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Rapid half-centuries by Riki Wessels and David Hussey helped Nottinghamshire maintain their 100% start to the Friends Life t20 campaign

08-Jun-2011
ScorecardRiki Wessels continued his good form with a rapid 70•PA PhotosRapid half-centuries by Riki Wessels and David Hussey helped Nottinghamshire maintain their 100% start to the Friends Life t20 campaign with a 28-run victory over Warwickshire at Edgbaston.The Outlaws piled up 193 for 7 and made it three wins in three outings as Warwickshire sank to their second home defeat in four days. With Darren Pattinson and Luke Fletcher sharing nine wickets, they could only muster 165 despite a valiant 61 from 36 balls by Darren Maddy.Wessels set the tone for the match by pulling two sixes in Neil Carter’s first over and Hussey also cleared the ropes twice as the left-arm seamer finished with 2 for 61 runs, the most expensive return by a Warwickshire bowler in the competition.In his attempts to find a yorker length, the 36-year-old Carter bowled a number of full tosses which were dispatched over the shorter boundary. His main consolation was the wicket of Hussey with a comfortable catch by Maddy at deep point.Hussey made 56 from 31 balls and will go into the next match against Leicestershire at Grace Road on Friday needing seven runs to beat Brad Hodge’s world record total of 3,690 in Twenty20 cricket.Yet if anything Hussey was outshone by Wessels’ performance at the top of the order. Taking his cue from the early bombardment of Carter, he also hit two sixes in an over from Steffan Piolet and faced only 43 balls before he was run out for 70 by Maddy’s return from extra cover.Warwickshire stumbled at the start, crumbling to 36 for 3, but they found some momentum when Jim Troughton put on 54 in six overs with Maddy before Pattinson bowled the Bears captain for 30.Patel became a target for Maddy as the all-rounder smashed three of his five sixes off the offspinner. The other two came off Andy Carter – but the return of Pattinson killed off Warwickshire.Maddy and Keith Barker (20) put up straightforward catches from successive balls and when Pattinson accounted for Piolet and Tim Ambrose in his last over he had taken 5 for 25, the best figures in the competition for Nottinghamshire. Fletcher also picked up two more wickets for a personal-best Twenty20 return of 4 for 30.

Celtic have seen a raft of new players make moves to Parkhead during the previous summer and winter transfer windows.

While most joined on permanent deals, the Hoops also have some players in their squad who are only there on loan until the end of the current season.

As the Bhoys are on the verge of securing the Premiership title, it seems as though a update has emerged regarding some behind-the-scenes activity at Lennoxtown over a couple of potential deals which could take place in the summer.

What’s the news?

Speaking in his latest press conference before the 4-1 win over Hearts on Saturday, Postecoglou touched upon the current situation regarding the futures of on-loan Celtic duo Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The 56-year-old said: “We are in discussions with them obviously, and as I have said all along, with these kind of things it’s never a simple process.

“But both have had unbelievable years for us and been outstanding contributors and both are really happy here.

“Our intent is to try and keep them at our football club, but these things need a point where all parties agree. I am hopeful we will get to that point but at this point, we are not quite there yet.”

To highlight how crucial the duo have been for the Hoops this season, with Carter-Vickers in defence and Jota in attack, Postecoglou’s side have the best record in terms of scoring and conceding goals in the league, with the loan pair both playing big parts.

Focusing on Jota, with nine goals and 10 assists to his name in 27 league outings, the winger is listed as the highest-rated player currently in Celtic’s squad according to WhoScored, averaging a superb match rating of 7.59 for the campaign.

Meanwhile, Carter-Vickers has been a rock at the back for the Bhoys, with a total of 38 interceptions and 20 tackles under his belt as their main centre-back alongside Carl Starfelt.

Taking this into account, it’ll be great news for the Celtic fans to hear that their club are intent on securing permanent deals for the dynamic duo in the summer.

If the club are able to sign both players for good, this would put Postecoglou’s side in great shape to repeat their successes this season in 2022/23.

