All posts by h716a5.icu

A better signing than Nuamah: Everton make enquiry to sign English talent

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Everton have finally managed to put some breathing space between themselves and the bottom three, with David Moyes getting his first victory against Tottenham at the weekend, with a 3-2 win at Goodison Park.

The Toffees now sit 16th in the Premier League on 20 points, with Wolves and Ipswich below them on 16 points in 17th and 18th place.

The biggest problem for Everton this season has been sticking the ball in the back of the net, scoring just 18 goals in 22 games, making them the second-lowest scorers in the division, only Southampton scoring fewer with 15.

Everton are currently averaging 11.3 shots per game (6th lowest in the division for this metric), which shows their shot creation could be far better in attacking areas, meaning a January addition could be on the cards in order to give Moyes the tools required to avoid that relegation battle.

Moyes chasing exciting winger at Everton

According to reports from a journalist working with Caught Offside, Everton have enquired about Sporting CP star, Marcus Edwards.

The 26-year-old has just 18 months left on his current deal, which is raising eyebrows at Everton as a potential opportunity to sign the English ace.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The English winger predominantly operates as a right-winger, looking to cut inside on his stronger left foot, but has also shown the ability to play off the left, taking it to the byline and delivering crosses to his teammates. Edwards has, of course, played in England before, coming through the academy ranks at Tottenham.

Sporting winger Marcus Edwards.

Edwards has only made ten appearances for Sporting in all competitions this season, scoring three goals and totalling just 346 minutes. His lack of game time could provide the opportunity for Everton to strike, obtaining an extremely talented player for a fair price.

How Edwards compares to Everton target Nuamah

Another name Everton have been linked to in the window, is Olympique Lyon winger, Ernest Nuamah.

Olympique Lyonnais' ErnestNuamahin action

The 21-year-old winger has made 19 appearances for the French outfit in all competitions this season, scoring one goal, providing one assist and totalling 763 minutes played so far.

That said, his numbers are considerably worse than Edwards if we compare them across the last two campaigns.

Goals

0.23

0.12

Assists

0.23

0.12

xG

0.30

0.24

xAG

0.41

0.16

Progressive Carries

5.21

4.94

Progressive Passes

4.88

3.61

Total Shots

2.19

2.82

Key Passes

3.07

1.20

Passes into Pen Area

2.51

1.81

Shot-Creating Actions

5.77

4.46

Successful Take-Ons

2.05

1.45

When comparing Edwards’ metrics from last season due to lack of minutes this term with Nuamah’s numbers in 2024/25, you can see Edwards ranks ahead in all but one of the metrics analysed.

Now, this isn’t to say Nuamah’s numbers are poor, as most of them rank very closely, but the extra experience of Edwards does shine through in his underlying numbers and output.

Mauricio Pochettino said back in 2016, that Edwards plays like “the beginning of Messi” with Rob Daly then further reporting this and labelling one of Edwards’ runs against Tottenham as “Messi-like”.

That’s certainly evident in the stats as the English winger is a brilliant dribbler, completing 2.05 take-ons per 90 last season, also completing 5.21 progressive carries per 90, showing his quality to dribble and carry the ball out.

As we mentioned at the beginning, Everton lack shot-creation and whilst Nuamah also has brilliant metrics in these departments, and would prove to be an excellent addition to the Everton squad, Edwards offers a more experienced and ready profile to join and make an instant impact, which could be the difference between Everton’s Premier League survival chances.

Their next James Rodriguez: Everton offered to sign "underrated" PL winner

New Everton manager David Moyes is seeking reinforcements this month, so could the Toffees sign a multiple-Premier League winner on a free?

ByBen Gray Jan 21, 2025

'Rohilicious'

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

The cricket world reacts to Rohit Sharma’s stunning T20I century in Indore

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Dec-2017

Officials contact Tottenham as Postecoglou offered "frustrated" £33m player

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Tottenham Hotspur have been approached and offered the chance to sign a player who’s unsettled at his current club, with agents reaching out to Spurs as they work to find their client a new home.

Tottenham missing 10 first-team players for Liverpool clash

The Lilywhites take on Liverpool in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tonight, and manager Ange Postecoglou is yet again forced to contend with very limited options.

