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Sunderland are back on the road again this weekend, with an away clash against Cambridge United next up for Lee Johnson’s side after drawing 1-1 against Shrewsbury Town in midweek.

On the chalkboard

In terms of which players the Black Cats boss could choose to start at the Abbey Stadium, one man who featured in the majority of the game against Shrewsbury but should not be in the starting XI on this occasion is Aiden O’Brien.

After being an unused substitute for their 2-0 win over Ipswich Town, the 28-year-old failed to take his chance to impress Johnson in midweek and stake his claim for a place in the team this weekend.

Before being replaced by Corry Evans in the 62nd minute against the Shrews, O’Brien failed to prove himself as a useful attacking or defensive figure in the team.

Labelled by Johnson in the past as a “difficult” player to defend against, the winger failed to have even one clear shot at goal or attempt one cross or long ball on Tuesday, and he only completed one of the four dribble attempts that he made, as per SofaScore.

O’Brien, who is currently earning a wage of £6.5k-per-week according to Salary Sport, didn’t have much of an impact on the defensive side of things either, winning just one of his six duels and failing to make even one tackle or interception.

This performance earned the winger an uninspiring overall match rating of 6.3/10, making him the lowest-rated Sunderland starter on the night according to SofaScore, suggesting that he held the team back in terms of finding a win.

Furthermore, O’Brien has only scored one goal in his 10 league games so far this season, showing that he hasn’t been a consistent attacking outlet for Johnson to rely upon.

With all this in mind, perhaps taking the 28-year-old out of the team would be the best way for Sunderland to secure the three points this time against an off-form Cambridge side with just one win in their last six matches.

In other news: KLD can solve Johnson’s latest crisis by signing “phenomenal” £450k-rated beast

With Ralf Rangnick’s appointment as Manchester United’s new interim manager confirmed, a new era has begun at the Theatre of Dreams, and it’s one that could alter several ingrained perceptions.

Former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deserves a huge amount of credit for the good work he oversaw during his two-and-a-half-year reign, but there’s no doubt that a change was needed.

The Norwegian’s tenure had become sour in the final months of his reign as things began to unfold at unprecedented speed.

His preference for allowing individuals the freedom to express themselves and showcase their talent without the constraints of a set system could only take United so far and ultimately became exposed.

And Solskjaer’s style and lack of specific instructions also left certain players vulnerable and susceptible to criticism from frustrated onlookers.

While creative talents such as Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood thrived, less technically gifted stars such as Fred often looked like square pegs in round holes.

At times, it was hard to pinpoint what sort of player the Brazil international actually was.

Not physically imposing enough to be a true box-to-box player, not defensively astute enough to be a sole No.6 and lacking the imagination and ability to be an attack-minded playmaker.

However, the 28-year-old appears to have a certain set of skills that should make him the ideal fit for Rangnick’s famous Gegenpressing system, making his once mocked £52m price tag look like a dream deal for United.

Rangnick’s high-intensity, counter-pressing system revolves around winning the ball back high up the pitch, taking a shot within ten seconds of regaining possession and always attacking vertically.

It requires a set of players capable of carrying out the extensive physical workload placed upon them, but with the footballing IQ to match.

“Our idea is clear, it’s very, very similar to my coaching friend Jurgen Klopp,” Rangnick told the Coaches’ Voice YouTube channel (as relayed by inews). “Our Red Bull football is heavy metal, rock and roll, it’s not a slow waltz. We hate square passes, back passes, just having the ball ourselves doesn’t make sense.”

And when assessing Fred’s underlying numbers, it’s clear that the South American – who was once described as “outstanding” by MUTV pundit Ben Thornley – could turn into Rangnick’s main man during their time together in the red half of Manchester.

As per FBref.com, no player with over 270 minutes of top-flight action has bettered his total of 26.2 successful pressures per 90 this season, while he also ranks second for tackles won (2.23) and fourth for progressive passes (4.36).

With a new set of principles introduced for players to be judged on, Rangnick’s arrival could see Fred’s position in this United side transformed over the coming months, transforming his status as the much-maligned scapegoat into an undroppable pillar for the ‘Godfather of German coaching’ to build around.

