All posts by h716a5.icu

A Sunderland training ground development has emerged, regarding versatile gem Luke O’Nien…

What’s the latest?

The Chronicle Live have reported that the midfielder is back out on the field on Wednesday as he looks to complete his comeback from an injury.

O’Nien has been out of action since November due to a shoulder problem and he is now easing his way back to full fitness.

Buzzing

Sunderland fans will be buzzing with this news as the return of O’Nien could be a big boost to manager Lee Johnson for the second half of the season.

The Black Cats are working hard to battle their way out of League One and having as many of their players fit and available as possible could help them to achieve their goal. The midfielder is a proven performer at this level as he has previously shown that he can consistently deliver quality displays in a number of positions, which is why this update could delight fans and Johnson.

Wigan and Wycombe are the two teams above Sunderland in the table as it stands, with the latter sitting top and one point above them and the former having a whopping four games in-hand but currently level on points. This shows how tight it is at the top of the table and why every little advantage the Black Cats can accrue could be crucial in the coming months.

Only Ross Stewart and Tom Flanagan have averaged higher SofaScore ratings than O’Nien in League One this season and this illustrates his importance to the team as he has been one of their top performers this term. He has averaged a score of 7.11 across 16 appearances, playing in a plethora of roles throughout the XI – highlighting the versatility he brings as he can play at centre-back, right-back, right midfield, central midfield and in a holding position.

The ex-Wycombe man has won an impressive 65% of his duels and made 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game in the third tier. Fans will surely be delighted to see his tough-tackling midfield performances again in the coming weeks and this is why they will be buzzing with the news that he is back in training and working to shake off his shoulder injury.

AND in other news, Johnson must secure SAFC deal for £3.1k-p/w gem who has “all the raw tools to succeed”…

Plays of the Day from the third day of the second Test between Pakistan and Australia at Headingley

Brydon Coverdale and Nagraj Gollapudi at Headingley23-Jul-2010A costly slip-up
In a chase of 180, an early wicket could have been decisive and Shane Watson had that opportunity in his grasp. And then out of it. Imran Farhat was on 4 when he edged a good delivery from Doug Bollinger just to the right of Watson at first slip. It should have been a straightforward take but it struck Watson on the wrist and bounced away, and he was despondent as he hung his head, rueing what he knew could be one of the most crucial moments of the match.Smith shows some muscle
Steven Smith was six the last time Australia lost a Test to Pakistan. He certainly did his best to extend the winning run with a brutal batting display that included two sixes onto the Football Stand roof. “I was batting with the tail for quite a bit of time so I thought I had to get a few boundaries away and sort of stay on strike for most of the overs,” Smith said of his aggressive approach. “So that was sort of the way forward, a few premeditated shots and that sort of thing.”Lunch breaks concentration again
For the third straight day, there was a wicket shortly after lunch. On the first two days, two breakthroughs had been made in the first over following the interval but on this occasion it was almost prosaic by comparison. Danish Kaneria sent down the first over and didn’t strike, but with the first ball of the session’s second over, Mohammad Asif caught the edge of Michael Clarke’s bat with an excellent outswinger.Missing a trick
Most captains would attack first thing in the morning. Salman Butt missed a trick when he had two slips in the first three overs of the morning for his opening pair of Mohammad Asif and Aamer. Inadvertently an outside edge from Ricky Ponting flew past the spot where ideally a third would stand. Asif was understandably annoyed. Luckily Ponting got out soon after, chasing a wide delivery to give Kamran Akmal a simple chance off Aamer a couple of overs later. But the positioning of the slips and the number of slip fielders continued to be debatable over the length of the Australian innings.Power play
As if the day wasn’t dramatic enough, a power cut during the morning session stopped the supply of electricity into the ground for nearly an hour. The main electronic scoreboard was blacked out completely, while the smaller board was stuck with Michael Clarke on 56. The Test Match Special radio commentators had to resort to battery power and there was uncertainty over whether the third umpire would have access to TV replays. It turned out an underground cable fault was the cause, affecting the Headingley area, and by the time play resumed after lunch, all was well again.Koertzen courtesy
When the Pakistan players took the field for the second session, they gave the umpire Rudi Koertzen a clap and pat on the back as he walked to the centre. It is Koertzen’s final Test match and it’s understandable that the Pakistanis wanted to pay their respects, but they must have had plenty of confidence in their bowlers. Australia were only five down, so finishing Australia off in the session was no certainty. As it turned out, it was Pakistan’s final session in the field with Koertzen, though only just.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has permitted the recruitment of foreign players for the country’s domestic Twenty20 competition – the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League – to be held later in the year

