All posts by h716a5.icu

Glenn Hoddle has slammed Daniel Levy’s decision to charge fans up to £60 for a ticket for Tottenham’s home game against Aston Villa on May 19.

The Lowdown: Levy sets astonishing prices

After what has been a difficult year due to the global pandemic, there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel. For the last two Premier League matchdays of the season, it has been confirmed that supporters will be allowed to attend games.

That means Spurs’ match against Villa will be played in front of 10,000 fans. The prices for tickets for the fixture are astonishingly high, though – adults will pay £60, young adults must pay £45 and over-65s and under-18s will be charged £30 (Daily Mail).

By stark contrast, Burnley are offering 3,500 free tickets for their home clash against Liverpool on the same date (Sky Sports).

The Latest: Hoddle unhappy with decision

Club legend Hoddle was far from happy with the prices being charged by Levy and Tottenham. He said (via Daily Mail):

“If you’re going to do anything in life, you have to have harmony. At the moment, that isn’t the case. 

“The supporter trust wants change, that’s not always easy. Communication has to happen. Sit down with Daniel and talk it out. 

“If not, the war will get bigger on that front. The ticket scenario, I’m scratching my head at who’s made that decision. Give a gift back to your fans.”

The Verdict: Outrageous

It is hard to disagree with Hoddle’s point of view. The pandemic has had a negative effect on people all over Britain, especially from a financial point of view – although football clubs have lost income, they have not had to suffer like others given they have been allowed to play generally throughout. After the European Super League fiasco, Levy had the chance to build bridges with the fans, but he has once again misjudged the situation.

Supporters deserve more respect. These prices will bring in a minimum £300,000 to the club with an attendance of 10,000, and it will likely be a fair bit more than that amount, but it will still be miniscule in regards to the revenue clubs like Tottenham can generate. Hopefully, Levy has some other plans to get himself back into the good books of disgruntled Spurs fans.

In other news, Tottenham have been urged to sign this Premier League winger.

Sidath Wettimuny, a member of the recently appointed Interim Committee, who will be concentrating on cricket affairs, confirmed today that Barry Richards, the legendary South African batsman, has been approached by the Sri Lankan cricket board with

CricInfo27-Apr-2001Sidath Wettimuny, a member of the recently appointed Interim Committee, who will be concentrating on cricket affairs, confirmed today that Barry Richards, the legendary South African batsman, has been approached by the Sri Lankan cricket board with regard to his employment as a specialist batting coach.The plan is for Richard’s to visit Sri Lanka on four two-week stints before the 2003 World Cup to provide expert guidance to the batsman and compliment the efforts of present national coach Dav Whatmore.Wettimuny said: "We feel that there is a need for a batting coach and have spoken to Barry Richards with the blessing of Dav Whatmore and the cricketers. We are in the final stages of contractual negotiation"He also revealed that there was also the possibility of a specialist fielding and bowling coach if it was felt that this would be useful.In addition to his appointment he confirmed that 12 practice wickets are being developed at Premadasa Stadium for the exclusive use of Sri Lankan national sides. It is hoped that pitches will be able to simulate conditions in Australia and South Africa by having more pace and bounce than normal Sri Lankan surfaces.

Murray Goodwin batted all day as Sussex built a commanding position against second division leaders Hampshire at the Rosebowl

Pat Symes30-May-2001Murray Goodwin batted all day as Sussex built a commanding position against second division leaders Hampshire at the Rosebowl.The Zimbabwean finished undefeated on 131, his first Championship century for the county, as Sussex closed on 290-4.Goodwin and Richard Montgomerie posted Sussex’s first hundred stand for the first wicket for exactly a year, putting on 106 before Montgomerie was bowled by off-spinner Shaun Udal for 56.Left-hander Mike Yardy soon edged Alan Mullally to second slip, but Goodwin and Bas Zuiderent put on 92 in 37 for the third wicket, Goodwin reaching his century after five and a half hours at the crease when he pulled Mullally for his 12th boundary.Zuiderent was needlessly run out in the next over for 45, but Goodwin and skipper Chris Adams added 52 in 14 overs for the fourth wicket and looked like being there again in the morning when Adams was lbw to Alec Morris for 25 two overs before the close.Goodwin had hit 15 boundaries and faced 322 balls by the close, but afterwards he admitted it wasn’t one of his better innings.He said: “It was a difficult wicket to time your shots on, so to bat all day was great because it wasn’t one of my most fluent innnings.”They bowled quite well and there is something in the wicket for the bowlers which hopefully our guys can exploit as the match continues.”

