Tharindu Rathnayake: I switch bowling arm according to weakness of batters

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

“When I started first-class cricket, I bowled a lot with my left arm. But later, it became about 60% right arm, and 40% left arm.”

Andrew Fidel Fernando17-Jun-2025″I don’t know which arm I’ve taken more wickets with,” says Tharindu Rathnayake of his wicket tally in domestic cricket. “I’ve never looked at it properly. I’ve bowled a lot with both my arms.”If this seems like bragging, Rathnayake continues to speak as if being able to bowl with either arm is a normal experience to which anyone could relate. It must seem natural to him, though – he has 337 first-class wickets, and 122 List A dismissals.”When I started first-class cricket, I bowled a lot with my left arm. But later, after a couple of years, it became about 60% right arm, and 40% left arm.”Related

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Right, so why, on day one of his debut Test, against Bangladesh in Galle, did Rathnayake bowl 15.5 overs of right-arm offbreaks before he tried his first ball of left-arm spin?”I just felt that the ball that turns into the batter is harder for them to face because this wicket is suited to the batters. When you bowl right-arm offspin against right-handed batters with the red ball, it’s not easy for them to play. When I bowl offspin, I also have more options with the fields I can set. With left-arm spin, because the wicket is not behaving as we want it to, they can put the ball into gaps, and they have more scoring options.”To what extent Rathnayake knows this unusual craft is not clear yet. Unlike Kamindu Mendis, the other ambidextrous spinner in the side, Rathnayake is primarily a bowler. In the match-ups age, though, being able to bowl with either arm could be a supremely useful skill. Rathnayake seems to be aware of that potential.”Before we come to the match, in our planning, we talked about what each batsman is better at facing, and which sides they hit to,” he said. “So I try to create plans around their weaknesses, and change which arm I’m bowling with according to that.”Though Rathnayake claimed two wickets – both left-handers caught at slip against his offbreaks – in his first session of Test cricket, he said the Galle pitch got better to bat on through the day.”There was a little moisture early on, but it dried out. There wasn’t much spin. I’m expecting it to stay good until day four.”

Root holds the fort with 99* as India put brakes on Bazball

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A disciplined bowling effort from India’s seamers led England to scale back their usual aggressive intent

Matt Roller10-Jul-20251:21

Manjrekar in praise of Root’s batting

Shubman Gill declared the return of “boring Test cricket” but England did not care. They scored uncharacteristically slowly – at just 3.02 runs per over – and ground their way into the ascendancy on their slowest-scoring full day of the Bazball era, as Joe Root reached the close a run short of his 37th Test century and his eighth at Lord’s.”Baz-Baz-Bazball! Come on, I want to see it,” Mohammed Siraj was heard telling Root over the stump microphones, as England put their attacking shots away during a wicketless second session. “No more entertaining cricket, lads,” Gill told his team-mates, after Ollie Pope left the ball alone outside his off stump. “Welcome back to the boring Test cricket.”Boring suited England just fine. The crowd at Lord’s was probably anticipating a very different day when they cheered Ben Stokes’ decision to bat after winning his third consecutive toss, but a sluggish surface and a disciplined bowling effort from India’s seamers – including the returning Jasprit Bumrah – led England to scale back their usual aggressive intent.Related

  • Reddy credits Cummins and Morkel for bowling improvement

  • For Crawley and Pope, the struggle gets real

  • Bumrah and Root show their class on bizarre Bazwalling day

  • England sweat on Ben Stokes as spectre of injury looms

  • Pant suffers blow to finger, Jurel called up as substitute keeper

But India will be heartened by the fact that after a long day in the field, they have kept England in check. The bowling heroes of their 336-run win at Edgbaston, Siraj and Akash Deep, both went wicketless, but timely scalps for Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and two in an over from Nitish Kumar Reddy ensured that England never got away from them.Root walked in straight after Reddy’s first over, which accounted for both England openers and saw Gill drop a tough chance off Pope in the gully, and quickly got his head down. He put on 109 with Pope for the third wicket, then an unbroken 79 with Stokes for the fifth – though Stokes’ apparent groin issue could become a major worry.India had their own injury problem to worry about: Rishabh Pant tried to grimace through the pain after being struck on the index finger as he tried to gather a rare loose ball from Bumrah, but instead spent the last 49 overs off the field. But Dhruv Jurel proved an able deputy, taking a fine catch to dismiss Pope as Jadeja found his outside edge with the first ball after tea.0:57

What explains England’s ‘Blockball’ approach?

