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For sides which possess arguably the strongest two attacks in the competition, Victoria and Queensland failed to really prove the case by the end of a tame Pura Cup match here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

John Polack02-Dec-2000For sides which possess arguably the strongest two attacks in the competition, Victoria and Queensland failed to really prove the case by the end of a tame Pura Cup match here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Instead of being afforded the sort of finish that might originally have been expected between last year’s finalists, this contest was hung out to dry in wafting afternoon breezes on a cloudless Melbourne day.In fairness, both teams went through this encounter – which ended half an hour early with Queensland 6/380 in its second innings and leading overall by 180 runs – badly depleted. Before it started, the Bulls had surrendered Andy Bichel (to Test commitments), Michael Kasprowicz, Scott Muller and Ashley Noffke (to injury). During it, the Bushrangers lost Damien Fleming (to neck soreness) before he had even been able to bowl a ball. Together with one critical missed catch from each of them, it ensured that both teams were afflicted by the curse of being unable to produce a consistent string of breakthroughs when it really mattered. In hindsight, it was hard to know what all the fuss had been about as Victoria set to the task of reducing the Bulls to 9/147 (in response to 9/384 declared) early on the third morning.The loss of Fleming, in particular, weighed heavily on proceedings on the fourth and final day. Despite the considerable resistance that had been offered by Martin Love (126) and Jimmy Maher (98) in a resolute stand yesterday afternoon, the Victorians had entered the closing six hours of the match with an overall lead of sixty-four runs and, theoretically at least, only a further nine wickets separating them from success. As it transpired, however, they never looked like grasping the Bulls by the horns.The sun shone but the gods never smiled quite as luxuriantly upon the Victorians. Several half-chances came their way through the early part of the day; as Love and Maher stretched their alliance to record-breaking proportions, though, none was taken. Before finally disrupting the 361-minute long partnership, the Bushrangers endured another highly frustrating period. It wasn’t until seven minutes before lunch, when Maher finally dabbed at a Paul Reiffel (2/35) delivery cutting away from him, that their torture through the opening session met an end.Even then, their reward was to watch another vigilant stand – this time of sixty-one between Love and Stuart Law (74*) – unfold before them. By the time that the number three and the captain had come together, Love and Maher had already eaten away the entirety of Victoria’s lead, and then some, with their compilation of a 212 run liaison. During their effort, the experienced pair also erased from the record books the 188 run association between Max Walters and David Ogilvie (in the 1977-78 season) that had previously assumed billing as Queensland’s best ever second wicket partnership on the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Love’s innings, in particular, was a masterpiece of concentration and determination. It has always been hard to believe that he has not warranted more attention in the race for national honours. At twenty-six years of age, he looks every bit as classy as many more heavily promoted top order players around Australia. Anyone who has witnessed his ability to mix measured innings like the one he completed today with others of belligerent intent (such as the remarkable hand that he played to help beat Tasmania in Brisbane five weeks ago) would certainly be hard pressed to dispute the claim.”He played really well,” attested Victorian captain, Reiffel. “He was really disciplined, he left a lot of balls that he could have played. He played within himself and yet held the whole innings together for them.”Love committed one of the few errors in his innings fifteen minutes before tea when he played back to Miller and was struck in front of his middle and off stumps. By that stage, though, much of the respectably-sized crowd that had arrived at the ground this morning in anticipation of the home side’s first win over Queensland in five years had beat its own retreat. Next time they come, they will doubtless be hoping that it is the blight of injury that stays away.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could land a dream Gjanni Alioski successor in Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa.

What’s the story?

With reports in recent weeks suggesting that Alioski is on his way out of Elland Road once his contract expires, it’s no surprise to see the Whites eyeing a new left-back.

And, according to Sosa’s agent, Franjo Vranjkovic, the Yorkshire club have actually submitted a bid to Stuttgart to sign the Croatian in the summer transfer window.

He added: “The most important thing for him is to make a transfer to England because he has an offer from Leeds United.”

Bye-bye Alioski

With Alioski seemingly on his way out, the arrival of Sosa would be the absolute perfect situation for Bielsa, with the left-back well suited to the Leeds boss’ style of play.

Sosa does his best work going forward, being a real attacking outlet for his side, and has registered a remarkable ten assists in the Bundesliga alone – which is more than any Leeds player has managed, and five times that of Alioski (2).

His ability to deliver pin-point crosses into the box has become a real trademark of his, and it’s something that Stuttgart’s sporting director, Sven Mislintat, has raved about.

