Tag Futebol

da bwin： One Rangers star is reportedly plotting a summer move away from the club, it has been reported, with the belief that he can play at a higher level than the Scottish Premiership.

Rangers on course for Scottish title

da betsson： Though it has by no means been a vintage season for Philippe Clement and his side, they remain on course to win the Scottish Premiership provided they avoid any major slip ups. As it stands, they hold the slight advantage over major rivals Celtic, and they play host to the Bhoys next month at Ibrox.

Related Wow: Rangers now planning exciting summer transfer alongside Silva

The club’s owners could be eyeing a bold transfer window.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Mar 15, 2024

Should they prove victorious in that clash, they would be well on course for just their second Scottish Premiership title since 2012.

However, it's not all good news for the Gers, as a Rafa Silva strike ensured that they were dumped out of Europe at the last 16 stage of the Europa League on Thursday. Having held Benfica to a 2-2 draw in Lisbon, they fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to ensure that their European journey came to an end for another season.

Worse still, there could be unrest among the camp, with one man reportedly keen on a departure.

Rangers star eyeing higher level

The player in question is none other than shot-stopper Jack Butland. The ex-Crystal Palace man has been born anew at Ibrox after several seasons of inconsistent gametime. Trusted by Clement, he has appeared 29 times for Rangers in the league, keeping 17 clean sheets in the process and ensuring that his side boast the meanest defence in the division.

Jack Butland in the SPL 2023/24

Appearances

29

Goals conceded

16

Save %

80%

Clean sheets

17

Shots on target faced

70

As per Football Insider's transfer correspondent Pete O'Rourke, the goalkeeper is 'plotting' an exit to the Premier League this summer, despite being 'delighted' with his decision to move to Rangers. This is because, at just 31-years-old, he 'feels that he is still at an age where he can impress in the Premier League' and is 'eager to prove himself again in England'.

It had been rumoured that Butland was to be included in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Brazil and Scotland, but the Three Lions boss ultimately opted for Sam Johnstone over the in-form Rangers man.

This could be another factor in his desire to return to the English top flight, with Football Insider adding that 'he feels that a move back to the Premier League could help his chances of a Three Lions call-up'. TNT Sports Pundit Ally McCoist blasted the decision ahead of Rangers' Europa League defeat, admitting he was 'amazed' Southgate had overlooked Butland.

"I'm not in a position to tell Gareth his job, but I’m about to now," he said. "I’m absolutely amazed that he is not in the England squad.

"Jack Butland has been playing on a regular basis up here. And in my opinion, has been playing extremely well. I’ve got to say, I'm very, very surprised, and disappointed for Jack that he's not in the squad coming up for the two games."

It would come as a major blow to Rangers were they to lose their undisputed no.1, especially after such an impressive campaign. However, they would stand to gain significantly, with any move likely to come with a decently-sized transfer fee.

Having signed him on a free transfer 12 months ago, it would represent some healthy profit despite being a loss on the pitch.

سلطت صحيفة “ميرور” الإنجليزية الضوء على أداء النجم المصري محمد صلاح وتألقه مع بداية الموسم الحالي من الدوري الإنجليزي، وتأثير ذلك على مستقبله حيث يقترب عقده الحالي من النهاية.

وخاض ليفربول 3 مباريات في الموسم الحالي من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث فاز في جميعهم، وذلك على إيبسويتش تاون، برينتفورد ومانشستر يونايتد.

وساهم محمد صلاح في كل مباراة، حيث سجل هدفًا وصنع آخر في المباراة الأولى، وفعل المثل في الثانية، في حين انفجر في الثالثة وصنع هدفين وسجل هدفًا.

وقالت صحيفة “ميرور” الإنجليزية في تقريرها: “محمد صلاح أصغر من كاسيميرو بـ 16 أسبوعًا فقط، ومع ذلك، بينما بدا لاعب خط وسط مانشستر يونايتد أكبر سنًا من 32 عامًا وأقرب إلى الاستعانة بإطار زيمر (أداة شهيرة تعين كبار السن على المشي)، فإن مهاجم ليفربول كان يتحرك بنشاط في جميع أنحاء أولد ترافورد”.

