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Plenty of Aston Villa fans have hit out at centre-back Kortney Hause on social media for his performance against Brentford on Sunday.

Steven Gerrard was back in the dugout and rang the changes from the side which lost to Chelsea last time out, one of which was Hause coming in for the suspended Tyrone Mings.

Hause was making just his fourth league start of the campaign and his first under Gerrard, who selected the 26-year-old amid Axel Tuanzebe being linked with a move to Napoli.

However, a number of supporters didn’t think the 26-year-old had a game to remember, with a bizarre moment in the first half where he conceded a corner under no pressure. The centre-back also appeared to get caught out when Yoane Wissa equalised for the home side shortly before the interval.

As per SofaScore, Hause failed to make a successful tackle or interception all afternoon and lost possession eight times on a frustrating afternoon for the defender.

Villa fans react

Here is what these Villa fans had to say about Hause on Twitter during the game, with one labelling him as a ‘donkey’ and another saying that he “can go” from the club.

“Shocking from Hause… Is anyone surprised though”

Credit: @Dean_AV

“Hause isn’t up to the level of a back 4 in the PL”

Credit: @CalFergie

“Hause looking like a donkey plodding along oblivious”

Credit: @avkv1874

“get rid of Targett man, he stinks. Hause can go as well”

Credit: @KonsaThings

“Hause and Targett are making me physically sick”

Credit: @Chloavfc_

“Targett’s done OK but should have put his foot in there. Don’t get me started on Hause. Shouldn’t be anywhere near a Villa first team”

Credit: @CraigJ1S

In other news: ‘Exciting’ – Many Villa fans react to big transfer update on ‘quality’ Gerrard target

Lancashire’s batsmen had the better of an attritional opening day of their County Championship match against Division One opponents Warwickshire at Edgbaston

Cricinfo staff17-May-2010
Scorecard
Stephen Moore moved fluently to 61 before he was dismissed playing one shot too many to Imran Tahir•Getty ImagesLancashire’s batsmen bought valuable time for England seamer James Andersonwith a determined display on an attritional opening day of their County Championship match against Division One opponents Warwickshire at Edgbaston.Anderson was named in Lancashire’s side at the toss even though he was not yet back from the Caribbean following England’s World Twenty20 success. England’s management are keen for Anderson to play some cricket before next week’s first Test against Bangladesh at Lord’s as he did not play a game in the World Twenty20 so Lancashire made provision for him to join this game part of the way through.Anderson is expected to rejoin the county on Wednesday and replace debutantallrounder Luke Procter who was nominated as the man to make way for theEngland player. Anderson should have something to bowl at thanks to half centuries from Stephen Moore (61), Ashwell Prince (51) and Steven Croft (75 not out) which took Lancashire to 323 for 8.But Lancashire had to battle for supremacy against a competitive Warwickshire attack on the same pitch used for Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank 40 match against Kent. South Africa left-hander Prince played the most fluent innings with six fours in his 91-ball 50, but he fell tamely when he was bowled around his legs trying to sweep legspinner Imran Tahir.Prince shared a third wicket stand of 94 in 30 overs with Moore, with Moore collecting runs impressively on both sides of the wicket to reach his 50 from 95 balls. He became becalmed thereafter, however, and his next 11 runs came from 45 balls. Moore eventually lost patience and skied Tahir to mid-off trying to lift the bowler back over his head.Prince and Moore stabilised Lancashire after Luke Sutton was trapped lbw toIreland paceman Boyd Rankin’s first ball in the championship this season and Paul Horton nicked Darren Maddy’s loosener to Tim Ambrose behind the stumps.The departure of Prince and Moore in the space of five overs meant thatLancashire had to regroup again and they did that successfully through former captain Mark Chilton and Croft, adding 78 in 20 overs for the fifth wicket.Former Lancashire academy seamer Andy Miller broke the stand when he hadChilton caught behind from one that nipped away and then had Tom Smith taken by Jonathan Trott at first slip, a sixth successive single figure score for the left-hander.Procter fell to Rankin having struck three fours in his 13 but Croft completed his sixth half-century in seven championship innings from 75 balls and prolonged the resistance in another half-century stand with Lancashire captain Glen Chapple.

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has now turned his attentions towards defender John Souttar as the Ibrox side look to make some further additions in this January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to The Glasgow Times’ Chris Jack, the Gers have now made their move to sign Souttar, whose contract at Hearts comes to an end in the summer.

His report added: “Championship clubs Sheffield United, Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest are all interested in the Scotland defender but Rangers are keen to add Souttar to their ranks amid ongoing doubts over the long-terms futures of several defensive options.