He said: “Borna’s said himself that David Beckham is his role model, and I think he has the same qualities. He puts in crosses from every angle: sometimes chipped, sometimes drilled, sometimes flat, sometimes in behind, sometimes to the front post, other times to the back post. His left foot is a real weapon.”

And it isn’t just his attacking instincts and technical ability that marks him out as perfect for Bielsa-ball, with the left-back also rugged in the challenge too.

As per Sofascore, he wins exactly 50% of his total duels (just one per cent lower than Alioski), and makes more than double the amount of interceptions and clearances per game than the current Leeds left-back.

And, at only 23, he’s got plenty of time to grow, and his manager at Stuttgart, Pellegrino Matarazzo, has declared that he’s got “huge potential”.

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He said: “Borna has blossomed. We all knew about his huge potential – now he’s delivering over 90 minutes on a consistent basis.”

If Bielsa is looking for a left-back to really nail down a place at Elland Road for the next few years at least, then the £13m-rated Sosa is the man he needs.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa is interested in this star who’s side just got relegated…

Rangers have been linked with a move for Heerenveen midfielder Joey Veerman recently, and if he were to make the move to Ibrox this summer, he could prove to be the ideal long-term replacement for Steven Davis in Steven Gerrard’s side.

What’s the word?

According to Dutch news outlet Voetbal, Rangers are one of the foreign clubs taking an interest in the 22-year-old, who has enjoyed another excellent season in the Eredivisie.

Reims, PSV Eindhoven and Atalanta are also said to be interested in the young midfielder, who seems likely to depart the Abe Lenstra Stadium despite signing a new contract last summer.

Rangers’ dream Davis heir?

Whilst Steven Davis recently penned a new one-year contract at Rangers after playing a significant part in their title win this season, the Northern Ireland international will turn 37 next year and Gerrard’s side should start planning for a future without the influential midfielder.

The former Southampton man has averaged a solid 6.99 WhoScored rating for his performances in the Premiership this season, although he is not as much of a threat in front of goal as he once was, as he has been unable to find the back of the net in any of his 30 league appearances this term.

In that sense, Veerman could be the ideal man to replace him, as he has shown in the last two seasons that he can add a goalscoring threat from midfield. That is something Rangers have arguably lacked at times this season, with Glen Kamara having managed just one goal and one assist so far in this Premiership campaign.

Veerman, on the other hands, has seven goals and nine assists to his name in the Dutch top flight so far this season, which has helped him to accrue to a superb 7.47 WhoScored average rating. That is comfortably the best of any Heerenveen player, which suggests that they could face a real struggle to keep hold of him this summer.

Former Rangers striker Michael Mols was full of praise for the young midfielder recently, saying: “He is perfect with the ball and in possession, he’s a really great player. His passing and movement with the ball is really relaxed in a good way.”

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Therefore, it seems as if the £6.3m-rated Veerman would be a superb addition at Ibrox and he could even be the man to succeed Davis in Gerrard’s side, should Ross Wilson seal his transfer this summer.

In other news… Rangers suffer huge transfer blow to “special talent”, Gerrard will be fuming

Barry Fry has told The Transfer Tavern that he was left confused by Jose Mourinho’s treatment of both Dele Alli and Gareth Bale during his time at Tottenham Hotspur amid their returns to the team.

Both players played against Sheffield United on Sunday night, with interim coach Ryan Mason selecting them both in his starting XI.

His faith was rewarded as Bale scored a hat-trick and Alli helped bamboozle the Blades players with his clever dribbling and hard running.

Spurs ultimately won the game 4-0 to keep their hopes of finishing in the top four alive – they are now five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Fry believes that Mourinho, who was sacked prior to the games against Southampton in the Premier League and Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, got it wrong with both Alli and Bale.

And he has questioned whether or not the Portuguese actually wanted to sign the Wales international, such was his lack of desire to play him.

Indeed, under Mourinho, Bale made six starts, while Alli made two.

Speaking exclusively to TT, Fry said: “He’s obviously fallen out with so many players, and also, talking to a lot of Tottenham fans like I do, there’s a lot of players that the Tottenham fans rate very highly that didn’t get a look-in under Mourinho.

“Alli to name but one, and even Bale.

“They got Bale in, the question for me is did Daniel Levy fetch Bale back or did Mourinho really want Bale? If Mourinho really wanted Bale, why didn’t he start in more games?”