West Ham United are on an upward trajectory under David Moyes and they could land an exciting signing this summer in the form of Matheus Pereira.

According to the Daily Express, the Irons are among the Premier League teams interested in the enigmatic West Bromwich Albion sensation in the upcoming transfer window.

Former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce failed to keep the Baggies in the division, recording his first-ever relegation to the Championship, but it means the 24-year-old playmaker is likely to be hot commodity ahead of next season.

Premier League rivals Leicester City and Leeds United, as well as Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig, have also been linked to Pereira.

Whilst it’s thought that the Brazilian midfielder is only seen as an alternative to Jesse Lingard, who Moyes will undoubtedly try to lure back to the London Stadium on a permanent basis, the club ought to consider signing the West Brom beast too.

Of course, the Manchester United loanee has been a revelation, providing nine goals and three assists in only 13 appearances since his arrival in late January but the East Londoners have long lacked that midfield genius that has supporters on the edge of their seat.

Dimitri Payet was perhaps the last man to do this for the club.

In terms of exciting dribbling skill, ability on the ball and from set pieces, and sheer individual brilliance, the £18m-rated Pereira is certainly cut from the same cloth.

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This season, the former Sporting Lisbon dynamo has delivered ten goals and five assists in the league, also managing to be a more creative influence than Lingard, managing double the number of key passes (1.8).

Only Harry Kane has contributed to a higher proportion of his team’s goals than Pereira this campaign.

Jermaine Jenas alluded to his quality after a particularly starring role against Aston Villa earlier in the campaign, he said: “He’s just silky. When he’s on it, he’s just got that lovely left-foot, (tucked) his penalty away, the delivery into the box for set-pieces was brilliant, and he wanted to showcase his skills.”

Whilst Allardyce has continuously waxed lyrical about his key man, as seen in comments from the very same game. The 66-year-old dubbed him a “big-game player” – very much similar to Payet, who was ever so special in his final campaign at the Hammers.

Just think back to the pair of free-kicks against Manchester United and Crystal Palace – truly sensational. He was a “genius” and that’s exactly what the Baggies star has been called in the past.

Pereira may set GSB back a good £30m or so but he will pay that back in abundance with his sheer attacking and creative ability. If they do bring in another striker, he could absolutely thrive with Pereira sat behind him.

Could there be another enigma like Payet at the London Stadium? Only time will tell.

AND in other news, Forget Arnautovic: West Ham must land 11-goal “elite talent” who’s “destined for greatness”…

Everton struggled this season when Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not been firing on all cylinders and Michael Ball, who Transfer Tavern that Moise Kean isn’t able to cut it at Everton despite performing well for PSG.

Calvert-Lewin was in the form of his career at the beginning of the season when he netted 11 times in 11 games, but since then he has only scored five more league goals which has seen Everton’s European push fall off a cliff.

The 21-year old arrived for £25 million from Juventus but after managing just two goals in 31 league appearances for Everton last season, he was loaned out to PSG for this campaign and he has impressed with 13 goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances and the Parisians reportedly want to make his deal permanent this summer.

Despite Everton struggling for goals without Calvert-Lewin, Kean does not appear to have a future at Goodison Park, despite having a 6.95 WhoScored rating at PSG, that is according to Ball who spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern:

“We had Moise Kean and he arrived at the club with high expectations and the fans were trying to pull the ball into the back of the net every time he came onto the pitch.

“Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out for him at Everton but he’s gone out on loan to PSG he seems to be doing pretty well over there.”

Heading into the final two games of the season, Everton must pick up maximum points against Wolves and Manchester City to stand any chance of qualifying for Europe next season as they currently sit eighth.

