Tag Futebol

He stuck to his strengths and took the game deep to put New Zealand 1-0 ahead

Vishal Dikshit25-Nov-20221:29

McClenaghan: Tom Latham, a leader in New Zealand’s batting line-up

New Zealand might have cruised to a seven-wicket win in the end by chasing down 307 in the opening ODI against India in Auckland, but it was only after 89 overs of the game that Tom Latham swung things in New Zealand’s favour with a game-changing over.Thirty-nine overs into the chase, the home team needed 91 runs from 66 balls with seven wickets left and India would have thought they still had a chance. But Latham tore into Shardul Thakur’s eighth over by hammering him for 25 runs with a six and four fours which reduced the equation to a very gettable 66 off 60.Related

• Electric Latham, calm Williamson give NZ win with lots to spare

• Williamson: Guptill will be missed but he has not retired

• Shikhar Dhawan: 'Being calm and compassionate allows me to lead well'

Without a lot of protection in the deep on the leg side, Thakur banged the first four balls into the pitch and they were all dispatched to different parts of the leg-side fence for a six followed by three fours. Thakur then pushed short fine leg to the rope and brought deep third into the circle, pitched one full outside off, and Latham steered this one for a boundary too, between backward point and short third, before reaching his century on the next ball, his 76th. Latham said he wasn’t premeditating those shots; he was only reacting to the balls and that’s how things unfolded.”I was just reacting to what was being bowled, it wasn’t a conscious effort to try to target that over,” Latham told the host broadcaster of that over against Thakur. “When it was slightly shorter, I was trying to use the pace and target those shorter boundaries and I was just trying to react and it paid off.”India captain Shikhar Dhawan also admitted they bowled “too short” to Latham and “that’s where he took the game away.” On a ground where the square boundaries were short and the straight boundaries even shorter, Latham was fed a lot of short balls and he targeted the area behind square the most, scoring as many as 95 off his 145 in the area, which included all his five sixes and 12 of his 19 fours.Latham has a prolific record against India, averaging over 65 – his best against any team with a minimum of five innings – with two centuries and five half-centuries. Before you ask Latham himself, ask the Wankhede crowd from five years ago that watched him and Ross Taylor stitch a partnership of 200 from 80 for 3 – very similar to Friday’s 88 for 3 – to chase down 281 comfortably in the end with six wickets in hand.ESPNcricinfo LtdThat night in 2017 was Latham’s first innings at No. 5 for New Zealand and he scored an unbeaten 103. He has since then become a mainstay in New Zealand’s middle order by accumulating 1723 runs while averaging over 43 and striking at 92.18. His unbeaten stand of 221 with Kane Williamson on Friday was also Latham’s third partnership of 200 or more in ODIs, a feat no other New Zealand batter has achieved.Latham said the duo aimed to keep the asking rate under eight an over, which they did successfully for most of the chase.”For me it was about trying and being busy and hit the ball in the gap and run hard and the asking rate was hanging around seven-eight an over and we said if we try and keep it below eight then we can give ourselves a chance at the back end,” Latham said. “There was a little bit of turn there from Washington [Sundar] and he bowled really nicely so it was about absorbing that pressure and when you get the scoring opportunity, just try and put them away. Obviously the deeper we took it, you can score quite quickly out here and that’s what we did.”

Watch India tour of New Zealand live on Prime Video from Nov 18 to 30.

Just like that sultry evening in Mumbai, Latham walked out in Auckland at 88 for 3 in the 20th over, he swept and reverse swept the spinners, pulled and flicked the quicks, and punished every error from the India bowling attack – which had only five options on Friday out of which two were making a debut – on his way to his seventh ODI century.”I’m not really sure where that came from,” Latham said of his knock. “Obviously being in the position when I came into bat, just try and absorb a little bit of pressure and take it deep on a ground with some unique dimensions, you can score quite quickly so [we] also managed to build a decent partnership and get across the line which is nice.”You do your scouting of your bowlers and I’ve played India a fair bit recently so I have the understanding of what their bowlers are trying to do to me, but also trying to stick to my strengths as well and just play the situations.”