Brendon McCullum ordered a pitch with “plenty of life in it” after England’s heavy defeat at Edgbaston but his plea either arrived too late or fell on deaf ears. It was clear within an over that this was a slow surface, with Ben Duckett edging through to Pant on the half-volley; Bumrah, who replaced Prasidh Krishna, immediately called for the slip cordon to stand closer.Duckett was repeatedly struck on the body in the first hour as Bumrah nipped the new ball off the seam, while Crawley was frenetic. He changed his guard several times and threw his hands at the ball; while he nailed three cover drives, he slashed another over the slips and regularly played and missed at both Akash Deep and Siraj.But it was Reddy, wicketless in Birmingham, who made the breakthroughs. He struck first with perhaps the worst ball of the morning, a long-hop on Duckett’s hip which he under-edged to Pant on the pull, but then dismissed Crawley with one of the best, a wicked outswinger which angled in then shaped away late to take the outside edge.Pope was reprieved by Gill in between those two dismissals and batted as though determined to live up to his tag – coined by Steve James in the – as “the worst starter since prawn cocktail”. But he made it through to lunch unscathed, and dug in alongside Root after the interval; early in the second session, they went 28 consecutive balls without scoring.1:15

Manjrekar: India introduced spin very late

Root, the senior pro, recognised that the best way to play Bumrah was from the non-striker’s end: he faced only two balls of his five-over spell after lunch, pinching singles to give Pope the strike back. They added 70 in a sleepy second session, as India’s seamers hung the ball wide outside off stump and waited for a mistake which didn’t come.It finally arrived straight after tea, as Pope flashed hard at Jadeja and edged through to Jurel. He stood disconsolate, bent over his bat handle in disbelief that he had thrown his wicket away. India had another soon after, as the battle between the ICC’s No. 1-ranked Test batter and bowler ended swiftly: Bumrah nipped one back off the seam to peg Harry Brook’s off stump back.Stokes was underway early with consecutive cuts for four, but looked uncomfortable against spin once more and survived an lbw shout from Reddy via DRS thanks only to the on-field umpire’s call. He was in obvious discomfort after a leave against Reddy, but batted on getting treatment from England’s physio during another long delay.Root, meanwhile, cruised along as he does, only once putting his foot down with a rasping slog-sweep off Jadeja. He was a boundary away from his hundred in the final over of the day but could only manage a two and then a single. History bodes well: the previous 16 men to sleep on 99 in Test cricket have all reached three figures the following morning.

Bancroft century boosts Gloucestershire's unbeaten streak

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Overseas star carries his bat in 144-ball 143 to give his side four wins from four

