Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool on home soil last night will no doubt have cranked up the pressure onto the shoulders of manager Thomas Frank.

The Dane’s side were unable to get anything out of the clash with Arne Slot’s men, subsequently leaving the Lilywhites in 13th in the Premier League to date.

Frank’s side have now lost back-to-back games once again, subsequently shipping five goals in the process – and highlighting the struggles that face them in the defensive third.

After yet another defeat, the fans are now starting to get desperately impatient with the manager, especially after the struggles endured under Ange Postecoglou last campaign.

The club have now already racked up seven defeats out of their first 17 league outings, with no doubt two players taking the majority of the blame for Saturday’s defeat.

Spurs’ poor performers against Liverpool

Despite failing to impress against Nottingham Forest last weekend, Frank decided to stick with Xavi Simons from a starting position in the number ten role.

The Dutchman struggled to get into the game early on, only registering one dribble completed, but he certainly announced himself in the contest for all of the wrong reasons.

He was originally booked for a lunge on compatriot Virgil van Dijk, but after a VAR check, the midfielder was sent off for the first time since his £52m move in the summer.

Simons wasn’t alone in failing to deliver, with centre-back Cristian Romero once again being unable to deliver at the heart of the backline alongside Micky van de Ven.

The Argentine was unable to stop Hugo Ekitike from leaping above him to put Slot’s side into a two-goal lead, whilst also failing to win a single tackle in the contest.

Like Simons, he was also handed his marching orders after being adjudged to have kicked out on Ibrahima Konate in the closing stages after already being booked.

The Spurs star who’s becoming more unreliable than Simons & Romero

After winning just one of their last eight Premier League matches to date, there are evidently some key issues that Frank needs to address within the Spurs squad.

The Lilywhites’ only win in such a run came against the manager’s former side Brentford, whilst subsequently suffering a defeat in five of those outings.

It’s evident that something has to give in the next few games, especially given the slump in the table, which has seen the Dane fall below his former employers, whom he left to join the Lilywhites.

One of his biggest issues has been his inability to identify his best starting eleven in the Premier League, which has no doubt cost him in key matches of late.

He’s often started with a two-man midfielder with Simons in the number ten, with Rodrigo Bentancur one of the men usually called upon to start in such a role.

The Uruguayan has now started 13 out of a possible 17 league games this campaign, including a run of four in a row – including the two most recent defeats.

However, despite the faith shown in him by the manager, he’s rapidly becoming an unreliable option, with his constant selection now even becoming a baffling one.

His stats against Liverpool showcase his lack of impact, with the 28-year-old also becoming a bigger issue than the aforementioned duo despite their dismissals.

He featured for the entirety of the clash against the Reds, subsequently losing six of the duels in which he entered – a tally higher than any other player on the pitch.

Rodrigo Bentancur – stats against Liverpool

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

90

Touches

53

Passes completed

80%

Possession lost

10x

Duels lost

6

Fouls committed

2

Dribbled past

1x

Aerials lost

75%

Stats via FotMob

Bentancur also managed to achieve an 80% pass completion rate, but was often wasteful, as seen by his tally of 10 times possession lost – one of the highest of any Spurs player.

Subscribe to our newsletter for deeper Spurs insights Gain sharper Spurs perspective — subscribing to the newsletter unlocks in-depth tactical breakdowns, player-performance analysis and clear context on managerial selection and lineup debates to help you parse results. Subscribe Subscribe to our newsletter for deeper Spurs insights Gain sharper Spurs perspective — subscribing to the newsletter unlocks in-depth tactical breakdowns, player-performance analysis and clear context on managerial selection and lineup debates to help you parse results.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The midfielder was often unable to live with the intensity of the opposition – especially in the second half – resulting in two fouls committed and leading to yet another booking.

His disappointing showing was further showcased in his tally of being dribbled past once, whilst also being dominated in the air and losing 75% of those battles.

As a result of his showing, Bentancur was handed a measly 5/10 match rating by The Express’ Archie Griggs – further reaffirming his dismal performance in North London.

After such a showing, it should now be clear to Frank the Uruguayan is unfortunately not at the level required to achieve success during his tenure at the club.

However, the Dane will need to make huge calls in the future if he is to be a success with the Lilywhites, especially given the recent slump in Premier League form.

Related Frank must now drop 6-pass Spurs flop who had fewer touches than Vicario

Thomas Frank must now drop this Tottenham Hotspur flop who was as bad as Xavi Simons against Liverpool.

Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson

Newcastle have beaten Atromitos 1-0 on Thursday night to progress in the Europa League.

Alan Pardew rested some of his big names for the clash against the Greek minnows, but Haris Vuckic scored the decisive strike to send the Tyneside outfit through to the next round.

The Sports Direct Arena team did suffer an injury blow however, as Ryan Taylor hobbled off after 11 minutes, with Pardew now considering a move in the transfer window to replace the crocked man.

