All posts by h716a5.icu

Some Everton fans have been left fuming over some manager news that has emerged involving Jose Mourinho.

As per The Daily Mirror, the AS Roma manager has emerged as a potential candidate to take over from Rafa Benitez, should he be sacked at Goodison Park.

Supporters of the Merseyside club vented their anger towards the Spaniard as well as the board after their 4-1 defeat at home to Liverpool in midweek, and Benitez is now under pressure following a run of eight matches in the Premier League without a win.

Now, the board could turn to Mourinho should they wish to pull the plug on his reign.

Of course, Mourinho’s success in English football, in where he has won the top-flight title three times with Chelsea, is a factor as to why the board are looking at him as a potential successor, but he has tailored off in recent years, having left both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United midway through the season outside of the UEFA Champions League spots.

Toffees supporters may not be a fan of his pragmatic approach to games either, and so it is understandable to see why a fair few fumed when they read the news.

Everton fans on Mourinho news

These Blues fumed as the manager news was shared on Twitter:

“Rather liquidate”

Credit: @mcnallyc95

“This is worse then Benitez.”

Credit: @thomas41448377

“From one mess to another. This is an an awful idea”

Credit: @toffee5000

“This is comical”

Credit: @Andy25787904

“And this is why they’re clueless.”

Credit: @glioriginali_

“Another dinosaur, no thank you”

Credit: @ToffeeTosh1878

In other news, find out what manager news has Evertonians talking here!

In the Premier League, not only have Liverpool got themselves comfortably in the race to win the title and scored more goals than any other team in the top flight, but the Reds have also managed to keep eight clean sheets along the way.

With the January transfer window on the horizon, it seems as though the Merseyside club could be in danger of losing one of their current senior players.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by the Sunday Mirror (via Liverpool Echo 16:58) that newly appointed Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has got Reds defender Joe Gomez on his radar for a potential transfer move in the upcoming January transfer window.

Since joining the Merseyside club back in the 2015 summer transfer window from Charlton Athletic in a deal worth a reported fee of £3.5m, Gomez has made a total of 128 appearances for the Reds across all competitions.

Labelled as a “sensational” player by Jurgen Klopp in the past, Gomez has hardly had a look in for their current Premier League campaign, making just two appearances and playing just 13 minutes of action.

However, the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £27m according to Transfermarkt, has played the full 90 minutes in both of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup games and one of their Champions League games, winning all of three of them and keeping two clean sheets in the process.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-liverpool-news” title=”Check out the latest Liverpool news!”]

Even though he has been injured in recent weeks, it’s safe to assume that Gomez would possibly be tempted to join Villa if he would be guaranteed regular playing time in the Premier League and play under Gerrard.

However, from a Liverpool point of view, it would be a calamity if FSG were to approve Gomez’s potential move to Villa. After all, he has vast experience with the Reds and has demonstrated enormous potential, leading us to believe he could become a regular figure in the team for the next few years alongside the likes of Ibrahima Konate.

With Vigil van Dijk and Joel Matip both now at the age of 30, it’s safe to say that Liverpool will be relying on the likes of Gomez and Konate to be their long-term replacements in the future, which would be quite hard if Gomez joins Villa.

It’s safe to say this wouldn’t be the wisest move from departing directing Michael Edwards.

In other news: Edwards could be set for LFC disaster as claim emerges on “unstoppable” £200k-p/w gem – opinion

With the January transfer window on the horizon, it seemed as though the focus was more on a player possibly leaving Liverpool than a potential new one coming in.

Not long ago, it was reported by the Sunday Mirror (via Liverpool Echo 16:58) that new Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard was interested in signing Reds defender Joe Gomez during the upcoming transfer window.

However, it now seems as though there has been a development in the story which will have a lot of Liverpool fans buzzing.

What’s the latest?

According to a recent report from the Daily Mail, Villa do not have an interest in signing Gomez in January, despite apparently aiming to strengthen their squad in January.

With this in mind, even though the centre-back has only played 13 minutes of Premier League action so far this season and has been out for the past few weeks with a calf injury, it will still be a big relief for everyone at the Merseyside club that he now isn’t likely to join Villa.

Since joining the Reds back in 2015 from Charlton Athletic in a reported £3.5m move, Gomez has made 128 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side across all competitions, winning the Premier League and Champions League along the way.

Despite his lack of minutes in the Premier League so far this season, the 24-year-old – who is currently valued at £27m by Transfermarkt – has played the full 90 minutes in both of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup matches and one of their Champions League group games, winning all of three of them and keeping two clean sheets in the process, highlighting his defensive capabilities and reliability when called upon.

