All posts by h716a5.icu

AZ Alkmaar will be without star winger Jesper Karlsson against Celtic on Wednesday evening, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Karlsson profiled

Karlsson only joined the Dutch side last year but has made quite the impact in his 11 months at the club.

The Sweden international netted 12 times and registered nine assists in all competitions for Alkmaar last season – his best season in front of goal in his career.

The 23-year-old is at the peak of his powers with a £7.2m career-high Transfermarkt valuation, however, he won’t be up against Ange Postecoglou’s side on Wednesday evening.

The Latest: Suspended

Celtic Park plays host to the first leg of the Europa League playoff, but the visitors will be without Karlsson.

The Daily Record shared a story on Tuesday morning, revealing Karlsson is serving a suspension following his red card against Rijeka in the Europa League group stages last season.

That has carried over to the current campaign, and as it is their first fixture in Europe, the winger will be missing in Glasgow.

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The Verdict: Huge

No Alkmaar player contributed to more Eredivisie goals than Karlsson’s 20 last season, so his absence is a huge boost for Postecoglou and his Celtic side.

With home advantage and the visitors without one of their key men, Celtic may see this as a real opportunity to take a first-leg lead ahead of their trip to the Netherlands next week.

A first-leg lead could well be crucial, especially as the Hoops failed to defeat FC Midtjylland in the Champions League after only managing a draw at home.

In other news: Leeds keen on another Celtic ace alongside Leo Hjelde. 

England have a difficult build-up the one-day series against India, with the tough week on Antigua and a shocking warm-up defeat against Mumbai

Andrew Miller12-Nov-2008
Kevin Pietersen has had plenty to deal with in recent weeks, but on Friday it’s back to serious cricket © AFP
Kevin Pietersen has spent much of this past fortnight saying “there, there, doesn’t matter” to anyone within earshot. First, his soothing tones were directed towards his team-mates in Antigua. They may have been crestfallen after letting the prospect of a million dollars a man slip through their grasp against the Stanford Superstars, but they were placated (apparently) by KP’s insistence that England cricketers didn’t need such riches anyway.One quick hop to the other side of the world, and on Tuesday in Mumbai, it was the press who were given their own rendition of Que sera sera: “I don’t see this is a bad thing at all,” Pietersen declared, after his team had gone one run worse than their Antigua showing by being rolled over for 98 in 25 overs. “At the end of the tour no-one really remembers what happened today … what counts is what happens on Friday.”Ah yes, Friday. For, after a fortnight of cricket that has redefined the concept of “meaningless”, England get back to business in Rajkot, with the first of seven ODIs against an Indian outfit that has suddenly announced itself as the pacesetters in world cricket, after disposing of Ricky Ponting’s Australia in last week’s Test series. After a muddled, multi-faceted pre-amble, the mitigating circumstances are about to leave by the side-exit.And yet, who’d have imagined that the disciplines of a one-day tour of India would be regarded as the catalyst for an England revival? Three years ago, the scenario couldn’t have been more different. Under the leadership of Andrew Flintoff, and with a memorable Test win at the Wankhede under their belts, England staggered around the subcontinent as if still drunk from their post-match piss-up in Mumbai harbour. They lost 5-1 – a margin that flattered them – and flopped back into Heathrow in mid-April to the deafening sound of indifference.That was then, this is now. In the coming weeks, the veterans of that ill-starred campaign will recognise many of the stadia and airport departure lounges – from the social hub of Delhi to the far-eastern outpost of Guwahati, where a washout on England’s last tour led to full-scale rioting in the stands. But on this occasion, the context is subtly different.Notwithstanding the woes that Pietersen’s men have experienced in the past month, they are a squad who imagine themselves to be upwardly mobile. They are ranked, incredibly, No. 3 in the one-day world after demolishing South Africa 4-0 at the tail-end of last summer, and – with their captain showing the way – they are savvy enough to realise that, in this IPL-fuelled day and age, India is not the arena in which to coast through the motions. A match-seizing performance in the game’s biggest marketplace could prove a far more reliable route to fame and fortune that Allen Stanford’s high-stakes pitch-and-toss.It may well have been a relief to get that confusing week over and done with, but England’s cricketers would not be human if they didn’t feel a touch deflated by the paucity of their efforts on that big occasionAll of which makes the events of the opening week a little bit tricky to quantify. Pietersen has a point when he says that the warm-ups don’t matter. Even when they were in their pre-2005 pomp, England were habitually awful in the build-up to Test series – Michael Vaughan tended to describe their regular set-backs, such as their crushing defeat against South Africa A in 2004-05, as “kicks up the arse”. But to roll over for less than 100 in consecutive weeks, and on separate continents, hints at a malaise that can’t be dismissed with the usual platitudes.How deeply scarred are the players after the chaos of the Stanford experience? “We are learning to make sure that we get ourselves right and take our lessons to get our heads back on and get them really, really tuned into what’s going to be a tough tour starting this evening,” said Pietersen, which was a long-winded way of saying that all has not been well in the camp since they departed for Antigua. It may well have been a relief to get that confusing week over and done with, but England’s cricketers would not be human if they didn’t feel a touch deflated by the paucity of their efforts on that big occasion.And so the business of revival gets underway. At least Flintoff has started his trip with intent, driving Mumbai’s spinners with confidence in the first warm-up to register his first century in England colours since the Trent Bridge Test of 2005. And James Anderson, piqued but still professional after being axed for the Stanford showdown, has realised the best way to respond to such a slight is through the weight of his performances. Three cheap wickets in the first game were backed up by face-saving runs in the second, and he is more than ready to resume his latter-day role as the leader of England’s attack.Even if he was bowling like a drain, however, England might have little choice but to call on Anderson’s services. Ryan Sidebottom is still receiving treatment on the Achilles injury that restricted his role in Antigua, while Stuart Broad is doubtful after sustaining a swollen knee while bowling four overs in Tuesday’s debacle. In fact, England’s injury issues extend even to the tour manager, Phil Neale, whose own knee problem has been deemed serious enough for him to fly home for surgery.The omens for England do not look good, especially given how buoyant India are bound to be after their recent run of success. Nevertheless, the optimism that infused the side when Pietersen took over as captain in August cannot have entirely evaporated. They might not have been able to play like a million dollars when that sum was up for grabs this month, but in the course of the next three weeks, England’s challenge will be to play with pride when pride is exactly what’s at stake. Mentally, it’s a prospect that probably sits much more easily with them.

