All posts by h716a5.icu

Many Aston Villa fans have been venting on Twitter following a post from the club detailing the disappointment suffered by Villa duo Jack Grealish and Tyrone Mings after England’s crushing Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.

Plenty of discourse centred around the lack of utilisation in relation to Grealish, who registered 19 goal contributions in 26 appearances for the club in 2020/21 [Transfermarkt].

In the 172 minutes that he played at the Euros, the 25-year-old contributed with two assists in five outings [UEFA.com] and played a cameo yet important role in England’s run to the final.

Meanwhile, Mings started the first two group games at the finals but played just 11 minutes thereafter and was not utilised at all in the knockout stages [Transfermarkt].

The comparative lack of involvement for the Villa duo at Euro 2020 duly had many of the club’s supporters venting at England manager Gareth Southgate.

Aston Villa fans react:

Replying to Villa’s official Twitter account, here is what some Villa fans had to say about the lack of minutes for Grealish and Mings at Euro 2020:

“Don’t worry lads, Southgate will be gone soon enough and then you won’t have to put up with his pathological picking of his favourites. How Mount got more minutes than Jack is utterly beyond belief, last night was embarrassing and showed us just how inept Southgate is”

Credit: @CreaneyTom”Criminal that Grealish got less minutes than Mount, who got more minutes than Grealish, Sancho and Foden combined”Credit: @tom_avfc1″They were both mismanaged, get them back to VP under a proper coach Dean Smith”Credit: @ClassyHenri”No other country in the world would leave Jack on the bench. Very proud of how our captain conducted himself. #UTV”Credit: @AndyCWelch”Your Villa family are incredibly proud of you both.”Credit: @Helen_Villa44″Not sure how Mount is above Grealish in the England pecking order. Baffling tbh”Credit: @DMayLovellIn other news, many Aston Villa fans have been reacting to an update on this transfer pursuit.

Celtic are allegedly lining up a swoop for Torino midfielder Sasa Lukic as they look to strengthen their midfield ahead of the new season [Celtic Now and Forever].

The Lowdown: Celtic begin to build towards the 2021/22 campaign

With pre-season fast approaching, the Parkhead hierarchy will be desperate to make some quality additions in order to try and reclaim the Premiership title from their Glasgow arch-rivals in 2021/22.

Already making tracks in the summer window, the Bhoys have tied up deals for highly-rated youngster Joey Dawson and former Sheffield Wednesday defender Liam Shaw [Glasgow Live].

Just over three weeks away from a crucial Champions League qualifier against Danish side FC Midtjylland, could the Hoops now be ready to pull off a major transfer coup?

The Latest: Celtic lining up ambitious £6m Lukic swoop

Celtic are said to be interested in Lukic, who wants to leave Torino, and the Hoops are keen to make an offer of around £6m for his signature [Celtic Now and Forever].

The 24-year-old wishes to depart his current employers, whilst his representative agency Friends and Football International stated: “There have been a number of clubs who have contacted our client’s club and discussions are ongoing but no bids have been made as of yet” [Celtic Now and Forever].

Tottenham and Crystal Palace have also been reported admirers of the former Levante anchorman in recent months.

The Verdict: Lukic would be a statement signing at Celtic Park

Lukic would be regarded as something of a statement signing at Celtic under the stewardship of new manager Ange Postecoglou.

In desperate need of fresh impetus, his ability to progress the ball in a stylish manner could prove to be a very purposeful function for the Hoops. In 2020/21, the Serbian international made 34 appearances for Torino, registering four goal contributions with three goals and one assist [Transfermarkt].

Plying his trade for a relegation-threatened outfit last term, he showed his propensity with his ball retention, recording an 81% pass accuracy across the campaign [WhoScored].

Likely to be afforded more time on the ball in Scottish football against low-block defences, Lukic Could become a real asset for Celtic should a move materialise, and it’s one the Hoops should certainly look to pursue.