Tottenham informed they can sign £134k-per-week ex-Man City ace in January

The Lilywhites have been alerted to a potential deal.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jan 7, 2025

The 59-year-old is minus around 10 first-team players for their face-off against Arne Slot’s side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this evening, with Guglielmo Vicario, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr all unavailable through either injury or suspension.

Tottenham’s injury crisis has exposed Postecoglou’s lack of depth in recent months, seriously threatening their chances of a strong 2024/2025 Premier League campaign, and it has prompted the club to enter the January transfer market in search of reinforcements.

Arsenal (away)

January 15

Everton (away)

January 19

Leicester City (home)

January 26

Brentford (away)

February 2

Man United (home)

February 16

Spurs have already sealed a £12.5 million deal for goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who’s now took part in full first-team training, but the Czech won’t be their only new addition this month.

Tottenham are believed to be pursuing PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani, after the France international was deemed surplus by Luis Enrique and allowed to find a new club before deadline day on February 3.

There are also suggestions that Spurs could sign a new centre-back, given van de Ven, Romero and Davies’ absences have left Postecoglou with just Rady Dragusin as his only natural senior central defensive option right now.

“Look, we are still trying to help the squad and help the players,” said Postecoglou on January transfers at Spurs.

“We are still down significant numbers. We will have roughly 10 first team players missing tomorrow. That’s not easy so we are still looking to try to help the playing group. The club is working hard in a number of areas.”

According to some media sources, Tottenham could even bolster their midfield options before the clock runs out, and they’ve now been handed an opening to potentially negotiate a deal for one Serie A star.

Tottenham offered chance to sign Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi

According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi is “frustrated” at the San Siro, and he could leave the Italian champions as early as January – despite only just joining on a permanent deal from Sassuolo in the summer.

The Italy international has made 22 appearances in all competitions, but the majority of his cameos have come from the bench. Frattesi appears dissatisfied with this, and his camp are scouring the market for a new club to join.

One of them could be Postecoglou’s side, as TBR report that Tottenham have been offered the chance to sign Frattesi by intermediaries after they made contact with the north Londoners.

His rumoured price tag stands at around £33 million, so this could be a doable deal for Spurs, and he is a player of real quality – even if the 25-year-old hasn’t exactly enjoyed the best time at Inter this season.

“He reminds me of Barella,” said renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano to Empire of the Kop.

“Liverpool had long-term interest in Nicolo Barella but he just extended his contract with Inter so it’s going to be more than complicated to sign him. Frattesi seems to be the next Barella. He’s this kind of player, super talented, very interesting, and Sassuolo are prepared to sell their players if top clubs pay.”

WPL, Hundred, WBBL given separate windows in new women's FTP

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

The ICC Women’s Championship has expanded to 11 teams with Zimbabwe’s inclusion, and a new T20 Champions Trophy has been introduced

