All posts by h716a5.icu

A number of Liverpool supporters have bemoaned Paul Tierney’s appointment as referee for the weekend showdown with Manchester City.

The Reds face their biggest game of the season so far on Sunday, taking on the defending champions in the Premier League at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are currently top of the table and one point clear of their rivals, highlighting the importance of the result this weekend.

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It could prove to be a pivotal day in the title race and the performance of the referee could have a huge bearing on the outcome.

It has been confirmed [via Anfield Watch on Twitter] that Tierney will take charge of proceedings in what is a high-profile occasion for him, while Stuart Attwell is on VAR duty.

Liverpool were undefeated in four league matches with him as referee last season – two wins and two draws – which bodes well. However, he controversially blew for half-time in the 0-0 draw against Manchester United in January just as Thiago had played Sadio Mane through on goal.

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Liverpool fans unhappy with Tierney appointment

Despite the good record in games involving Tierney last term, these Reds fans took to Twitter to show their unhappiness at his appointment for Sunday’s showdown against City.

“At least have Michael Oliver on it”

Credit: @nathan_brauner1

“Manchester born & bred. First L inbound boys”

Credit: @georgegould97

“Can’t stand this fella”

Credit: @RoyalElectrica6

“Great”

Credit: @Bow7Timmy

“Horrible pairing but then again they all are”

Credit: @sazzam31

“Paul Tierney and Stuart Atwell. This isn’t going to go well”

Credit: @TheFNundy

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming at a James Pearce injury update. Read more here.

There was an air of futility at Edgbaston as Warwickshire and Lancashire fought for bonus points amid the showers

George Dobell at Edgbaston17-Jul-2009
ScorecardRikki Clarke drives during his useful half century as Warwickshire hunted batting points•Getty ImagesThere was an air of futility at Edgbaston as Warwickshire and Lancashire fought for bonus points amid the showers.But it is not just the weather rendering this game meaningless. It is also changes mooted by the ECB that could make this whole season something of a farce.For there may well be no promotion or relegation this year. If changes currently being discussed are agreed – and it’s simply too close to call at present – it will make little difference if these teams finish sixth or ninth.Indeed it appears everything is under consideration: a return to three-day cricket; the introduction of three conferences rather than two divisions; a 12, 14 or 16 match championship season; and city (rather than county) cricket. And, crazy though it sounds, it’s all to be announced in August and implemented next season.The driving force of the changes is the increase in Twenty20 cricket. Most pertinently, the scheduling of the Champions League, next September, has convinced the ECB that they need to shorten the season.At quite a cost, however. The ECB have suggested a raft of different proposals aimed at ‘easing scheduling.’ Even they admit, however, that the ‘integrity’ of the championship may be compromised.Against this backdrop, Lancashire and Warwickshire traded blows at a soggy Edgbaston. Though only 35 overs were possible, the hosts garnered another two batting bonus points, while the visitors claimed one more bowling point.The most impressive performances came from two former England men with contrasting claims for a recall. For while Sajid Mahmood is considered to be very much on the England radar, Rikki Clarke has fallen out of contention after a couple of poor seasons.Mahmood has certainly performed well here. He has bowled with pace and control and fully deserved the wicket of Jonathan Trott with an excellent slower-ball yorker.Clarke also impressed, however. Playing admirably straight, he timed the ball well and provided a gentle reminder that he could be the natural successor to Andrew Flintoff in the England Test side if only consistency can be added to the talent. The manner of his dismissal, cutting directly to point, suggested he had some way to go.Chris Woakes also batted well. One pulled six bore the hallmark of real class, while he also did well to deny the admirable Oliver Newby. The others struggled. Tim Ambrose clipped to mid-wicket, before Ant Botha’s indecision over his pull shot resulted in a skied catch to thekeeper. Warwickshire require another 30 runs to take full batting bonus points for the sixth time in seven games.Meanwhile the club stated that they hoped their new overseas player, Indian fast bowler Sreesanth, would be with them in between 10 days to two weeks.

Kevin Phillips says Everton’s Tom Davies ‘might need to leave to further his career’, which has ‘stagnated’ at Goodison Park. 

The lowdown

According to a report from Football Insider last month, Davies’ future is in doubt.

His £25,000-per-week contract expires in June 2023 and there’s apparently yet to be any progress towards an extension.

This uncertainty has alerted Crystal Palace, who are keeping a close eye on the situation, claims a source for the outlet.