Liverpool won the Premier League last season, and quite remarkably at that.

Over the past decade, the Reds have gone from bad to good to great to incredible, and it’s through the defining presumption of their brilliance under Jurgen Klopp that they have been expected to compete for the biggest honours each year.

But that changed when Arne Slot arrived last summer. This relative unknown had stepped into big old boots and was expected to drift away like flotsam. He couldn’t replace Klopp: didn’t Liverpool want Xabi Alonso, anyway?

Doubt is one of the first conditions any manager is forced to deal with in the Premier League, both from outside and within, but Slot knuckled down and thrived across his maiden year as the Anfield head coach, not just winning the top-flight title but blowing the competition out of the water.

And he did it with minimal transfer investment, which is quite a thing. However, that’s all changed this summer, and FSG are still keen on bolstering Slot’s squad before the market deadline in under two weeks.

Why Liverpool need a left winger

Should Liverpool complete a statement deal for Isak this summer, the impressive Hugo Ekitike would have a tough time starting invariably from number nine.

Both strikers are men of mobility, and some would say Ekitike’s pace and dynamism lend themselves to a role on the wing. But that is not his natural berth.

In this respect, Liverpool could do with some more depth to even out any wrinkles in Slot’s title-winning team; it’s a new season, and now Liverpool are title challengers just like the rest.

Slot must not ride the coattails of his own previous success, and must instead propose to FSG a plan to complete the Merseyside frontline, even with Federico Chiesa and the Reds in harmony over a role at Anfield across the year for the Italian.

Isak’s stature and track record within the European game demand his signature being a priority, but Liverpool need a left winger all the same, with Cody Gakpo the only senior option operating naturally from the berth.

Rio Ngumoha looks like a fantastic talent, but overburdening him this year could run counter to the hopes of him reaching his ceiling. If the stars align, sporting director Richard Hughes must sign an alternative.

Liverpool ready late bid for new winger

According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool remain interested in signing Lyon winger Malick Fofana this summer, having opened a line of communication with the French club when selling Tyler Morton to them at the start of August.

In fact, it’s felt that FSG’s desire to sign a left winger is separate from the bid for Isak, and that Liverpool are ‘ready’ to strike a late deal for Fofana, having scouted him across the transfer window.

Valued at around £43m, Fofana’s signature would be attainable following the sales of forwards like Diaz and Darwin Nunez, and he would arrive primed to rival Gakpo for a starting spot on the left flank.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

What Malick Fofana would bring to Liverpool

Gakpo proved on Friday evening that he’s more than just a goalscorer. Not that he needed to prove anything following a year of meteoric progress in Slot’s Liverpool system.

But the Dutchman has his detractors, with some clamouring for a new winger like Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, whose future is up in the air and who has been linked with a move to Liverpool across the summer.

However, Rodrygo would cost something in the region of £86m, and he’d expect to start every week. In a rising prospect like Fofana, Slot would not find that problem at his desk, but rather, would be able to work with an exciting talent who could operate in flux with Gakpo.

Fofana, 20, has enjoyed a rip-roaring start to life in French football, joining Lyon from Genk when he was only 18. Last season, he scored 11 goals and supplied six more assists across 41 matches in all competitions, of which only 23 were starts.

Hailed for his “explosive” style of play by analyst Ben Mattinson, Fofana ranks among the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe over the past year for goals scored and the top 3% for progressive carries per 90, with such data presented by FBref.

Looking at this data, we can see in Fofana a talented player looking to blend his high-speed running with a natural eye for goal, and in this way, he shares some of Gakpo’s strengths but could actually end up outstripping the Netherlands star.