Flocking to Twitter, many Liverpool fans haven’t been impressed with the first half performance of attacking star Sadio Mane as they take on Burnley this afternoon. 

Jurgen Klopp’s men are looking to build upon an impressive opening day victory away to Norwich as Liverpool potentially aim to get back to their 2019/2020 heights.

The Reds haven’t exactly been active in the transfer market, with only defender Ibrahima Konate arriving from RB Leipzig in a £36 million deal (Transfermarkt).

Instead, FSG have seemingly focused their attention on keeping Liverpool’s current crop of star players as they announce a plethora of renewals and contract extensions.

Mane is one of the men linked with a contract extension, but Reds supporters certainly don’t seem impressed with his fist half showing at home to Burnley this afternoon.

Among the lowest rated players in Liverpool’s side, the Senegalese international has so far struggled to make an impact, with most of the exciting attacking play coming down the other flank.

Find out what many fans think as we gather their opinions from Twitter down below.

Liverpool fans slam Mane

“Mane needs to wake up”

Credit: @Corballyred

“Mané is gone so so so bad”

Credit: @ryaneades10

“Mane has been atrociously bad”

Credit: @wolfymoore

“mane dropping another stinker please get him out of this club”

Credit: @RobTGF_

“As said last season it shouldn’t be a Jota or Firmino thing when Mane is this bad”

Credit: @sheepdogx3

“Anyone know what’s wrong with Mane? Looks massively off the pace opening 20mins”

Credit: @JDRedford96

“Mane stinking again sighhh”

Credit: @trent66hive

In other news: ‘We are almost done’…Liverpool man now on verge of move away from Anfield, find out more here.