Davies has yet to start a Premier League game this season but has played three times as a substitute, albeit for a total of just 34 minutes (via WhoScored).

New boss Rafael Benitez has shown a preference for Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure in the middle of the park.

Despite his limited involvement in 2021/22, Davies’ Transfermarkt value remains as high as it’s ever been at £16.2million.

The latest

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips reflected on how the landscape had changed for Davies for his boyhood club.

“His career has stagnated a bit,” he said. “18 months ago the kid was getting a lot of game time and playing good football.

“The problem for him is, Allan and Doucoure have come in. Their arrival has pushed him down the pecking order. He is at the back of the pecking order really.”

While supporters may be particularly reluctant to see an academy product go, Phillips says Davies has to look after his own interests.

“Is his time at Everton up? Maybe,” he said. “The fans will not want to see him leave because he is a good young player who’s come through the academy there.

“But, I think Davies knows that he might need to leave to further his career.

“Davies may need to look for a move in January and I think he’d be a very good signing for someone. I think a move will be on the cards in January.”

The verdict

There may still be opportunities for Davies. Allan will turn 31 in January and his injury record suggests there will be periods of absence.

It’s a question of whether Davies is happy to accept a back-up role at his hometown club for now, or whether he’s determined to be playing week-in, week-out further down the league.

He seems to be one of those who’s suffered slightly from the change of manager, but it’s still very early days in Benitez’s tenure.

In other news, fans were buzzing over this transfer news.

According to Calciomercato (via TEAMtalk), Tottenham are interested in signing Weston McKennie from Juventus this summer.

The Lowdown: Spurs need improvement

Things have not gone Spurs’ way so far this season despite winning their first three Premier League matches 1-0 (Sky Sports).

They have already been beaten three times in the league, conceding three goals apiece against Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Chelsea in emphatic defeats.

The Latest: Spurs eye McKennie

As per this latest report from Calciomercato (via TEAMtalk), Spurs are interested in signing McKennie from Juventus.

The Serie A outfit are said to be looking for €20m (£17m) for his signature and would like to sell him due to his off-field behaviour.

The Verdict: Controversial but talented

Previously labelled as “extraordinary” by former Schalke 04 sporting director Christian Heidel, McKennie is clearly a player with plenty of talent. He already has 25 caps for the USA at the age of just 23 and currently plies his trade with Italian giants Juventus.

He became an important player under Andrea Pirlo last season, making 34 league appearances under the former Italy international (Transfermarkt), and has even been labelled as the heir to Arturo Vidal (Daily Mail).

He can play in any midfield position and has a decent goal return, netting five for Juventus last season and seven in his 25 international appearances. For a Spurs team lacking goals from midfield, such returns could be a godsend.

Off the field, however, he has been embroiled in controversy. During the previous international break, he was sent home from USA duty after bringing an unauthorised person into the camp and disregarding coronavirus protocols in the process (ESPN), while his off-field behaviour has not pleased his current employers in Turin.

However, while he may have questions over his attitude, McKennie is a player who potentially has a big future ahead of him, and £17m could prove to be a bargain.

In other news, Jose Mourinho’s stance on this Tottenham midfielder has been praised.

The Cricket Australia (CA) umpire high performance panel has appointed two new faces to the national umpires panel for 2009-10

Cricinfo staff07-Aug-2009The Cricket Australia (CA) umpire high performance panel has appointed two new faces to the national umpires panel for 2009-10, with Gerard Abood (New South Wales) and Geoff Joshua (Victoria) replacing Peter Parker (retired) and Andrew Craig (Western Australia) on the 12-member committee.Rodney Tucker, Bruce Oxenford and Paul Reiffel have been retained on the ICC’s international panel of umpires while Steve Davis, Daryl Harper and Simon Taufel will continue on the ICC Elite panel, CA announced today.”The elevation of Gerard Abood and Geoff Joshua to the national panel highlights the strength of CA’s umpiring pathway,” James Sutherland, the CA chief executive, said. “Both men have progressed through the ranks, including the Emerging Umpires Programme, to earn their places on CA’s national umpires panel.”Rod Tucker’s identification by the ICC to overseas appointments just a year after making his international debut is further evidence of Australia’s reputation for producing high-quality umpires.”The umpire high performance panel is responsible for the selection and management of these umpiring panels and will also be responsible for match referee duties this season.The various umpiring panels are:ICC Elite panel (contracted directly to ICC):
Steve Davis (South Australia), Daryl Harper (South Australia), Simon Taufel (New South Wales)International umpires panel (nominated by CA to the ICC):
Rodney Tucker (New South Wales), Bruce Oxenford (Queensland), Paul Reiffel (Victoria – TV umpire)National Umpires Panel:
Gerard Abood (New South Wales), Jeff Brookes (Western Australia), Simon Fry (South Australia), Geoff Joshua (Victoria), Ian Lock (Western Australia), Mick Martell (Western Australia), Bruce Oxenford (Queensland), Bob Parry (Victoria), Paul Reiffel (Victoria), Rodney Tucker (New South Wales), John Ward (Victoria), Tony Ward (Victoria)

