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The Logan Cup competition for this season would be very exciting, were it not for the fact that Mashonaland are once again almost certain to win

John Ward26-Oct-2002The Logan Cup competition for this season would be very exciting, were it not for the fact that Mashonaland are once again almost certain to win. The other three teams are very evenly matched; Midlands looked the strongest of the three at the start of the season but have not yet lived up to their potential, while Manicaland, perhaps the weakest on paper, secured a narrow victory over Midlands last weekend.The table, compiled by ZCU administration manager Ian Robinson, is produced below. 12 points are awarded for a win and 3 for a draw.

Bonus   PenaltyP    W    L    D    Bat  Bowl   Pts   TOTALMashonaland         2    2    -    -     8     7    0.5    38.5Manicaland          2    1    1    -     5     5    2      20Midlands            2    -    1    1     5     7    0.5    14.5Matabeleland        2    -    1    1     4     7    0.5    13.5

This weekend sees the third round out of six; the competition will be completed after the World Cup in April. Mashonaland play Midlands at home, while Manicaland travel to Bulawayo to play Matabeleland.Last year Midlands would have won the Logan Cup had not an over-generous declaration by Mashonaland A handed the senior Mashonaland side victory almost on a plate, an event that still rankles in Kwekwe. However, in their match against Mashonaland they were heavily defeated by 248 runs at Harare Sports Club. Craig Evans scored 163 and the all-round strength of the champions, even without their Test players, was too great for Midlands.Midlands have in fact lost all three of their matches against Mashonaland of first-class status heavily, with last year’s actually being the smallest margin of defeat. Their ultimate humiliation came in the first encounter on a rogue pitch at Harare Sports Club in 1999/2000, when Gus Mackay took an astounding 11 wickets for just 35 runs and they were bowled out for 31 and 56. The strip at headquarters is now much more in favour of the batsman, so such an event is unlikely to recur, but perhaps it is realistic to say that, barring unusual happenings, the best Midlands can hope for is a draw, or at least a smaller margin of defeat than before.Key players for Midlands are all-rounder Doug Marillier and left-arm spinner Raymond Price, who will hope the pitch will give him the same help as it gave spinners in the Mashonaland-Matabeleland match. Campbell Macmillan will also be looking to impress the selectors after his fin all-round performance against Manicaland. But the loss of captain Dirk Viljoen and all-rounder Travis Friend through injury is yet another example of how Lady Luck seems to have a special hatred for the underdog. No doubt they will also lose the toss . . .Mashonaland for their part have dropped Stuart Carlisle, out of form, which makes it unlikely that he will be selected against Pakistan, and surely not as captain in place of the injured Heath Streak. He is replaced by Darlington Matambanadzo, who has been in fine form for the Mashonaland B side and has thoroughly earned his promotion. With the Flower brothers and Craig Evans in the middle order, Mashonaland have a batting line-up that overawes the opposition. In the past two seasons, though, they have frequently begun a match feebly, perhaps through complacency, only to recover in the second innings. It could recur again, although this season they have got on top of the opposition right from the start and never relaxed.In Bulawayo the match should be much closer. Since Manicaland won first-class status in 1999/2000, the teams have met three times, with two draws and Manicaland winning the only match to produce a definite result, interestingly enough at a neutral venue in Harare in that first season. Last season rain in Mutare helped Matabeleland to avoid defeat after being forced to follow on. Neil Ferreira (210) and Paul Strang (154) put Manicaland in a dominant position, and both are playing again this year.Ferreira especially will be looking for a big score after struggling so far this season. Manicaland do not have a daunting bowling attack, but achieved their success against Midlands last weekend through the virtues of line and length. Pommie Mbangwa, hopefully fit again, can do the same for Matabeleland, who strengthen their pace attack by promoting Piet Rinke, recently of the CFX Academy, in place of spinner Keith Dabengwa, who is twelfth man. Rinke took 15 wickets with his seamers in his team’s defeat by Mashonaland B last weekend.With the bat Matabeleland still miss their star player Greg Strydom with an ankle injury and are over-reliant on their opening pair of Gavin Rennie and Mark Vermeulen. The middle order is talented but not yet likely to produce centuries. For the consistent Barney Rogers, very much in the eye of the selectors, there could be nothing better than a maiden first-class century this weekend. This match at least should be engrossing.The nominated teams are as follows:Mashonaland: Trevor Gripper, Dion Ebrahim, Darlington Matambanadzo, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Craig Evans, +Tatenda Taibu, Andy Blignaut, *Brian Murphy, Gus Mackay, Alfred Mbwembwe.Midlands: Terry Duffin, Vusi Sibanda, *Doug Marillier, Craig Wishart, Sean Ervine, David Mutendera, +Alester Maregwede, Don Campbell, Raymond Price, Innocent Chinyoka, Campbell Macmillan.Matabeleland: Gavin Rennie, Mark Vermeulen, Charles Coventry, Barney Rogers, Andre Hoffman, Mluleki Nkala, Gavin Ewing, +Wisdom Siziba, Piet Rinke, *Pommie Mbangwa, Jordane Nicolle.Manicaland: +Neil Ferreira, Richie Sims, Alistair Campbell, Guy Whittall, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Guy Croxford, Blessing Mahwire, Paul Strang, Gary Brent, Kingsley Went, *Henry Olonga.B DIVISION TEAMSMatches:
Midlands B v Manicaland B, at Kwekwe Sports ClubMasvingo v Mashonaland B, at MasvingoBye: Matabeleland BAn interesting inclusion in Midlands B is that of Greg Lamb, a former very promising Academy player who has returned to the country after a couple of years in England.Mashonaland B: *Ryan Butterworth, Stuart Carlisle, +Glenn Goosen, Conan Brewer, Brendan Taylor, Tom Benade, Stephen Marillier, Kuda Samundere, Neeten Chouhan, Nyasha Chari, Waddington Mwayenga.Manicaland B: Paxton Chatora, +Kudzai Taibu, Shepherd Makunura, *Glen Barrett, Gerald Makota, Edward Matsikenyeri, Farai Chari, Bright Benhura, Leon Soma, Alec Taylor, Justin Lewis.Midlands B: Luther Mutyambizi, Admire Marodza, Greg Lamb, James Cornford, *John Vaughan-Davies, Colin Delport, Innocent Chikunya, Ryan Bennett, Ian Coulson, Mark Levendale, Ed Rainsford.Masvingo: Archibald Chirinda, Chamu Chibhabha, *Norbert Manyande, Amos Maungwa, Mufaro Chiturumani, Jemton Chinyengetere, Takawira Mundure, +Elliot Rutsate, Arnold Rushambwa, Hilary Matanga, Robertson Chiyengetere.

