All posts by h716a5.icu

While Leeds United may have sealed the deadline day signing of Manchester United winger Dan James, Marcelo Bielsa will surely be gutted at missing out on Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien in this summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

Journalist Alan Nixon had claimed earlier in the summer that O’Brien was “very near” to the top of the shortlist for Marcelo Bielsa as they looked to bring in reinforcements in the middle of the park.

Then, The Daily Mirror (print edition, page 64, August 22, 2021) appeared to deliver a boost to Leeds’ hopes of signing him by revealing that the Terriers would sell the 22-year-old for around £8m.

But, in response to a question from a fan about whether the Whites would pursue a late move for the midfielder on transfer deadline day, The Athletic’s Phil Hay said on Twitter: “Not a matter of time. They’re not stretching to £8m+ for O’Brien.”

Bielsa will be gutted

When news emerged of Leeds’ interest in O’Brien, former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell delivered his seal of approval over a potential late move for O’Brien this summer.

He said: “They are weaker without Kalvin Phillips in there, for sure.

“The Man United game, I thought they’d have lost without him anyway. But he is so important to them and it is massive for Leeds to have him back. But O’Brien does stiffen that midfield up. He’s a really, really good player. I think they will definitely look to strengthen.”

Former Huddersfield goalkeeper, Matt Glennon, also waxed lyrical about the midfielder, adding: “He closes down until the 95th, 96th minute, still running to the corners, stopping defenders, he’s got unlimited energy.

“Lewis O’Brien wants to put the hard yards in and wants to be at the very top of where he can get to. He’s one of those lads who works ridiculously hard which, for me, is your minimum in any league, but he’s got that quality, the drop of a shoulder, that strength to keep people off him, a low centre of gravity to glide past people, arm aloft when they try to knock him off the ball.”

So while Bielsa will be delighted at finally getting his man in James after a couple of years of tracking him, the fact the Whites couldn’t push through a deal for O’Brien or in fact any other central midfielder to strengthen the first-team is sure to leave him gutted.

He will surely be praying Kalvin Phillips can stay injury-free and that his existing options can really step up to the plate.

It’s a howler from Leeds to go the entire the summer transfer window and also deadline day without bringing in a new midfielder to either challenge or cover for Phillips, and it’s one that they will be hoping doesn’t cost them dearly once the Premier League returns after the international break.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped a late night Leeds United update…

New Zealand coach Gary Stead played down his side’s thumping performance but was not shy about stating their prospects for Sunday’s final against England

Jenny Roesler in Sydney19-Mar-2009It was all but inevitable that New Zealand would beat eighth-ranked Pakistan at the Drummoyne Oval on Thursday and seal their place in the final. Yet the way they did should send a warning to England, whose 17-win streak came to a shuddering stop against Australia over in North Sydney.Their coach Gary Stead played down his side’s thumping performance – which included 168 from Suzie Bates and Haidee Tiffen’s maiden ODI century in a world-record stand of 262 – but was not shy about stating their prospects for Sunday’s final against England.”I will be telling our girls we’re going to go really, really hard at England and we’re going to try to smash them off the ground early in the game.” Stead said. “It’s a little hard to take too much from this game. It’s not the standard of England by any means, but you see special innings occasionally and the partnership there between Suzie and Haidee was outstanding and to break some world records is really important to our team.”Haidee’s had a pretty good tournament, she’s been good with some runs and Suzie’s starting to show some nice form and coming into the business end of the tournament, that’s important. We know she’s a classy player who can hit the ball pretty hard and she showed that today.”If we’re confident and we trust our instincts I think we can beat anyone. We’re really looking forward to the game and if we can relax and play good cricket and trust our abilities I’m sure we can do well.”Stead dismissed the suggestion that New Zealand may have preferred a stronger opposition heading into the final. “I don’t think it matters too much,” he said. “We had some tough games against India and Australia and England earlier. I think it’s nice for the girls that they’ve had the chance to go out there and feel good about their games and they’re confident.”Tiffen played the anchor as Bates smashed her way to breaking records. “I thought the really good thing in their partnership was the roles they played,” Stead said. “Haidee understood she was the run-getter and after a while Suzie said ‘Right, it’s boom time’ and she went big.”Then he watched as Tiffen brought up her first century with a dab to square. “When Haidee had it in her sights you could see she wasn’t going to miss out,” he said. “She knuckled down.”Having piled up 7 for 373, New Zealand had their sloppy fielding moments but in defending such a huge total they were never in trouble. Besides, they had their minds on other, much grander, matters.

