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Former Tasmanian Tigers Coach, Greg Shipperd was today named as the new High Performance Coordinator / Assistant Coach of the Victorian Bushrangers.

Victorian Cricket Association03-Jun-2002Former Tasmanian Tigers Coach, Greg Shipperd was today named as the new High Performance Coordinator / Assistant Coach of the Victorian Bushrangers.Shipperd, who had coached Tasmania since the 1991/92 season, was delighted with his appointment. "I see the move as a new and exciting challenge for not only myself, but my family. I’m really looking forward to working closely with David Hookes and the players to ensure the Bushrangers are a respected and successful team within Australian cricket".Victorian Cricket Association (VCA) Chief Executive Officer, Ken Jacobs said the appointment was a positive one for Victorian cricket. "The VCA is extremely fortunate to now have a person with the experience and skills of Greg Shipperd within our structure. His legacy on Tasmanian cricket is well respected and he will have a major influence not only on the Bushrangers, but all our elite cricket programs".Shipperd 45, played 112 first-class matches for his native Western Australia and Tasmania in a career spanning 15 seasons, also touring South Africa with the rebel Australian sides between 1985-87. He will commence employment at the VCA on Monday, June 17, 2002.

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been showing the love for CEO Christian Purslow following his interview with the club’s official media channel, with one supporter hailing the 57 year-old as a ‘massive coup for our club’.

Villa ended their 2020/21 campaign with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Villa Park, in what was the first time fans were present since February 2020.

Dean Smith’s side ended the season in 11th place on 55 points, 20 points more than their 2019/20 tally.

The club had more success just 24 hours on, after winning the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 2002 with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool, also at Villa Park in front of supporters.

Purslow sat down to give his thoughts on the club’s season, the return of fans and Villa’s youth system, with the clip available to view here.

Villa fans react

The club shared the three-minute clip with Purslow on their official Twitter page on Wednesday afternoon. These fans were full of praise for the Villa Park chief, with one describing the interview as ‘positive’.

“I am so happy this bloke runs our club”Credit: @joegodwin_”Purslow was a massive coup for our club”Credit: @MerseMagic”A fascinating interview, very positive, it seems that Villa have now switched their focus to quality over quantity in this transfer window, if that is the case I think Villa are aiming much higher than the players already linked. UTV.”Credit: @1966wall”Highly promising words spoken from are amazing CEO , Its gonna be a summer of a small number of signings but not necessarily a reduction in spends 2-3 top quality additions to strengthen the first 11 and build depth quality over quantity highly optimistic for the new season UTV”Credit: @TheKyzer007″what a guy”Credit: @catrinedwards18″He’s a fantastic CEO, a key part of the overall recent success at Villa.”Credit: @lbaddhan

In other news: Many AVFC fans buzz at Emiliano Buendia latest, find out more here. 

Paul Robinson has urged Glasgow Rangers to make a move for Middlesbrough’s Djed Spence this summer.

The Lowdown: Gers linked with Spence

The Gers have been linked with a move for Spence, with Boro believed to be looking for a fee of at least £5m for the right back (ESPN).

The Ibrox outfit have already made their first summer signing by bringing in Fashion Sakala on a free transfer from Oostende (rangers.co.uk).

The Latest: Robinson urges move

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson believes that Spence would be a great signing for Steven Gerrard’s Scottish champions. The former England goalkeeper said:

“Spence has done well this season.

“It’s always great to have versatile players in your squad and Spence is certainly one of those.

“He’s a great age and has a lot of experience already for someone so young. I think he’d be a great signing for Rangers.

“I’m sure he’d be interested if offered the chance to work with Steven Gerrard. They’re building something special up there.”

The Verdict: Not really needed

With 38 appearances in the Championship to his name this season spread across four positions (Transfermarkt), Spence has been a reliable presence for Middlesbrough and, at the age of 20, he still has plenty of years left ahead of him in football. However, right-back is one of the positions where Rangers are strongest.

First-choice James Tavernier is club captain and has provided more goals and assists than any of his team-mates this season. Nathan Patterson, meanwhile, has managed two goals himself and, at just 19 years of age, has a very bright future ahead of him.

Quite frankly, it would be a waste for Rangers to part with more than £5m for a player in Spence who they do not really need, despite Robinson’s endorsement.