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay15-Aug-2025Gloucestershire 289 for 5 (Bancroft 143*) beat Glamorgan 288 for 9 (Byrom 94, Northeast 52, van Buuren 3-33) by five wicketsCameron Bancroft scored a superbly-judged unbeaten hundred to guide Gloucestershire to a convincing five-wicket victory over Glamorgan and extend their winning start to the Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign to four games at Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium.Set 290 to win and retain top spot in Group A, Gloucestershire were indebted to their overseas star, who carried his bat in posting 143 from 144 balls, striking 17 fours and two sixes and sharing in stands of 72 and 84 with Ben Charlesworth and Graeme van Buuren for the third and fifth wickets respectively as the home side reached their target with 20 balls to spare.Recalled to the team, allrounder van Buuren had earlier claimed 3 for 33 with the ball to ensure Eddie Byrom’s outstanding innings of 94 from 108 balls was made in a losing cause. Byrom staged a stand of 127 in 22.1 overs for the second wicket with Sam Northeast, who raised a 59-ball 52 after Gloucestershire had won the toss. Dan Douthwaite weighed in with a hard-hitting 43, but seamers Matt Taylor and Josh Shaw took three wickets apiece to restrict the Welsh county to 289 for 9.Gloucestershire remain the only side to boast a 100 percent record after four matches, but 2024 competition winners Glamorgan are still seeking their first victory and will have to win all of their remaining fixtures if they are to stand any chance of making the knockout stages.Gloucestershire inserted their neighbours on a flat surface and Matt Taylor struck an early blow, luring Asa Tribe into driving low to mid-off in the second over.Initially tied down by nagging line and length, Byrom and Northeast eventually broke the shackles, both heaving Taylor over the mid-wicket boundary rope as their alliance raised 50 in 49 balls.Gloucestershire engineered an opportunity with the advent of Ollie Price’s off-breaks, Northeast hitting to deep midwicket on 19. Although Zaman Akhter took the catch, his momentum carried him over the boundary and the batter enjoyed a fortuitous escape. There were no such issues for Byrom, who moved smoothly to a 46-ball half-century with his seventh four, a fluent straight drive off Craig Miles.The hundred partnership occupied 16.4 overs as Gloucestershire’s seamers struggled to contain the second-wicket pair, who were further aided by some uncharacteristically loose fielding from the Group A leaders. Making good his earlier escape, Northeast posted 50 from 57 balls, only to give van Buuren’s slow left arm the charge and be stumped by James Bracey immediately afterwards with the score 135 for 2.This was the breakthrough Gloucestershire had been wanting and experienced allrounder van Buuren then removed the in-form Kiran Carlson for nine in his next over, Glamorgan’s captain nicking behind as the visitors slipped to 151 for 3 at the halfway stage. Welsh ambition required Byrom to bat on and register a substantial score, but the Zimbabwe-born left-hander fell to a superb catch by Tommy Boorman on the deep square leg boundary as van Buuren struck another potentially crucial blow.Byrom had provided the innings with a solid platform but with the score 194 for 4 in the 35th, Gloucestershire felt they were back in the game, an impression confirmed when Will Smale edged a catch behind off the bowling of Matt Taylor and departed for 26.Just when Glamorgan looked as though they might fall short, Douthwaite launched a counter-attack, including four sixes and dominating a stand of 52 in 7.2 over for the sixth wicket with Zain-ul-Hassan before falling to the returning Shaw.Bracey afforded Gloucestershire’s chase a super-charged start, raising 34 from 25 balls in an opening stand of 43 in 5.3 overs with Bancroft. But Ned Leonard redressed the balance in his first over, taking two wickets in three balls to reduce the home side to 43 for 2. Bracey was caught at the wicket and then Price was out slashing at a delivery outside off stump, Northeast palming the ball into the air for Tribe to complete the dismissal at first slip.Bancroft and Charlesworth responded to adversity in positive fashion, finding the gaps and running hard between the wickets to add 50 in 10 overs and rebuild the innings without taking undue risk. Having contributed 37 to a stand of 72 for the third wicket, Charlesworth then lost concentration, lofting Carlson to wide long-off where Douthwaite took a superb catch on the run to reduce the home side to 115 for 3 in the 20th.Undeterred, Bancroft went to 50 from 59 balls and he and Jack Taylor advanced the score to 145 for 3 at halfway, at which point Gloucestershire were required to score a further 145 at 5.8 an over. The home side’s task was rendered more difficult when Taylor was deemed to have feathered a catch behind off the bowling of Harris in the 26th.Guiding the pursuit thereafter, Bancroft moved to his sixth career List-A hundred off 100 balls by lifting Andy Gorvin over the long-on boundary. He found an able ally in van Buuren, who proved especially strong off the back foot, scoring at a run a ball to ensure the rate stayed below six an over.Glamorgan lost wicketkeeper Alex Horton to a hand injury and he was replaced behind the stumps by Smale, but Gloucestershire’s fifth-wicket pair were already in control, combining deft placement with quick running to keep the scoreboard moving. Harris returned to pin van Buuren lbw for 36, but Boorman contributed a brisk 27 not out to an unbroken stand of 57 for the sixth wicket with Bancroft to calm any nerves and render the outcome a formality.

