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Wolves need to bring in both a centre-back and a midfielder in the January transfer window, according to journalist Luke Hatfield.

The Lowdown: Heartbreak against Liverpool

Bruno Lage’s side suffered an agonising 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool on Saturday, with Divock Origi pouncing at the death at Molineux.

The loss is no disaster in the grand scheme of things, however, with Wolves sitting eighth in the Premier League after the weekend action – their season will not be decided by fixtures against teams like Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Still , it may be that January reinforcements are needed if Wanderers are to mount a genuine European push, given the quality of the teams around them – West Ham for example were able to grab three points against title-chasing Chelsea on Saturday.

The Latest: Journalist backs double signing

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Hatfield says that should be the case next month, claiming there are two clear areas that need to be improved upon:

“They need a really dominant centre-half, would be ideal for them along with an energetic midfielder.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“375704”]

The Verdict: Ideal for squad depth

It makes complete sense for these areas to be focused on, with Wolves appearing to run out of the steam against Liverpool on Saturday.

In Max Kilman, Conor Coady and Romain Saiss, Lage has a strong to back-three to call upon but another option would allow him to rotate and give his key defenders the odd breather.

Someone like Lille’s Sven Botman would be ideal, having been linked with a move, with the 21-year-old’s average of 2.5 aerial duel wins per game in the league this season only bettered by Saiss (2.9).

In midfield, the likes of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho are arguably too similar, oozing technical class but not covering endless ground, so a more combative middle man could be a perfect foil for the pair – perhaps the endlessly linked Renato Sanches.

In other news, three Wolves players struggled in the defeat to Liverpool. Find out who they are here.

A most incredible match ended with Sri Lanka nearly chasing down the second highest target in the history of one-day cricket