West Bromwich Albion have been handed a quadruple injury boost ahead of their upcoming Championship clash.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by Birmingham Live, all of David Button, Callum Robinson, Cedric Kipre and Kyle Bartley could be in line for a return to first-team action in Albion’s clash with Millwall this Saturday.

All three of Button, Robinson and Bartley had previously been ruled out of action due to illness, while Kipre picked up a knock in the Carabao Cup loss to Arsenal and subsequently missed the Peterborough United victory.

Meanwhile, centre-back duo Matt Clarke and Dara O’Shea are definitely out of contention for the fixture this weekend, while the progress of Rayhaan Tulloch’s recovery from a groin injury is likely to be assessed by the Baggies on Friday.

Ismael will be buzzing

While the ongoing absence of Clarke and the recent long-term loss of O’Shea are sure to come as a blow to Valerien Ismael, the likely returns of the quartet of Button, Robinson, Kipre and Bartley will undoubtedly have the Frenchman buzzing.

Indeed, Kipre’s return to fitness is perhaps the most timely for the Albion boss, as the 24-year-old will be a candidate to replace the injured O’Shea, although 18-year-old Caleb Taylor is believed to be in contention for the Millwall game, as is new signing Kean Bryan.

The return of Robinson will also be a major boost for the 45-year-old manager, as the forward has been in electric form for the Baggies so far this season, scoring three goals, registering one assist and averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.42 over his four Championship appearances.

As such, aside from the stricken centre-back duo, Ismael very nearly has a full squad to chose from, something that bodes incredibly well for the club’s chances of continuing their fantastic early season form this weekend.

In other news: Masi reveals West Brom transfer development which is sure to delight Valerien Ismael

Aston Villa have opened talks with forward Cameron Archer over a new deal, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Preece’s claim

Archer burst onto the first-team scene this season with a hat-trick on his first start in a 6-0 win over Barrow in the EFL Cup.

Reliable reporter Ashley Preece claimed that the 19-year-old is under contract until 2022 and expected Villa to assess his future in January.

However, it seems as if Johan Lange and the Villa hierarchy are taking action before then when it comes to the teenager who Dean Smith described as ‘really good’ in pre-season.

The Latest: Source shares update

According to Football Insider, who were informed by a Villa source, talks are underway between Lange and co with Archer over a new contract.

Villa hold Archer in high regard and are now working on agreeing on terms with the striker over a new deal.

The report even adds that Villa turned down offers for Archer in the summer window.

The Verdict: Good move

Villa appear to be building for the future with a number of Under-23 additions over the summer, but keeping hold of exciting talents who are already at Bodymoor Heath is just as important.

Archer has impressed in recent months and took his opportunity in the Carabao Cup, so hopefully, he’ll pen improved terms before the New Year and will be able to train alongside the likes of Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings.

Villa could then reap the rewards regarding Archer in years to come, but if they fail to keep him in the Midlands, it could come back to haunt them in the long run.

In other news: ‘We’re done’, ‘Was coming’ – Villa source update has lots of fans talking. 