South Africa beat England and the rain to leave Cardiff 1-0 up

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Returning quicks close out soggy win after Markram, Brevis and Ferreira cameos

Firdose Moonda10-Sep-2025Don’t read too much into it, but South Africa took the lead in the three-match T20I series against England after winning a game initially reduced to nine overs a side by batting for 7.5 and then defending an adjusted five-over target.Wet conditions in Cardiff stalked the match throughout as play began two hours and 20 minutes after the scheduled 6.30pm start, and was then interrupted with seven balls remaining in South Africa’s innings.South Africa were on track for a total over 100 thanks to a top-score of 28 from captain Aiden Markram, who sold for R14 million (US$800,000 approx.) at Tuesday’s SA20 auction and hit two fours and two sixes in the 14 balls he faced. Markam shared in a 32-run second-wicket stand with Lhuan-dre Pretorius before Dewald Brevis and Donovan Ferreira put on 36 off 15 balls to form the spine of a competitive total.A heavy burst of rain ended South Africa’s innings prematurely and England were set a reduced target of 69 of 30 balls. With a required run rate of 13.8 an over, their task was always going to be tough but losing Phil Salt and Harry Brook for ducks made it even more difficult. Jos Buttler returned to the top of the order and scored 25 off 11 but needed support against South Africa’s top seamers to challenge for the result to go England’s way.

Wood proves his worth

England made a late change to include left-arm seamer Luke Wood in their XI in place of Jofra Archer, who was wrapped in cotton wool in wet conditions. Wood seized his opportunity: his second ball, and first to the left-handed Ryan Rickelton, swung away, Rickelton drove with no footwork and edged to Buttler for a golden duck.Luke Wood claimed Ryan Rickelton for a first-ball duck•AFP/Getty Images

Markram hit Wood over mid-off for the innings’ first boundary later in that over, then back over his head for six and over mid-on for four at the start of his second over but Wood came back well. Pretorius tried to hit over the leg side but miscued towards mid-off where Brook dived forward to take a stunning catch and Wood ended with 2 for 22.

Brevis justifies the big bucks

After breaking the SA20 pay record and selling for R16.5 million (approx US$944,000) a little over 24 hours ago, Brevis is expected to produce big things and he delivered. When Liam Dawson was brought on in the fifth over, Brevis played the no-look six first up and then smashed a low full toss into the sightscreen for six more. He is a strong player of spin and dispatched Adil Rashid too, over midwicket for his third six.But when Sam Curran was brought on, to bowl his first international spell of the year, he foxed Brevis with an ultra-slow slower ball that Brevis played too early and edged to third. Still, his cameo in partnership with Ferreira showed off his quality – and the reason Pretoria Capitals were willing to splash the cash.Dewald Brevis drills a six down the ground•AFP/Getty Images

Welcome back, South Africa’s strike bowlers

The wisdom of picking Kagiso Rabada, who sat out the ODIs in both England and Australia with ankle inflammation and will have a big role to play in upcoming tours to Pakistan and India, and Marco Jansen, who has not played for almost three months, could have been questioned but both seemed keen to be back.Rabada’s first ball back was full to Phil Salt, who picked out Kwena Maphaka at deep backward square with precision. Rabada barely had time to celebrate his early strike before Buttler hit his fourth and fifth balls, both pace-off, for four and then six to close out the over strongly.Jansen beat Jacob Bethell to start but was then dispatched over midwicket for six before he had him caught at cover. After Brook missed a coupe, Jansen then found extra bounce to beat his uppercut and ended with a slower ball. He bowled a second over, mixed up his pace well and ended with the wicket of Buttler, caught off the inside edge, to end the game as a contest.South Africa were without Lungi Ngidi, ruled out of the series with a hamstring strain sustained at training on Tuesday, and Keshav Maharaj, who tweaked his groin during the warm-ups. Nandre Burger will replace Ngidi – who is due to fly home on Thursday – and will join up with the squad ahead of Friday’s second T20I in Manchester.