In other news – Enquiry made, then joined rivals: Celtic had the last laugh over “huge” 161 G/A dynamo

South Australia is fighting to make New South Wales bat again after hundreds to Peter Nevill and Nathan Hauritz put the hosts in a commanding position

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Dec-2010
ScorecardCallum Ferguson holds the key for South Australia after finishing unbeaten on 55•Getty Images

South Australia is fighting to make New South Wales bat again after hundreds to Peter Nevill and Nathan Hauritz put the hosts in a commanding position. The Blues declared after lunch at 8 for 461 and had the Redbacks 4 for 178 at stumps, still 95 behind with a day to play.Callum Ferguson delivered a timely reminder to the national selectors with 55 not out while Daniel Christian was unbeaten on 43 as the battling visitors finished with a promising stand of 76. South Australia were in trouble after Tom Moffat finished his first game with 0 and 11 after nicking Trent Copeland, while the captain Michael Klinger (9) was caught behind off Stuart Clark. Steven Smith picked up his first wicket when he had Tom Cooper stumped on 41 and also had Aiden Blizzard lbw for 3.It was much easier batting for New South Wales and Nevill, the wicketkeeper, gained his second Shield century. He collected 12 fours and a six and stormed from his half-century to his hundred in 38 balls.Nevill built on the work of Hauritz, who became the highest scoring nightwatchman in the competition. His 146, which ended when he edged Christian, overtook the 134 of Victoria’s Ray Jordon in 1963-64.

A round-up of the fourth day of the second round of matches in the Super League of the Ranji Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Nov-2010Group BAbhimanyu Mithun took four wickets to help set up Karnataka’s victory•Cameraworx/Live ImagesAbhimanyu Mithun took 4 for 94 to set up an eight-wicket victory for Karnataka over Punjab at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. After Karnataka had dominated the first two days, Yuvraj Singh got a half-century on day three to take Punjab to 173 for 2 in their second innings, leaving a draw as the most likely result. Karnataka’s bowlers had other ideas, though. Vinay Kumar dismissed Vishwas Bhalla off the second ball of the final day before left-arm seamer S Aravind bowled Yuvraj for 79. Mithun, who was given a BCCI contract two days ago, then took three wickets to rip through the middle-order as Punjab slumped to 322 all out. Karnataka openers KB Pawan and debutant KL Rahul made light work of the 140-run target, both getting half-centuries. Karnataka move up to second in the Group B table with five points from a single game, while Punjab are last with one point from two games.Orissa held on for a draw against Uttar Pradesh on the final day at the Dr Akhilesh Das Stadium in Lucknow, but the home side picked up three points for their first innings lead. After enforcing the follow-on, UP’s opening bowlers Sudeep Tyagi and RP Singh, who had taken six wickets in Orissa’s first innings, struck early to leave Orissa tottering at 68 for 4, trailing by 90 with almost 50 overs remaining. A gutsy 44 off 144 balls by Biplab Samantray took Orissa into the lead, but when Tyagi took his fourth wicket of the innings to leave Orissa at 165 for 8, there was still time for a UP win. Former India fast bowler Debasis Mohanty and Basant Mohanty played out a nervous half hour to save the game for Orissa. Debasis was eventually bowled by RP, who took 3 for 29, as Orissa finished their second innings at 171 for 9. The three points took UP to second in the Group B table with six points from two games, while Orissa are in fourth.Group AForm Guide

Tracking ESPNcricinfo’s players to watch this season
R Ashwin: Dismissed six Delhi batsmen to to complete a ten-wicket match haul, though Tamil Nadu got only one point from the match
Piyush Chawla: Took 2 for 31 in 23 overs as Orissa just about hung on for a draw
Ravindra Jadeja: Failed with the bat, but took five wickets in the second innings though he couldn’t prevent a Gujarat win
Jaidev Unadkat: Took two wickets but couldn’t force a Saurashtra win
Yuvraj Singh: Moved from 54 to 79 before being dismissed; couldn’t stop Punjab from losing outright
Virat Kohli: Flopped in the second innings, making seven
Abhinav Mukund: Helped himself to a half-century in a match heading for a draw