In other news, Ange Postecoglou has given the go-ahead to a potential first signing.

SYDNEY, Oct 13 AAP – Queensland cricket captain Jimmy Maher expects Michael Slater will fight his way back into the NSW team.

Adrian Warren13-Oct-2002SYDNEY, Oct 13 AAP – Queensland cricket captain Jimmy Maher expects Michael Slater will fight his way back into the NSW team.The former Test opener was today excluded from the Blues’ side to play the Bulls in their opening round Pura Cup clash starting in Brisbane on Wednesday.Selectors also omitted another former Blues skippers in Shane Lee.”It’s a bit of a shock … they have been fantastic players for NSW and Australia over many years and I certainly would have expected both of them to be playing,” Maher said.”But I’m sure Michael and Shane will fight their way back in … the NSW side isn’t the same without those two guys because they’ve been so successful over a number of seasons.”Maher made the comments today after NSW’s 45 run win over Queensland an ING Cup match at North Sydney Oval.NSW chairman of selectors Brian Taber said omitting Slater was a big call.And he said Slater’s 193 in a Sydney grade game yesterday was good news, but stressed reputations counted for little.He said the incumbent openers from the end of last season, Matthew Phelps and Corey Richards, were in superior form to Slater having both hit three hundreds in recent grade and second eleven games.”Slats had about nine or ten knocks without really firing,” Taber said.”When he got those runs yesterday he was doing the best thing possible to say `OK guys I’m hungry, I want to get back in’ so that’s exactly the response we wanted.”Meanwhile, Taber offered some encouragement to Lee, who he said was a great talent and athlete.But Taber said the all-rounder’s inability to bowl medium pace at present because a niggling knee injury had kept him out of the team.The NSW side chosen showed four changes to the one which finished off last summer against Tasmania.Into the squad came new captain Simon Katich, fellow batsman Michael Bevan, leg spinner Stuart MacGill and all-rounder Dominic Thornely, who has yet to play a first class game.Out of the side went Slater, batsman Phil Jaques and Vaughan Williams and spinner Dale Turner.Doug Bollinger, yet to represent NSW was on standby for fellow paceman Stuart Clark who was chosen subject to passing a fitness test on an injured ankle.The NSW team for the Pura Cup Game against Queensland is: Simon Katich (capt), Matthew Phelps, Corey Richards, Michael Bevan, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Stuart MacGill, Nathan Bracken, Don Nash, Grant Lambert, Dominic Thornely, Stuart Clark (subject to fitness test), Doug Bollinger (on stand-by), 12th man to be named on the morning of the match.

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting positively to the news that the Anfield Road expansion has been given the go-ahead.

The Reds ended up salvaging a season that threatened to be a disaster in 2020/21, securing a third-place finish in the Premier League.

It was a campaign that no Reds supporters will have particularly fond memories of, with empty stadiums, VAR and talk of a European Super League all low points.

Liverpool’s owners, FSG, rightly received criticism for their involvement in the Super League and they have also often been accused of not spending enough money of taking the Reds forward.

They financed the impressive new Main Stand, however, and according to the Liverpool Echo, the club’s plans to expand the Anfield Road end too have now been approved.

The £60million plan will see Anfield’s attendance rise a further 7,000 to 61,000, making Liverpool’s world-famous ground even more formidable.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/the-latest-liverpool-transfer-news-copy-2/” title=”The latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans react to Anfield Road expansion news

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to react to the news, with one supporter calling it ‘awesome’.

“Nice, now it’s time to sign some players for that extra 7k to watch”

Credit: @TheHendoEffect

“Love that, can’t wait to be back!”

Credit: @LFCVik2

“So glad we stayed at Anfield instead of going to a new stadium”

Credit: @Sean_PD

“This is so awesome! We are so lucky to have FSG! Where are all the haters now??!!”

