All posts by h716a5.icu

Australian batsman Darren Lehmann hopes to overcome a minor hamstring niggle before Saturday’s sixth one-day clash with South Africa as the tourists try to assemble a fully fit squad for the first time.

Michael Crutcher04-Apr-2002Australian batsman Darren Lehmann hopes to overcome a minor hamstring niggle before Saturday’s sixth one-day clash with South Africa as the tourists try to assemble a fully fit squad for the first time.Australia has been without at least one player for the opening five matches, including Shane Warne and Michael Bevan, but has still surged to a 4-0 series lead following last night’s emphatic eight-wicket triumph in Durban.Lehmann was the only casualty last night after failing a fitness test before the match, but he would not have figured in the batting because Australia needed just four batsmen to wipe off the victory target of 268 runs.Ricky Ponting’s team will again start short-priced favourites in Port Elizabeth on Saturday against a South African team which has exhausted almost every selection option in trying to find a way through the Australians.South African selectors have used 16 players in the five matches, including newcomers Graeme Smith and Jon Kent as they look towards their hosting role in the World Cup in 10 months.But captain Shaun Pollock insisted the Proteas would benefit from the series loss because they could learn more about the best team in world cricket.”It might take until three or four weeks after the series has finished, after we step back, but we can only improve from playing against a team like Australia,” Pollock said.Pollock said Australia’s more experienced bowling attack had proven the most significant difference between the teams in this series with the likes of Glenn McGrath, Warne and Jason Gillespie.But Pollock was reluctant to say whether South Africa’s most experienced bowler Allan Donald should be recalled after recovering from a hamstring injury whichprompted him to retire from Test cricket.Donald has declared his fitness and questioned whether South African selectors wanted him for the World Cup.

The Pakistan A team is soon to arrive in Colombo where they will play threeunofficial Test Matches and three One-Day matches

CricInfo06-Jun-2001The Pakistan A team is soon to arrive in Colombo where they will play threeunofficial Test Matches and three One-Day matches. The Sri Lankan coach,Hemantha Devapriya, who played first class cricket for Colts Cricket Club asa wicket keeper batsman and joined the rebel tour of South Africa in 1983,is looking forward to the three-week tour despite the inclement weatherwhich has marred preparations.Devapriya believes that members of the final A team squad, which is topicked from a 27-man training pool shortly, have a chance to push for placesin the senior team. “It’s a good opportunity for these youngsters to putpressure on the national side. The players are very keen to perform and thenational players will have to be on their toes. With a triangular and Testseries so soon after they have a great opportunity to further theircareers.””There is plenty of talent in the side including many players who haverepresented Sri Lanka in the national level before like Tilan Samaraweera,Avishka Gunawardene, T.M. Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Lanka de Silva, AkalankaGanegama, Indika Gallage, Dilhara Fernando, and Prasanna Jayawardene.”The selectors are keen to unearth a partner for Muralitharan and a middleorder batsman,” he revealed. “It is up to the players to prove themselves.”Pakistan too has named a strong 15-man squad. Ten members have representedPakistan at international level and some played in Sri Lanka last yearduring the Under 19 World Cup.”We are looking forward to win, but you know, the “A” team concept is notonly about winning,” he said. “We want to give the players a chance toimprove their skills. The main idea of the A team is to give exposure tothese youngsters and provide them a chance to prove themselves.”The players have had some match practice in Mercantile Cricket Tournament,but team practice has been restricted because of the poor weather in SriLanka recently. Most of the training has taken place indoors. Indeed, theconditions have been so bad that the first Test Match on June 13th will nowbe played in Dambulla, which is situated in a dry zone.”During the last few weeks we haven’t been able to train outdoors as muchas we would have liked to. We have been restricted to practicing indoors andhave been having very short practice sessions. It’s been verydisappointing.”Interestingly, the tour represents a significant turnaround in policy, asSri Lanka’s cricket authorities have decided to move away from thetraditional preference for preparing slow spinning tracks, surfaces whichhave discouraged the faster men from really bending their backs.”The selectors, the board and everyone is keen that we play on goodwickets,” revealed Devpriya. ” We want a little bit of grass and some bouncein the wicket to give some encouragement to the faster bowlers. In fact, wehave been preparing on some grassy surfaces as well. I am sure that thecurators can provide the fair wickets that we need.Pakistan arrive in Sri Lanka on June 10th and the First Test Match inDambulla will be played June 13th.

A number of Sunderland supporters have been left fuming after Chris Maguire didn’t even feature in the playoff loss to Lincoln City.

The Black Cats faced a huge game on Wednesday evening, making the trip to Lincoln for the first leg of their League One playoff semi-final.

