All posts by h716a5.icu

Aston Villa have backed Unai Emery in the summer window so far as they have brought in three new signings and smashed the club's transfer record.

Who have Aston Villa signed this summer?

The Villans brought in Belgium international Youri Tielemans on a free transfer from Leicester City, who were relegated to the Championship, as their first piece of incoming business.

Monchi then worked his magic to secure a £35m deal to sign central defender Pau Torres from Spanish side Villarreal before the club splashed out a record £51.9m to sign Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

They looked set to bring in a fourth in the form of Jack Harrison on Sunday night as Fabrizio Romano reported that they hijacked Everton's deal for the then-Leeds United forward.

However, the Villans opted against a move for the former Manchester City man as he is due to be out injured for a number of weeks and the 26-year-old dynamo completed a switch to the Toffees on Monday morning.

Emery and Monchi could now forget all about Harrison by pursuing a deal for reported transfer target Joao Felix, who the club are considering a swoop for.

How good is Joao Felix?

The Portugal international is a terrific forward who can play in a multitude of roles across the frontline, which would make him a versatile option for the head coach.

Like now-Everton gem Harrison, Felix is capable of being deployed on either flank or through the middle as a supporting striker or as a centre-forward.

This suggests that he has the adaptability and skillset to be used in the positions that Emery was eyeing the English magician for before his move to Goodison Park.

Felix, who scored four goals in 11 Premier League starts on loan at Chelsea during the second half of last season, could offer more to the Villans than the ex-Whites at the top end of the pitch.

The talented maestro has produced 25 goals and 13 assists in 55 LaLiga starts for Atletico Madrid to date, which works out as a goal contribution every 1.45 starts on average.

Meanwhile, Harrison managed 21 goals and 16 assists in 100 Premier League starts for Leeds, which is a direct involvement every 2.7 starts on average.

These statistics suggest that Felix, who scout Jacek Kulig described as a "nightmare" for defenders, could make a greater impact than the English attacker in the final third due to his ability to score and assist goals at a more impressive rate.

The Portuguese maestro's underlying numbers also back up his superiority. Over the last 365 days, the 5 foot 11 ace ranks within the top 6% of his positional peers among the Men's Big Five League and European competitions for progressive passes and progressive carries per 90 respectively.

Meanwhile, Harrison does not rank higher than the top 39% in either statistic and is in the bottom half of players in his position for progressive passes per 90 over the last 365 days.

Therefore, Felix could provide more quality in deep possession by driving the team up the pitch, either by carrying the ball forward or finding teammates between the line.

This is why Emery could forget all about Harrison by securing a deal for the Atletico Madrid forward as he has the potential to be a sublime signing for Villa as an alternative to the new Everton wide man.

Australian legend Matthew Hayden called England “no-hopers” and insisted he didn’t know who James Vince was. You learn something new every day

