Wilkinson reshuffled her starting side in Montenegro, with five changes to the team which began April’s win in Albania.

The sense before the game was that Wilkinson omitted the likes of Rhiannon Roberts, Angharad James, Mared Griffiths and Ceri Holland to keep them fresh to face the Czechs.

The feeling come full-time was that Wales might have been better off fielding all their big hitters, given that victory – as it turned out – would have given them the upper hand in the group.

Then again, Wilkinson might argue – and with some justification – that the team she picked should have been good enough to see off Montenegro with relative comfort.

Too often, however, Wales lacked the intensity and tempo to trouble inferior opponents, which was presumably thanks in part to the Gradski Stadion heat.

Another contributory factor may have been Wales’ far from ideal preparation, after they only arrived in Pogdorica 23 hours before kick-off thanks to Wednesday evening’s electrical storms in the Montenegrin capital.

The team flight was diverted to Italy, with the Football Association of Wales eventually securing accommodation for Wilkinson’s players in the early hours of Thursday morning.

They finally made it to Montenegro that evening, after a rough night for many and no chance for a proper training session on the eve of the game.

Wilkinson had insisted there could be no excuses, and did not pin the blame for a dispiriting display on chaotic preparation.

But clearly, Wales will hope for – and expect – a smoother build-up to the group decider against the Czechs.

“You look at the game and it’s definitely not to our standard, but now we have got to look towards Tuesday,” said Carrie Jones, Wales’ skipper for the first time in Montenegro.

“We know we are a good team based on our history. On Tuesday we have got to turn up.”

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (BCCI/IPL Photo)

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s childhood coach Manish Ojha describes his ward as a “God’s child” and credits fate and divine guidance for bringing the youngster to his academy.“A couple of years ago, I thanked Vaibhav‘s father (Sanjeev Sooryavanshi) for bringing the kid to me. Ispe bhagwaan ka haath hai (He is God’s child). It is because of him that I got recognition, otherwise who gives two cents about a cricket coach in Bihar?,” an emotional Manish tells TimesofIndia.com after the 15-year-old received his maiden India call-up for the Ireland and England series. “Sab Bhagwaan ki kripa hai (God has been kind). The kid is immensely talented and has worked hard. Credit to his father as well,” he says.Riding on a sensational IPL 2026 campaign, the 15-year-old from Bihar will now don the blue jersey.“When we talk about Bihar, we always talk about our past, from the Maurya Empire, Gupta Empire, Buddhism, Jainism, Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran Yatra or the JP Movement. In modern times, it has often been in the news for all the notorious things. This teenager is not only hitting sixes but also smashing those stigmas associated with Bihar out of the park. Imagine Sachin Tendulkar calling him ‘truly special’ or Virat Kohli telling Vaibhav, ‘Ek Bihari, sab pe bhari, phir khatam game.‘ What Vaibhav has managed to achieve in the last few months is phenomenal,” says Ojha.Sooryavanshi smashed 776 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 237.30. He also hit a record-breaking 72 sixes during a season that saw him narrowly miss out on the fastest century in IPL history.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bagged the Orange Cap in IPL 2026. (BCCI/IPL Photo)

“He is a big-match player. We have seen that in the IPL playoffs. In the U-19 World Cup final, he again played a scintillating knock. It is a great call by the selectors to pick him. And this is just the beginning. He will achieve a lot more,” says Ojha.Ojha says his ward is a “quick learner”. According to him, the preparation before every game helps Sooryavanshi play his aggressive brand of cricket and take on the best bowlers without fear.“He prepares in his own way. It’s not that he sits with video analysts, but he does his homework,” says Ojha.This conscientious approach and unshakeable temperament led the selectors to name the explosive Sooryavanshi in the squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England.