Also, the Londoner ranks second in Klopp’s squad for clearances and headers per game in the Carabao Cup, illustrating the capabilities he brings to the side when he features.

Moving forward, while Gomez may find it difficult to get regular playing time in the league this season ahead of the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate, who have all made more appearances in the top flight, it would certainly be better to have the Englishman at their disposal in the squad than to let him join another club, especially a direct Premier League competitor.

However, with January around the corner, Liverpool must hope that no other clubs come sniffing around for Gomez in that time.

In other news: Liverpool handed double injury boost ahead of Wolves clash, Klopp will be delighted

Celtic journalist Kieran Devlin has expressed uncertainty about the return date of centre-back Christopher Jullien. 

The lowdown

The Frenchman hasn’t played for the Hoops since their 3-0 win over Dundee United at the end of December 2020. He was forced off in that game after injuring his knee when colliding with the post (via BBC Sport).

Former Scotland boss Alex McLeish has said it will be a ‘massive’ boost for Celtic whenever Jullien, a treble winner in 2019/20, eventually makes his comeback.

Ange Postecoglou said in late October that the 28-year-old would be back after the November international break, but there’s no sign of him as yet.

The latest

In The Athletic’s matchday discussion surrounding Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Bayer Leverkusen, a supporter asked Devlin if there was ‘any indication when/if’ the defender would be back.

The fan ‘thought by now we would have seen something of Jullien in training’ or in a youth team game.

Devlin replied: “It just keeps being pushed back. Briefed multiple times this season that he’d be back within a few weeks and it just hasn’t happened. Not sure what the new estimated date is.”

The verdict

Celtic initially expected to be without Jullien for a period of four months, but we’re now approaching a full calendar year of him being sidelined.

Devlin’s latest claim is worrying because it suggests that there may have been a setback, with the 28-year-old not able to meet the club’s revised timeline.

They were knocked out of the Europa League this week after a 3-2 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen, with Chris Sutton acknowledging that ‘defensively, Celtic have come up well short in Europe’.

It’s tempting to wonder whether they would have had enough to progress from their group with a fully fit Jullien, who was included in their squad for the competition – a sure sign that the Hoops had banked on him returning to action by now.

In other news, this defender is open to signing for Celtic

Lots of Everton fans have been left buzzing as news emerged from Dominic Calvert-Lewin on his injury.

Speaking at a Football For Change event (via Tony Scott), the striker has now confirmed that he will be back in a few weeks, claiming ‘we’ll see for the Merseyside derby’.

The Toffees are due to play Liverpool at home on December 1st, suggesting that Calvert-Lewin may only be out for a couple more weeks.

Of course, Everton supporters do not need reminding just how important he is to the team. He has not played since August but had scored three goals in his first three matches in the Premier League this term before his injury setback (Transfermarkt).

His record against Liverpool is not the greatest, having only won once in 12 appearances against the Reds, but he has scored one goal and provided two assists against them before (Transfermarkt), so has proven to be a handful against the Toffees’ biggest rivals.

Everton fans on Calvert-Lewin injury news

These Everton fans buzzed as the news was shared on Twitter, with one hailing it as an ‘amazing’ update:

“Praise the lord”

Credit: @_luke1878_

“If he’s back for the derby and I’m there??? Oh baby”

Credit: @usaefc

“Best thing we’ve heard about the club for quite a while…”

Credit: @EFCT0M

“Yes!!”

Credit: @ste_efc76

“JUST IMAGINE”

Credit: @KatherineDaly19

“Amazing news”

Credit: @JamieMirror

In other news, find out which player’s comments delighted many Evertonians

Rangers are among the clubs keeping tabs on Chippenham Town striker Oluwasegun Lawal, according to All Nigeria Soccer.

The lowdown

According to the report, the 19-year-old is a 6-foot tall striker who can also operate as an attacking midfielder or a winger and is strong with both feet, illustrating tremendous versatility even in the embryonic stages of his career.

He made his first team debut for sixth-tier Chippenham as a substitute in their draw with Braintree Town last Saturday. Intriguingly, his younger brother Bosun joined Rangers’ arch-rivals Celtic from Watford earlier this year.

There’s already a healthy Nigerian contingent at Ibrox, made up of Leon Balogun, Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo and Nnamdi Ofoborh. Indeed, Lawal shares more than just a nationality with Aribo, who in his time at Ibrox has also demonstrated the versatility to play out wide and as an attacking midfielder.

The latest

The report from All Nigeria Soccer claimed that ‘a host of clubs’ are monitoring Lawal ahead of the January transfer window.

