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Newcastle United have been subject to plenty of attention over recent weeks regarding their January transfer window activity, the first under the ownership of PIF.

The additions of midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon and right-back Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid were the standout deals struck by the Magpies during the month and they should certainly boost Eddie Howe’s chances of avoiding relegation.

However, there are other players already in Newcastle’s squad who were signed under the much-maligned Mike Ashley regime who have proven to be bargains, with Allan Saint-Maximin arguably top of that particular list.

The Frenchman was signed from Ligue 1 outfit Nice in August 2019 for a fee of £16.5m, which was reported to rise to £20m with add-ons, and he has been a revelation since.

Labelled “breathtaking” by Gary Neville earlier this season, Saint-Maximin has hardly missed a game since moving to the northeast, making 79 appearances for Newcastle whilst scoring 12 goals and registering 14 assists, averaging a goal involvement every 3.04 games.

However, his return in the Premier League this season is slightly better, with his five goals and three assists in 21 appearances amounting to a goal involvement every 2.63 games, which suggests that the 24-year-old’s stock is only going to rise even further. Moreover, according to SofaScore, the winger is averaging 4.3 dribbles per game with a success rate of 63%, whilst maintaining a 76% passing accuracy.

The Tyneside outfit have a real gem on their hands, as can be seen by the changes in the Frenchman’s market value during his two-and-a-half-year spell in the northeast.

Having been signed for an initial £16.5m, Saint-Maximin was worth £22.5m soon after joining Newcastle according to Transfermarkt.

That figure dipped to £18m when the pandemic hit just under two years ago, but the Frenchman is now back to his highest-ever valuation of £28.8m, an increase of 75% on his 2019 outlay, and it’s hard to argue that it won’t increase further if he maintains his recent form.

Transfermarkt also rate Saint-Maximin as the Newcastle United player with the highest current value, ahead of Bruno Guimaraes, who was signed for £40m last month whilst being valued at £27m.

Newcastle’s position in the Premier League is still very precarious. Howe’s side are a point behind 17th-placed Norwich with a game in hand, but Burnley (19) have played two games fewer than the Magpies.

It is imperative that Saint-Maximin maintains his good form and continues improving, as he could prove to be the man who makes the difference for the Magpies in their bid for top-flight survival.

AND in other news, “From what I’ve heard”: Waugh drops behind-scenes PIF claim that’ll intrigue NUFC fans…

Marcus Trescothick led Somerset to a crushing 95-run win in a spicy encounter with Essex at Taunton to book a place in the Clydesdale Bank 40 final next Saturday.