Carlo Ancelotti brought in several high profile players last summer in James Rodriguez, Allan and Ben Godfrey as he spent £67.38 million in total on transfers last summer but once again, the Toffees have failed to cement a place amongst Europe’s elite.

Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter, the Most Ven

Rex Clementine Fernando16-Jun-2001Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter, the Most Ven. Udugama Sri Ratnapala Buddharakkitha Thera, has criticised the commissioner of Buddhist affairs for creating a storm over the lease of the land which is home to the Dambulla International cricket stadium.At a media briefing yesterday in Kandy, the Chief Priest said the right protocols were followed in the lease of the land to build the stadium.It was upon the recommendations of the commissioner of Buddhist affairs, who declared the leasing could not be approved, that the interim committee of the board of control for cricket in Sri Lanka decided to shift the matches in the triangular series involving New Zealand and India away from Dambulla.The Ven. Inamaluwe Sri Sumangala Thero, with whom the ousted executivecommittee negotiated the leasing of the stadium also blamed theauthorities. Sumangala Thero, speaking at the briefing, said that all the higher authorities in the country, including the president, Her Excellency Chandrika Kuamarathunaga, then minister of Sports S.B. Dissanayake, and Buddhist affairs minister Lakshman Jayakody were made aware of the matters pertaining to the lease of the land and the construction of the stadium.The confusion has arisen because the Buddhist commissioner, who has createdthe controversy by saying the leasing couldn’t be approved, had written tothe then president of the BCCSL asking to finalise the matters pertaining tothe leasing of the land with the Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter.At the moment Sri Lanka is hosting a four-day game against Pakistan A atDambulla which was built at an estimated cost of close to 400 million rupeesin 175 days. But the three matches of the one-day triangular tournament have been taken away from the ground because of legal matters pertaining to the lease of the stadium.What the Buddhist monks argue is that everything was carried out with the blessing of the higher officials. They say the agreement was signed in front of a large number of people and published in the media the very next day. They say there was nothing secret about it and that it is ridiculous to question matters pertaining to the leasing after everything is over.The move to shift the games from Dambulla could have its consequences;the matches are being played during a season when it usually rains in mostpart of the country and Dambulla being a dry zone can host the games withoutmuch trouble. Removing the games from Dambulla could lead to more games being washed out.Close to 70% of Sri Lankans are Buddhists and the Asgiriya chapter earns the utmost respect of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. When the Mahanayake has declared right measures were followed in leasing the land, if the authorities are going to stick to the recent decisions they have taken after being quiet for so long, that is not going to stand in their favour.

A rampant Carl Hooper stroked a masterly unbeaten hundred to gain his team a 77-run first innings lead on the third day of their Busta International Shield final against Jamaica at Sabina Park on Saturday

Staff Reporter07-Apr-2002A rampant Carl Hooper stroked a masterly unbeaten hundred to gain his team a 77-run first innings lead on the third day of their Busta International Shield final against Jamaica at Sabina Park on Saturday. Before stumps were drawn, Jamaica wiped off the deficit and gained a 25-run lead with eight second innings wickets in hand. However, with only the final day’s play left, it almost seems certain that their attempts to complete the Cup and Shield double will be thwarted this season.Guyana, who began the morning at 149 for four, moved on to 170 before a struggling Ally-Haniff was finally snared by Jamaican off-spinner Gareth Breese. At that stage, the hosts looked all set to claim the first-innings lead.But Hooper, who arrived next, took command immediately. The West Indian skipper telegraphed his intentions loud and clear when he hit Breese well beyond the long-off boundary. Even the dismissal of Ramnaresh Sarwan (40) with the score on 190 could not stifle him on a day that was to see him at his regal best.He reached his 50 off 61 balls with a boundary. Neil McGarrell, who had replaced Sarwan, provided him good company during the period, adding 66 runs for the seventh wicket, before falling for 23.Next man Mahendra Nagamootoo might have made just one, but he provided valuable support to Hooper, helping his captain add another 30 runs to their team’s total. But with Hooper on the verge of a well-deserved hundred, Nagamootoo was dismissed thanks to an outstanding catch by Leon Garrick at square-leg.Hooper, though, brought up his hundred in the company of No. 9 Colin Stuart. With the century in the bag, he decided to unleash his strokes and secure his team a healthy first-innings lead.He hit four more sixes and three more boundaries on his way to an unbeaten 149 off 155 balls, putting Guyana in the box seat by the time they were dismissed for 354 in their first innings.For Jamaica, Breese was the most successful bowler claiming four for 90. Left-arm spinner Ryan Cunningham too had his share of the spoils, claiming three for 59.With an outright win needed to secure the Shield, opener Chris Gayle got the home team’s second innings off to a whirlwind start, making 54 off 73 balls and helping his team reach 96 for one before falling to Nagamooto’s leg-spin. Wavell Hinds and Ryan Cunningham were the two not out batsmen when stumps were drawn.Jamaica are now faced with the unenviable task of securing an improbable win on the final day. No wonder, then, that Hooper, despite nursing a slight finger injury, seemed quietly confident of his team’s chances of lifting the Shield at the end of the day’s play.

