All posts by h716a5.icu

Many Liverpool fans have slammed the performance of James Milner in their game at Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday evening.

The 35-year-old was run ragged at times in the middle of the park and it was no surprise to see him taken off for Naby Keita just shy of the 70-minute mark.

Milner lost out on five of his duels in total and also failed to record a single shot on goal or successful dribble, while his 65% pass accuracy was one of the worst out of any player on the pitch (SofaScore).

The veteran midfielder also failed to make any accurate crosses or long balls, while he was guilty of losing possession of the ball 10 times and had only 38 touches, 15 fewer than his own goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher (SofaScore), summarising his lack of positive impact on the match.

Liverpool fans slam Milner

These Liverpool supporters slammed Milner’s performance on Twitter, with one Kopite even going as far as to call him a ‘clown’:

“Clown Milner”

Credit: @DavidElliott720

“It’s painful to watch Henderson and Milner pretending to play football”

Credit: @Intrepide_

“Milner playing against us”

Credit: @davies_t_m

“Milner is making me cringe”

Credit: @EMxneyfella

“Hendo and Milner have been abysmal again”

Credit: @ewan_tc

“Watching Milner move is painful”

Credit: @fotballben1

In other news, find out what Mohamed Salah claim has left these LFC fans erupting

Newcastle United have reportedly sent an offer to sign Ousmane Dembele in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Signings galore?

With reports that the St James’ Park club have already put in a formal bid to try and sign Kieran Trippier, it seems as if they are going to be very busy during the winter market.

They are currently 19th in the Premier League table and have the joint-worst defensive record out of any team in the division, so reinforcements at the back certainly seem needed in order to give them the best possible chance of staying up.

The Latest: Dembele offer

As per Sport (via Sport Witness), Barcelona are now ‘very, very close’ to giving up their efforts of trying to get Dembele to sign a new deal, as his current contract expires in the summer.

He is making ‘crazy’ demands over the extension of his deal and now it seems likely that he could move to Newcastle. The Magpies have ‘sent a succulent offer’ to Dembele, but he is not thought to be keen on a move to them yet.

The Verdict: Avoid

Strengthening the defence should be the priority for Eddie Howe’s team this month, so Dembele is a player that they should be avoiding.

Of course, he promised so much as a youngster, earning a whopping £121.5m move from Borussia Dortmund back in 2017, and his former teammate Lionel Messi even went as far as to call him a ‘phenomenon’.

When the player was at Rennes, then-sporting director Mikael Silvestre even likened him to a young Cristiano Ronaldo, but in truth the 24-year-old has been a disappointment at Camp Nou, with just 30 goals and 24 assists in 126 games (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, his wage demands seem huge and should not be encouraged, so it is best for the Magpies to look elsewhere.

In other news, Nick Hammond is now preparing an offer for this one-time Premier League ace

Paul Harrison and Jack Brooks batted out the final 79 balls to helpNorthamptonshire hold on for an unlikely draw against Derbyshire in theirCounty Championship clash at the County Ground