Shashank Kishore04-Nov-2024The Women’s Premier League (WPL) will be played in January-February from 2026, while the Hundred (August) and WBBL (November) have been allotted dedicated windows in the new women’s Future Tours Programme for the 2025-29 cycle.The BCCI moving the WPL has resulted in Cricket Australia pushing back its women’s marquee summer fixtures from mid-January to February-March to avoid a clash with the most lucrative women’s franchise league.The 2024-25 women’s Ashes, which begins on January 12, will be the last international matches Australia will host in January until 2029. The first of Australia’s marquee home series in their new window is a tour by India for one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is after the WPL in January-February 2026.The ICC Women’s ODI Championship has been expanded to 11 teams in the new FTP with the addition of Zimbabwe. This follows the addition of Bangladesh and Ireland to the ongoing cycle that will culminate with next year’s ODI World Cup in India in October. Zimbabwe’s inclusion means all of ICC’s Full Members except Afghanistan, who don’t field a women’s team, are part of the championship.With the expansion of the Women’s Championship, each country will play four teams at home and four away over a three-year cycle. In their maiden appearance in the upcoming cycle, Zimbabwe will host South Africa, West Indies, Ireland and Sri Lanka and will tour India, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Pakistan.As expected, India and Pakistan will only play each other in world tournaments in the new FTP, and not in bilateral series.ESPNcricinfo LtdIn another addition that has been largely members-driven, teams have scheduled tri-series as part of their preparation for ICC events during this cycle.”Ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, England will host India and New Zealand for such a three-team T20I tournament while Ireland will host Pakistan and the West Indies,” ICC general manager Wasim Khan said. “Sri Lanka and the West Indies are among other Members scheduled to host tri-series, in 2027 and 2028, respectively.”A T20 Champions Trophy for womenThe ICC has introduced a T20 Champions Trophy – to be held in Sri Lanka in 2027 – as part of its strategic plan to have at least one women’s global tournament each year. This new tournament will feature six teams and will comprise 16 matches. The addition of this tournament to the women’s calendar means there will be three global events – including the LA Olympics (August 2028) and T20 World Cup (September 2028) – over a 12-month period.This takes the count of all ICC senior women’s events in the new FTP cycle to five: two T20 World Cups (2026 and 2028), two ODI World Cups (2025 and 2029), and a T20 Champions Trophy in 2027.The ODI World Cup will have 10 teams playing 48 matches from 2029 (up from eight teams, and 31 matches, till 2025), the T20 World Cup will be expanded to 12 teams playing 33 matches from 2026 (up from 10 teams and 23 matches till 2024).Women’s FTP – Test cricket•ESPNcricinfo LtdWest Indies to play Tests after 20 yearsA total of 15 women’s Tests have been included in this cycle, with West Indies set to return to the format after more than 20 years. They host Australia for one Test as part of a multi-format series in March 2026, play England in another at home in April 2027, and will play a Test in South Africa in December 2028.West Indies last played a Test in 2003-04, against Pakistan, and have only played 12 women’s Tests in all. India, meanwhile, will play Australia and South Africa in away Tests in 2026, while also hosting Australia and England later in the cycle.Having toured Australia for what was only their second women’s Test in nearly a decade, South Africa will host Australia for a Test for the first time in March-April 2027. The new FTP concludes in 2029 with the ODI World Cup, the venue for which is yet to be announced.

Ramiz Raja removed as PCB chairman

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistan prime minister and board patron has nominated a 14-member committee led by Najam Sethi

Umar Farooq21-Dec-2022Ramiz Raja is no longer chairman of the PCB. His removal from the post and the current board was formally initiated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, who is also patron of the cricket board.A 14-member management committee, headed by former board head and prominent media analyst Najam Sethi, and including former Pakistan captains Shahid Afridi and Sana Mir will take interim charge of affairs. The committee will have 120 days in which they are expected to change the PCB’s constitution, bringing back the 2014 version to replace the current one (put in place in 2019).”The cricket regime headed by Ramiz Raja is no more,” Sethi tweeted late on Wednesday. “The 2014 PCB constitution stands restored. The Management Committee will work tirelessly to revive first class cricket. Thousands of cricketers will be employed again. The famine in cricket will come to an end.”

The more formal notification of events had been issued earlier from the Prime Minister’s office and a summary from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) which confirmed speculation that had built over the last couple of days, prompted by Pakistan’s defeat in Karachi to England. That loss completed an unprecedented 0-3 home whitewash.”Constitution of a management committee to manage the affairs of PCB with full executive powers with the aim of effecting the restoration of Departmental Cricket Structure and other allied matters, including the nomination of a Board of Governors and election of chairman, as stipulated in the 2014 constitution, within a timeframe of 120 days,” the notification said. “The management committee of PCB shall comprise of the Chairman/Chief Executive & required members.”Related

Zaka Ashraf, Najam Sethi set to contest PCB leadership again

PCB review could limit Babar's all-format influence

'It has become a joke' – Ramiz Raja on being ousted as PCB boss

Can Pakistan overcome off-field noise against Southee-led New Zealand?

'There's been famine for the last four years' – Najam Sethi out to revive domestic cricket in Pakistan