George Dobell in Brisbane23-Nov-2017The desire to prove his doubters wrong helped inspire James Vince on the first day of the Ashes.Vince, recalled to bat at No. 3 despite a modest season in county cricket, stroked an elegant 83 to ensure England gained a foothold in the first Test. And while he missed out on a maiden Test century, Vince hoped he had earned some respect from those who dismissed him ahead of the series.Matthew Hayden, in particular, should have sat up and taken notice, according to Vince. Hayden, the former Australia batsman, dismissed England as “no hopers” and “a rabble” ahead of the series and insisted he didn’t know who half the team – including Vince – were.It was a remarkable comment bearing in mind that Vince has played seven Tests previously – enough, you would think, for a cricket pundit to have taken notice before passing judgement – and it clearly irritated the England camp.Ben Stokes, the England all-rounder who is currently in England awaiting the outcome of a police investigation, had already called into question Hayden’s quality as a pundit as a result of the comments, while Vince has now revealed he was inspired by such doubters.”If he didn’t know who we were before the game, he probably does now,” Vince said of Hayden after sharing a stand of 125 with fellow “unknown” Mark Stoneman. It was more than England managed in any stand during the Ashes series of 2013-14.”Reading comments like that gives you the motivation to go out there and make a statement,” he said.”A few comments I’ve read said that I’m not ready for Test cricket, so hopefully I’ve proved a few people wrong. It all gives you more inspiration to prove people wrong.”While Vince admitted he was disappointed to miss out on a century – he was run-out by Nathan Lyon after attempting an unwise single – he was able to appreciate it was a good start on his return to Test cricket.”No matter what score you get you always want more,” he said. “It would have been nice to be there at the end of the day, but stuff like that happens in cricket.”It’s great to get off to a good start. If I could have my first go at Test cricket again, I would, but that’s in the past now. I’ve been focused on capitalising on this opportunity and nailing a place in the team. I felt reasonably calm considering the occasion. I tried to enjoy it and maintain focus. I didn’t want them to get on top of me and I thought I got the balance just about right.”I’m sure lying in bed I’ll have a few thoughts about missing out on a century, but if you’d offered me 80-odd before play, I’d have taken it. And we had spoken about getting overs in the bowlers’ legs – what with them only having three seamers – and if we can get through the new ball in the morning, we can built to 300, 350 even 400. The first hour in the morning will dictate how things go.”It was a disappointing way to go. It was a great piece of fielding, but in retrospect I wouldn’t take the run.”Vince defended England’s scoring rate – they scored at 2.43 runs per over – by explaining the pitch was slow and Australia bowled well throughout the day.”The lack of pace made scoring hard,” he said. “Conditions weren’t what we expected – there wasn’t much pace in the wicket, though the ball came on a bit better as the day wore on – and they bowled pretty well.”They would have wanted some more pace in the pitch. But they kept coming all day and the lack of pace made it hard to score runs when they hit their areas. We’ll see how they respond in the morning after all those overs in their legs today.”

Having worked on the mental aspects of the game during his recovery phase, the India opener is looking forward to replicating his overseas performances again

Gaurav Kalra in Mumbai24-Oct-20176:33

‘Mentally and physically ready to return’ – Vijay

Having earned a recall to the Indian Test squad for the series against Sri Lanka in November following after recovering from a wrist injury, opener M Vijay says he is “prepared mentally and physically” for the sterner tours to South Africa, England and Australia over the next year and beyond. Vijay notched up hundreds in England and Australia and 97 in second Test of the 2013 tour to South Africa in Durban.”I am prepared for them [overseas tours] rather than thinking about it,” Vijay told ESPNcricinfo in Mumbai on Monday. “I am looking forward for the tours coming ahead. I am a person who takes one match at a time. I have a domestic tournament now, so I have to contribute here and take the form and momentum to the Sri Lankan series.”Definitely opening becomes very crucial when you play abroad. A good start will make a whole lot of difference in a side’s mindset. We are aware of it. We have been giving good starts. It is just a matter of time when we collectively go about it, first innings or second innings. We create our own situation rather than succumbing to the situation. I feel you have got to be ahead of what’s happening and be a little smarter overseas. We are working on that and hopefully we can win this time.”Vijay was originally included in the Indian squad for the series in Sri Lanka in July-August before deciding to pull out after experiencing pain during a preparatory match. After an underwhelming series against Australia earlier in the year – he made 113 runs in three Tests at 22.60 – he opted out of the IPL and underwent surgery in England.Recovery took longer than expected. Since returning, Vijay has featured in a Duleep Trophy game, few matches in the Tamil Nadu Premier League and the state side’s Ranji Trophy opener. Though he hasn’t produced a substantial score yet since his return, the national selectors have decided to stay invested in him as one of their three choices for the opening position, besides KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan.”Actually, I could not get much cricket before calling myself fit,” Vijay said. “I was pushing myself to play against Sri Lanka. That was my first choice to get ready when we went to England to get the operation done. Unfortunately, I did not get a lot of games before that. I wasn’t 100% mentally because I didn’t find myself in a comfortable position to pick my bat. So, I thought I should be honest there and put it across to the management so that a fit player goes for the tour. I was pretty sure that if I wasn’t going to be giving the team 100% then I shouldn’t be playing.

“I am competitive about improving my game, about going about my cricket in a stronger manner than where I left. These are the things that are more of a kick for me rather than thinking about fighting for spots.”