Sunderland fans have been reacting to the news that Tom Sloanes has resigned from the club’s Board of Directors with immediate effect.

The Black Cats suffered heartbreak last term. They appeared to be on the verge of automatic promotion to the Championship, but a poor run of form saw them drop into the play-offs instead. There, they lost to Lincoln City in the semi-finals, and their hopes were therefore over.

Sunderland will be aiming to go up again this year. There has been a lot of change at the club recently, in particular with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus replacing Stewart Donald as the club’s owner. There has now been another exit, as well, with the club confirming Sloanes has left his role at the Stadium of Light (safc.com).

The news was shared on Sunderland’s official Twitter account, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Sloanes exit below

“good riddance”

Credit: @JGibson93

“Hahaha cya”

Credit: @jaker1602

“Great news – less than useless”

Credit: @clockstand78

“Won’t be missed”

Credit: @76skelly

“One less hanger-on”

Credit: @StewHellens

“Good riddance wont be missed”

Credit: @CarEnth48296881

In other news, this man has signed a new contract at Sunderland.

Crystal Palace have interviewed Swansea City manager Steve Cooper and are split on whether to offer him the Selhurst Park job.

And, as to be expected, a number of Palace fans have been giving their thoughts on the off-field development on social media.

According to Football Insider, who were informed by a source, the Eagles board were impressed with the 41-year-old.

However, the report adds that the Palace hierarchy are 50/50 on whether to hand the Welshman the job. Some believe he is the perfect man to take over from Roy Hodgson, however, others want a boss with Premier League experience.

Cooper has been at the Liberty Stadium since 2019 and has taken charge of over 100 games as Swansea boss, leading them to the Championship playoff final last year.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the news on Cooper on Wednesday evening. This is what these Eagles supporters had to say in reply, with a number of fans against a deal for the Swansea boss.

“Please no anyone but him”Credit: @erictwigs”NO PLEASE NO”Credit: @Thomas01568186″Why are we going for him for why?”Credit: @cpfcjj89″Ygxchjjfdmjjcxsawhkm CXXKKZSSZ JUST DO SOMETHING PALACE”Credit: @TheEagleDC”Hopefully we never get linked with wasteman like this ever again now the penny’s dropped parish has realised there’s far better out there like Favre.”Credit: @JA9baller”Will get a Brentford season ticket if this happens”Credit: @Char_uk1

In other news: 63-year-old another Palace target, fans react, find out more here. 

MatériaMais Notícias

As cobranças só aumenta na Vila Belmiro após a segunda derrota consecutiva do Santos, a última para a Ferroviária, por 1 a 0, neste sábado. Mas o técnico Dorival Júnior teve uma postura calma até na hora de falar com o elenco.