“We took a bit of a risk with our selection. But we did enough,” The Guardian quote Pardew as saying.

“Ryan Taylor’s injury will make me think about whether we need another defender and I am hoping that is not that case and we have a good enough squad.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“The squad has depth and we will need it,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

Xabi Alonso believes his former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard has the ability and technical skill to play for Real Madrid, Barcelona or even for Spain, according to Liverpoolfc.com.

Gerrard made his 600th appearance for Liverpool on Sunday against Newcastle, and played many of those games in a midfield partnership with the Spanish playmaker, who was at Anfield from 2004 to 2009. During that time, the Reds won the Champions League and the F.A. Cup.

Alonso used the landmark occasion to speak for his admiration for the England International on Real Madrid TV.

We are great friends and we still keep in touch,” said the Spaniard.

“He was a great influence to me. When I arrived at Liverpool I was 22 and he was the captain, he was the main man at the club. For me he was a reference, the way he behaved with his teammates and with the supporters as well. I learned a lot from him.

Alonso, aged 30, continued by discussing some of Gerrard’s on-pitch attributes.

“He could play in any national team in the world because he has so many great qualities. He is flexible. He can play at the English pace or he can associate with the ball very well.

“He is a very intelligent player, so he could play anywhere – not just any national team but any club in the world.

The Real Madrid midfielder believes that despite not winning international trophies, the England Captain will go down in history as one of Football’s greatest players.

“He’ll absolutely be remembered as one of the greats. For me he is already one of the greats.

“He has achieved great things and in very important moments he has been the man for Liverpool. We had great European nights and he was the main man. For me he’s a great player.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“Hopefully he will reach 700 games” he added.

[ad_pod id=’tv’ align=’center’]

[post_link url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/liverpool/did-brendan-rodgers-overstep-the-mark-with-his-comments,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/liverpool/liverpool-youngster-eager-to-improve,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/liverpool/liverpool-yet-to-make-move-for-villa-ace,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/liverpool/why-rushing-rodgers-at-liverpool-can-have-long-term-consequences,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/west-ham/what-to-make-of-andy-carroll” target=”_blank” type=”grid”]

The Wolves fans in the Transfer Tavern have been delighted with their club’s activity in the transfer market so far this summer, and recent reports regarding Adama Traore have given them further reason to be optimistic. 

The Breakdown

Nuno Espirito Santo has been busy in the transfer market this summer as he attempts to lay the foundations for a successful survival bid in the Premier League. With the signatures of three strikers and a winger already secured, it seems that Santo is adopting a wise strategy by placing extra emphasis on improving his attacking options.

But despite his initial movements in the market, Santo doesn’t appear to be finished bolstering his forward line just yet if reports in The Sun are anything to go by. According to the report, Wolves and Huddersfield are leading the race to sign Middlesbrough’s promising right-winger Adama Traore this summer.

The Spanish U21 international struggled to impress on his debut season for Middlesbrough as he failed to find the back of the net in 27 appearances and managed to provide just a solitary assist.

However, the Barcelona trainee began to deliver on his promise last season with some eye-catching displays for Middlesbrough during a Championship campaign in which he scored 5 goals and provided 10 assists from 34 appearances – clearly, a huge improvement on his previous effort.

At full flow, Traore (valued at £7.2 million by Transfermarkt) posed an extremely menacing prospect for defenders to deal with last season as he used his blistering pace and ability to either cut inside or run to the byline to devastating effect.

Consistency and decision-making are two qualities which have eluded Traore during his career so far, but his success last season suggests that he has turned a significant corner in his development and could be ready for the step up to the Premier League.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The fact that Traore has only managed to prove himself for one season whilst playing at a level below the Premier League will certainly give Santo cause for concern regarding a potential deal, but if he is willing to adapt his system to suit the 22-year-old and trust in his ability, Wolves could pull off a masterstroke deal by bringing him to Molineux.

Wolves fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

A fine exibition of bowling by medium pacer Koushik Choudhuri with amatch analysis of 8 for 58 helped Assam defeat Tripura by an inningsand 73 runs in an East Zone Cooch Behar Trophy match at thePolytechnic Institute Ground at Agartala.Tripura, who opted to bat on the first day piled up 368 on the board.R Banik (70) was the topscorer in an innings which witnessed some finebatting by Rasudeb Dutta (57) and Rajib Saha (54). In response, theAssam innings folded up in the 50th over with only 97 on the board.The innings saw four Assam batsmen failing to open their accounts.Following on 271 runs behind, Assam in their second innings faredlittle better. Medium pacer, Kousik Choudhuri who picked up 4 for 13in the first innings ran through them for the second time along withTushar Saha (3 for 42). Choudhuri claimed four for 45, taking histally to 8 in the match.