30-Apr-2010
Scorecard
Paul Harrison and Jack Brooks batted out the final 79 balls to helpNorthamptonshire hold on for an unlikely draw against Derbyshire in theirCounty Championship clash at the County Ground.Four wickets from Greg Smith and some woeful home batting had given thevisitors a great chance of victory but Harrison and Brooks had other ideas. And Derbyshire will be cursing their luck after seeing more than 58 overs lost to the weather in the final two days.Northants began the final day still 243 runs behind but with their 10second-innings wickets intact and openers Stephen Peters and Vishal Tripathiunbeaten.But they were to lose Peters in the third over of the day for just 14 when hewas trapped lbw by Derbyshire spinner Robin Peterson. Tripathi and Alex Wakely, who was on a pair, then put on Northants’ first 50 partnership of the match before Tripathi made his maiden County Championship half-century from 85 balls.The 22-year-old then went past his previous best first-class score, 55, madeagainst Oxford University last year, before two wickets prior to lunch openedthe game up.The former Lancashire youngster went cheaply when he smashed Smith straight toGarry Park at mid-on to end their second-wicket stand of 105. Wakely (39) quickly followed with Park running him out at mid-off with a direct hit at the stumps after he attempted an ill-advised quick single.The middle order collapse continued with the third ball after lunch when RobWhite (five) edged Mark Footitt to wicketkeeper Lee Goddard. David Sales then made just two before he edged Peterson to Tom Lungley at slip to leave Northants floundering on 145 for 5 – still 115 runs behind.Mercifully for them, it started raining heavily soon afterwards leading to adelay of 40 minutes and a loss of 11 overs. Park was brought into the Derbyshire attack after the resumption and with his second over, he knocked out home captain Nicky Boje’s (12) middle stump.A full toss from Smith in the first over after tea then bowled Andrew Hall for 27 as the hosts waved the white flag. Smith claimed his third victim when James Middlebrook misjudged a straight delivery and saw his off stump toppled.But the home side finally dug in with the ninth-wicket pairing of Harrison andDavid Lucas lasting 24 overs before Smith caught Lucas (16) leg before. But Brooks followed Lucas’ lead and remained not out on five from 34 balls with Harrison’s unbeaten 32 coming from 144 deliveries.

Manchester United have had a rollercoaster season so far, appointing Ralf Rangnick to steady the ship in late November, with the expectation that he would offload those that were not up to scratch in the squad, and replace them with better-placed footballers, however it looks like these expectations won’t be met in January.

What’s the word?

Fabrizio Romano did a YouTube interview on Tuesday with popular Manchester United fan group, The United Stand, and revealed more about the intentions of the club during this transfer window in particular:

“I am told that the focus of Manchester United is for summer, and not for January. At the moment there is no priority target for January, but if they do something it will be a midfielder.

“Let me say, the focus of Manchester United is on summer, not January. This is what Man United are planning to do.”

Fans will be furious

This fresh blow to the potential transfer plans of the club will leave fans furious, especially after their 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Monday night.

Rio Ferdinand claimed that the side are “lacking confidence” and with that being said, it would surely be ideal for the side to gain new additions to address the current issues and inspire a change in direction for their current Premier League season.

Rangnick’s side are currently involved in the knock out stages of the Champions League, FA Cup and a Premier League campaign where they are currently four points adrift from the top four in 7th competing with West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham, all above them in contention for a spot to qualify for Champions League football next season.

Therefore, it will be surprising to not see players added to the squad to compete with strength across the competitions.

Fans are keen to see new additions to address the clear midfield issues that has seen the current players losing possession hundreds of times per game, with possession lost an overall 167 times alone in their clash with Newcastle United last week, in which the game ended in a draw.

One Red Devils fan Tweeted;

“It’s been 4 days since the transfer window opened and we not close to signing a DM… This club will kill us @ManUtd.”

United will come up against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Monday, and the German coach will be hoping to put the disappointing result from this week in the league behind him and give the fans something to be happy about with the potential of a good domestic cup run.

However, after this reveal from Romano, their hopes for the rest of the campaign look rather unhappy. They simply have to sign a few players.

In other news: Rangnick could axe Martial by signing Dembele

Kruger van Wyk, the Canterbury wicketkeeper and former captain, will represent Central Districts in the next domestic season

Cricinfo staff11-Jun-2010Kruger van Wyk, the Canterbury wicketkeeper and former captain, will represent Central Districts in the next domestic season. van Wyk, who captained Canterbury for almost three years, and led them to victory in the State Championship in 2008, is South African-born and represented the South African Board President’s XI in 2001-02.”I have enjoyed my time with Canterbury immensely and I am very grateful to Canterbury Cricket for providing me the initial opportunity to further my cricket career,” van Wyk, 30, said. “No longer being captain of Canterbury enables me to focus on my ambition to play international cricket and moving to Central Districts will provide me with a fresh start and the opportunity to pursue this goal. I am looking forward to new challenges with my new association.”In 83 first-class games van Wyk averages 35.02, with his highest score being an unbeaten 178. Behind the stumps, he’s grabbed 249 catches and 13 stumpings. His List A record with the bat is better, with an average of 43 in 102 games. He’s taken 111 catches and effected 14 stumpings in the same format.