“I feel every sportsperson would have faced an injury problem at some point in their careers. I have been facing injuries for a couple of years, but I have been managing it. It is more of a mental thing than physical. I am pretty sure everybody can push themselves to any limit, but once it’s in your thought process that’s when as a sportsperson you have to think, ‘what am I going to do about my cricket.’ Being a batsman, it is very important to have my game plans right, so if something is hampering on that it is going to be a tough call. So, I was battling with that, rather than physical pain.”Nobody can trust their body fully if you are a sportsperson but yes, I am charged up. I have thought about my game. It is a good opportunity for me to start from where I stopped and be more consistent. So, there are a lot of things to look forward to.”Associated PressIn Vijay’s absence, Dhawan, his replacement in Sri Lanka, and Rahul have made strong cases to retain their spots at the top. Dhawan made two hundreds in Sri Lanka and Rahul has constructed a sequence of seven consecutive half-centuries in Tests. Vijay, however, is undaunted at the prospect of having to convince the team management to restore him to his spot. He insists watching his replacements make the most of their opportunity while he had to sit out with injury wasn’t frustrating in the least.”When I was 23, I really gave this issue a lot of thought, because I wasn’t enjoying my cricket so much,” he said. “Once I got to play for India I thought, whoever plays for India it is going to be difficult. When I got the call for the Indian team, from that day I started believing that everybody who puts in the effort should perform. One day their turn will come. I know whoever is performing out there, I know what difficulties they would have gone through and I know what it takes to perform at that level.”I started enjoying it and take some good things about what they are doing right rather than feel bad that it’s my turn and somebody has picked up my spot. It happens in any sport, so I channelise myself in such a way that to ensure I see the right things.”I was just wishing them (the other openers) luck. I am sure that’s how I will go for the rest of my phase in cricket. It was a great learning for me. I have to search what is happening inside me rather than think about what is happening to others and their performance. I can only wish them luck. I don’t have time to sort my issues, I am more in that mode rather than thinking about who is performing or not.”I want everybody to perform because it is a good thing for Indian cricket. I am like that. I like to have fun if it comes to me. I should be in the best place possible to go and perform. I am competitive about improving my game, about going about my cricket in a stronger manner than where I left. These are the things that are more of a kick for me rather than thinking about fighting for spots.”With the first Test against Sri Lanka still nearly three weeks away, Vijay intends to use his time on the domestic circuit to notch up consistent scores. The troublesome wrist wasn’t permitting him to manoeuver the ball into gaps on the field like he wanted to. That will be one of his focus areas before he fronts up against Sri Lanka.With his confidence fully restored, Vijay is now eager to make up for lost time and is also convinced he can shut up doubters who have bracketed him as a one-format player by earning a recall to India’s limited overs teams.”I have a lot of dreams, few have come true, and few are there for me to go and achieve, so I am looking forward to those,” he said. “I am pretty confident about how I am going to go about it. I am a person who relishes challenges and likes to tell in advance and go and achieve it but with my injuries at the moment, I have to be a little silent and conservative. But once I start getting into the groove, it will be much more fun for me.”I am in the mode to play all three formats and I am working on every aspect possible that I possess. So, these are the things that give me a good kick rather than my competition. It is about how ready I am going to be when the call comes up. These are the things I am waiting for and I think I will make it happen.”

Leeds United need to act quickly if they are to enjoy the summer of transfer revolution that will propel them back into the top flight. Having focused on the defence, they could now turn their attention to the other end of the field…

Is Emmanuel Dennis leaving Nottingham Forest?

Of the various offensive targets that have emerged throughout the window, few stand out like Emmanuel Dennis, who ticks many boxes with regard to quality, availability and price tag, all of which would have piqued manager Daniel Farke's interest.

The Nigerian marksman has been linked on many occasions now, with the latest report emerging just last month. It is noted within that his exit has already been sanctioned by Nottingham Forest, who surely have to cull their bloated squad further after last summer's recruitment drive.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

He is valued at €10.7m (£9m) by FootballTransfers, despite still having three years left on his £40k-per-week deal at the City Ground.