Two masters of the limited-overs game, with a combined age of nearly 76, treated Newlands to the cleanest, purest exhibition of batting that this season of the IPL has seen

The Bulletin by Jamie Alter27-Apr-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Demolition derby: Fans got to see a rare combined batting exhibition from two legends of the game•AFPMany a time over the last 15 years or so fans of this great game have wondered what it would be like if Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya opened together in a limited-overs game and really turned it on. Today they got a glimpse.The two masters of the limited-overs game, with a combined age of nearly 76, treated Port Elizabeth to the cleanest, purest exhibition of batting that this season of the IPL has seen. Tendulkar paved the way with a sublime innings and Jayasuriya followed suit with an explosive hand, the veteran pair combining to raise a century stand in 52 balls that flummoxed Kolkata Knight Riders. That stunning opening assault formed the crux of Mumbai Indians’ 187 and though Kolkata restricted the damage with six wickets for 48 runs after the tactical break, the damage had been done. Their only realistic chance at victory rested on their explosive openers’ shoulders but once they were gone inside three overs the chase was basically kaput.Mumbai’s first five overs were busy, without being spectacular. Tendulkar was beaten a couple times by Ishant Sharma but upper-cut a six and flicked a four in Ashok Dinda’s first over. That set the tone for a busy innings, taken up a level when he pulled Ishant for six from outside off stump.While Tendulkar whisked the ball off his pads and slapped through point, Jayasuriya didn’t get much strike. His first shot in anger was a chip just over extra cover’s fingertips and a signature clip to fine leg followed. Mumbai were 45 for 0 in five overs. What followed was carnage.Jayasuriya, who was on 8 as Tendulkar scurried to 30, launched Sourav Ganguly’s gentle military-medium stuff for consecutive sixes; Tendulkar swept Ajantha Mendis for six; Chris Gayle went for ten in six balls; Mendis was dumped for two sixes by each batsman in his second over. Tendulkar’s fourth six, a deft pick-up over midwicket off Mendis, raised his fifty from 34 balls. Jayasuriya had blasted 33 from 13 balls. The 100 was up in 8.4 overs. When the tactical break was taken Tendulkar was 60 off 39 and Jayasuriya 43 off 21, Mumbai 111 for 0.For a man who has only played one international Twenty20, Tendulkar batted with amazing fluency. He got the wrists into play superbly, pulling and cutting hard, and used his crease to negotiate the pacers. Mendis wasn’t even allowed to settle; Gayle was effortlessly reverse-swept.There were no crude shots, no cross-batted slogs from Tendulkar and Jayasuriya. This was clinical hitting – each veteran knew the field and backed himself to pick the gaps. It was the experience of 1138 combined international games coming together in a mesmerizing mosaic of boundaries. In between clearing his front leg to lift Mendis there were clever late dabs from Tendulkar, neat tickles from Jayasuriya.That assault was in stark contrast to the second half of Mumbai’s innings, when Kolkata regrouped. The scoring slowed after the break and Tendulkar fell to Laxmi Shukla, looking to take the ball from off stump and work it to leg. Harbhajan Singh strode in, clubbed 18 from 8 balls, and sent a full toss to deep midwicket. Jayasuriya looked for width but instead chipped to cover for 52 from 32 balls. Then Abhishek Nayar was run out, Dwayne Bravo top-edged to the deep, and Shikhar Dhawan edged Ishant. Gayle bowled a decent last over and Mumbai were unable to end on with a flurry.Kolkata needed almost 9.5 runs an over inside a stadium rumbling like a Jay Z amplifier, and the pressure of chasing a large total under lights affected the Kolkata openers early in their innings. Brendon McCullum shouldered arms to his first ball before he steered Lasith Malinga to point. Gayle thumped Bravo for the 150th six in the IPL only to edge his West Indian team-mate to slip.Sourav Ganguly wasn’t allowed to come onto the front foot and so he used his feet to loft Bravo down the ground for six and four, and with that try for some momentum. But Ganguly struggled to find the boundaries thereafter and Brad Hodge never really threatened with 24 off 22 balls. Both were to fall against the tidy seam-up bowling of Nayar in successive overs, the last nail firmly hammered into Kolkata’s coffin.Nayar, Bravo, Zaheer Khan and Malinga didn’t have to do much but keep it near the stumps and wait for an urgent shot. Each struck rather easily and the rest of the batting card made for disappointing reading as Kolkata fell short by 92 runs. From 71 for 3 when Hodge fell, Kolkata folded for 95 in 15.2 overs.A powerful batting display was followed by an efficient, shining effort in the field, aptly demonstrating that Mumbai pretty much have all the bases covered.

