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‘I had a lot of regrets about that,’ he says while looking back at his first-innings dismissal

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Nov-20191:46

Missed the chance to put up a good first innings total – Azhar Ali

Regret from an uncharacteristically careless early swipe in the first innings led Babar Azam to a second Test hundred, cementing his growing reputation among the world’s foremost all-format batsman. Azam’s hundred, alongside Mohammad Rizwan’s 95, provided some resistance on the fourth day at the Gabba, though ultimately not nearly enough to prevent an innings defeat, and a 13th straight loss in Australia.Azam drove expansively at a wide delivery from Josh Hazlewood just four balls into his innings on the first day, part of a post-lunch collapse that wasted a sound start and eventually saw Pakistan fall to a distinctly underwhelming 240 all out. That dismissal was not only out of sync with his white-ball prowess but also a burgeoning body of Test performances.So good has his white-ball game been that it sometimes overlooks his steady rise in Tests. Since the start of 2018, he is Pakistan’s leading scorer in the format. An overall Test average of 36.21 masks that surge: he is averaging 50.88 since 2018 and has seen his Test average rise from less than 24 at that point. No Pakistani batsman has more than his nine 50-plus scores in that run, which includes two hundreds, a 99 (also against Australia, last season) and an electric battle or two with Dale Steyn.He came to these shores as Pakistan’s T20I captain and runs in the three-match series as well as in the warm-up games meant expectations going into Brisbane were high. No less an authority than Ricky Ponting had identified him as the one batsmen he wanted to watch this series.”There was no pressure [around the hype],” Azam said. “That is my shot [the drive he edged first up] but I went and played it too early, which I shouldn’t have done. I had a lot of regrets about that. So I practiced a lot on leaving balls that are slightly wide, and I applied it to my second innings. I went and took an unnecessary chance early on in my first innings and I shouldn’t have done that.”The discipline second time around was notable, not least in surviving a testing early spell from Hazlewood, who has dismissed him five times so far in Tests. But for much of the rest of it, he moved unperturbed to a second hundred, an innings stuffed full of not only the off-side whips and drives on which he has built his reputation but also an accomplished technical base.”I focussed a lot on my concentration, especially after I reach 50,” Azam said. “I want to look at how I can make it a big knock. So I try to maintain the same focus for the second 50 as I do for the first. I didn’t work separately with anyone. Test cricket teaches you all this. When I was failing to convert [earlier in his career], I sat and analysed why I am flopping. I just changed my mind-set and have given 200% on my concentration.”Inevitably and understandably given he is Pakistan’s best batsman, there will be discussion at some point about Azam moving up the order. He has moved up and down, beginning his Test career at No. 4, moving up one spot immediately before eventually moving down the order to where he is now: mostly at No. 5, with occasional forays at six. His highest average is from six – nearly 45 – but he won’t stay down there long.”When I started Test cricket I had no number since Younis and Misbah were still around,” Azam said. “At times I would also bat five or six. I batted No. 3 when I came to Australia last and then went off to No. 4. It’s not like they didn’t give me a number. It was based on the team’s requirement and the plan. I don’t ask for a number to bat at. My job is to perform regardless of where I bat.”Not that there is much of a sample yet to pick from but Azam did agree his hundred here was his best – or, more accurately, the better of his two Test hundreds thus far. “You can say that (it was my best). Scoring runs in Australia is very difficult. They play very well and bowl really well in their home conditions. To perform against them you get extra confidence, which I’ve got from scoring this hundred.”

A recurring back issue means the fast-bowling allrounder will need more time before he reaches top fitness

Mohammad Isam24-Oct-2019Bangladesh allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin’s back injury has ruled him out of next month’s T20I series in India. According to the BCB, multiple scans have suggested that the player’s recovery will take more time, and he will continue with his rehab for now.Team physio Julian Calefato said that Saifuddin would have more time to strengthen his body by taking the break.”Due to a recurring back injury, Saif will be rested from the India tour this year, giving him an opportunity to consolidate his recovery over a longer period of time,” Calefato said. “He now will also have the opportunity to spend more time strengthening his body and his situation will be reviewed by the medical team again in the upcoming weeks for further updates.”Saifuddin had recently said that he was keen to bear the pain to play in the T20I series against India. Bangladesh are yet to name his replacement.Bangladesh squad for T20I series: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Naim, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Aminul Islam, Arafat Sunny, Al-Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam

Derbyshire recovered from 95 for 7 but could still only muster 200 as Ryan Higgins and Josh Shaw shared eight wickets

ECB Reporters Network18-Aug-2019

Ryan Higgins in action•Getty Images

A five wicket haul from Ryan Higgins gave promotion contenders Gloucestershire the edge on the opening day of the match against Derbyshire at Derby. Higgins bowled superbly to take 5 for 54 from 22 overs as Derbyshire were bowled out for 200 with Josh Shaw finishing with 3 for 50.Alex Hughes top scored with 39 on his return to the Championship side but Gloucestershire’s batsmen also struggled in bowler-friendly conditions as they closed on 46 for 2.Gloucestershire’s decision to make first use of a grassy pitch brought immediate rewards as Derbyshire lost both openers with only 5 on the board. David Payne found bounce and movement to have Billy Godleman caught behind without scoring before Higgins began his impressive pre-lunch shift by finding Luis Reece’s outside edge.Higgins was rewarded for maintaining a full length and repeatedly making the batsmen play to leave the field with outstanding figures of 3 for 13 from nine overs, six of them maidens. Wayne Madsen, who came into the match averaging nearly 50 against Gloucestershire, was bowled by one that swung in late to knock out middle stump and a similar ball trapped Tom Lace in front two overs before the interval.In between, Leus du Plooy had edged a loose drive at Shaw to second slip and Gloucestershire’s domination continued after lunch as Harvey Hosein edged Higgins to first slip. When Matt Critchley was struck in front by Ben Allison making his first-class debut on loan from Essex, Derbyshire were 95 for 7 but Hughes and the lower order carried the home side to an unlikely batting point.Hughes faced 138 balls and batted for nearly three hours until he was beaten by another full length ball from Higgins that moved late to end a stand of 55 in 16 overs with Fynn Hudson-Prentice.Shaw tempted Hudson-Prentice into fishing at a wide one but some muscular blows from Logan van Beek, including a straight six off Payne, frustrated Gloucestershire until a smart slip catch removed Ravi Rampaul.The visitors had 19 overs to negotiate and after beating the bat several times, Reece had James Bracey caught behind for 5 in the 12th. Rampaul then struck in the next over when Gareth Roderick could only edge a ball that left him late low to third slip where Critchley took a smart catch.

يواصل البلجيكي تيبو كورتوا حارس مرمى ريال مدريد الإسباني، عملية تعافيه، بعد الإصابة التي لحقت به مؤخرًا.

كورتوا يعاني من إصابة في العضلة الضامة من الساق اليسرى، تعرض لها إثر مشاركته في الديربي أمام أتلتيكو مدريد.

وبحسب ما ذكرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، يحرز كورتوا تقدمًا إيجابيًا في عملية تعافيه، وهو ما يعد خبرًا مشجعًا لـ ريال مدريد، الذي يعاني من تعدد الإصابات.

ويستعد رجال كارلو أنشيلوتي لمواجهات هامة بعد التوقف الدولي، بمواجهة بوروسيا دورتموند في دوري أبطال أوروبا ويلعبون على صدارة الدوري الإسباني ضد برشلونة.

اقرأ أيضًا | ليس فينيسيوس.. خوسيلو يرشح لاعب ريال مدريد للفوز بالكرة الذهبية

وبحسب ما ذكر التقرير، كورتوا أجرى أعمال محددة خلال مرحلة تعافيه، وداس على العشب لأول مرة واختبر نفسه بعد إصابته.

وستكون المباريات المقبلة لريال مدريد أمام سيلتا فيجو ودورتموند وبرشلونة حاسمة، ويأمل أنشيلوتي أن يتمكن من الاعتماد على كورتوا.

وعلى الرغم من أن الجميع يريد عودة كورتوا، إلا أن الجهاز الفني ليس في عجلة من أمره وسيعطي الأولوية للتعافي الكامل لحارس المرمى، مما يترك الباب مفتوحًا أمام إمكانية استمرار لونين مركز حراسة المرمى.