Cricinfo staff22-Aug-2010The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has permitted the recruitment of foreign players for the country’s domestic Twenty20 competition – the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. Teams will be allowed to include up to five overseas players in their squads, two of whom will be allowed to feature in the playing XI.The tournament’s inaugural version was held last year over a period of a week and involved 12 of Dhaka’s best clubs. Abahani Limited won the title, beating Gazi Tank in a tense, well-attended final. Seven out of 34 matches were telecast live and there was an attempt to introduce some glitz with cheerleaders, DJs, live performances and SMS quiz competitions. The winners took home a cheque of Tk 200,000 (US$2890).The inclusion of foreign players is a step towards enhancing the tournament’s profile. These players are required to be current first-class cricketers and need to be cleared by their respective cricket boards to participate in the competition.

According to a report by Hull Live, there has been a transfer development out of Tottenham Hotspur involving Hull City forward Keane Lewis-Potter as the Lilywhites attempt multiple new signings.

The Lowdown: Paratici at work…

As per reliable sources, Tottenham could be set for a ‘frantic’ end to the January transfer window, as Spurs chief Fabio Paratici and manager Antonio Conte work on multiple moves.

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Despite looking set to miss out on long-time winter target Adama Traore, who is currently in talks with Barcelona, Spurs are believed to be on the verge of landing Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, with growing optimism they could also sign FC Porto star Luis Diaz after a bid.

They’re also working on multiple exits as midfielder Tanguy Ndombele remains in talks with Paris-Saint Germain, while the likes of Dele Alli could also be on the move (Sky Sports).

The Latest: Tottenham ‘preparing big-money’ transfer…

As per Hull Live, it appears Spurs aren’t done there in the last hurdle. As stated in the website’s headline, Tottenham are ‘preparing a big-money transfer’ for Lewis-Potter, with the Lilywhites and Paratici ‘understood to be keen on making a bid’.

According to this report, Conte has even sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old in action, with the Italian personally keen on his potential signing.

Their ‘expected’ offer will apparently include the option to loan Lewis-Potter back to the MKM Stadium for the rest of 2021/22.

The Verdict: Get it done…

The bright Championship starlet is certainly one to watch, and the fact that Hull could demand just £14m should be a real incentive for Spurs to make a last-gasp move.

Lewis-Potter was a key player in helping the Tigers achieve promotion back to England’s second tier last season, scoring 13 goals and setting up six others in 43 League One appearances. A regular under former Hull boss Grant McCann, he has continued that form into this season, with six goals and four assists in all competitions halfway through the current campaign (Transfermarkt).

His former manager even labelled the attacker a ‘special talent’, and the 20-year-old’s numbers over the last two years back up this statement.

Lewis-Potter could also help to fill Tottenham’s homegrown quota as the reasons to move far outweigh any doubts.

In other news: In the coming hours: Sky Sports journalist shares exciting transfer news out of Tottenham, find out more here.

Namibia followed up a solid batting display by picking up two wickets in Uganda’s second innings to move into a commanding position in Windhoek