The Bulletin by Sahil Dutta11-Sep-2010
ScorecardMarcus Trescothick treated the Taunton crowd to an array of attacking strokes as he booked his side a Lord’s final•Getty ImagesMarcus Trescothick led Somerset to a crushing 95-run win in a spicy encounter with Essex at Taunton to book his side a place in the Clydesdale Bank 40 final next Saturday at Lord’s.Batting first in front of a passionate and packed home crowd, Trescothick launched the innings with a Man-of-the-Match winning 79 from 62 deliveries and was supported by a muscular 55 from Nick Compton and three bright performances from James Hildreth, Jos Buttler and Arul Suppiah as Somerset’s imposing 312 for 6 proved too much for Essex, despite a brave half-century from captain James Foster.Somerset were clear favourites coming into the game and did not disappoint. While their young and talented line up has challenged for silverware in all three domestic competitions, Essex have been relegated from the First Division of the County Championship and lacked the class to really challenge the home side on the day.The gulf between the sides was all too apparent after David Masters and Tony Palladrino’s first three overs of the day disappeared for 29. The new-ball pair were both trundling in below 80mph and, with the fielding restrictions in place, Trescothick simply helped himself. He unleashed an array of trademark clunking off-drives and displayed some deft class with a couple of fours glided past short third man off the hapless Palladrino.Having raced to 50 from 32 balls he looked set to make plenty more but was undone when a gentle off-cutter from Chris Wright snuck past the outside edge to rattle off stump. The glee on the face of the Essex fielders was surpassed only by their surprise as they hoped to stage a fightback.It proved not to be, however, as from that point on Somerset’s progress was relentless. Hildreth’s prolific season continued with him running Essex ragged in partnership with Compton. He picked off five classy boundaries before spooning Danish Kaneria tamely to cover but the dismissal only heightened the visitor’s pain by bringing Buttler to the crease.Just 20 years old and in his first full season at Somerset, Buttler has saved his most impressive performances for the TV cameras this summer and once again was immediately into his audacious stride. Mirroring his captain’s stillness and clarity at the crease he launched 36 from 21 balls, including a straight six off Ryan ten Doeschate that ended up on the roof of the stand behind the bowler’s head. Somerset looked already to have too many before Arul Suppiah bludgeoned 42 from 23 balls in an innings that included two more enormous sixes off ten Deoschate. The late charge carried Somerset beyond 300 and out of sight.Facing such an imposing total Essex needed a bright start to give them any semblance of hope. Instead they lost Mark Pettini to the first delivery of the innings, chipping a tame leading edge to mid-off off Alfonso Thomas. The innings went from bad to a lot worse in the sixth over as, in the space of two deliveries, Somerset demonstrated the well-honed professionalism that has underlined their whole season.First Trescothick pulled off a blinding, one-handed catch diving to his left at short cover to remove Cook before ten Doeschate was run out next ball, risking a sharp single to Hildreth who swooped low and threw down the stumps in a flash to catch the speedy ten Doeschate short. Essex were reeling three down for 33 and the game looked in danger of slipping away quickly.Grant Flower, in his last appearance for Essex after six seasons at the club tried his best to go out with a bang, smiting five boundaries before becoming the second of three run outs in the innings. Attempting a sharp second to Buttler on the square-leg boundary a rifle throw came in and caught him just short of his ground.A brief revival came in the shape of the bulky Matt Walker and Foster. Suppiah was treated to some of the savage hitting he earlier dished out as Walker thumped a full toss out of the ground over deep square and deposited a length ball miles down the ground as Essex upped the rate. The bowler almost got his own back immediately but the catch Walker offered on the long-on boundary was spilled by Thomas.Thomas then put down another, much tougher chance next ball, diving one-handed to his right at short third man off a top-edged cut from Foster, as the fifth-wicket pair brought up a 50 partnership off 32 deliveries and carried Essex to level par with Somerset by the 20th over. It became third time lucky for Thomas soon after, however, when he snaffled Walker’s powerful sweep off Murali Kartik on the deep square-leg boundary and, tottering at 139 for 5, the game looked up.Foster, though, had other ideas. He thrashed 12 off Kartik in the first over of the batting Powerplay before his adrenalin-fuelled charge was interrupted by a Thomas beamer in the next over. Though the bowler apologised immediately, Foster was furious and ended in up in a bug-eyed exchange with both Thomas and Trescothick.Visibly riding on the drama of the occasion he brought up his fifty, off just 35 balls, by rocketing a drive through cover and when he struck another powerful boundary down the ground off Thomas, Essex might just have dared to dream of pulling off an incredible heist.Instead Thomas had his final revenge as Foster tried one shot too many, trying to clear long-on only to offer Buttler a simple catch on the boundary. Thomas stood triumphant with his arms aloft but he even would concede it was a brilliant innings from Foster. The dismissal signalled the end of Essex’s fight and they crumpled in a heap thereafter.Somerset are still in the Championship title race and as the form side must go into the final at Lord’s against Warwickshire as strong favourites.

A key update has emerged in Sunderland’s pursuit of a new manager, with the club now able to land an experienced English coach…

What’s the talk?

According to the Northern Echo, Neil Warnock has made contact with the club to make them aware of his interest in the vacant position.

The report claims that he would be open to signing a short-term contract until the end of the season to take over from Lee Johnson.

Buzzing

Fans will surely be buzzing with this news for multiple reasons.

Firstly, they will be delighted to read that he is interested in the role. It shows that he is hungry for another promotion and up for the battle of taking the Black Cats back to the Championship. Supporters will be pleased to know that he would not be in it just to collect another payday before he ends his career, this leaving them reassured that he is the man for the job.

One of his former players, Chris Morgan, previously summed up the veteran manager’s desire to succeed in whatever job he takes, saying:

“The Neil Warnock people see on the touchline is a passionate man at work. He hates losing and will do everything he can to win a game of football, and if that’s winding people up, or getting right into his players, he’ll do whatever he needs to do. The cliche is that it’s the pantomime villain – and he loves playing it.

