All posts by h716a5.icu

Newcastle United’s time under the ownership of PIF has been slightly more radiant than Mike Ashley’s dreaded tenure but it has not gone entirely to plan.

They failed to land their top managerial target in Unai Emery, have seen their team win just once, and they are now struggling to get in a director of football too.

What’s the word?

The Magpies were able to bring in former Celtic figure, Nick Hammond, as a short-term consultant ahead of the January window and he will prove invaluable when it comes to improving the Newcastle squad.

However, their pursuit of Dan Ashworth to fill the role long-term has been a slow and rather tedious process.

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie weighed in on the debate during an interview with GIVEMESPORT and provided the following update on their chase, revealing the stance PIF are taking.

He said: “This director of football search has gone on a while as well, and the Newcastle United fans look at it and say, ‘Why is it taking so long because this is costing us, this is a crucial time.’

“And of course it is, but this is just the way they’re deciding to do things, and I think that is the directive from Saudi Arabia. So, that is where we’re at with this.”

Fans fuming

The whole situation surrounding Newcastle’s chase to fill their vacant director of football role is likely to have left fans rather annoyed and angry.

As Downie says, this is an incredibly crucial time for the football club, and the quicker they can appoint someone long-term, the sooner PIF can begin implementing their vision for the Toon in the transfer market.

Much has been made of the riches that their new Saudi owners have but without strategic deployment and a knowledge of both the market and players, they will continue to ride the one-way train to relegation.

Of course, the club shouldn’t rush things, but there is now just four days before the January transfer window opens and their tactical approach to recruiting new faces is incredibly unclear.

The directive could be to target marquee names, such as an Ousmane Dembele, but it feels like it’ll be easier to land domestic players running down their contract like James Tarkowski.

Either way, Newcastle’s future looks incredibly grim without a footballing figurehead in the board room and although Hammond will help, he isn’t the long-term solution they need.

Therefore, until Ashworth lands the role, providing he does, the Toon Army will be particularly agitated about the direction their club is heading in under the new ownership.

AND in other news, Downie reveals “the information” he’s got on NUFC’s “top target”, fans will be buzzing…

Billy Godleman just failed to mark his Essex debut with a century as Hampshire were made to work hard for wickets after putting in their rivals on the opening day of their County Championship match at Chelmsford

09-Apr-2010
ScorecardBilly Godleman just failed to mark his Essex debut with a century as Hampshire were made to work hard for wickets after putting in their rivals on the opening day of their County Championship match at Chelmsford.The 21-year-old left-handed opener made 92 as Essex closed on 325 for 7, with Matt Walker and James Foster also posting half centuries. Signed on a three-year contract after leaving Middlesex, Godleman was denied his 100 when he was bowled by left-arm spinner Danny Briggs while attempting to turn the ball away on the leg side.But long before then, he had underlined his potential with a variety of attacking strokes while collecting 13 boundaries during his 146-ball stay. However, he did need one slice of luck. When on 45 he edged a simple catch to Jimmy Adams at first slip only for the fielder to spurn the opportunity.Although a green-looking pitch suggested it would help the bowlers, Godleman and John Maunders found it held no terrors as they launched the innings on afirm foundation. And it was only a misunderstanding between the openers that led to the stand being broken on 68. maunders had made 33 of those when he was run out at thenon-striker’s end when turning and failing to regain his ground after settingoff for a single.Tom Westley managed only a single before he was caught behind by Nic Pothas offpaceman David Griffiths, and soon after Godleman’s demise, Mark Pettini alsobecame a victim of Briggs. Pettini reached double figures with an onside six, the first of the innings, only to be dismissed next ball when he snicked to Pothas when cutting. The Essex skipper’s departure paved the way for an entertaining partnership of 75 involving Walker and Foster.A pulled muscle resulted in Walker batting with a runner as he neared his half-century but it proved no real handicap as he reached that landmark with a couple of leg-side fours at the expense of Briggs. But on 57, his innings was brought to an end when he gloved a simple catch to Pothas when sweeping. In all, he hit nine boundaries while receiving 178deliveries.Foster was quick to seize upon any opportunity to drive as he completed a superb 50 from 62 deliveries, 10 of which he despatched to the boundary. And he continued to attack confidently, adding another eight fours until he fell victim to the second new ball when he was caught at second slip to provide Griffiths with his second success of the innings. Foster had made 88 and Griffiths was to claim another victim before the close when he had Ryan ten Doeschate caught by a leaping Adams in the slips. Griffiths has so far claimedthree for 73 while Briggs has been rewarded with three for 61.