In other news, this ex-Rangers man expresses his delighted after leaving Ibrox.

Abdul Shakeel09-Jun-2001

As a man who has already picked up a Championship winners medal, Alan Mullally can see all the signs of something similar for the forthcoming season with Hampshire.

Richard Isaacs12-Apr-2002As a man who has already picked up a Championship winners medal, Alan Mullally can see all the signs of something similar for the forthcoming season with Hampshire.In fact, the left-arm paceman can see even more in the attitude side of the squad than he witnessed as a part of the Leicestershire squad that were crowned champions in 1996 and 1998.Having lost 6kg working out `back home’ in Perth, a change of diet and approach has tuned Mullally in for an exciting season. And he believes Hampshire are ripe for a challenge for the Championship.”I think man-for-man, we are as talented as the team I played for previously that won the Championship. Some of our players are better, some are just as good. But the difference is in the state of mind – the positive attitude, the work ethic in the gym, that kind of thing.”These sorts of things have to become a habit. Once we start training and performing in those ways, the sky is the limit.”The squad have been under the scrutinising eye of some sports psychology advisors, who have been working with the team in their pre-season preparation. Mullally feels this has been a great benefit and the effects are starting to show through.”We are moving forward with these people. This is one aspect of our game where we can improve. That is a part, and with a new physio in Patrick Farhart, who is superb and is showing, especially the bowlers, an aspect of fitness I certainly never knew existed for bowling.”It is going to be a great season. Signing John Crawley and Nic Pothas, both international players and proven winners, will add a positive aspect to our squad. It will also take a lot of pressure off the other guys, like `The Judge’, so he will feel there is a lot of weight off his shoulders.”Hopefully he can not just go out and bat, without the added pressure around him.”To see the lads back here looking fitter and stronger and ready for action is excellent. Alex Morris has lost a lot of weight and seems extremely fit while many of the other boys have been out in Australia and South Africa for the winter, working on their games and fitness.”There will be healthy competition for places, which is healthy for the club and healthy for each player. It is going to be great when we win the Championship!” he boldly predicts.Which left one underlying question – what about Alan Mullally 2002? “Obviously I want to keep doing what I have done for Hampshire. I think I have done quite well bowling wise and I want to maintain that.”But I also want to get back into the England set-up, especially with the World Cup less than a year away. I believe one-day cricket is my forte in international colours and I am looking forward to being a part of that.””It promises to be a great year. With the new facilities off the field, all we want to do is match those with a great season on it.”

Liverpool are reportedly battling with Chelsea to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho, ahead of a potential summer move.

The Reds are expected to make additions in the next transfer window following a hugely disappointing season at Anfield.

While a new centre-back could be the most pressing area to address after an injury-blighted campaign in that regard, bringing in another attacker also makes sense given their struggles in the final third in 2020/21, especially those of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

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Liverpool linked with Sancho move once again

Sancho has been linked with Liverpool numerous times in the past and it is a rumour which doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon.

According to Bild [via Sport Witness], the Reds and Chelsea are set to lock horns over the signing of the 21-year-old, who is described in the the report as a ‘superstar of the decade’.

Dortmund are believed to be willing to sell Sancho this summer, possibly at a discounted price after the financial impact the pandemic has had in the past 12 months.

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Transfer Tavern take

Sancho hasn’t had his most productive season, only scoring six times in the Bundesliga and not being a guaranteed a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad, but he is a player of immense quality.

At 21, he has already achieved so much – clocking 46 goals and 62 assists in 133 games for Dortmund – but he has years ahead of him to mature further and become one of the world’s most devastating wide players.

Liverpool have to find long-term replacements for Mohamed Salah and Mane eventually – if Diogo Jota is one, Sancho could well be the other, given his pace, trickery, work ethic and end product.

In other news, Liverpool have reportedly reignited their interest in one player – find out who it is here.

Ozan Kabak looks increasingly likely to miss Liverpool’s crucial Premier League clash with Manchester United, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Liverpool’s centre-back issues continue

The Reds have suffered a season to forget, failing to defend their league title and potentially also missing out on a top four finish.

Arguably the biggest reason for Liverpool’s struggles has been lengthy injuries to centre-backs, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip already missing for many months.

On top of that, Kabak and Ben Davies, the Reds’ two defensive signings in the January transfer window, missed Saturday’s 2-0 win at home to Southampton.