وأضافت: “قد يكون صلاح متجهًا إلى السنوات الأخيرة من حياته المهنية، لكن التمريرتين الحاسمتين والهدف يوم الأحد كانوا سببًا آخر لضرورة تحرك ليفربول ومنحه عقدًا جديدًا”.

وواصلت: “ربما كان مشجعو ليفربول مشغولين للغاية بالاحتفال بالفوز على عدوه اللدود، لدرجة أنهم لم يهتموا بشيء آخر، لكن أولئك الذين استمعوا إلى مقابلة محمد صلاح بعد المباراة لابد أنهم شعروا بالقلق، ربما أخطأ في اختيار كلماته عندما بدا وكأنه يؤكد أنه في موسمه الأخير في النادي، بدلاً من ذلك يعني أنه العام الأخير من عقده”.

وأردفت: “لكنه كان واضحًا تمامًا عندما أكد أن النادي لم يفتح محادثات معه بعد بشأن صفقة جديدة، هل كانت إشارة واضحة؟ من يدري، لكن بالتأكيد هذا تغيير في التكتيك مقارنة بالمقابلة التي أجريت قبل المباراة والتي قال فيها إنه يشعر بحالة من الارتياح بشأن الموقف”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ليفربول يتخذ خطوة تجاه محمد صلاح بعد تصريحاته المثيرة للجدل

واستمرت: “النقطة هي أن محمد صلاح، على عكس كاسيميرو، يتقدم في السن بشكل جيد، ربما لا يتحسن مقارنة بمستواه السابق، لكن إذا كان هناك أي تراجع فهو ضئيل، يمكنك القول إنه لم يكن هناك أي تراجع على الإطلاق، لقد سجل ثلاثة أهداف وصنع ثلاثة في ثلاث مباريات، ليست بداية سيئة للموسم”.

وأكدت: “كما أنها ليست بداية سيئة لأي مفاوضات حول قيمته من حيث الصفقة الجديدة، من الواضح تمامًا من أداء يوم الأحد أن صلاح سيلعب دورًا كبيرًا إذا كان أرني سلوت سيحقق النجاح في ليفربول”.

وتساءلت: “هل يمكنهم استبداله؟ لن يكون الأمر سهلاً، كييزا هو لاعب ذكي مقابل 10 ملايين جنيه إسترليني فقط، لكن هل هو حقًا وريث العرش؟ هل يتطور ليفربول إلى فريق لا يعتمد على تألق المصري؟”.

واستأنفت: “لقد أظهر ليفربول، تحت قيادة كلوب، أنه قادر على الفوز بدون محمد صلاح عندما كان مشاركًا في كأس أمم إفريقيا، وأثناء غيابه بسبب الإصابة، ولكن من سيملأ الفراغ أسبوعيًا إذا ابتعد محمد صلاح في الصيف المقبل؟ إنه سؤال يجب أخذه في الاعتبار عندما – ويمكنك أن تتخيل متى – يجلس مسؤولو ليفربول على طاولة المفاوضات مع صلاح وممثليه”.

وشددت: “قد يكون من حق ليفربول – مثل أي نادٍ جيد الإدارة – أن يتطلع إلى حماية نفسه في أي مفاوضات من خلال عدم تقديم عقد طويل جدًا للاعب في الثلاثينيات من عمره، مع العلم أن جميع البيانات تشير إلى أن محمد صلاح لا يتباطأ، وربما تظهر اختبارات اللياقة البدنية والطبية أنه لا يتمتع بجسد لاعب عادي يبلغ من العمر 32 عامًا أيضًا”.

واستكملت: “لكن الشيخوخة يمكن أن تحدث بسرعة، فقط يمكن النظر إلى كاسيميرو، لقد كان رائعًا في موسمه الأول في أولد ترافورد على خلفية فترة رائعة في ريال مدريد، الآن يبدو أنه قد انتهى ولا يزال لديه عامين متبقيين في عقد لا يستطيع مانشستر يونايتد فسخه”.