A round-up of the eighth round of matches of the National Cricket League in Bangladesh

Rabeed Imam06-Dec-2008The title chase just got hotter with Rajshahi threatening to go for the jugular after comprehensive victories in rounds seven and eight. Such was their dominance that both Chittagong and Dhaka were floored at home and, with two more games remaining till the season’s curtains, it looks increasingly likely that Rajshahi will have the last laugh as they are due to host last-placed Sylhet and a lacklustre Khulna at the Divisional Stadium. Plucky Barisal are only two points behind after a hard-fought draw in round eight but their next opponents are the unpredictable Chittagong and Dhaka.Losing to Rajshahi was a massive blow for Dhaka, who are 19 points behind the leaders at third position, and seemingly out of contention. The next round of matches will have further significance with the national stars available for their divisional sides and for the players it will be an opportunity to catch the eyes of the selectors and get a spot in the Bangladesh squad which will be announced after the round is over.Rajshahi’s success owes much to their allround commitment; they may lack the dashers and elegant strokemakers yet nevertheless get a result when it matters. This season they lost Farhad Reza to the ICL, Junaid Siddique to international commitments, while Khaled Mashud has lost his touch.One player to have really stepped up is Suhrawadi Shuvo. His 56 was crucial in Rajshahi getting 240 in the first innings and then he bagged a five-for as Chittagong were humbled by eight wickets in round seven. This week he took 2 for 13 as Dhaka were bundled out for 142 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.Before Shuvo’s parsimonious spell it was pacer Delwar Hossain who did the damage with 5 for 45. The opener Jahurul Islam fell 17 short of a deserved ton but once again the irrepressible Shuvo stole the show with 85 to give Rajshahi a 141-run lead. By lunch on day three Dhaka were in deep trouble at 49 for 4 with captain Javed Omar, who had braved illness to make 112 from No. 7 against Sylhet in an earlier round, out for 9. Fresh from his 103 against Sylhet, Mahmudullah Riyad justified his promotion to No. 5 and added 99 with the free-stroking Shamsur Rahman (49). He made 105 and Dhaka were bowled out for 256, Delwar completing ten wickets in the match with with 5 for 60. Needing 116, Rajshahi cruised to the target in 24 overs with Jahurul hitting an unbeaten 68.At the Sylhet Stadium, hundreds from young opener Saikat Ali (111) and the experienced Golam Rahman (116) allowed the winless home team declare their first innings at 366 for 9 on day two after they had opted to bat. Barisal replied with half centuries from the in-form duo of Nasiruddin Faruque and Hannan Sarkar and a cameo from Arafat Salahuddin (49) to get to 270. Talha Jubair was unable to conjure the same spark that got him eight wickets in an innings victory over Khulna in round seven, Imtiaz Hossain (82) and Rajin Saleh (71) helped Sylhet to 258 for 7. The target of 348 in just under two sessions was beyond Barisal, who opted for safety and batting practice and were 178 for 6 when the game ended.The match at the Khulna Divisional Stadium finished in three days with the hosts overcoming embarrassment to beat Chittagong by 35 runs. Khulna’s first innings 301 proved vital in what was a pace-dominated match, for in their second innings they were blown away for 54 – the lowest innings total this season – by the nippy Kamrul (5 for 21). Set 235 to win in two days, Chittagong folded for 199, with Faisal Hossain’s 79 the stand-out innings. Khulna’s pace trio of Ziaur Rahman, Dolar Mahmud and Robiul Islam were most instrumental in the win; they shared all but two of the Chittagong wickets.Player of the week – Mahmudullah
Loss of confidence and form had cost Mahmudullah a place for the tour of South Africa but he has done little wrong since. His105 against Rajshahi may have been in a lost cause but it was his second in consecutive innings.

Rajshahi Division 85 1 0 2 0 90 Barisal Division 8 4 0 04 0 88 Dhaka Division 82 2 0 4 0 71 Khulna Division 8 2 3 03 0 62 Chittagong Division 81 3 0 4 0 59 Sylhet Division 8 0 5 03 0 50

History is on Pakistan’s side, the momentum with Sri Lanka and the recent form of both uncertain. You could not ask for more going into the deciding match of the ODI series, to be played on Saturday in Lahore