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Sep-2010
ScorecardNamibia followed up a solid batting display by picking up two wickets in Uganda’s second innings to move into a commanding position at the end of day three of the ICC Intercontinental Shield match in Windhoek. Substantial contributions from the middle and lower order lifted Namibia to 609, the highest first-class score without a century.Resuming at 320 for 4, Namibia lost Craig Williams, lbw to Charles Waiswa in the day’s first over and Bjorn Kotze soon after, with the score at 340. Gerrie Snyman and Louis van der Wethuizen staged a recovery, putting on 115 runs for the seventh wicket. Snyman scored 86 with seven fours and two sixes while Wethuizen made 50 with seven boundaries.Their departure, within 25 runs of each other, offered Uganda no respite. In came Tobias Verwey and Louis Klazinga, who added 99 at over a run a ball for the ninth wicket. Verwey made 73 off 78 balls with nine fours and three sixes while Klazinga hit an unbeaten 48 off 53.Uganda used eight bowlers in the innings with Waiswa the best of the lot, picking up 3 for 123. Every Namibia batsman reached double figures as they set their first-class record, going past the 605 scored by Madhya Pradesh against Haryana in 1998-99.Uganda’s problems were compounded when they lost two quick wickets in their second innings. Roger Mukasa was unbeaten on 48 at the close of play as Uganda finished the day at 77 for 2, needing 203 to make Namibia bat again.

Sharing news on Twitter, journalist Ryan Taylor of The Daily Express has shared news on a Crystal Palace bid for Derby County striker Luke Plange.

The Lowdown: Palace set to sign Mateta…

On a deadline day filled with plenty of activity, Palace boss Patrick Vieira is apparently closing in on a permanent deal for Jean-Philippe Mateta worth around £11 million.

The Frenchman, currently on an 18-month loan from Mainz, now looks set to sign indefinitely as the Eagles come closer to announcing his stay at Selhurst Park.

However, sharing more news on Twitter, it appears the south London club aren’t done there.

The Latest: Palace bid for Plange accepted…

According to Taylor’s sources, Palace have now had a £1m offer to sign Derby’s young striker Plange accepted.

The 19-year-old has been targeted by Vieira’s side over this last two days with The Express now sharing news on their efforts to sign him.

“Movement at Crystal Palace,” he explained on Twitter.

“Derby have accepted offer worth around £1m for teenage striker Luke Plange. Jean-Philippe Mateta also set to sign on permanent deal from Mainz for £11m.”

The Verdict: Great end to the day…

With just over four hours to go until the closure of this year’s January transfer window, news of Vieira being close to completing two deals will certainly come as a welcome boost for Palace fans.

Plange is a hugely promising prospect, with Rams boss Wayne Rooney recently telling the press is a ‘clever’ player with a ‘bit of everything in his game’.

For just £1m, Palace may have secured a rising star for the future.

Daniel Vettori, Mark Greatbatch and high performance director, Roger Mortimer, will meet with New Zealand Cricket’s board on October 22 to review the disastrous ODI tour of Bangladesh

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Oct-2010New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, coach Mark Greatbatch and high performance director, Roger Mortimer, will meet with New Zealand Cricket’s board on October 22 to review the disastrous ODI tour of Bangladesh, which ended in a 4-0 thrashing on Sunday. They are also expected to discuss their upcoming tour of India, for which the squad will be named on October 24, and their World Cup preparation, which is a shambles following an unprecedented defeat in Bangladesh, one of the host nations of the tournament in 2011.The result plunged New Zealand to seventh in the ICC’s ODI rankings, their lowest position since November 2005, but despite acknowledging the gravity of the situation NZC’s general manager of cricket, Geoff Allott, said changes to management were unlikely to happen. “It’s important that we remain confident in the people we have,” he told the . “We’ve committed to a structure, and we’ll be assessed by those decisions.”New Zealand’s trip to Bangladesh was marred by poor weather and rain washed out their warm-up games, forcing the visitors to go into the ODI series with no match practice. Their batsmen struggled to adjust to the pace and turn of the pitches in Mirpur and failed to score more than 200 in three out of four innings.”Disappointing is an understatement. When you lose 4-0 in a country you’re going to be playing a World Cup match, then it’s a big concern,” Allott said. “From a fitness perspective, and a technical perspective, we’ve got the goods, it’s actually the decision-making. Throughout the series there were cross-bat shots. Some senior players would be the first to put their hands up and say they didn’t lead by example.”Kane Williamson scored New Zealand’s only century in the series, while Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, who averaged only 21.50, and Grant Elliott were the only batsmen to score a half-century each. Jesse Ryder was one of the biggest disappointments, scoring 58 runs in three innings at an average of 19.33, while BJ Watling played all four games but scraped together 27 at 6.75.After the series, Vettori had said it was “probably the lowest point in New Zealand cricket for a long, long time. To stare down 4-0 is incredibly disappointing and something that will stay with us. We have to recover from it pretty quickly, otherwise people will be pretty desolate about New Zealand cricket.”Former New Zealand fast bowler, Simon Doull, was scathing in his criticism of the team. Doull said that Vettori, who bears the burden of leading the bowling and being a reliable batsman to go with his captaincy duties, was not getting any help from the other senior members of the team.”He [Vettori] is under pressure and I’m not sure he’s coping with it all that well,” Doull told . “I can’t see any answers. We’re going into a World Cup in two and a half months and if we think we’re going to be anywhere near the top eight we’re dreaming at the moment. They could turn it around but it’s going to take a miracle.”

