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West Ham are likely to spend big on a new striker in the January transfer window, according to former England striker Kevin Phillips.

The Lowdown: Slight dip for Hammers

David Moyes’ side have enjoyed a superb start to the season, sitting fourth in the Premier League and reaching the last 16 of the Europa League. However, the Hammers have lost back-to-back league games since the international break, suffering defeats away to Wolves and Manchester City.

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This mini-slump needs to come to an end at home to Brighton on Wednesday if the Irons are to avoid slipping out of the top four and scuppering their chances of bettering last season’s sixth-placed finish.

The Latest: Phillips tips new striker to come in

It could be that fresh blood is required to take the team forward in January, as the fixtures come thick and fast and squad depth is tested, especially with European commitments in the early months of 2022 as well.

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips tipped West Ham to sign a big-money striker in order to ease the burden on sole centre-forward Michail Antonio. He said:

“They need to invest in a striker in January. I know there will be plenty of people who argue they don’t need to because they have done very well considering but they haven’t got any backup for [Michail] Antonio.

“When it gets to the second part of the season, the weather changes and the games come thick and fast. Players pick up knows after playing so many games.

“It would be sensible to look at that area to bring someone in. Sign someone who will push and cover for Antonio.

“I know Kretinsky has said there won’t be lots of spending but I’m sure there will be money available. If David Moyes goes and says, ‘I’ve identified a player who can come in and challenge in that area.’ Then the club will back him.

“Why wouldn’t they considering what he has done and where they are? They could potentially finish in the Champions League spots.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they went out and splashed £20-25million to bring in competition for that area.”

The Verdict: Would be a wise decision

It could be a grave error if another striker doesn’t come in at West Ham during the January window, potentially costing the Hammers dearly both domestically and in Europe.

As Phillips has said, it is unfair to rely too much on Antonio, who has had injury problems in the past and is now 31 years of age. The Jamaican’s form has also tailed off significantly since a sublime start to the season.

Basel striker Arthur Cabral is someone who has been linked with a move to east London and he could be perfect, offering Moyes an extra option who’s young and in red-hot form, having scored 14 Swiss Super League goals already this season.

In other news, West Ham have been linked with signing a Premier League player in January. Find out who it is here.

Scotland’s leading clubs have voted for a new 14-club Premiership and a second-tier Championship of 16 teams

Cricinfo staff10-Nov-2009Scotland’s leading clubs have voted to replace the country’s existing three-division structure with a new 14-club Premiership and a second-tier Championship of 16 teams. The new leagues will start in 2011.The move, backed by Cricket Scotland, will see a range of new initiatives including a grand final between the two leading sides in the Premiership.”We are, of course, delighted at the backing that our proposals received, as it represents a solid majority of the clubs involved,” board chief executive Roddy Smith said. “We are also determined to take account of the comments made by the clubs and district associations in their responses, and we are therefore making no further statements about what happens next until we have given them our due consideration.”

Rodrigo Moreno was named as Leeds’ man of the match against Newcastle United on Friday by supporters.

And a number of Whites fans have been reacting to the club post on social media.

The Spaniard played a key role in Leeds’ opener in the 1-1 draw at St James’ Park, dummying Raphinha’s dangerous cross to go all the way in.

The 30-year-old also made three key passes, completed two dribbles and had three shots in a busy display, as per WhoScored.

Rodrigo played the entirety of the fixture for the first time under Marcelo Bielsa this season, and his positive performance was recognised by several Leeds fans.

He collected just over 38% of over 13,000 votes by Whites supporters on social media when asked for their man of the match.

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Leeds fans react

Leeds shared the final vote on their official Twitter page. This is what these fans had to say in reply, with many delighted for Rodrigo.

“Have that haters. Right player.”

Credit: @petelovesleeds

“Big positive from yesterday”

Credit: @robmulholland

“Wow”

Credit: @brandonsboxing

“That’s the Rodrigo we all want to see, so happy for him that he performed to well, such a quality player.”

Credit: @Chadology_

“Was very good last night, hopefully kicks on!! – ps. He’s much better when KP and Klick are in midfield”

Credit: @AidanCampbell94

“Love how he’s not let his head drop, had a good game last night and a very unselfish “assist”. Real side before self mentality”

Credit: @NickyNickste

In other news: ‘Be a big boost’ – Paddy Kenny lauds ‘brilliant news’ from Leeds United source. 

In a world away from the multi-millions in TV money you get for playing in the Premier League, Rangers must be creative in the transfer market to build a squad capable of competing domestically and in Europe.

This means that Ross Wilson must work overtime in order to secure the best possible signings, and the club’s title success last season suggests that he done an excellent job so far.