Australia U-19 star Harjas Singh smashes triple century in 50-over grade game

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The left hander, who doesn’t hold a state contract, hit 35 sixes in a remarkable display in Sydney on Saturday

Andrew McGlashan04-Oct-2025Former Australia Under-19 batter Harjas Singh, who was part of the side that won the World Cup in South Africa last year, produced an extraordinary display in Sydney grade cricket on Saturday with 314 off 141 balls, including 35 sixes, for Western Suburbs.The phenomenal display from the left hander, who top-scored with 55 in the World Cup final against India, came against Sydney Cricket Club at Pratten Park. The next highest score in the innings was 37.For a little while there was a discrepancy with the online scoring available – perhaps Singh’s onslaught had created a meltdown – but his final tally was confirmed as placing him third on the all-time list in New South Wales Premier first grade history, behind Victor Trumper’s 335 in 1903 and Phil Jaques’ 321 in 2007.It is also comfortably the highest limited-overs score in first grade premier cricket anywhere in Australia.The match was available to follow on YouTube via a single-camera stream (it’s worth noting the current India A vs Australia A series isn’t available to watch) and there was a roar of delight from Singh when he brought up his triple century with a six off left-arm spinner Tom Mullen.

“Definitely that’s the cleanest ball-striking I’ve ever witnessed from myself, for sure,” Singh told after the match. “It’s something I’m quite proud of because I’ve worked in the off-season quite a bit on my power-hitting, and for it to come off today was quite special.”Singh had reached his century in the 35th over, from 74 balls, before making 214 from his next 67.In 2023, Singh made a century in a Test against England U-19s in Northampton. Many of Singh’s U-19 team-mates have gone into state cricket, including captain Hugh Weibgen who made his first-class debut for Queensland on Saturday, but Singh was overlooked for a NSW rookie contract.”I’ve missed out the last season or two, worrying about stuff outside my own game,” he said. “But I feel like I’ve brought myself to just worrying about what’s going on with my own game.”

In Focus: Permanent move to Villa makes perfect sense for Johnstone

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

As reported by The Daily Mirror, Aston Villa are interested in making on-loan goalkeeper Sam Johnstone a permanent fixture at Villa Park in January.

What’s the story?

Johnstone has impressed at the Villans since joining on loan from Manchester United in January and this season already has helped the club keep five clean sheets in the Championship.

Now manager Steve Bruce wants to tie him down as number one at the club for the next few years and is eyeing a January move for the 24-year-old.

As quoted by The Mirror, Bruce said:

It would be great to keep him here for the next few years as Villa’s number one. I will need to ask the question. The ideal move for us would be to buy him in January. You’ve seen it, a young goalkeeper coming in and getting better with every game he plays.

It’s clear then that the club are massively interested in the Man United man, but is this the right career move for Johnstone himself?

Johnstone’s future

Now well into his twenties, what Johnstone needs most is regular first-team football and moving away from Manchester United is by far is best opportunity for that. David De Gea, as one of the world’s best goalkeepers, is always going to be first-choice at Old Trafford and the Villa star can do little to change that.

A move to another Premier League club so early could also be detrimental. He still has plenty of learning to do and cutting his teeth in the Championship is doing him no harm at all.

Villa have ambitions to get back into the top-flight and if Johnstone commits to the club it could be perfect for all parties in the years to come.

In the short-term, Villa Park appears to be a fantastic home for the goalkeeper and if the club can get the deal done, he should have no hesitation in signing up.

Three tactical changes Liverpool must make v Man United

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Thankfully after yet another dreadfully boring international break the Premier League returns, and its easy to see what the stand out match this weekend is.

On Saturday evening Liverpool travel to fierce rivals Manchester United and manager Brendan Rodgers will be looking to bounce back from a humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to West Ham last time out.

Before that game Liverpool had made a bright start to the season picking up seven points from their first three games.

If the Reds are to qualify for the Champions League this season they will need to take points off the teams around them, especially fellow top four rivals Man United.

