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Michael Hincks

@michaelhincks.bsky.social

838 followers 205 following 34 posts

Sports journalist | Mainly The i Paper - mainly football and tennis - following Aston Villa on their Champions League journey #AVFC Email: michael.hincks@theipaper.com | Open to talking about grief and loss 💜

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Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Something a little different 👣 Travel tips and lessons I've learned from every continent - ranging from ice cream flavours in Europe to carrying grief in my backpack in Antarctica #travel 🌎🌍🌏 #antarctica #japan #travelwriting #blueskytravel #traveltips #southamerica inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...

I’ve visited every continent – this is what each one has taught me

Africa gave Michael Hincks the travel bug when he was 16. Soon, he was five continents down and keen to complete the set

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Duran and McGinn wonder goals ⚽ Prince William the pundit 😲 Taylor in the Irish pubs ☘️ Mings learning a lesson 😬 Tinnies by superyachts 🛥️Booting balls in Bruges 🫣 Handbrot 🤤 How to sum up Aston Villa's Champions League journey? I tried 👇 #AVFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

I followed Aston Villa all over Europe this season - and learnt two huge lessons

Golazos, tinnies in Monaco and the tastiest delicacy I discovered on my travels - this was the journey of a lifetime for Villans

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

Bonjour, Paris 🇲🇫🌞 Not a bad #AVFC away day for work

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

👴 "Uncle? More like Grandad" Interview with Albert Adomah, aka "Uncs", aka the cult hero who works his socks off 🧦 Loved at Aston Villa, QPR, Boro and beyond, I in turn loved speaking to him about Walsall's nervy promotion push, that nickname + more 👇 #AVFC #Saddlers inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

'Uncle? I'm more like Grandad': The Aston Villa icon still starring in the EFL

Albert Adomah’s career has gone full circle, but ‘Uncs’ is not done yet as he leads Walsall’s push to reach League One – the only EFL division he is yet to feature in

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Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

🔥 "The torch is passing" 🍻 Sales up, bars thriving 😎 The city's feel-good factor The sun is shining on Nottingham, where Forest fans who recall 33p pints are finally close to sharing a European journey with the next generation #NFFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

'A pint was 33p!': The Nottingham Forest fans ready for new Euro tales

The sun is shining on Nottingham, where belief is growing every week

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

🌞 Jaysus, this ground on a day like this At the god-tier City Ground for a wait-what-top-four showdown between Nottingham Forest and Man City For @ipapersport.bsky.social #NFFC

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

I've watched every minute of Marcus Rashford's loan spell at Aston Villa 🧐 🔢 Here's a game-by-game breakdown And what I'd do if I were England boss Thomas Tuchel... 👇 #AVFC #MUFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Should England pick Rashford? I watched every minute of him at Villa to find out

Rashford is back in the conversation - here's how he is faring at Aston Villa game-by-game during his loan spell away from Man Utd

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Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Huzzah Harry Kane’s trophy curse is about to end ⚡ Every football supporter - or at least every non-Arsenal-supporting England fan - should celebrate #Bayern #BayernMunich inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Harry Kane’s curse is about to end - every rational fan should celebrate

Kane’s long wait for a trophy should soon be over – and the England great could even double up at Bayern Munich this season

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Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

😲 26 May 2018 - the day Marco Asensio won the Champions League for a second time + the day Aston Villa lost the Championship final to Fulham A deep dive on this unlikely union, seven years on, six games down, and four goals later... #AVFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

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Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

That miss Two assists Chances Argy bargy William Osula's all-action display was some watch, and you can tell Eddie Howe just loves working with him Analysis + quotes from the #NUFC boss below inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Newcastle’s livewire with ‘rough edges’ has the makings of a fan favourite

William Osula’s all-action display includes a miss-of-the-season contender, two assists and an admirable desire to berate his older teammates

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

👍 Lots of space, easy to watch Brits 👎 Fans making... noises Attending #AusOpen as a fan was enlightening - it helped me realise what makes Wimbledon great, but what it really, really lacks as well And it's something they are trying to address... inews.co.uk/sport/tennis...