Southampton have recently been linked with a move for Angers left-back Souleyman Doumbia, but it would be a poor decision by Ralph Hasenhuttl and Martin Semmens to bring him to St Mary’s this summer.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Saints are eyeing a move for the 24-year-old as they seek a potential replacement for Ryan Bertrand, who is currently set to depart the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.

However, he is also reportedly on the radars of Nice and Lyon after establishing himself as the first choice left-back with Les Noirs et Blancs this season.

Would he be a good signing?

Whilst it is impossible to know whether or not Doumbia would prove to be a success at St Mary’s, his stats this season are rather underwhelming and suggest that he would not prove to be a suitable replacement for Bertrand in Hasenhuttl’s side.

In 26 appearances this season, the Ivory Coast international has managed no goals and just one assist, resulting in a less than impressive 6.63 average match rating from WhoScored.

Last season saw him make just six league appearances for Rennes and Angers combined, as he initially joined Stéphane Moulin’s side on loan in January 2020; and if he wasn’t a regular with either of those sides, he would perhaps find it difficult to establish himself as a consistent presence at Southampton.

Whilst he is rated at just £2.25m by Transfermarkt, suggesting that he would prove to be relatively cheap should the Saints make an official approach, his performances have done little to suggest that he would be a good addition in the Premier League.

Although Hasenhuttl has suggested that Southampton will target players for less than £10m this summer, it feels as if they are really scraping the barrel with their interest in Doumbia, as the best spell of his career was arguably with Grasshoppers Zurich in Switzerland.

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If we were to compare Doumbia’s defensive stats to Southampton’s this season, his 1.8 tackles per game would rank him joint-tenth, whilst his 82.3% pass success rate would rank him tenth. Considering that passing and tackling are two key attributes for a modern full-back, it is difficult to believe that he would be an improvement on any of Southampton’s current options.

His recent displays have also been very disappointing, as the last time he earned above a 7/10 match rating was in January, suggesting that he lacks the consistency to thrive in the Premier League.

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Therefore, Semmens should steer well clear of Doumbia this summer as he could prove to be a  disastrous signing if he is brought to St Mary’s.

In other news… Ralph handed big boost in pursuit of £8.1m-rated beast, Semmens must deliver

Tottenham Hotspur squandered another game from a leading position last weekend as Newcastle United snagged a draw late on.

Jose Mourinho’s side have now missed out on a total of 15 points this season from winning positions, a haul which would have seen them sit in second place behind runaway leaders Manchester City.

It comes as another devastating blow and it will surely increase the pressure on the Portuguese boss, who was brought in to lead the north London outfit to silverware. A place in the top four is now looking increasingly out of reach, whilst Spurs are already out of the FA Cup and Europa League prematurely.

His destiny could well hinge on their performance in the Carabao Cup final this month against the aforementioned Citizens.

Mourinho has now tempted fate, blaming his players for their ongoing struggles in the public eye; and according to The Telegraph’s Matt Law, RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann remains the top target to replace him should Daniel Levy pull the trigger.

However, the tough negotiator could well be barking up the wrong tree. As impressive as the young managerial gem is, guiding the Bundesliga outfit to a title challenge against Bayern Munich this term, he has no experience outside of Germany.

Instead, the north Londoners should look to another mooted target in Brendan Rodgers.

In contrary to Law’s claim, 90min believe that the Leicester City manager is actually Spurs’ first choice, with Nagelsmann featuring on a shortlist alongside the likes of Nuno Espirito Santo, Diego Simeone, Massimiliano Allegri and even Carlo Ancelotti.

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Under the 48-year-old’s stewardship, the Foxes have contended for Champions League qualification and a top four berth, which is ultimately where Spurs should be.

You’d struggle to argue against Leicester usurping the Lilywhites as a club in recent times – they’ve even won the Premier League more recently than Spurs’ last success, their 2008 League Cup triumph.

One major benefit to Rodgers is his shrewd eye for recruitment, something which has largely contributed towards their success. Not many could have predicted the Midlands outfit to continue to thrive after selling the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Harry Maguire, but they have.

Whilst his progression of seemingly average talents like Kelechi Iheanacho have earned high praise indeed. Dean Windass exclusively told Football FanCast that the 48-year-old has done an “unbelievable” job in that sense.

Similarly, Peterborough chairman Barry Fry is the latest name to wax lyrical about Rodgers, claiming in an exclusive interview with FFC that the former Chelsea coach is “very ambitious” and “well-respected.”

If Levy is to move on from Mourinho this summer, then it’s clear that someone like the Leicester boss can get their lofty ambitions back on track. It does seem like the perfect fit, too.

