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Former Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham has been spotted wearing Hoops attire, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Ntcham at Swansea

Ntcham was one of a number of long-serving Parkhead members who left the club over the summer.

He eventually joined Championship side Swansea City on a free transfer, where he has gone on to make eight appearances during the current campaign.

However, the Frenchman, who won nine honours with Celtic, still has his Hoops attire and decided to bring it out in the week.

The Latest: Instagram post

Ntcham, who follows the likes of Christopher Jullien and Mikey Johnston on Instagram, posted a picture from a gym session on the social media site, wearing an old Hoops tracksuit.

The Daily Record shared the snapshot of the 25-year-old, with Ntcham working on his fitness after a final 12 months to forget at Parkhead, making just seven league starts in the 2020/21 season.

The Verdict: Good to see…

Even though Ntcham’s four-year stay at Celtic petered out somewhat acrimoniously earlier this year, it’s good to see he’s still happy to wear the club’s colours.

The midfielder, who Neil Lennon labelled as ‘unbelievable’, posted a classy message when he left Celtic and his latest antics down in Wales may well strike the right note with Hoops fans.

In other news: Ange shares ‘frustrating’ injury news for ‘consistent’ Celtic regular who may now miss 16 games.

Manchester United-linked manager Antonio Conte has agreed to take over at Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, according to journalist Ekrem Konur.

As to be expected, a number of Red Devils supporters have been reacting to the news on social media.

Spurs parted ways with Nuno Espirito Santo on Monday less than 48 hours after United ran out 3-0 winners in north London. They’ve quickly moved on from that result to target Conte, who was open to moving to Old Trafford at the end of October following United’s 5-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool.

However, United have stuck with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but it seems as if the Italian will get his return to England with Tottenham.

Konur claimed that a deal had been reached on Monday morning, which was shared by @UnitedStandMUFC. Reliable reporters Fabrizio Romano and Matt Law have even gone as far as to say that a deal is now done for the 52-year-old to take over at Tottenham.

United fans react

Here is what these United supporters had to say in reply, with many not happy about missing out on a five-time league title winner in Conte and a few urging supporters to protest once again. One fan sarcastically dubbed it a “Woodward masterclass” in a dig at the club’s much-derided executive vice-chairman.

“Do it. Save us”

Credit: @DiaaUTD

“Protest plz I am begging”

Credit: @luffy45499009

“United getting Nuno after the City game. Ed Woodward masterclass”

Credit: @Fishc90

“Please protest again”

Credit: @Chidorrrii

“Utter shambles from United.”

Credit: @MishzzX101

“We are finished”

Credit: @kooren_didier

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has termed as “unacceptable” the host’s four-wicket, series-leading victory over Zimbabwe

Cricinfo staff01-Nov-2009Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has termed as “unacceptable” the host’s four-wicket, series-leading victory over Zimbabwe. From 175 for 2 chasing 197 – boosted by timely half-centuries by Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraful – Bangladesh lost four wickets in 49 balls before eventually winning in the 41st over.”I did not want to come out in the middle to bat after the way Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraful had dictated terms, but unfortunately none could finish the job which was really frustrating,” said Shakib.Tamim, who before the game had vowed to answer his captain’s call for a more responsible top-order effort, was on 80 when he danced out and missed the ball. Ashraful, who finally found form with 63, fell to a terrible shot outside the off stump. Those two wickets were followed by a middle-order wobble – Raqibul Hasan pulled a short ball out to a fielder in the deep – which left Shakib to come out and settle nerves, but he was clearly peeved at having to do so.”In such a situation, one can expect to lose three or four wickets. But I should say six wickets is too much for comfort and this is unacceptable,” he said. “Either Tamim or Ashraful should have stayed there till the end. We all should know how to finish things off when we got such a small target. I also don’t understand why Rokibul played that pull shot at that time. These are very negative signs.”Tamim, named Man of the Match, felt the reverberations. “I’m really very disappointed that I could not satisfy my captain and there is a reason for him to be disappointed,” he said. “I knew I had to prolong my innings when I got the start. I want to be a world-class batsman and for that I have to master the craft.”

Sri Lanka named three specialist spinners in Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath, with the belief that the pitch would start cracking in the latter half of the day. But it wasn’t a wise decision