“Van Bronckhorst will be given some of the funds raised from Nathan Patterson’s £12m to Everton as he seeks to put his own stamp on the Ibrox squad. But Souttar has been identified as a key Bosman target to bolster his defensive options and Rangers will attempt to convince him to turn down a move to England this summer.”

Would be a superb signing

With his extensive experience in the Scottish Premiership, and the fact he would be available on a free transfer given his contract expires soon, this has all the hallmarks of being a transfer masterstroke for the Gers.

Former Hearts boss Craig Levein once raved about the centre-back’s combination of defensive prowess and ability on the ball, saying: “I’ve known him since he was 12 years old and he’s just got better and better. When he came here from Dundee Utd, we just needed to give him time. He’s grown into the player that I hoped he would be and for me he’s the best centre back in Scotland.

“Just for the fact that he can do wonderful things. His passing of the ball Saturday was fantastic, but he is also now capable physically of competing with any centre forward. His pace is very, very good and he’s strong, focused and aggressive.”

As per Whoscored, his 77.4% pass accuracy is the second-best of any Hearts defender this season in the Scottish Premiership, while his 58.1 passes per game is the second-best among any of his teammates, regardless of position – exactly the kind of modern-day defender Van Bronckhorst will surely be looking for.

Gers fans will surely be buzzing with signing the 6 foot 1 Souttar on a free.

Meanwhile, Rangers are eyeing this Championship goalkeeper…

Warwickshire’s plans to introduce some innovation to bowling by using the double-bouncing ball during their Friends Provident T20 game against Derbyshire was quashed by the ECB, which outlawed the delivery

Cricinfo staff10-Jun-2010Warwickshire’s plans to introduce some innovation to bowling by using the double-bouncing ball during their Friends Provident T20 game against Derbyshire was quashed by the ECB, which outlawed the delivery. The reported the ECB issued a directive to county coaches and umpires that the ball, if delivered, would be declared a no-ball – despite not breaching the laws of cricket – for it was against the spirit of the game.”Further to an ECB Cricket Committee recommendation, it is confirmed that the practice of bowling a ball that bounces twice should be disallowed with immediate effect. It is considered inappropriate for the image and spirit of our game,” the Daily Telegraph quoted the ECB directive as saying.The idea to use the double-bouncer is the brainchild of Warwickshire bowling coach Graeme Welch. The decision to experiment with such a delivery was prompted by the accidental instance of Derbyshire offspinner Nathan Dumelow bowling a double-bouncing delivery that had then Leicestershire batsman Darren Stevens flummoxed. Though the ECB’s decision would have thwarted Welch’s plans, he received encouragement from the MCC, the guardian of the laws of the game, which declared the delivery legitimate. As a result, the delivery can be used in tournaments like the IPL or the World Twenty20, over which the ECB has no control.”We don’t think it is against the Spirit of Cricket or contrary to the Laws of the game,” the newspaper quoted Keith Bradshaw, the chief executive of the MCC, as saying. “We see it as the same as the switch-hit and unless it changes the balance between the bat and ball we see no reason to change our view.”According to the laws, a ball can be declared a no-ball if it bounces than twice and the umpire deems it to have been delivered intentionally. Law 24 states: “The umpire at the bowler’s end shall call and signal No ball if a ball which he considers to have been delivered, without having previously touched the bat or person of the striker, either (i) bounces more than twice or (ii) rolls along the ground before it reaches the popping crease.”Welch said he was disappointed at the ECB’s ruling and claimed the delivery required skill, just like the switch-hit, pioneered by Kevin Pietersen. The MCC had then deemed the shot legal for the same reason Welch feels the double-bouncer should be allowed. “Not just anyone can do it and it takes skill,” Welch told the , adding the ball was of greater assistance to fast bowlers. “The margin of error is small.”The batsman thinks it is a bouncer and by the time he has realised it is not he has cut down his reaction time. You need a bowler who can bowl out of the back of the hand and bounce it as close as he can in front of him so that when it bounces again it is on its way down.”The trick is getting the pace right on the second bounce. I am disappointed about it [being outlawed]. Batsmen are smacking it out the ground and this is just the way the game is evolving. We are always trying to think of new things. I am a bowling coach and my job is to do that.”