After somewhat failing at Liverpool, he rebuilt his reputation at Celtic by winning multiple trophies, and has continued to rise at the King Power Stadium. His experience in the English game will be far better than what Nagelsmann can bring – that’s the right appointment to make, Mr Levy.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Vinicius: Levy could take Spurs to new level with swoop for “gifted” £38m gem…

MatériaMais Notícias

Santos e Atlético-PR voltam a se enfrentam neste sábado, às 16h, na Vila Belmiro, pela 28ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Depois de uma vitória do Furacão no primeiro turno, por 1 a 0, em Curitiba, os dois times voltam a duelar por uma vaga no G4. O Peixe é o 4º colocado com 45 pontos, e o Atlético com 42 está na 6ª posição. O Alvinegro deve contar com o retorno de Ricardo Oliveira, que estava machucado e fora há três rodadas. O Furacão ainda não terá André Lima, atacante que está lesionado.

Local: Vila Belmiro, Santos (SP)
Árbitro:Péricles Bassols Pegado Cortez (PE)
​Auxiliares:Clovis Amaral da Silva e Cleberson do Nascimento Leite (PE)
Onde ver: Premiere e tempo real do LANCE!

SANTOS (técnico: Dorival Júnior)

RelacionadasBrasileirão28ª rodada! Veja a classificação, onde assistir e aponte os favoritos ao títuloBrasileirão30/09/2016Futebol ParanaenseCrítico do calendário, Autuori desconfia de mudanças feitas na Libertadores pela ConmebolFutebol Paranaense30/09/2016SantosLucas Lima negocia renovação com Santos, mas não descarta a ChinaSantos30/09/2016

Desfalques do Santos: Gustavo Henrique, Vitor Bueno e Alison (lesionados) Elano (suspenso)
Pendurados: Luiz Felipe, Jean Mota, Renato, Yuri, Paulinho e Vitor Bueno

ATLÉTICO-PR (técnico:Paulo Autuori)

Desfalques do Atlético-PR:Léo (suspenso), Cléberson, Sidcley, Deivid, Luciano Cabral e André Lima (lesionados)
Pendurados:Pablo, André Lima, Luan, Lucas Fernandes, Marcão e Weverton

Palpites: Na redação do LANCE!, 100% dos votos foram para uma vitória do Santos.

Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish has highlighted the importance of Leeds United ensuring Illan Meslier signs a new deal at the club, after reports earlier this week that talks are being plotted.

The Whites face Sheffield United in the Premier League this weekend, with the struggling Blades making the trip to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

Victory for Leeds would see them jump into the top-half of the table, with 10th-place Aston Villa at home to Fulham on Sunday and currently two points ahead of Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Someone who will again be a key figure this weekend is Meslier, who has made the No.1 spot his own between the sticks, starting 28 out of 29 league matches this season.

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McLeish lauds influential Meslier

At 21, the Frenchman is already a key man, and speaking to Football Insider, McLeish spoke about the club extending his stay beyond his current contract expiry date of 2023, believing he could save Andrea Radrizzani from splashing out £50m:

“The thing we keep repeatedly saying is when you lose your best players, you start to lose football games.

“You’ve got to secure them. It’s not easy to paper over the cracks, as we know. We’ve seen it with many top, top clubs, top players, top managers.

“It’s just a brilliant bit of business for Leeds and they’ve got the guy in house. It’s not as if they have to spend £50million on a transfer fee.

“I mean he might get that in his wages with the way the money is, the gravy train now!”

Transfer Tavern take

McLeish is spot on, with Meslier a player of such huge potential, considering he is already starting regularly in the Premier League at such a young age.

Goalkeepers also generally peak later than outfield players, meaning the Leeds star could be around for more than a decade, improving all the time as he gains more experience.

In other news, Leeds are believed to be monitoring the progress of an exciting young striker. Find out who it is here.

Leicester City are reportedly scouting young centre-back Jack Hendry ahead of a potential summer move.

The Scottish defender, who is on loan at Belgian outfit KV Oostende, has impressed in the Jupiler Pro League, with 90min.com revealing that Foxes have kept a close eye on his performances.

Any potential move would reunite Hendry with the manager that brought him to Celtic, Brendan Rodgers, and that could be a transfer that benefits both the Foxes and the player.

Having initially struggled at Celtic, the centre-back appears to have regained form with Oostende. He has made 23 appearances, scoring twice so far this season.