Credit: @Greg_YNWA1

“Ain’t no one stopping us next season”

Credit: @conradbeckham

“Yessssss bois, criticise FSG if you want but at least they invest in the infrastructure”

Credit: @RobintheRed598

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted after a key update regarding a Reds star. Find out who it is here. 

Pakistan face Sri Lanka Saturday in the Morocco Cup double header aware of the fact that they also need to beat South Africa on Sunday to guarantee themselves a place in Aug 21 final

Samiul Hassan17-Aug-2002Pakistan face Sri Lanka Saturday in the Morocco Cup double header aware of the fact that they also need to beat South Africa on Sunday to guarantee themselves a place in Aug 21 final.Sri Lanka’s additional bonus point against South Africa has turned this tournament upside down and has brought all the possibilities and likelihoods into consideration.The 1996 world champions need just one win to go through whereas South Africa face the same dilemma as Pakistan though they have the cushion of a victory against the 1992 world champions, the result that could be decisive if both the teams finish even on points with Sri Lanka one ahead.In case Pakistan beat South Africa and still both the teams finish on even points, net run-rate comes into play. Pakistan, after first round action, are at the bottom. However, if Sri Lanka lose both their games, Pakistan and South Africa lock horns on Wednesday.However, the throw of the dice is in Pakistan’s favour as they play Sri Lanka on the same pitch on which they defeated them by 28 runs. They then take on South Africa on the turf on which the Proteas were dismissed for 174 in 45 overs. South Africa are not pleased with this arrangement and have expressed their displeasure to the organizers.Pakistan coach, Muddassar Nazar, said that we would field an unchanged team from Wednesday’s game for Saturday’s match.However skipper Waqar Younis believes that the toss has become vital in this tournament. “But I don’t think it is something that we need to allow it to get into our brains,” Pakistan captain Waqar Younis said.Teams (likely):Pakistan: Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Sami. Reserves: Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq and Azhar Mahmood.Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Upul Chandana. Reserves: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Charitha Buddika Fernando, Lakshitha Gamage, Hasantha Fernando.Umpires: S.Venkataraghavan (India), D.Harper (Australia)TV Umpire – S.Taufel (Australia)Match referee: G.Vishwanath (India)

Somerset Under 14’s played their first match of the season when they travelled to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff to play against Wales last Sunday, and returned with a 66 run victory under their belt

Richard Walsh05-Jul-2002Somerset Under 14’s played their first match of the season when they travelled to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff to play against Wales last Sunday, and returned with a 66 run victory under their belt.Wales won the toss and put the visitors into bat. Stuart Butt was the mainstay of the Somerset innings making 72 and there was also a useful 23 fro Peter Auld as the visitors scored 182 for 9 in their 50 overs.In reply Wales were all out for 116, with Max Waller having the impressive figures of 15 overs 4 maidens 4 wickets for 30, and Tom Bryan taking 3 for 25 from his 8 overs.Congratulations to the new Under 15’s management team of Beale and Shaikh on getting their season off to a winning start!

Crystal Palace have made enquiries to Arsenal over a potential deal for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to Arsenal’s chief Football London reporter Chris Wheatley.

And, as to be expected, a number of Eagles fans have been sharing their thoughts on the transfer update on social media.

Palace are still on the hunt for Roy Hodgson’s long-term successor after a deal for former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo fell through on Tuesday evening.

So, with no first-team boss in place, you’d expect sporting director Dougie Freedman would be at the heart of Palace’s enquiry for Maitland-Niles ahead of the 2021/22 season.

The 23-year-old, who is capable of playing all over the park, spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan at West Brom. He made 15 appearances for the Baggies but couldn’t prevent relegation back to the Championship.

Maitland-Niles, who is valued at £14.4m by Transfermarkt, still has two years left on his Emirates deal, worth £35,000-a-week.

Palace fans react

Wheatley posted the news on Palace‘s interest in Maitland-Niles on Twitter. Plenty of Gunners and Eagles supporters reacted to the post, with these Palace fans keen to see a deal materialise and one describing a possible deal as ‘great’.

