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Man Utd Transfer News: Ten Hag Could Partner Antony With £60m "Machine"

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Manchester United are set to continue with their pursuit of striker Rasmus Hojlund as Fabrizio Romano has dropped another update…

Are Manchester United close to signing Rasmus Hojlund?

The Italian journalist tweeted:

“Rasmus Højlund wants Man United, it’s very clear since day one of negotiations and these final days of the week could be crucial.

“PSG bid hasn’t changed Højlund mind at this stage: priority Man Utd, club set for new round of talks w/Atalanta.

“Up to Man United now.”

This comes after the Red Devils sent a proposal of €60m (£51.4m) to Atalanta, yet the Serie A outfitt are demanding €70m (£60m) to secure his signing.

Paris Saint-Germain also remain keen on signing the young striker, although they have yet to agree personal terms with the player, unlike United.

With the next stage of negotiations looking like they will make or break any potential deal, Erik ten Hag must make a solid pitch to the Danish international.

How many goals has Rasmus Hojlund scored?

While Mason Mount and Andre Onana have arrived at Old Trafford during the transfer window, the Dutchman is desperate to bolster his attacking options ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

United scored just 58 league goals last term, with only Aston Villa in the top half scoring less and this needs to be fixed if they wish to challenge for their first top-flight crown since 2013.

Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes led the way in terms of goals scored, as they bagged 30 and 14 goals respectively across all competitions, yet Ten Hag simply can't afford to rely on just two players for another campaign.

Hojlund could certainly take the pressure off the duo, having netted 16 times for both Atalanta and SK Sturm Graz last term, and he can boast a tally of 33 goals for both club and country since making his senior bow in 2020.

The 20-year-old gem ranked first across the whole Atalanta squad for shots on target per game last term (0.9) whilst also winning two penalties, and it’s clear he thrives in the opposition penalty area by causing chaos for defenders.

The Danish prodigy could form an exciting attacking duo alongside Antony, who shone in spells during his debut season in Manchester.

Eight goals and three assists weren’t the most sparkling of returns given the club had shelled out £81.3m for his services, however, he did rank in the top 5% across Europe’s big five leagues for total shots per 90 (3.44) and top 15% for progressive carries per 90 (4.55), suggesting that he is always aiming to score and progresses the ball close to the opposition goal.

This could suit Hojlund, who would be ready to receive passes from Antony in the box, aiming to stick any chances away especially as the Danish striker ranked in the top 1% compared to positional peers for progressive passes received (10.99) and top 7% for touches in the opposition box (6.53) per 90, suggesting he could be the ideal player to link up with Antony.

Once hailed as a “machine” by Raffael Behounek, a former opponent, Hojlund could certainly improve United’s faltering attack, and he has the potential to turn into one of Ten Hag’s finest-ever signings in the process.

'Had to check it wasn't a troll account' – Man Utd fans shocked as Erik ten Hag named November Premier League Manager of the Month

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been voted Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month for November and fans can't believe their eyes.

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Erik ten Hag wins PL Manager of the MonthFans can't believe their eyesHis third PL Manager of the MonthWHAT HAPPENED?

Manchester United was the only team without a loss, with a perfect winning record and victories in all three of their games against Everton, Fulham, and Luton Town. They were also the only team to remain goalless for the whole month. Despite this, the team's terrible Champions League form and off-field turmoil has given the feeling that the Red Devils are in crisis. Fans had to double-check the official announcement as they couldn't believe the Dutchman's selection.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

This is Ten Hag's third manager of the month after he won it in September 2022 and February 2023. His defender, Harry Maguire, also won the Premier League Player of the Month. The former captain of the side won back the Dutch coach's approval after he was originally transfer-listed in the summer.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson is the only manager to have won the prestigious award more than the Dutchman. He received the gong a record 27 times for the Red Devils, the last of which came in October 2012.

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WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

The Dutchman's side will now be in action when they take on Bournemouth on Saturday, December 9 as they look to continue their winning run in the Premier League. The Red Devils may look to rest the side and focus on their clash against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Hibs: Johnson Now "Likely" To Sign "Fantastic" Player

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Hibernian manager Lee Johnson is "likely" to re-sign defender Will Fish on another loan from Man United, according to journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

Who will Hibs sign?

Hibs have been fairly busy so far this transfer window as they build a capable side for the 2023/2024 Scottish Premiership campaign and their foray into Europe.

The Hibees qualified for the Europa Conference League play-off rounds at the end of last season after finishing fifth, and are still awaiting who they will face off against in the first leg of their second qualifying round on July 27th.