Osman Samiuddin in Lahore23-Jan-2009
Mahela Jayawardene: “For us, winning a trophy itself is enough motivation to go into the game tomorrow.” © AFP
History is on Pakistan’s side, the momentum with Sri Lanka and the recent form of both uncertain. You could not ask for more going into the deciding match of a series.Somehow, since 2003, a period in which Pakistan have been particularly unreliable, they have consistently had the wood over Sri Lanka. It is strange, given that the visitors have prospered more than they have failed in that period, but it gives the rivalry, and the decider, a proper feel of a local derby. Anything and everything is to be expected after the peaks and troughs both teams touched on successive days in Karachi.Sri Lanka will no doubt be the happier stepping out at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday. Their batsmen finally made some runs in the second ODI in Karachi – 290 was the first time they went beyond 227 since the Asia Cup last year – and Tillakaratne Dilshan has looked better than the makeshift opener he is supposed to be.More than the six wickets that Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan took in that win, it is the batting which will give Mahela Jayawardene hope. All through their recent patchy form, the bowling department, well-served in both spin and pace, has bailed them out. Jayawardene has maintained throughout the tour that the batting just needs to click since the bowling essentially takes care of itself.”It was a much better batting performance,” said Jayawardene. “But we still made mistakes and there were six guys who took starts but never really finished off the job. So there’s definitely room for improvement. Whoever gets a start needs to carry through.”They’ve been on the road for some time now and still a heavy schedule awaits them on their return, but the thoughts of another trophy is enough. For us, winning a trophy itself is enough motivation to go into the game tomorrow.””I know it’s a big game. We’ve been out of Sri Lanka for almost six weeks. We’ve been in Bangladesh where we aimed to win two trophies and we did that. We came here to win another one and are another game away from it, so it’s enough motivation to go into the game tomorrow.”Pakistan will not be entirely despondent either, though they could have done without more public evidence of their complete inability to deal with Shoaib Akhtar in any coherent manner. Having laid down a bold marker in thinking of an immediate and long-term future without Shoaib, captain Shoaib Malik immediately made a U-turn and disowned those very statements.
The president of the country is a daily reminder that, save the dead, anyone and everyone can rise again in Pakistan, but Saturday may well be the first day of a Shoaib-less future. © AFP
But Shoaib is still unlikely to play and backtracking or not, tomorrow marks a significant moment. The president of the country is a daily reminder that, save the dead, anyone and everyone can rise again in Pakistan, but Saturday may well be the first day of a Shoaib-less future.Playing four pacemen is a bold idea, unnaturally so for Malik, and it is a policy that should be given another go, perhaps with Sohail Khan in place. However, they could really do with Sohail Tanvir rediscovering the nip, swing, nous and form of last year.They will also be keen to see Mendis and Murali misfiring again. Despite the wickets in the last game, Pakistan will be relatively happy with the way they have handled the pair so far. Runs have been picked off the duo, rather than snatched, and the low total in the second game was mostly the result of a top-order mishap against pace.”They have the best spinning attack in the world whether they are playing in the subcontinent or outside it especially if they make above 250,” said Malik. “If we bat first, we must put on 270 runs on the board so that our bowlers have something to defend. I don’t think the spin attack is a threat to us as such. Against good players plans are made. Wasim Akram used to plan and say ‘play a good bowler for four an over and don’t give them any wickets’.”So the equation, according to Malik, is a simple one. If you bat first, make over 270. If you don’t, restrict them to less than 250. It’s an easy game, but as he has learnt over the last 18 months or so, not that easy.

Noel Whelan has now urged Newcastle United not to let go of Matty Longstaff after an update on the future of the central midfield player.

The Lowdown: Longstaff can go

As cited by The Northern Echo, Steve Bruce has confirmed that Longstaff can go out on loan before the summer transfer window ends.

He has reportedly been targeted by both Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town ahead of a potential move.

The Latest: Whelan on Longstaff

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan, who is now a pundit after playing as a striker for the likes of Leeds United and Coventry City, has now urged the St. James’ Park faithful to keep hold of Longstaff before the window shuts, given the size of their current squad at the moment:

“You can’t do it, don’t allow players to leave when you have a squad the size of Newcastle’s.

“They’ve not really been active in this window, it’s a really difficult situation that Steve Bruce is in.

“You’ve got to look if Newcastle have got players coming through the ranks who can replace him, or whether they are willing to go into the market to replace him.

“They’ve not started the season well, so to lose a home-grown player is a bit of a kick in the teeth.

“But he’s another young player who needs to be playing regularly to get the best out of him, and maybe Matty has realised that.”

The Verdict: Keep for now

To be fair, the North East club have a decent amount of options in the middle of the park, including the likes of Longstaff’s brother Sean, Isaac Hayden, Jeff Hendrick, Jonjo Shelvey and new arrival Joe Willock (Transfermarkt).

However, unless they can find a replacement for him with just a few days left of the window to go, they should be looking at keeping Longstaff for now as they may need a big squad deeper into the new season.

