Can Sheffield United join this season’s hoodoo breakers?

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Play-off finals are always tense, but Sheffield United fans could be made to feel extra anxious ahead of Saturday’s Championship game against Sunderland.

The Blades’ play-off record makes for disappointing reading. They have failed to score in any of their previous attempts and have never succeeded in any of the finals they have reached.

There is also a lot to be desired about their Wembley record, which hasn’t been won since 1925.

The droughts have been overcame, from Eagles to… Eagles.

If you’re a fan of football, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed that clubs have laid their ghosts to rest in 2025.

Newcastle United celebrated its first domestic trophy triumph in 70 years with the Carabao Cup victory in March.

Crystal Palace, for the first time in their history, won the FA Cup final last weekend to win significant silverware.

Tottenham’s 41-year quest for a European trophy came to an end with victory in the Europa League on Wednesday, perhaps in the vein of the Magpies and Eagles.

Longing for glory has also been ended in other countries as well, including England.

In their 122-year history, Go Ahead Eagles won the Coppa Italia for the first time in Bologna’s victory after 51 years, and in the Netherlands, Bologna won the Coppa Italia.

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The charm is tenth time, right?

Sheffield United fans might not want to or need to be reminded that their current standing is their worst record in the play-offs.

Nine attempts have been made.

However, they can be encouraged by the fact that both the other teams, who had zero from nine records, now both boast one from ten.

Preston’s 4-0 defeat of Swindon Town in the League One play-off final in 2015 put an end to Preston’s miserable play-off campaign, and Brentford, who are now Premier League legends, also made it 10th time lucky when they defeated Swansea in the Championship play-off final in 2021.

The Blades will attempt to give Lincoln City, who have lost seven of their attempts, the unwanted title of worst play-off record.

Unsurprisingly, Chris Wilder, a veteran United boss, doesn’t get bogged down in the past.

Everybody talks about our play-off record locally, and perhaps nationally, but not a single word of it has entered my or the players’ minds, Wilder said on BBC Radio Sheffield.

They are “absolutely optimistic and determined,” and they look forward to the challenge of attending Wembley and hoping to win.

Brentford players throw boss Thomas Frank in the airImages courtesy of Getty

Wilder’s 100% record

There is one man who holds the key to Sheffield United’s hopes, even though they may have a terrible record in the play-offs and indeed at Wembley.

Boss Wilder has won promotion to the top four tiers despite never having been able to win the EFL play-offs.

With a 3-1 victory over York City at the national stadium in 2010, he resurrected League Two.

The 57-year-old hasn’t performed as well in the second-tier play-off campaign this season, either; their 6-0 aggregate victory over Bristol City is their largest winning margin to date in a play-off semi-final.

As everyone else has it said, “Wembley is no place to lose.”

Chris Wilder celebrates leading Oxford to promotion to League Two in 2010Images courtesy of Getty

The gap needs to be bridged.

This play-off final is the first to be contested by teams that finished more than 12 points apart in the regular season due to United’s 14 points split with Sunderland in the Championship table.

The negative aspect of Sheffield United is that, in 1994, Burnley made fun of amassing a dozen fewer points than Stockport to advance to the second tier.

However, there have only been two (from eight) instances in which a team has finished 10 or more points behind the team they defeated in the final before coming out on top.

It’s one apiece in each of the two games this season, with both teams winning at home.

The team that handles the situation and plays the game will win any big game, Wilder continued.

“I have no idea what kind of game to expect from them,” she said. We will have to disassemble them if they are seated.

They have threats all over the pitch and are a young side with plenty of energy and personality. Without their bad side, they wouldn’t have gotten the points they did.

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Brooklyn Beckham’s wife Nicola Peltz branded ‘worst of the worst’ and ‘actually a monster’

Former hair colorist Nicola Peltz has been called a “monster” by her friends, who have furiously refrained from doing so.

New claims about Nicola Peltz have emerged as her friends fight back(Image: Instagram)

There is a running joke in the Beckham family that whenever Nicola Peltz enters a room, one should duck and cover.

A source claims that “waiters are frequently in the firing line.” “Staff, family, anyone… they have personally witnessed it.