So here are three tactical tweaks Liverpool need to make if they’re to have any chance of leaving Old Trafford with something on Saturday…

Start Sakho instead of Lovren

Lets face it, Dejan Lovren’s Liverpool career has been a disaster. The centre back has struggled to even look half the player he was during his time at Southampton.

Rodgers has surprisingly kept faith in the Croatian during the early stages of this season, instead of Mamadou Sakho.

Lovren had a howler against West Ham, and his awful attempt at defending led to their second goal.

It is great to see the Liverpool boss show so much faith in one of his signings, but enough has to be enough. Sakho has to be brought in to face the Red Devils.

The French international is certainly the more solid option. He is a big physical presence, who is strong in the tackle and although he looks incredibly awkward on the ball, he rarely gives it away, sticking to simple passes.

Alongside Skrtel he would provide a strong pairing that will breed confidence into the rest of the team, in particular full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez, who will feel they can press forward in support of the attack knowing the defence is covered.

Bring in Ings to replace Coutinho

Unfortunately for the Reds they head into this important match without their best player Coutinho, who is suspended following a some what controversial red card against the Hammers.

The Brazilian magician is the focus point of every good move Liverpool make. He has the ability to create something out of nothing and will be a massive loss for the Reds.

There are several candidates to fill the void, including the likes of Jordon Ibe, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana. However, the man to bring in should be Danny Ings.

This game has a habit of turning into a feisty encounter and Ings would be more suited to the physical battle. He would bring pace, intelligence and the desire to get amongst it to the attack.

The former Burnley man is constantly on the move and always looks to make runs off the shoulders of the defenders.

He would take some of the goalscoring pressure off Christian Benteke and would be the perfect man to feed off the Belgian’s flicks.

Use Can alongside Milner and Henderson

Despite the loss of Steven Gerrard in the summer, the Reds midfield is still their strongest area, with the likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Emre Can, Lucas and Joe Allen all fighting for those central spaces.

Henderson and Milner are the two guaranteed options from that list, but it is clear Rodgers is still undecided as to who will fill that final space with Lucas and Can sharing the minutes so far.

Whilst Lucas is the perfect holding midfielder, Emre Can should be given the role for the Man United game.

Can is a remarkable talent considering his young age. He gives Liverpool the potential to change tactics to suit each match with the German international comfortable in all aspects of the game.

The 21-year-old is incredible at winning the ball back and has won the most tackles out of all the players in the Premier League during this calendar year.

However, it is his ability to move forward with the ball that makes him the more suited option for that midfield spot. Can loves bombing forward at speed when in possession of the ball and would be a great weapon for the away side to have in their armoury.

Five players Newcastle should look to sign this January as relegation looms

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

The mutterings of discontent around Newcastle are growing louder (again).

Even after several encouraging performances and their first win of the season, when they hammered Norwich 6-2, one still does not get the feeling that all was well on Tyneside. This was confirmed by another miserable derby day against arch-rivals Sunderland, when they lost 3-0 having produced a performance that on plenty of other days could have seen the score reversed.

A forgettable 0-0 draw against Stoke did little to raise spirits thereafter around St James’ Park, and the consensus at the moment seems to be that the current squad is simply not good enough. With plenty of foreign imports being brought in over the last few years, the suspicion amongst some fans is that they lack the necessary Premier League experience and do not have proven credentials at this level.

With that in mind, here are a few players who Steve McClaren might be inclined to look at over the January transfer window…..

CHARLIE AUSTIN

A fairly obvious one. Austin was reputedly wanted by at least four Premier League clubs as the summer transfer window drew to a close, but for reasons unknown decided to stay put at Loftus Road. If that was down to thinking that his goals would send QPR soaring into a promotion spot, he was mistaken as Rangers lie 13th currently, with only two wins in their last 10 games. Fast, powerful, adept at scoring goals from all areas and a man who gets involved in build-up play more often than you’d think, Austin would surely be happy to move to a Premier League club this time, and Newcastle would dearly love another proven goalscorer in their ranks.