Ravi Rampaul and Darren Sammy ensured West Indies overcame the absence of Chris Gayle and a stuttering batting display as they overpowered Ireland

The Bulletin by Peter English30-Apr-2010West Indies 138 for 9 (Sammy 30, Dockrell 3-16) beat Ireland 68 (Sammy 3-8, Rampaul 3-17) by 70 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsGeorge Dockrell led Ireland with 3 for 16 but it was West Indies’ bowlers who made the difference•Getty ImagesDarren Sammy shone in every way to ensure West Indies overcame the absence of Chris Gayle and a stuttering batting display as they overpowered Ireland. Sammy collected 30 runs, three breakthroughs and a record four catches during the 70-run success. Ravi Rampaul’s three-wicket opening burst was also crucial in Ireland being knocked over for 68, the second-lowest total in Twenty20s.The captain Gayle didn’t play due to a problem with his glutes, leaving Dwayne Bravo in charge, and there were thoughts of an upset when West Indies scrapped to 138 for 9 on a sluggish surface. There was a party atmosphere in the stands of the Providence stadium, but life was much more serious on the ground for the home batsmen, particularly when the 17-year-old George Dockrell was operating.All the worries over the size of the total evaporated as soon as Kemar Roach struck with his second ball and Ireland, an Associate country, could not recover after losing their top three for 11 in 11 balls. William Porterfield (4) edged Roach to Sammy, who dived to his right at second slip for a sharp take, and his team-mates also struggled with the extra pace.Sammy got his second catch in the next over when Paul Stirling skewed to midwicket and Rampaul (3 for 17) struck again almost immediately to remove Niall O’Brien caught behind. Ireland were 13 for 3 when some relief arrived in the form of rain, but there was no reprieve after the half-hour delay.Alex Cusack (2) went shortly after the resumption when taken at second slip by Sammy, who seemed to be everywhere, and Rampaul had his third. Sammy then chipped in with the ball, taking care of Kevin O’Brien, as the visitors crawled to 39 for 5. While standing at cover Sammy collected his fourth catch when leaping high to collect the push of Gary Wilson, who top scored with 17. Sammy picked up Boyd Rankin and finished the match to gain 3 for 8 and start the local celebrations.At the halfway stage it was the visitors who were on a high following the impressive effort of Dockrell, the seemingly nerveless left-arm orthodox. The youngest player in the tournament showed how much of an impact accurate spin has in these conditions and finished with a highly impressive 3 for 16 off four overs.West Indies needed a late thrust from Sammy to take them to the highest total in the four innings at the venue on Friday. Sammy powered a straight six that broke a window and collected another in the same Trent Johnston over in a vital 17-ball display.Andre Fletcher, who replaced Gayle, struggled to find the boundary during his 19 off 22 and left to Dockrell after failing to clear long-on with a one-handed drive. Two balls later Ramnaresh Sarwan (24) tried to strike over long-off but was taken by Wilson and the hosts were wobbling at 77 for 4.After Rankin (2 for 35) followed up by having Denesh Ramdin (1) caught behind, Dockrell completed his collection thanks to Narsingh Deonarine’s miscued slog sweep. Kieron Pollard entered at 93 for 6 and managed 8 before he was caught-and-bowled by Andre Botha when trying to pull. Throughout the innings the hosts made useful starts before being undone by a mixture of the surface and Ireland’s enthusiasm.The opener Shivnarine Chanderpaul (14) top-edged to Wilson at point and Bravo entered for a bright cameo of 18 off 10 including two sixes. He departed to a strong straight drive hit back to the bowler Cusack (2 for 19), which struck his leg, bobbled around his midriff and was eventually captured resting on his chest. Ireland’s energy ran out in the second innings and they will have to beat England on Tuesday to have a chance of staying in the tournament.

So far this season, under the guidance of Dean Smith and then Steven Gerrard, Aston Villa have won seven, drawn one and lost 10 of their 18 Premier League games, scoring 24 goals and conceding 28 in the process.

Their previous league outing saw them concede three times in their loss against Chelsea at Villa Park thanks to two Jorginho penalties and one headed goal from Romelu Lukaku.

One player who was involved in the defeat to Thomas Tuchel’s side that Gerrard should now consider dropping from the team is Tyrone Mings.

The ccntre-back failed to have any sort of defensive impact in the Boxing Day encounter, not registering even one tackle or interception or blocking any shots, as well as losing three of his four duels. This display earned him a disappointing overall match rating of 6.1/10, making the £28.8m-rated man the lowest-rated outfield Villa player on the day according to SofaScore.