“But if you were to do an interview with his wife Sharon she will tell you when Neil’s at home with the family, he’s laid back, he’s a doting father and a loving husband. People find that hard to believe but sometimes it’s split personalities – when you pull that shirt on and cross the white line you become a different person.”

The supporters will also be buzzing with his potential appointment as he is a proven winner in the EFL. He holds the record for the most promotions in the Football League, having won his eighth with Cardiff – taking them to the Premier League in 2018.

This suggests that there is no one better to help Sunderland in their bid to finish in the automatic promotion places by the end of the campaign. Warnock has done it more than anyone else in the country and could be their best shot at getting back to the second tier, which is why Black Cats fans will be delighted with his interest in taking the role.

Kristjaan Speakman must now agree a deal with the former Middlesbrough boss to come and take over at the Stadium of Light.

AND in other news, Roberts starts, no Defoe & £5k-p/w dud axed: How SAFC’s XI may look after Jan window…

Former West Indies opener Desmond Haynes has been named the new manager of Barbados for the upcoming Caribbean T20 tournament

Cricinfo staff02-Jul-2010Former West Indies opener Desmond Haynes has been named the new manager of Barbados for the upcoming Caribbean T20 tournament which starts on July 22. Haynes takes over from Jeff Broomes, who managed the team for the West Indies Cricket Board’s four-day tournament.The team has retained allrounder Ryan Hinds as captain and Emmerson Trotman as head coach. Vasbert Drakes will be the assistant coach while Jacqui King has been appointed the team physiotherapist.Since retiring from cricket, Haynes has served as the first-vice president of the Barbados Cricket Association and been the chairman of the West Indies selection panel. Over the course of his 16-year playing career he made 7487 runs in 116 Tests and 8648 in 238 ODIs.Eight teams are set to compete in the Caribbean T20, with the winner going on to represent the West Indies in the Champions League T20 tournament in South Africa in September.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left buzzing over their team’s fortunes in the Scottish Cup fifth round draw.

As per the Ibrox club’s official Twitter channel, the Teddy Bears will travel to Annan Athletic in the next round, with the game being played on the weekend of February 12th.

Given that Annan are currently third in Scottish League Two, Rangers will surely fancy themselves to win with ease and get through, despite the tie being played away from home.

The cup presents a great chance for Giovanni van Bronckhorst to grab his first bit of silverware for the Light Blues, and a good run would give them some nice momentum to chase down a second successive Premiership title.

Rangers fans on Annan draw

These Rangers fans were left buzzing as the news of the cup draw against Annan was shared on Twitter, with a couple of supporters claiming that it was a ‘great’ outcome:

“Take that”

Credit: @camerony0702

“Great draw to get some youngsters on again 100%”

Credit: @Stegthomson1

“That will do”

Credit: @TrueBluesLoyal1

“Class”

Credit: @JakeSkachill

“What a great cup tie”

Credit: @waynefawcett

“Easy win and through to the next round”

Credit: @cameron56689617

In other news, find out who could now join Rangers this month

Jordan Campbell has dropped an update on Glasgow Rangers’ bid to bring Danilho Doekhi to Ibrox in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

In a recent article for The Athletic, the journalist revealed that, following the pre-contract signing of John Souttar, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side are also in a strong position to secure a deal for the Vitesse Arnhem centre-back this month, with the Gers manager keen to bolster his numbers in the heart of defence prior to the closure of the transfer market.

In his piece, Campbell wrote: “Rangers are also keen on Vitesse captain Danilho Doekhi and are in a strong position to land the Dutch defender.”

Fans will be buzzing

Doekhi has been impressive in the Netherlands this season, and Van Bronckhorst is in rather desperate need of defensive reinforcements ahead of the restart of the Premiership season given the injuries to Filip Helander and Leon Balogun out, as well as the latter and Connor Goldson being out of contract at the end of the current campaign. Therefore, the news that Gers appear to be closing in on a deal for the 23-year-old is sure to have left the Ibrox faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his 14 Eredivisie appearances this term, the £2.7m-rated Vitesse defender has helped his side to keep three clean sheets and scored one goal, as well as making 1.6 interceptions, two tackles, 3.6 clearances and 39.1 passes per game and winning 65% of his duels.