How good is Emmanuel Dennis?

By securing such a coup from the Tricky Trees, Farke would be gaining a versatile forward capable of leading the line on his own, playing within a striker partnership, or even operating from out wide.

Wherever he is put though, one thing is certain: he will bring goals.

The 25-year-old titan only moved to England in 2021 and took no time acclimatising to life with Watford despite the troubles that surrounded the club. Even as they fell to the drop, Dennis posted ten goals and a further six assists, with his move to Nottingham expected to continue this trend.

However, for whatever reason, Steve Cooper only afforded the finisher six starts in the league last term.

It is this lack of faith that has handed the Whites an opportunity to prey on his expected frustration, bringing him to Elland Road with the promise that he will surely be their main man.

With experience of starring at the level above the Championship, they will hope he can not only fire them back into the top-flight but help them remain there for longer than their most recent stint.

After all, journalist Josh Bunting did outline just how prolific Dennis had been during that aforementioned campaign:

"Emmanuel Dennis has been one of the most underrated players outside of Watford fans this season, he’s been a very good addition. 4 goals and 5 assists in 11 Premier League games should be being spoken about much more. Today he was absolutely electric from the start to finish."

In securing a deal from Forest, the west Yorkshire outfit actually could replicate a success of the past, given Alf-Inge Haaland took that same path when he joined in 1997.

The Norwegian would go on to feature 87 times for the club, starring in one of their finest periods in recent history, despite the financial issues that rumbled on in the background. He was a fine utility man for George Graham and David O'Leary, even starring in their historic run to the Champions League semi-final in 2001.

His subsequent sale would also recoup the club a fine £2.5m fee, but it was not enough to save them from their subsequent debilitating drop through the divisions.

Should Dennis help them enjoy a period of success even half as enjoyable as the one which Haaland frequented, then this would be another deal from Forest certainly worth making.

Last summer, Stefan Bajcetic made a glorious breakthrough in Jurgen Klopp’s squad ahead of a stirring first season with the Liverpool first-team.

The youngster was only 17-years-old at the time and would go on to make 19 appearances in all competitions.

During this time, Bajcetic would score his first goal for the senior side in a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Aged just 18 years and 65 days, this meant he was the third-youngest player to score for Liverpool in the Premier League after Michael Owen and Raheem Sterling. He is also the second-youngest Spaniard to score in the English top flight, only behind Cesc Fabregas.

There will be many other Liverpool academy graduates hoping to emulate Bajcetic’s impressive journey to the first team, especially with the club's homegrown player dilemma in the Premier League.

This year in pre-season, the next sparkling prodigy on course for a breakout year is Ben Doak.

Who is Ben Doak?

The Scotsman signed for Liverpool in March 2022 and his debut for the club in November of that year, coming on as a substitute in an eventual penalty shoot-out victory over Derby County at Anfield.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

Later that month, Doak signed his first professional contract for the Merseyside outfit and made his league debut in December and became the youngest Scottish player to appear in the Premier League.

Across 27 appearances for the club’s youth sides, the 17-year-old has registered 19 goal contributions. More recently, Doak netted his first senior goal for Liverpool in a friendly against Leicester City.

How good is Ben Doak?

Evan Fairns, Doak’s former coach at Celtic, has eulogised his limitless potential, saying:

“He was like a wee rocket. His ability was quite raw but he had this physical presence, that is how he could compete and play up front. He was fearless on the park.

“In training, he was just a sponge. He was very quiet and would always listen. He would turn up to training and even though he was the youngest, there was no carry-on from him — he was there to train and to learn. He was a delight to coach.”

Doak’s esteemed reputation means is well-positioned to replicate what Bajcetic has achieved in red.

The young midfielder spent seven years with the Celta Vigo academy, where youth football co-ordinator Alex Otero raved over his accomplished quality, saying:

“He has amazing physical characteristics. He is extremely quick, makes good recoveries, has a great spring, is really impressive in the air and carries the ball cleanly out of defence.

“It was clear he was a standout player in his age group. He can really play and help construct attacks but he is also noticeable for his comfort with his left and right foot and the ability to play on the right or left of the centre-backs. That is quite rare.”