File photo of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. (AP)

Sooryavanshi has not only caught the attention of greats like Tendulkar and Kohli, but India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill has also been effusive in his praise for the teenager. In a near-solo effort, Sooryavanshi almost dragged Rajasthan Royals into the IPL 2026 final. In the Eliminator, he smashed a 29-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and then followed it up with a 47-ball 96 against Gill’s Gujarat Titans.“I think he’s had a remarkable season. I’ve not seen anyone bat the way he bats and, in this format, he is probably one of the best batters in the world right now,” Gill had said after Qualifier 2 in Mullanpur.“It is remarkable to watch his batting, not just the hitting but also his biomechanics and hand speed. He didn’t get off to a flyer in Qualifier 2, but the way he managed to come back into the game and kept putting us under pressure tells you about the mindset he has. I think, in the years to come, the opposition he plays against is going to have a tough time against him,” Gill had said.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

But with all the praise comes responsibility and scrutiny. Questions have already been raised about whether he can succeed in Test cricket. Even his father has set lofty goals for his son.“Jab tak Test na khele, kya bada cricketer (Till the time he does not play Tests, I won’t consider him a big cricketer),” Sanjeev had told this website after Sooryavanshi’s heroics in the U-19 World Cup.For now, though, the focus is on the next step of a journey moving at a breathtaking pace. From a small town in Bihar to IPL superstardom and now an India call-up at just 15, Sooryavanshi has already shattered expectations. The challenge ahead will be to convert extraordinary promise into lasting greatness, but if his coach is to be believed, this is only the beginning of a much larger story.

Carl Frampton suspects Father Time is creeping up on Oleksandr Usyk, naming two heavyweights who he now believes could defeat the Ukrainian.

The 39-year-old produced a subpar performance against Rico Verhoeven last month, but nonetheless retained his WBC, IBF and WBA titles with an 11th-round stoppage.

Prior to the finish, Verhoeven had enjoyed considerable success for a man whose only previous boxing match, in 2014, saw him stop an 0-5 journeyman in round two.

The Dutchman was even ahead on one of the judges’ scorecards, only for Usyk to score an 11th-round knockdown before referee Mark Lyson drew a controversial halt.

Verhoeven had risen from the canvas, offering some form of defence, but was ultimately stopped on his feet immediately after the bell had sounded.

Usyk then revealed in his post-fight interview that, prior to stepping through the ropes, his daughter had phoned him from a bomb shelter in Ukraine.

The extent to which this impacted his performance, only he will know, yet many have nonetheless made up their minds that the three-time, two-division undisputed champion should call time on his illustrious career.

One man who would like to see him hang up the gloves is Frampton, who told Boxing Now that he would favour Agit Kabayel and Moses Itauma to beat this version of Usyk.

“When you’ve had the career and have been involved in boxing for the amount of years that Usyk has, then [Father Time] catches up on you.

“Going off that performance [against] Verhoeven, I would favour Kabayel. I would also favour Moses Itauma over him.”

While having ruled out a clash with Itauma, Usyk has been ordered to defend his WBC title against ‘interim’ champion Kabayel, who represents a likely next opponent.

The season is over, the World Cup is nearly upon us, and although the transfer window isn’t officially open yet, clubs are cranking into gear when it comes to doing business over the next few months.

Manchester United effectively have their first signing in the bag, having agreed an initial £35million fee with Atalanta to sign Ederson, with a further £3.8million in add-ons.

That is the first piece in the jigsaw in midfield and more will follow, while United also want to strengthen in other areas and there will be departures to come as well.

We run weekly question and answer sessions, so click here to submit your questions, and we’ll answer them next week. Here are the answers to some of this week’s questions:

Is there any development on Elliot Anderson? I’d rather we went for Morgan Rogers.

No development from a United point of view. Manchester City reportedly had a bid rejected earlier this week and it is still City who lead the chase. The Etihad remains Anderson’s preference.

If the sums don’t work for City then United could certainly come back into the frame. They have shown a willingness to outbid their neighbours before, although whether that would happen under this regime isn’t as clear-cut.