The Bulletin by Dileep Premachandran15-Dec-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Kumar Sangakkara’s whirlwind 90 was the innings of the match•Associated PressThe numbers were mindboggling enough. Virender Sehwag and Tillakaratne Dilshan made big hundreds at a frantic lick, but the innings of the match was Kumar Sangakkara’s90 from 43 balls.The decisive spells were bowled by Harbhajan Singh, whose three overs in the middle had gone for 32 runs, and Zaheer Khan, who finished with the most expensive analysis in India’sone-day history. At the end of it all, after 100 overs in which 825 runs were scored, Sri Lanka’s lion cubs couldn’t quite hold their nerve. Ashish Nehra did, and India crept home by three runs.When India piled up a team-record 414 for 7, it seemed as though this too would be a depressing no-contest. But with a full-throttle approach their only option, Sri Lanka came out with genuine intent and no little menace. India had the chance to strike early, but with Upul Tharanga on 10, Virat Kohli grassed the simplest of chances at short point, and they were madeto pay as Dilshan cut loose with a flurry of boundaries. He pulled and cut anything short or wide, and drove precisely down the ground when the ball was pitched too full. Just for variety, he threw in a couple of scoops as well, each evading the fielder placed at short fine leg to stop it.Dilshan got to his half-century from just 38 balls as 81 came from the first 10 overs. Zaheer’s introduction drew an imperious drive through the covers and Ravindra Jadeja was greeted with six-four-four in an over that yielded 17. Soon after, he had his hundred from 73 balls and it was Tharanga who then took up the attack, lashing Jadeja straight down the ground for two sixes on his way to 50 from 51 balls. Suresh Raina too was thumped for a straight six, before an error of judgement saw him stumped.Sangakkara was put down by Zaheer when he had just 16, a difficult return catch, and after that India were chasing shadows. Raina was heaved for two sixes over midwicket and one down the ground and when Dilshan scooped Zaheer over fine leg for six the two had taken just 28 balls to add 50. With 164 needed from 20 overs, Sangakkara then smacked Harbhajan over long-off to reach his half-century from 24 balls.Harbhajan then put down a straightforward chance at midwicket when Sangakkara had 58, and by the time the batting Powerplay was taken, Sri Lanka needed 124 from 15 overs. Sangakkara started it as though he intended to finish the game in a hurry. Zaheer was taken over mid-on(four), slapped over midwicket (six) and then stroked through the covers twice in an over that cost 21. But then Sri Lanka, as with India, lost the plot somewhat.Sangakkara miscued one from Praveen Kumar to deep square leg, and after Dilshan had swung over over midwicket to reach 150, Harbhajan returned to have Sanath Jayasuriya stumped. When Dilshan was bowled going for a big heave off the first ball of his next over, the game was once again in the balance but it swung India’s way when Mahela Jayawardene was run out by Kohli’s throw from square leg.Thilina Kandamby and Angelo Mathews got within range with singles and the odd shot that breached the field but with Zaheer and Nehra started to get appreciable reverse swing, knocking off the runs was no formality. They whittled it down to 15 from 12 balls when disaster struck. Kandamby didn’t bother to ground his bat while going for a single and Zaheer whipped the bails off after Sachin Tendulkar had arrowed in a throw. Thilan Samaraweera too was caught short and suddenly Sri Lanka needed 11 from the final six balls.Mathews got that down to six from three before swinging Nehra to Tendulkar’s right at midwicket. Unlike some of his younger teammates, he held on without a problem, and as Mathews trudged off disconsolate, he took Sri Lanka’s hopes with him.Such drama had appeared unlikely when India started quietly after being sent in on a well-grassed pitch. There was some early movement for both Nuwan Kulasekara and Chanaka Welegedara, making his one-day debut, and the openers didn’t taken too many chances as just 19 came from the first five overs. Suddenly, though, the game exploded into life, with Sehwag taking Welegedara for three fours in an over.Virender Sehwag reached his century off only 66 balls•AFPThereafter, Sri Lanka were all over the place, with Tendulkar timing the ball magnificently in the V and Sehwag moving into six-hitting mode. Kulasekara, with his lack of pace, was the ideal target, clouted over cover and then pulled over midwicket with an ease that must have sent achill down Sangakkara’s spine.Another emphatic pull off Welegedera took him to 50 from just 34 balls and he then spent some time at the non-striker’s end watching Tendulkar do his thing. After two glorious lofts down the ground, Tendulkar opted for the impudent, upper-cutting Fernando over gully and slip to reach his own half-century from 48 balls.Worse was to follow. Mathews was introduced, and Sehwag immediately went downtown, thumping one behind the sightscreen and then over cover as the six balls cost 18. Tendulkar joined in with an imperious straight loft off Jayasuriya and it needed Fernando to give the Sri Lankans some breathing space, with a beautiful incoming delivery sending him back for 69.Sehwag, though, doesn’t like pauses, and after a brief lull when only singles were taken, he whacked a short one from Jayasuriya over midwicket for six. Two fours off the hapless Mathews later, he had his 12th century, from just 66 balls. On such a great surface for batting, Dhoni wasn’t going to stand and watch the fun. A six off Jayasuriya nearly went out of the ground, and when a desperate Sangakkara turned to the part-time spin of Kandamby and Dilshan, the fours continued to flow. Dhoni should have gone on 31, but Sangakkara missed a stumping after Kandamby sent down an innocuous full toss, a reprieve celebrated with straight sixes off bothspinners.Sehwag had the record individual score in his sights, but soon after the batting Powerplay was taken, Welegedara returned to get him with a low full toss that lobbed to point off the leading edge. Dhoni, after 72 from just 53 balls, followed four balls later, miscuing a slower ball fromFernando into the hands of cover. The stutter continued as Gautam Gambhir edged Kulasekara behind, and the Powerplay fetched Sri Lanka three wickets for 33 runs. Raina and Harbhajan didn’t inflict much damage, but attractive cameos from Kohli and Jadeja ensured that the last few overs would be all about breaking records.But Sri Lanka refused to blink till the very last, and it was almost the Wanderers all over again. Unfortunately for Sangakkara’s brave side, Mick Lewis was nowhere to be seen.

