All posts by h716a5.icu

Rangers turn their attention to the Scottish Cup today as the Ibrox giants look to make their way to the final of the competition.

The Gers secured a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League during the week and now have the chance to progress in another cup competition to cap off a fine week for Gio van Bronckhorst’s side.

They face off against their arch-rivals at Hampden in this semi-final clash and will be hoping to use the momentum gained from their 3-1 win in Europe on Thursday night to get them over the line this afternoon.

Despite their fine victory against Braga, van Bronckhorst may look to make some changes to keep the team fresh after 120 minutes of action at Ibrox a few days ago. One player he must bring back into the starting XI is central defender Leon Balogun.

Calvin Bassey and Connor Goldson played the full match in Europe and the head coach must rest the former to avoid burning out his centre-back options. Filip Helander has been ruled out for the rest of the season and this means that the Gers cannot afford to risk any further injuries in that area of the pitch, which is why Balogun must now come in.

The £14k-per-week Nigerian machine was previously dubbed as “important” by Steven Gerrard and ex-Gers full-back Alan Hutton hailed him as  “outstanding”, which shows how highly he is rated by those who have worked with him or watched him play.

He has averaged SofaScore ratings of 6.98 and 7.01 in the Premiership and Europa League respectively.

This shows that he has been performing to a high level on a consistent basis throughout the campaign in multiple competitions, using his experience to make himself a reliable option for van Bronckhorst this term.

Who should he come in for?

Against Braga, Bassey lost two of his three aerial battles and failed to make a single clearance, block or tackle whilst making one interception – as per SofaScore.

Meanwhile, Goldson won nine of his 10 aerial battles, made five clearances, one block and two tackles – suggesting that he carried the youngster through the game from a defensive standpoint.

Therefore, Balogun’s compatriot should be the one to drop out for this game, with the experienced duo of Balogun and Goldson tasked with keeping the likes of Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi at bay this afternoon.

AND in other news, GvB starts “superhuman” gem & axes “exhausted” dud in big changes: Rangers predicted XI -…

As per journalist Chris Wheeler of The Daily Mail (Twitter), there has been a significant update on the future of Man United playmaker Jesse Lingard as Tottenham Hotspur eye a move.

The Lowdown: Spurs make early January contact…

Reliable reporter Alasdair Gold of football.london backs that Lingard has been a target for Tottenham this month, lifting the lid on how they sounded out his representatives over a potential move.

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However, BBC reporter Simon Stone then claimed that the Lilywhites had a loan offer rebuffed – citing the fact that Man United don’t want to sell to a top four rival.

Reports of Tottenham’s interest have dwindled since then, but on deadline day, it appears they’ve re-emerged.

The Latest: Tottenham in the picture…

Wheeler, taking to Twitter, claims that Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick has now approved a loan exit for Lingard by 11pm – green-lighting a potential transfer.

He adds that Tottenham are in the picture as one of a few clubs to show interest, alongside the likes of West Ham, Newcastle, Leicester, Everton and Burnley.

However, he adds that it remains to be seen whether United drop their demands or deal with a top four rival.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Depending on United’s deadline day stance over dealing with Spurs, we believe Lingard would be a fantastic capture before 11pm.

The England international, called ‘sensational’ by former Arsenal man Nigel Winterburn, bagged nine goals and four assists over 16 top flight appearances for West Ham last year (WhoScored).

It isn’t impossible to believe he could rack up similar numbers on a temporary spell under Antonio Conte.

In other news: ‘One to watch’ – talkSPORT reporter says Spurs could sign £29m ‘star’ today, find out more here.

India are not going to wait for the Board President’s XI game before selecting the squad for the first Test of the two-match series against Australia, beginning on October 1 in Mohali

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Sep-2010India are not going to wait for the Board President’s XI game before selecting the squad for the first Test of the two-match series against Australia, beginning on October 1 in Mohali. The selectors will meet on Monday, 11 days before the first Test, and five days before the BP XI game.The tour game against the Australians features Sreesanth and Cheteshwar Pujara, who would like to press claims for their selection, and Gautam Gambhir, who will be playing his first first-class game since a knee injury ended his Sri Lanka tour after the first Test, in July. The squad also includes Abhimanyu Mithun, who impressed the team management in Sri Lanka in the absence of Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth. Legspinner Piyush Chawla, too, would believe he is not too far from being in the frame, after Amit Mishra’s dismal show in Sri Lanka. However, anything these players do in this game is going to influence selection only for the second Test.The Test squad itself shouldn’t pose too many problems. Yuvraj Singh, who lost his No. 6 slot to Suresh Raina during the Sri Lanka tour, should keep his place in the squad. Before his illness made way for Raina in the second Test, Yuvraj had done decently with a hundred in the tour game and a fifty in the first Test. M Vjay should be the other back-up batsman apart from the main six.Zaheer Khan, fit now, should replace Munaf Patel from the squad that travelled to Sri Lanka. Harbhajan Singh should come back too after missing the third Test in Sri Lanka with fitness issues. If the selectors feel the need for a back-up wicketkeeper, Wriddhiman Saha, who was part of the touring party to Sri Lanka, should retain his place.Likely India squad: MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, M Vijay, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Abhimanyu Mithun and Amit Mishra