Matches (starts)

29 (16)

35 (23)

Goals

5

10

Assists

4

4

Shots (on target)*

1.1 (0.5)

1.6 (0.7)

Big chances missed

4

6

Pass completion

84%

84%

Big chances created

6

11

Key passes*

0.9

1.1

Dribbles*

0.8

0.9

Tackles*

1.1

0.8

Duels won*

2.9

3.1

Though Gakpo is currently more clinical and more effective, it’s promising to note that the fleet-footed Fofana has already shown signs of prolific shooting and that he is equally crisp and effective on the ball.

Given the need for depth at Liverpool this season and beyond, should Slot hope to not just defend his Premier League title but claim further silverware too, adding a player like Fofana for a shrewd figure could be a fantastic move.

He would arrive on Merseyside without the weight of expectation that certain other transfer targets would bring, but the Lyon winger could still add much to the Redmen cause, and might even nail down a starting berth on the left wing in the coming years.

Wirtz will love him: Liverpool chasing "world-class" £86m Isak alternative

Liverpool have earmarked this European superstar as a potential signing before the end of the window.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 19, 2025

Legend-making traits shared by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been revealed by Danilo Pereira, who has played alongside both GOATs.

• Danilo a Portugal colleague of CR7
• Worked with Argentine icon at PSG
• Hard work carried greats to the top

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Portuguese midfielder Danilo has been an international team-mate of CR7, who is still going strong at 40 years of age. They are now domestic rivals in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr respectively.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Danilo moved to the Middle East in 2024 after spending three years in France with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. It was during that stint at Parc des Princes that he got to work with Argentine superstar Messi.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Having watched two all-time greats up close, Danilo can appreciate what separates them from the rest and helps to make them special. For him, it is work ethic that has carried the iconic duo to the very top of the global team.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT DANILO SAID

  The 33-year-old told the podcast of his time spent in the company of multiple Ballon d’Or winners: “I was fortunate to play alongside two legends, two very strong personalities on and off the field. From both of them, I remember the discipline, confidence, and professional way they approach every training session, every game, and every moment of their lives.”

MatériaMais Notícias

da mrbet： A Turner Latin America, do Grupo WarnerMedia, divulgou uma nota oficial em que afirma que exercerá a cláusula que permite que a empresa encerre os contratos de transmissões dos jogos do Brasileirão, pelo canal TNT Sports a partir de 2022. Os contratos eram válidos até 2024 e adecisão divulgada nesta terça já vinha sendo discutida desde o ano passado.

RelacionadasFora de CampoEm dia de semifinal, Rivaldo escala sua seleção da Libertadores e faz surpresa a torcedoresFora de Campo28/09/2021Fora de CampoMessi é zoado após deitar no chão em cobrança de falta do Manchester City: ‘Perdeu tudo’Fora de Campo28/09/2021Fora de CampoVÍDEO: Neymar chega para PSG x City na Champions ouvindo a música de Lil Gabi, o GabigolFora de Campo28/09/2021

da blaze casino： + Veja a tabela da Champions League!

A empresa afirmou que as transmissões do restante da atual temporada, que vai até 5 de dezembro, não sofrerá alterações. A Turner afirmou que o atual modelo não é sustentável e citou a pulverização dos direitos.

-A decisão, amparada pela cláusula de saída prevista em contrato, foi tomada porque a oferta de transmissão fragmentada do Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol não permite à companhia proporcionar uma experiência integral aos seus assinantes. Com venda pulverizada para a TV aberta e outras plataformas, além de outros fatores limitantes como falta de jogos exclusivos e os blackouts, o modelo atual não é sustentável para a companhia – afirmou, em nota.

A decisão não afeta a Champions League, que é transmitida pela TNT Sports e pela HBO Max. A empresa disse ainda que pretende continuar investindo em direitos esportivos.