A number of Wolves supporters have been purring over a video which emerged showing Wanderers’ work on the training ground paying off against West Ham.

Bruno Lage’s side picked up a massive victory on Saturday, winning 1-0 against a Hammers team who had been in outstanding form.

A tight game saw Raul Jimenez score the only goal of the game at Molineux as Wolves went sixth in the Premier League and picked up a fifth win in seven outings.

After a relatively slow start to the season, Wanderers are really clicking into gear now and Lage is looking an excellent managerial appointment.

After Saturday’s match, Wolves’ head of coaching strategy Jhony Conceicao posted a video on Twitter showing Jimenez’s goal coupled with the work done on the training ground which enabled it to happen.

Wolves fans laud brilliant video

These Wolves fans loved the “perfect” footage and provided their reactions on Twitter in response to Conceicao’s post.

“Bruno is a genius”

Credit: @Brunoholic

“Clearly something we have worked on in training which is great to see”

Credit: @WolvesNumber37

“Quality video here showing the goal from yesterday and the work they’re putting in on the training field paying off. Keep it up @Wolves”

Credit: @JamesBarnett1

“Practice makes perfect – imagine if this was a Bielsa vid”

Credit: @grubby27

“Makes the goal even more impressive”

Credit: @LukeTurner7

“Love it when a plan comes together! Straight off the training ground”

Credit: @Carl_Yorke

In other news, some Wolves fans have shown their love for one player’s Twitter post. Find out who it is here.

Michael Vaughan has made his first step towards forging a new career following his retirement from first-class cricket by agreeing to use his expertise as the new Business Development Manager at International Sports Management

Cricinfo staff21-Sep-2009Michael Vaughan has made his first step towards forging a new career following his retirement from first-class cricket by agreeing to use his expertise as the new Business Development Manager at International Sports Management.The former England captain, who led the team to their historic 2005 Ashes triumph alongside Andrew Flintoff, has been weighing up opportunities since announcing his retirement mid-way through this summer.He has already confirmed he will be joining the BBC’s Test Match Special team for England’s winter tour to South Africa and will now take on greater responsibility within the ISM business in tandem with guiding and mentoring some of the exciting cricketing talent on their books.Vaughan will take an increasing role in generating new business and clients while helping in the development of players such as Glamorgan’s allrounder Jim Allenby, Somerset’s wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter, Hampshire batsman James Vince and England seamer Graham Onions.Andrew Chandler, ISM’s managing director, said: “We’ve had a relationship going back to 2001, we know Michael well and I’ve always thought he had great potential in the business world – this is the next logical step for him.”

Crystal Palace are reportedly one of several Premier League clubs closely monitoring the situation of Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson.

What’s the story?

According to Football League World, the Eagles have joined a number of other clubs in the race to acquire his signature.

Johnson’s current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2023, and Forest manager Steve Cooper is believed to be playing an active role in the negotiations.

The report states that: “Football League World understand that Cooper is now involved in those attempts and is looking to convince Johnson to commit longer term.

“There is Premier League interest still in the forward, though, after Brentford’s failed attempts to sign him in the summer. Everton, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Brighton and Hove Albion are keeping close tabs on him.”

Parish must seal a swoop

After rising through the ranks at his boyhood club, Johnson enjoyed a successful loan spell at League One outfit Lincoln City last term.

The youngster played a pivotal part as Michael Appleton’s Imps reached the third-tier play-off final in 2020/21, bagging 13 goals and providing 14 assists in 48 appearances.

And Johnson has carried his good form into the Championship during the opening weeks of the current campaign, finding the back of the net on three occasions and laying on a further three assists in 15 outings.

He’s starred in a more attacking system under Cooper in recent weeks, and a particularly impressive performance against Queens Park Rangers last time out caught the eye of former striker Glenn Murray.

“For me, Brennan, he just looks special. He just looks a cut above, and he’s destined for the top,” Murray told Sky Sports (as relayed by Nottingham Forest News).

“Yes, he’s not getting everything right at the moment, but he looks at the top-level easily. I expect a really big future from him.”