I’d say Anderson and Rogers fall into very different categories. One is seen as a No.6, the ideal Casemiro replacement and the tone-setter in midfield. The other is an attacking midfielder who could play on the left and eventually take over from Bruno Fernandes as the No.10.

I don’t think it’s a case of either/or this summer, but obviously, it would be difficult to sign both given the figures involved. The problem with Rogers will be that the competition is even more fierce than for Anderson, but he is a player that United like.

What does the future hold for Rashford? We still need him.

As things stand, it’s very difficult to see how Rashford has any future at Old Trafford. He doesn’t fit the squad culture that is being built and he doesn’t fit the wage structure, either.

Barcelona have until June 15 to activate that £26million option but it’s already clear they won’t be doing that. That’s when it gets tricky for United. Barcelona would take Rashford back, but on their terms, and those terms might not be as acceptable to United.

The question is whether another loan would be considered, and I imagine that would only happen if Barcelona cover almost all of Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages. Another possible scenario is interest emerging from elsewhere, such as Bayern Munich or Arsenal, if he has a good World Cup. Both those clubs want a left-winger.

United are in the market for one of those, as well, but Rashford won’t be the answer. The decision to remove him from the first-team squad and try and move him on was a club-led call, not one forced by Amorim.

Let’s sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. My dream signing for the season.

Think a lot of people would like to see Tonali at Old Trafford next season. It’s been a little quiet on his future but it’s not one to entirely rule out just yet. As with Anderson and Aurelien Tchouameni, I think the elite-level market will take time to develop.

Tonali clearly wants out of Newcastle and his only route to that is at a Premier League rival. If City sign Anderson, that rules them out. The Italian’s agent made admiring glances towards Arsenal in January, and it might be that the Emirates or Old Trafford becomes his likeliest destination.

Having sold Anthony Gordon, Newcastle are in a strong position financially now. It might need Tonali to force the issue to get his move.

Does Carrick have full authority to sign anyone he wants?

No, is the short answer. United have moved away from an era in which an all-powerful manager dictated transfer strategy and picked the players he wanted.

Carrick has input into recruitment and can offer opinions and ideas of who might be a good fit, but he doesn’t have the final say. It is a collaborative approach in the recruitment department now, which is the way it works at every big club.

Shouldn’t we be concerned about adding a proven striker?

United would like to address this in the summer, and in an ideal world, Joshua Zirkzee would be sold with a more experienced striker replacing him.

When you say ‘proven,’ the market the club will focus on is an older head who can be Benjamin Sesko’s backup, providing rotation and competition. Someone like Danny Welbeck could be a good fit.

What they won’t be doing is dropping big money on another big-name striker. There is faith in Sesko’s ability to lead the line for a long time to come and his first season was promising.

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Early in the second quarter on Friday night in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals, Karl-Anthony Towns curled toward the baseline and caught an inbounds pass from Jose Alvarado on the move. He took one dribble, skipped through a gap in the defense and threw down a two-hand slam ahead of the outstretched arms of Victor Wembanyama. 

Immediately, Towns turned and screamed in Wembanyama’s face. 

Towns didn’t say anything in that moment, but he didn’t have to. His game has done the talking. 

Through the first two games of these Finals between the Knicks and Spurs, Towns has not only outplayed Wembanyama in their personal frontcourt battle, he’s been the best player on the court. Yes, Jalen Brunson has come up with the biggest individual moments, and did so again late in Game 2 on Friday, but Towns is the biggest reason why the New York Knicks are up 2-0 on the San Antonio Spurs, and two wins away from their first title since 1973. 

Towns finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block on 8 of 12 shooting in 34 minutes in Game 2, and the Knicks were +11 with him on the floor — the highest mark of any Knicks starter. Single-game plus-minus is not a foolproof stat, but the Knicks were also +14 with Towns on the floor in Game 1. 