In the meantime, Johnson's side have looming friendlies against Bournemouth, with kick off later today, and FC Groningen next Friday.

So far, they've prepared well this summer in terms of incomings, having already sealed deals for Elie Youan, who joined from Swiss side St. Gallen for around £496,000, and Dylan Levitt from Dundee United for £299,000.

The aforementioned duo join striker Adam Le Fondre, left-back Jordan Obita and goalkeeper Maksymilian Boruc who have signed for Hibs on free transfers.

These additions could do wonders to fill the gaps left by star departures, most notably striker and top scorer from last season Kevin Nisbett, who joined Millwall last month for a "significant" seven-figure fee.

The 26-year-old departed Hibs alongside Marijan Cabraja, Mikey Devlin, Maciej Dabrowski, Kyle Magennis and Aiden McGeady – with Johnson seemingly orchestrating a major rebuild (Transfermarkt).

However, according to reliable reports in the English press, they may not be done there as young centre-back Fish could re-join Hibs on loan from Man United.

Journalist Luckhurst co-wrote a piece for the Manchester Evening News, sharing it on Twitter, whilst claiming Fish's reunion with Hibs is "likely" as the player agrees to make another season-long loan move.

The 20-year-old has been named in Erik ten Hag's recent friendly squads and will be again for their match against Lyon in Edinburgh next week.

He's then expected to remain in the Scottish capital and begin preparations with Hibs boss Johnson as he looks set to make the move back up north.

Fish was attracting attention from rivals, like Aberdeen, as well as clubs in the English Championship and League One. However, it is Hibs who have seemingly won the race for his signature, with the youngster keen to re-join and build upon his brilliant end to the 22/23 campaign.

How good is Will Fish?

The starlet seriously impressed towards the back end of last season with Hibs.

Indeed, Fish ranked among their top five best-performing players per 90 according to WhoScored, with the Englishman even chipping in with three league goals going forward.

He was also an indomitable presence at the back for Hibs, averaging more clearances and blocks per 90 than any other player in Johnson's squad (WhoScored).

Johnson, speaking to BBC Sportsround (via Football Scotland), heaped praise on Fish for his contribution in green and white.

"He's been fantastic. I've said before if you could build a centre-half, you'd build Will Fish," exclaimed Johnson.

He's a great student and a great lad and he's had to up his gravitas levels for this league and his on-pitch personalities.

"He's a lad that had never played a league game so far in his career. He went to Stockport last year and hardly played a game so it's a big step for him and one that he has really taken to well.

"He's trusted by the boys, trusted by the staff and it's a great sign."

Australia women united on revenue share – Lanning

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Ahead of the team’s departure for the World Cup in the UK, Meg Lanning said that Australia’s female players shared the view that a fair deal for all cricketers was key to the resolution of the pay dispute

Daniel Brettig08-Jun-2017

“We’re fully behind all players, male, female, state, international so that’s where we’re at”•Getty Images and Cricket Australia

