Morning guys.
After the disappointment of England Women getting knocked out of the World Cup, the England cricket team boosted my mood with an excellent win over New Zealand to secure a place in the ODI World Cup Semi-Final which takes place next Thursday. Australia or India will be their opposition. Then there’s Wimbledon, which I love too, although blokes like Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic really shouldn’t bother. One is a nasty piece of work and the other, well all he did was prevent another player from taking part in the tournament.
It’s no different in any other sport though, not really. From laziness to nastiness, it’s all out there but it must be so frustrating for those waiting in the wings, knowing that they’d do more for the team. Mustafi, Xhaka and Ozil are lazy players in my opinion yet the one who frustrates the most is Ozil as he’s been blessed with such talent. Mustafi and Xhaka are just not my cup of tea. I love AMN but at right back, he’s wasted. He’s not a defender and never has been but on a positive note, if he ever gets to play further up the pitch, he should have little problem with tracking back.
I’ve mentioned Guendouzi before I know but has his season produced anything more than perhaps Willock would have? We’ll never know of course. I’m not knocking the Frenchman by the way. Iwobi is another. Great and getting the ball and running at defenders but invariably his end product is disappointing. Would Saka have provided better service to our strikers? We’ll never know the answer to that either. Would Iwobi do much better in the centre of midfield? That’s perhaps something we might find out if Emery decides he’s the right kind of player to fill the void Ramsey has left. So many decisions for the club, especially Emery to make and not much time to make them really as a month today, the 2019/2020 season kicks off.
Jeorge Bird has given us an update on two of the youngsters. Saka is set to be involved with the first-team in pre-season after being left out of the U23s’ squad to face Boreham Wood. Ben Sheaf isn’t included either but it isn’t clear whether he’s involved with the first-team or go out on loan.
As the month goes on I think we’ll see a lot of movement. Mostly loans and sales I’d have thought. The likes of Chambers, Bielik, Jenkinson, Elneny and Asano all need their futures sorted out and then of course, those considered good enough but not quite ready, will be heading out on loan I suspect. Either that or they’ll stay put for Europa perhaps.
I live in hope that there’s a club out there who believes Ozil, Mustafi and Xhaka are just what they need but I can’t see it. Maybe once the club have signed Zaha, a top notch defender and defence minded midfielder, the players themselves might want to move on…..
At at least David Ospina is off the books finally. The official website have Emiliano Martinez pictured alongside Bernd Leno in the squad list and I hope it stays that way.
Have a good Friday guys…
allezkev on 5th July 2019 at 10:33 am
I do love N/LN Rico, you’ve just got to be smart and negotiate you’re way through all the crap towards the few sites that are worth clicking on and that’s not many, but I still get caught out. 🙄
Take the supposed meeting between Raul and Stan, is that anything out of the ordinary or just procedure before the summer spend gets into swing?
Who knows?
The click bait sites certainly don’t know, that’s a given, so ignore that rubbish…
If a ‘story’ doesn’t name a player in the ‘headline’ then it’s suspect…
If it’s newsworthy they’ll give the name, a vague headline equals bullshit…
If it says anything like ‘deal agreed’ ‘deal done’ ‘clubs agree fee’ you know the stuff I mean, then it’s bollocks, always is, those sites know fcuk all and just recycle – but that’s good for the planet, isn’t it? 😁
😆 Kev, I love the recycling bit.
I’m similar, read a few other sites but I certainly don’t click on certain ones on NN as so many times the actual article has little evidence if any to what it’s suggested.
Still, as long as HH is being monitored I’m happy. Lol
Morning all.
Rico, the massive majority of Aussies are utterly ashamed of Tomic and Kyrgios.
To think they’re getting more headlines than Ash Barty is just incredible but the media do love a scumbag!!!
News Now-I used to smash it 50
Times a day but bugger that now, it’s too frustrating 🙂
I read that too Scott, I’m not surprised you guys are embarrassed by them.
Barty plays a Brit next, should be a good match if both at their best..
They’re a disgrace to Australia and the sport itself, Rico.
Funny though, how many child prodigies who’ve been coached by their dad end up arseholes!!!
Maybe a parent needs to stop telling their kid how bloody good they are and be a damn parent, offering encouragement but also discipline!
You can just see a dad not wanting to upset the kid for fear of losing the seat on the gravy train!!!
Many a career has been ruined before it ever began because of this.
That goes for all sports.
I thought Rico/Scott, that that underhand serve took a lot of balls tbh.
I’ve not followed tennis for years, not since Borg retired.
Most of the players since have been super fit robots although I did like Agassi, he actually had personality, the rest just bore me.
I wouldn’t cross the road to watch Nadal, another replicant, but I’d watch Kyrgios, at least there’s a chance something might happen.