Despite the team management discussing how bare the surface was in the lead-up, the selectors relied on four fast bowlers instead of calling on Nathan Hauritz’s offspin

Peter English at The Oval22-Aug-2009Fifteen wickets drop one day and The Oval is the worst Test wicket in the world before only six fall the next and the Australians try to convince themselves they can shatter a world record. The surface appears to have reached its trickiest and the batsmen are playing smarter, making the tourists’ surely impossible pursuit of 546 – 128 more than anyone else has managed – a touch easier.Given their position they are seeking any reason to look on the bright side, and were boosted when the openers added an unbeaten 80 to their disastrous 160 in the first innings. “I don’t think the characteristics of the pitch changed at all,” Marcus North, the part-time spinner, said after leading the bowling with 4 for 98. “Credit to Stuart Broad and England, they bowled very well yesterday and we didn’t apply ourselves with the bat. I don’t see the wicket has got any worse or any better.”However, North was surprised by how little moisture the surface carried and deflected questions over the make-up of the XI. Despite the team management discussing how bare the surface was in the lead-up, the selectors relied on four fast bowlers instead of calling on Nathan Hauritz’s offspin.”There’s no hiding that it’s very dry, a lot dryer than anyone thought,” North said. “In hindsight, looking at the wicket, England might have played two spinners rather than one. It comes down to trying to get the best judgment call on the day. You don’t know how the wicket is going to play until you play it.”It has turned significantly from the opening day and Graeme Swann, the England offspinner, raced to four wickets on the second. North’s collection, the best of his seven-Test career, came in 30 overs and the fact he was the greatest threat compounded the error of Australia’s selection.One ball from North pitched outside off and hit Jonathan Trott, the debutant centurion, on the shoulder while others bounced in awkward ways. The faster bowlers also watched many of their deliveries fall short of the wicketkeeper while others rose menacingly as they shattered the surface. Despite the variations, nobody on the third day blamed the pitch for their dismissals.England gained focus through Trott and Andrew Strauss in the morning as they escaped from 39 for 3 to declare at 373 for 9 with an hour to go. Trott said the new ball came on to the bat better and then the situation became more difficult.”It will definitely get a lot harder with the ball being softer and stopping in the wicket, especially with the spinner at one end and our seamers,” he said. “Hopefully we can get it to reverse a bit and put them under big pressure like we did in the first innings and do well.”Australia’s openers moved confidently, just as they had in the first innings, and passed their first obstacle by reaching stumps. Bigger ones will come over the next two days and not just from the pitch.

Jack Harrison could be left out of Leeds United’s starting XI to face Wolves on Saturday, according to former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips.

The Lowdown: Leeds host Wolves

The Whites are back in Premier League action this afternoon, as they look to finally kick their 2021/22 season into gear.

Last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Southampton was the latest disappointing showing in a string of worrying results, which have them languishing in 17th place in the table.

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The Latest: Harrison tipped to be left out

A win is much-needed against a Wolves side who have won their last three league matches and it will be interesting to see how Marcelo Bielsa’s starting lineup looks.

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips , 48, claimed Harrison could be the man to make way, allowing Raphinha and Dan James to start out wide, even though he didn’t rule out the prospect of all three starting:

“It wouldn’t surprise me if Bielsa played all three [Raphinha, James and Harrison] to go all-out to win the match. But if someone were to make way, it would have to be Harrison.

“With James coming in for big money, you’d like to think he will start. Raphinha will play, he’s one of their best players.

“I would have thought it will be a straight swap for Harrison.”

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The Verdict: Right decision?

Harrison hasn’t made a big enough impact yet this season, failing to score or register an assist in six league appearances to date.

For that reason, Bielsa leaving him out would feel justified, allowing Raphinha and James to prove their worth and show that they should be the first-choice wide pairing moving forward.

