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Deccan Chargers are banking on the experience of Adam Gilchrist and the knowledge of VVS Laxman to finish “a lot higher” than their bottom spot in 2008

Ajay S Shankar14-Apr-2009Deccan Chargers are banking on the experience of Adam Gilchrist and the knowledge of VVS Laxman, who was replaced as captain by Gilchrist after the first IPL, to finish “a lot higher” than their bottom spot in 2008. Darren Lehmann, the team’s new coach, also said the side was let down by their bowling and fielding last year and that the second IPL starting on Saturday would be a personal challenge.”Adam Gilchrist is the captain and he is very experienced,” Lehmann told Cricinfo. “But VVS Laxman is an important player for us, too. He has got a wealth of experience, and with that knowledge, we are hoping to make some inroads there.”Deccan started last season as favourites after topping their player purchase cap of US$5 million by signing up explosive batsmen like Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, Shahid Afridi and Rohit Sharma, but disintegrated as the IPL progressed. This time, they have begun on a positive note by winning a warm-up game at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Monday against Titans by six wickets. Scott Styris, their New Zealand signing, took three for 10 to help dismiss Titans for 99 and scored an unbeaten 36 to wrap up a six-wicket win in 11 overs.Deccan will open their IPL campaign in Cape Town on Sunday against Kolkata Knight Riders and Lehmann said he wouldn’t go “too in-depth” into the team’s gameplan. “What I can say is that this time, we are going to play with real passion, play smart, and obviously play better than last year,” Lehmann said. “All in all, I thought we batted well last year but our fielding and bowling probably let us down, so that’s one area we are certainly going to pick up on.”In fact, nothing went right for Deccan last time even outside the field, starting with Laxman’s wrist injury which ruled him out of most of that IPL. A few months later, the team controversially replaced Laxman with Gilchrist as part of a management overhaul that also had Lehmann taking the palce of Robin Singh as coach.Laxman, who will leave for South Africa on Wednesday night, has since staged a magnificent comeback, scoring 956 runs in 12 Tests at an average of 56.23 with two centuries — one each against Australia and New Zealand — and six half-centuries.Then again, just before the second player auction this February, the team also lost Tim Wright, its chief executive officer, over an apparent difference of opinion over the former IMG official’s role in the franchise’s management structure.”There have been a lot of things said but at the end of the day, we just got to perform on the field and that’s all we will be trying to do,” Lehmann said. “Things just didn’t go the team’s way; they didn’t play very well, and the simple fact is we’ve got to improve that this year. We know that as a team, and we will be doing our utmost to do that this year. In Twenty20, everything needs to come together at the same time. We need to field very well, bowl really smartly and also make an effort. These are things we are trying to improve. It’s a good challenge.”Lehmann said the short preparation time available for this IPL would not be a problem because most of his players have been playing international cricket through the year – Gibbs will join the team after the one-day series between South Africa and Australia ends on April 17.”That’s not a worry,” he said. “We just need to get together and get our plans in place on where to go. Besides, most teams don’t have a long preparation period anyway this year because of the move to South Africa so everyone is on the same boat. So the idea is to move as quick as you can, and as best as you can.”

“We are going to play with real passion, play smart, and obviously play better than last year”– Darren Lehmann

Deccan, however, will be have the services of Symonds only for the last two weeks of this IPL after the Australia allrounder was named in the national one-day squad for the series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi from April 22-May 7. But Lehmann hopes that the team’s new signings – Dwayne Smith and Fidel Edwards – will contribute to some early wins. Edwards took two wickets in Monday’s warm-up game.”Edwards has got explosive pace that’s one thing you need for a Twenty20 start,” Lehmann said. “We expect him to play really well for us and get involved in some early wins with some early wickets. Dwayne Smith is an explosive batsman and a handy allrounder. We have got some depth there, which is really good, and we are looking forward to some inputs from their side as well.”Lehmann also said that his team would be able to adapt to South African conditions better because he, Gilchrist and Laxman have played there before and that experience would work to the team’s advantage. Asked where he hoped his team would finish this time, Lehmann said: “Hopefully, a lot higher than last year.”

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has revealed what Dean Smith has told him about his potential tactical plans at Aston Villa.

What’s the story?

The Villa boss has opted to go with a back-three in recent weeks, and it served him very well just last weekend when they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

And now, in a Q&A for The Birmingham Mail, Preece has explained how Leon Bailey could potentially fit into the fold at Villa Park, and the kind of variety Smith has at his disposal.

