The squad to participate in the European 2nd Division Championships in Glasgow next month was anounced yesterday evening. The team has been grouped together with Jersey, Norway and France in Group 1, whilst Group 2 includes teams from Guernsey, Germany, Gibraltar and Greece.Hillel Awaskar (captain) – Ashdod A Isaac Massil (vice captain) – Lions Lod Raymond Aston – Young Ashdod Shai Bangerra – Lions Lod Sanjay Gupta – Tel Aviv Shai Hayun – Ra’anana Danny Hotz – Ra’anana Perreira Lushenko – Tel Aviv David Massil – Lions Lod Dovi Myers – Tel Aviv Yaniv Razpurker – Neve Yonatan Eshkol Solomon – Lions Lod Isaac Talkar – Ramle Adrian Vard – Ra’ananaManager: George Sheader Coach: Chris EllisonThe team was unanimously selected by the ICA selectors:Stanley Perlman Ezra Ben Yehuda Avner Wasker
Kevin Pietersen has been cleared of any serious injury after a scan on his groin revealed only a minor strain. He was forced to sit out most of Australia’s innings during England’s loss in the third game of the NatWest Challenge, but has now been cleared and is available for selection for the first Test of the Ashes. The squad will be named on Thursday morning at Lord’s.Pietersen is fighting for a place with Graham Thorpe, and David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, told the BBC Today show that picking the squad would pose some problems. “I’m a big fan of both of them,” said Graveney, “It’s the young emerging player against the seasoned player who’s had a lot of experience.”Thorpe, who recently recovered from a back injury, staked his claim by scoring 73 for Surrey against Gloucestershire, on his return to county cricket. Pietersen replied with a defiant 74 against Australia at the Oval.Pietersen is hopeful that the innings will find him a place in the Test squad: “I think I have done enough and hopefully it goes my way when they pick the team,” he told AFP, “I just think I’ve ticked enough boxes in terms of what I had to do. I knew that this was a massive game at The Oval. I’ll be very disappointed if I’m not selected. I was disappointed to miss out against Bangladesh, but I knew these one-dayers would be instrumental in getting me involved in the squad that’s picked this week.And he says he has been given a taste of the sledging he will face if he does make the Test squad: “There were a lot of shouts from the fielders saying, ‘This is Test match cricket, can you hack it? Hopefully, I proved to them I’ll be a difficult wicket to get if selected.”Michael Vaughan, the England captain, welcomed the dilemma facing the selectors. “You want as many players as possible to pick from, and we are quite fortunate we have plenty to pick from for Test match cricket,” said Vaughan “I think Kevin has given the selectors a big headache, and that is all you can ever ask as selectors and a management team.”
Simon Katich has said he would not have gained “any satisfaction” from playing a weakened Zimbabwe side, but Justin Langer is “very disappointed” about the cancellation of Australia’s two-Test series.The pair, both Test specialists, arrived home on Sunday with quite different feelings about the whole experience. “Personally, I’m very disappointed because I went there to play cricket,” said Langer.He did not accept the theory that Test cricket’s standards would have been sullied had the series gone ahead. “There’s been a lot of Test cricket played … and not all of it has been against Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh and Wasim Akram.”There’s been a lot of cricket over time that’s been against lesser oppositions, so I think you’ve still got to make runs. I don’t think you can ever say they’re cheapened runs in Test cricket.”Katich thought otherwise. “I don’t think I would have got any satisfaction out of playing a second-string side,” he said. “If their best players aren’t playing the meaning of Test cricket is reduced. You want to be challenged and, judging by the way the games went against Sri Lanka, it was pretty obvious that it was going to be a lopsided affair.”Cameron White, who described his maiden Test tour as a “bizarre stay” and an “eye-opening experience”, saw it as an opportunity lost.”I probably wouldn’t have played anyway because of Warnie,” he said. “But it would have been good for me to see how everything went and how an international Test match is played, even though the opposition mightn’t have been the best … I just wanted to learn as much as I could.”The non-one-day-playing trio all returned to Australia on Sunday, while Shane Warne was back playing for English county side Hampshire, thus ignoring the former England captain Tony Greig’s plea for them to hang around in Zimbabwe and help out.”Their threat to come straight home shouldn’t implemented,” Greig had said on Friday night. “Australian cricketers have a responsibility to make sure Zimbabwe cricket doesn’t disappear off the face of the earth. If they really do care about Zimbabwe cricket, as they say they do, they should take time out to stay there and see what they can do to help these younger cricketers get the idea of what the big time’s all about.”