My trip to the Australian Open showed exactly what's wrong with Wimbledon

The respectful silence at Wimbledon is preferable to some of the sounds I heard in Melbourne, but overall the Australian Open is a better experience for punters

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

🎁 There's only thing Reading fans want for Christmas... The festive twist on Sell Before We Dai's latest protests against the ownership of Dai Yongge and CEO Dayong Pang "They can still come off the naughty list..." #ReadingFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

'Reading's last Christmas?': Furious fans protest outside homes of AWOL owners

Sell Before We Dai say there is still time for Reading owner Dai Yongge and CEO Dayong Pang to ‘come off the naughty list’ this Christmas

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

The problems run beyond Gary O'Neil... Fosun Group's ethos has filtered through to the Wolves players They aren't playing for the badge, they're playing to be the next £50m transfer away #WWFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Doomed Wolves have too many stars who don't care about the badge

Wolves’ problems go far beyond Gary O’Neil – Fosun Group’s approach means players are only enticed by the prospect of being the next £50m transfer away

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

🗣️ “We do like a soap opera down The Den" Thanks to @achtungmillwall.bsky.social's Nick Hart for helping me untangle the drama at Millwall: 🔹 "Thickos" 🔹 Jose Mourinho 🔹 Admirers of Brentford And crucially, the departure of Neil Harris, aka Mr #MillwallFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Life after Neil Harris is Millwall’s biggest leap into the unknown yet

Admirers of the Brentford blueprint, Millwall are eager to evolve – and that ultimately alienated 'the biggest figure in the club’s history'

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Credit to Matty Cash, a winner of last night's tactical tweak which played to his strengths and saw him deliver a quality performance He has his critics, so deserves praise when he comes good Analysis from Leipzig #AVFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

‘He was fantastic’: The Aston Villa star who silenced his critics in new role

Matty Cash silences critics in the Champions League win at RB Leipzig thanks to a strong display in a system that suits his strengths

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Canals and markets 😍 Leipzig will feel like a home from home for Brummies tomorrow Aston Villa fans, for das love of god, get this heavenly square of bread, cheese, and chicken (curry flavour, too...) from a stall by the statue of Goethe. Best €7 I've spent 🤤 #AVFC #Leipzig

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Constants and variables 🧪 Ruben Amorim is in the early stages, but there's one constant that will keep ruining his Man Utd experiment #MUFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

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Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

🐺 Gary O'Neil's Wolves future assessed 3⃣ contenders to replace him and 3⃣ outcomes to Monday's match vs West Ham - one being both managers getting sacked. I explain why/how that could happen 👇 Thanks to #WWFC fan "Dazzling Dave" yet again! inews.co.uk/sport/wolves...

Gary O'Neil's Wolves future assessed - and three managers who could replace him

Wolves fans are ‘absolutely staggered’ O’Neil is still in charge and want a former Porto boss to replace him - not David Moyes or Graham Potter

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

An ugly win would have masked the problems - a draw in that manner exposes them Analysis from Selhurst Park as Newcastle have zero shots on target and plenty of issues to address - namely their lack of creativity and where exactly to play their captain #NUFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Bruno Guimaraes' new role further exposes Newcastle's big issue

Newcastle fail to register a shot on target at Crystal Palace, meaning the midfield headache goes on for Eddie Howe

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Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Evidently, Leicester City liked what they saw Man Utd's two wins over #LCFC under Ruud van Nistelrooy contributed to some stats that defied #MUFC's time under Erik ten Hag - but backed what RvN had achieved at PSV On what Leicester can expect 👇 inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

What Ruud van Nistelrooy will bring to Leicester - and if it will work

Van Nistelrooy’s Manchester United side were typically efficient and Leicester City must follow suit to stay in the Premier League

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

A draw against Juve 👍 Seven games without a win 👎 That is the longest winless run of the Emery era at Aston Villa - and poor form requires a drastic change I think that means a bold call in midfield Piece from Villa Park #AVFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

The difficult call Unai Emery faces after Aston Villa enter new territory

Villa’s seven-match winless run is their longest since Emery took charge – it’s no quick fix, but the answer is surely a midfield change

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

A bit of analysis below the news on Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic's union being 25 years in the making And why Murray has been a coach and mentor to many already: just ask Nick Kyrgios, or any GB teammate #Djokovic inews.co.uk/sport/tennis...