He said: “Yes, there’s so much flexibility. Bailey could play behind a striker in a 3-5-1-1 system, for example. Loads of strings to Villa’s bow now. ‘It’ll be horses for different courses,’ Smith has told me.”

Tactical evolution at Villa Park

With Bailey of course out injured at the moment, but one of the club’s marquee signings, Villa fans will be excited at the prospect of how Smith chooses to utilise the Jamaica international in his starting line-up.

The former Bayer Leverkusen star came on for Matt Targett and operated as a more attacking wing-back against Everton last time out, and scored one and essentially made another when his corner was headed into his own net by Lucas Digne.

Whether that position is what would get the best out of Bailey remains to be seen, but as Preece says, the Jamaican could be an intriguing option as someone to operate a lone striker, whether that’s Ollie Watkins or Danny Ings.

Whatever the case, this new tactical shift to a back-three this season in the Premier League could throw up some exciting combinations and line-ups from Smith.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans drops an Aston Villa update on this star…

Some Everton fans have been left fuming over the news that Salomon Rondon has signed for their club.

As per the official website of the Goodison Park faithful, the Blues were able to sign the striker on Deadline Day on a free transfer, as he signed a two-year deal at the Merseyside club, with the option of another season.

Although experienced in the Premier League with both Newcastle United and West Brom, Rondon was never really prolific in the top flight, achieving double figures in just one of his four campaigns (Transfermarkt).

At 31 years of age, one would question whether the Venezuela international can cope with the demands of the division anymore, especially given that he has not played in Europe for over two years.

Everton fans on Rondon signing

These Toffees supporters fumed as the signing of Rondon was confirmed on Twitter, with one Blue even going as far as to claim that it was ‘shocking’:

“Gonna be a long season this”

Credit: @adamf_24

“Time for bed”

Credit: @_MikeConnolly

“Christ, a 31-year-old on a potential 3-year deal.”Credit: @SteveBiggert”Shocking signing that”Credit: @LewisGundy__”Eating until 11pm for an underwhelming announcement like this. What a joke. With bottom-half teams signing more players than us it’s not hard to think where we may end up. Abysmal window, all 82x days of it. If we were really putting offers in, we could’ve signed more.”Credit: @KingMantisBand”Brands out”Credit: @Alexash999v2In other news, find out whose exit has Evertonians fuming here!

Zimbabwe’s gradual rehabilitation received another boost with news that former captain and coach Dave Houghton will be returning to work as director of national coaching

Steven Price in Harare30-Mar-2009Zimbabwe’s gradual rehabilitation received another boost with news that former captain and coach Dave Houghton will be returning to work as director of national coaching.Houghton was one of many who turned his back on the crumbling Zimbabwe cricket scene, but he will resume in August. All that needs to be sorted are contractual details, but a source close to the board said it was in effect a done deal.His job is not full-time and will take up around five months of the year during which time he will act as technical director to national team and age-group coaches and ensuring there is a uniform approach throughout.Houghton’s presence will give an invaluable experienced edge to the coaching set-up. Aside from his unquestionable pedigree as a player, he has overseen the national side as well as enjoyed spells with Derbyshire and Worcestershire.He will continue to keep his main home in England and it is not thought likely that he could be tempted into taking on the post of national coach which has been an ongoing worry for the board for some time. The parlous state of the country as a whole, and the cricket structure in particular, has made it almost impossible for the board to hire anyone of any quality.

Things are never easy for Celtic Football Club and nothing epitomised that more than the Hoops’ 2-1 defeat on Thursday evening.

Ange Postecoglou’s men sealed their route into the next round of continental competition but they did so the hard way with defensive mistakes.

On the chalkboard

Celtic began the new season the way they finished the last one, making errors at the back.

Nir Bitton had a difficult start to the new season by getting sent off against Midtjylland in the Champions League and then losing John Souttar for Hearts’ opening day winner.

However, in recent weeks, the Bhoys have looked more assured and organised at the back. They’d kept four clean sheets in their last five matches before everything went awry against AZ Alkmaar in midweek.

The Hoops lost 2-1 but went through on aggregate. That wasn’t before a howler from Joe Hart, though.

He failed to clear a long ball over the top which led to Alkmaar’s opener and then Carl Starfelt turned the ball into his own net to put the hosts in front.

Starfelt has attracted criticism from pundits since arriving in Glasgow and his first-half performance on Thursday certainly justified some choice words. John Hartson went as far as to call it “schoolboy” defending.

Yet, he did improve in the second half as Celtic managed to see things out and qualify for the group stages of the Europa League.