It proved to be an extremely disappointing night for Lee Johnson’s side, however, who ended up losing 2-0, giving them a lot of work to do ahead of Saturday’s second leg clash.

One person who didn’t play any part in proceedings was Maguire, who has scored 28 goals in 123 appearances for Sunderland, also registering 26 assists.

When the Black Cats needed a goal, Johnson failed to turn to the experienced Scot, which appeared to be an odd decision, given his pedigree.

It remains to be seen if Maguire is used in the second leg, but it is clearly a decision that many fans would go with.

Sunderland fans angry at Maguire decision

These Sunderland supporters let their feelings to known on Twitter, criticising the decision.

“At the sixty-minute mark last night, you can bet that Chris Maguire was sitting on the bench thinking, ‘Come on, gaffer. Bring me on. I can make a difference here. This is my kind of situation’. Lee Johnson’s treatment of him continues to baffle me”

Credit: @Philip_RJ89

“Chris Maguire needs to start on Saturday”

Credit: @SAFC_Niall

“The whole Maguire thing at SAFC is just weird. You aren’t going to bring him on to see the game out when you’re 1-0 up so surely he’s on the bench for situations like last night where you need a goal. Why have him in the squad at all if he’s just gonna be ignored?”

Credit: @garethhern

“Johnson has been a disgrace in how he has handled the Maguire situation. His own ego has cost the club dearly. Maguire would run through walls for safc yet can get a start…. it’s personal”

Credit: @DarkKnightFTM

“Can’t decide what’s a bigger disgrace, our performance or the fact Maguire wasn’t given 1 minute”

Credit: @davidroper88

“A good manager gets the most from what he has. No one at all can tell me that Johnson is doing that. The treatment of Maguire is insane”

Credit: @_toosb

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have shared their delight on social media at another documentary series based on the Eagles.

Palace confirmed last week that a docuseries, When Eagles Dare, will launch on Amazon Prime Video on June 4th, but it seems as if another show is in the works.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Channel 4 have begun filming a new fly-on-the-wall series, looking at the club’s academy.

The report suggests that cameras will be around for the next year or so for the behind-the-scenes show, focusing on the Eagles’ Under-18 and Under-23 sides.

The current working title for the series is thought to be simply The Academy.

Palace fans react

@cpfc_xtra shared the Daily Mail’s report on Tuesday lunchtime, and it didn’t take long for a number of Palace supporters to interact with the post.

This is what some fans had to say on plans for another series on the club, with one describing the club as ‘massive’ following the news.

“This is madness”Credit: @CPFCMax03″This & When Eagles Dare. Absolute scenes.”Credit: @GladAllOver_”We are massive”Credit: @WillR1991″We are a humongous football club”Credit: @osian_davis”Actually sounds good tbf”Credit: @danofthesouth_”Steve Parish has been doing wonders off the field on the publicity side of things. Hope we reap the rewards financially. We’re massive!!!!”Credit: @cjbearcpfc

In other news: Many Palace fans fume at update on managerial target, find out more here. 

Leeds United need to sign a midfielder who is arguably even ‘better’ than Kalvin Phillips this summer, according to former Whites goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

The Lowdown: Too much reliance on Phillips

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have excelled in their first season back in the Premier League, with Phillips undoubtedly one of Leeds’ star men.

The 25-year-old has been an influential performer in the middle of the park, starting 25 matches and giving himself an excellent chance of making England’s Euro 2020 squad in the coming weeks.

Phillips is arguably relied upon too much, however, with his absence in last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat away to Brighton proving costly.

The Latest: Kenny calls for top-class midfield signing

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny believes Bielsa should not only look at bringing in someone who could be an effective backup in midfield, and possibly even a superior player to Phillips:

“He’s now in the England squad and proving what an unbelievable talent he is, and he’s still young. He’s a very important player for Leeds.

“He came through at Leeds when I was there. You could see he had something about him.

“Maybe they need to get someone in who is as good if not better than Phillips to fill in if they do need to cover for him.”

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The Verdict

In truth, Leeds will do well to sign a better player than Phillips this summer, considering what a top-quality performer he has become, whether it be his use of the ball – 1.3 key passes per game in the league this season – energy or leadership.

Acquiring the services of a player who can dovetail with the Englishman is key, however, fitting seamlessly into the team when he’s not there.

Leeds have lost seven of the nine games Phillips hasn’t featured in this season, which says all you need to know about how invaluable he is, and how insufficient the backup quality is.

Competition for places can only be healthy moving forward, ensuring individuals don’t rest on their laurels – even someone of Phillips’ importance.