Australia women’s captain Meg Lanning has declared why her team is staying united with male players in the current pay impasse with Cricket Australia (CA), despite the board’s offer of massive pay increases for both international and domestic females in their current MoU offer.Ahead of the team’s departure for a World Cup campaign which will end after the June 30 expiry of the existing pay deal, Lanning said that Australia’s female players shared the view that a fair deal for all cricketers was key to the resolution of the dispute, even if pay rises for her group sounded attractive at face value. Women have not previously been included in the MoU, and have been paid separately by CA.CA’s proposal features average increases of A$79,000 to $179,000 for centrally-contracted female players, with average pay for domestic female cricketers to rise from $22,000 to $52,000. However, only international players – both male and female – have been offered any of the game’s blue sky above fixed rates of pay, rather than the fixed revenue percentage that has been at the core of agreements between CA and the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) for two decades. Lanning said the players had no desire to be divided along these lines.”All the players are behind a revenue share model for all cricketers, and we’ve been able to stay really strong and we’ll continue to do that and hopefully there’s a resolution pretty soon,” Lanning said. “I think CA and the ACA are talking at the moment, so as players we just want to play cricket and we’ve left the rest of that to the ACA and CA. We’re looking forward to getting to the World Cup and playing, and we’ll leave it to the ACA to negotiate on our behalf.”[Pay rises are] certainly a step in the right direction, but it’s a whole player [group] agreement and we’re fully behind all players, male, female, state, international so that’s where we’re at. It’s about every player playing the game and grassroots as well. We’re not going to individualise any players or teams, male or female, it’s about all the players moving forward and getting a result that’s good for the game.”At the start, we came out with what we wanted and where we wanted to go and we’re pretty clear on that.”Lanning’s squad is due to depart for England at the end of the week, and all players have been handed short-term contracts for the duration of the tournament in acknowledgement of the fact it will conclude after the MoU deadline. While admitting the dispute was a topic of frequent conversation, Lanning insisted the players would forge on with clear minds when they begin their campaign to defend the title won in India four years ago.”It’s definitely been spoken about, it’s not something you can hide away from,” she said. “But as a squad once we get over to the UK we’re very keen on just playing cricket and our job and priority is to go over there, play really good cricket and win games. We won’t be distracted by it at all, everything’s in place contract-wise, so we’re just going to focus on playing and winning games.”These words arrived at a time when members of CA and the ACA negotiating teams have resumed talks after some weeks. Knowing this, the players were perplexed to be sent another package of graphics and video from the board’s lead negotiator Kevin Roberts on Wednesday, in which the fixed revenue percentage model was again challenged.”The latest attempt by Cricket Australia to directly communicate with Australia’s cricketers has undermined current behind the scenes efforts to break the impasse for a new Cricket MoU,” the ACA said in a statement. “It is also a mischaracterisation of the true position regarding grassroots investment which every Australian male and female cricketer is passionate about.”The video comes a day after productive talks for a ‘without prejudice’ process for attempting to rebuild trust and break the current impasse. [It] is another attempt to directly communicate with players who have asked for the last 6 months to be left alone to concentrate on cricket. As has been the case with CA throughout the negotiation it is 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. This latest effort exposes what the ACA have been dealing with.”One member of the Australian squad particularly eager to get on the field will be allrounder Ellyse Perry, who had the latter part of her Australian summer curtailed by a hamstring injury suffered during the WBBL. Despite a lack of recent cricket apart from training, Lanning was confident Perry would be able to deliver her best in England.”She’s 100% fit, it was a pretty major injury she sustained in the WBBL, so she’s had some time to get over that and she’s been in full training now with the squad,” Lanning said. “She’s a very key member of our team, an important player for us, and looking forward to having her back on the park.”

Royal Challengers defend 157 despite Pant's belligerence

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Royal Challengers Bangalore defended 157 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium against Delhi Daredevils to register their first win of the tournament

The Report by Nikhil Kalro08-Apr-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details5:38

Agarkar: Losing de Kock as big as losing Kohli or de Villiers

IPL 2017 witnessed its second thriller in five games. Royal Challengers defending a meagre 157, by the M Chinnaswamy Stadium’s standards, caught Delhi Daredevils by the throat and strangled the life out of their chase to register a 15-run victory, their first win of the tournament. Daredevils needed 21 off the final two overs with Rishabh Pant, in tremendous hitting form, and Amit Mishra at the crease. Shane Watson conceded two runs off the penultimate over, and Pawan Negi allowed just three runs off the final over, his first of the season. For the first time since 2013, a team had successfully defended under 160 in the IPL at this ground.Royal Challengers surprised many when they chose to bat, and were quickly reduced to 55 for 3 in the ninth over. Kedar Jadhav not only resurrected a faltering innings but put his team on course for a par score at this ground. But the majority of the work was done by Royal Challengers’ bowlers, all of who contributed with at least a wicket each, to complete one of the toughest tasks in the IPL.Ignoring the dataIn the tournament opener, both teams – Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore – wanted to chase. Sunrisers were put in but negated that disadvantage by batting Royal Challengers out of the game.On a small ground, in terrific batting conditions, Royal Challengers wanted to ensure they didn’t suffer the same fate. In a data-driven format, they ignored all the stats and opted to chase. It was only the second time a team had batted first at this ground since IPL 2015 – the only other time was the 2016 IPL final.In the previous 10 T20s at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, five totals of over 200 have been defended and the five under 200 have been chased down. Royal Challengers knew their target. But had no fail-safe if their batting malfunctioned.Rishabh Pant blitzed a 36-ball 57, but it wasn’t enough•BCCI