Gujarat scraped through to a two-wicket win against Saurashtra on a frantic final day at the Lalabhai Contractor Stadium in Surat as both sides lost eight wickets each and play extended into the 90th over of the day. Saurashtra started day four in prime position at 60 for 2 with a 70-run first innings lead. Siddharth Trivedi, the Rajasthan Royals seamer, started the fightback for Gujarat bowling Shitanshu Kotak with the score on 70. Bhushan Chauhan and Ravindra Jadeja were then out on the same score and Saurashtra folded for 125 before lunch. Trivedi took 3 for 32 and legspinner Salil Yadav ran through Saurashtra’s tail to finish with 4 for 44. Chasing 196, Gujarat got off to a shaky start and at 68 for 4 all three results were still possible. An 82-run stand between Bhavik Thaker (42) and wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel (42) put Gujarat on top before Ravindra Jadeja, who took 5 for 59 in the second innings, swung the game again getting Thaker and Patel out in quick succession. Pratharesh Parmar, a 22-year-old playing in only his second first-class match, held his nerve to take Gujarat through with an unbeaten 32 off 45 balls. Gujarat ended up with five points from a match that looked destined for a draw after there was no play on day one and are now top of Group A with eight points from two games. Saurashtra languish at the foot of the table with just one point.Mumbai captain Wasim Jaffer once again displayed a cautious streak as he decided to not enforce the follow-on against Bengal on the final day at Eden Gardens despite having a 325-run first innings lead. Mumbai opted for some meaningless batting practice instead and reached 286 for 1 at the close of play, with Jaffer and Omkar Gaurav getting centuries. Mumbai move into third position in Group A with six points but it could well have been 10 as they were in dominant positions in both this match and their first game against Saurashtra. Mumbai’s bowlers had dismissed Bengal for 296 by the end of the third day, but with the opportunity to bowl another 90 overs at the opposition, they settled for the three points, resulting in a dull day on which Jaffer’s personal tally of first-class centuries increased to 42. It was his third century in four innings in the tournament.R Ashwin celebrated being given a BCCI contract two days ago with his third 10-wicket haul in first-class cricket, taking 6 for 87 for Tamil Nadu in Delhi’s second innings, but it was Delhi that took three points at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai thanks to their first innings lead. As he did on the second day, Ashwin took an early wicket on day four and soon had two more reducing Delhi from their overnight score of 122 for 2 to 147 for 5. Delhi continued to slide and declared at 209 for 9 setting Tamil Nadu a target of 320 in about two sessions. Opener Abhinav Mukund scored 59 as Tamil Nadu reached 143 for 3 at stumps. The three points take Delhi to fourth position in Group A, while Tamil Nadu move down to second.Only 15 overs were possible on what could have been an interesting final day between Railways and Assam at the Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi. Chasing 176, Railways openers M Suresh and V Cheluvaraj had batted just seven overs before the match was called off due to bad light. Assam picked up three points thanks to a five-run first-innings lead and are in sixth place in Group A, one point above Railways who have two points from two games. After the day’s play one of Railways’ stalwarts, 33-year-old Kulamani Parida, announced his retirement ending a career spanning 15 seasons and 108 first-class matches. Parida had been called for throwing in the one over he bowled on Friday. After his action was put under the scanner during last year’s Ranji season, Parida had announced that if he was called for throwing in this match it would be his last.

Group A

Teams Mat Won Lost Tied Draw Aban Pts Quotient For Against

Gujarat 2 1 0 0 10 8 1.219 766/28 853/38 Tamil Nadu 2 1 0 01 0 6 1.256 820/25 992/38Mumbai 2 0 00 2 0 6 2.528 1694/20670/20 Delhi 2 00 0 2 0 4 1.000986/28 916/26 Bengal 20 0 0 2 0 40.521 861/23 1366/19 Assam 2 0 1 0 1 03 0.673 822/40 672/22 Railways 2 0 0 0 20 2 0.975 670/28 736/30 Saurashtra 2 0 1 01 0 1 0.626 760/30 1174/29

Group B

Teams Mat Won Lost Tied Draw Aban Pts Quotient For Against

Baroda 2 1 0 01 0 7 1.509 1032/26 789/30Uttar Pradesh 2 0 00 2 0 6 1.265 765/201058/35 Karnataka 1 10 0 0 0 5 1.670566/12 565/20 Orissa 20 0 0 2 0 40.714 768/29 965/26 Haryana 2 0 1 0 1 03 0.746 1002/35 844/22 Himachal Pradesh 1 0 0 0 10 1 0.827 374/12 565/15 Punjab 2 0 1 01 0 1 0.795 1207/36 928/22

Ricky Ponting finds himself in the sort of situation that once confronted Allan Border in the late 1980s