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club will be holding a Press Call to welcomeJonty Rhodes to the Club at The County Ground in Bristol on Wednesday 9 April 2003 at 12.00pmIf you wish to interview Jonty please contact: Jon Fletcher, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, The Royal & Sunalliance County Ground, Nevil Road, Bristol. BS7 9EJTel: 0117 910 8046 Fax: 0117 924 1193Email: [email protected]
Surrey appear to be heading for an early return to the Second Division in the Norwich Union League after suffering a fifth consecutive defeat in their Edgbaston meeting with Warwickshire.Last year’s promotion winners endured another batting slump and an injury scare for England batsman Mark Butcher in struggling to 136 despite an unbeaten 52 by Ben Hollioake.Warwickshire also had problems at 55 for 4 but all-rounder Dougie Brown set up a three-wicket win with more than seven overs to spare by scoring 63 after a bowling stint of 3 for 14.The only good news for Surrey – and for England – was that a hospital scan revealed no serious damage to Butcher when he was struck on the left earguard by a short ball from Neil Carter.The left-hander retired after making three and his Test team-mates, Ian Ward and Alec Stewart, were quickly cleaned up in three deliveries from South African-born Carter.Mark Ramprakash did a little better by making 20 until edging Vasbert Drakes (3 for 35) high to Keith Piper’s right for the best of the wicket-keeper’s four catches in his benefit match.Saqlain Mushtaq held up Warwickshire in a stand of 49 with top scorer Hollioake, but Brown then applied a swift closure by taking the last two wickets.Recalled England paceman Alex Tudor landed an early blow for Surrey and Ed Giddins dismissed David Hemp and Michael Powell to quell the jeers from the crowd on his return to a former county.Brown negotiated these setbacks with a rapid 50 in 59 balls and Surrey were out of contention when the Scot was caught at mid-on after a partnership of 73 with Trevor Penney. The consolation wicket went to Adam Hollioake but the Surrey captain joined the injury list after bowling only one ball in his second over.Cricket manager Keith Medlycott came on as substitute and promptly held a slip catch from Penney as Ben Hollioake took two wickets in successive balls.
Everton have now set their sights on signing a midfield star who could replace James Garner if he leaves as a free agent in the summer, according to reports.
Man Utd and Newcastle interested in James Garner
Whilst much of the plaudits have been sent the way of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Garner has quietly been enjoying his best season yet in an Everton shirt. Unfortunately for the Toffees, however, that form is set to coincide with the end of his current contract in the summer.
The Friedkin Group should be desperate to agree fresh terms with their midfielder, but reported interest from former club Manchester United and Newcastle United may yet put a pin in those plans.
Having his say on Garner’s future, David Moyes claimed that the club will be doing everything to keep hold of Garner beyond this season and if it was up to him, he would not be heading for the exit door.
The one-year extension option should hand the Toffees the advantage in talks, but they’re not without a back-up plan if Garner does depart in the summer. According to TeamTalk, Everton have set their sights on signing Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney.
Everton now eyeing Hayden Hackney move
The young midfielder has looked destined for the Premier League for some time now, even if that does not come courtesy of Championship promotion at Middlesbrough.
In previous years, he’s been content with staying put in Teesside, but reports are now claiming that Hackney is switching agents when January arrives in what could be a major hint about his club future.
League stats 25/26
Garner
Hackney
Minutes
1,433
1,821
Goals
1
3
Tackles Won
23
29
Ball Recoveries
66
124
Out of possession, Hackney is one of the best midfielders that the Championship has to offer. The 23-year-old is tireless off the ball and even has a knack for goals when given the chance. If anyone is ready for the Premier League in England’s second tier, it is the Middlesbrough star.
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New Boro boss Kim Hellberg knows the extent of the talent that he has on his hands too, telling reporters: “Hayden is a fantastic player. He’s good at everything. He could play in every position there is on the pitch and do it brilliantly.
Everton join race to sign a "generational" talent in Jack Grealish repeat
The Toffees are eyeing a six-month loan deal…
ByTom Cunningham
“He has all of that, but then he has also been the captain in these last two games and has been leading the squad so well. You could see his happiness when everyone else scored [at Hull].”
Everton line up move to sign "future £100m+" KDH replacement on loan
It’s more Groundhog Year than Groundhog Day at White Hart Lane this season. Complete capitulation in the second half of the season, another year propping up Arsenal in the league table and an air of uncertainty around several key players. And how good of Luka Modric to come out today and put his future on hold, just to perfect that Summer 2011 feeling.