A teasing update has emerged on Rangers and their efforts to fast track John Souttar’s arrival at Ibrox…

What’s the talk?

Edinburgh News journalist Barry Anderson has claimed that the Gers are working to agree a deal to sign the centre-back this month.

He Tweeted: “Rangers’ talks with Hearts over John Souttar are progressing but no transfer agreed yet. Seems a matter of time. Will be surprised if he plays for #HMFC again. Not involved at Auchinleck Talbot today.”

Excitement

This teasing claim will surely get Rangers fans excited as it suggests that the club are well on their way to bringing Souttar to Ibrox this month. Whilst Gio van Bronckhorst can rest easy with the knowledge that he is guaranteed to come in the summer, it could be a major boost in the short term to have him arrive six months earlier.

Bringing the central defender to Glasgow this month could improve the Gers’ chances of achieving success domestically and in Europe as he could be an upgrade to the starting XI.

Souttar has averaged a phenomenal SofaScore rating of 7.44 across his 19 Premiership starts. He has won 70% of his individual duels and made 4.3 clearances per game, showing off his defensive quality at this level.

Former Hearts boss Craig Levein once hailed the defender as one of the best in the division, saying:

“I’ve known him since he was 12 years old and he’s just got better and better. When he came here from Dundee Utd, we just needed to give him time. He’s grown into the player that I hoped he would be and for me he’s the best centre back in Scotland.

“Just for the fact that he can do wonderful things. His passing of the ball Saturday was fantastic, but he is also now capable physically of competing with any centre forward. His pace is very, very good and he’s strong, focused and aggressive.”

Meanwhile, no Rangers player outside of James Tavernier (7.80) has managed a higher rating than Souttar in the league. Connor Goldson’s score of 7.15 is the highest of any centre-back in the squad, suggesting that the Hearts man has been head and shoulders above any of van Bronckhorst’s current options.

Therefore, bringing the 25-year-old in this month could be a huge move by Ross Wilson and the Dutch head coach and fans will surely be excited by the prospect of him lining up for the club this season. That is why they will be delighted with this latest update on the pursuit by Anderson.

AND in other news, Major development emerges in “groundbreaking” Rangers move, GvB will be buzzing…

Durham cruised to a 47-run win over Scotland in a rain-shortened Clydesdale Bank 40 clash in Glasgow

01-Aug-2010
Scorecard
Durham cruised to a 47-run win over Scotland in a rain-shortened Clydesdale Bank 40 clash in Glasgow.Michael Di Venuto’s 63 was the mainstay of the visitors’ 189 for 7 after seeing their innings cut to 30 overs, Gordon Goudie chipping in with four wickets for Scotland. Gavin Hamilton hit 64 to carry the fight but when he was run out by Di Venuto, the game was up and the hosts could only struggle to 145 for 9.The rain came with Durham eight for no wicket from three overs and brought about the reduction in overs. The resumption saw the early loss of captain Phil Mustard, who scored 12 of an opening stand of 16 with Di Venuto before he was caught by George Bailey off Goudie, but Durham regrouped as Di Venuto found strong support from Ben Stokes.The Australian hit nine fours and a six in his run-a-ball knock before edging Gordon Drummond to keeper Dougie Lockhart to leave Durham 112 for 2. Stokes followed not long after for an unusually patient 39 but former captain Dale Benkenstein smashed 34 from 23 balls to pick up the pace.Some late-overs hitting followed, with Ian Blackwell run out for 11 from six balls and Ben Harmison clubbing a four and a six in 12 not out from just four deliveries. That damaged Goudie’s economy rate, the new-ball bowler finishing with four for 51 from six overs as he led the attack.A minor Duckworth-Lewis revision left Scotland to chase 193 and they were in trouble from an early stage, losing openers Preston Mommsen and Dougie Watts with just 12 on the board before Bailey also fell cheaply.Richie Berrington made 29 but became Steve Harmison’s second wicket – in four overs costing 17 runs – and left Hamilton to carry the fight almost single-handedly. The Durham old boy hit 64 from 60 balls, finding the boundary rope on eight occasions, but saw Blackwell blitz through the lower middle order at the other end with three for 35 from his six overs.Durham were home and dry long before Hamilton fell to Di Venuto’s throw and the remaining overs were a mere procession.

Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor has been reacting to an update in Celtic’s pursuit of making Jota’s loan move permanent, as per Football Insider.  

The Lowdown: Source shares update

Celtic have been busy this month already, bringing four players to Parkhead. Two of those have been attacking additions in Daizen Maeda and Johnny Kenny, with the club’s attention now on making Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers’ temporary stays full-time.

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According to a recruitment source from Football Insider, a permanent transfer fee for the 22-year-old will exceed £5m on top of a loan fee which has already been paid. with a full-time deal believed to be close. Should that go through, Jota would become the most expensive signing of the Ange Postecoglou era.

The Latest: Agbonlahor’s comments

Agbonlahor, who regularly features as a pundit on talkSPORT, was talking to Football Insider regarding the update. He believes that a permanent transfer will ‘definitely’ happen, labelling the Hoops as an ‘attractive club’ as he outlined:

“Celtic are an attractive club, it’s a club where players will feel settled, they’re going to love their time there and are fighting for the league title.

“Those loans will be converted easily. I’d rather play for Celtic and Rangers than a Championship club.

“Definitely, they will be converted easily.”

The Verdict: Good news

Jota has been a star in green and white this season, contributing to 14 goals in 18 games. He missed the last seven fixtures prior to the international break due to injury, although you’d expect that he will remain the first choice on the left flank when he returns despite Maeda’s arrival.

The Portuguese winger is currently valued at £4.95m by Transfermarkt, and although Celtic will need to pay more than that this month to make his move permanent, you’d expect that it could turn out to be a shrewd deal in the long run.

He’s still just 22 years of age, and if he continues to shine, it won’t be long until his market value hits eight figures.

In other news: ‘Ideal’ – BBC pundit thinks Celtic may accept bid almost double previous offer for ‘excellent’ ace

Just to prove that their first win over India wasn’t an upset at all, Zimbabwe won even more convincingly – with a bonus point this time, making their qualification for the final a distinct possibility

The Bulletin by Sidharth Monga03-Jun-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
M Vijay consumed 56 balls for his 21 before being stumped•DESMOND KWANDE/AFPJust to prove that their first win over India wasn’t an upset, Zimbabwe won even more convincingly – with a bonus point this time, making their qualification for the final a distinct possibility. A combination of disciplined bowling and fielding, and directionless batting from India, meant Zimbabwe were chasing an ordinary total. Just to show the pitch had no demons that could justify a total of 194, Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza punished the bowlers, adding 128 runs in 26.3 overs.The pitch wasn’t exceptionally slow nor did it have much movement. Even without a specialist new-ball bowler, Zimbabwe choked India’s scoring, and kept getting regular wickets. India didn’t help themselves with a 1980s-style opening that was lacking in intent, followed by the quick departure of the openers, and then the run-outs of two of their mainstays, Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina.Zimbabwe’s attack might be built on four spinners and a military-medium bowler, but they were as aggressive as fast bowlers – in intent, in field placings and in body language. Greg Lamb, who bowled a fine mixture of offbreaks and floaters that went straight on, was the pick of the bowlers with the wickets of the openers in back-to-back overs after they had consumed almost 19 overs for 63 runs. There were 182 dot balls in the innings, and just 12 boundaries – that too thanks to some late hitting from Ravindra Jadeja, who escaped two plumb lbws before going on to score 51.It was a strange ceasefire at the top of the innings: India kept waiting for poor deliveries, Zimbabwe for loose shots. Andy Blignaut and Ray Price, the opening bowlers, gave no free scoring opportunities but Dinesh Karthik and M Vijay sought no adventure. Only 26 runs came in the first 10 overs, five of them in wides, as the bowlers consciously tried to cut out shots through the off side and ended up bowling down the leg side.Both batsmen had put themselves under pressure with that slow start, making it imperative to not get out after wasting so many overs. And get out they did, following each other to the pavilion. If Karthik got too adventurous with a reverse-sweep, Vijay charged at Lamb and fell to a floater that went straight as opposed to breaking in. While it was smart bowling, it could also be argued that Lamb had been bowling straighter ones throughout his spell, and it wasn’t as big a variation as the sight of Vijay swinging way inside its line suggested.Zimbabwe were not going to let India’s middle order play the game of four singles an over followed by a late assault. In as late as the 23th over, they had six men inside the circle, and the slip hardly ever moved out. Virat Kohli soon fell to a straighter one from Prosper Utseya. Raina, an over after a misunderstanding with Rohit, went for a single that wasn’t there, and paid the price. Soon Rohit went for a tight single but Jadeja lacked the urgency, sending him back straight to the pavilion. Fifty-eight for 0 after 16 overs was good enough for Zimbabwe, 95 for 5 was a dream.Jadeja got favours from umpires at either end even before he was set, but Yusuf Pathan wasn’t so lucky. And despite a 35-run batting Powerplay, India had hardly given their bowlers anything to defend.And the bowlers again failed to impress. Despite a slow start, thanks to the move of opening with Pragyan Ojha, Zimbabwe raced to 76 by the end of 15 overs. Once again it was Taylor who started the assault. After four quiet overs, he punched Ashok Dinda on the up, square of the wicket, and suddenly it seemed strokeplay was not that difficult at all. Masakadza followed lead, charging at Ojha and lofting him over mid-on.In the next two overs, Dinda and Umesh Yadav tried to intimidate Taylor, and were pulled for a four and a six. There was time for a stylish extra-cover drive too, and Masakadza got his own back at Amit Mishra by welcoming him with two fours in his first over. In the previous match, Mishra had done the batsmen in with a googly. And as soon as the fielding restrictions were lifted, India inexplicably spread the field. Wisdom, conventional or otherwise, would suggest an attacking approach.By the time India realised they needed to attack, Taylor had reached his fifty, Zimbabwe had crossed 100, and India’s first set of consecutive losses to Zimbabwe was all but sealed. In the second match of the tournament, when India were on their way to chasing Sri Lanka’s target, Virat Kohli and Rohit gestured to the dressing room, wanting to take the Powerplay. They were not allowed to. Zimbabwe, though, showed much more clarity of thought, imposing the field restrictions in the 31st over, and finished the game off with 11.4 overs to spare.