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Oct-2010Having gotten so used to singing to celebrate Test victories for most of his career, Ricky Ponting now finds himself in the sort of situation that once confronted Allan Border in the late 1980s. A 2-0 defeat in India, especially after coming within a ball of winning the first Test, is hardly ideal preparation to try and win back the Ashes, but the man entrusted with restoring Australian cricket to the top asserted that it wasn’t all doom and gloom after the latest Indian misadventure.”There have been a few positives,” Ponting said. “[Mitchell] Johnson and [Ben] Hilfenhaus have been very good. Shane Watson at the top of the order. Tim Paine has looked every bit a world-class keeper-batsman. The rest of us have been a bit inconsistent. We haven’t played the five days that we need to to win games. They deserve to have won both games, but even if you ask them, they’re a bit flattered by that result.”Some of the squad now face limited-overs games against India and Sri Lanka, while others will return to a diet of Shield cricket before the first Test against England. “We’ve got to move on pretty quickly now. Our next Test match is at the Gabba, the start of the Ashes series. We have to make sure that we play five long tough days of Test cricket.”While bitterly disappointed at another loss in India, Ponting suggested that it would have little bearing on the contest for the urn. “They’re totally different conditions,” he said. “It’s going to be interesting to see how the group bounces back now. That’s three Tests in a row we’ve lost as well. We can’t forget the last one against Pakistan. I’m not sure that’s happened in my time of playing for Australia. It’s certainly not happened since I’ve been captain.”There are some issues there that we need to deal with, and we have to get over them quickly. We’ve managed to match it with the No.1 team for nine of the 10 days, but we haven’t been good enough when it’s mattered.”When it was pointed out that Australia hadn’t lost three in a row since West Indies defeated them at Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne in 1988, he said: “I wasn’t playing in 1988, though it feels like it (grins). We have to get off that train for sure, and start winning some Tests pretty soon.”Having come to India with a Test average of 20 in 12 Tests here, Ponting the batsman certainly went some way towards correcting that anomaly in his career stats. But when asked whether he felt he had done his part, he disagreed. “When a No.3 batsman gets in and makes 60 or 70, you expect him to go on and make big scores. Tendulkar did it; he made 200. If I’d made 200 in the first innings, the result might have been different. We’ve got to be harsh on ourselves. Three scores in the 70s is not good enough.”His deputy, Michael Clarke, managed just 35 runs in the series, a far cry from 2004 when he made a scintillating century on debut in Bangalore. Clarke has moved up the order to No.4, but Ponting was adamant that the switch had nothing to do with the downturn in his batting fortunes. “We’ve all had those series in India.” he said. “I had about four of them [laughs], where I came here and worked hard without getting the results I wanted.There’s no need to worry about Michael Clarke. He knows his own game very well. The fact that he’s moved up one spot in the order hasn’t got anything to do with the runs he has or hasn’t scored. He’s a world-class player and I’m sure that when the Ashes come round, you’ll see him in good touch.”Apart from Ben Hilfenhaus, who toiled away diligently while enhancing his claim to keep the new ball, there was little consistency on the bowling front. But in Ponting’s eyes, it was the batsmen who cost the side the series. “I think our bowlers have done a terrific job here,” he said. “We were one ball away from winning the first Test. I don’t think they were disappointing. If anything, the reason we’ve lost both games is our second-innings batting. If we had batted an hour longer in both Tests, we certainly wouldn’t have lost.”Nathan Haurtiz failed to make an impact with his bowling in either Test•AFPWhile the match was in progress, Shane Warne, his former team-mate, weighed in with some scathing criticism of the field Ponting set for Hauritz. When asked about it, Ponting put down his old mate in polite fashion. “Every field that Nathan’s bowled to since he’s been here has been at his request,” he said. “Those are the fields he wants to bowl to. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that Shane would take the time to ask anyone about that. He’s got his opinion out in public at the moment.”Different people say different things. We don’t always agree with all of them. There’s no doubt we’ll all face a bit of criticism having lost two Tests, but it would be nice if they were a bit more informed before they made some of their comments.”There was no unequivocal backing for Hauritz though, when asked what lay ahead for the beleaguered offie. “That’s up to him to work out,” said Ponting. “As you know, I’ve given him what I feel is the right advice, on the little things he can work on. That’s what captains and coaches are in place for.Hopefully he plays well in the one-day series here and gets a bit of confidence under his belt before he gets back to Australia. He can play a couple of Shield games there and start working things out for himself.”He also brushed off suggestions that there might be major changes in personnel ahead of the Ashes. “We all have to be disappointed with the results,” he said. “But all any of us can do when we go back home is play the best cricket that we can. Me, I’ve got to make as many runs as I can. Anyone that’s out of the squad at the moment … if they keep scoring runs and putting their hands up, we’ll wait and see what happens when the selection comes round for Brisbane. I don’t think there are too many gaping holes in our team. We just have to make sure we don’t let opportunities slip.”They did in Mohali, and after being outplayed for the final five sessions in Bangalore, it will be interesting to see what this team are made of. Do some of the old warhorses have one big series left in them? And how many of the inexperienced hands are capable of the game-changing performance? Ponting and Hilfenhaus aside, there’s an ordinariness and inconsistency there that England will certainly have noted as the clock ticks down to the Gabba.

Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has been reacting to the club’s latest fixture change.

The Lowdown: Palace details

Jesse Marsch’s side have picked up seven points from their last three games to increase the gap to the relegation zone to eight points.

They now have just seven games remaining, one of which is a trip to Selhurst Park to take on Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace later this month.

Initially scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 23, the meeting has been put back two days to Monday, April 25 and will be shown live on Sky Sports.

The Latest: Hay reacts

Hay took to Twitter to react to the news of the changes following Leeds’ official post. He described it as an ‘awkward kick-off time’ for Marsch and co. and added that there isn’t enough notice for travelling supporters.

“An awkward kick-off time anyway but for supporters travelling to the game, this is nowhere near enough notice.”

The Verdict: Not a surprise

Plenty of Leeds fans may already have made plans for the trip to London later this month, with the fixture being rearranged just over three weeks before.

It isn’t ideal news for the Whites faithful, but it shouldn’t exactly come as a shock, with the Premier League and broadcast giants regularly changing games at late notice, consistently proving that fans are at the bottom of their agenda when making these calls.

Hopefully, fans will be making the trip south later this month with the club in a healthy position in the table, with Saturday’s trip to Watford key as Marsch looks to guide Leeds to safety.

In other news: Leeds may now lose another star alongside Raphinha and Phillips; he stunned a club employee. 

Leeds United are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Anderlecht midfielder Josh Cullen this summer, according to a new transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: Cullen thriving in Belgium

The 25-year-old was once a youngster at West Ham but he has since traded England for Belgium, having joined Anderlecht back in 2020.

Cullen is impressing at his current club too, starting 32 Jupiler Pro League games, as well as appearing in eight 2022 World Cup qualifiers for the Republic of Ireland.

It could be that a return to the Premier League is on the cards this summer, however, with a fresh update suggesting his form has caught the eye of several teams in the English top flight.

[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″]

The Latest: Leeds eye up move

According to TEAMtalk, the Whites are one of many keen on acquiring Cullen’s services at the end of the season, with his current deal expiring in 2023.

Wolves, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Burnley, Norwich, Fulham and Sheffield United are all mentioned in report, as well as West Ham possibly re-signing their former youngster too.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-40/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Possible Phillips replacement?

Cullen has proven to be a strong performer at both club and international level over the past couple of years, so he could be a shrewd addition by Jesse Marsch this summer.

He has excelled in a deep-lying No.6 role, averaging 2.1 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game in the league this season, as well as one key pass per match.

Described as ‘outstanding’ by Lee Bowyer, it could even be that he is viewed as a potential replacement for Kalvin Phillips, should the Leeds hero decide to move on to pastures new, though perhaps Cullen’s lack of experience in a truly elite league would cause worry for Leeds supporters.

In other news, an injury expert has made a key claim regarding one Leeds player. Read more here.

Danish Kaneria, who was arrested last month on suspicion of involvement in spot-fixing, is free to play for Essex and Pakistan this summer after the ECB confirmed his registration would not be suspended unless he is proven guilty.Kaneria and Essex team-mate Mervyn Westfield were arrested “on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud” but had not been charged. There were newspaper reports suggesting the ECB had moved to suspend both players on the mistaken belief that they had been charged.Keneria has denied any role in spot-fixing and will be with Essex until the end of the month, when he will link-up with Pakistan, who are due to play two Tests against Australia and four against England this summer.With 254 wickets from 58 Tests, Kaneria is Pakistan’s senior spinner but his career was thrown into uncertainty when news broke of his alleged involvement in irregularities during a Pro40 game for Essex against Durham last September.