These returns have seen the £3.4k-per-week centre-back average a SofaScore match rating of 7.01, ranking him as Vitesse’s joint-seventh best performer in the Dutch top flight.

As such, it is clear for all to see that Doekhi would make a fantastic addition to Van Bronckhorst’s current options in the heart of his defence at Ibrox. The prospective arrival of the 23-year-old would undoubtedly provide Rangers’ chances of going on to retain the Premiership title with a considerable boost, an outcome which would delight everyone involved with the club.

In other news: Rangers dealt fresh transfer setback on “crazy” January transfer, Van Bronckhorst will be fuming

‘Newcastle United are very interested’ in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud, according to SPORT1’s Patrick Berger. 

The lowdown

Newcastle have used up only £12m from a January transfer budget which may be as high as £100m, having brought in Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid.

Dahoud, who is into the final 18 months of his contract at Dortmund, is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt. He has started 11 of their 18 Bundesliga matches this season, although it’s worth noting he was sidelined for five of those with a twisted knee.

The latest

After Dahoud netted the winning goal for Dortmund against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, Berger took to Twitter to update fans on his future, saying that the midfielder is ‘wanted by some Premier League clubs, especially Newcastle’.

The 26-year-old is very much ‘on the NUFC wishlist’ but he’s not thought to be ‘interested in a winter move’ and, for the moment, ‘he’s happy’ at Marco Rose’s side.

The verdict

You can see why Newcastle and PIF would be interested in Dahoud. Comparison data from FBRef shows that he is an exceptionally well-rounded midfielder. He ranks in the 70th percentile or better for goals, expected assists, progressive passing, dribbling and tackles.

It’s therefore no surprise to see that Bundesliga expert Raphael Honigstein labelled him Dortmund’s ‘most influential midfielder’ last year and called him ‘absolutely brilliant’.

However, from the player’s perspective, you can understand the reluctance to move. His team have closed to within six points of league leaders Bayern Munich and will still harbour dreams of winning the title – a scenario which seems a distant dream for relegation-threatened Newcastle.

In other news, Newcastle are also in talks over this potential deal

Leicestershire shaded the first day at Derbyshire despite a batting collapse that saw the visitors lose their last nine wickets for 166 runs

15-Apr-2010
ScorecardLeicestershire’s innings fell away despite Will Jefferson’s 94•Getty ImagesLeicestershire shaded the first day at Derbyshire despite a batting collapse that saw the visitors lose their last nine wickets for 166 runs. Will Jefferson top scored with 94 and shared a century stand for the second wicket with Paul Nixon before Derbyshire fought back after lunch.Seamer Tim Groenewald took 3 for 44 to send Leicestershire sliding to 279 all out but then Derbyshire skipper Chris Rogers failed after his batting heroics at The Oval as the home side closed on 40 for 2. The match marked the start of a new era for Derbyshire, who were playing a County Championship match on a pitch facing in a north/south direction for the first time since 1963.The county took the decision to rotate the square after problems with low sun halting play but there was little in a newly-laid surface to concern the ECB’s pitch liaison officer Tony Pigott, who had the dubious privilege of watching the action on a bitingly cold day at the County Ground.His assessment that the pitch was consistent in bounce will have encouraged Derbyshire, whose decision to put Leicestershire in looked questionable at lunch when Jefferson and Nixon put their side in a promising position. But the afternoon belonged to the home side when the loss of five wickets undermined the efforts of Jefferson and Nixon, who added 104 after Matthew Boyce had gone without scoring in the third over of the day.Jefferson made an early impact when he pulled Mark Footitt into the top window of the groundstaff’s Portakabin and the tall opener also reeled off several straight drives to the ropes on his way to his first Leicestershire half-century. He rode his luck, edging Greg Smith through the hands of first slip on 49. But if Derbyshire’s bowlers did not get the rub of the green before lunch, they hit back strongly once Nixon got an inside edge to mid-wicket.James Taylor became one of four victims for Luke Goddard, who pouched the edge that denied Jefferson a century after 204 minutes in the middle. Tom New and Claude Henderson took Leicestershire to a second batting point before spinner Robin Peterson struck twice in four balls and, although New completed an excellent fifty before he was run out by a direct hit, the visitors had failed to build on a good start.But it looked a better total when Matthew Hoggard claimed the prize wicket of Rogers in the fifth over of Derbyshire’s reply. The Australian had scored a double hundred and an unbeaten century in the previous game against Surrey but this time he went for three, caught behind, as he pushed at the former England seamer.When Paul Borrington edged Nathan Buck low to second slip in the next over, Derbyshire were nine for two but Wayne Madsen and Garry Park prevented further setbacks in fading light to leave their side trailing by 239 runs.