واستدركت: “لن يعاني محمد صلاح من أي شيء مثل سقوط كاسيميرو، لكن ليفربول سيرغب في التحرك بحذر وإيجاد التمديد المناسب ليناسب احتياجاتهم الخاص، إنه موقف مثير للاهتمام ولا أحد يعرف لماذا سمح ليفربول بالوصول إلى ما يزيد قليلاً عن ثلاثة أشهر قبل أن يتمكن صلاح وأرنولد وفيرجيل فان دايك من التحدث إلى أندية أخرى”.

واختتمت: “ربما كان الصيف مزدحمًا بالتغيير خلف الكواليس، لكن يجب عليهم التحرك الآن وإيجاد اتفاق مع محمد صلاح لإبقائه في أنفيلد بعد عام 2025، لا يهم عدم التعاقد مع عدد كاف من اللاعبين خلال فترة الانتقالات، بل الأمر يتعلق بالحصول على هذا التوقيع (تجديد العقد)”.

MatériaMais Notícias

da bet7k： Uma das peças fundamentais na engrenagem do futebol do Sampaio Corrêa nas últimas três temporadas, o executivo de futebol Juliano Camargo se desligou da equipe Maranhense nesta quarta-feira. O profissional que seguirá em busca de novos desafios na sequência da carreira destacou que a decisão foi tomada “por forças circunstanciais pessoais.

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– Foi uma decisão difícil, mas tomada por forças de circunstâncias pessoais. Creio que seja o momento oportuno para buscar novas possibilidades. Sempre serei grato ao que vivi no Sampaio Corrêa e, tenho certeza, que o que realizamos por aqui poderá me projetar para grandes desafios.

Juliano Camargo chegou ao clube em 2019 e foi um dos responsáveis direto pelo bom desempenho da equipe em âmbito estadual e nacional nas últimas três temporadas. Além do acesso à Série B, o time maranhense também conquistou o título estadual, que deu vaga direta à Copa do Brasil e Copa do Nordeste de 2020. Além disso, o Sampaio Corrêa fez uma das melhores campanhas da própria história na segunda divisão do Campeonato Brasileiro em 2020.

– Encontrei no Sampaio um ambiente favorável para trabalhar, sempre contando com todo apoio do presidente, e me dediquei ao máximo nessa minha passagem, com grandes momentos na lembrança, como o acesso para a Série B em 2019, o título estadual de 2020 e a melhor campanha do clube na série B do mesmo ano – afirmou.

Em tom de despedida, Juliano Camargo fez questão de demonstrar seu carinho e apresso pelo Sampaio Corrêa. O profissional enalteceu os profissionais do clube e se despediu com um “até logo”.

– Deixo muitos amigos e um carinho enorme pelo Sampaio, clube que me abriu as portas e me fez virar mais um boliviano. Desejo toda a sorte à equipe nessa temporada, que tem tudo para ser muito positiva, e quem sabe essa saída seja apenas um até logo – finalizou.

West Ham United could be handed the chance to replace head coach David Moyes with a "very underrated" manager who's won multiple league titles.

West Ham looking at Moyes alternatives

The Hammers boss is under-fire after a dismal start to 2024, with West Ham failing to win a single game in all competitions thus far.

West Ham have bizarrely ruled out hiring "serial winner" manager – insider

Tim Steidten is rumoured to be considering Moyes replacements.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 14, 2024

Their poor run of form was further exacerbated by West Ham's 6-0 hammering at home to Arsenal last weekend. Supporters made their feelings known by fleeing the London Stadium in their thousands, and with Moyes' contract expiring this summer, many feel change is needed in the dugout.

West Ham started the season brightly after their Europa Conference League triumph in Prague last year, but this run has reminded some fans of the club's lacklustre 2022/2023 league campaign where they flirted with relegation.

The Irons hierarchy are thought to have postponed contract renewal talks with Moyes as they decide what to do next (Jason Burt), and while the tactician remaining beyond this season is still possible, technical director Tim Steidten will be looking at other options as well.

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“A new deal for Moyes is not close,” said club insider ExWHUemployee this week (via West Ham Way).