-A WarnerMedia Latin America reforça seu comprometimento com o conteúdo local e continua acreditando no esporte como uma excepcional plataforma para gerar conexões emocionais com a audiência. Neste sentido, seguirá trabalhando para adquirir direitos de transmissão que atendam nossa estratégia de priorizar investimentos em conteúdos mais completos e que proporcionem a melhor experiência aos usuários, sob o slogan da TNT Sports, “Paixão sem Limites” – concluiu.

With the current financial situation looming overhead at Goodison Park, manager Sean Dyche may find it difficult to improve his Everton squad during the transfer window.

The Toffees have been plagued with numerous financial setbacks over the past couple of years, including two separate breaches of the Premier League’s PSR rules for the 2022/23 season.

Unsurprisingly, the situation has seen drastic changes on Merseyside, with Dyche’s side still needing to raise funds before June 30th if they are to avoid another potential points deduction during the 2024/25 Premier League season.

Whilst it’s unclear how much will need to be raised within the next month, the club will likely have to part ways with a big-money talent, with Amadou Onana constantly touted with a move to Premier League rivals West Ham United.

Regardless of whether the Belgian departs Merseyside this summer, the Toffees need to work tirelessly to pursue a move for one player who will cost the club absolutely nothing during the off-season.

Everton remain interested in 44-cap international

According to Foot Mercato, Everton remain interested in signing Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi this summer, but face tough competition from French side Lyon for his signature.

The report states that Lyon, who have qualified for the Europa League for next season are attempting to hijack any move for the 27-year-old, with the Toffees and Real Betis both interested in a move for the box-to-box midfielder.

The former Genk talent has played a key role in securing an immediate return to the Premier League for the Foxes in 2023/24, featuring in 32 matches, bagging himself four goals and five assists in the process.

Given Leicester’s current financial situation, it’s unlikely they will be able to afford his £75k-per-week wages, with the Nigerian – who will be out of contract later this month – undoubtedly wanting an increase given their return to England’s top flight.

As a result of his form and interest, Dyche’s side must act quickly if they are to finalise a deal for his services, with Ndidi being the perfect partner for one player within the Everton side.

Why Ndidi would be the perfect Garner partner for Everton

The club have desperately needed more goals into the side, following a campaign that saw them score the second-lowest tally in the league, only ahead of bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both managed seven goals each in the Premier League this season, finishing as the club’s top scorers.

However, the arrival of Ndidi could bolster their tally with his playstyle from midfield being the perfect match alongside James Garner in the heart of the club’s midfield.

The former Manchester United man averaged 2.5 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per 90 in the Premier League this season, with his ball-winning abilities falling perfectly into Ndidi’s attacking capabilities.

The Nigerian has averaged 1.8 shots per 90 and 0.6 carries per match into the penalty area – an example of his desire to get into the opposition box and cause chaos.

Shots

1.8

Assists

0.2

Progressive passes

6.9

Touches in attacking penalty area

4.6

Goals

0.2

Carries into penalty areas

0.6

The “colossus” of a midfielder, as described by journalist Andy Withers, also averaged 0.2 goals per game in the Championship, a figure that ranked him within the top 15% of all fellow midfielders during the 2023/24 season.

His previous Premier League experience could be very handy to Dyche’s side next season in what could be a tricky year with the financial problems that could plague the club for a second successive campaign.

With no fee involved, the club should go all out to sign the 27-year-old, with Ndidi having the ability to provide needed goals to the Toffees squad to further bolster their chances of Premier League survival.

Everton eye swoop for "absolute beast" who could be Gareth Barry 2.0

He could be available after an unsuccessful move in 2023/24.

ByEthan Lamb May 29, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

da brdice： O São Paulo vai enfrentar o Fortaleza pela Copa do Brasil, nesta quarta-feira (15), às 21h30, no Castelão, precisando de uma vitória para se classificar no tempo normal. E se depender do ataque do Tricolor nesta edição do mata-mata nacional, a missão pode ser menos complicada.