Graeme Bailey says that Newcastle United are now in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Hugo Ekitike in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Wood on his way…

Sky Sports reported on Tuesday night that the St. James’ Park faithful activated the £20m release clause of Chris Wood, and he is now set to undergo a medical ahead of a move from Burnley.

However, their striker search may not stop there, as The Athletic journalist Chris Waugh has suggested that could go for another one before the window closes.

Nonetheless, with the injury suffered by Callum Wilson, the North East club need all the help that they can get up top if they are to drag themselves out of the relegation zone come the end of the season.

The Latest: Ekitike to follow?

As per 90min journalist Bailey, the Tyneside outfit are now in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Ekitike, in what he claims would be a ‘huge signing’ if they can pull a deal off:

“Can reveal that Newcastle United are in advanced talks to sign Reims’ Hugo Ekitike for £30m.

“Outstanding talent – huge signing for Newcastle if they get it done, many in France believe he could be the next Mbappe.”

The Verdict: Worth the risk

With the Wood deal looking all but done, the Magpies have already found a striker with experience in the Premier League.

Thus, they can afford to take more of a punt on a player like Ekitike, and although £30m may be considered excessive considering his current market value, at just 19 years of age, he could easily be worth that in the future.

Any comparison to Kylian Mbappe, who has simply set the world alight since his teenage years at AS Monaco, is obviously welcomed, and highlights just how much potential Ekitike has.

With eight goals and three assists in 18 games in Ligue 1 so far this season (Transfermarkt), he has shown already that he can perform at a high level, and so would certainly be an exciting new addition for the Toon Army.

In other news, find out who NUFC are now set to bid for here!

Cricket Australia officials are still lobbying to gain enough support to install John Howard as the ICC’s vice-president in Singapore

Peter English28-Jun-2010Cricket Australia officials are still lobbying to gain enough support to install John Howard as the ICC’s vice-president in Singapore over the next two days. The appointment of Howard, the former Australia prime minister, is supposed to be a formality but it has become increasingly uncertain following complaints raised by Zimbabwe and South Africa.Howard’s vice-presidency will be a key issue at the ICC’s executive board meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, which occurs before the elevation of India’s Sharad Pawar to the top job. James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive, and the chairman Jack Clarke are in Singapore for various talks this week and are attempting to secure the seven votes required for Howard to get the deputy’s role. “There are still discussions taking place,” a Cricket Australia spokesman said on Monday.In an effort to improve relations with Zimbabwe, Howard, who as prime minister was critical of Robert Mugabe’s regime, met with senior cricket officials there last week. A similar approach to speak with South African administrators was rejected while Howard was in the country for the football World Cup.Despite the claims of Zimbabwe Cricket’s managing director Ozias Bvute that reports of its influence were “maliciously incorrect”, its senior officials raised the initial protest through its South African counterparts outside ICC meetings in Dubai in April. The issue has continued to simmer and there are concerns India will side with the African countries in the executive meeting to block the appointment.David Morgan, the out-going ICC president, supports the Howard nomination, which was proposed by Australia and New Zealand following a drawn-out selection process. Under the ICC’s guidelines Howard should become president in 2012, replacing Pawar, the Indian politician.

The January transfer window is heading into the final stages and Rangers have been fairly busy in the market so far this month.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ross Wilson have struck deals to sign James Sands and John Souttar, joining on loan and on a pre-contract deal respectively, and they have sold Nathan Patterson for a club-record deal to Premier League club Everton.

It remains to be seen if they are able to get any more moves over the line in the final days of the window, but they are still being linked with other players to bolster the squad heading into the second half of the campaign.

Prso 2.0

One player who has been touted with a switch to Ibrox this month is Rijeka attacker Robert Muric, formerly of Dutch giants Ajax.

In an article from Bulgarian outlet Tema Sports detailing Rangers’ interest in Ludogorets forward Kiril Despodov, Muric is mentioned as one of numerous players the Glasgow club are considering as they seek to bolster their options in the final third of the pitch.