He has evolved into a box-to-box midfield enforcer, whose nimble frame, mixed with stunning athleticism and cultured technique meant he has emphatically impressed the Anfield faithful.

Last campaign, long-term injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota halted Liverpool’s progress, but the eye-catching rise of Doak can provide Klopp with a new dynamic in attack, especially considering how quickly his Spanish academy teammate has hit the ground running amongst the German's first-team plans.

There may be more competition for places out wide in the Reds' senior side but Doak, given the evidence above, could be the next Melwood talent to make a name for himself at Anfield.

Asanka Gurusinha hopes players with concerns will reconsider their stance given team is “flying in and flying out”

Madushka Balasuriya17-Oct-2017Sri Lanka Cricket is hopeful of naming a strong team for the third and final T20I against Pakistan in Lahore – the first fixture the team will play in Pakistan since 2009, when their team bus was attacked by armed gunman.Players had raised concerns about travelling to Pakistan, but the board on Monday confirmed that it will be sending a team across. There have been questions around whether SLC would be forced to name a weakened side if players pulled out of the game – limited-overs captain Upul Tharanga has already withdrawn from the squad – however team manager Asanka Gurusinha felt a competitive team could be named.”We have to wait and see who the players will be. SLC is expected to tell [chief of selectors] Graeme [Labrooy] what the next step forward is,” Gurusinha said. “There are lots of positives taking place. It is not nice to name them, but there has been positive feedback from most of the players.”On top of security assurances from Pakistan’s cricket board and government, SLC will be looking to further allay player fears by only staying in Pakistan for 24 hours. SLC has also said its president Thilanga Sumathipala will accompany the team to Lahore, while the board officials had stated earlier that Sri Lanka’s players had been promised the same level of security afforded to the World XI team in September, and that the ICC was also willing to send its match officials to Pakistan.Gurusinha, speaking ahead of Wednesday’s third ODI, said he was hopeful the players who had raised concerns would “seriously look at” the precautions being taken before coming to a final decision.”SLC will be speaking to the players to find the best way to handle it. Seems like we will be there in Lahore only for 24 hours. We are flying in and flying out. We are hoping that some of the players who had concerns will seriously take a look at it.”Gurusinha acknowledged that it was a tough decision to go through with the plan despite player concerns, but explained that Pakistan’s support for Sri Lanka during the 1996 World Cup coupled with the security assurances meant there was little chance of the venue being changed.”We have to look at both sides. SLC was concerned with security. I am yet to talk to the board, but once security was cleared the board had to send its players.”[Pakistan] came down to help us two weeks after the Central Bank bombing [in Colombo in 1996]. Had they not come down, I am not too sure whether Kenya and Zimbabwe would have honoured their World Cup fixtures.”The security [in Pakistan] has been cleared. The team will seriously look at it and I am hopeful players will be happy with the situation.”A preliminary 22-man squad is expected to be named on Wednesday, which will be cut down to 15 by October 20.

Ed Barnard starred with four wickets on an excitable but brief day of action at Trent Bridge