Through two games, Towns is averaging 19.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, four assists and one block on 55.6/42.9/100 shooting splits. Among all players, he’s third in scoring, first in rebounding, tied for fourth in assists and tied for third in blocks. Entering the series, Towns was +2200 to win Finals MVP. He’s now +185. 

Towns vs. Wembanyama in the Finals

‘It’s bringing us into difficult areas’

Towns’ ability to space the floor gives the Knicks a true five-out look that has presented new challenges for the Spurs. Unlike in previous series, Wembanyama hasn’t been able to spend all night roaming around on the backline as an omnipotent threat erasing even the thought of attacking the rim. 

“It’s very different from the previous series. It’s bringing us into difficult areas because they’re good players. [Towns] is a good player,” Wembanyama said after Game 2. “Yeah, I mean, we just need to figure it out. We need to keep working on it. How many points did they score tonight? 105? We can do a little bit better. We can do better defensively.”

Towns knocked down three 3s in Game 2, but he’s also been able to put the ball on the deck and create for himself in one-on-one situations, as he showed with his big dunk in the second quarter. The Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals in part because Chet Holmgren was afraid to attack Wembanyama, but Towns has had no such fear. 

Towns’ ability to find the perfect level of aggression has been extremely impressive. It’s never felt like he was forcing the action or taking bad shots. 

“It comes with experience. I’ve been in playoff series where I’ve done too much, and it was the detriment to the team, and I’ve been in playoff series where I’ve done too little, and it was a detriment to the team,” Towns said ahead of Game 2. 

“It’s a fine line. It comes with experience where you learn what truly is best for the team and being able to find that balance of being aggressive and impacting the game with your skill set, but also utilizing that skill set to make others better. Something that experience has taught me. I think right now, I’m doing the best I’ve done at it.”

‘He’s been pretty phenomenal on both sides of the ball’

Towns is one of the most talented and versatile offensive big men the league has ever seen, so it’s not some major shock that he’s finally put everything together at the highest level. The defense he’s been playing, on the other hand, has been stunning. Throughout this entire playoff run, Towns has stepped up on the defensive end like never before. 

“He’s been pretty phenomenal on both sides of the ball,” Brunson said after Game 2. 

Entering the series, there was a lot of talk about how well OG Anunoby defended Wembanyama during the regular season, and how big wings like him can give the 7-foot-4 Frenchman trouble. But Mike Brown decided to give Towns the Wembanyama assignment to start Game 1, and has not needed to make an adjustment. 

“KAT is smart. He’s got a good feel. He’s got better feet than what you think. He’s long. He’s long and he’s strong. Those combinations bode well for a guy defensively,” Brown said ahead of Game 2. “It’s just about embracing it and staying present while understanding what the small details of your job should be.”

Towns isn’t suddenly blocking shots left and right, or making spectacular defensive plays, but he’s consistently been in the right spot and has worked hard to make life difficult for Wembanyama. Towns’ length and activity has played a big role in keeping Wembanyama out of the paint, and making him less efficient than usual when he has gotten there. 

Through two games, Wembanyama has taken more shots outside of the paint (22) than inside the paint (20), and is shooting 40.5% from the field — down from 51% in the first three rounds of the playoffs. The NBA’s tracking data is not perfect, and has not yet been updated to include Game 2, but in Game 1, Wembanyama was 2 of 11 with Towns as the closest defender. 

Asked about his effort in slowing down Wembanyama, Towns refused to take any credit after Game 2. 

“It’s all about the team success, so for us to be up 2-0, it’s a testament to the coaches getting us a great game plan and to my teammates executing the game plan,” Towns said. “It’s a team effort, and we found a way to win these two games. So it’s a shoutout to everyone coming together for the greater cause.”

‘It strengthens you beyond measure’

In April 2020, Towns lost his mother, Jacqueline, to COVID-19. Towns was extremely close to his mother, and said that he could feel her presence in the arena during Game 1 on Wednesday. 