In other news, one pundit has made a key claim over Marcelo Bielsa’s future at Leeds. Read more here.

Responding to a West Ham supporter’s question on Twitter, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has dropped an enticing injury claim involving Declan Rice, Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Cresswell, believing that the trio are likely to be available again before the end of the season.

ExWHUemployee drops enticing injury claim

Currently beset with injuries throughout the squad in key positions, David Moyes has remained cryptic regarding the timescale of the trio’s respective returns.

West Ham are also missing Michail Antonio, and while Ex doubts whether the 31-year-old will be able to feature before the end of the campaign, he is more optimistic regarding Rice, Masuaku and Cresswell. When asked as to the likelihood of the Irons’ injured contingent being available for their Champions League push, the insider replied: “Yes I think so! Only one I doubt is Antonio”.

ExWHUemployee’s belief comes as an encouraging one despite his rather pessimistic claim on Antonio, with Moyes needing to get the likes of Rice and Cresswell back as soon as possible.

Transfer Tavern take

Both Englishmen have been mainstays for the Hammers this season, especially the 22-year-old midfielder, and West Ham’s fragility in defence without them has been obvious for all to see. Moyes’ men have conceded eight goals in their last four Premier League matches without Rice protecting the back four in defensive midfield alongside Tomas Soucek.

Meanwhile, Masuaku has been a constant starter whenever he has been fit to feature during a disrupted 2020/21 campaign.

As a result, Irons supporters will be praying that he and Cresswell are back as soon as possible, and could be encouraged by this suggestion that they should play a part before the end of the season.

In other news: Expert backs Bundesliga ace to join West Ham, find out more here.

In a recent meeting with fans, Southampton CEO Martin Semmens has claimed that he believes Danny Ings will not only stay at St Mary’s this summer but could finish his career with the Saints, which would be a huge boost for Ralph Hasenhuttl.

As per Hampshire Live, Semmens said: “I think Danny probably will [sign the contract]. He has been really open and clear with his communication with the club about what he wants to do.

“He is working hard with us. He is committed to us. He is not a robot, he doesn’t do what we tell him to do. Danny will make his own choice.

“But if you ask me now, I think Danny will be with us to the end of his career. But remember, they have their own desires.

“Danny has never done anything but be incredibly hard-working and be committed to this club.”

Southampton have been in discussions with the 28-year-old over a new contract for some time now, although the England international has reportedly made it clear that he is keen to play in Europe next season.

The likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have both been linked with a move for the striker, who has impressed since joining the Saints for £20m in the summer of 2019 following a successful loan spell from Liverpool.

In total, the former Burnley striker has made 96 appearances for the Saints, in which he has contributed 44 goals and 10 assists, which includes the 22 goals he scored in the top flight last season, a tally which saw him finish as the joint-second top scorer in the division.

Although he has struggled to match those numbers this term, with injury problems disrupting his campaign, he is still currently leading the scoring charts in Hasenhuttl’s squad with 10 Premier League goals to his name.

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Therefore, if Southampton can convince him to sign a new deal, with his current contract set to expire at the end of next season, it would undoubtedly be a huge boost for Hasenhuttl as it would make it significantly harder for clubs such as Spurs to prise him away this summer.

If Ings does end up finishing his career with the south coast club, there is no reason why he won’t be remembered as a Southampton legend, especially if he continues his impressive form in front of goal for another few years.

In other news… Southampton suffer devastating transfer setback to “unbelievable” gem, Hasenhuttl must be fuming

Marcel Brands will have his work cut out trying to seal a summer transfer of Max Aarons with Everton reportedly reluctant to pay Norwich City’s demands.

What’s the word?

According to The Times, the Canaries are set to demand around £30m to sell Aarons at the end of the season, which has been deemed too much by the Goodison Park hierarchy.

The Toffees intend to drive a hard bargain in hopes of landing Carlo Ancelotti his new right-back, amid the Italian’s rumoured plans to discover Seamus Coleman’s long-term successor.

Everton rate Aarons highly and are claimed to feel the England U21 international has the ability to deliver a similar impact to Ben Godfrey, who sealed a £20m move from Carrow Road in October.

Ancelotti has often been awash with praise for Godfrey, who has become a fan favourite over his 27 appearances in royal blue to date, despite not being a player fixed on the Italian tactician’s radar before his arrival.

Aarons is now said to be keen on joining his former teammate at Goodison Park, despite Norwich looking set to secure an immediate return to the Premier League with Daniel Farke’s side eight points clear at the top of the Championship standings.

Everton have identified alternative options to Aarons, should the Canaries prove unwilling to lower their asking price, and have been linked with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Tariq Lamptey as well as Diogo Dalot of Manchester United.