The notification has to be sent to the Law and Justice division to be legally vetted, before being put in front of the cabinet for approval. That is expected to be a mere formality. It is not clear at the moment what implications – if any – this has on the senior executive in the board, though ESPNcricinfo believes there will be a cull. The 2014 constitution did not have scope for a CEO, for instance, with the chairman doubling up in that role. At the moment, the CEO is Faisal Hasnain and the COO – for whom there is a role – Salman Naseer.On Wednesday, Pakistan also announced a squad for the Test series against New Zealand which begins from December 26 in Karachi. New Zealand’s squad are due to arrive on Wednesday evening for their first series of any kind in Pakistan since 2003 – to a board in flux. Both the Pakistan captain Babar Azam and coach Saqlain Mushtaq have come under scrutiny after the loss to England but it is unlikely either of those positions change so soon – in any case Saqlain’s tenure ends in February 2023.Though Ramiz’s expected departure will be the headline consequence, the main order of business for the new committee is the repeal of the current board constitution to reinstate the 2014 version. In fact, the summary sent by the IPC to the prime minister’s office is not specifically about a board change. Its main concern is the constitutional revamp whereby department teams can return to domestic cricket. It is in this roundabout way that the current administration led by Ramiz is being removed – because the 2019 constitution does not recognise departmental cricket, the old constitution that does is being brought back and an interim management committee will be tasked to carry that out.A 14-member management committee, headed by Najam Sethi, is expected to take interim charge of affairs•Associated PressGetting rid of departments was insisted upon by Imran Khan, when he was Prime Minister, who had for long wanted Pakistan’s domestic scene to replicate that of Australia’s – a provincial model, with six teams made up of Pakistan’s provinces playing in all tournaments. But with Imran’s exit in April 2022, a group of former board members has begun urging the government to go back to the previous domestic structure in which departmental teams such as WAPDA, SNGPL and PIA were part of the first-class circuit – a number of those members, unsurprisingly, make up the proposed interim management committee. Imran’s orders to abolish departmental cricket, the notification read, had been revoked by Sharif, who succeeded him as premier.The PCB had been criticised for abolishing departmental cricket, as it rendered hundreds of cricketers jobless at a stroke. It is worth noting that a number of department sides had shut down their sporting operations even before Imran’s change and, in the current economic climate, there might not be much appetite for such organisations to hire a squad of cricketers.Sethi was head of the PCB in one capacity or another from 2013 until 2018, though the stint was initially embroiled in legal battles with his predecessor Zaka Ashraf; he resigned once Imran became Prime Minister in August 2018. As the first chairman of the league, he oversaw the birth of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and was in charge when the very first visits by international sides were made to Pakistan, ending a period of isolation that began after the 2009 terror attacks on the Sri Lanka team in Lahore.For Ramiz, whose position has been under constant speculation since Imran’s ouster as Prime Minister, the change will bring to an end a short but eventful tenure. It was Imran who had brought in Ramiz in September 2021 on the premise that a former cricketer was best placed to handle cricket matters in the country. But time had been running out for him since the day Imran and his government was ousted in April in divisive circumstances after a vote of no-confidence in the country’s parliament. The impact of that change is still playing itself out across the political spectrum of the country but, unusually at the time, the impact on the PCB was negligible. Usually, with a change of government, a change of the chairmanship and board administration is inevitable and immediate. But as the new government, with a vast coalition of several political parties, worked its way through the most pressing priorities in the country – not least a spiralling economic crisis – Ramiz stayed under the radar and continued in the position.However, momentum against him built after Pakistan’s 0-3 loss to England at home – a run that now includes the Test side losing four Tests in a row at home for the first time in the country’s history and not having won any of the six home Tests played in 2022. Over the last few days, Sethi as well as other senior members in the proposed management committee had begun making a play among political circles in Islamabad.Ramiz has taken on a more hands-on role with cricketing matters during his stint but as a result has been associated more closely with the team’s results than, for example, his predecessor Ehsan Mani. He will no doubt point to achievements in overseeing the completion of two of the highest-profile visits to Pakistan in over a decade – by Australia and England – and being in charge when Pakistan made the semi-final and final of consecutive men’s T20 World Cups and the final of the Asia Cup.December 22, GMT 0645 The story and headline were amended after Ramiz was formally removed as chairman.

Vinicius Jr pays the price! Carlo Ancelotti strips Brazilian superstar of penalty duties after costly Valencia miss as Kylian Mbappe benefits

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Kylian Mbappe will take penalties for Real Madrid from their next match as Vinicius Junior is punished for missing a spot-kick against Valencia.