ESPNcricinfo understands that projected costs of temporary stadium seating and broadcast facilities at three venues in three countries were a key factor

Peter Della Penna14-Aug-2019The inaugural season of the Euro T20 Slam has been cancelled, just two weeks before the tournament had been scheduled to start.Speculation had been rampant of late that the tournament could be cancelled and that turned into reality on Wednesday evening as tournament organisers, led by Gurmeet Singh’s Bombay Sports Limited and Woods Entertainment, the same group in charge of the Global T20 Canada, had run into increasing financial difficulties in recent weeks.A player protest at the Global T20 Canada occurred on August 7 over unpaid wages, bringing the organisers under intense pressure. Sources have also stated that some player salaries and Player-of-the-Match award prize payments as well as vendors and event contractors from the 2018 edition of the tournament have still gone unpaid.On the back of the Global T20 Canada final on Sunday, financial and logistical issues continued to mount for the Euro T20 Slam leading to an emergency board meeting on August 13 between organisers and the sponsoring member boards of Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland and the KNCB of the Netherlands to address concerns held by the three host boards. Multiple sources confirmed to ESPNcricinfo on August 14 that the projected logistical-cost overruns of having to build temporary stadium seating and broadcast facilities at three venues in three countries were a key factor in the tournament being scrapped.The tournament’s organisers released a statement saying that “the board of the Euro T20 Slam, funding partners and franchise owners of this exciting new T20 tournament have reluctantly come to the decision that staging of the event will not be possible in 2019”, but did not expand upon the specifics behind the decision. The league tweeted a later statement citing “unforeseen circumstances”.Various marquee players had been drafted to play in the league, including Rashid Khan, Eoin Morgan, Dale Steyn, Babar Azam and Faf du Plessis. According to multiple sources, players from the three host nations were told as early as Tuesday that the tournament was likely to be cancelled, as well as event vendors including television production staff. But it is understood that most overseas players had been unaware of the tournament’s cancellation before the statement was issued.Hours earlier, both Peter Trego and Ben Cutting – who had been signed by the Rotterdam and Amsterdam franchises respectively – had tweeted about preparations for the tournament. The Euro T20 Slam’s official account tweeted only six hours before the cancellation was confirmed that Ross Taylor had signed as a replacement player.The dates for the Euro T20 Slam had been in direct competition with the Caribbean Premier League, with the latter due to start on September 4. Many marquee players who were CPL representatives in the past several years – including Rashid Khan, Shane Watson, Imran Tahir, Martin Guptill, Chris Lynn and Luke Ronchi – and who had submitted their names for both the CPL and Euro T20 Slam drafts this year, eventually opted to withdraw from CPL consideration to commit to the Euro T20 Slam.Warren Deutrom, the chief executive of Cricket Ireland, said the board was “deeply disappointed”.”However, we fully empathise with the rationale that has led to the tournament’s postponement,” Deutrom said. “The excitement and energy that the Euro T20 Slam had generated since it was announced has demonstrated a high level of interest amongst the Irish public in seeing world-class cricket hosted here in Ireland. We hope that the interest will carry on until 2020 when the Slam will finally get underway.”We will continue to engage with the event organisers to ensure all commitments are met to their fullest extent, including any receivables owing to Cricket Ireland itself. We will additionally be seeking increased comfort that the organisers will be able to avoid a repeat of this year’s challenges in future editions.”Malcolm Cannon, the chief executive of Cricket Scotland, said: “While this was a very difficult decision to make at this late stage, we believe that it is the right one and one which leaves us with a great opportunity to launch the Euro T20 Slam next year with its deserved noise level.”Betty Timmer, chair of the KNCB, said: “It is extremely disappointing that the Euro T20 Slam is not going ahead in 2019. With the scheduled opening games only two weeks away the KNCB was looking forward to this exciting new event that would have brought cricket much closer to the Dutch fans.”

Manchester United are reportedly looking to revamp their defence at the end of the season and have identified a Bundesliga giant as one of their targets…

Manchester United's search for a new centre-back

According to ESPN, the Red Devils have placed Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt as one of three players they could look to sign in the summer.