Saying that, all I’ve seen is his service underhand, the rest just passes me by…
I’ve never heard of Tomic, didn’t he used to play for Southampton?
Barty is another new one to me, but the Aussies haven’t had a top player since Pat Cash, does anyone play tennis Down Under anymore?
I don’t know how any of the Brits have got on, do we have any players left in the singles?
Didn’t our No.1 player go out in the 1st Round?
Another overpaid waste of space, the tennis version of Mustafi…
Yeah Rico, I thought that Saka being left out of the weekends squad was interesting.
He could well become a bit of a Supersub next season, making an impact from the bench.
And the fact that he’s versatile is a definite plus.
It’s one in the eye for Amaechi, I think he might have been held back as well if he had signed his new deal. It would be a shame if he left, especially if Bayern get him… ☹️
Ben Sheaf might be injured or he might be loaned or sold this summer.
He’s a good player, has a bit of a chequered injury record but might be unlucky.
Sometimes luck can play a big part in a players development.
Good post btw, thanks for keeping up the content during the summer, it must be a nightmare…
Hahaha Kev,
Tomic and Kyrgios are petulant, disrespectful pricks and nothing more!
Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing some personality but that’s not what these two are about.
Both have an abundance of natural talent, but have no drive to be as good as they can be.
They’re earning a fortune and seem happy with that.
Barty is a very classy and humble young lady who shows these tools up for what they are.
They are Scott, but sadly they are everywhere….
Kev, I like characters in the game but to admit deliberately trying to hit an opponent in the chest is a step too far. That’s like deliberately fouling someone and hoping to cause injury.
Funny enough, I like Nadal, he’s such a gifted player..
What, you mean Kyrgios tried to hit the ball directly at an opponent, I didn’t know that Rico.
But players do hit the ball at opponents don’t they, usually when both are close to the net?
Maybe the tennis organisers need to look at the money you get paid at tournaments, reduce the prize money in the earlier rounds and increase the rewards for progressing further.
Then you could get bonuses for behaviour, sportsmanship etc, I’m sure that there’s ways and means.
Maybe increase the penalties for bad behaviour, suspend players so they can’t play the next tournament if they continually transgress, have a points system, so many points for unsportsmanlike behaviour a bit like football.
Competitions on the tennis circuit should sign up to it and if players want to play then they need to adhere to the new rules.
But tennis authorities have no balls, the players run it and it’s all about the money.
I’d be disappointed if Amaechi didn’t commit to the club too Kev, I like him. Pace in abundance and just what we lack but I guess not every young player is going to break through. Do you know how long is left on his current deal?
My pleasure re the posts. Actually that’s a lie, it’s all becoming a bit of a chore really.. 😜
Yes Kev, right into the chest of Nadal and then admitted that was his intention hence no apology. Etiquette is to acknowledge a body hit which in the main, are unintentional.
His insults thrown at the umpire were disgraceful too.
A bit like Rooney with referees…. lol
Tomic was fined, every penny he’d earned at Wimbledon. I wouldn’t want to see wage reduction for the early rounds or bonuses for good behaviour etc because that’s penalising the good.
Just throw the bag eggs out out I say…
Kyrgios and Nadal have some history, hence the fiery game but the fact is that Nadal has done it all, and simply outsmarted Kyrgios who, imo, has much, much more natural talent than the Spaniard but will waste it all!!!
Anyway, enough of that.
I see my new fave, Ballard, has gone in loan which will be fantastic for him.
Swindon Town, was it???
Yes, Swindon. Not sure that’s the kind of club he needs though. Reading would have been better. 😜
Hahahahaha
I can’t pretend I know anything about Swindon, Rico, but hopefully it means regular first team football for the kid
They’re rubbish Scott. 😂
On a serious note, they’re league two, surely he needs a bigger challenge. Why not Reading or Charlton even, clubs where our loaned players usually get played.
He’s only very young though, so maybe it’s a nice stepping stone at this stage.
Let’s hope so.
Good enough to be called up for his country though and he’ll be 20 in a month or two.l
I saw the Andy Murray doubles game, watching him crouched down while trying to avoid his mates service takes some guts,these guys are real athletes.Must admit Kyrgios, although an idiot,is entertaining to watch,just to see what he will do.Mind you I used to like Nastase back in the day for the same reason.
The prospect of Saka off the bench or in the Europa early rounds is exciting.
At this point it feels like moving certain players on is just as important as signings.
Here’s hoping.
Oh I thought he as 18….ok then.
Time will tell.
Limey, I liked Nastase too, he was fun but I don’t recall him ever disrespecting his opponent. Just the umpires 😜
I wrote this earlier:
Morning all, here’s my snippets.
