The Sports Matrix: Tuesday 20 September 2011

Scotland scores as Ipswich cruise

Ipswich Town beat Coventry City 3-0 at Portman Road in the Championship last night. Martin Crainie scored an own goal after seven minutes, before Ireland international Keith Andrews doubled Ipswich’s lead. Jason Scotland scored the third on 67 minutes.

Hamilton stands up for risk-taking

Lewis Hamilton has defended his aggressive driving style: “I think being slightly more risky in some ways is what separates the faster drivers from maybe the not-so-faster drivers. I don’t know why I’m like that, I’ve always been more on the risky side.” MORE

Pogba set to play in battle of Uniteds

Manchester United travel to face fierce rivals Leeds United for their Carling Cup third-round tie tonight. Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to give 18-year-old midfielder Paul Pogba his United debut, while Michael Owen and Ryan Giggs are also set to play. MORE

‘Remarkable’ Red Rum trainer dies

Ginger McCain, trainer of Grand National winner Red Rum, has died aged 80. Trevor Hemmings, owner of Ballabriggs, said of McCain: “He was a remarkable man and, despite the way he represented his personality, very astute.” MORE

Wenger to play youngsters tonight

Arsène Wenger will play some of his younger players in their Carling Cup game against Shrewsbury Town. “I will give a chance for young players to shine and find the right mixture,” he said. Ryo Miyaichi is likely to be involved from the bench. MORE

Flood: We have to improve massively

Toby Flood said England need to improve after two flat World Cup performances. “We’re pleased with bits of our game and frustrated with massive parts of it,” he said. “We’re causing ourselves a lot of strife. We have to raise our game massively.” MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Steve Kean’s claim that Arsène Wenger is beyond reproach insults the intelligence of Arsenal fans. If ever a club needed new strength, new priorities, new direction, it is Arsenal, after their forlorn start to the season. MORE

City unveil plans for 80-acre facility in Manchester

Manchester City yesterday announced their plans to build an 80-acre facility in Manchester, next to the Etihad Stadium, including a training centre and new youth-team stadium. The plans are to improve the club’s youth system, so that they can produce more quality footballers of their own. “It is one thing building with bricks and mortar, it is another to being able to develop young players,” said Brian Marwood, City’s chief football operations officer. “I find it incredible, when I look at the size of Manchester and the outlying areas, that we’ve only had one player, in Nedum Onuoha, who’s come through from the age of 10 or 11,” said Marwood. I find that a damning statistic in terms of developing young talent.” MORE

Redknapp wanted Woodgate to stay

Harry Redknapp wanted to keep Jonathan Woodgate, who this summer left Spurs for Stoke City, their opponents tonight: “I wanted to keep him and wouldn’t have let Jonathan go. The secretary said he couldn’t [play], he wasn’t insured to train.” MORE

Heighington set to play for England

Sydney-born Chris Heighington is in the England squad preparing for this autumn’s Four Nations. The 28-year-old Wests Tigers backrower qualifies via his father, who was born in County Durham. “If I get the chance I’ll be very proud,” he said. MORE