The report claims that Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and Nice's Jean-Claire Todibo are also on the list as the club eyes up a possible move for one, or multiple, of them.

Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are both out of contract at the end of the season and the outlet reports that they would be open to cashing in on Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof if 'significant' offers come in for them.

Erik ten Hag could secure a big upgrade on Maguire as he eyes a swoop to sign de Ligt from Bayern ahead of the 2023/24 campaign to bolster his defence.

Maguire's form over the past 365 days

The England international has not been able to establish himself as a regular starter over a prolonged period of time at United since the start of last season.

He only started eight matches in the Premier League throughout the 2022/23 campaign and is currently on nine starts in the top-flight this term.

Appearances

11

Pass accuracy

83%

Tackles per game

0.9

Interceptions per game

1.1

Ground duel success rate

43%

Over the last 365 days, Maguire has averaged 2.32 tackles and interceptions combined and 3.96 aerial battles won per 90 respectively for the club.

The right-footed machine is a stopper, first and foremost, but does also rank within the top 35% of centre-backs in the Men's Top Five Leagues and European competitions for progressive passes (3.80) per 90 in that time, albeit that comes with a pass success rate of 83.3% and that places him in the bottom 35% of his positional peers.

The stats that show why de Ligt could be an upgrade on Maguire

Ten Hag could sign an upgrade on Maguire in a swoop to snap up de Ligt, who is a right-footed stopper – like the English titan – with more quality in possession.

The £265k-per-week colossus has averaged 1.98 tackles and interceptions combined and 3.48 aerial battles won per 90 respectively over the last 365 days of action for Bayern.

This suggests that the Netherlands international, who has won 58% of his ground duels in the Bundesliga this season, offers a similar level of quality to Maguire when it comes to cutting out opposition attacks and dominating forwards in the air.

De Ligt, who was once hailed by the late Mino Raiola as an "oil tanker" who cannot be stopped, would be an upgrade on the former Leicester when it comes to progressing the play with the ball, though.

The 24-year-old titan has averaged an impressive 5.55 progressive passes per 90 and ranks within the top 8% of his positional peers across the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days.

He also ranks within the top 8% for pass success rate at 91.3% for the German champions, which shows that the talented enforcer is incredibly efficient in possession.

Therefore, de Ligt could offer far more than Maguire on the ball as he is able to progress play with his passes more frequently despite enjoying a significantly better success rate.

This could improve United's build-up play by allowing them to play out from the back more effectively to find the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, among others, in dangerous positions rather than losing the ball through poor passing.

A top off-field target for Manchester United is now thought to be keen on an Old Trafford move, according to a new report.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans at Man Utd

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to buy 25% of the club and take control of footballing operations of the Red Devils, and it looks as if he could make sweeping changes when he arrives following the £1.3bn deal. He has already decided to fire chief executive Richard Arnold, whereas director of football John Murtough could be the next Old Trafford casualty.

It has recently been reported that Murtough is holding meetings over potential January transfers for United, however, he could be given a new role by Ratcliffe and INEOS when their investment is ratified, which could be after the winter window. (The Daily Mail)

Fabrizio Romano shares agreement to axe Man Utd player unhappy with Ten Hag

A January deal has already been rubber stamped.

By
David Comerford

Dec 21, 2023

As a result, a new director of football is seemingly on the agenda for Ratcliffe and co, with Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth emerging as a top target for the position.

Recent rumours claimed that those at St James’ Park are braced for an approach from Man Utd for Ashworth and have already been looking at possible replacements, which include Bournemouth recruitment expert Richard Hughes. Now, a further update has emerged regarding the Red Devils and Ratcliffe in what is a boost for Ratcliffe.

Dan Ashworth keen on Man Utd move

According to Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey, new top target Ashworth is now “very keen” on taking the role at Old Trafford, with Man Utd holding behind-the-scenes talks over a possible deal.

The 52-year-old is attracted by the proposition so could end up leaving Newcastle, which he joined back in May 2022 after departing Brighton & Hove Albion.

It looks as if a move to Manchester for Ashworth could materialise, and should that happen, it may come as welcome news to Gary Neville. The Red Devils legend took to X earlier this season to share an interaction he had with Ashworth prior to the Magpies’ 3-0 win at Old Trafford in the EFL Cup.