“I don’t know what it was, but I just felt a calm and a peace that had to come from the woman above,” Towns said after Game 1. “I felt really confident about today. I felt good. I felt like a kid. It was just fun out here. This was something as a kid you always dream about. You always hope just to be an NBA player, let alone be in the NBA Finals. 

“All day it was just a weird feeling. I felt like I was a kid getting ready to go play my Saturday AAU games and Sunday AAU games. In a way, I felt like I was seeing [my mom] in the stands. It was fun. It was really fun. And it was really comforting.”

After the final buzzer sounded on Friday, Towns looked up to the sky and blew a kiss. He told the broadcast that he was telling his mom he “needed a stop” on the final possession, when Wembanyama missed a mid-range jumper that would have won the game for the Spurs. 

“It’s amazing, as you go through life, you lose a parent, anyone who’s listening, you just look for signs. I’ll take any sign I can get and I prayed to her strong before that possession,” Towns said. “A great player got a great shot, it just didn’t go in… I take it as a sign my mom is here with me, so I appreciate her so much. 

A short time later, Towns made an appearance on ESPN with Scott Van Pelt and again spoke about his mother and how her death has strengthened him as a person and a player. 

“When you go through something like that, other than losing a child, there’s nothing worse you can go through,” Towns said. “It builds you up, and it strengthens you beyond measure. … I was strengthened on April 13th when I lost my mother. … What I do know is I truly can do anything when I walk in faith and I walk with the angels beside me. I feel like anything’s possible. I feel like nothing’s impossible. I’m just grateful to be in this position.” 

MCG will play host to Monday’s
Round 13 AFL game between Collingwood Magpies and
Melbourne Demons. The game kicks off at 3:15 pm with Melbourne Demons heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Collingwood Magpies vs.
Melbourne Demons
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Monday June 8, 2026 at 3:15 pm

Where: MCG

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Collingwood Magpies vs Melbourne Demons Odds

Collingwood Magpies vs Melbourne Demons Preview

The AFL’s annual Big Freeze clash returns on King’s Birthday as Collingwood and Melbourne renew one of football’s most significant rivalries at the MCG. Melbourne has been a different side at the home of football this season, remaining undefeated there despite struggling away from Melbourne. The Demons will be desperate to respond after a heavy defeat to GWS in Alice Springs. Collingwood also enters under pressure after narrowly falling to the Western Bulldogs, continuing an inconsistent run of form. Recent history favours the Magpies, who have won 11 of the past 12 meetings between the clubs at the MCG, including two close victories last season. With the occasion honouring the legacy of Neale Daniher, another memorable chapter could be added to this special fixture.

Jalen Brunson drilled the go-ahead free throw as the New York Knicks held off a furious San Antonio rally to beat the Spurs 105-104 on Friday and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals.

San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama had a crucial late turnover and missed a potential game-winner with two seconds remaining to leave the Spurs in need of an unprecedented comeback when the best-of-seven series shifts to New York for games three and four.

No team has lifted the trophy after dropping the first two games of the Finals at home.

Michael Jordan’s 1993 Chicago Bulls and the 1995 Houston Rockets are the only other teams to win the first two games of the championship series on the road, and both went on to win titles.

The Knicks won their 13th straight game of the playoffs – the second-longest streak in postseason history – and will have a chance to close out their first title since 1973 in front of home fans at Madison Square Garden. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to be in attendance on Monday.

They had to withstand a scintillating fourth-quarter surge from the Spurs, who erased a 14-point deficit with a 14-0 scoring run.

Wembanyama shook off a slow start to score 22 of his 29 points in the second half, his three-point play with 57.3 seconds remaining giving the Spurs their first lead since the second quarter at 104-102.

It was tied at 104-104 with 9.5 seconds left when Wembanyama grabbed the rebound of a Brunson miss but turned it over with a bad pass into the back of teammate Stephon Castle.