But whist the mood of a Spurs fan might not have changed in 12 months, a lot of other things have. Luka Modric will stay, if he knows what’s good for him
On the face of it, the diminutive Croatian could well pack his bags and jump ship this summer. Despite a relatively unspectacular 2012 so far, Modric has had a solid season. His touch, vision and composure are undeniable and he is capable of being an asset to any, top European club. A couple of great showings at Euro 2012 next month will propel him straight back into the gossip columns and Spurs fans straight back to the chemist; but hold the headache for just a moment.
If Chelsea loose to Bayern Munich this Saturday, the game changes for them completely. The Blues may have bid a supposed £40million for Modric last summer, but if Spurs benefit from their missed Champions League spot, a transfer to West London might not stick. Modric said today, “I will make the decision where to continue my career. I’m ready for the big tests.” I’m not a mind reader, but I would hazard a guess that he isn’t talking about a Thursday night trip to Salzburg in the Europa League.
Of course, there is always the notion that Mr. Modric is simply looking to paint his landing gold and put a helipad in his back garden. But there is already a £100,000 a week contract on the table at Spurs. Chelsea will pay more, but he won’t be looking at Manchester City wages. There is still massive uncertainty over the managerial post at Stamford Bridge and their Champions League run shouldn’t fool anyone- as outstanding as they were to beat Barcelona, Chelsea will need a lot more than Luka Modric to sustain any form of title tilt next year.
£40million is, even in today’s transfer marker, still a mammoth sum. For a player who has at times, especially in the wake of the 5-2 disaster at the Emirates, pandered through games like he’s got one foot out the door already, selling him might not feel like such a mitigating disaster.
But when he is in full flow, he is a delight to watch. Ignore the stats brigade and his relatively low goals and assists return. Watch Spurs from September to January. Who was scampering around, and pinging balls off to Bale, Lennon & Van der Vaart to get those assists and goals? How many times during a match has he shielded the ball and kept possession in seemingly impossible situations? The impact of his departure, purely in footballing terms would be a disaster. Perhaps it is a case of you won’t miss him till he’s gone.
But when he’s not playing well, he still gets in the team. It is difficult to imagine Ferguson or Mancini keeping faith with Modric as he switches off when the chips are down, or half-heartedly trots back as their team are hit on the break. But Spurs do. That’s why Scott Parker or Sandro are there. The way Spurs are set up, suits Modric perfectly. He doesn’t need to worry about the stats with Bale and Van der Vaart there. At United or City, he will do.
Manchester United aren’t going to mould their team around Modric, they are going to mould it around Wayne Rooney. Manchester City are not going to mould their team around Modric, in fact, what would he honestly add to that team? The only position you can see him playing in Roberto Mancini’s team is where David Silva is. He won’t drop David Silva. Luka Modric’s uniqueness as a central midfielder might also be his biggest problem. He doesn’t make masquerading tackles, he doesn’t gallivant from box-to-box and he doesn’t score regularly. Not every team needs a human metronome.
Modric will earn more money elsewhere, that is basic fact. But he can still be handsomely paid, play Champions League football and participate in the “biggest tests”, whilst playing every league game. If he leaves Tottenham, that simply isn’t a guarantee.
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It’s a horrible cliché, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. It’s been a difficult last few months for both Modric and Spurs. But neither can loose sight of how important they both are for each other.
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Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has asked the club’s fans to give him time to show he is the right man for the job.The former Birmingham City manager crossed to the city rivals last week to replace Gerard Houllier, who stood down as boss.
Villa fans were unhappy with his appointment, but McLeish asked on Monday to be given a chance.
“Let me prove myself and I will win you over. It is not a case of proving the fans wrong. I want to go forward with them and prove I am the man for this job,” he said.
“I can understand the passion and emotion of football and as long as it doesn’t get out of control I can understand their feelings. Am I fazed by it? No. Have I had it before? Yes. I really look forward to the challenge.”
The former Rangers manager, 52, led Birmingham to success in the League Cup last season.
The club was relegated to the Championship after a 2-1 loss at Tottenham on the final day of the season and City powerbrokers were unhappy when he resigned on June 12 with two years left to run on his contract.
McLeish said the offer from Villa was too good to refuse.
“To think I have been able to manage both of them (Aston Villa and Birmingham City) is a wonderful honour,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say it was a difficult decision in my career but it was a tough one. It is not every day you get offered a job like this. There is no way I couldn’t have been the manager of Villa.”
“I thank them very much for their support over the four years I have been there. Not everybody was sure of me at Birmingham and OK, I left on relegated, but we just fought one of the hardest Premier League campaigns ever.”
The Scot did not rule out making a move for some of his former players at St Andrew’s.