“On my way up to the gantry last night, I bumped into Dan Ashworth. He transformed the FA’s structure, set Brighton up for this incredible period of success and has now built a strong foundation for the new owners at Newcastle. He’s competent, highly qualified and knows what he’s doing.

“Will work with his coach, recruitment team and other departments coherently and calmly. In the last two matches, Manchester United have played two clubs that have installed proper football departments to support the team on the pitch and off it. The complete opposite of United. We haven’t got a sporting director! I used to travel up to Newcastle and feel sorry for their great fans when the energy and enthusiasm had been sapped from them under Mike Ashley. It was painful to see.

“Last night, we saw the Theatre of Dreams turn into the Theatre of Nothing. Every single United fan bored and flat. On the pitch, the players in shock, the performances woeful and a manager struggling in front of our eyes. We’ve seen it before, we know how it ends and we’ve had enough.”

It looks like a deal will be one to watch in the new year, and at this moment in time, all the signs are looking positive.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com um grupo formado por jovens formados no Ninho do Urubu, em sua maioria, o Flamengo inicia a disputa do Campeonato Carioca nesta terça-feira, contra o Nova Iguaçu, às 21h35 no Maracanã. Após o treino desta tarde, o técnico Maurício Souza definiu os 23 jogadores relacionados para a partida.

Os atletas relacionados são os seguintes: Bruno, Gabriel Batista e Matheus Cunha(goleiros), Milani, Natan, Noga e Otavio (zagueiros), Ramon, Ítalo, Luan, Luis Gustavo e Matheuzinho (laterais), Daniel Cabral, João Gomes, Lucas André (volantes), Lázaro, Max e Yuri (meias), Gabriel Barros, Weverton, Mateus Lima, Thiaguinho, Rodrigo Muniz (atacantes).

RelacionadasFlamengoHugo Moura se reapresenta ao Flamengo com antecedênciaFlamengo01/03/2021FlamengoOlho neles: conheça oito promessas do Flamengo que podem chamar atenção no início do CariocaFlamengo01/03/2021FlamengoCom novo uniforme, Flamengo se reapresenta para treino na véspera da estreia no CariocaFlamengo01/03/2021

Confira os relacionados para a partida contra o Nova Iguaçu pelo Campeonato Carioca 2021. #CRF pic.twitter.com/eDqpAWZ8qA

— Flamengo (@Flamengo) March 1, 2021

Arsenal are once again looking like the team most likely to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title this season, even more so after Declan Rice's last-second header secured them a memorable comeback win over Luton Town during the week.

That win means that the Gunners go into this weekend atop the table, and they will do so while many still argue that they haven't looked anywhere near their best.

Mikel Arteta has created one of the best defensive units in the country, which has seen them move up the table, yet they have struggled to score quite as freely as they did this time last year.

However, with news that they could be set to repeat what they did with Rice and sign another team's best player in 2024, that problem could also be solved.

The player in question has been playing in a remarkably similar way to former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and is said to be an Arsenal fan himself: Ollie Watkins.

Arsenal transfer news – Ollie Watkins

According to the Daily Mail, Ollie Watkins is a name being considered by Arteta and the board as they look to add more quality to a team desperate to end their two-decade title drought.

However, it won't be an easy deal to complete. It will likely cost the north Londoners an arm and a leg, with journalist Neil Moxley telling GIVEMESPORT: "I think you're going to be talking £75million-plus, if not a bit more because Villa would want to be able to source a replacement."

While the former Exeter City man would be an undeniably expensive acquisition at that price point, Arsenal have already shown that they are willing to spend big on the right players, smashing records to sign Rice from West Ham United in the summer for a fee of £105m.

Additionally, the "unstoppable" forward, as described by Jamie Carragher, has been in electric form this season and has even started to put in performances not too dissimilar to Aubameyang, who, as things go, isn't a bad striker to emulate.

Ollie Watkins could be Arsenal's new Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Now, as outstanding as Aubameyang was for most of his time in red and white, it's impossible to ignore how poor he was towards the end of his spell in north London and how he fared at Chelsea after that.

However, since moving to Marseille in the summer, he has started to show glimpses of the greatness Arsenal fans were so used to seeing.