One player with whom he pulled off a masterclass was winger Scott Wright, who he brought in during the January window to bolster Steven Gerrard’s title pursuit.

The Gers pinned him down to a four-and-a-half-year deal, which suggests that they see long-term potential in the forward. They initially agreed to sign him on a pre-contract but were able to snap him up in January for a bargain fee.

Wilson reportedly paid Aberdeen £180k for his services, with Wright playing 13 times before the end of the 2020/21 campaign. He provided one goal and two assists, setting up a goal in the Europa League.

At the time of the signing, Gerrard hailed him as a player he has admired from afar, backing him to be a success at Ibrox. He said: “It is very pleasing to have Scott for the rest of this season. This will give him the opportunity to gain some valuable game time in a blue shirt for the rest of the season.

“Scott is a player that I have admired and I believe that we can utilise his skill set within our system. He will train with his new teammates tomorrow.”

At the time of writing (26/10/21), Wright is valued at £540k by Transfermarkt. He has produced three goals and two assists in 26 appearances for the club, with three starts in the Premiership this term. This shows that Wilson was able to pull off a masterclass with the forward in January.

He was able to sign Wright for just a third of his current market value, whilst the winger still has plenty of time to develop even further at the age of 24. If he continues to be a regular first team option for Rangers, his value could continue to rise and the £180k Rangers paid for him will look all the more like an absolute bargain.

It was a nominal fee to pay for a talented young player in whom Gerrard seemingly sees a great deal of potential.

AND in other news, Fresh twist emerges on big Rangers problem that’ll leave fans buzzing…

India will live to fight another day in the Champions Trophy after rain prevented a result at Centurion, where Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey had led a strong Australian batting effort

The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale28-Sep-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outMichael Hussey found some form with 67•Getty ImagesIndia and Australia will have their Champions Trophy fortunes decided on Wednesday after a washout in the match between the two sides in Centurion on Monday, when Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey led a strong Australian batting effort. Australia reached 234 for 4 before the deluge that had appeared imminent for more than an hour finally arrived and set in.It meant the only winner was Pakistan, who are now assured of a semi-final spot. The fate of Australia and India now rests with the final two group matches, both on Wednesday. For India to progress they must thrash West Indies and lift their net run-rate while also hoping Australia lose to Pakistan; any win or no-result for Australia in their remaining match and they are through.Australia were the frontrunners when the match was abandoned. There was no centurion at Centurion but a string of half-centuries from Ponting, Hussey and Tim Paine, as well as a late flurry from Cameron White set them on a comfortable course. As the players toiled against the backdrop of lightning, White lifted the tempo with an unbeaten 35, including a monstrous six over midwicket off Amit Mishra.However, it was Ponting and Hussey who controlled the middle of the innings as they kept the scoreboard ticking over with little drama. Hussey was typically unobtrusive in compiling 67 from 65 deliveries, driving through gaps and haring through for single after single. There had been a reverse sweep early in his innings but he’d taken few risks until he lofted a wide ball from Ishant Sharma, who bowled poorly, straight to Sachin Tendulkar at long off.Ponting was more classical, if slower to score his 65 runs, until he was caught short by a magnificent direct hit from the deep from Gautam Gambhir. Until that moment, Ponting had looked set for a century as he settled into a rhythm with quick singles and the odd cracking cut or drive, as well as one brilliant, high lofted drive for six off a good-length Praveen Kumar delivery.Ponting was the anchor, combining in an 88-run stand with Hussey and an 84-run partnership with Paine, while India’s bowlers battled to make inroads into the top order. Paine was the aggressor early and took plenty of risks. He walked down the pitch to Ishant and turned him over midwicket for four, also pulling him for six as Ishant’s first over cost 16 and his first three overs leaked 30.The risk-reward strategy continued against Harbhajan Singh, whose first ball to Paine was paddle-swept for four from on the stumps and later in the same over Paine reverse-swept another boundary to bring up his half-century. However, Paine’s luck expired on 56, when he top-edged another paddle-sweep off Mishra to midwicket.Mishra and Ashish Nehra were the most impressive bowlers in an Indian effort that lacked bite. There was sharp turn for Mishra but not a great deal of assistance for the fast bowlers, although India could also have used a sharper fielding effort – Paine should’ve been run out on 6 and on 31 his edge off Mishra flew between MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid at first slip.After India lost the toss, Nehra gave them the perfect start when he consigned Shane Watson to his third consecutive one-day international duck. Nehra found some extra bounce that surprised Watson, whose top-edged pull lobbed to Harbhajan at midwicket.There wasn’t much more joy for India, although the washout was a reasonable outcome for them given Australia’s solid batting. However, India need to find some spark to hammer a West Indies side that has fought well in this tournament, and they must also hope for a Pakistan win against Ponting’s men. Australia’s fate is in their own hands.