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford still hasn’t started running again after his latest injury setback, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Bamford a long-term absentee

The 28-year-old has experienced a hugely frustrating season, not being allowed the opportunity to kick on from a memorable 2020/21 campaign at Elland Road.

A string of injury problems have resulted in him starting only five Premier League games to date, notching two goals and two assists.

The hope was that Bamford would be back on the pitch soon but a new update suggests that may not be the case.

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The Latest: Hay makes fresh Bamford claim

Taking to Twitter on Monday morning, Hay confirmed that while Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper are nearing returns, the striker is behind them in terms of a comeback date.

The journalist outlined: “Injury latest: Phillips and Cooper in ‘final stages’ of recovery but no improvement with Bamford’s foot injury. Bielsa says he hasn’t started running yet. Firpo misses Villa but is very close to a comeback and could feature at the weekend.”

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The Verdict: Desperately need him back

Bamford has been a massive loss for Leeds this season, which is no great surprise considering that he racked up 24 goal contributions in the league last term. He has been hailed by Elland Road chief Victor Orta, who has lauded the striker for developing ‘magnificently’ as a player.

Leeds have not only lost someone who delivers consistent end product but also brings team-mates into the game, holding up the ball and linking the play intelligently.

His prolonged absence is a significant reason as to why the Whites have only scored 24 league goals in 21 matches, leaving them 15th in the table, and Hay’s update suggests that we shouldn’t expect to see Bamford for another while yet unfortunately.

In other news, Leeds reportedly have a strong interest in signing one player Find out who it is here.

History beckons Bangadesh’s cricketers, who on Thursday could record their first series win against top-flight opposition

The Preview by Abhishek Purohit13-Oct-2010Match FactsThursday, October 14, Mirpur
Start time 09:00 local (03:00 GMT)Shahriar Nafees has been a revelation at the top of the order in his first ODI series after more than two years•AFPThe Big PictureHistory beckons Bangadesh’s cricketers, who on Thursday could record their first series win against top-flight opposition. A team that has won only 14 of 155 ODIs against the current Test-playing nations, and only once before won two consecutive matches against such opposition (against a second-string West Indies side led by Floyd Reifer), can wrap up the series with a win in the fourth ODI.There seem to be few problems for Bangladesh going into the game. Shahriar Nafees has been a revelation at the top of the order, ensuring that even Tamim Iqbal has not been missed. Shakib al Hasan has contributed with both bat and ball and the spinners have stifled New Zealand on the slow Mirpur surface.While Duckworth-Lewis had a role to play in the first win, what is heartening from Bangladesh’s view is that the victory on Monday was a team performance, the reliance on Shakib much less than usual.This series was supposed to be a continuation of New Zealand’s World Cup build-up on the sub-continent. After the huge victory against India in the first match of the Sri Lanka tri-series, they have lost four games, and two have been washed out. Anything but ideal preparation so far.They failed to bat out fifty overs in the previous match, leaving Ross Taylor stranded. The lower middle order has looked wobbly, and the form of allrounder Grant Elliott, at the key No. 5 position, is a worry. Given that he hasn’t bowled in ODIs this year, the lack of runs is hurting even more.Form guide (most recent, completed matches)
Bangladesh: WWLWL
New Zealand: LLLLW
Watch out for…Shahriar Nafees, back from the ICL and playing his first ODI series in more than two years, has provided good starts in both games, along with Imrul Kayes. He was severe on the New Zealand seamers in the third ODI, getting to his half-century at more than a run-a-ball. Bangladesh appear a different team when they get such starts.Ross Taylor has looked the best New Zealand batsman so far, and is deservedly their top-scorer in the series. You know he is in good touch when he regularly slog-sweeps those sixes over midwicket, which he did four times in the previous game. His team will require more of them if they are to remain alive in this series.Team newsBangladesh should stick to the same side that won a couple of days ago.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Imrul Kayes, 2 Shahriar Nafees, 3 Junaid Siddique, 4 Raqibul Hasan, 5 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Abdur Razzak, 9 Rubel Hossain, 10 Shafiul Islam, 11 Suhrawadi ShuvoShannan Stewart took a blow to the head while attempting a catch off Imrul Kayes in the first over of Bangladesh’s chase. Kane Williamson could come in for him. BJ Watling kept wickets instead of Brendon McCullum in the previous match, as McCullum was said to be suffering from sore knees. Will Watling continue to keep?New Zealand (probable): 1 Jesse Ryder, 2 Brendon McCullum (wk), 3 BJ Watling, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Kane Williamson/Shannan Stewart, 7 Daniel Vettori (capt), 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Kyle Mills, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Andy McKayStats and triviaThe stand of 127 between Nafees and Kayes in the previous match is Bangladesh’s best for the first wicket against the current Test-playing nations, and their third-highest overall.New Zealand’s total of 173 in the third ODI is their lowest against Bangladesh when batting first.Quotes”We always knew it was going to be a tough test coming over here and playing without having any practice matches, coming up against a Bangladesh team that’s good in their own conditions.”
“We are not thinking of anything other than winning the series after the way we played in the first two games.”