And, in other news…MUFC can get rocking again with “absolutely exceptional” £33m gem who Rangnick loves

Ireland, Scotland, USA and Afghanistan all warmed up for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers with victories

Cricinfo staff07-Feb-2010Left-arm spinner George Dockrell made a strong case for a place in the Ireland starting XI with 4 for 20 to help secure an 11-run victory against Canada at Sharjah. In a low-scoring match Ireland prevailed thanks to the efforts of Dockrell and Alex Cusack as the pair shared seven wickets in a successful defence of 138. Canada made a positive start to the chase and reached 53 for 1 in the seventh over before Dockrell claimed the key scalp of John Davison and from there the innings fell away. Ireland’s batsmen had also struggled after a brisk opening stand between William Porterfield and Niall O’Brien and it needed Kevin O’Brein’s sensible 28 from 23 balls to steer them to a defendable total.Scotland continued their preparations with a 16-run win against Kenya at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium with Gavin Hamilton hitting a valuable 58 from 51 balls to lift his side to a competitive 149 for 6. However, the important late impetus came from Richie Berrington who clubbed 18 off six balls alongside Jan Stander’s five-ball 14 as the last two overs brought 33 runs. Berrington then starred with the ball, too, by claiming 3 for 17 from his four overs after Kenya had made a rapid start to the chase. Steve Tikolo raced to 25 as Kenya scored at more than 10-an-over, but Majid Haq’s introduction changed the game when he had Tikolo caught behind. Haq claimed two further wickets later on in an impressive performance while Kyle Coetzer also played a key role with 2 for 21.Timroy Allen hit an unbeaten 57 off 26 balls to give USA a timely boost as he carried the team to a one-wicket, final-over victory against hosts UAE at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. USA appeared to heading for defeat as they slumped to 119 for 9 chasing 142 with 16 balls remaining, but Allen dominated the scoring as No. 11 Imran Awan hung in for 1 off four deliveries and in the end USA won with four balls to spare. However, the effort of USA’s top order will be a concern heading into the qualifying tournament as will the three run outs in the middle order. Three wickets apiece for Awan and Lennox Cush restricted UAE as they were bowled out with one ball remaining. Saqib Ali top-scored with 47 off 43 balls.Afghanistan brushed aside an Emirates Islamic Bank Invitation XI by 39 runs at Sharjah after an electrifying opening stand of 72 in seven overs between captain Nowroz Mangal and Asghar Stanikzai. Mangal dominated the scoring with a powerful 55 from 26 balls which included five fours and four sixes while Stanikzai also managed three sixes before retiring. Mohammad Shahzad (27 off 15) and Raees Ahmadzai (26 off 11) provided the middle-order punch as they added 53 in four overs as Afghanistan reached an imposing 190 for 9. The Invitation XI made a decent fist of the chase as Faizan Asif launched three sixes, but the rate was always out of reach. Khurram Shehzad narrowed the margin of defeat with a well made 61 as seven Afghanistan bowlers were given their chance with Mohammad Nabi the most impressive.

