All posts by h716a5.icu

Despite Bruno Lage’s Wolverhampton Wanderers side extending their impressive recent run to just one defeat over their last nine Premier League fixtures against Burnley, the 0-0 draw on Wednesday evening will undoubtedly feel like two points dropped rather than one gained for the 45-year-old Wolves boss.

Indeed, his team enjoyed 65% of possession, had 16 shots at goal compared to Burnley’s six, hit the woodwork once and completed 268 more passes than Sean Dyche’s side in a dominant performance at Molineux.

However, as is perhaps to be expected after a goalless draw, Wolves’ centre-forward, Raul Jimenez, was one of the Old Gold’s quieter players over the course of the 90 minutes, with the 30-year-old enduring something of an evening to forget against the Clarets.

Lost 84% duels

Despite appearing to have found a bit of form in the run-up to Wednesday’s fixture, scoring two goals over his last four Premier League appearances, Jimenez had no such luck against a resolute Burnley defence, with the Mexico international well and truly being left to feed off scraps.

Indeed, over the course of his 90 minutes on the pitch, the £17m-rated striker managed no shots on target, completed just 17 of his 28 attempted passes and failed with four of his six attempted dribbles.

The player who Nuno Santo dubbed a “special” talent also gave away possession of the ball a whopping 22 times, won just three of his 19 duels – a failure rate of 84% – and conceded two fouls.

Jimenez was also unfortunate to be ignored by Adama Traore during a first-half counter-attack, with the Spaniard opting to go it alone and smashing the underside of the crossbar rather than squaring to the unmarked Mexican, with Tim Spiers commenting on this particular incident:

“Do not believe this. Traore on the break, meep meeping away, two on one but he ignores Jimenez to his left, goes alone, kerplunks a [thunderous drive] and it smashes off the underside of the crossbar and bounces clear. How’s yer luck.”

However, while the £100k-per-week striker may well not have had the best of service against Burnley, the fact remains that his personal metrics were also very disappointing, with the 30-year-old’s SofaScore match rating of 6.4 – no player from either side received a lower rating – proving that the forward let Lage down on Wednesday evening.

In other news: Hatfield drops Wolves transfer claim on “unplayable” £17m-rated dynamo, Shi must act

A round-up of the action from round nine of the 2009-10 New Zealand Cricket one-day competition

Cricinfo staff09-Feb-2010Wellington’s poor run continued as they failed to defend 299 against Canterbury in Christchurch. Shanan Stewart blazed 101 off 78 balls and his stand of 169 with Dean Brownlie (86*) took the game away from Wellington. The Wellington top order came good with Michael Pollard and Stewart Rhodes hitting fifties to lead a strong start. They added 96 for the first wicket at a fast clip before Cameron Merchant and Neal Parlane added 53 for the third. Parlane helped himself to a fifty, as did Luke Woodcock, whose 53 off 29 balls gave the innings a surge towards the end. Carl Frauenstein, the right-arm seamer, was the most effective bowler with 3 for 44. Canterbury didn’t get off to the best of starts, losing two wickets for 25. But Rob Nicol and Johann Myburgh gave the chase some direction with a stand of 75 and that partnership laid the platform for Stewart and Brownlie to press the pedal. With this win, Canterbury are now in third place.It was a closer finish in Whangarei , where Northern Districts, led by Kane Williamson’s 81, completed a three-wicket win over tournament leaders Auckland. Chasing 240, Williamson piloted the innings with stands of 119 and 79 with Hamish Marshall and Joseph Yovich respectively. However, a double strike by Pieter Erasmus in one over added a late twist before the eighth-wicket pair guided Northerns to the target. Marshall hit a brisk 66 off 52 balls while Williamson played a more patient knock, facing 139 balls for his 81. His innings overshadowed Ravi Bopara’s 89 for Auckland. Despite the defeat, Auckland retained their position at the top.Pukekura Park in New Plymouth was host to the most thrilling game of the day as Otago scraped home by two wickets against Central Districts. Chasing 254, Otago were struggling at 200 for 8 but Anthony Bullick and Greg Todd hit quick 30s to steer them through the tense final moments. It was a game to remember for Bullick, the right-arm fast bowler, who earlier took 4 for 60. Bevan Griggs and Brendon Diamanti hit half-centuries to lead Central’s charge. Diamanti and Ewen Thompson gave the innings a late surge with a stand of 69 in just under seven overs. Darren Broom’s 73 put Otago on track but the loss of three wickets for 24 runs gave Central’s hope. When the eighth wicket fell at 200, it looked to be slipping away from Otago but Bullick and Todd put on a fearless, match-turning stand.

Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur side return to Premier League action this afternoon as Norwich City visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 52-year-old’s reign at Spurs has got off to an impressive start – embarrassing UEFA Europa Conference League defeat aside – with the club picking up seven points from the Italian’s first three league games in charge.

However, while Newcastle United’s win over Burnley on Saturday means that the Canaries come into the fixture as the 20th placed side in the top flight, Dean Smith’s men are currently on a run of four games without defeat in the league, with Conte undoubtedly being well aware that Spurs will have to be at their best if they are to pick up all three points in North London.

So, will the 52-year-old make any changes to the side that started the 2-0 win over Brentford on Thursday evening? Here’s how we’re predicting Tottenham will line up against City, along with the latest team and injury news.

With Antonio Conte recently confirming that Giovani Lo Celso – as well as long-term absentee Cristian Romero – will once again miss out on Sunday’s fixture due to injury, we expect the Spurs coach to make two changes to his starting XI against Norwich.

Indeed, as previously mentioned, Conte will know that Norwich can pose something of a threat despite their lowly league standing, leading us to believe the Italian will not rotate his squad too much – something which will likely be saved for Thursday evening’s European fixture against Stade Rennais.

As such, the back six of Hugo Lloris, Ben Davies, Eric Dier, Davison Sanchez, Sergio Reguilon and Emerson remains unchanged from midweek.

The first alteration comes in the middle of the park, with Tanguy Ndombele – who Noel Whelan dubbed a “frustrating” player – taking the place of 21-year-old Oliver Skipp, in a bid to increase the fluidity of the Tottenham attack.

The second change comes in the front three, with the £80k-per-week Lucas Moura dropping to the bench after a disappointing performance against Brentford, being replaced by Steven Bergwijn – who Conte recently took the time to praise.

Speaking about the potential of the 24-year-old winger, the former Inter Milan boss said: “I think Steven could also be a good option. We have a world-class striker as a number nine in Harry [Kane]… but in the past, I have seen that Son played in this position. Honestly, I prefer Son to play as a number 10 that he is now playing.

“I like to have a point of reference as a number nine. Steven is working and we are utilising him also in this position, in the three positions of the striker. Steven could be a good option on the day that I want to give a rest to Harry.”

With that in mind, it must be the Dutchman’s chance to shine in attack for the Lilywhites.

In other news: Conte offered £157k-p/w beast who’s “impossible to mark”, he’d solve a huge THFC issue

England, already having surrendered the series, would have been desperate to end on a high and avoid a 1-4 scoreline. They owed the win to Danielle Wyatt, who struck 25 not out off 26 balls and shepherded them home with a ball to spare

Cricinfo staff01-Mar-2010
Scorecard
The nervy finish at the Bandra Kurla Complex provided the perfect end to the one-day series between the teams and set up the Twenty20s wonderfully. World champions England, already having surrendered the series, would have been desperate to end on a high and avoid a 1-4 scoreline. They owed it mostly to No. 7 Danielle Wyatt, who struck 25 not out off 26 balls and shepherded them home with a ball to spare. India though fancied their chances with fine fifties from Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali Raj taking them to a competitive total.Heather Knight looked to have given the visitors a solid start during the reply with a patient 49. But with the Indian bowlers striking regularly, the task at hand appeared difficult. At 161 for 6, with seven more overs to go, Wyatt was joined by Danielle Hazell, who provided some late momentum hitting three fours en route to a 11-ball 18. Even as Hazell departed, Wyatt held her nerve to reduce the equation to three off the final over.Put in by England, India were in trouble from the start with Nicky Shaw and Katherine removing four batsmen in quick time. But the experienced Raj along with Kaur put on 80 for the fifth wicket to keep India in the game. Raj was caught behind off Brunt soon after her half-century, but Kaur continued the good work with Soniya Dabir (31 not out). Kaur missed out on a well-deserved hundred, finishing on 84 with nine boundaries, and became Jenny Gunn’s second victim.

Lots of Everton fans have been left fuming over some injury news that has emerged.

As per The Times journalist Paul Joyce, Richarlison, Andros Townsend and Seamus Coleman have all now picked up injuries ahead of their game away to Chelsea in the Premier League tomorrow night.

