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West Ham United could look to sign Paul Onuachu in the winter transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to Sport/Voetbal magazine journalist Peter t’Kint, the Irons will ramp up their interest in the Genk striker should he deliver during their Europa League meeting in a few weeks time.

He claimed:

“In a few weeks, after the international break, there will be a showdown with West Ham, we are looking forward to that with great anticipation. If Paul Onuachu also hands over his business card [to West Ham], he will be gone in January, unfortunately.

During the summer, reports emerged first linking the Premier League side to the 27-year-old Nigeria international but it was thought that the Hammers weren’t prepared to meet Genk’s £22m asking price.

Transfermarkt currently value him at £18m, so their demands to seem pretty fair.

Finally?

Rob Newman has only been at the London Stadium for a few days now but West Ham’s new head of recruitment could well be the man to finally end David Moyes’ striker nightmare.

The east Londoners searched all summer for a viable forward to provide valuable back-up to the injury-prone Michail Antonio.

Speaking to reporters about his business in the window, the Scotsman revealed (via football.london):

“We would have liked to have brought in someone who could directly replace Mich during the window. [Someone] Who could possibly help him out but we just could not find anyone.”

Onuachu may not have played outside of his home country, Denmark or Belgium but his prolific goalscoring record certainly makes for interesting reading, so he could well be worth a punt this January.

As per Transfermarkt, the 6 foot 7 giant has scored 56 goals in 81 appearances for Genk, which includes 11 in 12 appearances this campaign alone, meaning he’s bagged once every 83 minutes across all competitions.

The Irons will see his talismanic and imposing attributes first-hand very soon as they face the Belgian outfit in the Europa League group stages, where he has already found the net once.

Given his impressive record and physical stature, it’s no surprise that Onuachu has been dubbed “impossible to beat” by former FC Midtjylland teammate Alexander Scholz.

Whilst Ex-Wimbledon striker John Fashanu has previously lauded him as a “goal king.”

Newman must look to get a move for the Genk talisman over the line this January as he’ll instantly bolster Moyes’ playing squad in a key area of weakness.

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee drops exciting behind-the-scenes Rob Newman claim…

South Africa’s bowlers, led by Roelof van der Merwe, pulled off an improbable victory, defending a meagre target of 129