He has scored ten goals and provided three assists in just 16 starts for the French side in all competitions this year, and according to FBref, he is the sixth most similar player to Watkins in Europe's top five leagues.

Number

Player

Team

1

Alvaro Morata

Atletico Madrid

2

Erling Haaland

Manchester City

3

Sebastien Haller

Borussia Dortmund

4

Dominic Solanke

Bournemouth

5

Terem Moffi

OGC Nice

6

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Marseille

Some of the other impressive names on that list include Erling Haaland, Alvaro Morata and Sebastian Haller, who are all strikers who have been delivering for their side over the last season or so.

A notable likeness that both Watkins and Aubameyang share is their ability to also link play and offer a creative spark when leading the line, with the Villa man ranking in the top 7% for assists per 90 among his European peers, while the ex-Gunners skipper is only just behind as he ranks in the top 19% in that regard.

Watkins has reached another level this year, scoring a seriously impressive eight goals and providing six assists in just 15 league appearances, and there is no reason why those numbers couldn't improve further with players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard around him.

At the end of the day, Arsenal require a more clinical striker if they are to win the league. While the fee might be hard to stomach, the 'sensational' Watkins, as described by BBC pundit Garth Crooks, has proven himself in England's top flight, and if he even gets close to Aubameyang's 113 goal involvements for the club, he will be worth whatever they pay for him.

Wolverhampton Wanderers lost to Fulham in their most recent Premier League outing and their inconsistency could soon start to become a real problem.

Gary O’Neil is doing a fine job at the Old Gold, but if they could string a few successive wins together, it could give them hope of securing a top-half finish in the table.

With the January transfer window fast approaching, the former Bournemouth manager may seek to bolster his side, and they have been linked with a player who currently finds himself out of favour at his current club – Aaron Ramsdale.

Wolves transfer news – Aaron Ramsdale

According to a report from the Daily Star last week, the Molineux outfit are reportedly looking to sign the Arsenal goalkeeper on a loan deal with an obligation to buy in January.

This comes following news that their current number one, Jose Sa, is being tracked by clubs in Saudi Arabia and O’Neil has placed a price tag of £35m on his head, although it remains to be seen whether this deters potential suitors.

Might a change in goal freshen things up, however?

Why Aaron Ramsdale would be better for Wolves than Jose Sa

The Portuguese ‘keeper has been a dependable option between the posts for the Old Gold since joining, yet last season, he conceded 57 goals across 39 matches while keeping only 12 clean sheets in the process.

During the current campaign, Sa has kept only one clean sheet in the Premier League thus far, and he has drawn criticism in recent months, with Talking Wolves presenter Tom Parker one of the most vocal critics.

He said: “Jose Sa's distribution is the worst I've seen from a Premier League goalkeeper. Constant liability. Desperately need a new goalkeeper.”

Ramsdale has found himself out of the first-team picture at the Emirates since David Raya arrived from Brentford on a season-long loan.

Arsenal have colossal goalkeeper out on loan who could soon replace Ramsdale

Ramsdale could fall even further down the Arsenal pecking order with this young star adding even more potential competition in goal when he returns.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 27, 2023

He has made just eight appearances in all competitions, conceding eight goals in the process, and his confidence appears to have gone, which is surprising considering how good the £120k-per-week titan was during the 2022/23 season.

The Englishman conceded 1.1 goals per game in the top flight, made 2.5 saves per game (a success rate of 69%) along with succeeding with 100% of his run-outs per game (0.4) and keeping 14 clean sheets.

In comparison, Sa conceded 1.5 goals per game in the Premier League, made three saves per game (a success rate of 66%) while succeeding with 87% of his run out attempts (0.4 per game) and keeping 11 clean sheets.

There isn’t too much between the two ‘keepers, yet Ramsdale is five years younger than Sa and with interest from the Middle East sure to ramp up in the coming weeks, O’Neil may be tempted to cash in on the 30-year-old in January.

In Ramsdale, he would be signing a player who just needs some confidence shown in him in order to perform at his very best, with the 6 foot 5 gem certainly be an upgrade on Sa – hency why Wolves must act swiftly to secure his signature.