Brad Hodge steered Victoria into the FR Cup final

Peter English20-Feb-2010Victoria 4 for 325 (Hodge 136*, Finch 61) beat Queensland 300 (Carseldine 105, Reardon 72, Hartley 70, McDonald 4-50) by 25 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsBrad Hodge raised his 16th one-day domestic century in Australia as he helped Victoria reach the decider•Getty ImagesVictoria were missing four of their best players to international duty but despite a big scare it didn’t matter because they still had Brad Hodge to steer them into the FR Cup final. When Hodge is focused he can cover any hole in the batting order and his unbeaten 136 off 118 deliveries sped the Bushrangers to 4 for 325, a total which stayed just out of reach of Queensland.Lee Carseldine and Nathan Reardon led a brave chase but the hosts lost 8 for 35 at the end to hand the game to the Bushrangers. Carseldine guided the two-paced pursuit with 105 off 98 while Reardon provided extreme power with five sixes in his 72 from 42.The Bushrangers, who already own the Twenty20 trophy, get their next chance for another major prize when they host Tasmania in the final on February 28. No other teams could cope without their equivalents of Cameron White, David Hussey, Dirk Nannes and Clint McKay, who are on Australia duty, but Victoria own a Hodge. He carried the batting and while he could not cover the bowling as well, the deficiencies in the attack were overcome by the huge total.During the innings Hodge passed Jimmy Maher to become the leading run-scorer in the domestic competition, eventually finishing on 4711 as he taught his team-mates and handed out lessons to Queensland’s young bowlers. He moved calmly to his half-century, which landed in 61 balls shortly after he eased Chris Simpson for six over long-off. Hodge threatened to swing himself off the rails briefly in the lead-up to his hundred before refocusing and punishing in the 16th domestic one-day century of his home career.Ben Cutting, the promising fast bowler, was pulled for four and then sliced over cover off the back foot during the batting Powerplay, while Alister McDermott was savaged at the end. Hodge charged at McDermott, who dropped in a reasonable short ball, but the batsman swayed back and hooked a six to square leg.In the second last over Hodge reverse-glanced McDermott for four through the vacant third slip area and crunched his final six behind square in another powerful swipe. The three clearances sat alongside 10 fours and a host of ugly bowling figures.McDermott, the 18-year-old swing bowler, went for 81 off his 10 overs, Ben Laughlin gave up 71 and Cutting was taken for 66. Victoria were soon motoring at the start of the innings, with Aiden Blizzard (33) and Chris Rogers (46) providing a strong start before Hodge grabbed control.Aaron Finch’s 61 off 57 deliveries, with two sixes, helped the acceleration in a 126-run stand with Hodge at more than a run a ball. When the late blasts of John Hastings (22) and Andrew McDonald (13) came the game already seemed to be Victoria’s.Queensland started strangely and slowly in the chase, desperately trying not to lose wickets and not bothering about a build-up of dot balls. Ryan Broad, who was lbw to a Darren Pattinson off-cutter, stayed 30 deliveries for his 12 while Chris Hartley’s half-century took 82. Just as Hartley started to take off he was caught-and-bowled by Pattinson after toe-ending an attempted pull on 70.That was the signal for the Bulls to start charging and Carseldine and Reardon put on 130 at more than nine an over to give Queensland hope. Carseldine showed his strength from the 30th over onwards, when the Bulls needed to score at 10 an over, and with Reardon it was a comfortable prospect. They took 52 from the batting Powerplay and then struck 19 off six Bryce McGain deliveries to frighten the visitors.Andrew McDonald, the captain, struck back when he bowled Carseldine in the 44th over and in the next over Reardon holed out to long-on off McGain. Craig Philipson slipped two balls later to McGain and despite some rapid bursts from Chris Lynn (11) and Simpson (20) the hosts fell 26 short of their target.McDonald cleaned up with 4 for 50 in a composed performance at the death while McGain’s 2 for 81 came off eight overs. Pattinson was impressive with 3 for 45, collecting the final wicket when Simpson heaved to long-on.

Rumoured Crystal Palace transfer target Sven Botman is wanted by Newcastle United in the January transfer window, according to the reliable David Ornstein.

The Lowdown: Botman a target for Palace

Back in the summer, the Eagles (Sky Sports) showed a keen interest in signing the Lille centre-back but he ended up staying put in France.

2020/21 title-winner Botman has continued to be a key man for the Ligue 1 champions, making 10 league starts and appearing twice in the Champions League this season.

Wolves have recently been showing an interest in him, too, as Premier League clubs seemingly all circle for his signature.

The Latest: Fierce competition for Eagles

On Monday, The Athletic‘s Ornstein confirmed that Newcastle are now eyeing up a January move for Botman, who has been described as ‘incredible’ by Ligue 1 journalist Robin Bairner.

Lille are desperate to hold onto the Netherlands international, preferring to lose him in the summer if he has to go.

The Verdict: Magpies the likely destination?

Newcastle’s recent takeover has seen them acquire unrivalled levels of wealth, which arguably puts them in pole position to snap up Botman.

The money that the Magpies may be able to promise the 21-year-old could blow Palace out of the water, meaning Patrick Vieira could well have to look at other options.

