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Lawrie Sanchez doesn’t believe that Roberto Martinez would turn down the Tottenham job, but has doubts over whether the Spaniard could cope with the pressure.

Martinez is currently preparing for the European Championships with Belgium which start next month and hasn’t managed in the Premier League since his sacking from Everton at the end of the 2015-2016 season.

He led the Toffees to fifth place in his first season at Goodison Park, but consecutive 11th-place finishes led to his departure.

He’s since produced some impressive work with Belgium, leading them to number one in the world ranks after their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, but there will be pressure on Martinez to guide the Red Devils to European Championship glory.

Martinez, who won the FA Cup with Wigan after getting Swansea promoted out of League One, is on a long list of managers being linked with the job and is reportedly continuing to have talks with Spurs, who are hoping to appoint Jose Mourinho’s successor in the coming days.

But having failed to previously manage a traditional top side club, Sanchez has questioned whether the 47-year-old could make the step up.

He exclusively told Football FanCast:

“Spurs is a great job. Martinez would only be too happy to come back. The trouble with Martinez is, he went to a big club and failed.

“He did a smashing job with Swansea and Wigan, but stepping up to the big job, people will question having failed at Everton, can he handle a big club?

“I wouldn’t be surprised. He would love the chance and it would be interesting to see whether having done as well internationally whether that could translate into being ready for a big job that perhaps he wasn’t ready for at Everton.”

Tariq Saeed12-Apr-2002

Rain has played havoc with today’s Frizzell County Championship programme, with only limited play possible in just three of the six scheduled games

Stephen Lamb26-May-2002
A wateryTrent Bridge
Photo CricInfo
Rain has played havoc with today’s Frizzell County Championship programme, with only limited play possible in just three of the six scheduled games. Between the showers there was time for Craig White to complete a half century and for Durham to force Gloucestershire to follow on.At Headingley, White had just completed his 50 against Hampshire when rain and bad light, which had prevented almost any play in the first two sessions, returned to hold things up again. When play resumed in the final session, White was out for 67 and Yorkshire closed on 207 for five.In Division Two, Gloucestershire did not advance their cause in the limited play possible at Chester-le-Street. 95 for six overnight, they were swiftly mopped up by Durham for 132, with Graeme Bridge taking two wickets for one run. Following on 338 runs behind. the visitors did little better in their second innings. Between delays they reached 44 for two by the close, with Ian Hunter taking both wickets.Just nine overs and three balls were bowled at Trent Bridge, from which Nottinghamshire moved from their overnight 184 for seven to 207 for eight before the rain intervened yet again to end play early for the day. Carl Greenidge trapped Nick Boje lbw for 36 to collect his fifth wicket of the innings for Northants in a game that now seems sure to end in a draw.The third day’s play at The Oval between Surrey and Somerset, at Horsham between Sussex and Leicestershire, and the first day of Essex’s match against Derbyshire at Chelmsford were all abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Olivier Ntcham could be about to receive an exit route from his Celtic nightmare, with Greek giants AEK Athens preparing a move.

What’s the story?

According to The Scottish Sun, the 25-year-old midfielder may be about to finally get his wish and depart the Hoops on a permanent basis following a hugely disappointing loan spell in the second half of last season.

The report claims Athens are prepared to offer Ntcham wages of around £20,000-per-week in order to lure him to the Olympic Stadium.

He’s not good enough

Ntcham has been open about his desire to move away from Scottish football in the past, previously claiming to be too good for the Scottish Premiership.

“Celtic has given me a lot but leaving is the best solution for my development. We can do as many matches as we want but, with all due respect for my opponents, if the level in front is not high, you do not progress,” the Frenchman said back in 2019.

However, after joining long-term suitors Marseille on loan in January, Ntcham failed to impress, making just two league starts for the Ligue 1 outfit.

On both occasions, he was substituted at half-time due to his dire displays and he was also hauled off after just 45 minutes during a French cup game against fourth-tier minnows Canet RFC.

Jorge Sampaoli’s men fell to an abysmal 2-1 defeat on the day, but it was Ntcham who took the majority of the flack, being labelled “unacceptable” by local newspaper La Provence (as reported by Sport Witness) after receiving three 1/10 ratings from journalists covering the game.

A summer rebuild is required at Celtic Park following a disastrous 2020/21, where the Hoops finished 25 points behind table-toppers Rangers.

Former Australia national team coach Ange Postecoglou is thought to be close to succeeding Neil Lennon in the Celtic hot seat, but it doesn’t seem as though he will have to deal with an unhappy Ntcham for very long.

The former Manchester City man is a very talented footballer on his day, yet his attitude and application leave a lot to be desired, and the former champions will be better off without the want-away flop. He’s not good enough of a player for Celtic to put up with any of those types of distractions.