Being raised in a large, brash American billionaire family, these are merely cultural differences at play, which is, of course, a more charitable perspective. Friends of Nicole would contend that she has no fear of expressing her opinions and is aware of what she wants.

However, other people, including the Beckhams, claim that this behavior is rude.

“Say what you like about David and Victoria, but manners are incredibly important to them,” says one source close to the family. “Brooklyn is often close behind Nicola soothing things over. It’s almost as if he is being extra nice as if to offset his wife.”

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Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham
Nicola Peltz is being attacked by fresh allegations by her friends.
Continue reading the article.

The caustic aside illustrates how the family rift is still very much bubbling away under the surface weeks after Brooklyn and his wife snubbed David’s 50th birthday celebrations.

It reached its pinnacle a week ago when Nicola’s friends unexpectedly informed him that she had assisted him in “seeing the emotional abuse and toxic behavior within his family.” It was “bit rich” for Nicola’s friends to give lectures on toxic behavior, according to a source close to the Beckhams, who had previously called the allegations “deeply unpleasant and patently untrue.”

They’d seen first hand the “horror-show” which was her and Brooklyn’s lavish 2022 three-day nuptials at the £76million family mansion in Palm Beach, Florida.

According to a source, “the alarm bells started to ring.” “Nicola was very difficult to be around and very stressed out.”

Nicola’s pals claim a lot of this was borne out of Victoria’s alleged refusal to make her wedding dress. They say she spent three months with the Beckhams in 2020 and tried her hardest to integrate herself into the family. “Nicola was working hard to have a healthy relationship,” says a pal.

But now other stories are starting to emerge from Los Angeles of similar run-ins with Brooklyn’s wife. Top celebrity hair colourist Justin Anderson, whose clients have included Miley Cyrus and Jennifer Aniston, worked with Brooklyn’s wife when she starred in Transformers early in her acting career.

Then Beckhams
At war: Beckhams divided (Image: Instagram)

Anderson previously questioned if there was a famous person he would never work with again, calling her the “worst of the worst,” adding that she was “in actuality a monster.” Friends of Peltz claim that Justin was involved in an incident on set that led to this characterization.

Friends of Justin say he has nothing but sympathy for the Beckhams after they were accused of toxic behavior and emotional abuse.

Justin can only imagine what it would be like to have Nicola as a daughter-in-law, a friend once said. He is angry with the Beckhams because they are so crammed into everything.

The hair colorist previously stated in a 2019 interview that the new Transformers girl was the worst of the worst because she was the worst of the worst. Nicola Peltz was her full name. She comes from a very wealthy family. She had been slated to be the new It Girl, but she has since vanished. She is a monster in fact.

Because the town is so small, “people don’t want to work with you if you’re an a**hole.” People who are very rude at first, who believe I am a huge star in this film, and who start acting rudely toward me.

A source close to Nicola’s responded to her hair colorist’s claims that their feud was the result of their time working together on the Transformers movie press tour last night.

The source claimed that Justin’s hair “got distracted” and had bleach for an excessive length. According to the same source, the press tour was finished with a new stylist.

This version of events is contestable by Justin’s friends. One person said, “Nicola knows that’s not the truth about what transpired that day…she doesn’t want to open that can of worms.”

Justin Anderson
Justin Anderson in hair row(Image: justinanderson/Instagram)

Only yesterday, quotes resurfaced from the actress Bella Thorne who once branded a mystery Hollywood star a ‘very, very mean girl’. Fans are now speculating she could be talking about Peltz.

Because she is a billionaire, I don’t hate her. Because she is a billionaire and makes sure everyone knows who she is, “I don’t like her,” Thorne said.

She continued, “I never greet her.” Her siblings don’t treat her similarly. She is the only one. Because she’s been a billionaire since she was a young child and has never had to work for anything in her life, one of the things that make me dislike her is why.

Bella made the comments a year after Peltz, who had seven siblings, made an appearance in the 2014 independent film Affluenza opposite Greg Sulkin, who was Bella’s boyfriend at the time.

A source said: “Who knows if this is about Nicola….but it’s fair to say she very much knows her own mind.” Indeed, reports suggest that Nicola has also got through a succession of previous agents and PRs, including William Morris Endeavour, a top US showbusiness agency.