Should a move to Selhurst Park still appeal to Botman, however, he could be welcomed with open arms, considering he has averaged 3.5 and 4.7 clearances per game in the Champions League and Ligue 1 this season, respectively.

Joel Ward (3.3) has the highest tally for Palace in the Premier League in 2021/22, highlighting the impact Botman could potentially have as the third option in the heart of defence alongside the promising partnership of Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen.

In other news, some Palace fans slammed one player’s performance against Manchester United. Find out who it is here.

Rangers have been linked with a few players going into the January transfer window, but one of the club’s prime targets may have been written off for a move to Ibrox.

What’s the story?

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has made clear his stance about the current situation on John Souttar’s immediate future at the club. Speaking to Sky Sports about the £3.1k-p/w defender, the Jan Tarts manager said: “From our perspective he’s got a contract until the end of the season, and unless we get a bid we can’t refuse he will be here until at least the end of the season.

‘The owner and Joe Savage have been speaking to him and we feel we have put together a very good contract for him so it’s just negotiating that now.

“If he does decide to leave, it will take a huge bid in January or he will see out his contract and everyone will leave happy.”

Should GVB pursue Souttar?

Van Bronckhorst already has competition when it comes to securing the signature of Souttar, with nine English Championship clubs reportedly interested in the centre-back also.

When it comes to players running down their contracts, usually this encourages clubs to sell their out-of-contract players at a cut-price fee to cash in before they leave on a free a few months later. However, in this scenario it appears that Neilson has made it very clear that a large amount of money would need to be offered for the club to let the defender go before his contract his up, which will be frustrating for Rangers.

Van Bronckhorst has intimated that he would welcome some reinforcements in defence, and Souttar looks to be the perfect suitor to fit the club’s needs moving forward, but whether the Gers will be willing to pay over the odds for the Hearts defender remains to be seen.

Despite being a centre-back, the 25-year-old has three goals already for Hearts this season, proving that he is in fine form and possibly in a strong position to get a move in the January transfer window before his contract ends at Tynecastle in the summer.

However, Neilson’s firm comments indicate that Souttar is not likely to be leaving any time soon, which is sure to frustrate the Ibrox faithful who may have been eager to see him coming to the Scottish champions.

In other news: Van Bronckhorst must secure the signature of this transfer target

Will Smith, the Durham captain, believes his side have the belief to complete a hat-trick of Championship titles this season and are on the brink of a golden generation for the club