The solution

With Starfelt struggling to adapt to life at Paradise in the early weeks of his Celtic career, Postecoglou should consider dipping his toes into the transfer market.

They confirmed the arrival of Liam Scales on Friday morning and he could be well-suited to providing cover.

The Irishman is capable of playing at left-back or at centre-back so could fill the void. Yet, we sense that Celtic need a little more experience at the heart of their backline.

One player they should turn to is Manchester United defender Phil Jones.

The 29-year-old has had his fair share of injury problems in recent years and hasn’t actually played a competitive game of football in 2021.

That being said, the 27-cap England international is now overcoming those issues. Speaking about Jones recently, Man United assistant manager Mike Phelan said: “He’s worked extremely hard and it’s mind-blowing at times because you are doing it on your own so credit to him. Phil Jones, for me, has been terrific in the gym.”

Jones has recently been linked with a number of sides in England as he aims to regain his fitness but Celtic were actually touted with a switch last winter.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/postecoglou-hoops-bhoys-jenz-larsson-nisbet” title=”Check out the latest Celtic transfer news!”]

Thus, with defensive problems mounting again, Postecoglou should consider reuniting Hart with his former Three Lions colleague.

He is adept at playing the ball from the back and was once tipped to be Man United’s best ever player by Sir Alex Ferguson.

On that evidence, there is clearly a talented player in there. The best bit is, he could also be available on a free transfer. This seems like a no-brainer for Celtic.

AND in other news, Celtic agree terms to sign “very special” 26 y/o beast, Postecoglou surely buzzing…

Carlton Palmer has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Everton would allow Ainsley Maitland-Niles to get out and play regular first-team football.

The 24-year-old has played just 48 minutes for Arsenal this season and doesn’t appear likely to get many opportunities in a competitive right-back spot.

Maitland Niles has previously showed his versatility by playing at left wing-back in the Gunners’ FA Cup triumph two years ago, and also in midfield, but David Ornstein believes that he wants to remain at full-back.

According to The Athletic, Everton were in talks with the Arsenal man over a loan move to Goodison Park, but his boyhood have since rejected an approach.

Seemingly frustrated with Arsenal, Maitland-Niles has since expressed his frustration on Instagram by posting on his story that he simply wants to play and be wanted.

With Hector Bellerin, Cedric and Calum Chambers all battling it out for the right-back spot under Mikel Arteta, Maitland-Niles could still move away from Arsenal before the window closes.

And Palmer told The Transfer Tavern that he would be on board with a switch to the blue half of Merseyside:

“He needs to get out and play. Benitez is a very good manager; he knows what he’s doing. If he can get games in the Premier League, that’s what he needs to do to improve as a footballer.”

Many Everton fans have been left reacting to a transfer update on James Rodriguez.

As per Italian football journalist Rudy Galetti, there is ‘nothing’ between the Colombia international and Atletico Madrid, and the La Liga club are ‘not interested’ in buying him from the Goodison Park faithful.

Rodriguez caused speculation that he would be joining Atletico by tweeting a picture of himself with the caption ‘never stop believing’, which is the club’s motto, with an emoji reading ‘soon’, suggesting that a deal could be done imminently.

He has admitted that he does not know where his future lies given that Carlo Ancelotti, who was the manager when he was brought to the Merseyside club, has since gone to Real Madrid and been replaced by Rafa Benitez.

After missing the 3-1 home win over Southampton in their opening game of the new 2021/22 Premier League season, Rodriguez has also confirmed that he is set to miss their next one against Leeds United as well, and all of this speculation with regards to his future seems to have gotten too much for some Toffees supporters.

Everton fans on Rodriguez transfer update

These Blues gave some fairly mixed reactions as the news was shared on Twitter:

“We can’t give away our surplus players let alone get a decent fee for them… even giving them free transfers would cost us & who’ll pay the wages we’ve shelled out so often? How many will just sit out their contracts raking in the money before moving on for nothing? Oh, calamity!”

Credit: @BobbyC1878

“Absolute madness regarding James v Rafa, what is the truth? If James is saying that he’s not playing, and it’s just for Covid protocol, wish he’d say that. If Rafa has no plan for James, wish he’d say that. All the passive/aggressive is infuriating and childish from both sides”

Credit: @SilentBlueGiant

“Here we go again!… this transfer window can’t close quick enough.”

Credit: @JohnDiazTheOne

“It’s probably just a façade from James, no interest whether he moves or not as long as he’s picking up the big salary and playing his computer games he’s happy, will be hard to get rid.”