With Johnson fast approaching the end of his contract, and Palace in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, Steve Parish must swoop for the Wales international over the coming months.

His addition to Patrick Vieira’s new-look squad would bolster the capital club’s ranks in the final third of the pitch and add even more firepower to an already dangerous forward line. Just imagine the thought of him and Wilfried Zaha running rampant with Odsonne Edouard in attack.

It’s an enthralling thought for Palace supporters.

And, in other news…Parish must revive CPFC interest in “extraordinary” £10.8m-rated gem, Vieira needs him 

West Ham United return to Premier League action this afternoon and they could break into the top-six with a result against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

David Moyes’ men continued their fine form this season with another victory in the Europa League, defeating Genk 3-0 to maintain a 100% record in midweek, whilst they defeated Everton last weekend.

The Scotsman is left with some interesting decisions to make in terms of team selection, so what sort of XI could we see in east London today?

Here’s what we are predicting…

There could be as many as six changes from Thursday night.

Moyes has two absentees in the injured Vladimir Coufal, who is not expected to be available today, and loan midfielder Alex Kral, who is still isolating after a positive test.

It means he has a big call to make at right-back and it could see him stick with impressive 21-year-old Ben Johnson, instead of Ryan Fredericks.

He’ll be joined in defence by Aaron Cresswell, who also keeps his place from the Genk victory, along with Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna. They replace Craig Dawson and Issa Diop.

They’ll sit in front of no.1 Lukasz Fabianski, with PSG loanee Alphonse Areola seemingly the designated cup ‘keeper, for now.

In midfield, it’s likely that we see the same pairing of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, whilst the 58-year-old has seemingly settled on a balanced front four in recent matches.

Thursday’s goalscorer Jarrod Bowen remains but instead of playing up front, he’ll be back on the wing on the opposite flank to Said Benrahma, with Pablo Fornals sitting in the middle.

That’s because talismanic forward Michail Antonio, who has recently been dubbed a “complete monster” and an “absolute revelation” by journalist Paul Brown, is set to return having not been involved in midweek whatsoever.

The 31-year-old’s game time does need to be managed and that could pay dividends here today as he looks to add to his six goals and four assists, certainly well worth his reported £70k-per-week wages.

AND in other news, Moyes could unearth West Ham’s next Joe Cole in 19 y/o gem “similar to Jack Grealish”…

As Premier League champions Manchester City gear up for one of their most important clashes of the season away to Liverpool, Pep Guardiola has been dealt a big injury blow.

The Lowdown: Gundogan shines for City…

Over the 2020/21 season, it’s safe to say that midfield star Ilkay Gundogan dazzled for City as one of their outstanding and most crucial players.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/man-city-latest-developments/” title=”Man City latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Playing in a new, more advanced role under Guardiola, the Germany international would drift into pockets of space around the opposition penalty area and utilise his creativity to devastating effect at times.

So much so, as the Sky Blues coped without a recognised centre-forward for much of the campaign, that Gundogan finished last year as City’s top goalscorer in all competitions with 17.

The 30-year-old’s exploits even earned him a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year alongside fellow City stars Ederson Joao Cancelo, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Kevin de Bruyne.

However, ahead of City’s trip to Anfield, it appears that Guardiola will have to cope without his presence as he shares an update.

The Latest: Guardiola dealt Gundogan blow…

Speaking in a press conference ahead of the Liverpool match today, Guardiola dropped an update on Gundogan’s injury situation and confirmed that he will be unavailable to take on the Reds.

He is joined by Oleksandr Zinchenko on the treatment table, with both men still unable to play any part.

“Everyone is fit except Zinchenko and Gundogan,” said the City manager (via mancity.com).

“We expect both back after the international break, hopefully.”

The Verdict: Big blow…

Going by his outstanding contribution for City last year, missing Gundogan’s presence for a game of this magnitude will come as a big blow for Guardiola.