There you are heres our new keeper.James Hillson is an 18-year-old goalkeeper who only joined the club, from Reading, back in February on loan. He has now completed his free transfer to Arsenal.He still has to go to school on certain days of the week.
As reported on Tuesday, Lacazette’s agency met with Arsenal this week. This has been confirmed by pictures on the agency’s Instagram story, though reports differ over the reason for the meeting.
Some claim it was over a contract extension, whilst others, such as Yahoo Sport, wrote that it was to discuss a possible transfer to Spain.
At the time, the rumoured Spanish club involved was unnamed, but we speculated that Atletico Madrid were the only seriously viable candidate. Now, the Mirror have moved to confirm that speculation, claiming that Atletico are indeed interested in the signing.
It makes sense, as the La Liga side are losing Griezmann to Barcelona for over £100m. They have both the motivation and the funds to pursue a player like Lacazette, and it’s clear Arsenal need money.
On the other hand, this is Arsenal’s player of the season, who scored and assisted numerous crucial goals in big games last campaign.
Letting him go is unlikely to be a popular move, no matter how much money the La Liga side through at the club. It has been well documented that Arsenal can only generate extra funds through players sales and a figure of around £70m – less than what Crystal Palace want for Wilfried Zaha – is being touted.
Despite signing a one year extension to his contract Monreal is attracting further interest from Real Sociedad and if a fee can be agreed he will go.
He’s been a loyal servant but another now well into his thirties.Now I read this today.Arsenal have reportedly handed Spanish full-back Nacho Monreal a new one-year contract, with an option of extending it by another twelve months.
Now as I read this today. as well Arsenal have reportedly handed Spanish full-back Nacho Monreal a new one-year contract, with an option of extending it by another twelve months.
I really try and seperate rumour and fact but the above about Monreal came out by two different reporters within an hour today.
I understand the celtic lad will be unveiled as our next signing Monday or Tuesday.
Hi Rico, and the gang,
Doesn’t Barty play Harty? — Aus v Brit.
Barty v Harty — quite some party. 🥺
Hi Kelsey, you rascal. 😁
Like the good old days — you getting us up to date with some new stuff and inside info!!
I hope you and the family are all keeping well. 👍
A bit late in the day joining the discussion…we have the World Championship Mountain-bike championships starting today and we veterans get to be Anti-Doping assistants. Great fun, and the opportunity to see some young nutters doing the downhill at full tilt. Complete fruitcakes!
If I might add a small comment to the Tomic/Kyrgios debate as I watch a lot of tennis (golf and rugby too) when I can.
Kyrgios doesn’t really train but, with the Nadal application to his sport, he could be one of the best.
Rico was absolutely right, Tomic was fined and shouldn’t be allowed to play at all. He is an embarrassment to the sport.
Lots of players hit the ball directly in the direction of their opponents when close to the net particularly when they don’t like one another – also, when you’re that close it’s hard to hit it anywhere else.
His comments about the Referee are, in my opinion well-founded. Every tennis player, bar Nadal and Djokovic, get up from their seat, walk to the end of the court, take the balls offered and, get on with serving. The other two do not.
Nadal may be one of the “greats” in the current crop (Djokovic too) but they are time-wasters. Kyrgios was trying to serve (because he was ready) and Nadal was still giving out towels to the ball boys, then going through his twitchy routine before looking at his opponent.
The referee did not say a word.
I still play tennis and I would be be bloody furious if my opponent kept doing that. It’s un-sportsman like.
Football has been like that for as long as I can remember. Time-wasting is too common which is why (yawn) I have always advocated an independent time-keeper for ALL stoppages.
Anyway, well done Rico for grinding out your amazing contributions. Bravo!
Hi RA, no, she plays Dart. Close but no banana… 😆
Thanks Andorra. I think Nadal keeps his superstitious routine within the allotted 25 second rule so technically, he’s doing nothing wrong.
Newcastle have hired Gerrard for 4 years!!!
That’ll be interesting.
That’s a surprise re Gerrard…
Nothing over here about Gerrard Scott.
Bloody hell, Rico, May have been a dodgy report and I don’t even look at a News Now hahahahaha
Rumours that Fenerbahce are trying to crowd fund a bid for OZil . Apparently they want their various sponsors to cough up to pay his wage and a few. Who knows if there’s any truth in this
Hi Potter,
The entire situation with Özil is so toxic that we really need to hope its true.
There are no positives in keeping him now.
Hi Scott, perhaps Ozil’s best mate Erdogan, the president, will chip a few million Turkish Lira towards his wages.
Cicero, let’s hope he does lol
It’s all too far gone for him to stay, imo.
Fenerbahce are under FFP investigation and if found guilty will have transfer ban, better do it quickly then !
Morning guys, new post up now