After scoring an unbeaten 88 which secured Bangladesh’s seven-wicket win against South Africa, Soumya Sarkar revealed that he kept trying to pull the short balls since he was confident he had the mindset to take on the visitors’ attack. Soumya said that he was not worried about the consequences, like getting out, but understood the need to prolong his good starts.”I heard from somewhere that they will stop me by bowling bouncers,” Soumya said. “I wanted to play at them, even if I got out. I wanted to get out of that mindset. I planned that no matter how fast they bowl and how much they try to bounce me, I just wanted to take them on.”South Africa’s pace attack bowled eleven deliveries to Soumya that ranged between very short to just short of good length, but the batsman either managed to get on top of the bounce, or threw himself at a pull. He initially got mixed results as many of the balls fell short of the mid-off fielder after he failed to time it.But later in the innings, after Soumya had crossed 60, he cracked a pull emphatically off Kagiso Rabada for four. It was a statement of intent that he later said wanted to deliver to the opposition attack. Soumya added that South Africa hardly gave him breathing space like he received from the Pakistan attack on his way to an unbeaten 127 three months ago. He rated this unbeaten knock higher than the century.”Against South Africa, I have had to make a bad ball as they weren’t giving away. Pakistan were giving at least one bad ball per over. This was a tougher knock. We were chasing a bigger total against Pakistan so we could plan accordingly. Small targets are always hard to chase. We have to change plans quickly. You have to start fresh after quick wickets. I will keep this innings ahead.”In the four innings after his maiden century on April 22, Soumya failed to bat for more than 47 deliveries or 70 minutes. He made 54, 34, 40 and 27, but got out trying to attack further. The BCB president Nazmul Hasan had mentioned the same to him during their meeting on Saturday, but Soumya said he has heard the exact same thing from everyone.”Everyone says the same thing. Even those who are younger than me tell me, ‘Bro, please finish your innings’. I have been getting used to this,” he said. “I didn’t do too many different things to prolong my innings. My target wasn’t to score a 50 or a 100 but to finish the chase. I just wanted to play till the end.”Soumya said that he minimised the risk in his plan to play a longer innings. Bangladesh’s poor start of losing Tamim Iqbal and Litton Das by the fourth over also contributed to his subdued start.”I cut down one or two of my shots thinking that it might bring me a positive result. A big innings always brings relief. I started differently today but that was due to the circumstances. I think I faced just one ball in the first three-four overs. We had lost two wickets by then so I had to think fresh. I had thought earlier that I would play in my own way. But the two wickets changed my plans.”The other factor he feels helped was having Mahmudullah back in the team. Soumya and Mahmudullah added 135 runs for the third wicket that took Bangladesh within four runs of victory. The pair has already added three fifty-plus stands and Soumya said Mahmudullah understands his game the best, which helps them bat well together.”Since the World Cup whenever I see Riyad bhai come to bat, I smile. I do that whenever I see him in the middle. Today I told him everything is fine. But what he tells me, I always take it seriously. He understands my batting very well.”

Chris Rogers is set to be clear to play in the third Test of the Investec Ashes series in Birmingham after scans cleared him of serious damage following his retired hurt on the final morning of the Lord’s Test.On day two of the Test, Rogers was struck on the helmet near the right ear by James Anderson, and two days later had to leave the field as he complained of dizziness while standing at the non-striker’s end.There was considerable concern for Rogers due to a recent history of concussion – he missed both Tests of the West Indies tour after being struck on the helmet by the Dominican net bowler Anderson Burton – and the team doctor Peter Brukner sought independent medical advice in London the day after Australia’s 405-run victory at Lord’s.Rogers did not take the field after his dizzy spell but stayed with the team for their celebrations in the dressing rooms, after levelling the Ashes series at 1-1. Brukner said the signs of Rogers’ progress were promising.”Chris’s condition is certainly improving. He has had scans and seen a specialist since yesterday to help determine the cause of his dizziness,” he said. “The initial scans have cleared him of any serious damage and we await the results of further tests.”It appears the most likely diagnosis is a delayed ear problem related to being struck on day two of the Test match. We are confident that this is something we can manage in the lead up to the third Test at Edgbaston.”As a precaution he’ll be reviewed by the specialist in London again on Wednesday morning before re-joining the touring party. Chris was not scheduled to play in the tour match against Derbyshire, so he has time to continue resting ahead of the Test match.”Having made his highest Test score of 173 and then 49 in the second innings at the time of his retired hurt, Rogers is a central plank of Australia’s batting order in this series, though he has flagged he will most likely retire from international cricket after the Ashes.”He’s important for a period of time,” the coach Darren Lehmann said. “I think he’s made it clear he’s not going to come on the next Ashes tour, although he’d probably like to, as a tour host. He knows these conditions so well, he loves England and he helps our batters out, that’s the most pleasing thing.”He helps our batters and bowlers about conditions here and for example Middlesex and Lord’s, all the angles you’ve got to play with the slope. He knows them so well, he’s a very important part of this tour.”