One bull, two bearsRoyal Challengers opened with their best batsmen in the XI – Chris Gayle and Shane Watson. Both looked fluent, choosing timing over their preferred modus operandi of brute force. It worked well until Gayle mis-timed a full toss from Chris Morris to mid-off. Mandeep Singh chopped on. Shane Watson was stumped for just the third time in the IPL. Shahbaz Nadeem delivered 4-0-13-1, his most economical four-over figures in the IPL. It was Royal Challengers’ first bear market.Then came Jadhav: full of form, confidence and belief. All of it was discernible with his timing and shot selection despite Royal Challengers’ shaky footing. He brought out the inside-out lofted drives and the off-balance flicks through midwicket. Jadhav’s natural flair was uninhibited. He struck five fours and five sixes in his 37-ball 69. Suddenly a score of close to 180 seemed possible.Clichéd as it may be, wickets turned the game again. Zaheer Khan had Stuart Binny caught at midwicket and then flummoxed Jadhav with a slower ball. In between, he contributed to debutant Vishnu Vinod’s run-out. Seventeen of Chris Morris’ 24 deliveries were dot balls as he returned figures of 3 for 21. The last four overs yielded just 23, and Royal Challengers finished with an under-par 157.Another impressive debutHaving impressed with his pace in the Big Bash League for Adelaide Strikers, Billy Stanlake was bought by Royal Challengers for his base price INR 30 lakh, in the second round of the auction. Stanlake used possibly the quickest surface in the competition to zip through Daredevils’ top order with accuracy and sufficient lateral movement. He went through Karun Nair’s defense with a length delivery that moved away and then harried Sanju Samson for pace with a short delivery, picking up two wickets to keep a packed crowd squealing.Hit and missPant smashed his first ball of the season for a massive six over midwicket. Even as his innings wore on, his timing didn’t fail him. Daredevils’ middle and lower order crumbled around him, but he kept his composure to take his team within 21 with two overs remaining. Bowling the penultimate over, Watson’s plan was clear: beat or get under the bat outside off. He varied his lengths and pace to concede just two runs, including four dot balls to Mishra.With 18 to defend off the final over, the game was still not done. Watson opted for the left-arm spin of Negi to Pant. “Pant had not seen him all night. Iqbal Abdulla had bowled three overs to him,” Watson explained at the post-match presentation. Negi’s dart hit leg stump off the first ball, and Watson was vindicated.

Man United Keeping Tabs On "Incredible" £51m Gem

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his defensive options.

What’s the latest on Theo Hernandez to Manchester United?

According to Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the Red Devils are keen on making a move for Hernandez this summer, although the report claims any potential move will ‘only happen in the event of a sensational offer’ and in this regard, the Italian side are demanding at least €60m (£51m).

The Old Trafford side are said to be ‘pressing’ to sign the player as they want to ‘bridge the gap’ between them and Manchester City next season.

Could Theo Hernandez join Manchester United?

Ten Hag was able to call on both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia last season as the club qualified for the Champions League due to finishing third in the Premier League, with Shaw especially performing extremely well.

The Englishman ranked as United’s fourth best player for overall rating, third for big chances created and seventh for tackles made per game, suggesting he was influential at both ends of the pitch.

With Malacia, signed just last summer, also featuring 39 times in all competitions, do United need another left-back? Making a move for Hernandez however could spell bad news for the Dutchman ahead of next season.

Indeed, last term, the Frenchman registered more goal contributions (seven to zero), progressive passes (128 to 44), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.82 to 1.22) and progressive carries (108 to 19) than the United defender, clearly suggesting that he would be a far better attacking option at left-back than the former Ajax man.

Malacia does hold the upper hand defensively however, winning more tackles (33 to 24) and more interceptions (25 to 21), yet if Hernandez does move to Manchester, he could improve on these attributes.

Milan coach Stefano Pioli lavished praise on the defender back in 2021, saying: “He can play both phases very well, with his physical abilities it is enough to stay in the game. He can very well become one of the best.

“He has only been playing continuously for a year and a half, I always tell him that he must not be satisfied with being talented.

“He has an incredible physical strength and quality, he must prove that he wants to become the best every day."

Parma forward Yann Karamoh and AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez.

The praise doesn’t stop there, as Jacek Kulig even lauded him as a “beast” previously and he even starred for France at the most recent World Cup, averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.3/10 across six matches for his country as they finished runners up to Argentina, indicating that he can perform on the biggest stage of all.

A move for Hernandez may push Malacia further down the pecking order, yet it would certainly strengthen the squad that’s for sure.

Leeds United: Whites Hold Internal Talks Over "Top Coach"

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Leeds United chiefs have internally discussed out-of-work manager Scott Parker as the Whites continue their search for Sam Allardyce's replacement.

Who could Leeds appoint as manager?