That improvement could well continue at Leicester, with Rodgers having had his influence in the development of a number of young players at the King Power Stadium, namely Harvey Barnes, Ben Chilwell, James Maddison and James Justin.

As a matter of fact, it is clear that Rodgers has an extremely high opinion of Hendry having stated that he “never goes missing” during a tricky spell at Celtic Park. Should the Northern-Irishman still rate the defender, despite that indifferent run of form, then he must certainly have talent.

Even if he does not go straight into the Foxes’ first team, Hendry would provide useful cover in defence. Wes Morgan and Jonny Evans are at the wrong side of 30 years of age, leaving just Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu as the younger, natural centre-backs in the East-Midlands.

With all four of them having suffered from respective injuries this season too, bolstering the defensive positions could well benefit the Foxes.

Rated at just £900k, a move for Hendry could well be a smart and shrewd purchase from the East-Midlanders.

AND in more news, take a look at why Leicester could already have a perfect Kasper Schmeichel replacement at the club…

Managers will come and go at Arsenal but the same old problems will remain.

Arsene Wenger isn’t in London anymore but defensive errors are still rife. Unai Emery tried his utmost to eradicate them while Mikel Arteta has come close on occasions.

However, some painstaking individual mistakes have cost them in recent weeks. Whether it be Dani Ceballos against Benfica and Olympiacos, Bernd Leno versus Wolves or Granit Xhaka in the draw with Burnley, it has been nothing short of calamitous.

It appears that when it comes to defending, the club are cursed. Though, there is another area in N5 that appears to be a poisoned chalice; Arsenal’s captaincy.

Ever since Patrick Vieira left back in 2005, the Gunners have been through plenty of captains. Thierry Henry led from the front with his on-field displays but after that, it has been a tale of woe for pretty much each and every one of the club’s skippers.

William Gallas was the first antagonist back in 2007, tarnishing the captaincy and thus, beginning a remarkable trend at London Colney.

On the day that Eduardo broke his leg after a horrific challenge, Arsenal lost to Birmingham and with it, started their title collapse. Gallas was slumped on the floor at full time and sat motionless on the St Andrew’s Turf, waiting for the ground to swallow him up.

If anything encapsulated a host of Arsenal captains in the last 14 years it would be that moment. Cesc Fabregas took on the mantle next and like Henry, led well on the pitch.

However, he eventually moved to Barcelona and even missed an Arsenal game to go to watch the Spanish Grand Prix.

Robin van Persie took on the baton from the midfielder but similarly to Fabregas, departed shortly after following demands he made about the direction of the club. Thomas Vermaelen became his successor but a different kind of curse took over; one where their captain very rarely played.

The Belgian featured just 43 times in the league during his two years as captain. His replacement, Arteta, then played in just 16 matches during his final few campaigns in north London.

Per Mertesacker (seven games) and Laurent Koscielny (17 matches) took on the honour of wearing the captain’s armband afterwards. Koscielny, however, left in bizarre circumstances.

One moment, the French defender was happy and then the next, he was refusing to go on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of America in 2019. He subsequently moved to Bordeaux and then proceeded to rip off a Gunners shirt during his unveiling video.

Though, the worst of all was Granit Xhaka. The Swiss was horrendously torn apart by the club’s supporters in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace during the 2019/20 campaign.

As he was being substituted, Xhaka proceeded to rip the armband off, give the crowd some stick and then throw his shirt to the ground in disgust.

Emery consequently relieved him of his duties and made Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the skipper.

Like Henry, he has led from the front. Without Aubameyang, Arsenal wouldn’t have won the FA Cup last term. However, in recent days, we’ve seen the curse begin to blow up in Arteta’s face.

There has been a certain negativity attached to the honour of Arsenal captain over the last decade and now their star man is the latest to be caught up in some drama.

Aubameyang reported late when the team met up ahead of the north London derby with Tottenham on Sunday and as a result, he was dropped to the bench. It was a major call from the manager in what was their biggest game of the season.

The Gabonese forward failed to get any minutes and then while Arsenal’s subs warmed down on the Emirates pitch at full-time, he got in his car and sped off into the distance.

Time will tell whether that was a landmark moment in his career at the club. Aubameyang has often been the joker of the pack, the go-to man when Arsenal are in a crisis. On this occasion, however, he was nowhere to be seen.

After what’s happened in years gone by, Arteta will be wary of escalating this situation. After all, Arsenal’s number 14 had just started to rediscover his best form; the last thing they need is a starting XI without his name on.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Partey: Edu could sign Xhaka upgrade for AFC with “complete” £22m star…