Brunson scooped up the ball and was fouled then made the first of two free throws to put the Knicks back in front.

San Antonio had one last chance, coming out of a time out with 7.5 seconds left. They got the ball to their superstar but his jump shot clanged off the rim.

“I threw that one away,” 22-year-old Wembanyama said. “I messed up. We didn’t play great as a team. We needed to win that game.”

Read more‘We love Wemby’: San Antonio embraces French star ahead of NBA Finals

Karl-Anthony Towns, who led the Knicks with 21 points and 13 rebounds admitted he was praying when Wembanyama put the Spurs’ final attempt.

“A great player got a great shot, and it just didn’t go in,” Towns said.

‘What a ballgame’

For the second straight game Towns delivered a stellar defensive performance that pushed Wembanyama out of his comfort zone.

“He’s a once in a generation player,” Towns said. “You got to make it difficult on him. So, just utilizing my experience, utilizing my size, my skill, and just trying to make it difficult for him.

Brunson and Mikal Bridges scored 20 points each, OG Anunoby added 17 and Landry Shamet scored 13 off the bench for the Knicks.

Wembanyama added nine rebounds, four blocked shots and two steals, and De’Aaron Fox scored 20 points for the Spurs.

Desperate not to head back to New York in a 2-0 hole, the Spurs attacked the paint early.

Wembanyama thrilled Spurs fans at the Frost Bank Center – where Knicks supporters were a vocal presence — with his first basket of the night, a left-handed dunk that gave the Spurs a 15-10 lead.

Fox’s alley oop layup off a feed from Devin Vassell pushed the lead to 10 with less than two minutes to go in the first.

The Spurs pushed their lead to 12 before the Knicks responded in a tense second quarter, taking the lead for the first time, 49-48, on Landry Shamet’s layup with 3:39 left in the first half.

San Antonio regained the lead, but Towns’s three-pointer over Wembanyama gave the Knicks a 56-52 halftime advantage that they pushed to as many as 12 before taking an 84-75 lead into the fourth quarter.

“What a ballgame,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “It’s a fantastic ballgame. They made a run. We made a run. They made a run. We made a run.

“We could have folded a few times, but our guys just kept fighting … no matter what run they went on, no matter what time of the game, our guys just kept uplifting one another.”

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

The New York Knicks celebrate after Game 2 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the San Antonio Spurs, Friday, June 5, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

2026 NBA Finals schedule: San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks

SAN ANTONIO — New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson was neither offended nor frustrated when the San Antonio Spurs began intentionally fouling him in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday night.

While he did go 3 of 6 on free throws in the opening quarter, the Hack-a-Mitch strategy inspired Robinson and the rest of the Knicks.

“It means a lot when I ruin their strategy, but I mean, it seems like they just want me off the court,” Robinson said. “So, in my eyes, I feel like I’m a threat.”

NBA scores today: Spurs vs Knicks – Finals Game 2

“I can truly say I’ve seen it all… It’s wild.”

Mitchell Robinson talks about New York’s huge defensive stop to win Game 2, and reflects on his journey with the Knicks 👏

New York takes a 2-0 series lead in the NBA Finals! https://t.co/LDbSKsMxId pic.twitter.com/9uBFSFHBgs

— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2026

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Was he ever.

Robinson, Landry Shamet and the Knicks’ role players came up huge as New York held on to beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 for their 13th straight postseason victory and a 2-0 lead in the finals.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 21 points, but said in a postgame interview with ESPN that those players, along with the likes of Deuce McBride and Jose Alvarado, were the MVPs of the game.

“Our team play had got us here,” Towns said.

After Towns went to the bench with foul trouble and fellow All-Star Jalen Brunson was resting, Knicks coach Mike Brown went to his reserves and they rewarded him with a big burst.

READ: NBA Finals: Wembanyama, Spurs let Game 2 slip away

“Somebody is always there,” Brown said.