Described as a ‘talented’ player by Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell back in June, he certainly has potential, as exemplified by scoring a memorable goal on his senior Premier League debut for the Tyneside club in a 1-0 home win over Manchester United (BBC Sport).

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Nonetheless, Longstaff is a local boy as well, and so the Toon Army will want him to do well for them.

In other news, find out which three top-flight players Bruce is eyeing here!

Evening Standard journalist Jack Rosser has told The Transfer Tavern that Jesse Lingard is adamant that he wants to remain at Manchester United – making a late move to West ham extremely unlikely.

Following his outstanding loan spell in the second half of last season, David Moyes has been desperate to bring Lingard back to the London Stadium on a permanent basis this summer.

However, Lingard, who made his first Premier League appearance for United for 12 months against Southampton last weekend, wants to fight for his place under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Despite only being introduced for the final few minutes at St Mary’s, Lingard was called up for the England squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers by Gareth Southgate, which would appear a blow to West Ham’s chances of signing him.

Rosser didn’t completely rule out one last-ditch attempt from West Ham to try and re-sign Lingard, but told The Transfer Tavern that his love for his boyhood club United has dampened the Hammers’ chances:

“I think he wants to keep Manchester United – he’s adamant he wants to stay there. Him being in the England squad won’t help West Ham.

“If you can get in the England squad from playing 10 minutes against Southampton, then I think he’ll be fairly confident he can stay at United.

“You wonder whether that you could change over the weekend, but he’s been at the club a long time and loves the club.”

Steve Waugh will become the youngest man in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame when he is inducted on Tuesday, less than a month after he passed the minimum requirement of being out of the game for five years

Brydon Coverdale02-Feb-2009
Steve Waugh will join the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame just five years after retiring from international cricket © Getty Images
Steve Waugh will become the youngest man in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame when he is inducted on Tuesday, less than a month after he passed the minimum requirement of being out of the game for five years. At the MCG on Monday, Waugh was announced as the 30th member of the body and said it was fitting to speak of the honour at the place where he played his first Test in 1985-86.”It’s nice to be here at the MCG,” Waugh said. “That’s where it started 20-odd years ago. Walking out to bat for that first time, I was just happy to play one Test. To be here today to be inducted in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame is quite amazing when I look back on it.”Waugh, 43, went on to play a world-record 168 Tests – a mark that still stands – and he is fourth on the Test run tally with 10,927. Waugh is also the most successful Test captain of all men who led their side in at least 20 matches, with a winning ratio of 71.92% from his 57 Tests in charge from 1999 to 2004.The success later in Waugh’s career was a significant change from when he first appeared in the Australian side at the age of 20. At that time, the team was struggling in the years following the retirements of key players and also lost members who were suspended due to the rebel tours of South Africa.”I feel fortunate I’ve played in a couple of different eras,” Waugh said. “One where we’re rebuilding the side in the mid-80s and I guess we took over as the dominant side after we beat the Windies in ’95. I was lucky that I was part of two very different eras, I learnt a lot of lessons along the way.”What I used to judge myself on was coming back from adversity. That’s what most players really pride themselves on. It’s not so much the good times – you’re going to have some of those and it’s quite easy to do things well when things are going smoothly – but when there’s a few spanners in the works, they’re the real times when you test yourself.”Waugh, whose final Test was in January 2004, will join one of his team-mates from the same era, Ian Healy, in the Hall of Fame after the wicketkeeper was inducted last year. Players are selected for their status as “sporting legends” as well as their outstanding records.Waugh will officially receive the honour at the Allan Border Medal presentation in Melbourne on Tuesday. Favourites for the award, which Waugh won in 2001, include Mitchell Johnson, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting.Australian Cricket Hall of Fame
1996
Fred Spofforth, Jack Blackham, Victor Trumper, Clarrie Grimmett, Bill Ponsford, Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O’Reilly, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall, Dennis Lillee2000
Warwick Armstrong, Neil Harvey, Allan Border2001
Bill Woodfull, Arthur Morris2002
Stan McCabe, Greg Chappell2003
Lindsay Hassett, Ian Chappell2004
Hugh Trumble, Alan Davidson2005
Clem Hill, Rod Marsh2006
Monty Noble, Bob Simpson2007
Charles Macartney, Richie Benaud2008
George Giffen, Ian Healy2009
Steve Waugh

Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh has been postponed following advice from the Bangladesh government

Cricinfo staff05-Mar-2009Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh, due to start next week, has been postponed on the advice of the Bangladesh government. Officials are hopeful that the tour will be held soon and are working on a revised security plan in consultation with the ICC. A year of scrapped seriesMarch 2008 – Australia postpone tour of Pakistan, slated for end-March, over security concerns following Benazir Bhutto’s assasinationAugust 2008 – Five of eight ICC members choose not to send teams to Pakistan for September’s Champions Trophy. The tournament is postponed till October 2009.October 2008 – West Indies call off a proposed tour of Pakistan scheduled for November, a week after their women’s team cancelled the Pakistan leg of their Asian tour.November 2008 – England cut short seven-match ODI series in India after Mumbai terrorist strikes. They return for the two-Test series in December.December 2008 – BCCI calls off India’s scheduled tour of Pakistan in 2009.February 2009 – ICC decides not to stage the 2009 Champions Trophy in Pakistan after some of the members expressed reservations about touring the country.The postponement comes two days after Pakistan’s home series against Sri Lanka was abandoned, following an attack on the visiting team bus that left eight dead and several cricketers and officials injured.Bangladesh Cricket Board officials think the tour could take place as early as end-March. “We had been making all necessary preparations for the tour when we were advised by the home ministry to postpone it for the time being,” Jalal Yunus, chairman of the board’s media and communications committee, said. “We are now working with the PCB and our government agencies to chalk out a new schedule.”Yunus said the ICC had asked the Bangladesh board to make some changes in the security plan for the series. The board is currently working on this.It is not clear if the decision to postpone the tour is connected to the Lahore attack or to the recent violence in Bangladesh. A mutiny last month by Bangladesh Rifles border guards over pay and the command structure resulted in widespread violence that killed at least 80 people, including more than 50 officers.Saleem Altaf, a Pakistan board official, said the reason behind the decision was not yet known. “Bangladesh have conveyed their decision to us without giving any reason,” he told . “We are told they are revising the tour itinerary and the series will be held after some delay.”Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, told reporters he expected a revised itinerary from the Bangladesh board soon. “Every country discusses the security situation with its government. We did ask for clearance for the tour from our government. The International Cricket Council (ICC) have asked them to implement a plan so they needed time.”Bangladesh will come back to us and we (will) hopefully get a revised itinerary later Thursday.”Pakistan were scheduled to play two Twenty20s and five ODIs between March 10 and March 22. Pakistan and Bangladesh are co-hosts, along with India and Sri Lanka, of the 2011 World Cup.

Ipswich struggled throughout the month of August as they attempted to pull together their raft of new additions in League One, with Paul Cook’s side currently sat in the relegation zone during the first international break.

The Tractor Boys have picked up just three points from five matches and are still searching for their first league win of the campaign. They lost to Burton and Cheltenham whilst drawing with Morecambe, MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon.

In a month with few positives, one player stole the show during August – academy product Luke Wolfenden. The 22-year-old was a standout at centre-back and was able to outperform his defensive colleagues who let him down.

With an average SofaScore rating of 6.88, Wolfenden was the highest-rated Ipswich player outside of the forwards, showing that he was a class above the rest on the defensive side of the game throughout the month.

He played in all five League One fixtures and made zero errors leading to shots or goals, conceding zero penalties. This shows that he did not make any major mistakes at the back and was not to blame for Ipswich’s string of poor results, as he did not struggle individually.

As per SofaScore, the 6 foot 1 colossus made 12 interceptions, six tackles and 20 clearances in his five appearances, whilst only being dribbled past once. He won 65% of his duels on the pitch, winning 30 in total during August as he showcased his defensive skills for the Tractor Boys.

The centre-back was also assured in possession. He completed 83% of his passes (51 per game) and had 375 touches overall. This shows that he was composed on the ball and did not make consistent errors with his distribution, another reason why he was a standout performer for Ipswich in spite of their troubled start.

Cook must now be hoping that the defender can keep up this impressive form throughout the rest of the campaign and that the players around him start to match his levels. The key to having a good defence is having a solid unit, as it only takes a mistake from one individual to cost a goal, which is why the players around Wolfenden need to take note of his displays and hold themselves to that standard.

AND in other news, Reason Ipswich missed out on “incredibly dynamic” beast revealed, Cook will be fuming…