Rangers can find their new wing wizard by snapping up the 25-year-old, who has shown impressive quality for his current club in recent years with 34 goals and 23 assists in 105 games – a goal contribution every 1.84 matches on average.

A Croatian forward who can score and create goals… remind you of anyone? Van Bronckhorst could land Dado Prso 2.0 for the Gers by sealing a deal to sign the Rijeka winger this month.

Prso racked up 35 goals and 16 assists in 116 games for Rangers during his time with the club. This included 31 goals and 15 assists in 93 Premiership outings – a goal contribution every 2.03 games on average.

The Gers could duly find their next Croatian wing wizard by signing Muric, who has a similar record in terms of goal contributions for Rijeka as Prso had for the Scottish giants. If the former is able to adapt to the Premiership and make a similar level of impact in the final third, then he could be a fantastic signing.

Fans would surely love to see a player running down the wing at Ibrox with the threat of being able to score and set up goals on a regular basis. The £2.7m-rated gem could give Van Bronckhorst another option to call upon in his frontline, so Rangers must look to snap him up before the end of the month.

AND in other news, Rangers can finally replace Gilmour by signing “phenomenal” 18y/o who “has everything”…

There were times during this innings when watching Mark Wagh bat was rather like watching a dry stone waller ply his craft

George Dobell at Edgbaston 21-Jul-2010
ScorecardMark Wagh’s chanceless hundred edged Nottinghamshire ahead on the second day•Getty ImagesThere were times during this innings when watching Mark Wagh bat was rather like watching a dry stone waller ply his craft. While it may be gratifying to see that the old skills survive, it doesn’t always make for the most riveting spectacle.For this was not the graceful, fluent Wagh that was once described (by Robert Brooke, the eminent historian and co-founder of the Association of Cricket Statisticians) as “the most joyous and magical batsman” of the last half-century at Edgbaston. This was Wagh building an innings run by run; Wagh the dogged; Wagh the determined and Wagh the technically watertight. They are not always qualities with which he has been associated.But, in the context of this game, and perhaps the season, this was a magnificent innings. At 131 for 5, Nottinghamshire were struggling to remain on level terms with Warwickshire. More importantly, their bid to keep the pressure upon Yorkshire at the top of the table was in danger of faltering.Yet, in partnership with the admirable Chris Read, Wagh added 156 in 42 overs for Nottinghamshire’s sixth wicket. Not only was it a county record against this opposition, but it earned their team the initiative in a match that could go a long way towards deciding the destination of the championship.Wagh will never now fulfil the potential his talent once suggested he might. He will never play for England and never become a household name. He leaves the game for a career in law midway through next season with a record that suggests he has been a good, rather than great, player.Yet here he came to the crease at the end of the first over of the day and, on a pitch that continues to provide substantial help to the bowlers, gave not even the semblance of a half chance and remained unbeaten at stumps. There was none of the wafting outside off stump that has hindered the likes of Morgan or Cook, none of the leaden feet that have troubled Flintoff or Trescothick, no evidence of the gate between bat and pad that has damaged the prospects of Kieswetter or Denly and none of the playing across the line that has blighted Pietersen’s career. It was, in short, faultless. It’s very hard to think of a better English batsman who has not won a Test cap.Wagh also accelerated dramatically. While his first 50 runs occupied an eye-watering 157 deliveries (despite a 36-over start, Read beat him to his half-century) , his next took just 59. Finally he unleashed some of those flowing cover drives that usually characterise his batting, as well as using his feet to skip down the wicket and deposit Imran Tahir’s leg-spin for fours and a six. It was the 31st first-class century of Wagh’s career, his third of the season (the second in the championship) and his second in two innings since returning to Edgbaston as a Nottinghamshire player.For a man who felt disappointed at the way his Edgbaston career ebbed away in 2006, such feats make an eloquent point. Particularly at a time when Warwickshire’s batsmen are struggling to hit the ball off the square. The only time Warwickshire thought they might have dismissed him in this game came when umpire Peter Willey reacted to a leg-before appeal by adjusting the sunglasses on top of his hat.Read also batted splendidly. Much the more dynamic of the pair, he took a particular shine to Boyd Rankin, pulling a succession of long-hops with relish. Since his last Test, in January 2007, Read averages 57 in first-class cricket. He’s also one of the best limited-overs ‘finishers’ in the county game and remains a ‘keeper of the highest class. Aged 31, many younger men may have jumped in front of him in the England pecking order, but he still has a great deal to offer at international level.The worth of their partnership was put into relief by what happened before and after. Samit Patel played-on to the sixth ball of the day, while Alex Hales’ delightful innings (his 50 took just 50 balls) was ended when he edged his stab at a wide ball. David Hussey edged a steer at one he might have left, Mullaney bottom-edged a pull and Brown was beaten for pace by a full ball.Then, after Carter, excellent at first but increasingly exhausted, made the breakthrough – Read following one angled wide across him and edging to slip – Notts threatened to fold quickly. Swann drove loosely at an outswinger and Broad, unrecognisable from the fellow who was once mentioned as a potential England number six, spooned a leading edge to midwicket. At the time Notts still trailed by 15 runs with just two wickets in hand.But perhaps the killer blow was applied by Andre Adams. Just as Warwickshire thought they’d clawed their way back into the game, the New Zealander bludgeoned six fours and a six in a 26-ball cameo that consolidated Nottinghamshire’s advantage. By the time he fell, Notts had added 242 for their last four wickets and built a lead of 60. On this pitch, that could well prove decisive.