LEWIS DUNK

Heavily linked with Newcastle in the summer, the gangly, but elegant, Brighton central defender has this year been part of a backline that has been resolute and extremely well-organised. A standout performer for the Seagulls last year as well, Dunk could help to tighten up a defence that has been alarmingly leaky this season, looking all at sea in some games. He would presumably jump at the chance to move up a league, and although he might cost a fair bit, it would be a worthwhile investment for a player who could be at the heart of Newcastles back line for many years to come.

CHRIS MARTIN

Another proven goalscorer in the Championship who would relish the chance to ply his trade at a higher level, Martin has been one of the second tier’s most feared strikers for a few years now. An accomplished finisher, the Scotland international can score all sorts of goals; headers, tap ins, hits from outside the area, you name it. He is also extremely adept at hold up play, which is a role he is beginning to be utilised for with the national team. Definitely would not a cheap signing, but would doubtless return the investment with plenty of goals at this level.

JOHN OBI MIKEL

Hear me out with this one. Newcastle this season have looked as if their midfielders cannot offer their defence adequate protection, resulting in a goals against column that McClaren will not be happy with at all. Mikel may be slightly one-dimensional, but that may just be the dimension that Newcastle need at the moment. A capable sitting midfielder who can protect the back four by breaking up play, tackling and intercepting, as well as providing a vital link between defence and midfield, Mikel could be just the sort of player that the Toon need. Since he’s currently a bit-part player at Stamford Bridge, there’s always the chance that Mourinho would be happy to let him go, perhaps on loan.

TOM HUDDLESTONE

Another midfielder, but of a completely different ilk, Huddlestone is an extremely technically accomplished ball player who can dictate the tempo of an entire game. He can score goals, hit long range passes and run the game, and is considered to be too much of a talent to be currently playing at Championship level for Hull City. While they are currently front-runners in the second tier, one gets the impression that Huddleston would be only too happy to get the chance to move to a big Premier League club, which Newcastle certainly are. He would be ideal as a playmaker for them, adding a bit more guile to a side that has seemed somewhat short of that this season.

Fantasy Football Bandwagon: Arsenal man the perfect Payet replacement

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Hello internet, welcome back to our weekly coverage (except during the frustrating international breaks) of the Fantasy Premier League world, starting with an analysis of the current trends and bandwagons.

Our weekends are truly not the same when you don’t have the opportunity to check your phone and take a peek at the ongoing league games, meaning you end up needing to socialize and pretend like there is more to life than football.

But with that harsh period of time over, we can focus on which players should be brought in or sold ahead of Gameweek 13!

And the transfers you make this week could have a huge impact on your season, because next month there is a hectic set of December fixtures making line-ups unpredictable and erratic.

It could be wise to look ahead and bring in players in the long-run rather than on a short term basis, giving you the opportunity to save your free transfers for important changes.

Without further ado, let’s look at the Fantasy Football Bandwagons and whether you should BUY, SELL, or HOLD?

Mesut Ozil

The most transferred player this week is Arsenal star Mesut Ozil (8.9), proving that you don’t have to be a goal threat to be a Fantasy Football force.

The German may have only scored one goal this season, but Ozil has had no less than EIGHT assists in his last six games, making him the ideal player for Arsenal cover ahead of some enticing fixtures.

The Gunners face West Brom (Away), Norwich (Away), Sunderland (Home), and Aston Villa (Away) in their next four, giving amble opportunity for Ozil to rack in the points on a consistent basis.

Verdict: BUY

Dimitri Payet

Dimitri Payet (8.1) is one of the candidates to win the best transfer of the season, but sadly the France international picked up an injury in his last game against Everton and is set to be sidelined for three months.

Rightly so, Payet has been the most transferred out player (380,000 at the time of writing) ahead of Gameweek 13, and if you have him it’s a no brainer to switch him for someone else. The earlier mentioned Mesut Ozil maybe?

Verdict: Sell. Obviously.

Romelu Lukaku

If there is one forward you should own right now, it is Everton’s Romelu Lukaku (8.6), and the number of transferred in (116,000 at the time of writing) prove so.