Birmingham Mail also picked up on the England international’s shaky performance by saying that he “should take the blame for what proved to be Lukaku’s winner after he opted to block his run as opposed to going to meet and challenge it,” suggesting that Mings could be seen as a liability for Villa at the back.

Even though he will miss Villa’s next Premier League match against Brentford on Sunday after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Chelsea, Gerrard should definitely consider keeping the 28-year-old out of the team beyond the next game, especially if whoever comes in to replace him at the weekend can impress.

Having been labelled a “cocky” player in terms of his style of play by pundit and former Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie, Mings has been under the spotlight for his poor performances and errors on the pitch in the past.

Looking ahead to the Brentford game, with an overall season rating of 6.8/10 from WhoScored, Kortney Hause could be the one to come in for the 28-year-old at the weekend.

If this is the case and Hause can put in a solid performance and potentially keep a clean sheet, he could be the one to keep Mings out of the team for the foreseeable future.

In other news: Gregg Evans drops injury update at Aston Villa which will leave fans delighted

Adama Traore is unhappy at Wolves and will look to leave the club in the January transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Traore exit rumours continue

The 25-year-old has struggled to be a regular for the team this season, starting just 10 of his side’s 19 Premier League games and still flattering to deceive with his performances, failing to register a goal or assist despite playing in attack.

It has led to constant rumours linking Traore with a move away from Molineux this month, with the likes of Tottenham and Barcelona both seemingly in the mix to sign him.

There seems little to point towards the Spain international staying put as he potentially looks for a new challenge.

The Latest: O’Rourke makes fresh Traore claim

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke backed Traore to leave Wolves in the coming weeks, claiming that he isn’t content at the club right now.

The journalist stated: “Traore doesn’t look too happy at Wolves. I think maybe it’s time for both parties to move their separate ways.”

The Verdict: Move seems inevitable

With each passing day and amid intensifying transfer rumours, it feels increasingly as though Traore will move on before the deadline day cutoff, having had an inconsistent Wolves career.

For all his incredible pace, quick footwork and physical prowess, the £25.2m-rated winger has still only scored 10 goals in 152 appearances for Wanderers.

Wolves should be able to earn a big fee for Traore this month based on that valuation, and a sale for that amount would help to generate plenty of funds for signings that Bruno Lage wants to make.

In other news, Wolves have been backed to sign one player in January. Find out who it is here.

Kevin Pietersen has announced he will leave Hampshire at the end of the season. He has not played a Championship match at The Rose Bowl since 2005

George Dobell17-Jun-2010Kevin Pietersen has announced he will leave Hampshire at the end of the season. He has not played a Championship match at The Rose Bowl since breaking into the Test team in 2005 and made his first appearance in two years on Sunday in the Friends Provident t20.Afterwards, when pressed about his future at the club, he replied: “Geographically it just doesn’t work. I live in Chelsea.”On Thursday he said: “I have not had much opportunity to play for Hampshire but I want to thank the players, staff, chairman and fans, for the support I have had during my time at The Rose Bowl. Hampshire is a great club and I wish them well for the future.”Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove said: “Given England’s critical dependence on KP in all forms of cricket, we have not seen anything like as much of him as we would have liked over the past six years.”Pietersen’s desire to be in London would appear to limit his options for a move considerably. Middlesex and Surrey are the only clubs with easy reach of his home. If neither express any interest, it is possible he could become a ‘freelance’. It is understood that a move to Middlesex is likely.”I don’t blame Kevin, but these international players are now owned almost entirely by England,” Bransgrove told Cricinfo before Pietersen’s announcement. “He supports us the best he can when he’s here, but the ECB’s policy of releasing player for their counties is quite opaque and I don’t understand it. The England management rule the roost. I’ve given up asking for them to release Kevin for Hampshire games.”Bransgrove expressed particular disappointment over Pietersen’s availability for T20 cricket. Pietersen has played only two domestic T20 matches for Hampshire in six seasons. “The ECB have also shown no commitment to the competition,” Bransgrove said. “Our international player was only available for one game. We really need to grasp the opportunity of T20, but it’s almost gone now.”To exacerbate matters, the England management withdrew Pietersen from a question and answer session arranged for a dinner at the Rose Bowl on the eve of the ODI against Australia. “I’m extremely hacked off,” Bransgrove said.Meanwhile Hampshire are also reeling from the news that Kabir Ali will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury. Kabir, who has the best strike-rate of any bowler in county cricket, joined the club from Worcestershire at the end of last year.”It’s very sad news,” Bransgrove said. “We thought he’d take at least 50 wickets for us and he started the season bowling beautifully. But it’s a serious injury – much like that suffered by Simon Jones – and we’ll have to work very hard to get him ready for next season.”To complete a thoroughly miserable day, the club have also reluctantly accepted that Ajantha Mendis, the Sri Lankan spinner they hoped would represent them for most of the season, will not be available at all.