“I know there are many good players there but the policy that I have always maintained is not to talk about other clubs’ players,” McLeish said.
“If I thought a player could improve Aston Villa Football Club, why not?”
McLeish’s first competitive game in charge will be away at Fulham on the opening day of the Premier League season on August 13.
Before we begin with the gratuitous insults, we’ve got to tell you about the fantastic Money-Back Special Paddy Power are running for this game. If there are more than 4 goals in the match, they’ll refund all losing 1st goalscorer, last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast bets on the match.
“Pah! Well more than 4 goals is 5,” you might scoff in response to our transparent and ill-conceived choice of language, “there won’t be 5 goals in this game.” In response to that cynicism we’d say then you clearly haven’t seen either of these teams try to defend this season.
Whilst Tottenham have generally been able to cover up their defensive shortcomings by scoring more goals then their opponents, Liverpool have struggled in the goalscoring department. And the defending department.
A trouncing of West Ham has helped, but the reality is that Liverpool are still no where near their best. If Gareth Bale was able to destroy alleged best right-back in the world, Maicon, think what he’s going to do to poor Glenn Johnson – a man who’s defending is suspect at the best of times!
If that paints a picture gloomier than a Goth in art class, then there is hope for the Reds. Midweek matches have had a significant impact on Spurs Premier League campaign to the point where they’ve suffered some shock defeats and dropped valuable points. In their six games following European action so far this season they’ve picked up 10 points out of a possible 18. It’s hardly a disaster, but it suggests a potential weakness. Liverpool’s players have spent the week taking it easy and saying ill-advised things on Twitter and their freshness should give Tottenham else to think about.
When trying to pick out a result, you could make a case for virtually any of them. Spurs are clearly good enough to claim a straightforward win @ 11/10. Liverpool could improve their general performance levels and possibly claim at least a point and if not all three points. We’ll be indecisive about our indecision and nail our colours to the mast of the draw @ 23/10.
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One bet that we’ve been watching closely for the last number of weeks if Raul Meireles to get one the scoresheet at any stage in the match. Throughout his career he’s chipped in with goals for Porto and Portugal and he seems to be finding his range a bit more as he settles in to the Liverpool side. It’s only a matter of time before he opens his account and the 6/1 for that to happen this Sunday is tempting. If you’re that way inclined, then the option of Meireles to be 1st Goalscorer @ 16/1 may also appeal.
For Spurs, there’s such a wide variety of goalscoring options it’s difficult to single out one. Incredibly, Spurs have had 11 different goalscorers in all competitions this season and with less than half the season gone, 4 players are already in the foothills of notching up 10 goals. As we mentioned before, Bale could get his fair share of joy out of Johnson, but with Liverpool unlikely to commit when forward, it’s likely he’ll then provide the assist for a team-mate. Against one of his many former employers, Peter Crouch may have extra motivation to score and 13/2 for his to open the scoring looks like value.
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Have a bet on the Football FanCast specials, including Kranjcar to join Liverpool in the 2011 January Transfer Window at 11/2!
Gary Cahill will be fit and able to replace the injured David Luiz in Chelsea’s crunch first leg clash with Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Brazil international picked up a hamstring strain in the Blues’ 5-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday, and will now miss the game against the European champions.
However, Frank Lampard has confirmed that Cahill is available for selection.
“Luiz might be fairly bad but Cahill will be all right; fortunately we have back-up,” Lampard told reporters, published by Sky Sports.
“Branislav Ivanovic is suspended for the league games but he will be around to face Barcelona.
“It is a shame for David personally and for us as a team because he is such a good player.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona defender Dani Alves has raised tension ahead of the clash by stating that Chelsea played with fear the last time the clubs met.
With the Catalan giants down to ten men and a goal down in the second leg of the semi-finals of the 2009 tournament, Andres Iniesta scored a last minute equaliser at Stamford Bridge to see the Camp Nou side progress to the final on away goals.
“There is no doubt that was the hardest game we have played, with everything that was at stake, the moment and everything that happened,” Alves is reported to have said by The Guardian.
“People say Chelsea could have won but for the referee, but that is not our problem. We do not control the referees. We are there to play football, to compete and to try to reach the final. What can we do about the referee?
“Chelsea did not reach the final for one reason: fear. The team that has got a man more, is playing at home and winning should have attacked us more.
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“But of course if you don’t have that [attacking] concept of football that Barcelona have, you stay back and you get knocked out. You have to go forward. Stay back: losers. Go forward: winners.
“I think Chelsea lacked the courage to take a step forward and attack us. They paid for it,” he stated.