh

09.05.2025 10:08 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How to secure Premier League survival as a promoted club - SHARPE END THE SHARPE END: All this has led to the question: is this the worst Premier League bottom three of all time? That's the easy bit: yes.

🚨 Promoted sides didn’t all go down for nearly 100 years…now it will happen two seasons in a row.

πŸ’© Worst bottom three ever
🫣 Freak or concerning trend?
πŸ’° Why spending big isn’t enough

This week’s column is on how to survive.

#LCFC #SaintsFC #itfc

20.04.2025 16:23 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The 'dreadful' numbers that show goalkeepers are getting WORSE THE SHARPE END: Onana's two years at United has been littered with mistakes, like when he charged out of his goal to hand Ipswich an early goal in February

🧀Are goalkeepers getting worse?

Onana. Ederson. Two of the most expensive GKs ever, both making mistakes.

πŸ™ˆ Errors on the rise…but why?
πŸ“‰ Save percentages falling
πŸ›‘οΈIn defence of the modern keeper

This week’s column.

06.04.2025 13:49 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How Darwin Nunez became the most wasteful striker in England THE SHARPE END: When Liverpool announced the Β£85million signing of striker Nunez just a day after Erling Haaland joined Man City, it felt like it could be the dawn of a great Premier League rivalry.

NEW: The Darwin Nunez Conundrum πŸ”΄

πŸ™ˆ Proof he’s one of the worst finishers
πŸ”₯ One area where he’s still elite
🎯 Why Haaland is more clinical
πŸ€” …but is he actually getting BETTER?

This week’s column is on the Liverpool enigma. ⬇️

23.02.2025 15:23 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly took the Premier League by storm JAMES SHARPE: Who are you? Erling Haaland asked Arsenal's teenage debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly after John Stones had snatched a dramatic late point for Man City at the Etihad in September.

🧘🌟 Don’t get distracted by Haaland stuff, Myles Lewis-Skelly is a star.

⚽️ why he’s an elite ball-keeper
βš–οΈ restores balance to Arsenal’s left
πŸš€ allows Declan Rice to thrive

Here’s why the kid’s special. #AFC

05.02.2025 10:21 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Carlos Soler opens up on life at West Ham & working with Graham Potter JAMES SHARPE: Soler joined West Ham on the final day of the summer transfer window on loan from PSG, whom he joined in 2022 from Valencia. It took him a while to settle, on and off the pitch.

"I went to a West Ham game as a fan on the train and no one recognised me!"

πŸ”§ what Potter has changed
πŸ₯˜ London's terrible paella
🐐 playing with Messi
🀷🏻 his Hammers future

Interview with #WHUFC's Carlos Soler.

03.02.2025 19:12 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How Graham Potter turned West Ham around in just three weeks JAMES SHARPE: For the first 10 days, Graham Potter couldn't even go home. So chaotic was life as the new West Ham manager that Potter lived out of his hotel room in Stratford.

"It feels like the club is pulling in the same direction."

πŸ’‘ influx of 'new ideas'
πŸ“ more tactical sessions
πŸ€— making Paqueta feel wanted
πŸ‘ΆπŸ» closer relationship with academy

Insiders reveal how Graham Potter made his mark on West Ham.

#WHUFC

03.02.2025 19:11 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Where Man United would be without pantomime villain Bruno Fernandes JAMES SHARPE: It's fair to say that, sometimes, Bruno Fernandes doesn't help himself. A misplaced pass from a team-mate and up go the arms and out comes the sigh.

πŸ”΄ NEW: Where would #MUFC be without Bruno Fernandes?

🦹 panto villian or top-class talisman
🎭 theatrics mask vital goals
πŸ”§ defensive work goes unnoticed
πŸ”Ž does he go missing in big games?
🦁 leader like Keane or Bruce?

This week's column ⬇️

26.01.2025 09:32 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How Amad Diallo has become crucial to Ruben Amorim - THE SHARPE END JAMES SHARPE: Diallo has forged himself into an undroppable part of Amorim's side and was rewarded this week with a new bumper contract.

πŸ”₯ Top of nearly EVERY metric for #MUFC
πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ One of the best pressers in the league
πŸ”‘ The KEY area he needs to improve

How @amaddiallo19.bsky.social became Ruben Amorim’s key man. This week’s column.

11.01.2025 23:22 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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How Alexander-Arnold has redefined right-back role - THE SHARPE END JAMES SHARPE: Not since David Beckham has an English wide player been able to play - and see - the passes Alexander Arnold has in his armoury.