RelacionadasSão PauloSão Paulo estreia contra o Flamengo no NBB; veja os primeiros jogos do TricolorSão Paulo14/09/2021São PauloArboleda treina normalmente e pode ser novidade do São Paulo contra o FortalezaSão Paulo13/09/2021São PauloLuciano reencontra Fortaleza, uma de suas ‘vítimas’ preferidas no São PauloSão Paulo13/09/2021

da blaze casino： Isso porque o time comandado pelo técnico Hernán Crespo tem o melhor ataque da Copa do Brasil, com 17 gols marcados, dois a mais que o Bahia, já eliminado do torneio. Na terceira posição, vem o Flamengo, que anotou 14 gols até o momento.

Vale destacar que a goleada sobre o 4 de Julho-PI, por 9 a 1, fez o São Paulo aumentar consideravelmente esses números. Além disso, o time marcou mais dois gols na equipe piauiense, na derrota por 3 a 2. Depois, mais quatro gols no Vasco (2 a 0 e 2 a 1) e dois gols no Fortaleza (2 a 2).

CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA E SIMULE OS JOGOS DO BRASILEIRÃO DE 2021!

Se os números do ataque na Copa do Brasil são bons, no Campeonato Brasileiro a coisa muda de figura. O São Paulo tem o terceiro pior ataque da competição, com apenas 16 gols em 19 jogos. O setor ofensivo só ganha de Grêmio (14) e Sport (8) no Brasileirão.

Artilheiro do São Paulo na Copa do Brasil, com cinco gols, o atacante Rigoni deve começar a partida contra o Fortaleza na equipe titular. Vale destacar que o técnico Hernán Crespo não poderá contar com Calleri e Gabriel, que não conseguiram ser inscritos no mata-mata nacional.

NÚMEROS DO ATAQUE DO SÃO PAULO
Campeonato Brasileiro
16 gols em 19 jogos
3º pior ataque – média de 0,84 gols por jogo

Copa do Brasil
​17 gols em cinco jogos
Melhor ataque – média de 3,4 gols por jogo

West Ham United are looking at signing a centre-back who silenced Kylian Mbappe recently, as technical director Tim Steidten seeks defensive upgrades.

Aguerd and Zouma attract Saudi interest

A real worry for manager David Moyes this season has been West Ham's lack of solidity in defence at times. The Hammers have been on the receiving end of some real drubbings this season, including a 5-0 at Fulham, 5-1 loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup and 6-0 home defeat to Arsenal.

West Ham chiefs believe they can sign a "world class" talent this summer

He scored 21 goals last season.

By
Tom Coates

Mar 25, 2024

Concerns have surrounded the form of Nayef Aguerd, who is often prone to a fatal defensive error, with reports suggesting that both the Morocco international and central defensive partner Kurt Zouma are attracting interest from the Middle East.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia are eyeing up moves for Zouma and Aguerd, and the latter has been linked with a move away since before the new year. West Ham are said to be targeting defensive reinforcements ahead of the summer window, especially as Angelo Ogbonna's contract runs down to expiry.

Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo is an apparent target for West Ham, while Steidten also keeps tabs on other big name options from the continent.

West Ham looking at signing Jonathan Tah

According to HITC, Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah is one such option. The Germany international has been an ever-present in Xabi Alonso's starting elevens, as table-topping Leverkusen seek to make history by pipping Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title.

Tah has started 23 league matches under Alonso, even getting on the scoresheet four times, and his impressive form has earned him the nod from Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann. West Ham are apparently looking at signing Tah this summer and ran the rule over him during Germany's clash with France on Saturday. He managed to keep the likes of Mbappe at bay, as the PSG superstar could only muster a booking in a quiet display, which Germany won 2-0.

The defender's contract also expires next year as things stand, which could make him a relatively low-cost option. Tah already has a gleaming reputation from his time in the Bundesliga, with those close to him heaping praise on the player's physicality, attitude and general application.

"Jonathan has a great history here. He's an international player. He's ambitious. He is held in high regard by his teammates. We expect him to take the next step personality-wise," once said former Leverkusen boss Gerardo Seoane (via Bundesliga).