South Africa began the series as the world’s No. 1 ODI side and they will finish it in the same position after Herschelle Gibbs’ 21st one-day international century helped them take an unassailable 3-1 lead

The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale13-Apr-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Herschelle Gibbs made his 21st ODI century•Associated PressSouth Africa began the series as the world’s No. 1 ODI side and they will finish it in the same position after Herschelle Gibbs’ 21st one-day international century helped them to an unassailable 3-1 series lead in Port Elizabeth. Gibbs’s near-even time innings of 110 repaid the faith placed in him by South Africa after a stint in rehab late last year, propelling them to a commanding 317 for 6. Australia, who again battled against the spin of Roelof van der Merwe, were seldom in the hunt.The 61-run victory ensured Graeme Smith’s men the honour of becoming the first team to triumph in three successive bilateral ODI series against Australia – a streak that dates back to their historic victory in the 438 match in Johannesburg three years ago. It also means that when the teams return to the Wanderers for Friday’s fifth and final match, it will be to contest a dead rubber.An out-of-form Australia were always likely to be on the back foot in Port Elizabeth and they took a couple of gambles by sending South Africa in and choosing Shane Harwood, who was their third oldest ODI debutant of all time. The former punt looked increasingly ill-advised throughout the morning session, as powerful innings from Gibbs and AB de Villiers, who made 84 from 74 deliveries, ensured a hefty total that left Australia little margin for error in their ensuing run chase.For a while, they were faultless. Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke clicked as a combination for the first time in the series in a 129-run stand – the highest opening partnership in ODIs at the venue. But when both men fell shortly before the halfway mark, the faultlines appeared and South Africa regained their grip on the match. After Gibbs, at 35, had earlier proved he still had much to offer to ODI cricket, it was a man at the opposite end of his career who led South Africa’s bowling effort.Van der Merwe was playing just his third one-day international and, after collecting three wickets in the Cape Town win, again troubled the middle order to finish with 3 for 46. Clarke (50) played the wrong line and was bowled and van der Merwe quickly added Callum Ferguson and Michael Hussey in a five-over period that completely altered the game.Haddin’s aggressive approach imbued Australia with hope and he batted instinctively in compiling 78 from 61 balls, including four sixes. But after he holed out to long-on off Johan Botha it was a steady decline for Australia and the tail succumbed to Dale Steyn, who finished with 4 for 44. The chase was always going to be difficult after Gibbs and de Villiers dominated with the bat.They kept the scoreboard moving at better than a run a ball during their 136-run third-wicket partnership and, not for the first time this series, Australia’s bowlers failed to offer any real threat through the middle overs. The biggest worry was the spin combination of Nathan Hauritz and Clarke, who between them sent down ten overs for 73.Both men suffered at the hands of Gibbs, who posted his first ODI century in 14 months – the most recent had come against West Indies in Johannesburg last February. Gibbs dispatched both slow bowlers into the stands and de Villiers sent consecutive Hauritz deliveries over the long-on and midwicket boundaries as he became the aggressor in the partnership.Nathan Bracken also came in for some rough treatment and his ten overs cost 64 as the South Africans advanced at him with little fear. Gibbs attacked Bracken early with a pair of boundaries, including a slap over long-on after advancing down the pitch, and also took to Johnson with a slash forward of point.It was an innings that alternated between frenetic and controlled and, on the whole, Gibbs waited for his opportunities in a composed effort. His hundred came from 106 deliveries with a clip for two off Harwood, who at 35 is the same age as Gibbs, yet was making his debut. Harwood won his spot because of a fractured foot suffered by Brett Geeves during the loss in Cape Town.He was plucked from his Rajasthan Royals training camp and was preferred to Ben Laughlin as an attacking option. So last-minute was the selection that Harwood wore Marcus North’s shirt when he became the third oldest Australian, after Bob Simpson and Bob Holland, to make his ODI debut.He collected 2 for 57 – his wickets were JP Duminy from the last ball of the innings and Jacques Kallis – but like all his colleagues it was too difficult to contain Gibbs and de Villiers. Gibbs was the centurion but de Villiers was every bit as important to his team’s triumph. He went after the spinners, swept effectively and continued a brilliant run of form – he has averaged 65.50 in his eight ODIs against AustraliaNot surprisingly, his team enjoyed success over the same period. Over the past three months the ODI scoreline reads: South Africa 7, Australia 2. It’s only fitting that South Africa remain the No. 1 ranked team in the world. They have earned it.