“Results and performances have put any planned talks back, and the manager of course has been warned things must improve fast. The objective was to retain Moyes, and the club are known to want to stay loyal to the manager. However, we can confirm options are being assessed. Tim Steidten will be looking at alternatives as the club plan ahead, although that is to be expected.”

There have been a few names linked in the last week, including the likes of Lille boss Paulo Fonseca and free agent Graham Potter, but appears another name in former PSG manager Christophe Galtier could enter the frame.

West Ham could also be offered Galtier

The Frenchman would be a controversial one given his acquitted court case, but the two-time Ligue 1 winner may apparently be an option.

West Ham are set to be offered Galtier as a replacement for Moyes, according to Claret & Hugh writer and insider Sean Whetstone.

"The Hammers could also be offered Frenchman Christophe Galtier who is currently in charge of Qatar Stars League outfit Al-Duhail," wrote Whetstone on X.

"He had previously been at PSG in 2023 where he replaced Mauricio Pochettino parting ways with the club a year later. Earlier he had managed St Etienne, Nice and Lille."

The 57-year-old has also been called "very underrated" outside of France.

“You’ll find out in time,” said the BCCI president about one of the big issues in Indian cricket right now

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-2019

MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly share a light moment•AFP

There is “absolute clarity” between MS Dhoni and the BCCI regarding his future, but the details aren’t meant to made public right away, according to board president Sourav Ganguly.India’s premier wicketkeeper-batsman has been on a sabbatical ever since the end of the World Cup, and although the general public – as well as the media – can only speculate about what is going to happen, the administration appears comfortable.”No, no, there is clarity, but certain things cannot be said on public platform,” Ganguly told . “There is absolute clarity on MS Dhoni and you’ll find out in time.”There’s transparency between the board, MS and the selectors. When you deal with such champions – MS Dhoni is an unbelievable athlete for India – certain things have to be kept within the closed doors. It’s very transparent and everybody knows where they stand.”Dhoni hasn’t played any competitive cricket since India’s World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand at Old Trafford in July. He opted out of the West Indies tour that followed the World Cup, in order to spend a fortnight with the Indian territorial army, and since then has not featured in the squads for the home series against South Africa and Bangladesh and the upcoming one against West Indies. He hasn’t played any domestic cricket in this period either.In response to India head coach Ravi Shastri’s comment that IPL 2020 will give a clear picture on Dhoni’s future, Ganguly said, “We will see what happens, there’s enough time. Of course it will get clear (within three months).”On Wednesday, Dhoni himself had added to the speculation on his future with an intriguing comment: when asked the question by a reporter, Dhoni simply said, “January (don’t ask until January).” He, however, did not elaborate on what was meant to happen in January.The selectors, meanwhile, have kept faith in Rishabh Pant as the limited-overs keeper in this time, with Sanju Samson picked as his back-up for the last two T20I series.

The hosts struck with the first ball of the day at the SCG but it was harder going after that

AAP24-Nov-2024Adopted Tasmanian Tim Ward has his side into a promising position on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales, as three Blues juniors impressed against their old state.In his second game back in Tasmania’s team after being dropped last summer, Ward hit 91 at the SCG on Sunday, before falling late in the day when caught down the leg side.His runs came as Nivethan Radhakrishnan and Jordan Silk also hit half-centuries, giving Tasmania a chance to finally lay the foundation for their first Shield victory of the summer.Ward, Radhakrishnan and Silk never played a senior match for NSW in their career, but all were raised in Sydney and came through the Blues’ system before moving south. On Sunday, each had success on their return home, with Ward’s runs particularly timely.The 26-year-old was the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year in 2022, and part of the Australia A team in 2023 after a strong start to domestic cricket. But he fell out of form last summer, and found himself dropped late in the season after three consecutive ducks.Ward again began this season on the outer, before hitting 51 on return for Tasmania against Queensland in the last round. The No. 3 continued that form into Sunday, after Jackson Bird had Jake Weatherald edging to gully from a poor shot on the first ball of the match.Ward drove Sean Abbott for four early in the day, and later jumped down the deck to hit Adam Zampa for six over midwicket. But for the most part it was an innings of steady accumulation, before his 246-ball vigil was ended when he was caught behind off Abbott.Radhakrishnan’s runs also came after being recalled to the struggling Tasmania side. Playing in just his second first-class match, the 21-year-old who rose to prominence as an ambidextrous spinner, impressed with the bat for Tasmania in his 55.He cover-drove Jack Edwards for one four and hit him behind point for another in the same over, before using his feet to hit Green to the long-on rope. But he was out to the spinner four balls later, when trapped on the pads to one that went straight on.Silk then walked to the wicket and hit 74, before he too was caught behind off Abbott inside the last 20 overs of the day.Abbott finished the day with 2 for 55, after earlier having Radhakrishnan dropped twice in the slips and once by wicketkeeper Josh Philippe in the first session.