Given the former’s brilliance, both for Leeds and Brazil, and the latter’s big-money move from Manchester United in the summer, it certainly feels like that could be the case moving forward.

In other news, a worrying update regarding Bielsa’s Leeds future has emerged. Read more here.

Fast bowler feels Pakistan have a balanced side with the return of Mohammad Yousuf and Rana Naved

Cricinfo staff23-Aug-2009Fast bowler Umar Gul has said that Pakistan are desperate to beat India in the upcoming Champions Trophy fixture. Pakistan are grouped with Australia, West Indies and India, and the two teams face off on September 26 in Centurion.”While every match will be important, the game against India, as always, will be special for both the sides,” Gul said. “No rivalry can match the India-Pakistan rivalry and I think the match will be something billions of people all over the world will be waiting for.”For us, the match is also important for the simple fact that we haven’t beaten them in an ICC event and we’re desperate to break that sequence [Pakistan have actually beaten India in the 2004 Champions Trophy],” he said.Gul said that being World Twenty20 champions adds pressure due to increased fans’ expectations.”Although it is a different format, it is always good to go in as a champion side because it gives you that extra confidence which is vital in big tournaments,” he said. “However, our victory in England has raised the bar of expectations and our supporters want us to win everything. That puts us under more pressure.”Pakistan have included the promising Umar Akmal in the squad, and the tournament will also mark the comeback of fast bowler Mohammad Asif. Gul feels the side is well balanced, with the return of experienced ICL players like Mohammad Yousuf and Rana Naved. “I believe we have an excellent team for one-day cricket and it is the combination that makes us a quality side. The return of Mohammad Yousuf and Rana Naved has provided further impetus to the side which is bubbling with confidence after its victory in the ICC World Twenty20 in England in June.”Gul said he was looking forward to leading the bowling attack. “I’m ready to take the spearhead’s role and the requirement of that role is to try to come up to expectations whenever the ball is tossed at you,” he said.”There’s no greater feeling than to contribute in the success of your side. After the victory in England, the side is hungry for more successes and I’m desperate to contribute more to those successes.”

Leeds United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup fourth round on Tuesday night by Arsenal thanks to goals from Calum Chambers and Eddie Nketiah.

Marcelo Bielsa chose a very strong starting line-up for the game, and would no doubt have been left very disappointed with how some of his first-team regulars performed, not least Tyler Roberts.

The Wales international has endured a nightmare start to the current campaign, with his latest shocker against the Gunners meaning he has now gone 12 games without a single goal or assist.

Against Arsenal, he was similarly ineffective, struggling to really get a hold of the ball and link up with the likes of Rodrigo and Dan James up top – in fact, he made just six successful passes in the entire time that he was on the pitch.

None of his three shots found the target, while he made no successful dribbles, and it was no surprise that Bielsa eventually hooked him for Joe Gelhardt just minutes into the second-half.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings, Leeds Live’s Beren Cross was particularly critical of him.

He said: “Not a whole lot fell for him, but another game with limited impact going forward from Roberts, who was hooked very swiftly after another failure to execute a promising opportunity with his back to goal and Arsenal out of shape.”

That feeling was shared by The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, who added: “A couple of nice moments aside, didn’t take his chance again. Little surprise to see him withdrawn.”

Given Gelhardt is now seriously pushing for a place in the first-team, Roberts’ underwhelming display at the Emirates on Tuesday will have given Bielsa plenty of food for thought going forward.

Does the Leeds boss finally drop the underperforming Welshman, and give Gelhardt the chance to shine from the off.

Meanwhile, this Leeds star just embarrassed Bielsa vs Arsenal…

Sri Lanka are boosted by the return of Muttiah Muralitharan and should be fielding their strongest side which means an Indian team missing the experience of three big-match players will have its work cut out to be competitive