She is quite ruthless about making changes and expressing her opinions, according to a source. The Beckhams are now in danger of dying.

Which raises the question, “How long will it take?” Many people think the conflict will continue as long as Brooklyn and Nicola stay together.

One friend claims that “he is besotted with Nicola, and his loyalties are firmly rooted in her.” Will the Beckhams ever forget the vicious briefing by her friends about the standard of their parenting, even if things did start to work out in harmony?

Continue reading the article.

“Even with the best will in the world, I am not sure how anyone can get past being called toxic and emotionally abusive,” said one. “It’s so outrageously false….and to come from your daughter-in-law’s friends, it just beggars belief.

They would break up with their son if a peace deal were to come into play, they said, “But at the same time, they dearly love him.”

Insurgency: Governor Zulum Returns To Marte In Bid To Restore Peace

After a night out in the community on Saturday, Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, returned to Marte on Thursday.

In the Lake Chad region, ongoing efforts were made to restore peace, restore trust, and promote sustainable development.

Bulum, who left Maiduguri last week, has been coordinating security plans and building resilience among the region’s affected by the most recent rise in Boko Haram attacks.

The governor has visited the communities of Marte, Kala-Balge, Wulgo, Ngala, Lugumani, Gajibo, Koibe, Dikwa, and Ajiri 9 times since last Saturday.

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Governor Zulum and military commanders met behind closed doors to discuss ways to help restore peace to Marte and the surrounding communities during the visit.

I am here to evaluate the effectiveness of our recent “resettlement” of the residents. I’m delighted to see that the neighborhood is fully supported and that soldiers are stationed. In Marte, normal economic activities have resumed, according to Zulum.

He continued, “I’m very happy, and in the name of Allah, normalcy will soon return.” ”

At the House of Representatives, Engr. Bukar Talba, the governor was accompanied by members from the constituencies of Marte, Monguno, and Nganzai. Sugun Mai Mele, the commissioner for local government and emirates; Engr. Bawu Musami, the commissioner of agriculture; Barr and the Permanent Secretary of Government House. among other senior officials is Muhammadus Ali Busuguma.

‘FG quickly responded.

Governor Zulum made an appeal to the Federal Government on Sunday to use decisive tactics to prevent Marte town from becoming a target for Boko Haram/ISWAP rebels.

However, Governor Zulum praised the Federal Government and the military for responding to his request on Thursday to protect Marte from invading the insurgents while speaking to journalists in Marte town.

According to him, “The federal government and the Nigerian Armed Forces have responded favorably to our request to improve security in the affected communities.” Numerous troops and equipment have been deployed.

INEC Creates AI Division To Improve Election Conduct

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division will be a part of the ICT Department, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Sam Olumekun, the Commission’s national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, signed a statement on Thursday that made this known.

He claimed that the new division’s creation should continue to use AI’s advantages and its negative effects on elections.

Through centralized AI governance, the division, in Olumekun’s opinion, will help the commission better coordinate and maximize existing technology investments.

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He added that the initiative will also improve voter engagement, risk management, and decision-making.

Additionally, it will use automated voting, predictive analytics, and intelligent safeguards to increase electoral credibility.

“This initiative places the Commission at the forefront of institutionalizing AI capabilities within our ICT infrastructure.

“It’s also a significant step in our ongoing reform of the electoral process in those areas where the Commission is only required to take administrative action.”

In order to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on elections, INEC disclosed that it had spoken at several conferences with colleagues from around the continent.

TOWIE star Ella Rae Wise breaks silence on reuniting with ex Dan Edgar again

Ella Rae Wise, who recently split from Dan Edgar as they were preparing to reunite, had a difficult time in the Celebrity Big Brother house.

Ella Rae Wise will be reuniting with Dan Edgar despite their recent split(Image: ellaraewisex)

Celebrity Big Brother star Ella Rae Wise is gearing up for an on-screen reunion with her ex Dan Edgar, just weeks following their sudden split. The TOWIE cast member, 24, laid her heart wide open when she entered the iconic ITV house days after breaking up with Dan.

At times it seemed the move may have come too soon following her heartache, yet Ella managed to power through and focus on herself. She had raw and sometimes vulnerable moments in the house, but she tells us that it is all part of the job.