They name Rangers in addition to five Premier League clubs – Liverpool, Newcastle United, Leicester City, Crystal Palace and Watford.

Of the English quintet, it’s the latter three who are said to be showing the strongest interest at this moment in time.

The verdict

For Lawal to catch the eye of a Europa League participant like Rangers despite largely playing for Chippenham’s academy up to this point indicates that he must be a pretty special talent.

If the Gers were to sign him, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him slot into the under-21 setup initially. As a teenager, he still has plenty of time to develop and prepare for the professional level, although he could get smatterings of senior game-time in competitions such as the Scottish League Cup further down the line.

This may come down who can present the most persuasive offer to Lawal, setting out the clearest pathway to the first team.

In other news, Rangers have been told they can’t stand in this man’s way if he wants to leave. 

Dean Smith’s time as Aston Villa manager was severely under pressure heading into this weekend’s Premier League action but sadly, it ended up being his last in the dugout.

As the Villans slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Southampton, Smith left the stadium and was then handed his marching orders less than 24 hours later.

What’s the word?

Villa are now without a point in their last five matches but the club’s hierarchy have used the upcoming international break to make a much-needed change.

With the club in no danger of improving their form, they told the 50-year-old to pack his bags and head out of the exit door.

Consequently, NSWE are now looking for a new manager.

The Sun revealed on Saturday evening that they may consider Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand but fresh reports dictate there are other irons in the fire.

John Percy of The Telegraph shared on Sunday afternoon that Steven Gerrard was on Villa’s shortlist.

Fans buzzing

This is a piece of news that should leave the Villa supporters buzzing.

Gerrard might not have very much experience under his belt but the fact of the matter is, he could improve them in multiple facets.

He has installed a gritty and never-say-die attitude within his players at Rangers, a mentality that helped them end Celtic’s nine-year stronghold over Scottish football as the Gers won the Premiership last season.

The Liverpudlian ensured that happened by combining a swashbuckling offensive approach with a sturdy backline.

His team scored 78 goals and conceded just ten times in 33 outings, suggesting he could improve Villa’s leaky backline.

So far this term, the Midlands outfit have shipped 20 goals, the highest volume outside of the relegation zone.

First and foremost, the new manager must make Villa harder to beat and in Gerrard, a manager who already knows how to win things, they’d definitely discover that.

Of course, the Premier League is a completely different beast to the SPFL but if he comes in and manages to revive Villa, as he did Rangers, the supporters at the club would undoubtedly be delighted to see him in the hot seat.

AND in other news, Forget Buendia: Villa must sign £18m-rated star who “every coach would love to have”…

With their 1-0 win over Watford now behind them, Southampton now face Aston Villa tonight at St Mary’s for their next Premier League clash.

Speaking ahead of the match in his latest press conference, Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed that Armando Broja will be available to play after missing last week’s win with an ankle injury, so Jack Stephens will be the only Southampton player set to miss tonight’s clash.

With this in mind, here’s how we feel Southampton could line up against Dean Smith’s side.

In goal, considering that he’s played in every league game for the Saints so far this term, it’s safe to say that Alex McCarthy is likely to keep his place in the team.

At the back, we think Hasenhuttl will stick with the same four which managed to keep a clean sheet at Vicarage Road, with Valentino Livramento at right-back, Mohammed Salisu and Jan Bednarek in the centre and Kyle Walker-Peters at left-back after impressing against Watford, where he earned himself an overall match rating of 8/10 for his efforts from SofaScore.

In the centre of midfield, we reckon the Austrian will again stick with the pairing of Oriol Romeu and club captain James Ward-Prowse, for whom Villa made a £25m bid during the summer.

On the wings, we can see Hasenhuttl sticking with Nathan Redmond on the left but bringing in Nathan Tella, who played and scored for the Southampton B team last weekend against Villa’s under-23 side, on the right. Mohamed Elyounoussi, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £60k-per-week according to Spotrac, duly drops out, having failed to score in his last six league starts since the 2-2 draw at Newcastle in late August, as per WhoScored.

Up top, with Broja back in contention to play, we think Hasenhuttl will put him straight back into the team if he is fit to start, given how he scored in his two previous league outings for the Saints against Leeds United and Burnley. Adam Armstrong returns to the substitutes’ bench.

Next to Broja, given how he scored the winner and his first league goal of the season against Watford, it would make sense for Hasenhuttl to keep Che Adams in the team to see if he can add another goal to his tally for the season against Villa, who have lost their last four league matches.