Eddie Howe is reportedly in ‘shock’ talks with Newcastle United over potentially replacing Steve Bruce as their next manager.

The Lowdown: Bruce leaves

As was expected, Bruce has now left his role as manager at St. James’ Park, as confirmed by the North East club on Wednesday.

Graeme Jones will now take temporary charge of the side, with their next game away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The Latest: Howe discussions

As per The Daily Mirror, Howe is currently in discussions with the Tyneside outfit about the manager job, something which they describe as a ‘shock name’ to emerge amongst the candidates.

Still out of work after leaving AFC Bournemouth, he was strongly linked with Celtic during the summer, but eventually rejected a move to Glasgow.

The Verdict: Short-term yes, long-term no

Howe could be the perfect manager to come in in the short-term, perhaps until the end of the season, as the Magpies are still in a relegation battle.

Of course, he has faced these situations before with the Cherries, and survived five seasons in the Premier League after coming all the way up from League Two (Transfermarkt).

The great Sir Alex Ferguson loves him, gushing over his abilities, and one of his former players, Marvin Bartley, has previously dubbed him a ‘fantastic’ coach, so there are certainly positive signs there.

However, the new owners will want to go for a bigger name for the long-term in order to attract the biggest and best names to the Toon, with the likes of Diego Simeone recently being linked.

In other news, find out who is now keen on the NUFC job here!

The entire Indian team turned up at the pre-match press conference at Trent Bridge on Friday in a “show of unity”

George Binoy at Trent Bridge05-Jun-2009In a bizarre turn of events, the entire Indian team turned up at the pre-match press conference at Trent Bridge on Friday in a “show of unity” following media reports of a rift between senior players.Once the team had assembled, captain MS Dhoni read out a statement to “the people of India and Indian cricket fans worldwide”. The team, he said, was unified, “as good as it has ever been with each individual supporting each other on and off the field”. He called the reports, published in the Indian media on Friday, of a rift between himself and Virender Sehwag “false and irresponsible behaviour”.The team, Dhoni said, was headed into the Twenty20 World Cup confident, well-prepared and unified. Once the statement was read out, the entire team – Dhoni included – walked off.The reports had pointed to Dhoni’s replies – at a press conference on Thursday – on Sehwag’s injury as indicative of a rift between the two. Sehwag yet to bat on the tour, is suffering from a niggle to his right shoulder and Dhoni said he wasn’t sure when he’d be able to play.India play their first game on Saturday, against Bangladesh.

A number of Liverpool supporters love journalist Simon Hughes’ plan for Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, urging him to return after taking a sabbatical.

Klopp has been a game-changing figure at Liverpool from the moment he walked through the door back in October 2015, spending six memorable years at the club.

The 54-year-old has transformed the Reds on and off the pitch, guiding his side to Premier League and Champions League glory and playing some of the best football in the club’s history.

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Worryingly, Klopp’s current deal expires in the summer of 2024 and the German has been vocal about taking a break from football at some point.

According to The Athletic‘s Hughes on Twitter, an ideal scenario would see Pep Lijnders take charge of Liverpool for a year while Klopp takes a sabbatical before he returns refreshed and raring to go again.

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Liverpool fans get behind Klopp plan

These Reds fans took to Twitter to get behind the idea.

“Let him rest for 2 years and let Pepjin take over”

Credit: @Origilist_

“I so so agree with this. I have mentioned this before as well. Give Jurgen 1 year time and we can have him back fresh”

Credit: @PAPAN07_LFC

“Yeah, give him 1 year off. Whack in Peter Krawietz or Pep Lijnders for a season and then he can return”

Credit: @IndyBoxOffice

“This is too good to be true”

Credit: @YJAMJ1

“Klopp to save us from post-Klopp troubles. Love it”

Credit: @marcusfalding

“This might actually happen btw, F$G know that the moment Klopp leaves us it’s over for them”

Credit: @DJ08__

In other news, Klopp is reportedly keen on bringing one player to Liverpool. Find out who it is here.