Adama Traore’s Wolves exit feels ‘inevitable’ in the near future because of his wage demands, according to reliable journalist Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: Traore’s future uncertain

The Spain winger has had a frustrating season to date, not always a guaranteed starter under Bruno Lage and failing to register a single goal or assist.

Traore has been linked with a move away in the January transfer window as he potentially looks for a fresh challenge at a key point in his career.

The 25-year-old has not yet agreed a new deal – his current £46,000-a-week contract expires at the end of next season – and that has only fuelled speculation over his future. There are currently nine players at Molineux on a higher wage, three of whom take home more than double Traore’s pay packet (Salary Sport).

The Latest: Spiers makes big Traore claim

Taking to Twitter on Sunday night, Spiers responded to a question about Traore’s future, admitting that his wage demands could increase the possibility of him leaving Wolves.

The journalist claimed: “Been rumbling on for more than a year now. From what I gather Traore believes he should be one of, if not the, highest earners at the club. They came close to agreeing in May before Nuno left, then again in September. Unless he lowers his demands an exit feels inevitable.”

The Verdict: Time to go

Traore has had his moments at Wolves – he chipped in with 13 goal contributions in the league in 2019/20 – but he has flattered to deceive all too often, making this the right time to sell him.

Wanderers could receive a healthy amount of money for the £25.2m-rated winger and use the funds to bring in someone who Lage genuinely wants at the club.

It remains to be seen if a January or summer exit is on the cards, but it feels as though Traore is slowly reaching the end of the line at Molineux.

In other news, one midfielder has been linked with a move to Wolves. Find out who it is here.

James Harris claimed figures of 5 for 62 as Glamorgan beat Northamptonshireby an innings and four runs to wrap up their third County Championship winof the season and move up to second in the Division Two table