Speaking to Football Insider, rival ‘insider’ John Wenham has dropped a claim on Jarrod Bowen – with David Moyes gifted a big West Ham United boost.

The Lowdown: Bowen a wanted man…

As per The Independent, Moyes may have to be wary of his biggest rivals swooping for Bowen as scouts from Tottenham, Liverpool and Leicester all keep tracking the winger.

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Amid his electric start to the season, it appears he is already attracting admirers and the last thing West Ham need is to lose a forward option without a recognised back-up striker.

However, in reaction to this news, a Spurs insider has appeared to alleviate fears that his side could make a move for Bowen.

The Latest: Insider drops possible Moyes boost…

As per Lilywhites ‘insider’ John Wenham, speaking to FI, it appears Moyes and West Ham may not have to worry about losing the forward to one of their biggest London rivals.

“Tottenham and West Ham don’t do business. There is no love lost between the two clubs at boardroom level,” he explained.

“I don’t see West Ham entertaining any bids for Bowen from Tottenham, that one is a non-starter.

“Tottenham may be interested in him but some clubs just don’t do business.

“I would categorically rule that one out now. Even if West Ham said he was available they would turn down an approach from Tottenham.

“From what I’ve heard from people I know in the industry, I just can’t see that one happening.”

The Verdict: Big boost for Moyes?

Moyes having to watch GSB sell to a rival like Spurs would have left a bitter taste, so this news comes as a breath of fresh air.

The 24-year-old has, arguably, been one of West Ham’s players of the season so far alongside star striker Michail Antonio.

No Irons man has averaged more completed dribbles (3) or key passes per 90 (2.4) in the Premier League according to WhoScored, and if he continues this streak he could be a very key player this year.

In other news: ‘What a bargain’…Sky pundit reacts as West Ham eye ‘great signing’ for Moyes, find out more here.

Brad Haddin was part of the Australian squad which lost the Ashes 2-1 in 2005 but was left out of the team which wiped out England 5-0 in the following series