“YES PLEASE.”Credit: @Wheddsta”I’ll take that”Credit: @bradhcpfc”Would be a great signing”Credit: @Luke_Seychell”GOOD NEWS”Credit: @CPFC_Cal”Yep…alongside Conor Gallagher please”Credit: @Cheshireagle”Won’t happen but would be a great signing”Credit: @Benteke_SZN

In other news: Many Palace fans fume at specific Nuno details, find out more here. 

New Zealand coach Denis Aberhart Monday ducked the controversy surrounding paceman Shoaib Akhtar who Saturday earned the questionable record of bowling the fastest delivery ever

01-May-2002New Zealand coach Denis Aberhart Monday ducked the controversy surrounding paceman Shoaib Akhtar who Saturday earned the questionable record of bowling the fastest delivery ever.”(Shoaib) Akhtar bowled well and quick. His action has been cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Besides, it is in the hands of the umpires and the match referee if they call him on that. But I don’t have any comments on his bowling action,” Aberhart told reporters at Gaddafi Stadium.Shoaib reportedly clocked 161kph in Pakistan’s 66-run victory over New Zealand the third One-day International. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) authenticated his speed and said the 26-year-old had broken Australian Jeff Thomson’s 160.5kph recorded in 1975. But the ICC Monday said the record was unofficial.Shoaib has been reported thrice for a suspect bowling action since December 1999. He was also reported after the fifth and final One-day International against New Zealand last year before he was again called during last October’s Sharjah Cup.”I don’t think they can clear a bowler once and for all. Obviously, there were no-balls and you just leave that to the umpires,” Aberhart said of the pacer who also recorded his one-day best figures of six of 16 in the first One-day International at Karachi last Sunday.Pakistan coach Mudassar Nazar said he had no doubt whatsoever about Shoaib’s bowling action. “As far as we are concerned, he has been cleared by the ICC and that’s it,” Mudassar said.”He has now bowled before some of the umpires now in elite panel and match referees. And no one has raised any concerns on his action. For us, his bowling action is a closed chapter,” added Pakistan coach.

It promises to be a mouth-watering appetizer to the 2003 World Cup in March

Charlie Austin02-Jun-2002It promises to be a mouth-watering appetizer to the 2003 World Cup in March. Probably it will produce more spectacular cricket, after all, it will be played in Sri Lanka, the land that revolutionised one-day cricket when they gave birth to pinch-hitting in the 1996 World Cup.Fast bowlers beware. Expect flat, sun-baked pitches, clear blue skies and fast outfields. This is going to be a tournament for the batsmen; the curators are already at work, mothering their precious turf in the hope of producing towering totals.No longer a straight knockout tournament, it’s a gluttonous festival of cricket with 15 matches in just 18 days. Each of the 12 teams (10 Test playing countries plus Kenya and Holland) have been divided into four groups, ensuring them a minimum of two games with the group winners proceeding to a semi-final stage.It’s a straightforward formula that should produce exciting and unpredictable cricket. In the last tournament, staged two years ago in Nairobi, New Zealand caused an upset when they defeated India in the final to secure their first ever major international triumph. This time, nine of the twelve sides will believe that they can win.Expect blistering cricket Home conditions will hand the Asian bloc in general and Sri Lanka in particular an advantage. Indeed, Sanath Jayasuriya’s team will start as favourites alongside Australia considering a formidable home record in the limited overs game – they have not lost a single series or tournament in their backyard for over three years.The slow pace of the pitches is ideally suited to their vibrant brand of cricket: batsmen need to make full toll of the new ball and early fielding restrictions before the ball softens; the fielding must be electric and the spinners have a very important role, especially in the second innings when the pitch may deteriorate.But Sri Lanka have to contend with Pakistan in Pool 4 and then face the daunting prospect of a semi-final clash against Australia. It’s good news for England fans – they won’t have to play any of the top three countries until the final.However, first they need to defeat Zimbabwe and India to ensure qualification. That will require the taming of Sachin Tendulkar and his blistering waxwork Virender Sehwag. Stand-up Darren Gough. For England’s Barmy Army is a delicious prospect – stick September 22 in the diary.Don’t rule out the West Indies either. They have first hand knowledge of Sri Lankan conditions after a recent tour and are looking a sturdier outfit under captain Carl Hooper. Certainly a middle order containing a revitalised Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Hooper is second to none. They play South Africa in the opening game of the tournament.Sinhalese Sports Club: one of two venues All the matches will be played in Colombo – laid-back Asian city with wide roads, green parks and a refreshing sea breeze – at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) and Premadasa International Stadium.English fans will remember well the grass-banked SSC from last year, when Nasser Hussain’s team completed a remarkable Test series win. It has the potential to be the best batting strip in Sri Lanka with pace and consistent bounce, but can also offer swing bowlers encouragement in the early overs (Chaminda Vaas bowled out Zimbabwe for 38 last December).Premadasa will stage the day-night matches, including the tournament final on September 29. A vast concrete bowl, which hosts an electric atmosphere when full. Again the batters traditionally dominate, but this is a fiendishly difficult ground on which to chase even moderate targets, as the pitch can crumble and the ball turn sharply in the second innings.It will all make for a fascinating September; a spectacle best watched from the stands – why not make sure you’re there to savour the thrill of watching one-day cricket in Sri Lanka?