Richarlison has suffered a tear to the muscle in his calf and will be out for a ‘number of weeks’, while Townsend has a small fracture in his foot and will now have to see a specialist.

Coleman has suffered bone bruising and soft tissue damage, meaning that all three players could now be out for a lengthy spell.

On top of the injury to Dominic Cakvert-Lewin, and Abdoulaye Doucoure earlier on in the season, the Goodison Park faithful have been suffering an injury crisis throughout the campaign, and now they could also be without three of their key players for a prolonged period of time.

Everton fans on injury news

These supporters of the Merseyside club fumed as the injury news was shared on Twitter:

“We’re definitely getting relegated like”

Credit: @UpTheToffees_

“It never rains but pours at our club. 1 player back 3 out.”

Credit: @tonyf_efc

“Does it get any worse?”

Credit: @KinseyEFC

“Cursed”

Credit: @MaxNewby2

“We’re actually getting relegated”

Credit: @Russell_Palmer2

“Rafa is cursed”

Credit: @Bullensblue1

In other news, find out what transfer news has Toffees speculating here!

West Ham boss David Moyes could form a devastating attacking duo by pairing Said Benrahma with Nottingham Forest starlet Brennan Johnson.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from The Daily Mail, the Hammers are one of a number of Premier League sides to have joined the race to sign Johnson.

It’s been suggested that if Forest receive a bid meeting their valuation, then the 20-year-old could well be sold in the upcoming January transfer window rather than in the summer too.

Imagine him and Benrahma

The forward enjoyed an impressive campaign on loan at Lincoln City in League One last season, scoring ten goals and providing a further twelve assists in the league – his displays were key as they made the play-off final, losing to Blackpool 2-1 despite him setting up a goal at Wembley.

With that canny knack of finding himself in the right place at the right time, there’s a lot to like about Johnson’s game, and he could well thrive alongside a play-maker like Benrahma in this West Ham team.

Johnson’s former manager at Forest, Sabri Lamouchi, hailed him not just as an “unbelievable player” but one with the “right mentality” too, and that will surely be music to the ears of Moyes.

His boss at Lincoln, Michael Appleton has raved about the fearlessness of the versatile attacker, saying: “Brennan has been great. He has a lot of pace and gives us directness when we look to counter. He has played in numerous positions for us. He has played as a nine, as a ten, as a central midfielder. He has never moaned and just gets on with it.”

Having two, young attacking midfielders who have both really cut their teeth in the leagues below the Premier League could see the Hammers form one of the most exciting duos in the top-flight.

Meanwhile, this man was David Moyes’ shining light vs Spurs…

Afghanistan may have a tough time in the World Twenty20, being slotted with former champions India, and South Africa, but their coach Kabir Khan, a former Pakistan international, is confident of upsetting the formbook

Cricinfo staff26-Apr-2010Afghanistan may have a tough time in the World Twenty20, being slotted in the same group as former champions India, and South Africa, but their coach Kabir Khan, a former Pakistan international, is confident of upsetting the formbook.”We are excited about facing India. We have been working hard and we want to give them a big fight. We will make it hard for them and hope to make an upset. We are not just going there just to participate,” Kabir told AFP.This will be Afghanistan’s first experience of the big stage, and Kabir is preparing them for the challenges, both on and off the field. “Our team is mentally very strong. We have lectures on how to keep calm in front of the cameras and playing in front of big crowds. Wherever we go, we play in front of crowds who support us. But at the big tournaments, they have to get used to fans cheering against them as well,” Kabir said.Allrounder Asghar Stanikzai believes that the pressure is on the other teams since Afghanistan have nothing to lose. “We’re kind of the underdog for our group and the pressure is actually really on South Africa and India as to them we’re the unknown quantity to take on in this tournament,” he said. “We just want to go out there and enjoy each game we play. We’re quite excited, we’ve been waiting for a while to be able to prove ourselves in a big tournament and we’ve worked really hard to get there and we’re really looking forward to the experience.”Batsman Raees Ahmadzai had echoed Kabir and Stanikzai in his predictions for the tournament. “We won’t be going out there just for fun,” he said. “In Twenty20 cricket anything can happen. It is a form of cricket that we know very well and we will not be easy to beat.”Afghanistan made the cut for the tournament by winning the qualifying tournament in the United Arab Emirates. They begin their campaign against India in St. Lucia on May 1 and then meet South Africa in Barbados on May 5.