Alex Brown04-May-2009Ashes revenge has not been discussed in the Australian dressing room for several seasons now. When Ricky Ponting’s men reversed the gloom of ’05 to the euphoria of 5-0 in the return series, Australia’s senior players successfully filled the urn-shaped hole in their lives and allowed the likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Justin Langer to head into retirement content and complete.Brad Haddin, however, has not been so fortunate. As Adam Gilchrist’s understudy in 2005, Haddin vividly recalls the pain and despondency in the Australian dressing room after the defeat at Trent Bridge; a result that handed England a decisive 2-1 series lead. He was subsequently overlooked for the ensuing series in Australia – back-up wicketkeepers are a luxury seldom afforded to squads within their own county – resulting in a sense of unfinished business ahead of this year’s tour of England.”The only time I’ve been involved in an Ashes series, we tasted defeat,” Haddin told Cricinfo. “As exciting as it was to experience all the hype in 2005, it was still a pretty disappointing tour in a lot of ways. The memories are still strong from that tour. Some of the other guys had a chance to be part of the next Ashes series that we won 5-0, but I wasn’t in that squad.”I was lucky and unfortunate in 2005. Being in the squad, I was able to experience all the hype and excitement of being in England in a very competitive Ashes series. The way the country responded, and seeing those 20,000 people shut out of Old Trafford and still trying to get a look, was something I won’t forget. But having said that I remember the feeling in the change-rooms in Trent Bridge after we’d pretty much lost the Ashes. It was a sombre and uncomfortable place to be. I don’t want to have to experience that again.”Haddin’s rise from the periphery to the nucleus of the national team has been both rapid and dramatic. Twelve months have not passed since his Test debut at Sabina Park, yet Haddin has already assumed senior status within Ricky Ponting’s re-emerging Test side and is likely to be remunerated accordingly when Cricket Australia’s 25-man contract list is released next week.So high is the esteem in which he is held by national selectors, Haddin stands poised to lead Australia for the second time in a Twenty20 international (against Pakistan in Dubai on Thursday), placing him second in line for the captaincy behind Michael Clarke. Haddin has also been handed the added responsibility of opening the innings in the 50-over format.Those close to the team credit Haddin with imbuing Australia’s rookie players with a sense of “old school” toughness in this period of transition – the casual observer could probably deduce as much from the frequency and tenacity of his appeals. And while his glovework remains solid, if not flawless, his batting is of great importance to the Australians in all three forms of the game.”I’m lucky that in my career with NSW I’ve had the opportunity to bat from one-to-seven in the one-dayers, and I’ve had a bit of success in all those spots,” he said. “If someone like Shaun Marsh goes down and I get the call up the order, then that’s fine with me. That might add a little to the workload but, put it this way, I was happy we batted second in the (second one-day international against Pakistan) when it was 42 degrees out in the middle.”Perhaps most remarkable of all Haddin’s accomplishments over the past 12 months has been his durability. Since the beginning of Australia’s tour of the West Indies last year, he has played in all 15 of Australia’s Tests (scoring 901 runs at 37.54 with 56 dismissals), 24 of 28 one-day internationals (a broken finger sidelined him for the final four games of the series in the Caribbean) and three of six Twenty20 matches. While Ponting, Mitchell Johnson and Michael Hussey were rested from the limited overs tour of the UAE ahead of a gruelling 2009 campaign, which includes the World Twenty20, the Ashes and the Champions Trophy, Haddin has played on, subscribing to Dennis Lillee’s old mantra of never giving a sucker an even break.”I actually don’t have any niggles, and my hands are good,” he said. “Life is a lot easier when your hands aren’t barking at you. I put it down to the fact that I have been training my body for this for years. This is the reason you run all those laps and lift all those weights. I might not have been playing international cricket for a long time, but I feel like I have been conditioning my body for it for years.”Ask me in 12 months if I’m feeling this fresh, and the answer might be a bit different. But I’m feeling pretty good, and I think [the World Twenty20] will be an exciting thing to be a part of, especially with it being in England and the Ashes being around the corner.”

West Ham United advanced into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after they defeated Manchester United  – and one name arguably stole the show.

Just a few days ago, the Irons suffered an agonising defeat to the Red Devils in the Premier League but here, David Moyes’ side were out for redemption in what was a rare victory at Old Trafford.

There were plenty of standout performers, with the likes of Issa Diop, ‘Man of the Match’ Craig Dawson and Alphonse Areola getting plenty of credit from supporters and press on social media.

But it was another player making his Hammers debut that looked top class against some big names.

Czech Republic midfielder Alex Kral joined the east Londoners on loan from Spartak Moscow, joining his international teammates Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal at the club, and he excelled in his first-ever competitive appearance.

The 23-year-old, who is valued at €15m (£13m) by CIES Football Observatory, was quite literally all over the pitch as he looked to fill the void left behind by his colossal countryman and Declan Rice.