Joe Denly top-scored with 74 but England were lacking a defining contribution on a sedate day at Mount Maunganui

The Report by Alan Gardner20-Nov-2019England’s Test team came to New Zealand seeking a fresh start after the angst and drama of the Bayliss era. There are few more tranquil locales in which the longest format can unfold and, on a sedate opening to life as a Test venue at Mount Maunganui, a succession of English batsmen gave notice that they were prepared to adhere to the traditional disciplines favoured by the new head coach, Chris Silverwood.While England’s innings was perhaps lacking in definitive statements, there were encouraging signs aplenty from a revamped top order. In keeping with the team’s new mantra, Rory Burns and Joe Denly both compiled watchful half-centuries, from 135 and 136 balls respectively, while Dom Sibley, the debutant opener, was party to a 52-run opening stand as England made a useful start in benign conditions.That none was able to go on will give New Zealand satisfaction after a day of manful toil from their four seamers. Pre-match suggestions were that this pitch would be accommodating to batsmen and it looks as the Bay of Plenty will live up to its name; Kane Williamson is foremost among the home XI unlikely to miss out given similar opportunity.Watch cricket on ESPN+

New Zealand v England is available in the US on ESPN+. Subscribe to ESPN+ and tune in to the T20I series.

And while the English rank and file did their level best, there was disappointment for the captain, Joe Root, who was only able to muster 2 from a laboured 22-ball stay. A typically punchy fifty from his deputy, Ben Stokes, ensured England would retain hope of building a match-defining position on day two.Recent white-ball encounters between these two sides have been marked by their explosive potential, but Test rhythms quickly asserted themselves at the Bay Oval. Colin de Grandhomme’s medium pace applied an effective tourniquet as England were kept to a scoring rate well below three an over, and only while Stokes was at the crease and flexing his tattooed biceps during the evening session did pulses go much above resting rate.Having lost two wickets in quick succession shortly before tea, Stokes and Denly took some time to retrench before swelling their fourth-wicket stand to 83. Denly reached his fourth fifty in as many Tests with a crisp cover drive off Trent Boult, then began to open up as he attacked the under-utilised spin of Mitchell Santner, lofting over extra cover and then depositing a straight-driven six down the ground.His previous Test innings, opening the batting at The Oval in September, saw Denly fall six runs short of a maiden hundred; he did not get that close this time, but may again rue a chance missed after falling to the second new ball for 74, fencing at Tim Southee as he angled a delivery in from wide of the crease.While New Zealand were admirably persistent, their bowlers’ efforts were undermined by several notable lapses in the field – the most glaring of which came a few overs before the close, as Stokes was gifted a life having thrashed Boult for fours down the ground, through midwicket and then cover. The next delivery found his outside edge, only to burst through Ross Taylor’s hands at slip and disappear for a fourth consecutive boundary.New Zealand might also have removed Burns before he had established himself, failing to review for caught behind after a half-hearted appeal in the fifth over. Burns put that behind him to help see off the new ball and take England to a promising position at 113 for 1, despite rarely looking fluent. However, Root was unable to take advantage of coming in with the shine long gone, taking 21 balls to get off the mark and then falling tamely to Neil Wagner’s next delivery, steering an edge to second slip.Wagner pounded the pitch manfully, engaging in an entertaining tussle with Denly and striking Burns a blow on the helmet that seemed to contribute to the opener losing his composure. Twice Denly pulled Wagner for two fours in an over, but in between times the bowler had the better of things, seeing edges fall short of gully and slip.Burns also edged Southee between first and second slip on 37, with Taylor and Tom Latham unmoving, and then survived a marginal lbw appeal on umpire’s call when New Zealand did turn to the DRS. He went to his fifty in Boult’s following over, clipping off his legs for a sixth boundary, before finally succumbing to de Grandhomme via a thin edge to the keeper.It was also de Grandhomme who made New Zealand’s initial breakthrough, a teasing away-nibbler finding Sibley’s outside edge after the new man had compiled 22 from 63 balls in his maiden outing. If it was a regulation dismissal for an opener, drawn into an off-stump push and well held by Taylor at first slip, Sibley had at least made New Zealand work hard for it, leaving the ball well and giving England an ideal start after Root had won the toss and chosen to bat.Having come into the game with a reputation for obduracy, Sibley promptly clipped his first ball in Test cricket to the midwicket boundary; but he was soon living up to his billing, absorbing another 22 deliveries before producing his second scoring shot.The Burns-Sibley axis soon settled into an unhurried groove, in keeping with the relaxed atmosphere on the grass banks for those fans attending Bay Oval’s Test debut. Both captains took the view that the pitch would be good for run-scoring, despite a greenish tinge, and that was borne out. Burns had an escape on 10, HotSpot confirming a thin outside edge to a regulation Boult outswinger, while Sibley was forced to dive for his ground to complete a quick single but otherwise the openers were untroubled, as New Zealand found some gentle swing but little pace from a docile surface.