Of all the South African-born cricketers to have been selected for the England team in recent times, Jonathan Trott has attracted more opprobrium than most

Andrew Miller at Lord's27-May-2010Of all the South African-born cricketers to have been selected for the England team in recent times, Jonathan Trott has attracted more opprobrium than most. The perception has been that he is a prickly character to whom it is hard to warm, and the gratitude that England’s fans felt for his Ashes-winning heroics at The Oval last summer was swiftly replaced by schadenfreude as his confidence collapsed in the course of a traumatic winter.And yet, for anyone who tuned out of Test cricket at the end of the English season last August, here was the sight of Trott striding onto the front foot on the first Test of the 2010 summer at Lord’s, with confidence renewed and mindset focussed only on each of his 270 deliveries. No-one who missed it would believe the mental fluctuations that his career has encountered in the intervening nine months. Ironically for a man who struggles to come across as sufficiently “English” to his detractors, there’s nowhere quite like England for bringing out the best in his game.Right now, Trott’s home Test record stands at 335 runs in three innings, with back-to-back centuries and an average of 167.50. Those are not the statistics of a man in crisis, but had it not been for the decision to rest Paul Collingwood, it’s hard to see how Trott could possibly have made the cut for this contest. Match by match, format by format, his apparently integral role in all three England squads has been eroded by doubt on his own part, and also by the emergence of key challengers, and the collective impact on his psyche has been plain to see.”Every time you don’t get runs when you put on the England helmet, it’s disappointing,” said Trott. “You want to do as well as you can, but perhaps I got over-keen. It’s not so much that I was trying to chase the game, but having done so well in the Ashes Test and the one-day games in South Africa, and the first Test as well, you think it’s something you really enjoy, because it’s a great feeling and a great buzz. So when a few innings don’t go your way, you start to ask: ‘Why am I not getting runs?’, and you start to look for things that perhaps aren’t there.”The rot for Trott had set in with an inexplicable fury shortly after the first Test in Centurion. He helped to save that game, with a gutsy five-hour 69 in the second innings, but even during that performance the doubts were visibly creeping into his mind. Whereas on debut against Australia he had stretched forward to pace and spin alike and dominated the crease even in defence, now he found himself camped on the back foot, literally and metaphorically, with gripes about his time-wasting chiselling away at his psyche.Somehow, Trott found it impossible thereafter to extricate himself from the negativity of that performance, and his first innings of the decisive final Test at Johannesburg was grim, as he thrashed at every delivery and was eventually pinned lbw for an eight-ball 5, while South Africa’s coach, Mickey Arthur, mimed the suggestion that he had a screw loose prior to his final innings of that campaign. In Bangladesh, bad judgment gave way to bad luck, as he was caught off his helmet, bowled off his armguard and run out by an erroneous decision in three of his four innings.”I was a little bit disappointed with the way I ended the South Africa tour,” he said. “Everyone seems to speak about that, but I played a few good innings. It was just a few bad shots, a few good balls, but that’s cricket. I was a bit frustrated in Bangladesh, getting a few scores but getting out in a few funny ways, but that’s in the past, and to be able to stay composed and get a good start today was important. I had a positive frame of mind and intent when I walked out there today.”A new season has brought with it a new serenity, and the demons of the winter appear to have been cast aside. “I’m really chuffed to be able to sit here overnight with a chance to bat tomorrow morning,” he said. “It’s not payback, but the game just works itself out. That’s a bit philosophical, but the more you play it the more you see things go someone’s way when they need it, after having a rough time.”Right up until the moment that Trott emerged to replace Alastair Cook midway through the first hour, his position at No. 3 had remained the subject of some speculation. With few pundits giving him much hope of playing in the crucial first Test at Brisbane in November, the match towards which Andrew Strauss admitted that this entire summer is being geared, it seemed counter-intuitive to play an apparently peripheral figure in such a key position.But equally, Strauss had also called upon his batsmen to turn their starts into big hundreds, and in that regard, Trott has lived up to the demand magnificently. A pretty fifty would have proved little against opponents of Bangladesh’s calibre; even a middling 120 would have left him open to a shrug of the shoulders. But a big daddy of an unbeaten 175, with the promise of more to come, is a performance that sets the cat among the selectorial pigeons.All winter long, Trott has batted with the joie de vivre of a condemned man, but now, all of a sudden, he’s decided it’s time to fight for his stay of execution. The pressure for Ashes places is hotting up already.

With only one new player signed during the current January transfer window in the shape of Hayao Kawabe, it seems as though Wolves are not looking and letting that deal be their only piece of transfer business this month.

What’s the news?

Speaking on a live Sky Sports programme, presenter Rob Wotton revealed that Wolves are interested in signing AS Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile this month.

“Wolves and Newcastle both interested in the Monaco centre-back, Benoit Badiashile. The 20-year-old Monaco academy graduate is among a number of options in this position both clubs are looking at,” he said.