Cricinfo staff24-Nov-2009There was little for Sri Lanka to feel happy about. One of the rare moments of celebration came when Muttiah Muralitharan dived to pick a spectacular catch to get rid of Gautam Gambhir, who was marching towards his double century. But Gambhir and Virender Sehwag had already heavily damaged the morale of the Sri Lankan bowlers with a brilliant 233-run opening partnership. The most disheartening aspect, probably, for the Sri Lankans was the slowness of the pitch, which gave the batsmen enough time to pick the gaps.”It was very tough to stop the flow of runs,” Trevor Bayliss, Sri Lanka’s coach, said after the day’s play. “You only had to be a fraction short and the batsmen could go on the backfoot and play an attacking shot. If you pitched it six inches further up they could come forward and drive. The scope for error wasn’t large.”Still, Bayliss admitted that the pitch had good turn and Murali was the lone bowler to extract appreciable spin. In the morning, the visitors had named three specialist spinners in Murali, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath, with the belief that the pitch would start cracking in the latter half of the game. It was not a wise decision as the Indian batsmen comfortably tackled the Sri Lankan trio, giving them no chance to dominate.”The wicket is very slow although there’s turn,” Bayliss said. But he felt the decision to field three spinners wasn’t a wrong one. “Maybe we could have done that [played another fast bowler instead of the third spinner] considering the two pace bowlers were our best bowlers today. They were able to bowl nice and straight and made it a bit more difficult to make runs. You never know. You have three spinners and you need to look forward to play well in this Test.”It was difficult for all three spinners and they stuck at it and kept trying things.Today wasn’t their day.”In that first hour in the morning when Sehwag was being circumspect, Sri Lanka’s new-ball pair of Chanaka Welegedara and Angelo Mathews exerted some control over the Indians but after than none of the bowlers pitched consistently on one spot or tried out different variations.Sehwag believed that it allowed the Indians to relax and go after the spinners. He cited the example of Mendis, who had troubled the Indians last year in Sri Lanka, when he was still an unknown entity. “In Sri Lanka he bowled in good areas and bowled different deliveries and that is why we struggled,” Sehwag said. “But we know his game well now and we tackled him better.”Sehwag was lucky after he was dropped on the third ball he faced, from Welegedara, but Mahela Jayawardene at first slip, towards whom the ball travelled, was distracted by the diving wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene. Though Bayliss didn’t blame anyone over the incident he pointed out the match, probably, might have headed in another direction instead of Sri Lanka staring at a strong possibility of bowling only once in the match.”That would have been nice to take that catch as it could have changed the complexion of the game. But they also have a quality batting line-up, so you never know. We could have put the next guy under pressure and taken a few wickets like we did in the first Test.”

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi could take his game to the next level after receiving guidance from Sol Campbell in recent weeks, according to journalist Tom Barclay.

What’s the story?

The 47-year-old former England international has been out of work since leaving Southend United in June 2020 but is keen to continue learning and remain in the game until another chance comes along.

Campbell left his managerial position on the south coast by ‘mutual consent’ following the club’s relegation to League Two after the 2019/20 League One season was cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

And now he’s been invited to take part in some Palace training sessions by former Arsenal teammate Patrick Vieira, something Barclay believes will be extremely beneficial to 21-year-old Guehi.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “He seems to really be one of those characters who is like a sponge. I know it’s a cliché but he’s particularly one of those players who listens to everything, really tries to pick up tips, and you start noticing it in his game.

“The more he’s played, the more he’s adding things to his game, and I think Campbell’s vast experience of playing right at the top could only enhance that.”

Crystal Palace fans will be excited

Guehi only arrived at Selhurst Park over the summer via an £18m move from boyhood club Chelsea, but he’s already made a big impression under Vieira’s tutelage.

The centre-back has played every minute of Palace’s Premier League campaign to date, averaging 1.2 tackles per game, 0.7 interceptions and a whopping 3.4 clearances, as per WhoScored.

But Campbell’s presence on the training ground could help the England U21 international elevate his game to new heights in the months ahead.

In a career spanning 20 years, Campbell made over 500 appearances for the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth, winning two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and one League Cup throughout his playing days.

Therefore, he could be the ideal tutor for Guehi at this early stage of his career, and Palace fans will surely be excited to see the progress that he makes during his time in south London.

And, in other news…Signed for £7.9m, made 238 outings: Palace struck gold over “warrior” who Vieira loves 

Kemar Roach is smaller than the great West Indian bowlers of the past but faster than he looks

Peter English19-Nov-2009Kemar Roach is smaller than the great West Indian bowlers of the past but faster than he looks. Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Corey Collymore were Roach’s childhood heroes and he would like to carry on the tradition by leading the side in the three-Test series against Australia starting next week.Standing at well under six feet, Roach is a 21-year-old with a reasonably gentle run-up before he explodes through the crease and his slippery deliveries surprised the local batsmen. He regularly hurried Nick Kruger, who carried a headache after being struck on the helmet during his 172, and collected Ryan Broad’s edge with a lifting delivery before lunch.While Roach’s 1 for 67 off 23 overs came in the Bulls’ hefty total of 4 for 384, he gained frequent plays and misses and was frustrated not to win a couple more calls from the umpires. “That’s what cricket is all about – hard days and long days,” he said. “I know to work hard to get wickets and I’ll bowl all day if I have to. It was tiring but I was accustomed to that, I’m accustomed to bowling a long time. It’s not a problem for me.”Roach, who was clocked at 94.5mph [152kph] during the Champions Trophy, was called up for the two Tests against Bangladesh during the players’ strike and was the leading bowler with 13 wickets in the lost series. “He just ambles in but then it is on you,” Kruger said. “He is quick and he got me with a good one – I have got a bit of a headache.”Kruger felt Roach was holding back too. “He was just ambling in there today,” he said. Both Kruger and Wade Townsend, who also scored a maiden century, had some tough moments in the early stages but recovered for a satisfying 243-run stand for the second wicket.”They came hard at us but we batted pretty well,” Kruger said. “It was my day, I had a couple of chances and they were probably recovering from a bit of jet-lag.”The West Indians were not helped by some dropped chances, but Roach expected the performances to improve for the first Test. “There’s more cricket to play and that was only one day,” he said. “I don’t think we will be that bad again.”