Brad Hodge and Matthew Elliott’s recent domination of Victorian cricket was formally recognised tonight when the pair took away the major prizes from the state’s Gala Awards night at the Crown Casino in Melbourne.

John Polack03-Apr-2002Brad Hodge and Matthew Elliott’s recent domination of Victorian cricket was formally recognised tonight when the pair took away the major prizes from the state’s Gala Awards night at the Crown Casino in Melbourne.Hodge, 27, was named Victoria’s Pura Cup Player of the Season at the end of another summer in which he easily prevailed as the state’s leading first-class run scorer. The talented right hander’s victory gave him back-to-back titles in the award and also complemented his status as dual winner of the national 2001-02 Pura Cup Player of the Series trophy alongside Queensland’s Jimmy Maher.Hodge scored 858 runs at the average of 57.20 in his 10 appearances at Pura Cup level for Victoria this season.Elliott, 30, who captained the state in the majority of its games this season, was meanwhile honoured as the Bushrangers’ best one-day player for 2001-02. The left handed opener struck 431 runs at an average of 47.88 from his ten limited-overs matches and was again a tower of strength at the top of the order.The two batsmen have been Victoria’s standout players of recent years, combining to form the backbone of the state team’s upper order. In limited-overs matches alone, they have been responsible for scoring close to a whopping 40 per cent of the Bushrangers’ runs in their appearances together during the last two seasons.While their productivity and experience helped them to land the two major gongs, all-rounder Andrew McDonald was recognised as the state’s most talented emerging player when named as the winner of the Robert Rose Scholarship.Among the night’s other highlights was a special tribute to outgoing Victorian captain Paul Reiffel. Flanked by wife Janet and parents Ron and Maureen, the former state and national pace bowler was honoured for his distinguished 15-year career at the sport’s elite level.Another long-time servant of Victorian cricket, Warren Ayres, also made it a night to remember when he joined an exclusive band of players to have won the Ryder Medal on at least two occasions. The 36-year-old batsman, who amassed 924 runs for Melbourne at an average of 54.35 this season, polled 34 votes to be crowned a clear winner of the award ahead of Carlton’s David Sokulsky. Ayres previously claimed the Medal – the prize awarded each season to the best and fairest player in Victorian first grade cricket – in 1994-95.The awards night formally set the seal on a disappointing 2001-02 summer for Victoria, at the end of which it finished in fifth place in each of the two domestic competitions. The Bushrangers also won less competition points in total over the course of the season than any of their five rival states.