As a product of Monaco’s youth system, the 20-year-old has already made a total of 105 senior appearances for the club, chipping in with three goals and three assists in the process, showing how highly rated he must be there given his fairly young age.

Fans buzzing

In the four Europa League games that he’s played in for Monaco this season, Badiashile’s performances in those games have earned him an impressive overall rating of 7.36/10 according to WhoScored, comfortably making him the highest-rated player in the competition for Monaco, showing how capable he is of playing in a top European competition.

With his young age and vast experience, it’s easy to see why Wolves would be interested in signing a player such as Badiashile as he could potentially be a long-term player for them for many years to come.

Given how two of Wolves’ current centre-backs Romain Saiss (31) and Willy Boly (30) are two of the club’s five oldest players in their squad, it’s easy to see why the Old Gold would be looking at bringing in a young defender like Badiashile to freshen up their team at the back, an idea which would surely leave plenty of supporters buzzing.

Taking into account how Wolves manager Bruno Lage has come out and said that signing a centre-back is the club’s priority at the moment with Saiss away on international duty and Boly out injured, Badiashile could be just what the team needs at this moment in time.

That said, with recent reports from France claiming that Wolves have already had a bid for the Monaco defender rejected, it could prove to be quite difficult or expensive to secure Badiashile’s signature this month.

If a deal for the young defender isn’t viable for the Old Gold, they should turn their attention to some other potential candidates that could do a job for them at centre-back that may not cost so much.

However, the very idea that they’re targeting someone of the youngster’s quality should be music to the ears of fans at Molineux.

In other news: Journalist drops behind-the-scenes January update that’ll have Wolves fans sweating – opinion 

Leeds United pundit Noel Whelan has been reacting to Joe Gelhardt’s recent injury, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Gelhardt sidelined

The 19-year-old has featured heavily in recent months with the likes of Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo out through injury.

Gelhardt has provided three assists in just 301 minutes of Premier League action, while also scoring his first Leeds goal against Chelsea.

His last appearance came against Burnley in a 3-1 win at Elland Road, with the forward becoming a firm fan favourite at Elland Road.

However, as revealed by Marcelo Bielsa, Gelhardt is now set for a spell on the sidelines following a training ground injury which looks set to keep him out for ‘three to four weeks’.

The Latest: Whelan reacts

Whelan, who reports for BBC Radio Leeds, was talking to Football Insider about Gelhardt’s ankle issue.

He labelled the teenager as Leeds’ ‘surprise package’ and described the update as ‘huge’ and tipped the youngster to be a ‘massive miss’.

“This is huge.

“He’ll be a massive miss for Leeds United because he’s playing with no fear. He’s a player who can really drive and take the game to opposition defensives.

“We’ve seen him do it a couple of times before, winning penalties at important times through really positive running.

“He’s a player that the opposition don’t know too much about, as well. He’s been a real surprise package for us.

“We’re lacking options when it comes to that central figure leading the line, especially with Patrick Bamford also out yet again. We’re down to the bare bones.”

The Verdict: No signs of slowing up

We’re now into the second half of the season, and the club’s injury list is showing no signs of slowing up, so a signing or two could come in handy before the end of the month.

The Whites may well be without a whopping 11 players against West Ham on Sunday, with question marks over all of their senior attacking options alongside youngsters Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood.

It would be remarkable if Leeds’ injury issues last the whole 2021/22 campaign, but at this moment in time and following Gelhardt’s injury, you wouldn’t bet against it.

If Bielsa can keep the Whites in the Premier League for a third season, you could argue that it would be just as good an achievement as the club’s ninth-placed finish last term.

In other news: ‘We’re told’ – Graham Smyth shares key update as Orta and Leeds finally step up January business. 

Vusimuzi Sibanda was named captain of Zimbabwe XI’s squad for the Intercontinental Cup matches against Netherlands and Canada in July