The January transfer window is inching closer to opening and it could be a particularly busy month for those of a Newcastle persuasion.

Eddie Howe’s side are currently 19th in the Premier League table and have only won one of their 18 matches in the division so far.

This means that a vast improvement is going to be needed to avoid relegation in the second half of the campaign, which could come through new signings being made in the winter market.

Steven Taylor 2.0

One player the club have been linked with a move for is Everton’s versatile defender Mason Holgate. According to Sky Sports, he is one of a number of defensive options Howe is considering as the ex-Bournemouth boss plots signings to bolster his squad.

Newcastle could find their Steven Taylor 2.0 in the former Barnsley man as he is a player capable of playing at both centre-back and right-back. He has played in both positions throughout his career and has established himself as a Premier League performer, with 120 games for Everton in all competitions – 100 of those coming in the top-flight.

Taylor made 268 appearances for the Magpies during his time with the club and mainly played as a centre-back, but was also able to play at right-back, holding midfield and left-back. He managed 194 Premier League outings for Newcastle, highlighting how he was a crucial member of the side over the years as he was consistently selected to play at the top level.

In Holgate, Newcastle could bring in a similar player who is able to improve the side at centre-back whilst also being able to switch out to the right when needed. This also means that he could suit playing on the right of a back three, as he is comfortable being in a wider role in defence, which would be useful if Howe wants to switch up formations from the start or during a game to counter the opposition.

Toon legend Alan Shearer previously dubbed the £64k-per-week gem as “impressive” and that shows that he has been able to catch the eye in the top-flight, as an ex-pro of the Englishman’s stature was glowing of him.

Then, speaking earlier this year, the former Toon star called him “outstanding” on social media.

At the age of 25, Holgate also has plenty of room to grow and improve as time passes and that is another reason, along with his versatility and experience, why Newcastle must swoop for him.

They could land their next defensive gem by signing the Everton man and PIF must splash the cash to get a deal done in January. He has the positional flexibility and the Premier League experience akin to Taylor in the latter stages of his career at St. James’ Park and he could be a useful player for Howe to call upon.

AND in other news, NUFC must sign £50m gem who Shearer thinks has “ridiculous ability”, he’s Solano 2.0…

Warwickshire’s England batting stars Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Jim Troughtonall hit half-centuries to steer the Bears to a six-wicket win over injury-hitKent in their Clydesdale Bank 40 match at Canterbury

25-Apr-2010
ScorecardWarwickshire’s England batting stars Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Jim Troughtonall hit half-centuries to steer the Bears to a six-wicket win over injury-hitKent in their Clydesdale Bank 40 match at Canterbury.Chasing Kent’s moderate total of 246 for 6 at a shade more than six an over,Warwickshire romped to their target with 13 balls to spare courtesy of Bell’sexcellent 88, a workmanlike 54 by Trott and an unbeaten 56 from Troughton offonly 51 deliveries.The visitors lost pinch-hitter Neil Carter (eight) early in their reply when heplayed down the wrong line of an Azhar Mahmood leg-cutter, but it was another 21overs before Spitfires enjoyed another success as Trott and Bell made the mostof a short boundary on the lime tree side of St Lawrence by posting 126 for thesecond wicket.Former Scotland seamer Dewald Nel suffered a dreadful home debut anddisappeared to all parts. The slightly-built right-arm bowler conceded 32, all of them in boundaries, from his opening three overs from the Nackington Road. He came back at thePavilion End for a further stint after minor injuries to Mahmood and Simon Cook,but still proved expensive – his 7.5 overs cost 70 runs; he went for 13 fours.Trott appeared content to play second fiddle to Bell, who silenced the homesupport by lofting extravagant sixes over extra cover and into the top tier ofthe Annexe, where the ball struck a cameraman.Trott eventually went for 54 from 73 balls when he toe-ended an attempted driveagainst Cook, who was the pick of Kent’s attack on his season’s bow. Then, with Mahmood off the field with a slight groin or thigh issue, Martin van Jaarsveld dismissed Bell. Nel at least snared Darren Maddy leg before for a second-ball duck, but Troughton and his skipper Ian Westwood feasted on a string of loose deliveries thereafter to steer their side to an emphatic win.Kent’s total was built around three half-centuries from top-scorer Joe Denly(80), a steady 58 off 63 balls from Van Jaarsveld and a cracking 55 from 32balls from Darren Stevens. The hosts lost skipper Rob Key for 10, but rallied with a partnership of 113 in 22 between Denly and Van Jaarsveld that ended when the South African clipped back a return catch to wrist spinner Imran Tahir.Four overs later, Tahir’s whippy arm action also ended Denly’s 102-ball staywhen he missed an attempted slog-sweep and lost middle and off stumps.Geraint Jones had his off stump trimmed when attempting to make room for thecut against Maddy, who also bowled Mahmood heaving across the line, leavingStevens to provide the late pyrotechnics.The ex-Leicestershire right-hander hit five sixes in a 29-ball 50 with no foursbefore falling in the penultimate over to a Carter full toss, but his side’stotal was at least 30 short of a defendable one.

