Thursday’s briefing: Morgan Rogers has X factor and Ange Postecoglou eyes trophies

Attention turns back to the Premier League after the September international window, but Morgan Rogers has whet the appetite for next month’s England games by vowing to keep bringing the X factor like Paul Gascoigne.

Rogers starred in England’s 5-0 win away to Serbia on Tuesday and boss Thomas Tuchel welcomed the fine display in the absence of key figures.

Saturday will mark Ange Postecoglou’s debut as Nottingham Forest head coach and he told the club’s in-house media team of his plans to win more silverware at the City Ground.

Rogers the new Gazza?

Rogers was compared to Gascoigne by ITV pundit Roy Keane following the 5-0 World Cup qualifier victory in Belgrade against Serbia.

The Aston Villa ace caught the eye in the number 10 role and produced a deft flick for Noni Madueke’s strike.

Asked about Keane’s comments, Rogers said: “That’s some compliment, especially coming from him and who he is comparing me to.

“I’ve seen clips of him (Gascoigne). Iconic player and one that you watch clips of in the archive. I’ve not seen him live, I was probably too young, but I’ve seen clips. That’s the way I like to play. I always want to create and kind of get fans off their seats.”

The competition is on, says Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel is not afraid to make “brave decisions” and says the “competition is on” after absent England stars watched inexperienced talents stake their claim for a World Cup spot.

Only four of Tuchel’s starting line-up in Belgrade had more than 20 caps heading into Tuesday’s crunch qualifier, yet all displayed impressive confidence, maturity and quality as England ran amok.

Asked if England’s less experienced players had staked their claim for the shirt, Tuchel said: “Yes, for sure. The competition is on.

“If you’re in camp, be on your best behaviour. If you’re in camp, be in your best shape, be in your best form and you make the best of it. It’s a privilege to be in camp. And then fight for your place.

“If you come from the bench, be the best version from the bench. If you can help everyone to be better and to grow and this is what we did. They did excellent. Now they go back to their clubs. Next nomination we need to see what’s coming.”

Big Ange plans to keep ‘winning things’ at City Ground

Ange Postecoglou is determined to take Nottingham Forest back to “its rightful place” in English football.

Postecoglou sealed a rapid return to the Premier League on Wednesday when he was appointed as Nuno Espirito Santo’s successor at the City Ground – only four months on from being sacked by Tottenham.

Spurs parted company with Postecoglou despite a first trophy in 17 years in May with Europa League success, and with two-time European Cup winners Forest back in a continental competition for the first time in three decades, the 60-year-old is full of excitement about the challenge ahead.

“I love winning things and that is what I want to do here,” Postecoglou said in an in-house interview.

“I’m honoured and I’m humbled, but more importantly I’m determined to make sure this football club takes its rightful place.”

Owls owner Chansiri warned by Government

Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri has been warned by the Government that “change is coming” amid continued calls for him to sell the club.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy issued a reminder on Wednesday that football’s independent regulator will, once fully up and running, have the power to force an owner to divest from a club in extreme circumstances.

Owls fans and local MPs are continuing to demand Thai businessman Chansiri sell the cash-strapped Championship club after various embargoes have been placed on the club for tax debts, late payments to players and staff.

Nandy told the Culture, Media and Sport committee on Wednesday: “In Sheffield Wednesday’s case, I am really extremely concerned about the current ownership and the lack of willingness to sell the club and invest in the club, something I’ve been discussing very closely with local MPs.

“The Government is keeping a very close eye on it and our message to those owners is that change is coming.”

Ex-Premier League referee Coote charged

Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged with making an indecent image of a child.

The ex-official, aged 43 and from Collingham, is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The charge of making an indecent image of a child refers to activities such as downloading, sharing or saving abuse photos or videos. The allegation relates to a video recovered by officers from Nottinghamshire Police in February, the force said.

Coote was charged on August 12 and is on conditional bail.

Coote was sacked by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December, after a video of abusive comments he had made about former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in 2020 came to light.

What’s on today?

Postecoglou will face the media for the first time at 1.30pm on Thursday and is one of several Premier League bosses holding press conferences.