The former Karnataka bowler was a mainstay in his former team for nearly a decade before making a switch to Puducherry ahead of the current season

Saurabh Somani in Bengaluru19-Oct-2019″We have a very good team and definitely Karnataka is a very strong side.”It’s odd to hear those words from R Vinay Kumar, talking of his team playing Karnataka. It’s odder still when you realise he’s going to occupy the ‘away’ dressing room at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The anomaly is complete with J Arunkumar standing beside Vinay, as the ‘away’ coach against Karnataka at the Chinnaswamy.Before the current domestic season began, Puducherry pulled off a coup of sorts by not only hiring Arunkumar as coach, but also roping in Vinay as one of their three professional players. They wouldn’t have known then, that the combination that took Karnataka to an unprecedented double-treble – of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup – from 2013 to 2015, would end up facing their former team at the first available opportunity in the 2019-20 domestic season.Puducherry steamrolled their opposition in the Plate Group, earning a quarter-final spot against the Group A and B toppers, which turned out to be Karnataka. And now, the two men who were front and centre of Karnataka’s two most glorious years, will be plotting their downfall.”I never thought I was going to play against Karnataka,” Vinay said on the eve of their quarter-final. “But it’s cricket. We just need to play to win. I’m looking at it as one more game. Definitely there will be a lot of emotion involved, but when it comes to business, it’s business. I never thought that I would be playing so soon against them in an important game. It’s a bit similar to how in the IPL and KPL, my close friends could be in the opposite teams but we needed to win that game.”Karnataka are the heavyweights and the favourites, but in Puducherry, they have an opponent with tools uniquely fitted to cause a flutter of worry. Vinay has performed better at the Chinnaswamy than he has overall, and both he and Arunkumar know not just the ground, but the opponents, inside out. Vinay’s first-class bowling average at the Chinnaswamy is 21.46, against a career figure of 23.53. In List A matches, he averages 18.60 at an economy rate of 5.14. Those figures would read even better without the only ODI he’s played there, where he conceded 102 runs in nine overs for one wicket. His overall List A average and economy rate are 24.19 and 4.81. The last time Vinay played at the Chinnaswamy, he almost took Karnataka to victory over Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 semi-final, having put in his most inspired bowling performance of an otherwise sub-par bowling season, only for Cheteshwar Pujara to get a lucky break in their fourth-innings chase.”It’s a bit of an advantage because you know these players really well,” Arunkumar said. “(Devdutt) Padikkal even played for my team in the KPL. But the execution is very important. Usually, if you plan too much it doesn’t work.””I know about their weakness and they know about mine,” Vinay said, while Arunkumar joked about whether Vinay actually had any weaknesses.S Aravind, who is now the Karnataka bowling coach but bowled alongside Vinay for several years and worked under Arunkumar, said it was bittersweet facing old friends. “We have to look at them as opposition now. There’ll be a healthy competition,” Aravind smiled. “As friends, we are in touch, but during the game, we are in different units.”One of the aces up Karnataka’s sleeve is captain Manish Pandey. He has been in sublime touch through the tournament, and has looked like he belongs to a level above the one he’s currently competing in every time he has stepped out to bat. And both Vinay and Arunkumar know that they will need to neutralise Pandey.”He’s performed in every game. I’ve been watching his scores and he’s doing superbly,” Vinay said. “Being a captain and performing like that shows his calibre, and you can see the difference in the team – they’ve ended up top of the group.”Arunkumar focussed on the fact that it was a one-ball game for batsmen. “In the end, it just takes one ball, one mistake, or one brilliant catch,” he said. “Throughout all our league games, we’ve got all teams all out within 40 overs [Puducherry bowled their opponents out in all seven games they had a full bowling innings in, but three of the teams lasted beyond 40 overs]. It shows how commendable our bowling unit is. Our medium pace department is fantastic, and I think we have some of the best spinners in the country.”He (Pandey) is playing his natural game as captain, (but) there will be a bit of pressure now since it’s a quarter-final. Like I said, it’s just a matter of one ball.”Vinay will have potentially 60 of them with his new team, to overturn the fortunes of his old one.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim looks to be on thin ice as inconsistent results have sparked concern about whether he is capable of taking United to the next level, with the manager set to be forced into personnel changes this weekend.

