All posts by h716a5.icu

Liverpool kept their title hopes alive with a victory over Aston Villa last night and are on for two more trophies with the FA Cup and Champions League finals secured, however, that hasn’t stopped the club from working to strengthen their team ahead of next season.

What’s the latest?

Journalist Graeme Bailey has reported (via 90min) that sources close to the club have revealed that the Merseyside club are close to securing a deal for Calvin Ramsay.

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According to the report, Leeds United, West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace are all interested in the young Aberdeen defender but 90min are told that Liverpool are leading the race in securing his signature.

This would be the club’s second signing of the summer after the Daily Mail reported that the signing of Fabio Carvalho has been ‘wrapped up’ and an announcement is imminent.

Klopp will be buzzing

There is no doubt that Liverpool have been lucky with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fitness and injury record over his career so far with only a few slight knocks to the right-back, but with the opportunity to sign a worthy back-up in Ramsay, Jurgen Klopp will surely be buzzing.

Currently, Neco Williams is the only player for position replacement for the Liverpudlian defender but he is reportedly looking likely to complete a permanent move to recently promoted Premier League side Fulham this summer, so again the signing of the 19-year-old would make perfect sense for the club.

According to SofaScore, Ramsay has been solid in his position for Aberdeen over the last 24 appearances in the Scottish Premiership, winning the majority of his duels (51%), making 1.3 clearances as well as 0.8 interceptions and tackles on average per game, scoring one goal and contributing four assists so far.

The 19-year-old has also been the recipient of high praise with the Aberdeen chairman Dave McCormack labelling the youngster in “the elite upper bracket” of players of his kind in an interview.

Ultimately, as we have seen with Luis Diaz and Carvalho this season when it comes to signings Liverpool know how to get what they want and attract players to join the successful Merseyside outfit.

Therefore, we expect that Ramsay will be no different if the club are genuinely interested in making the signing this summer.

AND in other news: FA Cup final blow: Liverpool rocked by “massive problem” that’ll leave Klopp gutted

Even though Aston Villa have been particularly busy in the January transfer window so far with the likes of Lucas Digne, Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen making moves to the Midlands club in the past few weeks, it appears as though the club still have their eyes on potential targets and areas to improve their squad.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from The Athletic by Villa journalist Gregg Evans, the Midlands club have had “some conversations” over the possibility of a new striker being brought in this month, with Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah being “considered” for a move to Villa Park.

After joining the club from Chelsea’s youth system back in 2015, Nketiah has worked his way through Arsenal’s youth ranks and even had a loan spell with Leeds United, as well as making 73 senior appearances for the Gunners with 18 goals and one assist under his belt.

With the 22-year-old’s contract at Arsenal set to expire in the summer, Villa’s apparent interest could persuade the north London club to sell Nketiah, who Mikel Arteta has described as “extraordinary” in the past, and get a suitable transfer fee rather than see him leave as a free agent at the end of the season if he doesn’t sign a new deal there before then.

One in, one out

If Villa were to sign the £9m-rated Nketiah this month or even in the summer transfer window, this could give the Midlands club the chance to finally axe their current striker Wesley on a permanent basis.

He joined Brazilian club Internacional on loan earlier this month after spending the first half of the season on loan in Belgium with Club Brugge but could be shipped out permanently in the summer if bumped even further down the pecking order.

Given how he failed to score a goal for Brugge during his time there this season and has only managed to score six times in 26 appearances for Villa across all competitions since his arrival back in June 2019 in a deal worth a reported fee of £22m, selling him could be a great way of getting his £46k-per-week wages of the club’s bill to accommodate a place for Nketiah in their squad for the future.

If Villa and Steven Gerrard think Nketiah would be a good fit in the squad and deliver what they want, then they should definitely make an approach to Arsenal to see what his situation is and whether or not they’d be willing to negotiate a suitable deal for him.

Either way, his entrance would certainly facilitate a permanent move away for one of the club’s unfortunate flops.

In other news: Sky Sports journo drops exciting AVFC transfer update on live TV, fans surely buzzing…

Tim Paine, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ricky Ponting will ensure more than adequate representation for the state, which accounts for only 2% of the nation’s population

Brydon Coverdale11-Jul-2010Australia’s Test against Pakistan at Lord’s this week will be a historic occasion for a number of reasons, not least as the first neutral Test in England since 1912. But when the teams take the field on Tuesday, it will also be a special moment for Australia’s smallest state; for the first time three Tasmanians will be playing together in the Test team.Tim Paine, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ricky Ponting will ensure more than adequate representation for the state, which accounts for only 2% of the nation’s population. It has been a long road to this point, for over the first hundred years of Test cricket, Tasmania produced only three Test representatives: Ken Burn, Charles Eady and Laurie Nash, although others like Sam Morris and Max Walker had been born there before moving to the mainland.Now the state has that many in one team. It’s not surprising that it took so long, for until the late 1970s, Tasmania wasn’t included in the Sheffield Shield. They won the competition for the first time in 2006-07 and have lifted the state one-day trophy three times in the past six years, so it was only a matter of time before their numbers in the Test outfit grew.Tasmania’s Test cricketers