13-May-2010
Scorecard
James Harris claimed figures of 5 for 62 as Glamorgan beat Northamptonshireby an innings and four runs to wrap up their third County Championship winof the season and move up to second in the Division Two table.It took the Welsh county only 22.5 overs of the fourth and final day to achievevictory in Cardiff and seal back-to-back championship wins for the firsttime in six years.The win, which saw Northamptonshire lose their last six wickets in the space of17 overs, sets up an intriguing clash next week between the Welsh side andGloucestershire, who are just a point behind Glamorgan in third.Glamorgan eased to victory 20 minutes before lunch to take 23 points from thefixture, while the visitors had to settle for just three. Glamorgan still had plenty of work to do to achieve victory going into the final day with Northamptonshire resuming their second innings on 126 for 4 – still needing 71 to avoid an innings defeat.David Sales and night watchman David Lucas looked relatively untroubled in theearly going until David Harrison broke through in the sixth over of the day. Harrison produced a fine ball that nipped back between bat and pad to knock over Sales’ off stump.And that opened the door for Glamorgan as the remaining five wickets fell atregular intervals during the morning session. Andrew Hall fell lbw to Harris not offering a shot and then Jim Allenby struck twice in an over to have both Nicky Boje and Lucas, who had made a defiant 32, also trapped leg before.Lee Daggett lasted just two balls before becoming Allenby’s third victim, caught at second slip by Jamie Dalrymple. James Middlebrook and Jack Brooks looked as if they may avoid an innings defeat before Harris struck to have Brooks caught behind.

This is not quite the World Cup, and Deccan’s dream run didn’t reach the final, but Bangalore – like South Africa – should have finished Deccan twice in the league stage. Now Deccan stand in their way of a Champions League slot

The Preview by Sidharth Monga23-Apr-2010 Match facts Deccan v Bangalore, third-place playoff, Mumbai
Saturday, April 24
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)Adam Gilchrist has failed to fire with the bat, and has one final shot before the tournament concludes•Indian Premier League Big Picture Here we go again. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers, face to face, one final time this year, to decide who will qualify for the Champions League. Although Bangalore mainly have themselves to blame for playing on Saturday, and not Sunday, Deccan have been an important part of their slide in the second half of the tournament.After Deccan’s choke against Rajasthan Royals in Nagpur, Adam Gilchrist said the tournament had become simpler for them. It was a straight equation: win each of the seven games to come. Quite similar to Steve Waugh’s words less than halfway through the 1999 World Cup, which were immortalised by his team’s ultimate success.Eleven years ago, in a Super Six match at Headingley, South Africa had Australia down, should have eliminated them, but left the job unfinished. And then on that unforgettable day at Edgbaston, Australia knocked their benefactors out en route to going unbeaten for seven matches. This is not quite the World Cup, and Deccan’s dream run didn’t reach the final, but Bangalore – like South Africa – should have finished Deccan twice in the league stage. Now Deccan stand in their way of a Champions League slot. Will DY Patil Stadium be Bangalore’s Edgbaston?The resemblance is made all the more striking by the foreign cores of these teams: Bangalore (Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Ray Jennings) are predominantly South African, and Deccan (Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Ryan Harris, Darren Lehman) Australian.Form guide (most recent first)Bangalore Royal Challengers LLWLW
Deccan Chargers LWWWWTeam talkThe teams may have lost their semi-finals, but this is a match just as serious, and they should play their best XIs. The best XI for Deccan should be easier to choose: they have won five of their last six matches. Bangalore, though, have questions. The way they have played around with Manish Pandey’s place in the team, and with that his confidence and his form, has been one of their tactical blunders. Will they play him, and if they do, will they open with him?PreviouslyDeccan 4, Bangalore 2
Deccan are becoming a bogey opposition for Bangalore: Last year’s final, followed by two matches this year that Bangalore should have won. But Deccan hung on, much like they did for the majority of the tournament. In the first game, Suman played a responsible hand; in the second, Bangalore choked while chasing a small total.In the spotlight It all began going downhill for Jacques Kallis after Bangalore’s defeat against Deccan in Nagpur. His 37-ball 27, captain Kumble said, put pressure on the rest of the line-up. Since then Kallis’ scores have read 0, 14 and 11. He is threatening to end the tournament on a low after perhaps being the best player in its first half. Saturday’s match is one last shot at redemption.While many point to Adam Gilchrist as the inspiration behind Deccan’s success, Gilchrist the batsman has been their biggest failure, wasting an overseas player’s slot for an average of 19 runs per innings. His hitting has promised a lot, but he has rarely lasted the Powerplay overs. It’s not certain if Gilchrist gets a chance to play, or wants to play, in the next season, so this could be his last opportunity to set a few records straight.Prime numbers Robin Uthappa is the leading six-hitter of the tournament. With 27 sixes, he is three ahead of M Vijay, his closest rival still alive in the tournament. Suresh Raina has 19, Saurabh Tiwary 18. With 64 sixes in three years, Gilchrist leads the tally overall. Deccan have played three matches at DY Patil this year, and have lost all three while chasing.The chatter”We want to pick ourselves up for Saturday’s match. We would love to play in the Champions League again.”
“That [Champions League slot] would be a consolation for us, but the big prize is winning the IPL and we have missed out on that.”