There are a very particular set of curses that linger in the damp and murky spots of Arsenal’s London Colney training base.

Not only are the Gunners currently allergic to a Champions League spot, but the fortunes of some individuals that put pen to paper in the back offices at Colney aren’t always vibrant.

A captaincy curse has plagued the club for well over a decade now with the likes of Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas seemingly revolting while in possession of the armband.

The same eventuality befell Laurent Koscielny, Granit Xhaka and more recently Pierre-Emerick Aubayemang.

Yet, it has now fallen on the shoulders of a certain Alexandre Lacazette. There is no player revolt or dampened attitude, but since taking on the captaincy from his great mate who now plays for Barcelona, he has scored just one Premier League goal.

Not only is he suffering from the increased pressure of being the Arsenal captain but it would appear the dreaded number 9 curse has struck the French forward this term too.

Those who donned the famous jersey before him; Lucas Perez, Lukas Podolski and Park Chu Young, hardly enjoyed profitable spells in north London and it seems Lacazette is drinking from the same cup as his predecessors.

With his contract due to expire at the conclusion of the season, there is a sense that he won’t renew his deal. That doesn’t particularly feel like a bad piece of news for Arsenal but after the club’s 4-2 win over Chelsea on Wednesday night, his days in red and white are now surely well and truly numbered.

When Aubemayang departed for Catalonia in January, there was a seismic weight placed on the 30-year-old and it’s simply one he’s not been able to carry.

His performances have dwindled and after a fight with the current pandemic, he was forced to watch from the bench at Stamford Bridge in midweek.

The fact he wasn’t fit enough to start can now be seen as a blessing in disguise as Eddie Nketiah put in the type of performance that should well and truly place the final nail in Lacazette’s coffin at Arsenal.

He ran himself into the ground, pressing relentlessly from the front and working hard to score two goals and equal his French colleague’s tally of open play strikes in the top-flight this season despite just two starts in the competition.

It was damning on the former Lyon man who watched a more mobile athlete stride forward with purpose and offer considerably more threat in offensive areas.

Lacazette did eventually come on in the dying embers, making a grand total of four touches and zero passes.

Many have been quick to criticise him of late, with some on Twitter claiming he has been doing a “Yaya Sanogo impression”, such is his bad form.

That may be a tad harsh but following Nketiah’s brace and overall performance against the champions of Europe no less, his elder teammate should not start again for Arteta during the run-in.

AND in other news, Forget Laca: Arsenal already have their new Saka in “deadly” 17-goal Hale End starlet…