David Hopps at Trent Bridge05-Sep-20171:37

County Championship Round-up: Barnard gives Worcs the edge

Nottinghamshire 188 for 9 (Barnard 4-66) v Worcestershire
ScorecardTwo limited-overs trophies safely gathered in, it was time for Nottinghamshire to return to the gentler rhythms of the County Championship. Ah yes, the dutiful seeing-off of the new ball, the careful perusal of each bowler until every variation had been logged, the chance for spectators to chew upon the clue for seven across and contemplate the latest news from North Korea.Except Championship cricket at Trent Bridge is rarely like that. At one point Notts were for 127 for 6 in the 28th over, the ball as excitable as a week-old puppy, the top six batsmen all suffering the batting equivalent of wee up the trouser leg. Last week, Notts traded runs for wickets with Northants, who were third until they were well beaten. This week it is the turn of Worcestershire, who lie second. There has barely been time to read the news at all. No bad thing.No English ground looks more beautiful in the rain, with the floodlights blazing, than Trent Bridge, but by the time the weather worsened for the final time at 5pm, with Notts 188 for 9, it was time to accept the inevitable with honours about even. To steal 47.5 overs from a day like this was a fair effort.Such is county life on a bedraggled day like this that Ed Barnard, an archetypal English seamer, making strides at 21, had four wickets – removing Jake Libby, Cheteshwar Pujara, Samit Patel and Riki Wessels in the space of 25 balls – while Ravi Ashwin, the Indian spinner brought over to England with considerable fanfare, did not even get a bowl.Ashwin took 8 for 162 to guide Worcestershire to victory against Gloucestershire on his debut last week, but his most valuable experience here, ahead of India’s tour next summer, might well be to bat twice on a seaming deck.Barnard maintained an attacking length and was rewarded for it. His first four overs disappeared for 24, Notts well placed at 79 for 1 in the 19th over, but then the wickets came thick and fast. Jake Libby fell to a combo catch – wicketkeeper Ben Cox knocking the ball on to second slip – Cox held on to dismiss Pujara then took a beauty, low to his right, to silence Samit Patel. Riki Wessels made nought, sitting back to one that kept a little low. Barnard also threw out Brett Hutton late in the day, Hutton had got off the mark the previous ball – his 26th – as he was almost solely responsible for slowing the rate to four an over.The first session was so high-risk, so full of threat and counter-threat that the story should properly have been told in front of a TV camera by Ri Chun-hee, the patriotic North Korean newsreader. She began her career, incidentally, back in 1971 when Mike Smedley and Brian Bolus were mastering the art of the scurried leg-bye at Trent Bridge and North Korea was actually talking about unification with the South. More sober, safer times.Nottinghamshire are marking the retirement of their own supreme leader here, an altogether more popular figure. This is their last home Championship match of the season, the last time that Chris Read will be seen at Trent Bridge. For 20 years, he has graced the game as one of the most quicksilver glovemen around, including 15 Tests – a figure that would have been far higher if the batting qualities that ultimately brought him more than 16,000 first-class runs at 37.18 had been apparent a little earlier.Read’s elan has brought joy to so many Trent Bridge days. He has been nimble behind the stumps and a counter-attacker with the bat around No 7 in the great wicketkeeping tradition. As was observed by Michael Henderson, from , who was on hand to pen a leisurely valediction, while Read has played for Nottinghamshire, the entire ground, bar the chimney-potted old pavilion, has changed around him. The pavilion is also due for a revamp, although Read will not be around to see it. The game has changed too.Read surpassed Thomas Oates for most victims by a Notts wicketkeeper last month. After the last of his Tests, against Australia in Sydney 10 years ago, England preferred to treat him like Captain Lawrence Oates, presuming that he may be gone some time. In England terms, so he has been, but quite properly he walked out to a standing ovation. England should have made better use of him, but in the pubs of Worksop and Newark people will talk fondly of his skills well into their dotage.

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Alex Palmer's move to Luton Town has now stalled as journalist Alan Nixon shares a Hawthorns transfer twist.

Who will leave West Brom this summer?

Carlos Corberan's side have seen a plethora of last season's squad leave this summer, with Dara O'Shea, Jake Livermore, Archie Oliver, Rico Richards, Zach Ashworth, Karlan Grant and Kean Bryan all departing in some capacity.

Some of the aforementioned left the club on permanent deals, including O'Shea to Burnley for around £7 million, while the likes of Livermore departed West Brom as a free agent following the expiry of his contract.

After an inconsistent end to the 2022/2023 Championship season, the Baggies narrowly missed out on a play-off promotion spot, falling just short of Sunderland in sixth – and Corberan will be hoping his new-look side can mount a better challenge next campaign.

West Brom have just one confirmed signing under their belt as we now reach August and the final stretch of this transfer window – namely midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento on loan from Premier League side Brighton.

However, before Corberan's side announce further new arrivals, it appears more exits could be on the cards this summer and one player who has attracted serious top flight interest is shot-stopper Palmer.

Luton Town, after their fairytale promotion to the big time via a play-off win at Wembley, have been in talks to sign the 26-year-old who started 23 league games as West Brom's number one last season.

It was believed he was nearing a move to the Hatters, with newspaper journalist Nixon claiming both Luton and West Brom had agreed on a transfer fee for the keeper.

Sharing an update on his prospective departure, Nixon says there's been a twist, as he writes on his Patreon (via West Brom News).

According to the reporter, Palmer's move has now stalled due to personal terms. Indeed, Luton's need to insert relegation clauses into contracts has resulted in the transfer facing total collapse.

Palmer would have picked up a pay rise with his move to Kenilworth Road, but his wages would've also been cut dramatically if Luton face relegation at the end of next campaign.

As a result, the Englishman is no closer to leaving West Brom and it will be interesting to see what happens next.

How good is Alex Palmer?

The goalkeeper worked his way into the West Brom number one spot last season, earning praise and ultimately doing a solid job succeeding Sam Johnstone between the sticks.

According to WhoScored, Palmer ranked as one of their top 10 best-performing players by average match rating, with Corberan holding him in very high esteem.

After a 2-1 win over Sunderland last term, the Baggies boss singled him out for praise for some key saves, sayinh he deserves just as much credit as the goalscorers.

Corberan said:

"Alex Palmer I didn't play against before, but they are a group of players I knew before I came here. Palmer has grown very well, he's growing a lot and he's helping the team a lot.

"Maybe you don't change it at 2-0, maybe yes but maybe no. Maybe thanks to this save, we now have three points."

It took until the final session of the fourth day, but this absorbing Test took a decisive swing as England’s prolific lower order carried the lead away from West Indies

The Report by Andrew McGlashan28-Aug-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsIt took until the final session of the fourth day, but this absorbing Test took a decisive swing as England’s prolific lower order carried the lead away from West Indies. Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes sped to a 117-run stand for the eighth wicket, to build on the work of Joe Root, Dawid Malan and Ben Stokes to tire out a three-man pace attack. Such was England’s surge that they were able to declare to leave a target of 322.Stokes and Malan, with contrasting half-centuries, had pushed England ahead with a stand of 91 but three wickets in 22 balls for Roston Chase opened the door. When Jonny Bairstow dragged on an ugly-looking reverse sweep, the lead was 158. By the time Moeen found long-on, just 23 overs later, it was approaching 300. And still there was no stopping England. Woakes eased to a 99-ball fifty and in a sign of the collective effort, England’s total was their highest without a century.On only four occasions have England overturned a bigger deficit than 169. One of them, famously, came at Headingley in 1981 when, incidentally, the stand that turned the match was worth 117 between Ian Botham and Graham Dilley. The partnership between Moeen and Woakes won’t go down in cricket folklore in quite the same way, but victory for England would be a remarkable turnaround even if the romantics (and those not associated with the England team) would probably have preferred the remarkable story of a West Indies victory.Moeen Ali’s thrilling counterattack put England into control at Headingley•Getty ImagesTheir openers negotiated six overs before the close, but to chase down this target would be the most extraordinary twist of the lot. Only Bradman’s Invincibles have chased a bigger target on this ground, although perhaps England’s own pursuit of 315 against Australia in 2001, scored almost entirely on the final day against a fine attack, offers a glimmer of hope. There were signs, however, in a testing last over of spin and bite that Moeen will be able to have a big say with ball after his batting heroics.Having been on top, or at worst even, for much of the first three days West Indies couldn’t sustain themselves long enough to make the final decisive inroads into England’s batting. When they emerged after tea the lead was still under 200, but a filthy over from Kraigg Brathwaite (whose action was reported after the first Test) set the tone for a period of play in which control was completely lost against Moeen at his counter-attacking best.When it needed one more big push from Shannon Gabriel, he hit the wall. He and Kemar Roach, who also wasted the second new ball, had bowled for most of the first hour amid West Indies’ early push for wickets, and when he returned after tea, Gabriel’s first two overs went for 28.The list of self-inflicted problems also grew. Devendra Bishoo, who had bowled just two of the first 70 overs in the innings, had Moeen caught behind off a no-ball on 32. It was an excruciatingly close call from S Ravi, with no recourse to check, in a match where plenty of no-balls have been missed but there was no reason for Bishoo to be so close to the line. Earlier in the day, Malan was dropped at slip on 29, one over after Root had departed, caught at the second attempt by Shai Hope in the gully. It could have been a crucial double breakthrough, but instead it was a reminder of Root’s own let-off, 62 runs earlier on the third day, when Shai’s brother, Kyle, had been the culprit.Malan’s innings was the least eye-catching of the day – he added 40 off 121 balls to his overnight score – and his tendency to drive away from the body should have brought his downfall, but Kieran Powell was put off at first slip when Shane Dowrich dived across him. Had it been taken, England would have been five down with a lead of 44. But he played an important part in forging England’s position and in a batting line-up that doesn’t lack for stroke-makers, the ability to soak up deliveries is valuable. The innings has probably booked him an Ashes tour.He was never fluent, needing 162 balls for his fifty, but he featured a stand of 118 with Root before the 91 with Stokes, who followed up his first-innings century with a 92-ball fifty. It was the second time Stokes had scored a century and a fifty in the same Test, the other being against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2015 when England also managed overturn a significant deficit. He was especially fluent after lunch, adding to the list of the blistering drives which have studded his performance across this match, as he took advantage of a tiring Gabriel with four boundaries in 11 balls.However, the shot that brought his dismissal should not escape some criticism, particularly as England’s lead had yet to get out of sight. Credit is due to the bowler, Chase, who got the ball to grip a touch out of the rough but picking out a man on the fence first ball after a break is not a good look.There was less blame attached to Malan’s dismissal. Earlier in the over, Chase had got a ball to jump from the rough and almost lob to point – something that will interest Moeen with ball in hand – and he was caught on the crease when a delivery straightened to take off stump. Bairstow was quickly out of the blocks with four boundaries, but then tried to reverse sweep Chase out of the rough and dragged on. England were far from safe, yet by the end of the day they were the only side with a realistic chance of victory.

Galatasary forward Wilfried Zaha once "made it clear" he wanted to join Arsenal, according to journalist Charles Watts.

Who will Arsenal sign?

Mikel Arteta's side have displayed no shortage of ambition this transfer window, having already completed a trio of marquee deals for winger Kai Havertz, midfielder Declan Rice and versatile defender Jurrien Timber.

Havertz arrived first, completing a £65 million switch from London rivals Chelsea, while Rice came as their biggest outlay of the summer in a record-breaking £105 million move from West Ham.

"We’re really happy that Declan is joining us," said Arteta after his arrival.

"He is a player with tremendous ability, who has been performing at a high level in the Premier League and for England for a number of seasons now. Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here."

Timber's arrival from Ajax will also strengthen Arteta's defence to no end, with the Netherlands international boasting real versatility.

Zaha, who left Crystal Palace as a free agent at the start of the summer, had been linked with a move to Arsenal recently so some supporters may have expected a potential swoop for the Ivorian.

Alas, that didn't come to fruition and he instead joined up with Turkish Super Lig giants Galatasary. Speaking to TEAMtalk, Arsenal reporter Watts has shared just how close he came to joining the club back in 2019.

During Unai Emery's tenure, he was a top transfer target, and he apparently "made it clear" he wanted a move to the Emirates Stadium at the time.

“I expected him to go to a different club rather than Galatasaray,” Watts told TEAMtalk.

“Interestingly, Francis Cagigao has just taken over as head of recruitment at Gala. He was at Arsenal for a long, long time. I wasn’t expecting Arsenal to do anything.

“Once that happened, I never really expected Arsenal to rekindle that interest."

How good is Wilfried Zaha?

We believe the winger would have been a serious coup for Arsenal on a Bosman deal this year, especially considering his haul of 14 goals in 33 appearances for Palace last season (WhoScored).

Zaha also bettered every single one of his teammates in terms of attempts at goal, key passes made and successful take-ons per 90 in the final third over 2022/2023 (WhoScored).

The 30-year-old also attracted more fouls than any other Palace player, highlighting what a tricky player he can be to play against.