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Reports have claimed that Everton would face a similar £30m asking price to sign Lamptey, who Ancelotti is also believed to have reservations over signing due to the Seagulls right-back’s height.

Should Everton meet Norwich’s Aarons demands?

It remains to be seen how highly Everton value Aarons and how close their stance is to Norwich’s asking price, but the distance between their valuations marks a huge blow to Brands’ efforts of improving Ancelotti’s right-back options.

Norwich will be in a strong position to hold firm in their demands come the end of the season should they fulfil their promotion push, which would need a devastating turn of events to miss out on with a 15-point lead over the Play-Off places with seven games to go.

Aarons is also under contract at Carrow Road through to the summer of 2024 to see that the Canaries are in no position where they must sell this summer, and will certainly be reluctant to part ways with the defender starting all 40 available Championship fixtures this term.

Everton can take a lot of encouragement from Aarons being keen on a move to Goodison Park, though even that is unlikely to play to their advantage unless the 21-year-old is willing to hand in a transfer request to force through a move.

It was a slightly different story in October when Everton were able to drive down Norwich’s asking price for Godfrey from £30m to seal a £20m move following their relegation, and clearly now face an uphill task to land a player Farke calls “outstanding” in Aarons.

AND in other news, Marcel Brands could hand Carlo Ancelotti his own Dayot Upamecano with £7m Everton transfer…

According to journalist Christian Falk, speaking to Bild (via Sport Witness), RB Leipzig ‘might be willing to talk’ to Tottenham Hotspur over a swap for manager Julian Nagelsmann – with the Bundesliga side apparently determined to keep him away from Bayern Munich. 

Nagelsmann has been heavily linked with the possible Lilywhites vacancy for a while, depending on current boss Jose Mourinho’s situation in north London.

The Portuguese has been under mounting pressure recently following a string of matches without victory, the latest being a 2-2 draw away to Everton. 

Falk drops enticing Nagelsmann claim

Now, bringing an update on Nagelsmann’s situation, Falk has dropped an enticing claim that an agreement for him to potentially become Spurs’ next boss after Mourinho is very much ‘possible’ – especially considering how Leipzig seem desperate to keep him away from Bayern.

“It’s clear his (Mourinho’s) hours are counting down,” he told BILD (via Sport Witness).

“It is no secret that Brendan Rodgers was actually the dream solution, but he has a contract with Leicester until 2025, so he is not available.

“Therefore, they (Tottenham) sound out the market and Julian Nagelsmann is a name that comes up again and again.

“I heard in Leipzig that if Bayern call, they won’t give him away because they don’t want to let him leave for their direct rivals in Germany, but if they call from England, I heard they might be willing to talk.

“If they pay a transfer fee – and Tottenham have the money – it’s possible.”

Transfer Tavern take

The 33-year-old has garnered a reputation as one of the most exciting coaching talents in Europe, and for this reason among many others, we believe he should be the prime managerial candidate if Mourinho does leave.

He has also been described as ‘fearless’ by those who have worked under his management, and that mentality is arguably very much needed in north London right now, where Spurs too often look scared to attack under Mourinho.

Among the likes of Maurizio Sarri and Brendan Rodgers, who have also been linked, Nagelsmann certainly sticks out from the crowd as a fresh and exciting option.

In other news: Levy still in race to sign 6 foot 2 ‘phenomenon’, find out more here.

Phil Hay has hinted that Stuart Dallas could take up a midfield role in Leeds United’s Premier League clash on Friday night.

The Whites are back in action on Friday, making the trip to Craven Cottage to take on Scott Parker’s relegation-threatened Fulham.

Fulham’s form has improved in recent months, however, so Marcelo Bielsa’s men will have their work cut out picking up a positive result in west London.

The Leeds manager has a few selection headaches going into the game and one of them could be his use of Dallas, who has often played at left-back this season, among other positions.

Hay hints at Dallas midfield role

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic, Hay explained that he could see Dallas taking up a central midfield role against Fulham instead of Mateusz Klich:

“I’d say it’s likely that Dallas will play at 8. His form is better than Klich’s at the moment.”

Dallas has been described as “brilliant” by former Whites striker Noel Whelan in recent weeks, having become such a reliable performer for the club.

Transfer Tavern take

Midfield is one of several roles Dallas has occupied this season, as mentioned, so there is no risk in switching him from a left-back berth.

That would then mean Ezgjan Alioski starting at the back, as he did in last weekend’s 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea – a clean sheet against Thomas Tuchel’s high-fliers is no mean feat.

In other news, Leeds have been tipped to make a move for a hugely experienced Premier League defender this summer. Read about it here.