Andrew Miller09-Jun-2009 South Africa 128 for 7 (Smith 33, Butler 2-13) beat New Zealand 127 for 5 (McCullum 57, van der Merwe 2-14) by one run
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRoelof van der Merwe suffocated New Zealand’s run-chase with 2 for 14 in four overs•Associated PressSouth Africa’s bowlers, led by the unhittable spin of Roelof van der Merwe, pulled an improbable victory out of the jaws of defeat as they successfully defended a meagre target of 129 and snuck home by a solitary run to secure the Group D bragging rights in a scrappy but compelling dead-rubber tussle at Lord’s.At the halfway mark of the match, it seemed there could be only one winner, after South Africa had squandered a platform of 47 for 0 after their Powerplay overs to dribble to a disappointing 20-over total of 128 for 7. But New Zealand’s response never emerged from second gear. A 54-ball 57 from Brendon McCullum set the platform, but his team-mates failed to dive in, and bizarrely they ran out of steam with six wickets still standing.The bulk of the credit belonged to van der Merwe, who put a momentum-squandering six-ball duck behind him to concede a mere 14 runs from his four overs, as well as capturing both of New Zealand’s dangermen. McCullum was stumped by a distance as he gave the charge and missed, while Ross Taylor swished flat-footedly and was bowled for 22 from 31 balls, a peculiarly ponderous innings that was compounded by a tweaked hamstring that hampered his mobility in the second half of his knock.McCullum had begun his innings with typical belligerence, cracking three fours from his first seven deliveries as New Zealand put 19 on the ball in just two overs. But at the other end, his support was in short supply. Martin Guptill miscued Dale Steyn to mid-on for 5 before Neil Broom was caught and bowled by a lunging Jacques Kallis for 1, and at the end of the Powerplays, New Zealand had slipped to a sluggish 35 for 2.With the pitch slowing up, the run-rate went with it, and South Africa’s spinners took full advantage. Taylor and McCullum added 56 for the third wicket in 11 overs, as van der Merwe and Johan Botha took the pace off the ball to tormenting effect, and by the time Jacob Oram arrived to reinject some urgency, the requirement was hovering around two runs a ball.The final scoreline was misleadingly tight. New Zealand failed to hit a single six in their innings, and they would not have come close had it not been for a freakish yorker from Steyn that bounced out of a foothole and over the keeper’s head for four byes in the penultimate over. With eight needed from two balls, Oram inside-edged through fine leg to keep the contest alive, but couldn’t clear the field with his final baseball-style swing.It was a disappointing denouement for New Zealand, as South Africa successfully defended the lowest winning total ever made in T20Is, but it was vital match practice nonetheless. Deprived of the services of their captain, Daniel Vettori, who has been struggling with a shoulder problem, New Zealand turned instead to the lanky seam of Ian Butler, and the spin and swing of Nathan McCullum and Scott Styris, who sent down a combined analysis that would have graced a 50-over game: 4 for 41 from ten overs.Fresh from their 130-run dispatching of Scotland in their opening fixture at The Oval, South Africa seemed to have continued in the same vein when Graeme Smith and Kallis cruised to 47 for 0 in the six Powerplay overs. But as soon as Nathan McCullum was thrown the ball by his brother and captain, Brendon, New Zealand applied a tourniquet that the clinical South Africans were unable to remove.McCullum’s first over went for just two runs, and from the start of the very next over, the rot set in. Smith called Kallis through for a quick single as his brother hurtled round to short midwicket to field. The shy beat Kallis’s lunch by a fraction of an inch, whereupon Butler denied the incoming Herschelle Gibbs any early momentum by completing an over in which only one run was possible.Gibbs, in a hurry to impose himself, then mistimed a drive at Styris to be caught-and-bowled for 3 from 7, before Butler chimed in with the biggest wicket of the lot as Smith played all around a full-length delivery and was comprehensively bowled for 33 from 35. At 63 for 3 in the 12th over, their early momentum had well and truly evaporated.Had the result not been immaterial, there’s no way that AB de Villiers, the star against Scotland, would have been held back this long. But the shuffling of the batting card did South Africa no favours. van der Merwe creaked to a six-ball duck before McCullum yorked him with a quicker ball, and when de Villiers finally appeared to belt his second ball through midwicket for four, it was only South Africa’s second boundary in seven overs.It didn’t, however, signal an upturn in their fortunes. A second boundary, this time through the covers, demonstrated that de Villiers’ eye was most certainly in, but so was Guptill’s in the outfield, as he pulled off a direct hit from mid-off to run the dangerman out for 15 from eight balls.Mark Boucher failed for the second innings running when he mistimed a full-toss to give Butler a deserved second, and not even JP Duminy could inject any urgency. He did his best with a brace of sixes, but then holed out moments after the second of them, caught by Broom at mid-on. Albie Morkel, a serious striker when the mood takes him, was unable to keep the strike in the dying moments of the innings, as New Zealand completed a fine effort in the field. It was not, however, good enough.

The former Australia coach, has said several senior Indian Test players are unfit for Twenty20 cricket