Many Everton fans have been left lauding some footage that has emerged involving their Academy player Francis Okoronkwo.

As shared by Everton Academy’s official Twitter page, the winger cut inside the defender neatly before unleashing a curling effort into the opposite corner past the goalkeeper from outside of the box.

The Merseyside club’s U18 team were playing Sheffield United at Goodison Park in the FA Youth Cup on Friday night, and that goal put them 1-0 up.

The game finished 2-1 in the end, and so the U18’s went through into the round of 16, where they will now play Manchester United away from home.

Nonetheless, a lot of Toffees supporters were left in admiration of Okoronkwo’s strike in particular, and gave their reactions.

Everton fans on Okoronkwo goal

These Blues were left lauding the footage as it was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was a ‘sublime’ goal:

“The way he set himself up for that. Sublime!”

Credit: @MontagueStreet

“What a baller this kid is”

Credit: @EFCFrostyy2

“What a finish!”

Credit: @the_street_end

“Gerrrin”

Credit: @edgyt10

“This kid will go right to the top, right to the very top”

Credit: @BillEvram

“Massive massive potential this lad, could be an absolute cracker”

Credit: @danny1878c

In other news, find out what fresh injury blow EFC have suffered here!

Jonathan Trott’s 118 guided England Lions to a tense victory over West Indies A at Northampton.

Cricinfo staff29-Jun-2010
ScorecardJonathan Trott’s 118 guided England Lions to victory over West Indies A at Northampton. In a contest that continually threatened to become tense it was the class of Trott, Alastair Cook and Ian Bell that edged England Lions home after a sensational hundred by Kirk Edwards carried the tourists to a competitive 279.Trott was unceremoniously dumped out of both England’s limited-overs teams as they looked for the right combination to deliver their new-found ‘fearlessness’, but today he displayed nous and power of his own to anchor the chase to perfection.Set 280 for victory, what had looked a challenging total became harder when Steven Davies, opening alongside Cook, fell for 11 to Gavin Tonge. Davies has been in fine form this season for Surrey, especially in limited-overs cricket, but his wicket brought Trott to the crease and together with Cook, the pair laid the foundations for the successful chase.Cook discovered a proficiency for one-day batting at the back-end of last season, and carried that form into England’s away series against Bangladesh earlier this year, where he slog-swept his way to 156 runs in three innings. Today he displayed his usual calm temperament with controlled hitting to reach a fifty at a fraction under a run a ball. Trott was similarly comfortable working the ball around and picking off the boundaries when available as the pair added 123 in just over 22 overs.Cook was eventually dismissed for 71 by legspinner Imran Khan but the wicket brought no respite for the tourists. Instead Ian Bell, another player on the fringes of the England one-day side, stroked his way serenely to 44. Trott ticked along at the other end and, without ever hurrying, the pair took England Lions to within 61 of the total with 50 balls remaining.West Indies A could not quite squeeze England Lions enough and Trott passed his century off 116 balls to take the side to the brink of victory. He fell to the first ball of the penultimate over, caught behind off Andre Russell with six still needed, but Darren Stevens and Andrew Gale ensured there were no slip-ups.It was a good work out for England Lions and it displayed the depth that lies beneath the senior side. Yet they could have been chasing a lot less had Edwards not carried the tourists’ batting with an epic 147. Before this innings he’d never past 50 in limited-overs cricket but he was on song today.West Indies A’s innings had got off to a horror start, when captain Devon Smith was caught behind from the first ball of the match off Ajmal Shahzad. Andre Fletcher, the wicketkeeper batsman recently demoted by West Indies after a series of low scores, could not get going either, and was bogged down before being castled by Chris Woakes.It brought Edwards to the crease and it wasn’t long until he saw another wicket fall; Omar Phillips nicking behind to Ravi Bopara, to leave the side wobbling on 46 for 3. At that point England Lions would have fancied their chances of chipping through the West Indies A line-up, but instead Edwards was joined by Assad Fudadin and the pair worked the tourists into a competitive position.Fudadin made a crucial fifty for West Indies A in similar circumstances against Ireland earlier in the tour and today he was equally patient as he and Edwards batted for the best part of 25 overs to add 137.Edwards was the senior partner, however, and he clubbed 18 fours and three sixes in all, reaching his century off 103 balls. Thereafter he added 47 from his next 29 balls before Woakes bowled him with nine balls left to go.Sajid Mahmood wore the brunt of the beating, with his 10 overs costing an eye-watering 79. Having bowled so well through the Friends Provident t20 for Lancashire this year, it was a major disappointment for Mahmood and he seems unable to push any closer than the fringes of the national side.It was Shahzad, who is pushing Tim Bresnan for a place in the senior England side, who was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 2 for 25 from his allotted overs. It helped restrict West Indies to a manageable total and Trott ensured England Lions eased to victory.