Para responder à torcida, o treinador não mudou o tom, mas prometeu uma reação. E j

-Temos que ter tranquilidade para buscar normalidade. Nosso grupo é difícil (no Paulistão), fatalmente todos terão as mesmas dificuldades. Santos passa por certa turbulência, temos que encarar, trabalhar com mais intensidade para buscar soluções. Não tem outro caminho. Temos que enfrentar de peito aberto – disse, antes de falar das cobranças da torcida.

-Pela primeira vez aconteceu isso conosco. É normal. Impaciência, desde que não haja agressão, é aceita, sem problema nenhum. Estamos tentando fazer o nosso melhor. Sempre buscamos o melhor, não nos omitimos até o último instante. Equipe pode muito bem se recuperar e alcançar posição de destaque no campeonato – comentou.

Com a derrota, o Santos caiu para a terceira posição do grupo D, atrás de Ponte Preta e Mirassol. A equipe tem seis pontos em quatro jogos. O Osasco Audax é a outra equipe na chave santista.

O Peixe treina na manhã de domingo e na segunda-feira, portanto não terá folga antes de encarar o Ituano, na terça-feira, fora de casa.

RelacionadasSantosNúmeros da Bola: Estatísticas de Santos 0x1 FerroviáriaSantos18/02/2017SantosTorcida do Santos protesta e Maia rebate: ‘Ainda vão gritar é campeão’Santos18/02/2017SantosATUAÇÕES: Em noite ruim do Peixe, Cleber é expulso e leva pior notaSantos18/02/2017

Felipe Anderson could be set to depart West Ham United for just £9m as Lazio enter discussions to re-acquire the 28-year-old, according to the Daily Mail.

Enduring a mixed spell in east London to date after signing for £36m back in 2018, the Brazilian has registered 25 goal contributions in 73 games for the Hammers, with 12 goals and 13 assists [Transfermarkt].

After falling out of favour under David Moyes, he was farmed out on loan to Porto at the beginning of the 2020/21 campaign [talkSPORT].

Continuing this theme, it now looks as though he may be set for a London Stadium exit in order to reignite his career fortunes.

New Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri is said to be an admirer of the 28-year-old and is now looking odds-on to land the winger for a knockdown fee as his contract is due to expire in just 12-months’ time [Daily Mail].

As you can imagine, loads of West Ham supporters took to Twitter to vent their frustration at this transfer update.

Hammers fans react:

Here is what some West Ham supporters had to say following the Daily Mail’s report about Anderson:

“This makes zero sense to me. I really think we should keep him”

Credit: @AmbitiousAnang”This club is awful”Credit: @alanrzepa”imagine if we sell him and keep Yarmo, Felipe would flourish in the Europa League”Credit: @WHU_Law”I’m gonna cry”Credit: @_Jwoodzy”What a shame if he goes, such a talent”Credit: @PW57WHU”I also want to keep Felipe but if Moyes is gonna waste him and just not play him, it’s a waste of our money.”Credit: @JBonFootballIn other news, these West Ham fans react to a transfer update on a La Liga ace.

New Zealand’s Academy team continues to make a big impression in their matches against the Australian Academy side in Adelaide

Lynn McConnell26-Apr-2001New Zealand’s Academy team continues to make a big impression in their matches against the Australian Academy side in Adelaide.Having won the first two-day game on the first innings, the side was in a strong position on the second day of the second game when starting today.The New Zealand Academy batted first and scored 399 off 78.5 overs.Two fine top order partnerships allowed the side to recover from the loss of Jamie How when the score was only 11.Reece Young and Nick Horsley added 110 runs in 90 minutes off 140 balls with their partnership ending only two minutes before lunch. Young having played shorter pitched bowling with power and precision was caught at short cover from the left-arm bowling of Xavier Doherty for 46.After lunch Horsley and Shanan Stewart put the Australian bowlers through the grinder. Horsley had great reward for a positive innings and scored his century off 132 balls with 15 fours and a six.Stewart chimed in also with some fine attacking play. They added 150 runs when Horsley was run out for 123 scored in 190 minutes off 158 balls and his innings included 18 fours and a six.Two wickets fell just before the tea break. Greg Todd hit a six off Tim Welsford and was out straight afterwards, caught at cover, and was followed immediately by Stewart, who was caught at long on, having hit 95 off 91 balls, including five huge sixes. At tea, New Zealand was 306/5.New Zealand attempted to hit out in the final session with a score of 400 as their aim but the loss of four wickets for six runs saw them fall one run short.Doherty took four for 107 from 19 overs while Beau Casson had three for 69 from 17.5.Australia then lost opening batsman Duncan Betts for a duck when the score was 12. However Scott Meuleman and Shaun Marsh, both of whom have played first-class cricket for Western Australia, saw the side to 38/1 at stumps.On Tuesday, New Zealand managed a first innings win over the Australians. Chasing Australia’s 320, New Zealand were in trouble at 47/4. However, Jonathan McNamee and Brendon McCullum added 99 runs for the fifth wicket.McCullum was out for 56, caught at square leg from left-arm wrist spinner Beau Casson for 56.Luke Woodcock joined McNamee and they took New Zealand to tea in the encouraging position of 232/5. McNamee built on the 78 he had scored before the break and recorded an elegant century which featured some deft placement mixed with strong drives and a fine demonstration of patience.When he was out for 123, scored off 200 balls in 279 minutes of batting which included 16 fours and three sixes, he had shared 154 runs with Woodcock.Coach Dayle Hadlee said: “Luke Woodcock was typically tenacious, showing defiance in the face of the taunts from the opposition. He demonstrated patience but was selective as he hit the loose ball firmly.”Woodcock followed two runs after McNamee but Nathan McCullum hit three quick boundaries to give New Zealand the first innings lead.Geeves was the most successful of the Australians with three for 41 from 21 overs while Casson had two for 99 from 23 overs and Welsford two for 18 from eight.

According to an update from The Athletic’s James Pearce, Naby Keita’s Liverpool future will ‘hinge’ on what offers arrive for the Reds midfielder this summer as his frustrating Anfield career continues.

The Lowdown: Disappointing Reds career

The Guinean was deemed an exciting signing when he joined from RB Leipzig back in 2018 in a £52.75m deal, but it just hasn’t worked out for him so far.

Keita has enjoyed some good performances in his time on Merseyside – Virgil van Dijk has hailed him as ‘incredible’ – but numerous injury problems have seen him limited to just 76 appearances in three seasons and only 32 starts in the Premier League. Despite occasional strong displays, he has netted just seven goals for the Reds and only once since the end of 2019, proving to be something of an enigma.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

The Latest: Pearce gives Keita update

It remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old will still be a Liverpool player next season, but Pearce has given an insightful update on the midfielder.

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic after Sunday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, the journalist admitted that a big offer for Keita could turn the club’s head, outlining:

“It feels like we’re in the same position with him. Flashes of real quality but not sustained and more problems with fitness. Keita wants to stay put. Much will hinge on what offers LFC get. Clearly selling him would involve a big loss on that £52m fee.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-2/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Verdict: Time to sell?

Keita is a fine footballer when he is fully fit and in form, as was the case at RB Leipzig, but he has flattered to deceive far too often for Liverpool.

While keeping hold of the midfielder will be no bad thing, his injury record suggests that accepting a hefty offer would generate funds for a stronger, more reliable alternative to come in.

Should Keita stay put next season, he simply has to remain fit and find a consistent run of form, or else he must accept that he will likely be moved on next year, with his current deal expiring in 2023.

In other news, a number of Liverpool fans DON’T want the Reds to sign a world-famous player this summer. Find out who it is here.

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

Birmingham City are happy to let Mikel San Jose leave St. Andrew’s this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by We Are Birmingham, who claimed that the 31-year-old defensive midfielder looks set to leave the club in the coming days, having spent just one season with the Championship side.

Karanka flop

While the signing of San Jose was seen as something of a coup for Aitor Karanka’s Birmingham City side last summer, it would be a fair statement to make that the former Athletic Bilbao man did not quite live up to expectations in the second tier of English football this season.

Over his 27 Championship appearances for the Blues, only 19 of which came as starts, the £26.5k-per-week midfielder scored no goals, registered one assist and created two big chances, as well as making an average of one interception, 1.3 tackles and 0.5 key passes per game.

These metrics saw San Jose earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.70, ranking him as Lee Bowyer’s joint 13th-best performer in the second tier.

So, while his displays were by no means disastrous, when considering the fact that the £1.62m-rated Spain international is the club’s highest earner by quite a distance, the argument could easily be made that the Blues would be much better off investing the midfielder’s wages elsewhere.

As such, it would indeed appear highly advisable for Bowyer to attempt to move the 31-year-old on in the upcoming transfer market, as parting with the Spaniard would free up a considerable amount of wage budget, while also potentially bringing in a small transfer fee, that the 44-year-old could use on other targets in his bid to mount a push towards the Championship play-off places next season.

In other news: Bowyer drops Trillion Trophy Asia update that will surely have Birmingham fans buzzing – opinion

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.

[freshpress-quiz id=“594431”]

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