And, in other news…Major Celtic transfer news emerges over £2m liability, fans will surely be buzzing 

Australian spin bowler and coach Peter Philpott was unwittingly in on the ground floor of the revival that has been behind New Zealand’s advance in cricket

Lynn McConnell02-Jul-2002Australian spin bowler and coach Peter Philpott was unwittingly in on the ground floor of the revival that has been behind New Zealand’s advance in cricket.Apart from all the coaching contribution he has made over the years, it was as a player in Les Favell’s Australian team of 1966/67 that he witnessed the emergence of a core of players who would build up the level of expectation of New Zealand cricket.Playing in a team that included: Norm O’Neill, Peter Burge, Brian Booth, Favell, Alan Connolly, John Gleeson, Barry Jarman, Paul Sheahan, Bob Bitmead and others, Philpott came up against the New Zealand side captained by Barry Sinclair that included, Graham Dowling, Terry Jarvis, Bevan Congdon, Vic Pollard, Keith Thomson, Bryan Yuile, Bruce Taylor, Dick Motz, Bob Cunis, Richard Collinge and Roy Harford.The Australians lost an early game on the tour to Canterbury, and then lost the first ‘Test’ of the tour at New Plymouth.Philpott, in Christchurch for a week of coaching at the High Performance Centre at Lincoln University, recalled the tour today.”The cricket was grand. The biggest problem was the first-class wickets were not conducive to good cricket.”But the talent was there and the New Zealand side was a very professional unit, and well balanced.”The pitch at New Plymouth was a slow turner and that suited Vic Polllard to a T. He was a quick off-spinner who bowled very, very well. And he was very difficult to face on it. We had a good side, many of the guys were just finishing international play.”Dick Motz was a good bowler, and Bryan Yuile while Bevan Congdon also batted well.”It was ridiculous the tour wasn’t regarded as an official Test tour,” he said.New Zealand won the ‘series’ which was rain-affected with the last three ‘Tests’ being drawn.Philpott also recalled the introduction the players had to fast bowler Gary Bartlett in Palmerston North against Central Districts.”We were just back from the West Indies and had been playing Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith, who was a chucker, and a couple of blokes had made a pledge that if they came across a true chucker they would not play in the interests of their families.”Gary was very quick and with the best will in the world his action was doubtful, but Gary that day was very fast.”There was a southerly gale blowing and we had 40 minutes or so to bat before stumps on the first day.”Favelli was a great hooker, a fierce hooker but Gary undid him that day. He was just too quick. It opened everybody’s eyes,” Philpott said.When fast bowlers are compared the difference between them was so minor it didn’t matter and Bartlett was up there with them on that occasion, Philpott said.”We always expected it would be a very competitive series with New Zealand. We were very impressed by their side,” he said.

According to a report by club insider Claret & Hugh, via West Ham News and Views, 2020/2021 loan sensation Jesse Lingard has made up his mind and wants to join the Hammers this summer. 

Lingard, who bagged an incredible nine goals and four assists in just 16 Premier League starts for West Ham last season (WhoScored), impressed during a half-season temporary spell at the club.

This has allegedly prompted real intent from West Ham in getting a deal done for him this summer and C&H now state that the 28-year-old is reciprocating that interest.

He is keen to work under manager David Moyes permanently again, as they did at Manchester United, and waiting for Scotsman to sign his new three-year deal – then he will instruct his agents to commence talks.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news/” title=”West Ham latest news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Flocking to this development, it’s safe to say many supporters are ecstatic, with one calling it ‘the news we have been waiting for’.

Given his performances last season, it’s hardly surprising – find a flavour of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans rave over Lingard development

“This is the news we have been waiting for. COYI go Jesse go”

Credit: @lyttle_lesley

“Yes yes can’t wait for him to put pen to paper up the irons”

Credit: @PaulMas01296853

“PRAYING”

Credit: @Shaneo_300

“What a beautiful man”

Credit: @whucharlieee

“siuuuuuuu”

Credit: @BennnWHU

“MY BRUDDAH @JesseLingard”

Credit: @ovo_forbes

“West Ham get it done before the Euro and sign up so we have 3 West Ham boys in the England squad, we will have a chance of winning it”

Credit: @happy_hammers

In other news: West Ham player now really wants to leave, Cottee dubbed him their ‘best footballer’…find out more here.

Gold Award winner Ronnie Irani was full of praise for his Essex side after scoring a run-a-ball 57 and three for 30 in his team’s 138-run win over Worcestershire that secured a place in the Benson & Hedges Cup Final at Lord’s on June 22.

Stephen Lamb07-Jun-2002Gold Award winner Ronnie Irani was full of praise for his Essex side after scoring a run-a-ball 57 and three for 30 in his team’s 138-run win over Worcestershire that secured a place in the last-ever Benson & Hedges Cup Final at Lord’s on June 22.”It was a great team performance, everyone contributed and I thought we were excellent,” Irani said.”If you want to be successful and be the best you have to adapt to playing in these pressure games. And it has been an absolute joy to see how some of these guys have played.”Essex are playing as well as they have since I have been involved withthem. Yesterday, it wasn’t easy at the start but we took the initiative and never let it go.”Asked whether he had hopes of an England recall for the triangular series with Sri Lanka and India, he said: “I don’t look further than Essex County Cricket Club. They are my club and these are my boys and I can’t look beyond that.”Worcestershire’s captain Graeme Hick admitted they didn’t make the most of their opportunity after putting the hosts in to bat.”Generally we are a side that likes to bat first but both of us would havebowled on winning the toss here,” Hick said.”We have played some good cricket this year and this is only our second defeat in the one-day game. We came into it with confidence but Essex played well, got the momentum going, and we didn’t play as well we can in all three departments.”