Flocking to Twitter, many Liverpool supporters have absolutely erupted over a three-word message from their club concerning superstar Sadio Mane.

The Senegal international is one of manager Jurgen Klopp’s most crucial players and has been a key component of his forward line since signing from Southampton for £34 million in 2016.

His 105 goals and 43 assists in all competitions for the Reds since then have made his £34m fee look like an absolute bargain, and after last season’s torrid time with injuries, supporters are concerned over losing their key players to fitness issues.

Liverpool suffered a scare in that regard over the weekend when Mane returned prematurely from international duty with Senegal.

Lions boss Aliou Cisse confirmed to the country’s media that Mane had flown back to Merseyside following a blow to the ribs, with supporters and the club alike sweating over his condition.

In a teasing update, Liverpool have now dropped the three-word message ‘time for training’ whilst also showcasing an image of Mane in full practice at Kirkby.

As the club’s post alleviates fears Mane could have been a doubt for Arsenal this weekend, reliable reporter James Pearce has since reaffirmed that the 29-year-old ‘should be available’ (The Athletic).

Liverpool fans erupt…

According to WhoScored, Mane has racked up the second-most shots per 90 on average for Liverpool out of their entire squad so far this campaign (3.4) – sitting just behind star man Mohamed Salah (4).

He’s also racked up the second-most goals and assists combined (6G, 0A), with Salah again the only man above him with a ridiculous ten goals and seven assists (WhoScored).

Given Mane stands out as one of Liverpool’s major players by a distance, it’s little wonder fans have swooned as he takes part in full training.

Find all of their best reactions down below.

“let’s gooooo”

Credit: @Longiinus_

“Oh boy…”

Credit: @ZamoZitha

“Good news”

Credit: @prrrrLFC

“This is beautiful”

Credit: @CELESTOFC

“Yesssssss he’s in training”

Credit: @IsraeliKopite

“Awesome. We have Mane gearing to go. Now for Hendo training pics within the week”

Credit: @Xenuphrasis

“Wow! I am happy to see you playing against Arsenal.”

Credit: @AlieBSillah4

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have been left buzzing after hearing a major development in their bid to sign Manchester United star Jesse Lingard.

As widely reported, the England international’s future at Old Trafford has now been plunged into major doubt as the player’s talks over a new contract break down (BBC).

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Indeed, the 28-year-old’s decision to shelve contract talks could mean he has placed one foot out the exit door, with his current deal set to expire in 2022.

This means he is set to leave Manchester as a free agent at the end of this season as a host of clubs reportedly take note, including the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan, Everton, Newcastle United, Tottenham and the Hammers (ESPN).

Dropping a teasing West Ham transfer hint on Instagram, Lingard has already added fuel to the fire of a possible reunion with manager David Moyes after his 2020/21 loan spell at the London Stadium.

In a major development, The Sun have now shared a rather promising update, claiming that he ‘looks to be on his way’ to West Ham in a ‘£10 million move’. They added that the attacking midfielder has ‘already begun’ making ‘personal arrangements’ for a return down south, with his club looking to agree a permanent move in January rather than a loan.

West Ham fans buzz…

As this exciting claim drops, you can understand why a plethora of Irons supporters are absolutely overjoyed.

Lauded as ‘absolutely phenomenal’ and the best player on form in the Premier League during his time at West Ham earlier this year (Adrian Durham, talkSPORT), his haul in the final third showcases just what he can bring.

Racking up nine goals and setting up four others in 16 top-flight appearances over the second half of 2020/21 (WhoScored), if Lingard does end up back at West Ham, many supporters will be optimistic that he can replicate such sensational form.

Check out some of their best verdicts from Twitter below:

“nah this is getting too much bc I’m getting excited”

Credit: @taylacawsey

“He’s coming home”

Credit: @jack_dockers

“please Please PLEASE let this be true!!!!”

Credit: @_samhowell

“Welcome Home Lad”

Credit: @michaeljohnbad1

“Brilliant news!!!”