After securing a surprising win against world champions Chelsea, it looked like United were going to record their first back-to-back Premier League wins under Amorim as they faced relegation candidates Brentford. However, two early goals from Igor Thiago shattered United’s hopes, and they went on to lose 3-1.

This defeat has reignited speculation that Amorim may be replaced, with names like former England boss Gareth Southgate being linked. United’s next fixture is against newly promoted Sunderland, who have made a strong start to the season…

Amorim forced into changes despite Wilcox and Berrada faith

Reports indicate that there is internal concern at United that Amorim’s position will become untenable if he doesn’t make a change and suffers defeat to the Black Cats.

Indeed, Teamtalk journalist Dean Jones has shared a scoop from inside Old Trafford that Amorim has to change his personnel in light of his refusal to alter his system, and that failure this weekend could be the nail in the coffin.

“There is no way he can go into the Sunderland game and just play the same old tape yet again. I have spoken to connections close to the club, and there seems to be an expectation that this time, something does change. Realistically, it probably will not be the system.

“Because they have worked so tirelessly on his formation, he will probably roll it out again – but one thing he can do this time is change the personnel. This is the area that people seem to feel is most likely to change.

“It’s a huge game for him! And it really could lead to a big decision over his future if it goes badly. So let’s see whether he is brave enough to make a bold call or two. I get the feeling he might finally do it – maybe in goal or midfield…or both.”

The internal pressure that Jones mentions is reportedly not coming from Jason Wilcox or Omar Berarda, who both want Amorim to have until the end of the season to give him a chance to turn things around. Part of the reason they want this may be down to United leading the league in a number of attacking metrics like chances created this season, and they may be sympathetic with the head coach that his players are failing to capitalise.

How Man Utd could line up against Sunderland

Jones highlighted the goal and midfield as two areas where Amorim could make a change, but there are other positions that could be modified as well.

So far this season, Altay Bayindir has been Amorim’s favoured goalkeeper, with the previous first choice, Andre Onana, being exiled on loan to Turkey. However, a number of mistakes have led to calls for deadline day signing Senne Lemmens to be given a chance in goal. The 23-year-old has reportedly impressed in training, and against newly promoted Sunderland, he may be given a chance to start.