Cricinfo staff09-Jul-2009John Buchanan, the former Australia coach, has said India’s ‘Fab Four” batsmen – Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman – are not suited to Twenty20 cricket. Buchanan, who worked closely with several Indian players during his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, made these and other observations in his new book, .Buchanan was otherwise in praise of Tendulkar – who has opted out of Twenty20 internationals but not the IPL. “Tendulkar has been lauded, and rightly so, as one of the very top batsmen in the history of cricket,” he wrote. “But is he an effective T20 player at this stage of his career?”In the position he plays – as an opener or No. 3 – the T20 game requires not only the finesse and skills he has, but also the power and domination, an ability to take the bowlers on while being creative. You have to be inventive and fearless. And I don’t see those qualities as part of Sachin’s makeup at this stage of his career. Sachin Tendulkar is still a great player but not in this arena of T20.”Buchanan had similar views on Tendulkar’s contemporaries, none of whom featured in the ICC World Twenty20 in England.”Homegrown heroes such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Harbhajan Singh and VVS Laxman, were expected to influence, and on some occasions single-handedly win IPL matches,” Buchanan said. “Yet their subdued performances highlight that Test match temperament does not necessarily ensure prolonged success in the T20 game.”The same could be said about Rahul Dravid. Dravid is a great representative of Indian cricket, a team man, humble, a well-spoken gentleman. But unfortunately he could not score a single run in the early rounds of the IPL, and in my opinion, is not suited to this form of the game. I am certain Dravid’s performances were also affected by the off-field drama created by his franchise owner Vijay Mallya.”His opinions weren’t restricted to India’s ageing stars. He went on to question Yuvraj Singh’s attitude, though he later clarified that there was no malice involved in his comments.”Yuvraj Singh in a sense tries to be a modern-day Sourav Ganguly, but I don’t think he has the charisma or the dignity with which Ganguly carries himself,” he said.However, Buchanan was full of praise for Ganguly, though the pair didn’t have the best of times with Kolkata during the IPL. Buchanan’s multiple-captain theory didn’t go down well with the team at the start of the tournament and a host of off-field and selection issues saw the team finish at the bottom. It also cost Buchanan his job as coach.”Ganguly was the model for the new breed of confident and combative Indian cricketers. Ganguly showed that Indian cricket could stand up for itself. He is similar in that way to Ian Chappell who stood up for what he believed and was not afraid to take on the administration.”

Reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano has claimed the Manchester United board are still backing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

And a number of Red Devils supporters have been reacting to his post on social media.

United have struggled in recent weeks, losing to Young Boys in the Champions League, West Ham in the Carabao Cup and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Former Liverpool man Didi Hamann has been the latest to share his prediction regarding the 48-year-old, believing it is only a matter of time until he is gone, but that doesn’t appear to be in the pipeline according to Romano.

Romano shared a link to his ‘Here We Go’ podcast on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, sharing a number of topics that were discussed. One of which was on the United boss, to which he tweeted ‘Man Utd board still backing Solskjaer’.

United fans react

Romano’s Twitter post had a number of United fans talking. Here’s what some had to say in reply…

“WHAT HAS HE DONE TO DESERVE BACKING!??? He hasn’t won a trophy for us in 3 years and he’s only managed in Norway and got relegated with Cardiff”

Credit: @utd_vibes

“It’s looking spooky for us, I ain’t ever seen us back a manager this hard especially in his recent form”

Credit: @lmRashford

“Fake board, board with no vision.. Give us our Manchester United”

Credit: @GidigeeArhin

“Ole is going mate”

Credit: @UtdSzn130

“This guy should stop posting this “Man United are still backing Ole ” it’s breaking my heart”

Credit: @Crystal52427936

“I will return supporting Man UTD when Ole is sacked”

Credit: @Derrick_Ug001

According to reliable Chronicle Live reporter Lee Ryder, the ‘opportunity for a high profile loan move’ to sign Man City star John Stones could be presented to Newcastle United in January.

The Lowdown: PIF era begins…

In a seismic turn of events, the Mike Ashley era at Newcastle is now finally over with PIF taking full control in a £305 million takeover at St. James’ Park.

Following much delay, the Saudi consortium’s acquisition of United finally went through last week after they passed the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test for a sale.

As such, a new era has begun on Tyneside with Newcastle now becoming the one of the richest clubs in the world.

The Latest: Newcastle could sign Stones…

Following on from this major development in the club’s history, there have been no shortage of transfer links to football’s elite players, with news now emerging involving Stones.

The star centre-back, who shone alongside Ruben Dias in the Premier League last year, has cut a slightly more bit-part figure over 2021/2022 so far.

He has managed to appear for England but opportunities have been non-existent under Pep Guardiola, due to the resurgence of teammate Aymeric Laporte.

If Stones’ lack of chances continue, Ryder claims that a Newcastle deal for the 27-year-old may ‘fall on the lap’ of PIF (Chronicle Live).

Despite the player signing a new £250,000-per-week City deal in August, Steve Bruce’s side may be gifted the opportunity to take him on loan in January.