The Toffees go on an incredible enticing run of games which feature Aston Villa (Home), Bournemouth (Away), Crystal Palace (Home), Norwich (Away), Leicester (Home), Newcastle (Away), and Stoke (Home) in their next seven… and Lukaku will be expected to be in and amongst the goals after scoring two goals and supplying two assists the last two games.

Verdict: BUY… or at least have either Ross Barkley (6.8) or Gerard Deulofeu (6.2) in your midfield.

Graziano Pelle

Only four gameweeks ago, Graziano Pelle (8.5) was one of the most transferred in players after his one goal and two assists against Chelsea, but now is being heavily transferred out (60,000 at the time of writing) ahead of gameweek 13.

With games against Stoke (Home), Aston Villa (Home), and Crystal Palace (Away) in the next four, only a daunting trip to Manchester City in Gameweek 14 looks like a real tricky fixture.

Verdict: We would advise you hold on to the Italian stallion for now, unless his goals really dry up in those aforementioned games.

Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho (8.2) has undoubtedly been Liverpool’s best Fantasy Football asset since the arrival of Jurgen Klopp, with the Brazilian scoring three goals in his last two games and has been transferred in by no less that 91,000 (at the time of writing).

However, the Reds face league leaders Manchester City at the Etihad this weekend, which could prove a tough task for Coutinho to get in amongst the points.

After that though, Liverpool have a good run of fixtures with Swansea (Home), Newcastle (Away), West Brom (Home), Watford (Away), Leicester (Home, and Sunderland (Away) until the New Year.

Verdict: Bring him in after the City clash.

Three Slovakia stars England and Wales must fear at Euro 2016

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Euro 2016 became all the more real after last weekend’s draw for the group stages in Paris.

The home nations who qualified for the tournament learned their fate, with England play Wales in Lens on June 16. The other two teams in the group however will be hoping to throw a cat amongst the pigeons and make it through to the last 16.

Here we take a look at the Slovakia’s main men who will be a danger to the home nations come the summer.

Marek Hamsik

There is no doubting that Hamsik is Slovakia’s star man. The midfielder is one of those players whose chances to play at a major tournament have always been limited due to his nationality but is without doubt top class.

He found his way from Slovan Bratislava to Serie A at the age of just 17 and his reputation has been growing in Italy ever since.

He now vice captain for the national side but skippers the Napoli outfit that have become such a formidable force both domestically and in Europe of late.

The 28 year old provides an almost endless supply of box to box energy at the heart of the Slovakia team and loves to arrive late into the penalty area; a habit which saw him bag 5 goals in qualifying.

Consistency is another of his key attributes as approaches 80 goals in 300 Napoli appearances. Hamsik has regularly been linked with a move to the Premier League and he would have all the qualities to adjust should he ever choose to move.

Technically outstanding, a strong runner and two footed, his opponents in France will need to be on their guard.

Robert Mak

Mak was a youngster with Slovan Bratislava in his own country before joining the academy at Manchester City.

The young winger however failed to make the grade and was released in 2010. He made his professional debut in Germany for FC Nuremburg and now plays for PAOK in Greece where he is quickly becoming a star man.

Mak is a pacy wide man with an eye for goal which he demonstrated with a brace against Iceland last month. His speed and clinical nature were crucial to Slovakia during the qualifying and are likely to be key again come June, when his side will most likely set up to play on the counter attack.

While the flank is his natural territory Mak is also an intelligent player capable of operating behind the front man. He will be keen to show what he can do after his Premier League career failed to materialise.

Robert Vittek

Vittek’s place in the Slovakia side is slightly less assured than it used to be but the forward is sure to feature in France due to his experience.

The attacker has become somewhat of a journeyman in European football having played in  France, Germany and Turkey as well as his own country.

Currently back at Slovan Bratislava, he is vastly experienced as an international and is the man who scored Slovakia’s first-ever World Cup goal back in South Africa 2010.

He went on to score four in total at that World Cup and is sure to have set his sights on a similar impact at this summer’s tournament.

Now 33, Vittek is nearing the end of his career and would love to go out with a bang from the International game. He is his country’s all time top scorer and remains a physically imposing forward.

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