In midfield, the lack of game time for Kobbie Mainoo has upset fans, as it looks like he may push for a move away from the club in January. Re-introducing the Carrington graduate to the starting lineup would likely carry some favour with the United faithful and may help them out on the pitch.

Another change Amorim could make is in the right wing-back position. Diogo Dalot was largely at fault for Brentford’s first goal, and if Amad is ready to play following his leave last week, then that is a positive change that Amorim could make.

Jones said Amorim is unlikely to change his system, and since it’s creating chances, that isn’t surprising. With these potential changes, Amorim could both shore up his defence and add players who can score, but these changes would likely be one of the last rolls of the dice for the manager.

Scorchers could not recover sufficiently from King’s strikes to post a target large enough to test the Stars

Andrew McGlashan25-Nov-2020The Melbourne Stars put in a performance worthy of their table-topping status to book a place in the WBBL final. Legspinner Alana King continued her outstanding tournament with three scalps, including the imposing opening duo of Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney, from which the Perth Scorchers could not recover sufficiently to post a target large enough to test the Stars.Having been put in to bat, the Scorchers struggled to impose themselves on the match and the first half of their innings included just a single boundary. Nicole Bolton managed to haul them over 120, but Meg Lanning was rarely under pressure as the fielding captain.Briefly, when Devine struck her first delivery there was the possibility that the extra pressure of a semi-final could come into play and make the target more daunting than it really was. However, there was a crispness and confidence about the strokeplay even when they shipped three wickets inside seven overs before an unbroken stand of 67 between Nat Sciver and Annabel Sutherland sealed the result. Now the Stars wait to see whether they will face the Brisbane Heat or Sydney Thunder in Saturday’s finalDealing in singlesThe pressure was applied early to Devine, who was unusually tentative, and Mooney as their scoring in the first three overs of the Powerplay was solely in singles. The first ball of the fourth over finally brought a boundary – albeit an outside edge from Mooney – and by the end of the six overs they had given themselves a base at 0 for 32, albeit a sluggish one, and the boundary count remained at one. It would be a while until that changed. And it was about as good as the Scorchers’ position got.King crownedKing has been one of the revelations of the season for the Stars – both with bat and ball – after not making the starting XI for the first two matches. With her first delivery she struck the huge blow, trapping Devine lbw when she missed a sweep, and across her next three overs would all-but win the match. Amy Jones, whose tournament has never got going due to injury, chipped a catch to mid-off and when Mooney did the same, with a touch more force, the Scorchers were 4 for 51 in the 11th. Between the mayhem caused by King, Chloe Piparo had been run out by Erin Osborne from her follow through after responding to Mooney’s call. King finished with 3 for 16 and her four overs included 15 dot balls.Scrambling a scoreThrough a combination of Bolton, Heather Graham and Sarah Glenn the Scorchers did manage to rally in the second half of the innings. Their boundary count was finally doubled in the 13th over when Graham sent King over mid-off, repeating the dose next ball as King conceded half her final tally in those two deliveries which emphasised the overall control she had. Left-arm spinner Sophie Day was given the responsibility of the 19th over and conceded just five while Nicole Faltum produced a smart piece of glovework to remove the dangerous Sarah Glenn.Natalie Sciver plays one fine•Getty Images

Trading blowsThe Stars did not hold back during the powerplay. Elyse Villani took 14 off the opening over – although her first boundary was a top edge that nearly found deep square leg – and then Mignon du Preez, who has been the glue of the batting, was bowled off her boot by Devine’s first delivery. Would 2 for 20 prompt a period of watchfulness? Nope. Lanning and Sciver took 14 off Glenn’s second over, quickly eating into the small target, and after six overs the Stars were 2 for 54. Then came one of the deliveries of the season as Graham nipped one off the seam to take Lanning’s off stump. Another quick wicket and anything was possible but the experience of Sciver and the coolness of the ever-improving Sutherland – who produced one of the shots of the night with a lofted drive for six – ensured no further alarms. They will take some beating in the final.