Andrew McGlashan22-Mar-2010Will Smith, the Durham captain, believes his side have the belief to complete a hat-trick of Championship titles this season and are on the brink of a golden generation for the club. The county were streets ahead of the competition last year as they defended their 2008 crown with time to spare and they are now stepping up their preparations for this year’s competition.They key reason why Durham were so far ahead of the chasing pack was down to their potent bowling attack, spearhead by Steve Harmison but also including Graham Onions before his England call-up, Liam Plunkett, Mark Davies and Callum Thorp with a vital contribution from Ian Blackwell’s left-arm spin.”In some respects we are still a developing team and the next three or four years could be a golden era,” Smith told Cricinfo. “The hat-trick is certainly achievable but we aren’t going to be arrogant about it just because we’ve won it the last two years. We respect the amount of work we had to put in to achieve those success and we’ll be doing the same things again.”Durham hoped to be boosted by having Onions available for the start of the campaign as he aims to prove his fitness after leaving the Bangladesh tour with a back problem, but this now appears unlikely, while Plunkett will be eager to prove himself again after a winter spent carrying drinks. It leaves them with a fearsome pace attack to take advantage of early-season conditions.Although Smith would have been delighted to unleash Onions on some green pitches, he hopes his team-mate is soon back in the England set-up. “When he did play I don’t think he did a great deal wrong and was unlucky not to play the last Test in South Africa and he has done himself proud this winter,” he said. “The more we see him the better for us, of course, but for Graham’s career I would love to see him playing for England as much as he can.”Then there is Harmison. Having indicated to the selectors that he wouldn’t be available for next winter’s Ashes he was overlooked for the recent tours of South Africa and Bangladesh after playing in the deciding Test against Australia, at The Oval, in August. However, during the last few months has come out and said he would relish a final crack at the Australians if the chance came along.Andy Flower is unlikely to turn back to Harmison, but if he repeats his county form of last year he will be back in the headlines – especially if England struggle to bowl teams out during the summer. Regardless, though, of his international situation he remains a formidable prospect on the domestic scene and a player Smith has huge respect for.”Every time I see him he’s hungry for Durham and excited by what the team is doing. There are a crop of youngsters coming through and I think that will give him an extra spur to elongate his career, be it for Durham or England,” Smith said. “He really wants to be part of further success. He’s a phenomenal bowler and a genuine good guy as well. I know he has Simon Brown’s Durham wicket-taking record in his sights and that will take him a few more years. If he breaks that we’ll have had a good couple of years I’m sure.”Before Smith’s attack is let loose in the Championship their pre-season takes an unusual twist next week when they play MCC, in Abu Dhabi, under floodlights and using pink balls as the trial continues into day/night first-class cricket.Although conditions will be a far cry from those Durham will encounter in their opening game against Essex on April 15, Smith is pleased to be getting some competitive action in good weather. “Abu Dhabi will give us better preparation than we would have had with two weeks in England at this time of year,” he said before the team flew out.He is also keeping an opening mind about the use of pink balls and said the team hadn’t got much further than looking at a box of balls before leaving for the desert. “I haven’t had any experience of it, but we’ve seen them,” he said. “I’m not sure if they’ve decided which make to use yet – they showed us Duke and Kookaburra – so we don’t really know which one it will be. Once we get out there we’ll practice with them and see how they behave under lights.”He also believes the four-day game at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium will give officials a better idea of the long-term prospects of using the balls in the longer format.”I’m leaving myself open to the debate at the moment and see how this next week goes in Abu Dhabi then we’ll know a hell of a lot more,” he said. “I’m sure that’s what the MCC are hoping will be the case. I don’t know how soon they are hoping to implement it elsewhere if this trip is successful, but we can’t really make an informed opinion until we see how it works. This game is an ideal chance for that and we’ll have to adapt well to the conditions.”

We are now just days away from potentially seeing the true financial might of Newcastle’s new owners with the January transfer window on the verge of opening.

However, before that, Eddie Howe will have to negotiate a tough test against another Premier League side who have a new manager in Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United.

On the chalkboard

It will have been eight days since the Magpies last played which has presented them with an incredibly rare opportunity for the players to have a break during the festive season.

It was much-needed too, especially after the Toon were beaten horrendously by a rampant Manchester City team who put four past Martin Dubravka last time out.

The game started in the worst possible way for Howe’s side as dreadful defending saw City score a simple opener.

Joao Cancelo knocked the ball back from the byline line and instead of heading clear, Ciaran Clark ducked under the ball which meant a simple tap in for Ruben Dias who was left unmarked just yards from goal.

It was a truly unforgivable mistake from the centre-half and one that was slammed by club legend Alan Shearer.

The former striker said of Newcastle and Clark’s defending:

“The way Newcastle defended, if it wasn’t my team I would say it was laughable, but it was anything but that.

“Then [the Clark mistake] happens. You wouldn’t see it in an under-10s game, this wouldn’t happen.”

For Shearer to essentially describe the Irishman as worse than an U10 speaks volumes but this isn’t the first time he’s let his side down at a crucial point.

Take the Norwich City game for example. Teemu Pukki rolled in behind and was clean through on goal but Clark brought him down in a cynical fashion and he was shown a red card.

It’s evident that Newcastle’s backline needs desperately improving.

Heading into Christmas, the Magpies had shipped more goals than any other team in the top-flight (41) and had one of the worst defensive records in the highest four divisions of English football. Only Morecambe and Peterborough United (44) had let in more strikes throughout the campaign than Howe’s men.