Michael Clarke knows Australia’s dominance at the World Twenty20 will count for nothing if they don’t continue that form in the knockout stages starting with a semi-final against Pakistan

Andrew McGlashan in St Lucia13-May-2010Michael Clarke knows Australia’s dominance at the World Twenty20 will count for nothing if they don’t continue that form in the knockout stages starting with a semi-final against Pakistan.Australia have been the standout team at this year’s tournament, maintaining an unbeaten record with their aggressive brand of cricket built around a fearsome pace attack. Despite twice having serious batting slumps – against Bangladesh they were 65 for 6 and against Sri Lanka slipped to 67 for 5 – they have found a clutch of matchwinners throughout the line up. The semi-final berth was secured with a powerful six-wicket victory against West Indies where legspinner Steven Smith claimed 3 for 20.On paper the semi-final shouldn’t be a contest; the ultra professionalism and depth of Australia against the mercurial talents of Pakistan that have only come together once, against South Africa, at this tournament and they lost heavily in the group match between the two. However, with Twenty20 narrowing the margins of error, and Pakistan’s ability to rise in must-win matches, they remain a serious threat and Clarke is well aware of the challenge they pose.”Pakistan are a very strong team in any form of the game but especially T20 and they’ve shown that to make the semi finals once again,” he said. “We take momentum from every win we’ve had but they’ll come out with a lot to prove on a wicket that will probably suit them a little more than Barbados.”It’s important we look at what’s in front of us and not too far ahead. Pakistan have a lot of matchwinners. We need to really focus on the opposition and we go from there. We are thrilled to be in the semi-finals but we didn’t come here to make the semi-finals.”Prior to this tournament Australia hadn’t managed to replicate their dominance of Test and one-day cricket on the Twenty20 arena. They reached the semi-final of the inaugural event in South Africa before losing to India, but also suffered an embarrassing loss against Zimbabwe which led Ricky Ponting to admit they hadn’t taken the game seriously enough. In England last year they crashed out in the first round after heavy defeats to West Indies and Sri Lanka leaving the hierarchy aware that something had to be done.”No doubt it has motivated every player, not just in this tournament but through the last 12 months,” Clarke, who replaced Ponting as Twenty20 captain, said. “We’ve certainly improved and have worked very hard to get into this position. But what we’ve done now is irrelevant, we need to beat Pakistan.”The key part to Australia’s success has been their pace attack of Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes and Mitchell Johnson which has proved too strong for the opposition especially on the quick pitches in Barbados.Elsewhere David Hussey, David Warner and Cameron White have shown their striking power while Mike Hussey has proved a revelation coming in at No. 7. Clarke has had the least impact of the players selected in the final XI, but while the runs haven’t flowed he has begun moulding Australia’s most powerful unit in this format.”We are all learning the more opportunities we get,” he said. “But as I’ve said from the start I think this is a wonderful squad. We’ve got guys who haven’t had the chance in the middle but they still turn up and train every day and work their backsides off. Then there’s the XI on the field that bust their backsides not only for themselves but also for the support staff, the supporters from Australia and the people at home who have doubted us in this format.”Everyone has performed well in at least one of the games. Our fielding has been outstanding and is a huge part of Australian cricket in any form of the game, that’s probably the most satisfying for me.”When Clarke spoke the identity of the first finalists was still unclear, but that is now confirmed as England. It throws up the prospect of an intriguing pre-Ashes encounter and, after some reluctance, the Australian captain said what most people wanted him to.”I’d look forward to that. If we beat Pakistan and meet England in the final I think it would be a good start to what will be a very good and interesting summer back in Australia with the Ashes. But for me right now I’ve got both eyes on Pakistan.”