Cricinfo staff28-Jun-2010Vusi Sibanda has been named captain of Zimbabwe XI’s squad for the Intercontinental Cup games against Netherlands and Canada in July.The 15-man squad will be coached by Stephen Mangongo with former Test star, Heath Streak, acting as bowling coach in a tour that represents another important step for Zimbabwe as they look to build their reserves ahead of a possible return to Test cricket next year.Sibanda made 209 against Kenya in Kwekwe, in Zimbabwe’s last outing at the Intercontinental Cup last October and he hopes to continue the good run. “It does not really matter who we play against in the next matches, we will not be intimidated by any team on field so long as we stick to the game plan and perform our role,” he said.”Cricket in Zimbabwe is drastically climbing the ladder and we will make use of experienced coaches and senior players in the squad. It will have to be a case of clinical efficiency in everything that we do and we are still in a comfortable position because we have not yet lost a match and have the most games in hand.”Zimbabwe XI are in fourth position with 23 points in the tournament after beating Kenya and sharing the spoils in a weather-interrupted game against Afghanistan and Sibanda thinks the tour will help his side progress.”We are really looking forward to the tour, it will be easy to gel as a team because we all play first-class cricket with or against each other at domestic level. All I expect from the guys is for them to play to their level best, we are making good progress and looking forward to winning all four games in the tour this tour.”Zimbabwe XI squad Vusi Sibanda, Forster Mutizwa, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Charles Coventry, Chamu Chibhabha, Regis Chakabva (wk), Samuel Mwakayeni, Tendai Chatara, Ed Rainsford, Keith Dabengwa, Shingirai Masakadza, Natsai M’Shangwe, Nathan Waller, Timycen Maruma.

With Aston Villa having already secured deals for Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne during the current January transfer window, it seems as though the Midlands club could be set to welcome another new face to Villa Park that also has some Premier League experience under his belt.

What’s the news?

According to journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in a recent Twitter post, AS Roma goalkeeper Robin Olsen is set to undergo a medical at Villa today before the announcement of a loan deal for the shot-stopper until the end of the season.

He said: “Robin Olsen will undergo his medical with Aston Villa on Tuesday. He’s set to join Villa from AS Roma on loan until end of the season. Sheffield United will let him leave immediately – and so Olsen will join Aston Villa.”

Working wonders

Having been linked with a transfer move for West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph earlier in the month, only for Hammers manager David Moyes to step in and block the move, it seems as though Johan Lange has moved swiftly in making sure that Villa bring in another shot-stopper this month, demonstrating the wonderful work he’s put in to make the squad as strong as possible this winter.

Since joining Roma back in the 2018 summer transfer window, the 32-year-old has had loan spells at Cagliari, Everton, where he made 11 appearances with seven coming in the Premier League, and most recently with Sheffield United for the first half of the current campaign.

Given how current Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has played in all but one of their Premier League games so far this season, it’s safe to say that he is seen as Steven Gerrard’s first-choice goalkeeper, suggesting that regular game time may not be on the cards for Olsen straight away.

However, to have an experienced goalkeeper in their squad that is familiar with English football as a result of his spells with Everton and Sheffield United, would still be a positive thing for Villa to be able to rely on if anything were to happen to Martinez.

One other factor that could be taken into account is what the next step is for Villa’s current backup goalkeeper Jed Steer, who managed to concede three goals in his only Premier League appearance this season.

If Olsen’s arrival means that Steer will be pushed down the pecking order, it could be worth him moving to another club where he’d be able to get regular playing time.

In other news: Gerrard could strike gold for Villa with “insane” £19k-p/w ace, he’d be a big upgrade – opinion

The Jamaica Cricket Association has backed its decision to nominate Tamar Lambert as captain for the forthcoming Caribbean T20 instead of Chris Gayle

Cricinfo staff16-Jul-2010The Jamaica Cricket Association has backed its decision to nominate Tamar Lambert as captain for the forthcoming Caribbean T20 instead of Chris Gayle, who leads West Indies. They have also denied suggestions that Gayle was discarded as captain and said that Lambert was a logical choice as he has played regularly for Jamaica over the last few seasons, as opposed to Gayle, who has been busy with international commitments.”Chris has not played a lot of games for Jamaica over the last couple of years and with Tamar being around the players for an extended period, it stands to reason they (selectors) may have wanted to keep Tamar for continuity. Tamar is more familiar with the guys,” Jamaica’s cricket operations manager, Courtney Francis, told . “[It’s best to] have Chris just come in and do what he does best, hit away the ball and win matches for us.”Lambert had the credentials to back his case, having led Jamaica to a hat-trick of titles in the four-day competitions in the last few seasons.”I cannot speak with any great authority on why the selectors found favour with Tamar,” Francis said. “I don’t know if it has to do with his record or with continuity as it speaks to the Jamaica line-up. Though Chris is here, [it may be a situation of] giving Chris a little rest from the stress of just captaining in a West Indies series.”Maybe this would just allow Chris to concentrate on his batting only and give us some mammoth performances which we know he’s capable of.”Gayle is coming off a difficult home series against South Africa, in which West Indies lost all but one match, the drawn second Test at St Kitts.