ScorecardAlexei Kervezee played excellently to give Worcestershire a sniff of victory•PA Photos

Alexei Kervezee fell one short of a maiden first-class century but still helpedput Worcestershire in a commanding position against Leicestershire on day threeof the County Championship clash at Grace Road.The 20-year-old Holland international hit a superb 99 off 127 balls asWorcestershire declared on 277 for 9 to set Leicestershire a victory targetof 405.By the close, Leicestershire had reached 107 for one with Will Jefferson stillthere on 60 to give the Foxes hope of achieving what would be a record-breakingrun-chase for the club. But the day was illuminated by Kervezee’s innings. It contained 13sweetly-struck boundaries and showed why he is so highly regarded at New Road.Having played for Holland as a teenager, Kervezee has a limited-overs centuryto his name when he scored an unbeaten 121 against Denmark in a World Cupqualifier in South Africa last year. But he has now twice heartbreakingly just missed out on his first first-class hundred, having made 98 for Holland against Canada three years ago.He looked set to reach the landmark at Grace Road when he struck a magnificentcover drive to the boundary to move on to 99. But then, in the same over from Nathan Buck, Kervezee was trapped lbw as he tried to work the ball away on the leg side and pick up a single. He could not hide his disappointment as he walked back to the pavilion although, by then, he had done more than enough to put Worcestershire into a strong position.The visitors did not have the best of starts to the day, with Daryl Mitchelllbw to Buck without addition to the overnight 62 for 2. But, after that, the first hour produced 62 runs helped by 11 boundaries – seven of them to Kervezee.A lengthy stoppage for bad light and drizzle before lunch checkedWorcestershire’s momentum and then Leicestershire’s overseas player, AustralianAndrew McDonald, helped himself to his first five-wicket haul for the club.The wickets came in two excellent spells during the afternoon. First, he trapped Moeen Ali lbw with a delivery that kept low, and he then claimed another four wickets in a four-over burst before the declaration arrived. Former Leicestershire batsman Ben Smith survived the McDonald onslaught, reaching a half-century off 100 balls including three fours, to finish with an unbeaten 51 out of his side’s total. McDonald finished with figures of 5 for 40 and Buck claimed three for 72.Leicestershire had 35 overs to negotiate before the close and made a solidstart until Matthew Boyce fenced at a ball from Alan Richardson and was caughtbehind with the score at 23.Jefferson, however, looked in good touch, reaching his fifty off 86 balls, with44 of his runs in boundaries, and was given solid support by Paul Nixon, whoended the day on 36.

Leeds United are progressing with their transfer plans, according to a very reliable source…

What’s the word?

Yorkshire Evening Post chief football writer Graham Smyth delivered a fresh claim to supporters on Twitter after being asked about new signings.

“They’re active. Things are ‘progressing’ we’re told,” he responded.

The only business that the Yorkshire giants seem likely to complete any time soon is the contract extension to first-team regular Adam Forshaw following his return from injury

But with around 20 days left to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s playing squad, it seems as if the club’s recruitment team are well on the way to getting something done.

Signs of encouragement

This week was another devastating sign that Leeds do not have enough strength in depth to compete for the remainder of the current campaign. After beating Burnley in a huge encounter, a win which moved them eight points clear of the drop, they were then defeated by West Ham in the FA Cup.

Bielsa was dealt another cruel sucker punch as young forward Sam Greenwood picked up an injury, adding to Patrick Bamford’s latest setback. As a result, the Argentine could have as many as 11 players missing for another clash against the Irons next weekend.

Without Bamford, Greenwood and the also injured duo of Tyler Roberts and Joe Gelhardt, Leeds are without a striker option, meaning one of the wingers will have to play there once again.

Elsewhere, a central midfielder sits highly on their priority list, with Kalvin Phillips another frustrating absentee.

Of course, the Yorkshiremen cannot afford to wait around all month and make a few desperate additions late on – that’s never been on their agenda anyway – but it is certainly a hugely positive sign that they are trying behind the scenes.

For now, supporters around Elland Road will surely be buzzing by Smyth’s latest transfer update.

AND in other news, Alan Nixon issues big Leeds United transfer update, Bielsa will be buzzing…