One silver lining for the Sky Blues is how well they coped without the midfielder during their last Premier League outing at European champions Chelsea – a match the visitors largely dominated and eventually won 1-0.

Lauded as an ‘unbelievable’ player by Match of the Day pundit and English football legend Alan Shearer (via Manchester Evening News), it will be interesting to see whether Gundogan’s absence proves a problem today.

In other news: ‘No way’, ‘Get him gone’, ‘Sell’…Man City fans erupt over news on their £300,000-per-week star, find out more here.

Everton have received a potential injury boost ahead of their Premier League encounter with West Ham United on Sunday after Richarlison provided an update on hit fitness.

What’s the word?

The 24-year-old was injured after a heavy challenge from James Tarkowski in the Toffees’ 3-1 victory over Burnley on September 13, picking up a knee issue that has kept him on the sidelines ever since.

After the injury also kept the Brazilian out of action during the recent international break, Richarlison has continued to work on his fitness at Finch Farm, and he’s recently posted a short video online updating supporters on his progress.

The versatile forward can be seen taking part in an individual drill at Everton’s training complex, where he’s tasked with returning passes before running to a different cone.

Richarlison’s update will give the club’s supporters hope that he can make his comeback against the Hammers over the weekend, providing a significant boost to Rafa Benitez’s in-form side.

Rafa Benitez will be buzzing

The South American star was one of a number of key players the Goodison Park outfit had to cope without in the weeks leading up to the international break due to injury, although their form didn’t suffer as a result.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman and Alex Iwobi were amongst the first-team players to miss out against Manchester United last time out, meaning Richarlison’s prospective return will have Benitez buzzing.

In his four Premier League appearances this season, the former Watford ace has bagged one goal and provided an assist, carrying on his solid form from the previous campaign.

During the 2020/21 season, Richarlison notched up 13 goals in all competitions, and he’ll be hoping to better that tally this time around, adding to his existing total against West Ham at the London Stadium.

With that kind of goal tally and influence in mind, Benitez will be understandably be pleased at having him available this weekend.

And, in other news…Signed for £20m, released for £0: Everton endured transfer nightmare over 32 y/o dud 

Six sessions remain in which the destination of the Ashes will be decided, and England must surely believe that the litany of surprises that have been strung out across this summer have finally run their course