NEW: Evolution of Trent Alexander-Arnold

🌟 just what Real Madrid need
πŸ‘€ role changed (again) under Slot
πŸ”΄ can Liverpool live without him?

This week’s The Sharpe End column.

05.01.2025 12:22 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Just about to watch Home Alone for the first time. Apparently, this is something I shouldn’t admit in public.

15.12.2024 21:41 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The mounting problems Haaland has faced since Arsenal jibe THE SHARPE END: As my mum always used to say, pride comes before a fall and so it was after those words to Arteta that Haaland embarked on his worst league run of goalscoring in a City shirt.

So, what does Erling Haaland offer when not scoring goals β€” what’s gone wrong?

πŸ€• key #MCFC injuries killed service
⚽️ more ball but not where he wants it
πŸ“‰ how finishing fell off a cliff

This week’s Sharpe End column.

15.12.2024 12:08 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Any Qs for the podcast? Hope you enjoyed your shoutout last week!

11.12.2024 10:35 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
10.12.2024 00:58 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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West Ham 2-1 Wolves: Bowen provides stunning finish to secure win JAMES SHARPE AT THE LONDON STADIUM: Two tributes to team-mate Antonio, lucky to be alive in hospital after his horrific car crash, after two huge goals on one emotional night for West Ham.

Tomas Soucek raised nine fingers and then Jarrod Bowen held up the shirt.

Two tributes to Michail Antonio on one huge, emotional night for West Ham.

How big for West Ham’s season, how important for Julen Lopetegui and how damning for Gary O’Neil.

#WHUFC #COYI
www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba...

10.12.2024 00:57 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Five reasons why Tottenham are so consistently inconsistent THE SHARPE END: Trying to make sense of Tottenham is, and always has been, an impossible task. Why can Tottenham beat the big clubs but get turned over by those they should beat?

Trying to make sense of Tottenham's consistent inconsistency πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

⚽ keeping ball when they're better without it
🏑 how they are SO much worse away from home
❄️ why they either win BIG or lose...

This week's The Sharpe End column.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba...

08.12.2024 15:34 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

That’s awesome, in great company! Thanks for listening!

04.12.2024 14:47 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14143501/THE-SHARPE-END-Mohamed-Salah-Liverpool-Arne-Slot-Reds.html

πŸ”΄ How Slot took Salah to another level at Liverpool πŸ”΄

🀯 Better numbers than his 44-goal debut season (…and Suarez)
πŸƒπŸ½ Running and pressing less than under Klopp
πŸ’° Exactly how influential he’s been β€” and can you replace that?

#LFC matchday read ⬇️

t.co/snTsxrFwqQ

01.12.2024 10:24 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Bit of personal news: I am taking over covering West Ham for Mail Sport.

Excited to get stuck into a great club, looking forward to getting to know everyone and bringing supporters the stories, interviews and analysis that matter.

DMs open for stories, debate (and abuse 😁).

βš’οΈ

#whufc #coyi

30.11.2024 13:56 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

The dog mums did their thing…

#strictly

24.11.2024 19:52 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Remarkable conversation with my mum about Pete Wicks’s dogs home VT on Strictly.

β€œI’d give him all my votes now.”
β€œWhy?”
β€œHe loves dogs.”
β€œIt’s a dance competition not a who loves dogs competition…”
β€œAnyone who adopts from a dogs home should be in the final.”
β€œOf a dance competition?”
β€œYes.”

😳

24.11.2024 17:28 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2

Leicester took far too long to act on Brendan Rodgers so credit this time for being decisive on Steve Cooper.

It was clearly not right. No connection between him and the players or the fans.

It’s a shame because he’s a good man and a good coach. It just didn’t fit.

Who next for #LCFC?

24.11.2024 16:31 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
Graphic showing the average distance of Premier League teams’ goal kicks in the 2024-25 season.

Graphic showing the average distance of Premier League teams’ goal kicks in the 2024-25 season.

HOW PEP KILLED THE LONG GOAL KICK

⚽️ EIGHTY per cent of Saints’ and Chelsea’s don’t leave the area.

πŸš€β€¦but only two teams launch it longer than Arsenal.

😬 New generation go short even more than Guardiola…not always to their benefit.

This week’s column.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba...

17.11.2024 12:38 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

What’s up?

13.11.2024 23:29 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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