Former Germany manager Joachim Low, once drawing attention to his potential, heralded Tah's bursts of speed as a real plus point as well. Low said (via Bundesliga): "He's a young player with a lot of potential. He's physically strong and very quick. Everything is possible."

If Moyes is granted a stay beyond the end of 2023/2024, a defensive asset of Tah's calibre and experience could be just what West Ham need to take their backline to the next level.

Tottenham Hotspur are a team with imperfections. Daniel Levy knows that, as does Ange Postecoglou. Despite losing successive Premier League matches, hampering the bid to qualify for the Champions League, Levy will still be confident that his decision to appoint Postecoglou last year was the correct one.

Fifth in the standings, Tottenham have two games in hand and only trail fourth-place Aston Villa by six points, though still face Chelsea and Liverpool away from home, also welcoming Manchester City to north London.

But should the club miss out on a spot among Europe's elite next year, the progress made under new management should not be discredited, with this developing squad boasting all the signs of a promising project still in its embryonic stage.

Postecoglou's expansive, free-flowing style of football won fans over instantaneously at the start of the campaign but inconsistencies and injuries have since marred the success that saw him become the first manager to win the Manager of the Month award in each of his first three months in the Premier League.

The latest on the never-ending injury front has seen pacy winger Timo Werner pick up a hamstring injury during Sunday's loss against the Gunners, withdrawn after 31 minutes.

Joining Spurs on loan from RB Leipzig in January – with the option to make the deal permanent for £15m – Werner has scored two goals and supplied three assists from ten starting appearances in the Premier League, remarking "I love it here" during one post-match interview.

With trips to Chelsea and Liverpool looming in the English top-flight this week, Postecoglou will likely need to shuffle the pack, with Werner starting the past five games – but who could replace him?

1 The obvious choice Brennan Johnson

Most Lilywhites supporters wanted Brennan Johnson to start over Werner against Arsenal, offering a fleet-footed style but having also found greater, richer potency in front of goal this season, especially over the past few months.

Signed from Nottingham Forest for a whopping £47.5m fee last summer, the Wales international is shaping into a very useful asset, with plenty of room for improvement but plenty of ways to enflame the ire of Tottenham's opposition.

Content creator Dan Cook – known as 'HLTCO' on X (formerly Twitter) – perhaps summed up Johnson's skill set best, saying: "Brennan Johnson is such an exciting player to watch. He’s got frightening pace and directness; constantly looking to make something happen, it must be an absolute nightmare to defend against him."

While Johnson is typically found on the right flank, his two-footedness makes him a danger wherever he is deployed and he may well be the No. 1 choice to replace his German peer at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

2 The tactical tweak Heung-min Son

Next we have Heung-min Son, whose return to the left wing wouldn't be a revelation down N17 but given that he's started out wide just twice in 2024, it would be something of a tactical tweak.

Tottenham's long-time star has been in fine fettle this season, scoring 16 goals and supplying nine assists across 30 Premier League matches and playing a pivotal part in his outfit's resurgence under new management.

Of course, with Harry Kane not directly replaced as the focal frontman at the start of Postecoglou's reign, Son is needed at centre-forward, though Richarlison is pushing for a return from the outset and his brilliant purple patch earlier in 2024 underlines his prowess as an efficient striker.

As per FBref, the Spurs skipper ranks among the top 2% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 11% for shot-creating actions, the top 7% for progressive passes, the top 3% for pass completion and the top 6% for progressive carries per 90.

1.

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

21

2.

Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United

20

3.

Heung-min Son

Tottenham Hotspur

17

3.

Dwight McNeil

Everton

17

5.

Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City

16

5.

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal

16

Only Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah and Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes trump the South Korea star in big-chance creation this season and it's no joke that Son is one of the most dynamic players in the business.