Andy Murray to coach Novak Djokovic at Australian Open

Djokovic and Murray confirmed the shock announcement on Saturday

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Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Robert Sanchez caused a storm when all was calm In a league of fine margins, a goalkeeper shake-up may not be the worst thing for Chelsea, who are the best of the rest and unlikely to trouble #LFC and #MCFC with Sanchez in goal #CFC #LEICHE inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Chelsea will remain best of the rest unless they address obvious flaw

A goalkeeper shake-up may not be the worst thing for Chelsea after Robert Sanchez caused a storm when all was calm

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Mainly football, sometimes tennis. 🎾 So, tennis, and an attempt to sum up Emma Raducanu's season while trying and failing to ignore her trolls Her recent quotes were deemed arrogant, but it's an essential mindset, and her 2024 record against top-50 players: impressive inews.co.uk/sport/tennis...

What Emma Raducanu's critics fail to understand about her 'arrogance'

Raducanu ends the season with a positive record against top 50 players this year, giving her an obvious and achievable target for 2025

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

What’s holding West Ham and Crystal Palace back from hiring Graham Potter? Well. Several factors I think, and the longer time goes on, the longer the former Chelsea boss is in danger of becoming yesterday’s man(ager) #WHUFC #CPFC #CFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

What's holding West Ham and Palace back from hiring Graham Potter

The former Chelsea boss is in danger of becoming yesterday’s man

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Reposted by Michael Hincks

Kat Lucas @kat-lucas.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

'Welcome to hell' A long read on football in the occupied West Bank, Palestine. Thanks to those who shared their stories - on stadiums tear-gassed and bulldozed, friends killed and careers destroyed. inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Welcome to 'hell': The Palestinian footballers desperate to leave the West Bank

As violence escalates 60 miles from Gaza, players stuck in the West Bank hope to escape the occupied territory before it is too late

Reposted by Michael Hincks

James Gray @jamesgraysmith.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

It's by no means exhaustive, but I've had a crack at a starter pack of all the (UK-ish) football journalists on here. (And because I am stuck in the 1990s, it's quite mainstream media leaning. Sorry.) Addition suggestions welcome. go.bsky.app/EQvrWeM

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Crystal Palace have seemingly chosen stick, so how does Oliver Glasner get them out of this mess? He'll have been searching for inspiration on the driving range, most likely, based on his recent talk about leadership with students at KCL #CPFC piece for the i inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Oliver Glasner turns to padel and golf in search for Crystal Palace inspiration

Palace are seemingly sticking with Glasner, the beleaguered boss who recently spoke to students at King's College London about leadership

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

The answer to problems at Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Real Madrid and Barcelona goes by one name Murillo At this rate, I reckon a bidding war could see Nottingham Forest land a world-record fee for a defender - but #NFFC have no need to rush #LFC #CFC #MCFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

The 'all-action' Nottingham Forest star wanted by Chelsea and Real Madrid

Murillo’s rapid rise could see the Brazilian eventually command a world-record transfer fee for a defender

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

🤔 West Ham? Wolves? Crystal Palace? Ruud van Nistelrooy’s cameo at Manchester United should alert Premier League clubs considering their options Personally, the more I wrote this, the more #WHUFC made sense - agree? #MUFC #CPFC #WWFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

West Ham? Wolves? Where next for Ruud van Nistelrooy after Man Utd exit

Van Nistelrooy’s cameo at Manchester United puts his name into the hat at Premier League clubs considering their options

Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

So my feed is mainly dogs and cats, and now raccoons I'm not mad

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Michael Hincks @michaelhincks.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Giving this a go. I like writing. I like sport. I like writing about sport mainly for the brilliant i paper Earlier this week I wrote an apology to Ipswich Town and Leicester City, who are defying pre-season expectations - with some numbers to prove it #ITFC #LCFC inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

We all owe Leicester and Ipswich an apology

Unless this seven-way relegation scrap quickly dwindles in numbers, Leicester and Ipswich have every reason to believe they can defy pre-season expectations