Daniel Vettori has said he’s aware it is not only Sri Lanka’s spinners that his side will they will have to be wary of, but also the quick bowlers

Sa'adi Thawfeeq06-Aug-2009Daniel Vettori has said he’s aware it is not only Sri Lanka’s spinners that his side will have to be wary of, but also the quick bowlers who were instrumental in the Test series victory over Pakistan.”Spin is going to play an important part but I think from watching the Pakistan series, the seam bowlers have played an important role,” Vettori told reporters after arriving in Sri Lanka for a six-week tour. “Our ability to counter the Sri Lankan spin bowlers is going to be a huge part of the game. However it will be ignorant for us not to acknowledge how well the Sri Lankan team has bowled.”Ajantha Mendis may have slipped down the pecking order after a poor series against Pakistan, but he still perceived as a threat for New Zealand. “We’ve only come across him in the ICC World Twenty20,” Vettori said. “Brendon McCullum played with him in Calcutta (during the IPL). I suppose he brings in a little bit of knowledge in that department but it will be a learning curve for a number of our players as it will be against Murali as well. This is quite an inexperienced team and to some of the guys this is the first time they will be seeing Murali and Mendis.”Vettori admitted his team’s strength and experience was in their bowling but hoped the batsmen would adjust to the conditions and come good.”We have experience in our bowling – me, Chris Martin and Jacob Oram, that helps us a lot. We do have a very experienced top order but you have to say our strength is in our bowling,” said Vettori, who is the most experienced player in the touring side with 92 Test appearances and 239 ODIs under his belt. “It’s always different when you come up against foreign conditions. We are hoping that our bowling keeps up and our batting will not come under so much pressure.”New Zealand are a lowly seventh in the Test rankings, but Vettori said his team would fare better if they played more Tests. “Most of the guys in the side haven’t played for a while, that’s because we haven’t played a lot of Test cricket,” he said. “It is one of the reasons why we haven’t performed so well in the Tests.”Sri Lanka are a formidable opposition, high on confidence from their Test and ODI series wins over Pakistan, but Kumar Sangakkara said his team still needed to work hard to rectify some of its lapses during the tour. “Once this is done Sri Lanka can obtain big scores and hold the upperhand over the opponents,” he said at a press conference. Pakistan had squandered dominant positions to lose the Test series and the 2-0 margin was a little misleading as the difference between the teams was not great.Sangakkara also described Muttiah Muraliatharan’s decision to retire from Tests next year as sensible. “Murali has been an integral part of Sri Lanka cricket and he has another seven Tests to play and could achieve more laurels,” he said. “He has made a thoughtful decision that is best for him.”New Zealand, touring Sri Lanka after a period of almost six years, will play a short series of two Tests and two Twenty20 Internationals in Colombo before taking part in a one-day tri-series which also involves India.They begin their tour with a three-day practice match against the Sri Lanka Development Squad led by Jeewan Mendis on Friday at the Colts grounds in Colombo.Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI squad: Jeewan Mendis (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Mahela Udawatte, Tharanga Paranavitana, Nadeera Nawela, Ashan Priyanjan, Ishara Amerasinghe, Nuwan Pradeep, Tharanga Lakshitha, Sachithra Senanayake, Shalika Karunanayake, Sachith Pathirana, Farveez Maharoof, Ranesh Perera and Prasanna Jayawardene (wk).

Uncertainty still surrounds the IPL with the Indian home minister P Chidambaram reiterating that the general elections were “unquestionably” first priority and that the Twenty20 tournament’s organisers should take a call on whether to cancel this season’

Cricinfo staff19-Mar-2009India’s home minister P Chidambaram has reiterated that the general elections are “unquestionably” first priority over the IPL, which is scheduled to run in roughly the same period, and said the tournament’s organisers should take a call on whether to cancel this season’s edition.His assertion of a position he has held over the past few weeks underlines the question mark over whether the IPL will be staged. Concerns over security grew following the attack in Lahore; shortly after, Chidambaram first suggested the IPL be postponed.More than two weeks later, it seems his position has not changed. “I can’t exempt any state government from giving to the election commission the forces they have promised,” he told the Indian news channel . “I have also made it clear that I cannot spare any central paramilitary forces.”Asked whether the IPL should be called off if the dates weren’t sorted out, he said the decision lay with the organisers. “I think the organisers are responsible people. I think they are patriotic Indians. I think they will take a call.”The home minister had initially asked for the postponement of the IPL as he did not want to overstretch his security personnel. The IPL’s organisers had revamped the tournament’s itinerary several times in a bid to avoid a clash with election dates – both run through April and May – but an agreement remains elusive after a fortnight of negotiations. The home ministry said it was waiting for reports from state governments before responding to the latest schedule, which was sent in by the IPL on Tuesday.The police chiefs of Himachal Pradesh (where some matches are scheduled to be held in Dharamshala) and Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad, home of the Deccan Chargers) have said they would be able to guarantee forces for the games according to the revised IPL schedule.Chidambaram, though, said that it wasn’t sufficient for a match to not coincide with polls in the state where it was being held. “… If the election is taking place in a neighbouring state or just across the state border, if we have an IPL match in the state, there could be problems.”