He might be one of the deadliest finishers in the Premier League, but Son can throw down with the best when it comes to playmaking and controlling the flow of play.

Perhaps, playing Tottenham's best forward in his natural position to combat Werner's absence is actually the way to go – who'd have thought it?

3 The academy star Mikey Moore

The wildcard. The up-and-comer. England's most prodigious talent. That last sentence is admittedly subjective but 16-year-old Mikey Moore has now been training with the Tottenham first team and will be desperate to make his professional debut before the campaign's conclusion.

This season, the dynamic forward has been in staggering form at youth level, scoring 16 goals and providing nine assists for his teammates over just 14 outings across the U18 Premier League and the FA Youth Cup.

Described as a "superstar" by Fabrizio Romano, it's a dangerous game to heap praise too lofty on a youngster before they've even dipped their toes into the senior scene but Moore's age-belying talent makes it hard not to get giddy if you're wearing lily white.

A stunning ball-carrier with a ferocious strike and balletic movements, Moore's regular inclusion in the senior training set-up speaks of the high regard he is held in and he might just find himself unleashed in the fixtures to come, should Werner fail to make a quick recovery from his hamstring issue.

Usually placed centrally for Spurs but enjoying prolific success on the left flank for England, scoring a hat-trick against Croatia U17s last time out, Moore has the built-in athleticism and natural swagger to propel him to the front of the pack and there is now every chance that Postecoglou could decide to unleash his starlet at the season's final stage.

It might just be the start of something special…

Spurs star who dropped a 4/10 in the NLD must never start for Ange again

Tottenham’s top fours hopes were dented following defeat against Arsenal in the Premier League

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 29, 2024

Former India allrounder wants the national team to hire a team psychologist

ESPNcricinfo staff13-May-20202:38

Here’s who Yuvraj Singh thinks will break his fastest fifty record

Yuvraj Singh believes Hardik Pandya has the potential to become a “massive asset” for India by the 2023 World Cup, subject to the latter working on his temperament. Yuvraj said Hardik was a “phenomenal” talent and only one of the two current batsmen, along with his Indian teammate KL Rahul, who have the potential to break his record for the fastest T20I fifty, achieved in the 2007 World T20 against England.”I feel Hardik has the potential (to break my fastest T20I fifty record),” Yuvraj said on Sportscreen’s YouTube page. “I feel Hardik is someone who has got amazing talent, phenomenal talent. But probably someone needs to work with his head, where his head is, he is such a hard working guy, he is a nice guy.”Yuvraj buttressed his assertion by pointing to having seen Hardik’s amazing ball-hitting skills from up close during his stint with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019. He cited the example of Hardik’s 91 – his personal T20 best – against KKR at the Eden Gardens. Mumbai still lost the game, having been set a massive target of 233.Yuvraj had even called Hardik’s innings “the best” he had seen in IPL, and had told the Baroda allrounder he could be India’s lynchpin at the 2019 World Cup with both bat and ball. Eventually, Hardik made 226 runs in the World Cup without a half-century, and picked up 10 wickets. In the semi-final against New Zealand, Hardik made 32 a slog across the line proved to be his undoing.According to Yuvraj, Hardik still needed to perform in “crunch” moments, which could be achieved by working on the mental side of the game.”He hits the ball spectacularly,” Yuvraj said. “I was at Mumbai Indians last year and he got 90 odd off 30 balls [91 off 34 against KKR], it was a phenomenal innings. He can actually be the next big allrounder for India, but he hasn’t performed at crunch times. Those performances haven’t come because he is a big hitter and he likes those big hits, but when he starts to know when to take a single and a double, and when to hit those big sixes, then he will actually work as a better player. So Hardik has massive potential to be a world class player. If someone works on his mind, he can be a massive asset till we get to the next World Cup.”Yuvraj Singh joins in the celebrations•Craig Golding/AFP/Getty Images