“Again, a lot of contributions from a lot of guys, and that’s why you like having a team, because it could be anybody’s night on any given night. Our guys don’t care. They sacrifice for one another and we found a way to get a win.”

New York’s bench accounted for 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Robinson defended Victor Wembanyama when the Spurs’ star missed a jumper that would have won the game.

“Our effort, it’s been crazy,” Robinson said. “We just came out there just fighting, you know, talking to each other. Communication, that’s been key for us.”

Clinging to a four-point lead late in the third quarter, the Knicks bridged the third and fourth quarters on an 11-3 run fueled by Robinson, Alvarado, McBride, Shamet and starting guard Mikal Bridges.

READ: NBA Finals: Knicks escape Spurs for 2-0 series lead

Shamet finished with 13 points, Robinson had seven, McBride added five and Alvardo had two. Shamet’s 3-pointer put New York ahead 87-75 a minute into the fourth quarter.

Bridges had four points, one assist and one rebound during the run and helped the Knicks hold the Spurs to 1-of-5 shooting.

“I think started just defensively getting stops,” Bridges said. “I think that’s the biggest thing, us getting stops and getting out. Just him giving me confidence to try to make the right play.”

Robinson did the same.

After thwarting the Hack-a-Mitch strategy in the first quarter, Robinson sealed the victory in the final minute with two defensive stands against Wembanyama.

With the game tied at 104, Wembanyama missed a 17-footer with 30 seconds remaining with Robinson defending. Wembanyama then missed a 20-footer with two seconds remaining and the Spurs trailing by one point.

“In my mind, I was just like, defend without fouling,” Robinson said. “So, that was kind of like how it went. Just great contest, and just kind of how it went.”

Enzo Maresca will take over from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City but he is yet to be announced. The club are still negotiating with Chelsea and have not been able to announce their new coach in a strange week at the Etihad that has involved a legal threat issued to Madrid.

The headlines from the chairman’s interview may be enough to reassure fans as he spoke about Guardiola’s successor and the transfer market in a detailed plan for the summer and what lies ahead, but there are still question marks over the squad as players prepare for the World Cup.

With so many questions to be answered, we’re hosting a weekly Q&A session with our chief City writer Simon Bajkowski. This is your chance to get an answer on anything you want – simply pop your question here and Simon will pick them all up and wrap everything up in one place.

Click here to find out the latest Manchester City news in our daily newsletter

As you would expect, the managerial appointment and City’s transfer plans feature heavily in this week’s list of questions.

Do you think there is a kind of “jumping ship” vibe in the locker room since Pep left? How does the club plan to keep being attractive? Walid

I have a question: is there a feeling that some City players do not have full trust in Maresca and his playing style? Or is it merely the feelings of them wanting to leave because Pep himself is leaving? Because the Gvardiol news is so confusing to me, he is a starter and I don’t think anyone would take his spot.. but the way the news is circulating made me truly confused. Rodri as well. Douaa

Let’s get straight to the biggest issues then. Rodri and Josko Gvardiol have both said things about their futures this week that have sounded less than committed to City and while some people love to blame misleading headlines or stories, they haven’t been able to in this case.

Both players have basically said they will not talk about their future until after the World Cup, while Rodri has added some cryptic comments that it is only the World Cup that has delayed a decision. The noises from both players have raised panic levels among some fans who think there could be an exodus to follow Guardiola out of the door.

I do wonder if either player would have said what they have said if Guardiola was still here, and it is very natural for footballers to consider their options when circumstances change. Former sporting director Txiki Begiristain described the summer after the Treble in 2023 as horrible, in a large part because players either wanted to move on having not been picked as much as they would have liked, or paid better to reflect their role in such phenomenal success.

Those feelings do not always make public consciousness so that is interesting this time, although it is a World Cup year and when I weigh it up I think they probably would have said the same in previous years. The manager wouldn’t have cared and the players would soon enough fall back into line on their return to Manchester.