Since leaving Big Brother, Ella is ready to make a return to screens as she heads back to her TOWIE clan. Things will be different for her though, as her ex boyfriend Dan will also be around.

Ella Rae Wise
Ella is back filming for TOWIE(Image: ellaraewisex)

Fans of TOWIE left the relationship on a high note because Dan had just proposed to Ella at the series’ conclusion. Ella later revealed that the duo had separated before Celebrity Big Brother even began to air.

She said at the time the duo had struggled on agreeing on their futures. Ella revealed to the Mirror she is set to reunite with Dan very soon as they begin filming for the next series of TOWIE.

Continue reading the article.

She said, “On screen, undoubtedly, we probably will film together,” before talking about reuniting. Who knows since the cast of the new series will be away for ten days? But since we would all be staying in the same hotel, I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to escape from him.

Ella described how it felt to witness her romantic relationship blossom on screen when it had actually ended in a tragic way.

Ella Rae Wise Dan Edgar
Ella and Dan broke up just before she went on Celebrity Big Brother(Image: ITV)

So I don’t look back and don’t feel any regret about it because it immediately struck me as unforgettable. No one is aware of what happens behind closed doors, even for the months that follow. Everyone has their own reasons for how relationships don’t work, as everyone does.

“Just because Dan and I didn’t work, doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. We can be friendly because we really get along,” the statement reads. Simply put, we weren’t working, which is okay.

Ella also teased that the couple’s relationship will end insolvent. She remarked, “Definitely will do because Dan and I made things official and him asking me to be his girlfriend, just from what last series was left at.”

It would be a movie that would be broadcast live, and I hope this series will bring us all happiness like the previous ones did.

Ella Rae Wise
She has settled rumours she’s leaving TOWIE(Image: ellaraewisex)

“We’ve sort of bonded as a team, and that’s when things get bad.” The drama on the show now focuses more on friendships and friendships. At the moment, relationships are the focus. Therefore, we should continue to follow that path because it’s enjoyable to visit.

Ella admitted to being teary-eyed after talking about her romance with Dan and how she felt about her time on Big Brother: “I think I was very emotional. I don’t really deal with that because I was so out of sauce and so out of my normal routine.”

I prefer to follow a routine because it’s boring and causes you to end up in the dump.

She continued, “I’m used to showing my emotion on screen, but that’s not really what it’s like and I feel like you have to be a TV reality person because you have to be able to relate to the public.”

Continue reading the article.

Ella also made sure to dispel any rumors that she is leaving TOWIE, insisting that she only meant “series 35 over and out, happy to see the back of you,” if that’s what she meant.

I’ll be forever grateful to my TOWIE team because TOWIE is my home and TOWIE is what led me to where I am right now. Nothing will stop me from leaving, even though I enjoy TOWIE, so no, not yet.

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P&ID: FG Recovers $200m Bond, $10m Award

In order to defend the $11 billion arbitral award against Process and Industrial Development (P&amp, ID) Ltd., the Federal Government has recovered the sum of $200 million and another $ 10 million bond it deposited as bond in a UK court.

Lateef Fagbemi, the minister of justice and the attorney general of the Federation, made this known on Thursday during a visit by a team of lawyers representing the UK to the Ministry led by Shaistah Akhtar.

Fagbemi applauded Akhtar and Kofo Salam-Alada, a former ministerial director of legal, for their legal victories and successful recovery of funds from the Federal Government.

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Many people do not believe that the FGN-P&amp, ID coordinating team’s dedication and sincerity, which was led by Kofo Salam-Alada, who provided me with the necessary support, despite the fact that the entire country has applauded our success in the Process &amp, Industrial Developments Ltd (P&amp, ID) case and applauded my resilience and determination not to negotiate or settle with the fraudsters.

A golden fish has no hiding place, according to Fagbemi, who also expressed his happiness at Salam-Alada’s retirement from the service.

Prior to P&amp, ID losing the case, Akthar, who was accompanied by Lydia Allaby, explained that the $10 million was being given to Nigeria from the $20 million that had already been awarded to it. However, she added that the firm is bringing legal challenges to the $ 10 million outstanding.