Article continues below

Article continues below

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Vinicius Jr stripped of penalty dutiesMbappe to take penalties for MadridBrazilian missed spot-kick against ValenciaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

The Brazilian winger failed to hand his team an early lead as he saw his feeble shot comfortably saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili. The penalty miss proved costly as Madrid eventually went down 2-1 against Valencia in La Liga last weekend. Now, reports that manager Ancelotti has decided to remove Vinicius Jr. from penalty duties as Mbappe is all set to take the club's spot-kicks, starting with their upcoming Champions League fixture against Arsenal.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The blunder against Valencia was the Brazilian's second penalty miss in the 2024-25 campaign, as he had earlier failed to convert a spot-kick against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The report also adds that if Mbappe now fails to convert penalties, the next in line to take spot-kicks is Jude Bellingham. Like Vinicius Jr, Mbappe too has missed two penalties this season, while Bellingham has missed once.

DID YOU KNOW?

Valencia goalkeeper Mamardashvili has revealed that he had offered a bet to the Brazilian winger. Vinicius was lining up to take a penalty when the custodian said he would pay the star €50 if he was to score, and Vinicius agreed to pay the same fee should he miss.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Los Blancos are set to visit North London to face Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final fixture at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Afridi, Misbah set up big win for Asia Lions against World Giants

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Bangladesh’s Abdur Razzak also produced an economical spell in a rain-hit contest on Monday

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Mar-20239:30

Watch – Highlights from Asia Lions vs World Giants


10-overs-a-sideA fine batting performance from Misbah-ul-Haq (44 not out) followed by an economical display of spin bowling from Abdur Razzak (2 for 2) helped Asian Lions beat World Giants by 35 runs in a rain-curtailed match on Monday. The Asian Lions’ second consecutive win pushed them to the top of the table.A wet outfield had delayed the start by more than two hours, forcing the game to be curtailed to 10 overs a side. World Giants captain Aaron Finch’s plan of opting to bowl first on a slow, damp pitch worked beautifully in the first seven overs. Finch utilised four spinners, including Monty Panesar, Ricardo Powell, Chris Gayle and himself, and the slow-bowling option of Paul Collingwood.It was a struggle in the early stages for the former Sri Lankan opening pair of Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan. After a sedate start, Tharanga tried to pick up the pace in the second over but he was stumped after missing a flat delivery off Powell.The first boundary of the Asian Lions’ innings came off the final delivery of the third over as Dilshan came down the pitch to hit a flighted delivery off Panesar straight down the ground. Dilshan kept the scoreboard moving with singles but couldn’t find much support in new batters Thisara Perera and Shahid Afridi.Misbah, though, picked up from where he left off from the previous match. He smashed Gayle for a six over long-on before hitting Powell for three boundaries in the eighth over. He then lofted Collingwood over long-on for six to bring up his fifty-run partnership with Dilshan. He finished with a 19-ball 44 to push the Asian Lions to 99 for 3 in their 10 overs.World Giants never really got going in their chase after the dismissals of openers Chris Gayle and Lendl Simmons. Gayle survived an early scare in the first over from Mohammad Hafeez. He was given out on the field after missing a sweep but his review showed the ball was going over the stumps.Gayle then struck Dilshan for three consecutive sixes off the first three deliveries of the fourth over. Shahid Afridi, though, put an end to Gayle’s cameo in the fifth over as he hit a short delivery straight to Thisara Perera at long-on. Gayle’s opening partner Simmons was the next to fall in the same over. The openers were the only batters to make it to double digits as the chase fell away rapidly after that.Former Bangladesh spinner Razzak got the wickets of Shane Watson and Ricardo Powell in the eighth over, which was also a maiden, to kill the chase as the World Giants fell woefully short.

Newcastle’s "lost" flop is now on par with Isak after being sold by Howe

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Newcastle United will hope to advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup this weekend, meeting Birmingham City in the Midlands.

Eddie Howe’s side are also battling to lift gold in England’s other top domestic competition, meeting Liverpool at Wembley in March’s final, and it’s all pointing toward a rather exciting business end to the 2024/25 campaign.

It didn’t always feel like it was going to be a barnstorming campaign for the Magpies, who had trundled out of the gates after a disappointing summer of spending.

Newcastle United managerEddieHowecelebrates after the match

But, fronted by the brilliant Alexander Isak, United are poised for a return to European competition and indeed have another shot at silverware, seeking to end a 70-year drought.

Isak is the key.