Labelled as what would be a ‘hugely popular’ move, Newcastle and PIF could indeed be handed that chance according to Ryder.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Lauded as ‘outstanding’ by former Premier League defender Jonathan Woodgate, Stones could certainly be an ideal acquisition for Newcastle in January and one who is proven at the very top level.

The defender revitalised his career at City last year whilst also impressing on the international stage under Gareth Southgate.

Even signing him on loan could be a masterstroke by PIF as Newcastle aim to avoid the drop and enjoy their newly-found riches.

Bahamas were crowned champions, cruising to a nine-wicket victory against Belize at the Haynes Oval in Nassau

Ravi Jesubatham11-Aug-2009Bahamas were crowned Americas (Central Division) Under-15 Tournament champions, cruising to a nine-wicket victory against Belize at the Haynes Oval in Nassau. It was a perfect end to the tournament for the hosts, who had stayed unbeaten in their run-up to the final.Belize, electing to bat, were pegged back right from the start with the steady fall of wickets. Opener Lamont Russell lent some respectability to the score, stroking 35, which included five boundaries. Belize failed to bat out their allotted 30 overs, being bowled out for 117 runs with nine balls to go. Jermaine Adderley and Turan Brown starred with the ball for Bahamas, taking two wickets apiece.Bahamas proceeded to reach their goal in a hurry, overhauling the target in 16.1 overs. Though opener Akash Gulati, fresh off his maiden fifty, managed only 18 runs, his opening partner T Brown saw Bahamas through. He scored an unbeaten half-century while Ashmeid Allie gave him able support with 21 not out.

Monty Panesar has said on a pitch expected to favour pace and bounce it would be easier to trouble the Australian batsmen

Cricinfo staff13-Aug-2009Monty Panesar, the England left-arm spinner hoping for a recall to the England squad for the final Ashes Test at The Oval, backed himself to perform there saying it would be easier to trouble the Australian batsmen on a pitch expected to favour pace and bounce. Panesar was dropped from the squad after taking 1 for 115 in the first Test in Cardiff but said he had got batsmen to misread the length and created uncertainty despite the pitch being low and slow.”Despite all the talk about how it was going to be a turner, Cardiff was low and slow, so even though there were times when I managed to get the ball to turn, or get them to misread the length, and created uncertainty, they were able to adjust,” Panesar was quoted as saying in the . “If the wicket had had a bit more pace it would have been harder for them, but I feel I did create opportunities. On a wicket with a bit more pace, a bit more energy, you’ll get something out of it. When the pitch is dead, even when you create uncertainty, it’s hard to make the most of it.”Panesar said he had been working by himself on improving his bowling over the last 12 months. “You have to come through these kinds of phases, and the only way you do is by fighting. You have to keep bowling, keep being positive, and fight your own corner, because no one is going to hold your hand.”He said he had worked with England’s spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed only during the time he was picked for the squad to play West Indies. “I think it’s something you have to try and understand yourself; about how to get the best out of yourself in different situations, how to apply yourself when certain batsmen come in, and try to find out things about yourself as a player,” Panesar said.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters will be less than impressed by the latest update surrounding young winger Ryan Sessegnon…

What’s the latest?

The 21-year-old dynamo, who can play anywhere along the left flank, has been injured for most of the 2021/22 campaign and has been restricted to just two appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.

Lilywhites boss Nuno Santo was positive about his chances of making a return in the near future ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Vitesse, but according to football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, that may not be the case at all.

“Nuno appeared to be optimistic yesterday about Ryan Sessegnon’s injury return in his press conference but his in-house chat with Spurs’ own media channels seems less so and that he might not be back soon,” the journalist tweeted.

Another setback

Sessegnon enjoyed an encouraging loan spell at Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim last season, where he got plenty of minutes under his belt as a left wing-back. He even scored twice and provided three assists, as per Transfermarkt.

There would have been hope for him to break through into the Spurs senior side once again, particularly with the change of manager as Nuno replaced Jose Mourinho and was tasked with the development of the club’s young stars.

He picked up a hamstring injury during pre-season, though it is rather telling that another loan spell was not sanctioned, so evidently he was someone the Portuguese had in mind for the season.