Clark has been a big reason for that and as a result, he simply has to be axed from the starting XI this evening against United.AND in other news, Downie reveals behind the scenes NUFC update “from Saudi Arabia”, fans surely livid…

Otago and Central Districts kept up the push for a spot in the finals by squeezing out tight wins in the seventh round

Cricinfo staff07-Mar-2010Otago and Central Districts kept up the push for a spot in the finals by squeezing out tight wins in the seventh round. Both sides are now tied on 26 points, ten behind leaders Northern Districts and six ahead of fourth-placed Canterbury.Central Districts’ wicketkeeper Bevan Griggs starred in their cliffhanger against Canterbury, slamming an unbeaten 51-ball 53 to power them to a one-wicket victory in New Plymouth with just two balls to spare. Adam Milne, the 17-year-old medium-pacer, had a debut to remember, holding his nerve to hit the winnings runs. The match looked to be heading for a draw after Mathew Sinclair fell for 76, leaving CD the big ask of 139 runs off the final 22 overs with six wickets in hand, but Griggs’ enterprising innings steered them to an improbable win.It had already been a topsy-turvy match, with Canterbury fighting back strongly from a first-innings deficit of 191 runs. They seemed to be hurtling to defeat when they slid to 94 for 4 in the second innings but a double-century from Shanan Stewart and 178 for Kruger van Wyk – the pair were involved in an unbroken 379-run sixth-wicket stand- propelled Canterbury to 551 for 5 dec, which ultimately didn’t prove enough to prevent defeat.Left-arm-spinner Nick Beard was Otago’s hero in their 24-run victory over Auckland at the University Oval, picking a career-best 6 for 107 to spark a late collapse – Auckland losing their final five wickets for 39 runs to stumble to defeat from a winning position. A 149-run opening stand between Jeet Raval and Tim McIntosh and a string of 30 from the middle-order took them to 294 for 5, only 66 away from victory, before Beard removed both set batsmen – Aaron Kitchen and Colin de Grandhomme – to snatch an unexpected win with five overs remaining.Otago had been in control for much of the match, after captain Craig Cummings’ 102 and an 86 from Sam Wells guided them to 387 in the first innings. McIntosh was among the runs in the first-innings as well, making 81, with Reece Young cracking an 80 before Auckland declared towards the end of the third day, despite being 149 behind. Otago motored along at nearly six an over in the second innings, Greg Todd’s 47-ball 66 being the highlight, before they declared on 208 to set Auckland a target of 358.

Part-time offspinner Chris Nash claimed career-best figures to help Sussex secure an opening County Championship win over Glamorgan by 201 runs on the final day in Cardiff

12-Apr-2010
ScorecardPart-time offspinner Chris Nash claimed career-best figures to help Sussex secure an opening County Championship win over Glamorgan by 201 runs on the final day in Cardiff.With Glamorgan offering some stubborn resistance from Ben Wright (57) and James Allenby (62), Nash was brought into the attack and suddenly hastened the Welsh county’s demise. He took two wickets from his first three balls and ended with figures of 4 for 12 from 9.3 overs. Sussex, who took 21 points from the contest to Glamorgan’s three, wrapped up victory 35 minutes before tea with 39 overs remaining.Glamorgan had resumed on 51 for 1 in their second innings, chasing an improbable 405 to win, and it took until only the seventh over for Corey Collymore to break through and have Michael Powell lbw. And 61 for 4 became 65 for 5 three overs later when nightwatchman Dean Cosker also went lbw – the 14th such dismissal in the match – to Luke Wright.But Sussex’s march to victory was held up for 30 overs either side of lunch as Wright and Allenby put up some impressive resistance. The sixth wicket added 113 runs with Wright reaching a positive half-century from 73 balls on the stroke of lunch.And with skipper Michael Yardy unable to get the breakthrough from his frontline attack, he turned to Nash. It proved to be an inspired bowling change as Nash broke the sixth-wicket pair immediately. First he had Wright caught at slip after the ball had deflected off the wicketkeeper’s gloves, and two balls later Mark Wallace chopped onto his stumps as Glamorgan went from 178 for 5 to 178 for 7.Amid the carnage Allenby survived at the other end to follow Wright to a half-century, which included eight fours, from 92 balls. But Allenby was again a helpless witness as Nash struck in his seventh over to have James Harris caught behind, before he himself fell victim to Monty Panesar who had him snaffled at short leg. Nash wrapped up the victory in the 84th over by having Chris Ashling caught behind.