Alexander Isak's season in numbers

Mention the name Isak to Alan Shearer and you’ll get a stream of effusions about one of the best centre-forwards to have ever graced the Premier League pitch.

After all the ballyhoo, though, Isak truly is one of the finest goalscorers in the business, with Shearer labelling him as a “world-class assassin” during one recent striker-to-striker interview.

Newcastle’s stunning two-legged victory over Arsenal to set up a Carabao Cup final with Liverpool is all the buzz on Tyneside at the moment, but justly so.

Perhaps the biggest testament that could be bestowed upon the Sweden star’s skill set would be that he didn’t score or assist against Arsenal on Tuesday evening but still earned the roaring support of St. James’ Park and beyond, putting in a complete display that many other top strikers fail to produce.

He’s one of a kind, and Newcastle fans treasure the knowledge that he leads their line. However, PIF might never have authorised his sale had things worked out better with Chris Wood, who fell by the wayside in black and white but has since picked himself back up.

Why Newcastle sold Chris Wood

When Howe was anointed as Steve Bruce’s replacement, significant changes were made. It was January 2022. Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn reinforced the backline; Bruno Guimaraes marked a Galactico-esque addition to the midfield.

Newcastle United captain Kieran Trippier.

Newcastle were embroiled in a relegation battle but felt that they could leap from the pit of the Premier League with well-worked investment, and Wood was also targeted to strengthen the striking department.

Burnley’s talisman had been a consistent source of goals under Sean Dyche and was signed for a sizeable £25m fee, but he failed to replicate his solid striking record under Howe’s leadership.

Pundit Tam McManus commented that Wood looked “a bit lost” during his St. James’ Park stay, failing to slot into the frontal position with the kind of fluency that has been evidenced with other English clubs.

Despite reaching double figures in all four of his full Premier League campaigns with the Clarets, Wood only managed to notch five strikes across 39 fixtures for Newcastle, with his target-man-like style not quite working in Howe’s set-up.

The New Zealand native was only ever a stop-gap, and United chiefs will be happy to have convinced Nottingham Forest to pay £15m to take him off their hands.

They will be less chuffed, however, with his success over the past two campaigns.

Chris Wood's incredible campaign

Wood joined Forest on loan in January 2023, with his move turning permanent the following summer. The 33-year-old’s journey at the City Ground has been remarkable, posting 33 goals across just 67 appearances.

Neco Williams and Chris Wood

Last season, the Kiwi striker provided Forest with the perfect focal presence as they fought to stave off relegation from the Premier League, Nuno Espirito Santo replacing Steve Cooper before Christmas.

The Tricky Trees did their job, with Wood scoring 14 goals across 31 top-flight matches. However, few – if any – will have foreseen Wood’s incredible performances this season,

1.

Mohamed Salah

23

21

2.

Erling Haaland

24

19

3.

Alexander Isak

22

17

3=

Chris Wood

24

17

5.

Cole Palmer

24

14

5=

Bryan Mbeumo

24

14

The fact that Wood is scoring as many as Isak in the Premier League bears testament to his experience and success as the spear-point of Nuno’s high-flying Forest side.

Last time out in the Premier League, Forest decimated Brighton & Hove Albion, putting seven past the South Coast side. Naturally, the 6 foot 3 titan claimed a hat-trick.

Digging deeper into the forward’s brilliance, Wood has triumphed with a balanced approach to his shooting, scoring nine Premier League goals with his right foot, six with his head and two with his left, as per Sofascore. This level of protean threat has given Nuno the perfect focal point, capable of scoring from every which way.

Wood actually ranks among the top 10% of centre-forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90, as per FBref, highlighting the quality that Newcastle saw in him. He differs greatly from Isak but could have been the perfect foil in a fully functioning Howe system.

With Callum Wilson barely featuring this term as he succumbs to injury problems and approaches the end of his contract and the 21-year-old William Osula, signed from Sheffield United for a £15m fee last summer – yet to start in the English top-flight as he continues to develop – this would have been quite the dimension – perhaps proving the difference-maker in a side that is already riding the crest of a wave.

Wood’s failure to hit the mark on Tyneside doesn’t really matter now that Isak is banging them in for fun, but he earned a big wage at £80k per week and Newcastle lost £10m in straight transfer funding on a player who offered very little.