That isn’t necessarily what will happen here, although I do think the most likely outcome in each case is Gvardiol and Rodri stay at City next season. Maresca is not Guardiola but he can still inspire players and there is also plenty more that the club has to offer – just ask Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, who joined in January knowing they would only have 18 months at most with the Catalan.

Rival clubs have looked to use Guardiola leaving to inch them ahead of City in transfer battles, but there isn’t any evidence yet that it is a factor and there is unlikely to be much that comes.

Are City expected to reach an agreement for Anderson by the end of next week if a deal is to be done? Is the compensation for Maresca expected to be agreed this week and announcement expected by the end of next week? Do City usually work on weekends when it comes to transfers, contract negotiations and more? JH

One thing that football journalists should not relish is ever giving timings. Regular readers of the Q&A may remember last week when the person writing this said that Maresca was expected to officially start in a few days; those have been and gone and there is still no announcement.

It’s fair to say that it has taken longer than was expected to sort out with Chelsea so that Maresca can take over, but then it’s also fair that given everybody knows it is happening it doesn’t really matter when the official statement comes as long as Maresca is in place in time next month for pre-season – although again, there should not be much waiting left.

As I write this on Friday afternoon, I would be surprised if there was a deal agreed for Elliot Anderson by the end of the week. However, I can exclusively reveal (I don’t think anyone has asked before) that people at City do work on weekends and they are still confident of landing Anderson.

Hi, Simon. I’d like to ask about Claudio Echeverri’s future and about Josko Gvardiol. What is the probability, in percentage terms, that Gvardiol will extend his contract? And what does the future hold for Claudio Echeverri at the club? Another loan? Thanks! Vladimir

There’s a chance Claudio Echeverri could impress Maresca in pre-season and stick around the first team squad, but given his position on the pitch he likely needs another loan – the loan that everyone was looking for last year – where he can shine regularly in attacking midfield at a good standard.

Gvardiol will be around unless he really wants to go and City receive an astronomical offer for him that barely any clubs in the game could. Whether he signs a new deal is another matter, but there is still confidence at City that he will even if more dialogue is needed.

Are City going to take legal action against Enrique Riquelme, or is the matter still under negotiation? Alex

There was definitely a threat of legal action, Alex, although I’m not sure it will be followed through. The statements from Erling Haaland’s agent and father were probably more in keeping with the general feeling, but the club sometimes have to send out strong reminders.

Riquelme could, of course, escalate the situation if he does any more, but with the election for the Real Madrid presidency at the end of this week there really isn’t long before he will in all likelihood become irrelevant again with Florentino Perez the favourite to keep his position. I think it’s more likely it is forgotten about.

We keep hearing about midfielders on a shortlist. Are these just Anderson alternatives, or players to be considered in addition to the main target? Jackson

There will have to be players that City go for if they can’t get Anderson so some names will be alternatives. However, to take Sandro Tonali as an example, my understanding is that it would not be linked to any move for Anderson.

Given the uncertainty in the midfield with uncertainty around Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic and Tijjani Reijnders, it shouldn’t really be a surprise that City are making plans to sign more than one midfielder in the summer window. At the same time, just because lists are made it doesn’t mean that they are followed through on and midfield in particular this summer will be an area where the club have to be reactive as well as proactive.

What are City’s true/realistic expectations over the next 12 months? Garry

Why is Vincent Kompany not being considered for manager? Stadium1

I thought I’d include these two together for a bit of fun around expectations. I think Vincent Kompany would be the top choice for every City fan and of course he has been considered for manager but the stars have not aligned this time, not least because he is very happy at Bayern Munich with work still to be done there.

Nobody is Pep Guardiola, but I think the expectations of the club will remain the same: to be competitive on all four fronts and try to win silverware. Given two cups were won last season, the league went to the final week and City were in the top eight in the first Champions League stage, that doesn’t feel unrealistic.