Kral did his defensive duties astutely as he recorded a game-high five tackles and three interceptions, as per SofaScore. He also made two clearances and won a total of eight duels.

Indeed, this massively helped in the absence of the usual first-choice duo as Soucek averages 3.4 tackles per league outing and Rice averages 2.2 interceptions per outing, via WhoScored. He effectively did the job of both next to club captain Mark Noble, who undoubtedly made his job easier.

Further up the pitch, the 25-cap international provided one key pass, one successful dribble and a total of 47 touches, as per SofaScore.

“Loaning Alex Král with an option to buy at £12m looks like more smart business from West Ham,” claimed BBC Sport contributor Premier League Panel. “Superb defensive work vs Man Utd, as he constantly tracked runners in between the lines & made vital interventions (8 tackles/interceptions). Quality option to rotate with Rice & Soucek.”

And as football.london’s Tom Clark wrote in his post-match ratings, Kral ‘showed a willingness to get forward and broke into the Manchester United box on a number of occasions.’

Both reviews only reinforce the fact that Kral was an industrious presence at either end of the pitch on Wednesday night.

It was certainly an impressive debut from Kral and he has now surely given Moyes plenty to think about heading into their upcoming fixtures across the Premier League and Europa League.

AND in other news, Moyes’ big West Ham transfer clanger highlighted as David Ornstein transfer claim emerges…

Spurs need to get back to winning ways later this evening after a trio of tough results in the Premier League.

Nuno Santo and his side welcome Slovenian champions NS Mura to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the UEFA Europa Conference League group stages, where they opened the competition with a 2-2 draw at Stade Rennes two weeks ago.

The north London outfit have suffered three straight heavy defeats in the English top-flight and now according to some reports, the Portuguese head coach is under mounting pressure to turn things around on the pitch.

That means he cannot take today’s opposition lightly, despite the obvious difference in quality.

Last time out, Spurs crashed to a 3-1 defeat in the north London derby and after admitting that he got his team selection so badly wrong, Nuno will need to get it spot on this time around.

Dele Alli’s outing against the Gunners lasted just 45 minutes as he was hooked at the break, with the Lilywhites down by three goals. It was a rather damning statement from Nuno and one that could carry into tonight’s encounter.

Despite starting every single Premier League game since the arrival of the ex-Wolves boss in the summer, truth be told, the English midfielder has looked some way off hitting his former heights.

Spurs are amongst the worst teams when it comes to the final third – they rank last for average number shots per game (9.3), joint-bottom for big chances created (4) and second last for expected goals (5.47 xG).

It’s clear that there is something wrong with the makeup of Nuno’s midfield and attack.

Alli once delivered ten assists, also averaging 1.8 key passes per game, during the 2017/18 campaign, via WhoScored.

Such form had former players like club legend Darren Anderton comparing him to Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard, even dubbing him a “freak of a talent” who was a “joy to watch.”

Things quickly turned sour under Jose Mourinho but he’s now been given a proper chance to impress – but he hasn’t taken it and you could argue that his presence is holding Spurs back at the moment.

He is yet to register an assist or key pass from his six starts in the top-flight, meaning he could be one of the many reasons behind their creative struggles up top.

The £27m-rated star, who is still only 25, has been out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad since their third-place playoff win over Denmark in the UEFA Nations League back in June 2019, over two years ago.

A bitter disappointment for someone who had clinched 37 caps by that point in his career – now he’s at a crossroads.

By comparison, Giovani Lo Celso has managed just the one league start but is averaging a squad-high 2.8 key passes per 90 minutes, which suggests he may well be the better option, should he be gifted a proper run in the side.

It may only be NS Mura tonight but Alli should be dropped as Nuno needs to search for a solution ahead of a crunch match with Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

He must be ruthless and not start the struggling midfielder today.

AND in other news, Paratici masterclass: Spurs eyeing 31-cap “absolute monster”, he’s a huge Dier upgrade…