A number of Liverpool supporters are excited after reliable journalist James Pearce claimed the Reds are interested in signing Fulham youngster Fabio Carvalho.

Jurgen Klopp hasn’t done a lot of transfer business in recent years, often making do with the squad already at his disposal.

Ibrahima Konate was the only signing to come in last summer and it looks as though Liverpool will not make any reinforcements in the January transfer window.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

According to The Athletic‘s Pearce on Twitter, however, the Reds are keeping a ‘close eye’ on developments regarding Carvalho, whose current Fulham contract expires this summer.

The 19-year-old has scored seven goals in 13 Championship starts this season, helping them top of the table and look likely to secure a return to the Premier League.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-18/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans love Carvalho rumour

These Liverpool fans reacted to the claim on Twitter, providing some positive thoughts on the ‘promising’ target.

“Let’s friggin go!”

Credit: @NoSwearingHere7

“Get it done asap, looks like a promising player”

Credit: @60thoughts

“All over this”

Credit: @Aaronwij

“Not FSG’s biggest fan but stockpiling talented homegrown players under 23 is clever”

Credit: @camlfc

“No way he sees this and signs a new contract with Fulham. I’m convinced we’re getting him this summer”

Credit: @lfcalexx

“This feels like it’s done”

Credit: @deanregan__

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted after a Reds injury update emerged. Read more here.

Brad Haddin has until the end of next week to prove his fitness for the two Tests against Pakistan after being named in the 14-man squad

Peter English22-Jun-2010Brad Haddin has until the end of next week to prove his fitness for the two Tests against Pakistan after being named in the 14-man squad along with Ben Hilfenhaus and the uncapped batsman Usman Khawaja. Haddin was ruled out of the current limited-overs tour of the British Isles due to a nagging elbow tendon injury, with Tasmania’s Tim Paine replacing him in the outfit which opens the ODI series with England on Tuesday.Wicketkeepers don’t like giving up their positions and Haddin, who played with a badly broken finger in England last year, will attempt to recover in Sydney before the Test specialists leave on July 2. “His availability for these matches will be determined over the next week,” the team physio Alex Kountouris said.Mitchell Johnson will head to England in the next couple of days to link up with the limited-overs squad after overcoming a recurrence of his infected right elbow. The problem first flared during the World Twenty20 but Johnson is now ready to go.”Mitchell has trained strongly over the past four days with no adverse effect,” Kountouris said. “He has been cleared by medical staff to step up his training in preparation for both the Twenty20 and Test series against Pakistan.”Khawaja, the New South Wales left-hander, is in as the reserve batsman after Phillip Hughes needed surgery following a dislocated left shoulder suffered during boxing training in May. After scoring three Sheffield Shield hundreds last season Khawaja, a 23-year-old born in Pakistan, will have a chance to confirm his international promise if there are any vacancies. If he plays he will become Australia’s first Muslim representative.Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said the injury to Hughes was “unfortunate”, but Khawaja would be an able replacement. “He is seen by the panel as being capable of batting anywhere in the order in Test cricket, but importantly for this particular series a top-order batsman who could bat in the top four should the opportunity arise,” Hilditch said. Steven Smith, the batsman-legspinner, is expected to be preferred if any of the other batting spots open up.Hilfenhaus played his first game of the year over the past week, taking 5 for 63 for Australia A against Sri Lanka A, to show his fitness after a long battle with knee tendonitis. He is well suited to English conditions, as he displayed last year, and will use the series to fine tune for the five home Tests against England.”Ben was a critical member of our 2009 Ashes bowling group and it is very pleasing to see him back in the Test squad with the next Ashes series just around the corner,” Hilditch said. The opening match against Pakistan starts at Lord’s on July 13 and the second game is in Leeds from July 21.Australia squad Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, Brad Haddin (wk), Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus.