The entire England squad will get together on Tuesday for the first time since landing in Australia and completing quarantine

Andrew Miller29-Nov-2021England’s Ashes campaign officially gets underway on Tuesday, according to Joe Root, the Test captain, with the emergence from quarantine of the multi-format players who featured in the recent T20 World Cup in the UAE, and the scheduled start of an intra-squad four-day match in Brisbane.Jos Buttler, Mark Wood, Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan and Chris Woakes, all of whom featured in England’s run to the semi-finals, will be available for selection in the fixture against England Lions at the Ian Healy Oval, after completing their 14 days of quarantine, with the tour’s coaching contingent of Chris Silverwood, Paul Collingwood, Jeetan Patel and James Foster also now able to link up with the rest of the squad.But to judge by the weather that the main Ashes party has been encountering on the Gold Coast since their own arrival at the start of the month, it promises to be a soggy reunion, with Root admitting that the players may need to focus on their mental preparation to compensate for their limited time in the middle.Related

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Only 29 overs were possible on the opening day of the initial three-day warm-up against the England Lions last week, meaning that the openers Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed, and the spinner Dom Bess – leant out to the Lions attack – are the only three members of the Ashes party to have had any match practice since the start of the tour.And for that reason, Root said the proposed first-class status of the squad match had been downgraded, to allow enough flexibility to give the team’s key players sufficient time in the middle – among them Ben Stokes, who has not batted in a red-ball match since the tour of India in February.”It’s been unusual,” Root admitted, “Having spent a period of time in quarantine and training within that quarantine phase, and then coming to Brisbane. We haven’t had that three-day game, as we would have liked, but it was always going to be the case that tomorrow was really the first day as a squad that we would get together, with those World Cup guys joining us.”So we always knew that this next phase was going to be the most crucial part, in terms of getting tight, getting clear and readying ourselves, and that’s going to be the real test for us.Joe Root is looking forward to a tough practice game against England Lions•Getty Images

“We want that intensity to be as high as we can, as close to the Test matches as we can, and I expect it to be very competitive,” Root said of the four-day fixture. “The quality of the players will be there from both teams and, because of the lack of preparation that we’ve had in that previous three-day game, having that extra bit of flexibility to make sure we can get as many guys what they need throughout these four days is going to be crucial.”But it might be that, in the next couple of days, we get some similar weather and we don’t get the time out there in the middle. But whether you play those games in your mind a little bit more, visualise a little bit more, it’s really important you find different ways of making sure that, when that first ball comes down at the Gabba, we’re in the best place possible.”Stokes endured a dramatic 24 hours over the weekend, after briefly choking on a tablet that got lodged in his windpipe in his hotel-room, and then being struck on the forearm while facing throw-downs in the nets from the batting consultant, Jonathan Trott. And while Root was eager to downplay the latter incident, he acknowledged the blow would need to be monitored as he continues his return to action.”It was a bit of a concern,” Root said. “The wickets, because of the weather, have been slightly spicy and guys have really had to get stuck in. There have been a few little knocks here and there. To see Ben get hit like that was obviously a scary moment. We all know how crucial he is within our squad but he seems to have come through it pretty well.”He practised again today and again we’ll keep assessing, making sure it doesn’t have a prolonged effect on him. It’s going to be really important that he gets himself ready both physically and mentally for this series and to play a big part in it.”Either way, England could still find themselves with more match readiness going into that first Test on December 8 than Australia, whose own lack of red-ball game-time has been compounded by internal upheaval, following the resignation of Tim Paine as captain, and the appointment of Pat Cummins in his place.”It’s not really for us to worry about,” Root said. “For us, it is about readying ourselves as best we can. Playing against Pat, I know what a competitor he is and what he brings to their team. I expect him to do just that as a captain as well. But it is really important we focus on ourselves, get the most out of this lead-in and don’t get distracted by anything that Australia are doing.”There’s a lot of people that will want to prove things, and will want to show that they deserve an opportunity for that first Test match,” Root added. “This is a really good chance for us to get ahead of things, maybe get ahead of Australia in terms of preparation and game-time ahead of the series, and it would be silly for us to just cosy our way through the four days. It has to be good hard proper cricket that we’ll benefit from, going into the first Test.”

In the same season that West Ham United signed Jarrod Bowen from Hull City for around £20m, the Hammers brought seven players to the club on permanent transfers, and Tomas Soucek on an initial loan deal.

Some big earners were also shifted that same season, with Marko Arnautovic, Javier Hernandez and Pedro Obiang all moving on, creating room in the squad, especially for those attacking reinforcements such as Bowen.

Player

Fee (£)

Sebastian Haller

£41.8m

Pablo Fornals

£23.4m

Jarrod Bowen

£17.8m

Albian Ajeti

£9.4m

Darren Randolph

£3.9m

Roberto

£0

David Martin

£0

Sebastian Haller was the big addition that season, but failed to deliver on a consistent basis for the club upfront, making 54 appearances for the Hammers, scoring just 14 goals, providing one assist, and totalling 3,681 minutes played.

But despite other signings in this window not quite living up to expectations, Bowen certainly has, now becoming a key figure at West Ham, and signing a new bumper deal to keep him at the club until 2030.

Jarrod Bowen's record at West Ham

Since joining the Irons in 2020, Bowen has made 213 appearances for the club, netting 64 times, providing 41 assists, and totalling 16,700 minutes played. The 27-year-old has been predominantly played as a right-winger during his career, but he can also play as a striker through the middle if needed.

Bowen has earned 12 England caps so far, which is testament to the consistency he can provide for both club and country, working hard on both sides of the ball, looking to provide output in the final third, and offering positional versatility.

The England international is coming off the back of his best output year for the club, scoring 20 goals in all competitions, having made 44 appearances, whilst also providing 10 assists. The most interesting part though, is when you assess the number of games Bowen played in each position last campaign.

22 times, Bowen played as the centre-forward for the Hammers last season, scoring nine times, and providing four assists. Meanwhile, on 21 occasions, Bowen played as a right-winger/midfielder, scoring 11 times, and providing six assists. This highlights that positional versatility, and perhaps an option for Julen Lopetegui if the poor form of Michail Antonio continues, whilst injuries seem to persist for Niclas Füllkrug.

West Ham could go back into the market for a number nine, but another option they have is to convert Bowen to a permanent striker, replacing Danny Ings, and add another goalscoring wide man to their ranks, who even ranked above Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka – who placed 21st – in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

West Ham transfer news

According to reports from Football Insider, West Ham are interested in Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman. The Hammers are said to be ready to swoop for the 14th placed Ballon d’Or nominee in January, albeit with PSG also interested in the 27-year-old.

Lookman made 45 appearances for Atalanta last campaign in all competitions, scoring 17 goals, providing ten assists, and totalling 2,809 minutes played. He played a huge part in leading the Italian side to their Europa League triumph, scoring all three goals in the final, as Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final.

If West Ham manage to make this addition – which could cost around £51m, judging by his summer price tag – it could allow them to unleash a front three of Lookman (left-wing), Mohammed Kudus (right-wing) and Bowen (striker), making them one of the most feared attacking trios in the Premier League, especially in transition.

Bowen and Lookman's potential partnership

Lookman has been hailed as “sensational” by Peter Crouch for his rise through the ranks, having had failed spells in England for Fulham, Everton and Leicester City. Across the three clubs, the 27-year-old made 125 appearances, scoring 16 goals, and providing 11 assists.

In comparison, for Atalanta, Lookman has made just 89 appearances since joining in 2022, scoring 37 goals and providing 23 assists in 5,404 minutes played. That rise has thus seen him surpass the likes of Saka in the Ballon d’Or rankings, with that some statement considering the Englishman provided 34 goals and assists in all competitions last season.

His output level has drastically increased, and should he return to the Premier League, it would very much feel like his chance to prove people wrong.

Stats (per 90 mins)

Bowen

Lookman

Goals

0.37

0.62

Assists

0.19

0.62

xG

0.21

0.56

xAG

0.33

0.48

Progressive Carries

4.02

5.49

Progressive Passes

3.91

4.08

Shots Total

2.50

3.46

Goals/Shot

0.11

0.14

Key Passes

2.53

3.80

Shot-Creating Actions

4.02

8.03

Successful Take-Ons

1.38

2.39

The best way of setting up with both Bowen and Lookman, in order to get the most out of their individual attributes, is by having Lookman on the left, allowing him to cut inside on his right foot, drift inside and create/link with his teammates.

Most of Lookman’s minutes over the past few seasons have come as a second striker, playing off the left, with a more physical striker through the middle. Bowen, whilst not being a physical hold-up striker, is clever with his movement, and has a great understanding of the role to facilitate for others, which could allow the Hammers to get the best out of Lookman and Kudus.

The metrics analysed above tell us exactly why Lookman could be the solution to West Ham, adding high shot volume, excellent creative numbers, brilliant progression stats, and improved output for the side. This move wouldn’t only allow you to get Lookman into the team in his best position, but it would also allow Kudus to be moved over to his preferred side, where he produced his best numbers last season.

If Lopetegui can get the best out of all three attackers, it could make all the difference in firing West Ham higher up the table, making them feared by opposition defences on the break, and allowing them to therefore control the game for longer periods, as teams are too busy worrying about being caught on the counter by the electric frontline of the Hammers.

West Ham likely to let £80,000-per-week star loved by Lopetegui go in 2025

He may not stay beyond this season.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Oct 30, 2024

Sunderland might be sitting pretty at the top of the Championship table at this moment in time, but Regis Le Bris’ men are without a win in their last three in the unpredictable division.

Of course, they also haven’t lost, as a trio of draws have greeted the table-topping Black Cats, with the most recent 2-2 draw against Coventry City stinging somewhat considering Sunderland were two goals to the good up until the 62nd-minute mark.

Without more magic from sharpshooter Wilson Isidor in this score draw, however, Sunderland could have been tasting defeat, as the Frenchman continues to excite the Stadium of Light masses.

Isidor's performances this season

Le Bris has experimented in recent matches with who leads the line for his promotion-chasing outfit, with free transfer recruit Aaron Connolly placed up top versus Preston North End at the start of the month.

It was a sorry showing from the ex-Hull City man, as the new Sunderland number 24 only managed a shocking nine touches of the ball at Deepdale, with Isidor reinstated as the Black Cats’ main striker thereafter.

With stylish finishes like this one becoming customary from the 24-year-old, the Zenit St. Petersburg loanee is slowly but surely turning into a fan’s favourite on Wearside, with this stunning first-time strike against the managerless Sky Blues taking his Championship goal tally up to a promising five.

Sunderland will just hope he can keep up this electric form as the season wears on and games become far tenser in the midst of a promotion race, knowing that a former academy prodigy at the Stadium of Light is currently outperforming him in the same league.

The player who is outperforming Isidor

Stating recently that he still supports Sunderland, having never lost his boyhood connection to the Black Cats, Sam Greenwood is one talent that the Wearside outfit will lament never giving senior opportunities to when he was still at the club.

The Sunderland-born attacker would be poached by Arsenal at a young age in 2018, having picked up six goals and six assists from 15 Mackems appearances at U18 level.

He would only end up lasting a year in the Gunners academy set-up before Leeds snapped him up, where goals aplenty came his way in the U21 fold in West Yorkshire, which included a sublime free-kick taking aback Whites fans on social media in 2021.

22 goals in the U21 set-up hasn’t quite resulted in him making waves in the first team at Daniel Farke’s men, however, with only strike from 35 first-team clashes, leading to many loan moves taking him away from the second-tier giants.

On the books at Preston is where Greenwood is currently shining, with more goal contributions this campaign than Isidor has managed when pulling on a Sunderland strip, as Lilywhites supporters have a new hero in attack to latch onto.

The one-time Black Cats youngster has amassed five goals and one assist in all competitions for Paul Heckingbottom’s team this season, whilst his French counterpart is one goal contribution shy, with five strikes picked up but zero assists registered for his teammates.

Greenwood’s numbers out on loan away from Leeds

Club played for

Games

Goals

Assists

Preston

16

5

1

Middlesbrough

38

5

3

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Also starring with Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough last campaign, it’s clear that Greenwood would be able to offer Le Bris’ men something if he was back at his boyhood club today, with the 22-year-old capable of playing up top where Isidor is shining, or across many midfield spots if needs be.

The door hasn’t been slammed completely shut on his time at Leeds too, with Farke once stating that Greenwood has “unbelievable” skills up his sleeve, as Sunderland are left to ponder whether he could be starring next to fellow homegrown gems such as Chris Rigg and Daniel Neil in an alternate reality.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Nov 12, 2024

West Ham United have been pretty rubbish this season, and it’s starting to feel like Julen Lopetegui has a hopeless task in turning the ship around.

It just hasn’t worked out. There’s an air of dejection in east London, with the Hammers bereft of ideas and incentive. It was the right time for David Moyes to leave before the summer, but securing a worthy successor was imperative, for West Ham had won the Conference League in 2022/23 and have a squad borne with quality that the lion’s share across Europe can only dream of.

Something needs to change. Fortunes could be redirected, but it’s a long season ahead, and Lopetegui’s two-year contract (with the option for a further year) is longer still.

It would be fair to claim that the Irons are suffering something of an identity crisis, causing a loss of fluency and isolation up top. Michail Antonio is suffering, but at 34 years old, he can’t keep starting as the number nine.

Michail Antonio's stats vs Everton

Antonio is a byword for loyal servant down in east London, with the veteran having amassed 320 appearances for West Ham and scored 83 goals.

But he’s showing the signs of an ageing star touched by the twilit stage of their career, with just one goal across 11 Premier League matches (nine starts) this season, as per Sofascore, having lost 70% of his ground duels too.

The heavyset striker prides himself on his muscular physicality and brutish effectiveness in the final third, but it’s only natural that he would start to decline and Lopetegui surely needs to drop him soon, with West Ham looking so boringly blunt up front.

That’s not to say that his impact is negligible. Against Everton on Saturday, West Ham might have played out a drab goalless draw at the London Stadium but there were flashes of… something. Antonio offered promise toward the end of the opening half but ultimately looked starved and sapped.

Minutes played

67′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

30

Shots (on target)

1 (1)

Big chances missed

1

Accurate passes

12/15 (80%)

Key passes

1

Dribbles (completed)

1 (0)

Total duels (won)

9 (4)

Niclas Fullkrug (remember him) continues to languish in the infirmary, having featured thrice off the bench to start the season before missing eight successive Premier League matches. Don’t expect him back anytime soon.

Danny Ings was sprightly off the bench, nearly scoring, in fact. Moreover, Jarrod Bowen could play up top with more regularity; bringing dynamism and the club’s best goal threat, it might be an option worth pursuing.

Something needs to change, fast, or Lopetegui is going to lose his job. Antonio is not providing West Ham with enough at number nine, but more controversially, Lucas Paqueta should perhaps follow the Jamaica international to the bench.

Why Lopetegui must drop Lucas Paqueta

West Ham’s draw against Everton has seen them retain 14th-place status in the Premier League. The draw might have been met with better feedback if there was a bit more about the hosts’ performance, but it was dour and colourless and did little to keep the snapping detractors at bay.

Paqueta failed to impress once again, with the £150k-per-weer earner sloppy in possession, ceding the ball on a whopping 19 occasions, winning just three of his 14 duels and committing three fouls.

Of course, Paqueta is the greatest game-changer at Lopetegui’s disposal, but he can make an impact from the bench and perhaps must be forced into this role for the foreseeable to kick him back into gear.

As you will see below, he’s practically lowered his gears across every metric, no longer producing the all-encompassing midfield football that had led Moyes to hail the “maverick” as “incredible”.

Matches (starts)

28 (27)

31 (31)

11 (10)

Goals

4

4

2

Assists

3

6

0

Touches*

57.2

65.7

57.0

Shots (on target)*

1.9 (0.6)

1.4 (0.4)

1.3 (0.4)

Pass completion

80%

75%

78%

Big chances created

3

12

2

Key passes*

1.1

1.4

1.1

Dribbles*

1.2

1.3

0.6

Ball recoveries*

6.0

6.7

6.2

Tackles + interceptions*

3.1

3.0

1.9

Total duels won*

6.1 (48%)

7.6 (50%)

3.5 (33%)

It’s a brazen thing to say but would it be fair to claim that he looks disinterested? It certainly feels that way, watching Paqueta fail to give rise to that combativeness and creative ingenuity.

The Brazilian is perhaps suffering from his botched move to Manchester City, precluded by the ongoing case relating to betting breaches that may cast him into the great abyss for the remainder of his footballing days.

We may as well get to the crux of all this: Paqueta needs to be dropped. And not just for one game – West Ham meet Newcastle United at St. James’ Park after the international break – but for an indefinite period, showing to him that talent alone cannot allow him to keep his place in the starting line-up.

Lopetegui might be reluctant to make so drastic a decision, but he is staring into another period without employment, and his current place of work is weighing him down like a great millstone around his neck.

Everton were there for the taking, and might indeed have been defeated were West Ham a little more inspiring in attack, more incisive in the final moments.

Jordan Pickford’s heroics did foil the Hammers, but sustained pressure was not mustered and recognisable patterns of play were non-existent for most of the contest. It was a game that positively cried out for Paqueta’s influence, but it was a match that received but a trickle of the South American’s style.

The club’s devoted supporters are rightly fed up with the lack of progress at West Ham, which as a whole has not so much ossified as regressed.

Carlos Soler waits in the wings, remember, and could play a part. James Ward-Prowse must wonder why on earth he was allowed to leave on loan after one year in claret, a season that left plenty to be desired but still something to be praised.

Paqueta’s not producing his finest football by half, and he needs to be ditched, lest Lopetegui keep producing the same results and then face the axe in the coming weeks.

Forget Bowen: West Ham have another star who could save Loptegui's job

Jarrod Bowen isn’t the only important character for West Ham at the moment.

1 ByConnor Holden Nov 10, 2024

The 25-year-old batter was left out of their ODI and T20I squads to play Ireland and England after failing a fitness test

Matt Roller04-Jan-2022Shimron Hetmyer is letting himself and his international team-mates down by paying insufficient attention to his physical fitness, according to West Indies head coach Phil Simmons.Hetmyer, the 25-year-old batter, was West Indies’ leading run-scorer in their disappointing 2021 T20 World Cup campaign, making a valiant 81 not-out off 54 balls against Sri Lanka, but has been left out of their ODI and T20I squads to play Ireland and England after failing a fitness test.Hetmyer has now been omitted from several West Indies squads on fitness grounds, having also missed the recent tour of Pakistan due to personal reasons, and Simmons said that it was “heart-wrenching” to see him fail to reach the minimum standard again.”It’s the same old, same old,” Simmons said in a press conference on New Year’s Eve. “He did his fitness assessment in Guyana last week and came way below the required mark.”It’s something that’s heart-wrenching because you know that you’re part of this team and you have to continue to be a certain fitness to be part of this team, and you keep letting down your team-mates.”It’s disappointing and again, we have to go back to this and I think it’s something which we shouldn’t have to be going back to all the time. He keeps letting down himself and his team-mates.”Related

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Simmons also addressed Chris Gayle’s omission from the squad, after Cricket West Indies chief executive Johnny Grave had mooted the possibility of a farewell appearance in the one-off T20I against Ireland in Jamaica.Local Covid-19 restrictions have forced that fixture to be staged behind closed doors and reports in Jamaica have suggested that a testimonial match for Gayle could be held later this year in front of supporters at Sabina Park, as his international career draws to a close.”It’s something that I would like to see start in our cricket,” Simmons said. “But when we sit down to select a squad, we sit down to select the best squad for the upcoming series.”If it’s a case where a send-off is to happen for Chris, then for us to select him, if he’s not part of our make-up, it has to come from above us. I can’t really say if that’s going to happen later on in the year.”West Indies’ ODI series against Ireland in Jamaica runs from January 8 to 14, with a T20I to follow on January 16. The five-match T20I series against England in Barbados runs from January 22 to 30.

INEOS have submitted an opening offer worth £83.5 million to sign a “dynamic” attacker for Manchester United, according to a recent report. Ruben Amorim takes charge of his first United training session this week after waiting for his visa to come through. Then, by the end of the week, the 39-year-old will be taking charge of his first match in charge of the Red Devils, as they face Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Man Utd now open preliminary talks to sign "brilliant" Luke Shaw upgrade

He’s been in fine form this season.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 17, 2024 Man Utd want to sign a left-back

The January transfer window has always been a hard month for clubs to sign players, as it is midway through the campaign and teams don’t want to sell players they can’t replace. However, that isn’t stopping United, as they are prioritising signing a left-back in the New Year given their recent issues in that area of the pitch.

Last week it emerged that the Red Devils are exploring a deal to bring Alvaro Carreras back to Old Trafford. The defender only left the club in the summer to join Benfica, but the fact that Luke Shaw has still yet to play this season means United are looking for a left-back, and Carreras is under consideration.

Another player who is on United’s radar is AFC Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, and they are ready “to act fast” to sign the left-back. In the latest update, United have opened preliminary talks to sign Kerkez, but face competition from rivals Liverpool. But left-back doesn’t seem to be the only position INEOS are looking at ahead of January, as they have submitted an offer to sign an attacking winger, according to the latest reports.

INEOS submit £83.5m offer to sign Ademola Lookman for Man Utd

According to a report from Spain, relayed by The Peoples Person, Manchester United have submitted an offer worth up to €100 million (£83.5 million) to sign Ademola Lookman from Atalanta as their first bit of business straight away in January. The 27-year-old has been with the Italian side since August 2022, when he joined from RB Leipzig, and he played a massive role in their Europa League success last season.

Lookman, who has been dubbed “dynamic” by football presenter Dougie Critchley, scored five goals in 11 Europa games last season, as the Serie A side beat Bayer Leverkusen in the final. As well as performing well in Europe, Lookman also bagged 11 goals and recorded eight assists in 31 league appearances.

The winger has continued that form this season, scoring six goals in nine league games, and that form has put him on the radar of United and Paris Saint Germain. This report states that both teams have submitted pre-January offers to sign the former Everton player, as his ability to score goals as well as create them and his versatility going forward have led to these teams taking “notice of him”.

Apps

92

Goals

40

Assists

23

It goes on to add that Lookman’s ability to play in different positions would see him fit into Amorim’s team, and even though he is important for Atalanta, they would sanction a sale, as receiving a huge fee would do wonders for their own finances.

With key players out and Hayes seeking to mix and match, GOAL looks at how the USWNT could line up against Australia

The SheBelieves Cup is a sprint, not a marathon and, at this level, sprints require rotation. U.S. women's national team head coach Emma Hayes acknowledged that by calling in an extra outfield player to this camp, with just two goalkeepers. For the USWNT to get through two more games, they'll need just about everyone.

Hayes unleashed a few surprises for the USWNT's opener, a 2-0 win over Colombia headlined by goals from Catarina Macario and Ally Sentnor. The latter, in particular, was one of the more surprising starters in that game and she responded by netting her first USWNT goal. There are plenty of other young players in search of similar breakouts, but Hayes has some difficult decisions to make when balancing this XI.

Changes are coming for Sunday's match against Australia, which kicks off at 5 p.m. ET in Phoenix. The only question is how many? With just a few days in between games, and just a few more before Wednesday's match against Japan, Hayes will certainly mix and match.

It'll be a balancing act of youth and veterans, but also of fitness level as the U.S. travels all over the West to play three tough games against three strong teams. And several stars are not on the roster, including Naomi Girma, Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson.

There's no predicting what Hayes, who remains unbeaten in her first 16 matches in charge of the USWNT, will do – she's proven on more than one occasion that she can go any which way with her XI. So what changes could she make from Colombia to Australia? GOAL takes a look.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  GK: Jane Campbell

  No need to change anything here and, to be fair, Campbell deserves at least one, if not two, more starts this camp. She had so little to do against Colombia, but maybe she'll get a chance to make a few saves against Australia, even if they are without superstar striker Sam Kerr.

  Campbell is pushing for a spot as the USWNT's No. 1. The Colombia game didn't give her much to work with when it came to proving her case, which makes this Australia match feel even more important.

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• USA Today Sports
  

  LB: Crystal Dunn

  Jenna Nighswonger started the first game and, to her credit, shined in that left-back role. She got up and down the field, as the USWNT clearly attempted to attack down her side, leading to some good sequences and very nearly a goal.

  Because of that performance, Nighswonger could certainly retain her spot in the XI. Hayes, though, could also rotate, giving Crystal Dunn a runout. Dunn could use it.. She's played just 79 minutes since September, so getting some extended game time will likely do wonders for her as she begins life at PSG on the club level.

  With that in mind, we'll give her the start in this game, even if it's tough to bench Nighswonger.

• IMAGN
  

  CB: Emily Sams

  Sams looked solid in her first two caps back in the fall, but watched on from the bench in the Colombia game. She's due another chance, and it'll likely come on Sunday.

  Newcomer Tara McKeown put in a good shift after settling into the game on Thursday, and she and Sams are likely now pushing each other for one of those final centerback spots in a full-strength roster. Both need more experience, though, and it's Sams' turn to get some.

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• Getty
  

  CB: Tierna Davidson

  Another change here as Davidson takes the spot of a fellow veteran. Emily Sonnett got the nod last game after being honored for her 100th cap pregame but this should be Davidson's time to shine.

  At the moment, Davidson is likely the best partner for the currently-absent Naomi Girma. That duo has proven itself plenty of times, but this is a good chance for Davidson to get some reps alongside someone other than the world-class Chelsea newcomer.

Less than three weeks ago, Pat Cummins being the Test captain of Australia was still a concept for the future. But on Wednesday morning – weather permitting – he will walk to the middle of the Gabba alongside Joe Root to mark the start of the Ashes.After Cummins was unveiled in a virtual press conference alongside new vice-captain Steven Smith while still in quarantine, the last week has been a succession of new responsibilities for the quick, who put the blazer on for the first time at the series launch on Sunday.”It’s all starting to feel a bit real,” Cummins said. “Think it will really hit home tomorrow when we walk out do the toss and friends and family are watching on TV. It’s been a really great lead-in. I know it’s been a lot of publicity and noise, but inside the camp we’ve been really relaxed and excited.”Related

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He will have to concern himself with plenty of things that he hasn’t had to in the past and he is no longer Cummins the bowler. So match-day morning will be a little different.”Think the main one is warming up bowling, we are normally marking the run-ups and start bowling about half an hour before [the start of the game], which is when the toss is,” he said. “So don’t know what I’m going to do tomorrow, maybe I’ll just get here a bit earlier.”He has been in touch with former captain Tim Paine in recent days, and was likely to give him another call on Tuesday for any last-minute bits of advice.”It’s been good to chat, still wish he was here and part of it all, but he needs to be home,” Cummins said. “He’s going all right, will probably… keep leaning on him for different ideas. He’s got great experience, [he is] a great guy and [I will] keep learning off him.”Cummins is still coming to terms with the names he joins as Test captain. He picked out Steve Waugh’s input on the 2019 Ashes tour and how Michael Clarke, his captain on debut in Johannesburg in 2011, made him feel “ten feet tall”.”At times, we’ve just let the other team into the game, so that’s a big focus of the batting group this summer”•Getty Images and Cricket Australia

“It’s almost crazy being the 47th men’s Test captain, the linage (lineage) of Painey, Smithy, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Waugh – they are legends of the game that I grew up watching,” he said. “It probably hasn’t hit me yet.”With his only professional captaincy experience being four one-day games for New South Wales last season, Cummins will have to continue learning on the job, though the natural rhythm of Test cricket may help him to settle in well. He has, however, had some specific conversations with Nathan Lyon.”Mainly around fields,” Cummins said. “I haven’t thought too much about spin-bowling fields in the past, so we’ve had a couple of really good chats. He’s played 100 Tests, so he knows far more about spin bowling than I do. I’ll be there to help him. I’ll have a few different ideas I’ll throw his way at times but he’s a seasoned pro, so makes my job pretty easy.”On a broader view of the team, he pinpointed a more ruthless streak from the batters after they did not pass 400 last season against India. Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner will shoulder a lot of the expectations, with Marcus Harris and Travis Head working to re-establish themselves in the side, and debutant Alex Carey slotting in at No. 7.”If you look back to the 2017-18 Ashes, our batters were incredibly ruthless… incredibly relentless with the bat, so that’s something we’ve spoken about,” Cummins said. “At times, we’ve just let the other team into the game, so that’s a big focus of the batting group this summer.”

Celtic are back in action once again in the Scottish Premiership this evening as they prepare to play host to Dundee at Parkhead in their tenth match.

The Hoops have won eight and drawn one of their opening eight games in the division, with a 2-2 draw against Aberdeen their only slip-up so far.

Brendan Rodgers’ side ran out convincing 3-0 winners against Motherwell at Fir Park in their last outing in the Premiership on Sunday, but the manager could still look to make changes to his starting XI.

One player who could be ruthlessly ditched from the line-up for this clash with Dundee in Glasgow is experienced right-sided forward James Forrest.

Why James Forrest could be dropped

The 33-year-old winger was given a fourth start of the Premiership season, in nine appearances, in the win over Motherwell but failed to grasp his chance to nail down a spot in the side.

Forrest, who has produced zero goals and three assists in nine league games, did not do enough to suggest that he should retain his place in the team for this match against Dundee tonight.

Vs Motherwell	James Forrest
Minutes	67
Shots	0
Big chances created	0
Pass accuracy	95%
Dribbles completed	1/2
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Scotland international did not make a significant impact in the final third to put a marker down to Rodgers.

The winger did complete 95% of his attempted passes, showing that he was reliable in possession, but zero shots on goal and zero ‘big chances’ created illustrates his lack of quality at the top end of the pitch.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

With this in mind, Rodgers must now brutally ditch him from the starting line-up in order to bring German forward Nicolas Kuhn back into the side.

Why Nicolas Kuhn should start

Put simply, the former Austrian Bundesliga star has been in sensational form for the Hoops across all competitions this season and would offer a greater threat to the opposition for Celtic.

The 24-year-old star has produced six goals and nine assists in 14 appearances in all competitions, more than one goal contribution every game on average.

It took Kuhn just 13 minutes off the bench to register an assist against Motherwell, with a cross for Adam Idah for the third goal, and he produced three key passes and one ‘big chance’ created in 23 minutes of action in total.

The left-footed star, who predominantly plays down the right flank, has scored three goals, provided five assists, and created five ‘big chances’ for his teammates in seven starts in the Premiership, which highlights how impressive and effective he has been in the final third.

Pundit Marvin Bartley described him as “breathtaking” earlier this season and his statistics back that up, as the German magician has consistently delivered with goals and assists for Celtic.

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Therefore, Rodgers must brutally ditch the ineffective Forrest after his showing against Motherwell and unleash Kuhn from the start against Dundee tonight, to cause constant problems down the right wing.

Perhaps more than any other team in the traditional ‘big six’, Tottenham Hotspur seem to have had the most mixed fortune in the transfer market over the last decade or so.

For example, for every incredible player they’ve signed, like Christian Eriksen and Heung-min Son, they have signed several unmitigated flops, like Tanguy Ndombele, Vincent Jansen and Ryan Sessegnon.

However, the North Londoners have also welcomed in a number of stars who don’t quite fit into either camp, including one signed by André Villas-Boas, who was at one point compared to the iconic Paul Gascoigne, only to leave for free years later.

Gascoigne's Spurs career

After growing to prominence with Newcastle United in the mid-1980s, Gascoigne secured a £2.2m move to Spurs in the summer of 1988, which was both a British record fee and a shock for Sir Alex Ferguson, who thought the talented Englishman would be coming to Manchester United.

In his debut season for the Lilywhites, the Gateshead-born star made 36 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored seven goals, provided one assist and entertained fans up and down the country with his mercurial ability before scoring another seven goals and producing one more assist in his second season in North London.

However, it was in his third and final campaign with the club that the former Newcastle ace cemented himself in Spurs history, as despite going off injured in the 16th minute in the final, he played in every round up to that point and racked up six goals in the process, including an iconic free-kick against fierce rivals Arsenal in the semi-finals.

The 57-capped international was then sold to Serie A side Lazio for around £5.5m that summer, with a final tally of 33 goals and six assists in 111 appearances for the club. While Gascoigne wasn’t a Spurs player for long, he remains a legendary figure among the fans, so eyebrows were raised when someone was compared to him in 2018.

Erik Lamela's Spurs career

Yes, the former Spurs player who was once compared to Gascoigne was Erik Lamela, and before the pitchforks come out, we weren’t the ones that made it. That honour belongs to another former Spurs great, Glenn Hoddle.

Surprisingly, the former England manager made the comparison quite late into the Argentine’s stint in North London, as he argued that the way he held off defenders in 2018 was similar to Gascoigne’s sometimes combative nature.

However, that is where the comparison ends, as while the former Roma star showed real moments of quality during his time in North London, like that Puskas winning goal against Arsenal, he was far too injury-prone and inconsistent to go down as a great.

That said, despite costing around £25m in 2013, he probably did just about enough during his eight years at the club to not go down as a flop either.

In those eight seasons, before he joined Sevilla for free in a deal that saw Bryan Gil go the other way, the Carapachay-born ace scored 37 goals and provided 44 assists in 257 appearances, which equates to a rather middling average of a goal involvement every 3.17 games.

Tottenham

257

37

44

0.31

Sevilla

92

16

7

0.25

AS Roma

67

21

14

0.52

River Plate

36

4

6

0.27

AEK Athens

8

0

1

0.12

Ultimately, while he cost a lot of money for the time and didn’t quite live up to expectations, it would be rather unfair to label Lamela as a complete flop, but one thing we can be sure of is that the comparison to Gascoigne was way off the mark.

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