Yuvraj further emphasised the need for India to rope in a mental conditioning coach, particularly with a view to help youngsters deal with the intense scrutiny and pressure of the international game. He cited the examples of Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw, who he felt could benefit most from such an appointment. Pant, in a short international career, has already experienced volatile ups and downs scarcely imaginable for a 22-year old, and Shaw, a centurion on Test debut, has served a ban for a doping violation.During Yuvraj’s time, Paddy Upton combined as the mental conditioning and strategic leadership coach, finishing his three year stint in those positions after India won the 2011 World Cup. Yuvraj felt that though India had done well under the current coaching staff, a psychologist was needed to help youngsters cope with the mental side of the game.”I feel the current players don’t have anyone to speak about the mental side of the game to,” Yuvraj said. “We have guys like Rishabh Pant, guys like Prithvi Shaw, they are so talented, and obviously unfortunately there’s intense scrutiny these days because of the number of media outlets – one game you fail, you feel like you’ve failed the series. So, there’s nobody to talk to them about the mental side – what’s going on? How can we get better? Or probably don’t do this or do that. Share your experiences. I’ve been saying for a while, the team needs a good psychologist. But it should be someone the players respect. That’s important because there are a lot of young players, and younger players, as when we are growing up, we feel we know more than our parents and coaches.”Yuvraj even questioned whether the Indian coaching staff lead by Ravi Shastri and batting coach Vikram Rathour, while being equipped to deal with the technical stuff, could manage to sort the mental challenges players faced.”Players have done quite well under Ravi Shastri. They won in Australia, they have done quite well. But my point is – as a coach I don’t know how Ravi is – I know that you cannot have a particular way with every player, you have to have a different way with every player. I don’t see that with the coaching staff. You have guys like Vikram Rathour, he has been my senior, he has been a mentor at times when I was playing state, but with all due respect, if someone has not played cricket at that level for a long time, the younger generation which is more prone to T20 and 50-over, what are you going to tell them? Vikram Rathour might tell them about technique or how to hit the ball, but there’s no one to work on the mental side. The captain can only do so much. The coach can only do so much. That’s why I’m saying that you need a psychologist who actually talks to players after a particular session.”

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson has warned Wrexham that they won’t "run away with another promotion" ahead of Saturday's League One encounter.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Wrexham travel to Peterborough
• Red Dragons aiming for third-straight promotion
• Ferguson spent eight years at Wrexham

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Dragons are aiming for their third-straight promotion after climbing from the National League to League One in the space of two seasons. Phil Parkinson's side have made a positive start to life in the third-tier, collecting seven points from their opening three matches, but Ferguson has warned them that tougher times lie in store ahead of Saturday's highly-anticipated match against fellow promotion-hopefuls Peterborough.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wrexham showed their title credentials with a 0-0 draw at Bolton before comfortably beating the previously unbeaten Reading 3-0 last weekend. Star striker Paul Mullin returned to action from the bench in the Reading win after recovering from spinal surgery in the summer. Saturday's game against Peterborough, who finished fourth last season, will give us another indication of where Wrexham's ambitions for the season should lie.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT FERGUSON SAID

  "They've hit the ground running this season which doesn't surprise me at all," Ferguson, son of the legendary former Manchester United manager Alex, said to reporters. "They have carried great momentum from last season and they have a real understanding of how they play under a manager who has been there for a long time now. They have been very good at home so far and they also picked up a very good point at Bolton, but they will find this season a lot tougher. They are certainly not going to run away with another promotion. We know we are in for a tough game though, but I am really looking forward to it. The atmosphere will be great."

  Ferguson spent eight years as a Wrexham player, leaving in 2007, but joked that it's not been difficult to follow their progress since the arrival of Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021.

  The 52-year-old added: "Since I left I have always looked out for how they are getting on, but you now don't have to look very hard because the club is always being spoken and written about!"

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Ferguson will come up against his former side on Saturday afternoon in a match that pits seventh-placed Peterborough against their Welsh opponents, who currently sit fourth in the table.