That said, the new era was bound to have one or two blunders on the market, and the overall success of the strategy has negated the fumble with this one.

Howe may have unearthed his own Nobby Solano in Newcastle's "unsung hero"

Newcastle brushed Arsenal aside over two legs to advance to the final of the Carabao Cup.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 6, 2025

Spin it to win it

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Tests where spinners took the most wickets

Siddarth Ravindran07-Nov-201537 – New Zealand break new groundIndia v New Zealand, Nagpur, 1969
This was one of New Zealand’s only two Test wins in India, and it came on a proper turner when the home side’s spin line-up was Erapalli Prasanna, Bishan Bedi and S Venkataraghavan. New Zealand’s spinners didn’t have as lofty a reputation, but some calculated batting helped the visitors reach 319 and gave the bowlers some runs to play with. Left-arm spinner Hedley Howarth then produced the stand-out performance of his career, part-timer Mark Burgess took four of his career’s six wickets and offspinner Vic Pollard chipped in with five strikes as New Zealand got their first Test win in the subcontinent.35 – No answer to BenaudIndia v Australia, Calcutta, 1956
India have traditionally depended on their slower bowlers, but this Eden Gardens track provided so much help to spinners that their lone medium-pacer Gulbarai Ramchand bowled only four overs across two innings. India’s original spin trio – offie Ghulam Ahmed, left-arm orthodox Vinoo Mankad and leggie Subhash Gupte – bowled out Australia for less than 200 in both innings, but that was still not enough as the great Richie Benaud ran through India’s batting twice to deliver a 94-run victory.35 – Sunny’s last standIndia v Pakistan, Bangalore, 1987
There were three all-time great quick bowlers in the game – Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Kapil Dev – but they could only prise out five wickets on a minefield in Bangalore. In the series decider, the move to bring in offspinner Tauseef Ahmed for an out-of-form Abdul Qadir proved the decisive one. Tauseef took nine, as did Iqbal Qasim, and though Sunil Gavaskar signed off from Test cricket with a masterful fourth-innings 96 (next highest score 26), Pakistan closed out a narrow victory.34 – Jadeja’s back in businessIndia v South Africa, Mohali, 2015
In a match that didn’t even reach stumps on the third day, Ravindra Jadeja made a triumphant comeback to Test cricket, taking eight wickets and scoring an important 38 in the first innings to take the Man-of-the-Match award. He was one of India’s three-pronged spin attack, each of which played a part – R Ashwin continued to be unplayable at home with eight scalps in the match, and Amit Mishra had the world’s most feared batsman, AB de Villiers, bowled twice.33 – Those two little pals of mineEngland v West Indies, Old Trafford, 1950
Test debuts for West Indies’ greatest spin pair – Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine – as Lancashire’s decision to reduce watering the pitch led to a surface that was turning big. Valentine began brilliantly, taking the first eight wickets to fall in the game, but Godrey Evans and Trevor Bailey pushed England past 300. It was another debutant spinner, Bob Berry, whose performance made the difference, as he wrecked West Indies in the first innings to set up England’s only Test win of the summer. The next Test at Lord’s was where Ramdhin and Valentine got their famous nickname, and it also proved to be Berry’s final Test.

Unbeaten India slight favourites in Round 2 against Pakistan

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Shahnawaz Dahani is out with a “suspected side strain”; India don’t have the services of Ravindra Jadeja anymore

Danyal Rasool03-Sep-20228:34

Should Rishabh Pant replace KL Rahul at the top of the order?

Big pictureIt wasn’t until Friday night that this fixture was officially confirmed, but make no mistake, the second instalment of India versus Pakistan had long been pencilled-in in the minds of supporters, organisers and players for this Sunday. Its proximity to the sides’ most recent contest, just a week ago, gives it that added layer of intrigue and context, with the sides not quite as unfamiliar with each other as they usually are. This will be the first time since the 2018 Asia Cup that the two face each other in such quick succession.That this game is the first for both teams in the Super 4 stage allows it to be stripped of context in the bigger picture. But this is another opportunity for them to work each other out ahead of their men’s T20 World Cup game in Australia in just under two months’ time. Not to forget, any insight gleaned into the opposition’s methods might be particularly handy in a week’s time, if there is to be a Part 3 of this story in the final next Sunday.Related