ScorecardMark Cosgrove gave his side some batting ballast•Getty Images

Captain Mark Cosgrove hit his first home century for Leicestershire as the Foxes passed 300 for the first time in 15 county championship innings.The Australian hit 15 fours and a six in going to his hundred off 114 deliveries before edging the following delivery, from Mark Footitt, to first slip, where opposite number Wayne Madsen held the catch.Earlier Madsen had been left unbeaten on 172, made from 292 balls, after Derbyshire lost their two remaining first innings wickets in adding 25 runs to their overnight score of 320-8.Footitt registered a first class career best with the bat, scoring 31 before losing his middle stump to Charlie Shreck, and when last man Ben Cotton was bowled by Clint McKay for 1, it left captain Madsen unbeaten.When Leicestershire began their response, opener Angus Robson scored a quick-fire unbeaten half-century, a badly needed effort by the Foxes after losing Robson’s fellow opener Lewis Hill, caught at second slip by Wes Durston off the bowling of Mark Foottit for 5, and then Ned Eckersley, run out without scoring at the non-striker’s end after being sent back by Robson, to leave them wobbling on 15-2.Robson was dismissed by Footitt in the second over after lunch, going back to a rising delivery from Footitt and edging to wicket-keeper Harvey Hosein.The home team then lost Aadil Ali, leg before on the back foot to Tony Palladino for 10, but Cosgrove and Niall O’Brien compiled a partnership of 97 for the fifth wicket before Cosgrove’s dismissal.Soon afterwards, however, Madsen took Footitt out of the attack after the left-armer received a second official warning for running on to the pitch in his follow through. He returned after tea from the opposite end, picking up the wicket of Ben Raine caught at square leg after being hit painfully by the previous delivery.Palladino, in an outstanding spell after tea, had already bowled Andrea Agathangelou, and when Niall O’Brien edged Shiv Thakor to Hosein for 60, Leicestershire were again in danger of being dismissed for less than 300.But Rob Sayer, on his first class debut, and Clint McKay, steered the Foxes to a rare third batting bonus point.

ScorecardAxar Patel equalled his highest first-class score of 69•PTI

Axar Patel’s unbeaten half-century helped India A stretch their lead past 150 in the second unofficial Test against South Africa in Wayanad where only 22 overs were possible on the third day because of rain.Resuming on 342 for 6, the hosts lost Ankush Bains in the third over of the day. Bains, who added only a run to his overnight score of 34, was dismissed by seamer Hardus Viljoen. India A were dealt another blow an over later when offspinner Dane Piedt bowled Jayant Yadav to register his 12th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.At 348 for 8, the visitors must have fancied restricting India A’s lead to under 100 runs, but Axar and Karn Sharma had other ideas. They put on an unbroken partnership of 69 runs even as Axar, who went to stumps on 69 off 93 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes, completed his fifth first-class half-century and equalled his highest score. Karn was unbeaten on 19.

WICB unable to settle BCCI’s financial claim

The working committee was informed that the West Indies Cricket Board was in no position to settle the US$42 million claim for aborting their series in India last year. Instead, the WICB has expressed the desire to make up for the losses by playing a full series in India in 2017.
The series in October last year was called off by the West Indies players halfway through due to their payment dispute with the WICB. It resulted in BCCI roping in Sri Lanka to fill in for the lost games and then claiming a hefty sum from the WICB.

The BCCI has decided to share with its state units the money recovered from the settlement with broadcaster of the Champions League T20 for scrapping its deal with the board. This means each of the BCCI’s state units will earn a little over Rs 30 crore (US$ 4.6 million approx) from the Indian board for the financial year 2014-15.According to the annual accounts report that the working committee passed in Mumbai on Sunday, the BCCI recovered Rs 617 crore from Star India Pvt Ltd for scrapping the CLT20 broadcast deal. It was decided that half of the amount, Rs 308.5 crore, will be distributed equally among the 25 state units that receive annual benefits from the BCCI; the BCCI has 30 full members but Services, Railways, All India Universities, Cricket Club of India and National Cricket Club do not enjoy an annual grant.So, each of the eligible members will earn Rs 12.34 crore out of the settlement, in addition to their share from the BCCI’s broadcast deals for international cricket in India and the IPL.The working committee was briefed that each member will get approximately Rs 9 crore out of the earnings on the broadcast deal for international cricket in India, and Rs 9 crore each from the IPL. The BCCI annually distributes 70% of its income through these two broadcast deals to its eligible members.With India playing very little cricket at home over the last two years, the revenues have been hit. The share of the state associations is likely to double in the coming year, though, with India involved in multiple series at home.