Manchester City ended the Premier League season in superb fashion as they thrashed Everton 5-0 at the Etihad, before lifting the trophy in front of 10,000 fans.

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring with a typically brilliant finish from outside the box before Gabriel Jesus quickly added a second with a well-taken finish.

Phil Foden added a third for Pep Guardiola’s side after Ederson had saved Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty, with Sergio Aguero then coming off the bench to score a brace to sign off a wonderful spell with the Citizens.

Although a lot of the focus after the game will be on the Argentinian, whilst De Bruyne also dazzled on his return, a lot of credit has to go to 36-year-old Fernandinho, who was incredible once again in midfield.

As per SofaScore, the Brazilian would earn an excellent 8.4/10 match rating for his display, which was only bettered by De Bruyne (9.1) and Aguero (8.9).

During the game, Fernandinho would have 84 touches of the ball and would impressively complete 65/69 of his passes, resulting in a 94% success rate, which is a big improvement on the 87.2% he has averaged in the Premier League this season.

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The veteran midfielder would also complete four key passes during the game, which is far more than the 0.7 he has averaged per game in the top-flight this campaign, which helped him to pick up two assists for Aguero’s goals, as he robbed Tom Davies for the first, before putting in a superb cross for him to head home a second.

He was also solid from a defensive perspective, managing three interceptions and two tackles, which again is more than the 1.1 interceptions and 1.5 tackles he has averaged this season.

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Therefore, the “magnificent” midfielder has emphasised just how much quality he still has, and should have nailed down a starting spot for the Champions League final against Chelsea later this month.

And, in other news… Imagine him and KDB: Txiki should seal Man City swoop for “spectacular” £39.6m-rated beast

According to a report by Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur have now held three rounds of talks with Roberto Martinez and more in recent days as the club ‘close in’ on appointing a new manager.

The Lowdown: Spurs hold ‘extensive’ Martinez discussions

Recent reports by the same outlet indicated that ‘extensive discussions’ have been held with the 47-year-old who has been shortlisted by Tottenham for the role.

They also emphatically claimed that the Spaniard has been making a ‘huge play’ for the job behind closed doors and is very keen on succeeding former boss Jose Mourinho.

The Latest: Further talks emerge…

Bringing an update on this story, Football Insider now believe that further negotiations have been held in recent days which brings the total to three rounds of Spurs discussions with Martinez.

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The first two came before the 2020/2021 Premier League season ended last weekend, meanwhile the third round of talks have come only in the last few days.

Football Insider also say that the Lilywhites also closing in on a new manager with Martinez shortlisted.

Indeed, in an encouraging claim, the outlet believe that Tottenham are ‘confident’ of appointing a new manager this week and in a matter of days.

The Verdict: Mixed bag…

While it is fantastic news that Spurs are allegedly close to an appointment behind the scenes, Spurs fans may be hoping that man isn’t Martinez despite former Scotland boss Alex McLeish lauding him as ‘world class’ recently (Football Insider).