A key Rangers update has emerged on the Ibrox club’s plans to deal with Connor Goldson’s situation in Glasgow.

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Record, the Gers are primed for fresh contract talks with the defender over a new deal at Ibrox and are not prepared to sell him for a cut-price fee this month.

The report claims that they would rather lose him for nothing at the end of the season than sell him now, with John Souttar said to be a target to replace him if the ex-Brighton man refuses to extend his current terms.

Delight

Rangers fans will surely be delighted with this update for several reasons. Firstly, the club attempting to tie him down to a new contract is excellent news as keeping him in Glasgow would be a major boost for Gio van Bronckhorst.

The Englishman has averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.18 in the Premiership this season. He has won 66% of his duels in the division and helped the Gers to keep nine clean sheets, after keeping 26 clean sheets in the league last term.

Ex-Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard previously lauded the £27k-per-week beast, telling The Scotsman: “Connor has been an absolute mountain for this team, a warrior.

“I can’t describe to you how well he has done for this team, not just in terms of what you have seen on the pitch but also his leadership on the inside of the club and his availability every single day.”

This highlights why fans will be buzzing with the club’s attempts to keep him and also why they will be delighted with Ross Wilson not wanting to cash in on him this month.

Losing a player of his quality would disrupt the defence heading into the second half of the campaign and could be detrimental to their chances of winning the title, as they’d be letting go of a player who has proven his quality at this level.

Finally, the fans will be happy to read that Souttar is being eyed as a potential replacement. The Hearts beast has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.43 in the Premiership and won 71% of his duels, suggesting that he is playing to a higher standard than Goldson at the moment and that is why he could be an excellent addition to the squad and one the fans would love.

AND in other news, Report delivers big update on £3.1k-p/w Rangers outcast that’ll leave fans buzzing…

Manchester United will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start under new interim manager Ralf Rangnick when they travel to Carrow Road to take on Norwich City in the Premier League this evening.

The Red Devils secured an encouraging 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the 63-year-old’s first game in charge before a second-string side held Young Boys to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League in midweek.

Rangnick is expected to make multiple changes once again for the trip to Norfolk, but he could be without a couple of first team players due to injury and illness.

In Friday’s press conference, the German revealed that Aaron Wan-Bissaka picked up a couple of knocks on Wednesday night, while experienced midfielder Nemanja Matic is suffering from a cold.

It remains to be seen if the duo are able to play any part against Norwich, and they could join long-term absentees Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane and Edinson Cavani on the sidelines.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects United to line up for the intriguing clash with the Canaries…

David de Gea is set to keep his place between the sticks after enjoying a stellar campaign, but Dean Henderson’s promising showing against Young Boys will have piled the pressure back on the 31-year-old.

Ahead of the Spain international is set to be a back four made up on Alex Telles, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Diogo Dalot.

Luke Shaw made a successful return from concussion in midweek, but he is likely to be eased back into action, especially after Telles’ eye-catching performance against Palace last weekend.

The usually dependable duo of Fred and Scott McTominay will once again form the base of the midfield for Rangnick, providing a solid foundation from which the forward players can attack.

The boss will have a big call to make over the composition of his forward line, though. The £76.5m-rated Marcus Rashford is currently enduring a seven-game goal drought and may be dropped to the bench as a result.

In his place, Mason Greenwood may get the opportunity to impress after a wonderful strike in midweek, with Cristiano Ronaldo partnering him up front and Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes lining up out wide.

In other news… Big blow: Man Utd suffer late selection setback ahead of Norwich clash, Rangnick will be gutted