Graham Roberts doubts that Gareth Bale will return to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, but he feels he ought to in order to prove his worth once again.

Bale’s loan deal at Spurs has expired and he has returned to the Spanish giants.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has returned to the Liga giants and has worked with Bale previously, placing a return for the Welshman in some doubt.

Indeed, the Wales international has made 92 appearances under the Italian’s management, scoring 39 goals and laying on 31 assists.

In the 2020/21 campaign, though, the 31-year-old was limited to just 10 Premier League starts under the management of Jose Mourinho, though he still managed to score 11 times and provide two assists.

Spurs were reported to have an option to bring Bale back to the club at the end of his loan spell, and Roberts believes he ought to make a comeback so he can complete a proper season in the top-flight, though he is not sure the finances add up. Bale is reported to earn £600,000-per-week in Spain.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Roberts said: “Nobody knows do they? I think what he’s doing is he’s saying to Real Madrid, ‘I’m your player and I’m coming back in to train’. Real Madrid have to pay him his wages, £600,000, Tottenham are not going to pay £600,000.

“So unless they do the deal that they did this year, but I think Gareth Bale, deep down, needs to come back and he needs to hit the ground running. He can’t play one game and then miss three or four and expect up to £400,000 a week. That’s just not on.”

A major update has emerged on Atalanta’s transfer plans and it could lead to Ross Wilson striking gold for Rangers with a £7.65m-rated ace.

What’s the talk?

According to TuttoSport, the Serie A outfit are closing in on a €20m (£17.15m) deal to sign AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners ahead of next season. Atalanta are on the verge of agreeing a deal with the Dutch club and that could come as a major boost to Rangers.

Both clubs are reportedly interested in signing Heerenveen midfielder Joey Veerman. The Scottish Sun claimed that the duo are keen on the central midfielder, with Atalanta now opting to pursue a deal to sign his compatriot Koopmeiners instead.

Former Rangers forward Michael Mols has described Veerman as being “perfect” in possession. The Dutchman said that the 22-year-old is a great player, although he has cast doubts over whether or not he could adapt to the physical nature of the Scottish game.

Mols told the Daily Record: “He is perfect with the ball and in possession, he’s a really great player. His passing and movement with the ball is really relaxed in a good way.

“But in Scottish football, there is a lot of emphasis on duels and fighting for the ball. I’m just not sure that would suit his style. He would maybe find it a little bit difficult to adapt.”

Wilson could strike gold

Rangers’ director of football Wilson could strike gold with a deal for Veerman. The Scottish champions have been handed a gigantic boost in the race for his signature with Atalanta seemingly pulling out of the race to secure a deal for Koopmeiners as they finished third in the Serie A. This means that the Bergamo club can offer the prospect of Champions League football to potential targets, whilst Rangers must go through two rounds of qualification to reach the group stages of the competition.

Veerman enjoyed a spectacular season with Heerenveen in the Eredivisie. He recorded a sublime WhoScored rating of 7.40 across 31 appearances in the competition, registering seven goals and 10 assists from midfield.

This shows that he was impressively consistent throughout the campaign, whilst being able to chip in with direct goal contributions to add an extra attacking threat from midfield for his side. Therefore, he could be a brilliant addition to Rangers’ squad, as he has proven he can perform to a very high level at a good standard in his homeland.

Mols has cast doubts over the physical side of the 22-year-old’s game, but his defensive numbers were solid in the Eredivisie for Heerenveen. The £7.65m-rated ace averaged three tackles and interceptions per game, along with 1.2 clearances and 0.7 aerial battles won. However, even if he is lacking in physical strength, his technical quality could allow him to stand out if he moves to the Scottish Premiership.

If he is able to manipulate the ball perfectly, as Mols suggests, then opposition players may not be able to get anywhere near him to stop him from scoring or creating goals. This is why Wilson could strike gold by bringing him to Rangers this summer to bolster Steven Gerrard’s squad heading into next season.

AND in other news, Rangers land major boost with £6.1k-p/w “leader”, Wilson could strike gold for Gerrard…

Hampshire Cricket’s appeal against the eight points deducted from their Frizzell Championship tally will be heard at 10:30 am tommorrow (Thursday 1st August).

Vic Isaacs31-Jul-2002Hampshire Cricket’s appeal against the eight points deducted from their Frizzell Championship tally, following a poor pitch report against Lancashire last week, will be heard at 10:30 am tommorrow (Thursday 1st August).The ECB panel will be chaired by Gerard Elias QC, and include former Middlesex chairman Alan Moss and ECB representative John Pickup.Hampshire will be represented by Chairman Rod Bransgrove, Director of Cricket Tim Tremlett and Head Groundsman Nigel Gray.The decision will not be announced immediately, and Hampshire have to receive it by post.