Scotland have been given a timely boost ahead of their Intercontinental Cup match against Afghanistan with the return of seamer Dewald Nel

Cricinfo staff10-Aug-2010Scotland have been given a timely boost ahead of their Intercontinental Cup match against Afghanistan with the return of seamer Dewald Nel. Nel, who signed a two-year deal with Kent ahead of this year’s English domestic season, last played in the county’s game against the touring Pakistanis at the end of June and has been released to play in Scotland’s four-day fixture, which starts on Wednesday at the Citylets Ayr ground.Scotland faced a number of selection issues ahead of the Afghanistan game, as young opener Preston Mommsen has work commitments while experienced middle-order batsman Neil McCallum is struggling to overcome an Achilles problem. Several other players, including seamer Gordon Goudie, allrounder Richie Berrington and spinner Ross Lyons are being monitored for a variety of minor injuries.”It looks like we’ll be without two of our first choice batsmen,” said Scotland’s head coach Peter Steindl. “Preston would have been selected, but he has told us he can’t get time off work. It doesn’t look good for Neil either. We had expected his injury to clear up, but he is having a scan today and the information we’re being given from the physios is he won’t be ready. Our resources are a bit stretched but I’m confident we will get a competitive team on the park.”A total of 20 points are at stake in this match, and an undefeated Scotland are currently at the top of the Intercontinental Cup table, with Afghanistan 12 points behind. In second place is a Zimbabwe XI, only six points behind Scotland, with these two countries due to meet in October in Scotland’s final game of the two-year round-robin series of first-class matches.If the Afghanistan match fails to produce a result, six points are guaranteed to the side that takes a first-innings lead, with an additional three points to each side in the event of a draw. However, outright victory at Ayr would guarantee the Scots a place in the Intercontinental Cup final, to be played in Dubai in November.With all such factors – and the current damp weather – in mind, Scotland’s selectors have chosen a squad which they believe can make the most of this opportunity on a home ground against a team that has never previously played an official competitive game in the United Kingdom.”We’ve performed well in our two previous matches this year away from home [against Kenya in January and the Netherlands in June],” said Steindl. “We are approaching this game with confidence and determination.”Entry to the Ayr ground for this match is free of charge. Scotland also play Afghanistan in two limited-overs internationals at the same ground on Monday and Tuesday next week, for which there will be an entry fee for spectators.Scotland squad: Gordon Drummond (capt), Richie Berrington, Ewan Chalmers, Ryan Flannigan, Gordon Goudie, Majid Haq, Moneeb Iqbal, Ross Lyons, Dewald Nel, Matthew Parker, Qasim Sheikh, Simon Smith, Fraser Watts