Following relegation from the Premier League, Leeds face an almighty task to find the perfect successor to Allardyce, who has left Elland Road by mutual consent.

It's been a season to forget for Leeds, who saw three different managers take the helm last campaign in Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Allardyce – but none could steer them away from the Championship.

Former Leeds boss Sam Allardyce.

FC Lorient boss Regis Le Bris and West Brom's Carlos Corberan, among others, are reportedly in contention to replace Allardyce at Leeds, though hiring either boss could be difficult given their currently employed status.

Free agent managers could be a solution and there are plenty around, with former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard being linked with a move to Yorkshire.

Reliable journalist Phil Hay, writing in a piece for The Athletic, claims Leeds have internally discussed hiring another manager on the market in Parker.

The 42-year-old, who has previously managed the likes of Fulham and Club Brugge, is indeed a candidate among the Leeds hierarchy.

“Scott Parker has been discussed on the basis he won promotion from the Championship twice before, with Fulham and Bournemouth," Hay wrote."Leicester City are another possible destination for him.”

Hay also explains that Leeds wanted to take their time and draw up a viable shortlist of candidates before formally approaching any manager.

“Last week, Leeds’ chief executive, Angus Kinnear, began assessing and approaching potential managerial candidates with a view to establishing whether they were interested and what their demands would be.“The club wanted to be in a position where a viable shortlist was in place for the moment a formal offer could be made.”

Who is Scott Parker?

The ex-West Ham and Tottenham midfielder, despite being unceremoniously sacked by Brugge most recently, has actually received glowing praise from elite managers like Pep Guardiola for some of his work.

Guardiola has previously called Parker an "innovative" manager when discussing England's most promising up-and-coming coaches.

Tottenham defender Ryan Sessegnon also holds the tactician in very high esteem, having sung his praises back in 2021 to talkSPORT:

"Everyone knows the relationship I have with Scott. He’s a top guy, top man and a top coach. He’s just an all-round great guy," explained Sessegnon."He obviously has a philosophy of play and sticks to it and all the players are buying into that. Recently, it hasn’t been so good for them in terms of results, but I think the performances and effort is still there."

No imminent threat to Chennai Test – Shirke

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

There is no immediate threat to the Chennai Test as the TNCA is confident of staging the match as it it slated to start only after the seven-day state mourning for former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, who died on Monday night

Arun Venugopal06-Dec-20161:40

No paucity of venues for hosting Tests – Shirke

The BCCI is yet to decide on moving the fifth and final Test between India and England from December 16 out of Chennai following the death of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday. Ajay Shirke, the secretary, said the board was seeking inputs from the host association – the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) – and monitoring the situation closely. He also said no deadline had been set for naming an alternate venue since it was an evolving situation.”We haven’t taken any decision with regard to the Chennai Test match,” Shirke told reporters after the meeting of the senior tournament committee in Mumbai. “It’s a very sensitive decision. We are keeping a close watch on the situation and we are taking the inputs from the local host association as to what is the mood and the sentiment of the people, and based on what evolves, the final decision for the match will be taken.”TNCA secretary Kasi Viswanathan, however, wrote to the board that Chennai was ready to host the Test. “We have communicated to the BCCI this morning that we won’t be able to host the ongoing Ranji Trophy game [between Odisha and Jharkhand in Natham near Dindigul] and Under-19 match because of state mourning for seven days and closure of schools and colleges for three days,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “But, we will host the Test match because after December 12 the [week-long] mourning period is over.”Shirke said there was no shortage of of back-up venues should the need arise. “We are monitoring the situation almost on an hourly or a daily basis,” he said. “The BCCI has got a number of alternate venues; in fact, there are new venues which have been added so there is no paucity of venues for hosting a Test match. Again, that should not be read as a decision [of the game] having been shifted.” It is understood that Pune and Bangalore are front runners to host the final Test if it is moved out of Chennai.The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai last hosted a Test match three years ago against Australia, while its most recent international game came last year in an ODI against South Africa. During England’s tour of India in 2008, Chennai emerged as one the two alternate venues after the terror attacks in Mumbai forced the Test matches to be moved out of Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Knight's effort comes up short in tight contest

by csb10.top Uncategorized

ScorecardHeather Knight’s 74 from 46 balls took Western Storm close•Getty Images

England wicketkeeper Amy Jones and Australian star Ellyse Perry shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 83 as home side Loughborough Lightning beat Western Storm by five runs in a thriller, despite Heather Knight’s 74, the highest score in the Kia Super League to date.Jones and Perry came together at a perilous 31 for 3 to share the impressive stand, building a solid platform before accelerating to put Lightning in a great position. A flurry of wickets saw Storm slow the rate down, before an Eve Jones cameo saw Loughborough post 158 for 8 off their 20 overs.Western Storm were looking for a fast start but were pegged back by some tight early bowling from Loughborough. Knight’s excellent knock looked to have given Western Storm the platform to chase down the score, but when she was run out, the game went away from the visitors.”It felt really good and it was about trying to get a partnership together with Ellyse,” Amy Jones said. “Luckily I’d had a couple of opportunities in warm-up games so it was nice to push on a bit and get the win.”Knight was undoubtedly disappointed to fall short. “We just wanted to stay in the game as long as possible but a couple of wickets cost us but we can turn things around quickly and we can get back on track.”Nine runs off the first three balls of the match looked to have given Loughborough a great start, but a clever piece of bowling saw Lightning captain Georgia Elwiss lured out of her crease, to be stumped by New Zealand international Rachel Priest.Storm captain Knight then forced a mistake from one off Loughborough’s overseas stars, grabbing the wicket of Sophie Devine before Anya Shrubsole bowled Dane Van Niekerk after runs had begun to dry up.That brought together the partnership of Jones and Perry, who first consolidated for a period before their expansive range of shots began to show. The England wicketkeeper took the lead racing to 46 off 30 balls, departing to a Priest stumping again off Freya Davies.Perry was then involved in a mix-up that saw Paige Scholfield run out, but by then had taken on the momentum, hitting her 44 off 37 balls before holing out in the deep to Lizelle Lee.Eve Jones smacked a quick-fire 25, launching Georgia Hennessey for a six and then the very next ball, hitting another boundary, before departing to Shrubsole as the innings reached its end.The Western Storm chase wobbled early, as an excellent Powerplay saw Loughborough get the prize wickets of overseas stars Priest and Stafanie Taylor before Knight and Fran Wilson started the rebuilding process.Knight was the aggressor in the partnership of 78 with her England colleague but when Wilson departed, the task got harder, though the composure shown by the Storm skipper, suggested otherwise.However, the match turned when Elwiss got the faintest of touches on a Hennessey straight drive, to leave Knight stranded out of her crease and with it the chances of Western Storm. Sonia Odedra’s impressive spell of 2 for 20 was the pick of the Lightning bowlers, whilst Perry’s final over secured the victory.

Rangers Hit The Jackpot On £450k Dynamo

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Alex McLeish endured a very Jekyll and Hyde spell as manager of Glasgow Rangers, with periods of success intersected with some of the worst seasons in the Ibrox side's recent history, however, he must surely go down as one of the club’s finest-ever bosses considering the financial constraints he had to work with.

The Scot won five of the first six trophies available to him, including a stunning treble during the 2002/03 season, yet the next campaign was woeful as the Light Blues finished empty-handed while having to resort to free transfers and selling some of their best assets, notably Barry Ferguson.

Come the summer of 2004, it appeared as though Celtic would begin an era of dominance given they had just cruised to the league title months before and McLeish would have to do something very special to reclaim it.

He managed to lure Dado Prso to the club on a free transfer and signed Dundee forward Nacho Novo for just £450k. Little did he know that the Spanish dynamo would become one of his finest-ever signings with the Gers certainly hitting the jackpot with his arrival.

How did Nacho Novo perform at Rangers?

The 5 foot 7 forward enjoyed a wonderful six seasons at the Glasgow side where he won three league titles and five domestic cups.

He will certainly go down as a fan favourite and although he wasn't the most talented player on the pitch, the Spaniard had an endless determination which saw him chase down every lost cause and fight for every ball.

The forward netted the title clincher against Hibs in 2005 as Rangers sealed an unlikely league triumph, forming a ‘little and large’ partnership with Croatian giant Prso and despite the following two seasons ending trophyless, he still scored plenty.

Under Walter Smith, Novo often found himself deployed out wide, yet he didn’t complain and got on with the task at hand, earning the respect of every supporter.

Nacho Novo holds the Scottish Cup trophy for Rangers

Novo finished his Rangers career in 2010 and ended up scoring 71 goals in 255 appearances, even finding the back of the net against Celtic six times, enduring cult hero status as a result.

The Gers hit the jackpot on the striker, with every goal he scored costing the club just £6k, proving he was a wonderful investment.

Every team needs a player who won't just score goals, but will also show the utmost commitment. The former Gers man certainly fits the bill regarding these traits.