Ken Burn

Charles Eady

Laurie Nash

Roger Woolley

David Boon

Greg Campbell

Ricky Ponting

Shaun Young

Colin Miller

Jason Krejza

Ben Hilfenhaus

(Players who were representing Tasmania at the time of Test selection)

“I think it is a great thing for Tassie cricket,” Paine, who will make his debut on Tuesday, said. “The last few years we have started to win some titles down there and I suppose with more team success there has been more individual success so we are starting to build a good group down there. There were three or four guys playing for Australia A last week so it is good that the Tassie boys are starting to be recognised.”In the 1980s, men like Roger Woolley and Greg Campbell broke into the Test team, but David Boon was the man who really put Tasmania on the world cricket map. At the tail end of his career, he handed over to the Launceston boy, Ponting, and they played three Tests together in 1995-96 before Boon’s international career ended.At that stage, Hilfenhaus was 12 and Paine was 11. They’d grown up with Boon as their state hero and watched as Ponting went on to become one of the game’s undisputed modern champions.”Seeing them do really well, it was a goal to look towards,” Hilfenhaus said. “[Ponting] definitely gives you a bit of belief, doesn’t he? He is one of the greatest players of all time so obviously him being a Tasmanian has been a good thing as well.”For Hilfenhaus, the Lord’s Test will not only be a Tasmanian milestone but a personal achievement as well, the culmination of a long period of recovery from knee tendonitis that has kept him out of action since November. He bowled 13 overs in the tour match in Derby, where he collected 1 for 32, and after the match he said he was learning to push through the pain barrier.”I wouldn’t say there’s no soreness,” Hilfenhaus said. “There’s still a bit of a niggle there, and from the reports from the experts it’s probably going to hang around for another six to twelve months. But it’s at the stage now where it’s very manageable and can cope with the workloads.”

Graeme Bailey has revealed that Newcastle United are now ‘looking to finalise’ a Deadline Day deal for Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: Burn almost done…

According to Keith Downie, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium have now agreed a transfer fee of £13m to take Dan Burn from Brighton and Hove Albion, with him due to have a medical on Tyneside ahead of finalising the move.

He would likely become their fourth signing this January after Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes, and after the deal is confirmed, the new owners can then move on to any other fresh faces that they would like to bring in before the deadline hits.

The Latest: Late Lingard swoop

As per 90min journalist Graeme Bailey, the St. James’ Park faithful are now ‘looking to finalise’ a swoop for Lingard on Transfer Deadline Day, as talks between them and Manchester United continue:

“Understand that Newcastle are looking to finalise deadline day deal for Jesse Lingard.

“Dialogue between both Uniteds has remained, whilst Lingard’s terms were already agreed.

“Lingard ready to bring down the curtain on his Man United career.”

The Verdict: Exciting

With four signings already seemingly in the bag, potentially adding Lingard as a fifth makes deadline day even more exciting for the Toon Army.

He already showed the Premier League what he is still capable of while on loan at West Ham United last season,  scoring nine goals and supplying a further five assists for them in the top flight, ensuring that the Hammers impressively qualified for the UEFA Europa League ahead of the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

Nonetheless, with just six months left on his current deal at Old Trafford, he could come pretty cheap, and so would represent a bargain for the Magpies.

In other news, find out who NUFC have made enquiries to sign here!

We are now over two weeks into the transfer window and rather unsurprisingly, it has been a chaotic one for Newcastle United.

The reasons are clear; they are desperate for players to ensure Premier League survival and they are now famously known as the richest football club on earth.

What’s the word?

The Magpies have bolstered their squad with two marquee additions in recent weeks with Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood arriving.

However, there is still a considerable amount of work to be done, namely in bringing a centre-back to St James’ Park.

The club have failed in their efforts for Sven Botman while a deal is seemingly on the table for Diego Carlos.

It’s thought another striker is wanted by the club’s new Saudi owners and Newcastle’s recruitment team but a name who definitely won’t be joining has been revealed by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

He issued the following update on Twitter: “Rumours linking Mario Balotelli with a move to Newcastle in January are wide of the mark. ‘Fake news’ – comment from sources.”

Fans will be delighted

Although the Toon Army will be desperately craving new acquisitions between now and January 31st, the idea of Balotelli penning terms is unlikely to have been welcomed well by the club’s fanbase.

Of course, he is a hugely experienced character and is also someone who would add plenty of humour and character to the dressing room.

However, with Howe’s men engulfed in a severe relegation battle, winning just one game all term, the last thing you’d want to do is sign someone as controversial as Balotelli.

After all, the Italian is not a regular goalscorer anymore and he’s also now aged 31, past the peak of his powers.

The former Manchester City forward currently plays his football in Turkey for Adana Demirspor where he has found the net on eight occasions this term.

That isn’t a bad tally at all, but the fiery striker has failed not once but twice in English football, enduring a controversy-hit spell at City and then bagging just four strikes in 28 outings for Liverpool.

Right now, Howe needs a player capable of hitting the ground running, either boasting successful Premier League experience or being a player with elite potential – like Sevilla centre-back, Carlos.

As a consequence, Newcastle are right to swerve a move for the ex-Italy international this month and as a result of doing so, the St James’ faithful should be rather delighted with the decision making of Nick Hammond and co.

AND in other news, “I’m told”: Craig Hope issues major NUFC transfer claim that’ll get fans excited…

Leeds United midfielder Owen Bray is set to depart Elland Road at the end of the season, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Bray profiled

Bray is 19 years of age and is primarily a central midfielder who has made eight appearances in the club’s academy.

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He is out of contract at the end of June after having had his scholarship extended last summer alongside Taylor Ragan. Bray has made just one appearance for the U23s, and it looks as if he’ll now move on over the coming months.

The Latest: O’Rourke’s post

O’Rourke took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to provide an update on Bray, revealing that the teenager is set to depart the Whites soon.

“Leeds midfielder Owen Bray is set to leave Elland Road at the end of the season when his contract expires.”

Reports have suggested that League One side Wigan Athletic are looking at Bray ahead of a possible move, with the Whites youngster set to turn out for Wigan’s U23s against Hull City.

The Verdict: Makes sense?

Leeds have a number of promising midfielders coming through at Thorp Arch, including Lewis Bate, Sean McGurk and Jack Jenkins, so allowing Bray to depart could suit all parties.

He’s struggled to become a regular in the U23s squad, with his only appearance coming in a 7-0 EFL Trophy defeat to Accrington Stanley back in 2020.

On that basis, moving to the lower leagues in search of first-team football could be a wise call by Bray, after limited opportunities at Elland Road.

In other news: Leeds and Orta want ‘extraordinary’ ace in Bosman move; same agent as Bamford. 

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has suspended the national cricket team’s shadow coach Chandika Hathurusingha on disciplinary grounds

Sa'adi Thawfeeq08-Jun-2010Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has suspended the national cricket team’s shadow coach Chandika Hathurusingha on disciplinary grounds.Sri Lanka Cricket interim committee chairman DS de Silva told Cricinfo that the decision to suspend Hathurusingha was taken after he had disobeyed orders to not abandon the team and return home ahead of the one-day tri-series final where Sri Lanka is meeting Zimbabwe at Harare on Wednesday.”Hathurusingha is expected to follow an advanced Level 3 coaching in Australia from June 13, and he had wanted to come home early to be with his family before heading for Australia,” de Silva said. “He had conveyed this decision soon after the first-round match against India. But I advised him that he can return home only if Sri Lanka fails to qualify for the final not otherwise. Despite me giving him clear instructions to be with the team for the final he returned home on Saturday.”Hathurusingha’s action is a clear breach of discipline and we have taken the decision to suspend him until an inquiry is held. He will be given the chance to explain his conduct before we decide on further action.”de Silva also revealed that Sri Lanka Cricket was bearing all the costs pertaining to the coaching course and the airfare and had even offered Hathurusingha the option of flying straight from Zimbabwe to Australia if he thought he cannot make it in time for the five-day coaching course. He said Hathurusingha’s trip to Australia for the time being has been put on hold till the outcome of the inquiry.According to de Silva the former Sri Lanka Test opener was being groomed for the assistant coach’s position in the national team when he was appointed shadow coach last year as understudy to head coach Trevor Bayliss and assistant coach Stuart Law.

Middlesex enjoyed their first win of the County Championship Division Two campaign as an unbeaten century from Dawid Malan secured a three-wicket triumph over Sussex at Hove

08-May-2010
ScorecardMiddlesex enjoyed their first win of the County Championship Division Two campaign as an unbeaten century from Dawid Malan secured a three-wicket triumph over Sussex at Hove. Malan struck the winning runs in the fourth over after lunch to reach his second hundred of the season, the 22-year-old left-hander reaching his ton off 173 balls with 15 fours.Sussex stay on top of the division despite suffering their first defeat after four successive wins, and they will be disappointed not to have extended their winning run having had Middlesex on the ropes at 78 for 5 yesterday in pursuit of 243 for victory.The game was effectively won in the first hour today as Malan and Gareth Berg added 83 in 17 overs as they took full advantage of some wayward bowling. Both Rana Naved, who was also plagued by over-stepping as Sussex conceded 37 extras, and Corey Collymore struggled for rhythm and when skipper Murray Goodwin turned to left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, his four overs cost 30 runs.It included a horrible full toss which Malan pulled out of the ground and into an adjoining garden for six, forcing the umpires to change the ball. The sixth-wicket pair had put on 127 in 31 overs when Robin Martin-Jenkins gave Sussex a glimmer of hope as he had Berg leg before playing across the line to claim his sixth wicket of the match and 22nd of the season, only one fewer than he managed throughout 2009.Malan and former Sussex player Tom Smith added a further 17 runs before Smith was athletically taken down the leg side by Matt Prior off James Anyon, who had just been brought back into the attack.Middlesex needed 21 runs at that stage and Sussex’s last hope of victory effectively went when Michael Thornely, diving to his left at extra cover, put down a difficult chance offered by Tim Murtagh when he was on six.Middlesex were unable to finish the game off before lunch, but Malan hit the first ball after the break from Panesar to the boundary to relieve the tension in the visitors’ dressing room before finding a gap on the leg side to win the game with a single and compete his century.

Neil McKenzie used all his experience gleaned over a long career in international cricket with South Africa to guide Hampshire to a two-wicket win

Cricinfo staff18-Aug-2010
ScorecardNeil McKenzie continued his fine form as Hampshire secured victory•Getty ImagesNeil McKenzie used all his experience gleaned over a long career in international cricket with South Africa to guide Hampshire to a two-wicket win over Leicestershire in their Clydesdale Bank 40 at the Rose Bowl. As wickets tumbled around him, McKenzie held firm with an unbeaten 51 to help his side get home with 13 balls to spare in a rain-affected match.Leicestershire, choosing to bat first, made 176 for 8 from their allotment of 35 overs, rain having knocked five from their total available. With McKenzie in control, Hampshire reached their target in 32.5 overs, keeping alive their hopes of qualifying for the latter stages of the CB40 competition.Leicestershire struggled to get going with Hampshire captain Dominic Cork taking two wickets before rain came and on the resumption Jacques du Toit and Matt Boyce contrived the best partnership of the innings, 71, for the fourth wicket. Du Toit was caught at mid-wicket for a valiant 45 and Boyce made 37 before he became a victim for Benny Howell, a 21-year-old allrounder making his Hampshire debut.Hampshire’s young side contained eight players who had come through their academy system and one of those, left arm pace bowler Chris Wood, ripped through the middle order, dismissing Wayne White, Tom New and Jigar Naik in rapid succession to finish with figures of three for 39.Leicestershire’s total never looked likely to be enough although Nathan Buck got rid of Jimmy Adams and Howell to leave Hampshire 45 for 3 in the 12th over. But then came two substantial partnerships involving the durable McKenzie, 52 for the fourth wicket with Michael Carberry and 55 for the fifth with Liam Dawson.Nadeem Malik kept alive Leicestershire’s outside hopes of snatching an unlikely win when he had Dawson caught at square leg for 30 and then dismissed Wood next ball to leave Hampshire 153 for 6 at the end of the 29th over.Malik knocked back the off stump of Michael Bates when the scores were level but McKenzie kept calm to see Hampshire complete their fifth win. McKenzie’s unbeaten innings came off 62 balls and including five fours while the persevering Malik took 4 for 40, the best bowling of the match but it was not enough to earn his team victory.Buck also caused Hampshire plenty of problems with a sharp opening spell and concluded with 2 for 16 from seven overs but in the end Leicestershire did not have enough runs to play with.

The head of a Pakistan parliamentary committee on sports has resigned in frustration over the state of affairs in Pakistan cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Nov-2010The head of a Pakistan parliamentary committee on sports has resigned in frustration over the state of affairs in Pakistan cricket. Iqbal Muhammad Ali, who was chief of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports, was critical of the government for not taking adequate steps to arrest the current decline.”The state of cricket affairs is before everyone, it is in poor shape and yet nothing is being done to change the tide,” Ali told reporters in Karachi. “I am resigning because the government has not bothered to implement any of the recommendations by this committee for improvement and betterment of sports in the country.”The committee’s previous chairman was Jamshed Dasti, who had repeatedly called for the sacking of the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt in the aftermath of the 2009 attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, and even suggested that Younis Khan and his team-mates had deliberately underperformed in the Champions Trophy the same year. He was eventually asked to step down by the Supreme Court of Pakistan when it was discovered that the Masters degree he held was, in fact, fake.