Reports have now emerged that former fan favourite Mauricio Pochettino has held talks with Spurs and is apparently eager to make a return to the north London club (The Athletic).

Depending on the validity of these claims, with conflicting reports also emerging, we believe that the Argentine would be a far superior candidate to Martinez given everything he achieved at Tottenham in his first spell – including a Champions League final appearance.

However, if Spurs want to appoint him, they will apparently have to fight tooth and nail given PSG’s alleged stance.

In other news: Spurs now want to sign this ‘nearly unplayable’ star, find out more here.

Pakistan on Thursday came back into the Sharjah Cup contest in style when they defeated New Zealand by 51 runs here on Thursday

Tanvir Ahmad12-Apr-2002Pakistan on Thursday came back into the Sharjah Cup contest in style when they defeated New Zealand by 51 runs here on Thursday. Batting first Pakistan made 288 for 6 from 50 overs , the highest in this tournament so far, and then restricted the Kiwis to 237 for 8 in 50 overs.After having lost the opener, today’s win was imperative for Pakistan to keep their chances alive. It was Pakistan’s 9th win against New Zealand. The Kiwis have yet to win a match against Pakistan here.After today’s match – at the half-way mark – all three teams have now one win with Pakistan heading the points table followed by Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The second round will begin from tomorrow (Friday) when Sri Lanka will play against Pakistan.The Pakistanis in the end proved too good for the Kiwis having dominated in every department of the game. One was amused with the noticeable transformation compared to their performance against Sri Lanka on Monday when they were beaten by 41 runs after a very timid performance with the bat.The Kiwis’ run-chase at no stage looked threatening. They lost two early wickets, Nathan Astle (12) once again going out cheaply and 2 runs later Mathew Sinclair was clean bowled by Waqar Younis for nought when the total was 34. Chris Nevin (40) put up some resistance but fell to a slower from Shoaib Akhtar to be caught by Waqar for 40.The only bright patch in the Kiwi innings was a gritty 112-run 4th wicket partnership between skipper Craig McMillan (51) and Chris Harris (54). Once these two departed within a span of four runs – at 182 and 186 – the match was almost over.For Pakistan Waqar captured 3 for 43, Shoaib Akhtar and Saqlain Mushtaq two each, while Wasim got one.Earlier, Waqar won the toss and taking a queue from the results of the first two matches, decided to bat first. A pattern seems to have evolved here in this tournament – captains winning the toss have opted to bat first and teams chasing have lost in the first two matches.Pakistan played the same team which was beaten by Sri Lanka in the opener. Openers Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi made a breezy start putting on 61 runs in the first 10 overs. Afridi, who was out in the first over in the match against Sri Lanka, batted far more sensibly today. He gave torrid time to Kiwi bowlers, hitting seven boundaries and three sixes in his quick-fire 56 of 53 balls.Pakistan lost the first wicket at 98 when Afridi tried to heave a Scot Styris delivery over the bowler’s head and completely missed the line. Abdul Razzak, promoted to number 3 position, survived just two balls, to be brilliantly caught by Chris Nevin off Styris for 0.Imran Nazir, who was looking well set by now, tried to glance Styris, got an outside edge to be caught behind after making 47 from 46 balls. He and Afridi laid the foundation for a winning score, scoring 98 for the opening stand.Yousuf Youhana disappointed for the second time within three days, becoming the third victim of the Nevim-Styris combination. Pakistan were 146 for 4 when Younis Khan joined Inzamamul Haq and added 105 most valuable runs. Inzamam made 68 while Younis chipped in 56 runs. Wasim Akram (28) and Rashid Latif (7) remained unbeaten when the Pakistan innings closed at 288 for 6 from 50 overs.New Zealand’s new wicket-keeper Nevin, who has replaced Adam Parore, showed marked improvement compared to his performance against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Today Nevin looked a changed person and was ultimately rewarded with three catches.The pick of the Kiwi bowlers was Styris, finishing the match with 4 for 30 from 10 overs, while Tuffey and Craig McMillan shared two wickets.