Credit: @Beefy751

“Hope that’s true. It would be massive!”

Credit: @CraigardH

“Great news, let’s hope it happens”

Credit: @happy_hammers

“I so hope this is true”

Credit: @MrsPCB

In other news: 6 foot 3 powerhouse now open to joining West Ham, talks have already ‘taken place’…find out more here.

Waqar Younis has been appointed as Pakistan’s bowling and fielding coach for the upcoming tour of Australia

Cricinfo staff09-Dec-2009Waqar Younis has been appointed Pakistan’s bowling and fielding coach for the upcoming tour of Australia. This will be Waqar’s second shot in such a capacity; his first stint – between March 2006 and January 2007 – ended on acrimonious terms with the PCB, as he was unhappy with the board’s decision to retain him only for the Test series against South Africa and not the subsequent ODI series.Waqar’s first stint was widely seen to be a successful and popular one. Umar Gul and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, among others, spoke openly of the benefits he had brought to the field. At least in terms of Pakistan’s bowling disciplines, Waqar was influential, working hard with bowlers who are traditionally prone to no-balls and wides, especially in limited-overs cricket.Overseeing an improvement in fielding, on the other hand, might be more difficult. The appointment is surprising in the sense that Waqar was no more than an athletic, efficient fielder and not a specialist, in his playing days. And it might raise the question of precisely what Intikhab Alam and Aaqib Javed – coach and assistant – are doing with the squad currently. The decision comes in the wake of a disappointing performance by Pakistan in Wellington, where they dropped six catches in New Zealand’s chase. The game was won largely due to the accuracy and persistence of their bowling attack, which received little support from the fielders.Aamer Sohail, the former Pakistan batsman, put down the problem to a lack of concentration. “Fielding is a very personal thing. You work hard and it pays off, you don’t work hard and you will get found out in the field,” he told PakPassion.net. “To stand in the slips for a lot of overs you have to have a strong back and legs, very much like a wicketkeeper, but unfortunately a number of our boys are not 100% fit and therefore struggle to field in the slips. You have to have good anticipation, for example a fielder at point should know that the ball normally from Asif’s deliveries will come at him at a different angle and pace than Aamer or [Umar] Gul’s deliveries.”The concentration when you are fielding cannot waver even for a second, but the concentration has been lacking a number of times in the current series. Let’s hope they step up the standard of fielding in Australia.”

ExWHUemployee has delivered a fresh West Ham United transfer update this week…

What’s the word?

“An interesting development on Instagram is that a definite target of ours (as reported a number of times on the podcast) has started following West Ham, as well as Seb Haller,” he revealed to The West Ham Way’s Patreon site.

“Wout Weghorst is a 6 foot 6 Dutch international forward currently playing in Germany for Wolfsburg. He has a great scoring record in the Dutch and German league.

“Whilst you cannot read too much into this at this stage it is an interesting move for a player that we have had a definite interest in before.”

Sign him up, Newman!

This latest claim from one of the most reliable sources when it comes to all things around the London Stadium is sure to leave much of the Irons’ faithful absolutely buzzing with excitement.

It’s no secret that the Hammers are in desperate need of a striker this winter, having gone two years without replacing Sebastien Haller. Such a decision has left manager David Moyes with only one senior centre-forward in an injury-prone Michail Antonio, 31, who has been out of sorts as of late.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/west-ham-news-transfer-updates-rumours-gossip-david-moyes-gsb-premier-league” title=”Read the latest West Ham news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

With a new head of recruitment in Rob Newman in place at the club, they would be foolish to not find an alternative option who could provide the perfect foil to the West Ham star, who has scored just once in his last eight games across all competitions.

Weghorst is a proven goalscorer in Europe, and at 6 foot 6, he would present a new type of threat in Moyes’ squad.

The £27m-rated forward scored 25 goals in 41 appearances last season and has since added a further five goals this term, taking his tally for the Bundesliga outfit to 68 in just 135 matches, as per Tranfermarkt.

“Whether it’s because he’s Dutch or not, he’s got similar attributes to Van Nistelrooy,” once claimed Get German Football News editor-in-chief Daniel Pinder. “He’s tall, strong, even though he’s really tall, possesses a great touch – his movement is underappreciated in the Bundesliga. His threat inside the area, his work ethic in pressing the opposition defence.”

Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Bundesliga expert Raphael Honigstein dubbed him “Holland’s taller, chunkier answer to Jamie Vardy.”

If the Irons want to continue their impressive progression on the pitch, then they must find Moyes a new frontman in January, and they ought to look no further than Weghorst, who would be quite a coup.

Newman and his staff could excite the London Stadium faithful with a move for the 29-year-old talisman.

AND in other news, West Ham “monster” who had 99% passing accuracy hands Moyes one big headache yet again…