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There isn’t too much to separate these sides, especially in these conditions, as was evident in their tight contest a week ago, but by dint of India pulling the result out, they do go in as slight favourites. Their bowlers fared admirably in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel, using the short ball to devastating effect in a way Babar Azam’s men could neither cope with nor replicate. In the middle order, India have the luxury of a two-in-one player in Hardik Pandya, whom they were able to rest against Hong Kong. Virat Kohli, meanwhile, seems to be creaking back to form, taking advantage of an early reprieve against Pakistan to score a vital 35, followed up by an unbeaten half-century against Hong Kong.Pakistan’s dominant, record-breaking win over Hong Kong allayed any fears that they might stumble at the group stage. Mohammad Rizwan played his way back into form with an unbeaten 78 off 57, while Khushdil Shah warmed up nicely with an unbeaten 15-ball 35. The bowling, Pakistan’s stronger suit by a distance, was in top form, with Shadab Khan taking career-best figures of 4 for 8, and Mohammad Nawaz taking 3 for 5. Dubai might not allow the spinners as big a role, but a well-rounded bowling attack remains Pakistan’s most reliable avenue to victory.And, of course, there are Super 4 points on offer. Even if that feels like a bit of an afterthought for now, they will become increasingly prized as these two jostle with Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in a bid to reach the final.3:30

Jaffer: India won’t miss Jadeja’s batting because of Axar’s form

Form guideIndia WWWWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Pakistan WLLWWIn the spotlightKohli might have begun this tournament with the vultures circling, but it is Rohit Sharma whose recent form represents something of a top-order vulnerability for India. There’s only one half-century peppered amongst a swathe of low-to-medium scores over his last dozen T20Is or so. Against Pakistan, that effect is even more exaggerated, his average dropping to 13.66 from a career average of 32. His strike rate takes a similar dive from 139.84 to 112.32. When the sides met last week in Dubai, a scratchy 12 off 18 balls was all Rohit managed. If he, too, can shake off this indifferent spell, India’s top order suddenly poses more challenging questions for Pakistan.It looked like Iftikhar Ahmed was doing the rebuilding work for Pakistan against India through the middle order when the sides met last week, even if he eventually fell at an inopportune moment. With the value of Pakistan’s middle order becoming clearer by the day, he should have a more noteworthy role to play on Sunday. As one of the few Pakistan middle-order batters who can perform the dual role of consolidation and power-hitting, he should be key to Pakistan’s hopes, particularly if they are thrust in to bat first again. Against Hong Kong on Friday, Babar Azam brought him on inside the powerplay, suggesting he might play more of an all-round role against India.Pitch and conditionsThe temperature is expected to hit 40°C in the afternoon, and though it’s supposed to drop down a few degrees by the time the game starts, oppressive heat will continue to be a factor.2:34

Mickey Arthur on what Pakistan have learnt so far at the Asia Cup

Team newsAvesh Khan is doubtful for the match because of fever. Meanwhile, Hardik should return, and Axar Patel should come in for Ravindra Jadeja, who has been ruled out of the tournament and the T20 World Cup with a knee injury. The Dinesh Karthik vs Rishabh Pant question remains there.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 KL Rahul, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Rishabh Pant/Dinesh Karthik (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Avesh Khan/R Ashwin, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Yuzvendra ChahalPakistan have been hit with an injury to another fast bowler, with Shahnawaz Dahani ruled out of Sunday’s game with a “suspected side strain”. Hasan Ali or Mohammad Hasnain will take his place.Pakistan (probable): 1 Babar Azam (capt), 2 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3 Fakhar Zaman, 4 Iftikhar Ahmed, 5 Khushdil Shah, 6 Shadab Khan, 7 Asif Ali, 8 Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Hasan Ali/Mohammad HasnainStats and trivia Three of Rohit’s eight T20I innings against Pakistan have seen him dismissed within the first two balls. Pakistan have lost their last four Asia Cup matches, across formats, to India. On each of those four occasions, India batted second. Of 14 completed games between the two sides in the tournament, India have won nine.Quotes”Any game against India feels like a final, but the more normal you can feel in such a match, the better it is. I don’t follow the hype around that game much, but out in the middle, the ball has to play the bat.”
Mohammad Rizwan tries to downplay the hype of another India-Pakistan match

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