In other news: Bye-bye Forster: Ralph could save Southampton millions with “confident” 20 y/o beast – opinion

For close to 35 overs, India Red held the momentum with a score of 300-plus on the cards

Cricinfo staff08-Oct-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outAshok Dinda proved to be the hero for India Blue, and not just with the ball•ESPNcricinfo LtdSuresh Kumar’s 87 proved decisive, as India Blue held on for a thrilling one-wicket win against India Red at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. Suresh was the lynchpin even as wickets kept falling around him, playing a big hand in ensuring victory. Ashok Dinda, though, had the final word. Having picked three wickets earlier, he hit the boundary which sealed the match in Blues’ favour after they needed seven off the last over with just the one wicket in hand.The chase was well-planned, as Suresh played the anchor’s role to perfection, even as Ishant Sharma struck at either ends of the innings. Harbhajan Singh, promoted to No.3 after a good day with the ball, lent good support with a run-a-ball 36. When captain MS Dhoni departed for 37 with the score 161 for 5, the match was tantalisingly poised.Suresh continued to graft away and soon brought up his fifty in style, clubbing Sudeep Tyagi over long-on for a six. With Jalaj Saxena and Yusuf Pathan departing soon, he was running fast out of partners, though the equation was firmly in Blues’ favour. Two fours in Ishant’s ninth over had them in sight of the finish line, yet a final sting in the tale remained. Looking for a quick finish, Suresh mishit a slower one from Ishant and Ravindra Jadeja made no mistake running in from mid-on. That was the end of the 47th over.The task could not have looked more imposing, with 12 required off 18 and Dinda and Siddharth Trivedi to come. Munaf Patel, who otherwise had a day to forget, struck in his penultimate over, rearranging Sreesanth’s stumps with the second ball. Ishant followed the act, giving away four in the 49th over.The Red captain S Badrinath was a nervous man, as Munaf ran in for his final over. A full delivery first up was hit in the air over cover by Dinda, and the batsmen sneaked a couple. A short ball followed, which was pulled along the ground through midwicket for another two. Another terrible delivery from Munaf wa unpardonable, and Dinda pulled it in the air behind square leg to the fence to seal the win.For close to 35 overs, Red held the reins and looked good to reach 300-plus. However, the Blue bowlers pulled things back to bowl them out for a sub-par 248 inside 45 overs on a good batting track. Harshad Khadiwale and Ishank Jaggi made brisk half-centuries but the lower order failed to build on that platform.Red were powered by a solid start from their openers M Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan. Vijay scored at over a run a ball but fell when giving Harbhajan the charge, Naman Ojha snapping up the inside edge. Dhawan’s dismissal was very similar, and it was a smart move by Ojha to stand up for the seamer Trivedi, who cut back on his pace to keep the batsmen in check. Red stumbled further when Badrinath was run out after a terrible mix-up and some repair work was needed. Khadiwale and Jaggi stepped up with a stand of 49 for the fourth wicket. Khadiwale fell shortly after getting to his fifty, tamely mistiming a pull off Dinda.Jaggi, the right-hander from Jharkhand, maintained the momentum with a brisk innings that included five fours and a six. However, he failed to push on after reaching his fifty, edging Yusuf Pathan to Ojha while attempting a cut. Blue continued to chip away at the wickets – even Dhoni rolled his arm over and picked up a wicket – and Red looked in danger of not lasting their full quota of overs. By the time they took the batting Powerplay in the 45th over, they had already lost nine wickets. Harbhajan was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 40. But the real drama would pan out in the next 50 overs.

Southampton confirmed on Tuesday that club captain James Ward-Prowse has been called up for England duty.

And, as to be expected, a number of Saints fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

The 26-year-old will fill in for Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips, who withdrew from Gareth Southgate’s squad through injury.

Ward-Prowse missed out on a place in Southgate’s European Championship squad over the summer but will now have the chance to impress the manager and possibly add to his eight caps as England prepare for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary.

The central midfielder, who scored before being sent off against Chelsea prior to the international break, is now the eighth Southampton player who will head off to represent their country.

Saints fans react

Southampton shared the news regarding Ward-Prowse’s call up on their official Twitter page. This is what these Saints supporters had to say in reply, with one labelling it as ‘great news’.

“FINALLY”

Credit: @AimeeThorpe9

“YESSSSSSS SIUUUUUU”

Credit: @_sfcjay

“Great news”

Credit: @Allanah47670106

“Fair play to him considering his performances…”

Credit: @MattAshley1

“Deserved but I’d be surprised if he gets a kick.”

Credit: @bfgfox

“BOUT DAMN TIME”

Credit: @SaintsFCDallas

In other news: ‘Bring him back’, ‘Come home’ – Many Saints fans react as comments emerge.