Credit: @gfarr92

“As if the hardest working team would be interested in the slowest footballer on earth who won’t defend.”

Credit: @powella76

“As talented as he is on the ball, I think it speaks volumes that you just can’t shift him.”

Credit: @Matt_S_1982

In other news, find out what transfer update has Evertonians buzzing here!

Leicester City are reportedly eyeing up a move for Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence as manager Brendan Rodgers seeks to address his injury-hit backline.

What’s the story?

According to Football League World, the Foxes are one of two Premier League clubs hoping to secure the highly-rated 21-year-old’s services this summer, with Southampton also credited with an interest.

New arrival Jannik Vestergaard joined the extensive injury list at the King Power Stadium following an innocuous training ground incident, so Leicester are believed to be in the market for extra reinforcements before the current transfer window closes.

Jon Rudkin must swoop

Comfortable at either right-back or on the right wing, Spence has established himself as one of the Championship’s most exciting young talents over the last couple of campaigns.

Previous ‘Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate lauded him as “exceptional” following a standout performance when he was still a teenager, but current manager Neil Warnock has gone even further in his praise for the youngster.

“If you look at one or two of the full-backs that are around now – the lad at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the lad at Manchester United from Palace (Aaron Wan-Bissaka) – they are all the same type as Djed,” declared the 72-year-old.

“He does have enormous ability, and when you’ve got ability like that it’s criminal if you don’t get to the very top. But as I said to him in that first couple of weeks, he’ll only have himself to blame if he doesn’t get to the very top.

“He has quite a few things to brush up on at the minute, and I’m sure he will try. He’s a very good trainer and works hard,” he concluded.

With James Justin set for an extended spell on the sidelines and Marc Albrighton currently the only natural right-sided forward in the first team squad at Leicester, Spence’s prospective arrival could plug multiple gaps in Rodgers’ setup.

Therefore, director of football Jon Rudkin must swoop for the versatile gem before the Saints snap him up.

Spence may be far from the finished article at this moment in time, but Rodgers is one of the best in the business when it comes to developing young talent, and the 21-year-old could be the latest diamond in the rough to benefit from the Northern Irishman’s tutelage.

In other news… Forget Perez: £40.5m-rated Leicester liability who lost possession 15 times let Rodgers down v West Ham 

Manchester City youngster Liam Delap has got a huge career in the game according to former City defender Michael Ball.

Delap scored 30 goals in just 27 appearances last season for Manchester City, including a goal in the Carabao Cup against AFC Bournemouth which was his senior debut.

After an impressive season for City’s academy there have been a number of clubs chasing the youngster, but according to Football Insider it appears that Stoke City have beaten everyone and are close to signing Delap on loan.

Former Cityzen defender Michael Ball has been full of praise for the striker and believes he will do very well in his career, telling Transfer Tavern: “I think he’s got a huge career in the game and you know whatever decision he makes will be up to him and good luck to him.”

 A loan move away from the Etihad Stadium may benefit Delap as City appear to be adding even more talent to their squad this summer. Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that City were pushing to complete a deal for Jack Grealish in the next few days from Aston Villa and the club have also been linked with a summer move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

With the possibility of two new arrivals at the Etihad, it may hamper Delap’s game time in the first team, so a season out on loan playing regularly may help the youngster to develop his game further.

Zimbabwe’s selectors are sweating on the availability of former captain Tatenda Taibu for the five-ODI series against Sri Lanka starting in Harare on Thursday.

Steven Price in Harare15-Nov-2008Zimbabwe’s selectors are sweating on the availability of former captain Tatenda Taibu for the five-ODI series against Sri Lanka starting in Harare on Thursday.The squad is due to be named after the four-day match between Zimbabwe Select XI and Sri Lanka, which ends today at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The team will then fly to Harare for training with Zimbabwe A, who are set to play the tourists in a warm-up match at Queens Sports Club on Monday.Taibu, an experienced top-order batsman and wicketkeeper, was left out of the team for the current game after selectors said he was not in the right frame of mind to play.A very reliable source within the Zimbabwe camp said the chances of Taibu being available were slim. “He has issues with the board and at the same time in his private life, he is really going through a difficult time, it would not be a surprise if he is not available to play against Sri Lanka,” the source said. If Taibu is absent, Regis Chakabva, another diminutive wicketkeeper, will be given the duties.Veteran left-arm spinner Ray Price, who was omitted for the four-day match, is expected to be named in a squad which is again woefully short of experience.