The Preview by Jamie Alter in Colombo13-Sep-2009Match factsMonday September 14
Start time 14.30 (9.00 GMT)Sanath Jayasuriya played himself back into form on Saturday•AFPBig PictureAfter seeing off New Zealand’s timorous challenge, Sri Lanka and India will contest bragging rights in the Compaq Cup final. Sri Lanka hold the edge in the clash between two sides who generally don’t do dull finals. The winners will go into the Champions Trophy in positive mood, leaving the loser to put salve on their injured pride.While Kumar Sangakkara said a decision on Muttiah Muraliatharan’s availability would be taken on Sunday evening, the bowler is fit and Sri Lanka should be fielding their strongest side – Thilan Samaraweera remains a doubt – and an Indian team missing the experience of three big-match players will have its work cut out to be competitive. Sri Lanka trounced India in the dress rehearsal on Saturday and again proved that once they have a score on the board at the Premadasa, they defend it resolutely.Sri Lanka have all the weapons they need in two brisk new-ball operators, a vicious slinger, and two spinners with an assortment of tricks. Each of those bowlers is capable, more so under lights, of denying batsmen the space and time to score. The support cast is no less impressive, with the ever-improving Angelo Mathews and India would do well to be wary of Sanath Jayasuriya, who sorted out a couple of New Zealand batsmen with his variations last week. On Monday, India could face the world’s most potent spin attack, with Murali and Ajantha Mendis possibly back in tandem. There will be a few flashes of the Asia Cup final last year.India’s concern is the batting, particularly at the top. Dinesh Karthik may have just played his way out of the XI, despite MS Dhoni having twice spoken of how wary he is to stick young Virat Kohli in as opener. Sachin Tendulkar has got starts on two occasions, but most worrying is the form of Yuvraj Singh, who has struggled to start against pace and spin. He scratched around dreadfully in both matches. India’s fielding was also rather shabby in the previous game.India’s only real hope is to put up a big total and then pressure Sri Lanka’s batsmen into committing errors. Chasing against the likes of Murali, Mendis and Lasith Malinga is a difficult task at the best of times, and as India found out yesterday, the anaconda grip gets you eventually.Form guide (most recent first)Sri Lanka WWLLW
India LWNRWL
Watch out for…After his performance on Saturday, surely that’s got to be Sanath Jayasuriya. Harrying between the wickets like a man possessed and then finding the boundary freely while under pressure, Jayasuriya’s innings was an omen for India going into the final. In case they need reminding, in 12 finals against India, Jayasuriya has scored 692 runs at 57.66. The grand old man of international cricket rumbles on.India will also rely heavily on one veteran at the top. In nine finals against Sri Lanka, Sachin Tendulkar has scored 361 runs at 51.57. The last time he played Sri Lanka in a final was in the 2004 Asia Cup at the Premadasa where his 74 couldn’t produce a winning chase. Tendulkar will need to dip into the reservoir of 73 games against this opposition to correct a worrying trend for India.Team newsBrendon Kuruppu, Sri Lanka’s manager, said that Murali could have played on Saturday but that the management wanted to give him the extra day to rest for the final. His return means that Sri Lanka will have to take a tough call between resting one of the three quicks or Mendis. Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara have led the attack all year and Mendis hasn’t done much in two matches this week, so he may be the one to make way. Sri Lanka are also waiting on the fitness report of Samaraweera, who strained a hamstring after his century against New Zealand and missed the previous match.Sri Lanka: (probable) 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt & wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Chamara Kapugedera/Thilan Samaraweera, 6 Thilina Kandamby, 7 Angelo Mathews, 8 Thilan Thushara, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Lasith Malinga.Karthik may continue to open the innings in Gambhir’s absence, given Dhoni’s reluctance to send Kohli in early. Kohli is not a specialist opener, though he filled the role in five ODIs in Sri Lanka last summer. He was impressive in handling Murali during this year’s IPL, so should present a credible case. There are a couple of other possibilities for India; after Mathews nipped out six with his canny seamers under lights, there’s an outside chance that the allrounder Abhishek Nayar gets a game. That would mean India have to drop Yusuf Pathan or one of the three fast bowlers (probably RP Singh, who had a poor last game). Praveen Kumar is another option.India: (probable) 1 Dinesh Karthik/Virat Kohli, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 6 Suresh Raina, 7 Yusuf Pathan/Abhishek Nayar, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 RP Singh/Praveen Kumar, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Ashish Nehra.Stats and Trivia Sri Lanka haven’t lost to India in the last seven finals between the two teams – they’ve won five while two were rained out. The last time India won a final against them was 11 years ago, in the Singer-Akai Nidahas Trophy.Murali has an excellent economy rate of 3.94 in finals against India. In eight innings, he has taken ten wickets at 28.00.Quotes”If you win it, you have 60% chance of winning the match. Moreover, if you score 230-240, then you have a good chance as the bowlers will find it easier to bowl second.”
“He is fit and ready to go. We will see how he is, his body is. This evening we will make a decision as to whether he is available for tomorrow’s game. Because we have a very important Champions Trophy coming up, we don’t want to rush him into anything too soon. But to give him ample time to recover and get fully fit.”