After returning to the side for their qualification matches in Europe, the 2019 summer signing picked up another problem whilst on international duty for England U21s recently.

“They are getting better. Unfortunately, they cannot join the group yet, but it’s a matter of time before we have good news,” is how Nuno described the situation but as per Gold, that isn’t as positive an update as you may think.

It has certainly left much of the Hotspur faithful rather frustrated, as seen by the replies to the journalist’s tweet.

“Got to be one of the most disappointing transfers we’ve had over the last few years,” claimed one supporter, whilst another pondered “Is he ever going to be fit?” before adding: “think we need to cut ties with him imo he’s never going to get in the first team with the constant injuries.”

“Need to sell him IMO. Made of glass. Can’t remember a single good performance from him. Always injured,” slammed a further supporter. These were just a few of many similar responses in reaction to this latest development. As you can see, many are rather angry.

After joining in a £25m deal from Fulham, it’s easy to see why so many fans are fuming by the news. Sessegnon will certainly find it hard to break into the team anytime soon, as a result.

“AND in other news, Paratici could land Nuno’s next Neves in Spurs swoop for £18.9m-rated “special player”…

A number of Sunderland fans hit out at winger Aiden McGeady on Saturday following his performance in the 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic.

The 35-year-old, who has been at the club since 2017, was making his 11th appearance of the current campaign under Lee Johnson.

McGeady started on the left-hand side in a 4-2-3-1 system, but he couldn’t add to his two goals and four assists for the season.

The Irishman played the entirety of the fixture at the Stadium of Light but failed to have a shot on target, lost six of his duels and gave away possession 17 times. [SofaScore]

McGeady was named captain, but it was Charlton skipper Jayden Stockley who proved to be the match winner with his second half strike.

Sunderland fans react

Here is what these Black Cats supporters had to say about McGeady’s display on social media, with many not happy and one labelling the 35-year-old as ‘horrific’.

“McGeady doesn’t want to be here. There’s your answers.”

Credit: @Daviddbrownn22

“Take the armband off McGeady aswell. Absolute passenger.”

Credit: @antony_waterson

“McGeady and O’Brien almost as bad as the ref.”

Credit: @threememesalad

“Flanagan and Prichard played alright, McGeady and O’Nien though, they had a horrific day at the office.”

Credit: @lewk_safc

“Well done McGeady, you had a great few seasons for SAFC but you need to hang up now mate. Utter dross. He stepped over to a ghost in the first half. And yet LJ kept him on”

Credit: @GazJ2K

“Is it me or was McGeady and O’Brien absolutely awful”

Credit: @CameronRobson_

“Persisting with McGeady is a joke. Seems to have lost all end product. Doesn’t impact games any more. Pritchard was having a much better game.”

Credit: @Ginty85

In other news: Many Sunderland fans left unhappy by official club post

Events off the pitch continue to overshadow those on them at New Road. It has now emerged that Kabir Ali could yet remain a Worcestershire player after the club demanded a significant transfer fee for his services

George Dobell at New Road09-Sep-2009Events off the pitch continue to overshadow those on them at New Road. It has now emerged that Kabir Ali could yet remain a Worcestershire player after the club demanded a significant transfer fee for his services.While they have granted him until the end of the month to talk to other counties, they have also insisted upon a compensation payment of £60,000 should he leave. As a consequence it could be that he decides to remain at the club and see out the final year of his contract, though the prospect of retaining an unhappy player is one that the director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, has previously said he wanted to avoid.There is also the unappealing possibility that the whole episode will be resolved by lawyers. The source of Kabir’s dissatisfaction with the club would appear to be their treatment of him during injury.Most pertinently, it could be argued that he was pressurised into playing when unfit and exacerbated pre-existing injuries. Whether giving a bowler an epidural and asking them to bowl equates to a breach of contract is debatable and may well be decided in a court room.If he does leave, it is thought that Hampshire are one of those clubs interested in talking to him. Whether they are still a Division One club at the end of the season remains to be seen, however. Though in the bottom two before the current match, the points they took on the first day moved them just above Sussex.