Andrew Miller at The Oval22-Aug-2009It’s happening again. That nagging, gnawing, pit-of-the-stomach doubt that only the most gripping Test series can serve up. Six sessions remain in which the destination of the Ashes will be decided, and England – with every single historical precedent weighted in their favour, including one from their most recent victory at Lord’s – must surely believe, deep down, that the litany of surprises that have been strung out across this summer have finally run their course.But where there is uncertainty, English pessimism is sure to take root, and having watched their own lower-order tee off to contemptuous effect on a pitch supposedly prepared by Doctor Faustus, the sight of Australia’s openers following suit to the tune of 80 runs in 20 overs was all too much for the umbrella-chewing fraternity of English sports-fans.The 2009 Ashes has lacked the class, the 24-7 tension, and, yes, the unfettered jingoism that made the 2005 summer so unforgettable, but the peaks and troughs on display have, if anything, been all the more marked. Which is all the more reason to wonder if a world-record chase – another 466 required in a minimum of 180 overs – could somehow prove attainable.They thought it was possible back in July after all, when Australia were set a hefty 522 to extend their 75-year hegemony at Lord’s, and thanks to a battling partnership from Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin, reached 313 for 5 at the close of the fourth day before Andrew Flintoff stormed in on the fifth to up-end them 115 runs short. But Flintoff has not been the same force since – his only subsequent wicket in nearly 50 overs was the No. 11, Ben Hilfenhaus, in Australia’s first innings on Friday – and 233 runs per day is not a big ask in any version of international cricket.Jonathan Trott has done an astounding job at dispelling the doubters this week – nobody in their wildest imaginations could have predicted he would exactly maintain his season’s average of 80 in his maiden Test performance – but when he was asked if an England victory was in the bag, all of his soothing powers had clearly been expended at the crease.”Until you’ve taken the tenth wicket in the second innings it’s always a game of the unknown,” he said. “There are so many variables in the game of cricket, it’s never a foregone conclusion at all. We want to do as well as we can, break it down, and have a good first hour tomorrow to set the game up from there.”To be fair, England as a unit were not especially downcast as they left the field on Saturday evening. Seeing as Steve Harmison had bowled a grand total of four overs in the first innings, the shiny hard new ball was never likely to be their most incisive weapon, especially when Stuart Broad beat, and then found, the edge with a brace of offcutters in his first over. Australia survived all the same, but as Marcus North – the unlikely star of their bowling performance – admitted, they had seen little to suggest that they’ve got the measure of the conditions.”History is against us,” said North. “It’s too early to look that far ahead, because there’s a lot of cricket to be played. What you’ll see tomorrow is 11 guys who have got a lot of character to show, and they are going to give everything for every contest for every over. Hopefully that can lay the foundation to give us a chance.”The first objective was to get through tonight unscathed and Simon and Watto did that superbly,” he said. “To walk off at 0 for 80, it’s the position we needed to be in, if we can start well tomorrow, get to lunch, and reassess things from there. It’s a massive target to get, but the best thing we can do is not look too far ahead. We’ve given ourselves the opportunity to have that target in sight at some stage.”As for Lord’s, that performance will doubtless weigh on the minds of England’s fans on a packed fourth day at The Oval, but can Australia go one better than that heroic endeavour? “We can take a lot out of all our innings through the series,” said North. “We batted well at Lord’s with some big partnerships, and laid some foundations to give us some opportunity to chase that target down.”But this is a different Test, different conditions, and again we’ll have to show some character,” he said. “Clarke and Haddin did that in that Test, and we’ll have to show some of the same courage and determination tomorrow. Everyone has got the same attitude that I’ve got. The guys are as positive as they can be. It’s a huge task ahead. It’s small steps at a time.”But if omens are what Australia seek – and frankly, in the circumstances, why on earth wouldn’t they – then they can turn for inspiration to two first-class fixtures of contrasting fortunes. In the former, in February 1992, Australia’s current chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, hit a century, and their coach, Tim Nielsen, shared in the winning stand, as South Australia chased 506 to beat Queensland in the Sheffield Shield. And then, 12 years later in Gurgaon, England A failed to defend 501 against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy. Kevin Pietersen was a member of that beaten team, as was England’s current wicketkeeper, Matt Prior. It’s all stacked up, but is it ready to topple?

Celtic are tracking Drogheda United midfielder Killian Phillips, according to The Irish Independent’s Daniel McDonnell.

The Lowdown: Phillips profiled

Phillips is 19 years of age and joined his current employers earlier this year.

Described as a versatile midfielder, the teenager is out of contract with Drogheda at the end of 2021, as per Transfermarkt.

He’s made 20 appearances for the Irish side, scoring once and registering one assist, and it seems as if he is catching Celtic’s eye.

The Latest: Celtic interest

McDonnell shared a story on Wednesday lunchtime regarding Celtic’s interest in Sligo Rovers forward Johnny Kenny.

Within his report, McDonnell claimed the Hoops will watch Kenny in action on Friday against Drogheda before sharing Celtic’s interest in Phillips.

Phillips is attracting attention from overseas, seemingly Celtic, with his long-term future on the pitch reportedly viewed as a centre-back rather than a midfielder.

The Verdict: Another Scales?

Liam Scales made the move from Ireland to Scotland this summer, and it appears as if Phillips could well follow suit down the line.

Celtic saw Scales’ versatility as crucial when bringing him to Parkhead, so Phillips’ ability to play in both midfield and in defence could work in his favour.

He may well have the chance to impress Celtic officials live on Friday during their scouting trip to watch Kenny, and who knows, should he do just that, a cut-price move in the New Year could well be on the cards.

In other news: Celtic source shares transfer news different to Sky Sports claim; good news for McKay and Ange.