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The Latest: Kabak likely to miss Man United clash

Writing on Monday, Pearce admitted that Kabak was ‘highly unlikely’ to be fit for Thursday’s trip to Old Trafford, which could be pivotal in the race for Champions League football for the visitors.

A ‘muscle problem’ is keeping the 21-year-old on the sidelines at a crucial point in the season, only adding to Liverpool’s woes. The injury comes at an inopportune time for Kabak and the Reds, with the 21-year-old giving a strong performance against Newcastle recently as he continues growing into his role at Anfield.

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The Verdict: Fabinho back in defence?

Pearce mentioned that Kabak’s absence could mean that Fabinho reverts to the centre-back role in which he has played in 21 times this season, according to WhoScored.

While this a far from ideal scenario for such a big game, the thought of the hugely inexperienced Rhys Williams coming up against United’s dangerous attack doesn’t bear consideration. He was handed just a five out of 10 rating by This Is Anfield against Saints, whose form in 2021 has been miserable, to say the least.

There is enough midfield depth to be able to make up for Fabinho not being there, with Thiago, Gini Wijnaldum and one other player starting the match.

James Milner’s experience and leadership arguably makes him favourite to come in, especially given his clear dislike for United, while Jurgen Klopp could play all four attackers in a 4-2-3-1 formation, if he is feeling bold.

In other news, Liverpool have received a big boost in their efforts to sign a Premier League player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Over the last few years, Nuno Santo and Jeff Shi have completely changed the face of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

They were taken from a middle of the road Championship club to one competing in the Europa League.

The way they’ve fallen away this season, therefore, has been completely out of turn with the high standards that they’ve set themselves.

They currently sit in the bottom half of the table and memories of European football have slipped away very quickly.

It’s been a difficult term to analyse. Without injuries, Wolves may well occupy a place in the top half still.

Raul Jimenez has been missing since November while he recovers from a fractured skull and during that time frame, the club’s out and out strikers have scored just four goals between them.

Fabio Silva has struggled to live up to his price tag, netting three times and Willian Jose only has one goal since penning terms in January.

It’s evident that Wolves need more firepower, especially with Pedro Neto now out for six months with a knee injury.

They could find that by targeting Tammy Abraham. According to Football Insider, Wolves are in the race to sign the Chelsea striker, alongside Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old has been bumped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge this term but over the last 18 months he is their top scorer, netting more than Timo Werner this season.

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Abraham netted 15 league strikes in 2019/20 and has six in 21 this term. That might not be the best tally but he’s still racked up an impressive 30 goals in Chelsea colours.

He is a particularly tricky forward to deal with, combining pace with brutal physicality and height that can blow away the opposition.

Throughout his career, he has won 2.2 aerial duels per match. Compare that to Jimenez and he’s ahead by 0.5. Thus, the Old Gold could find a very different offensive proposition by luring him to Molineux this summer.

They’d have more pace in behind and they’d also have a better target to aim for when delivering balls into the penalty area.

Dubbed “phenomenal” by Alex McLeish, Abraham is the type of player who could take Wolves back to Europe.

At the age of 23, he has a high ceiling and potential that could grow higher than Jimenez. The Mexican has been a great servant in the last couple of seasons but Wolves need further options to really take them to the next level.

Abraham has shown he can score goals on a regular basis at the highest level and would surely prosper under Nuno’s counter-attacking system.

Just imagine what he could do with the likes of Neto and Adama Traore running riot next to him.

AND in other news, Wolves could unearth their very own Ruben Dias in “outstanding” rarely-seen 18 y/o…

As per The Scottish Sun, Leeds United are preparing another bid for Glasgow Rangers winger Ryan Kent.

Pursuit of Kent still on

The Whites were interested in the 24-year-old last summer, even having a £10m offer for him rejected (RTE).

It seems that Marcelo Bielsa remains very keen on taking the former Liverpool winger to Elland Road and the fabled manager has told the Whites’ director of football Victor Orta to make a move for him. Leeds are said to be readying a £15m bid for Kent.

Very good money

Such an offer would given Ross Wilson and Steven Gerrard plenty to consider. Signed for £7.5m in 2019 (Sky Sports) after a year on loan at Ibrox, Kent has racked up 26 goals and 26 assists in 123 games for the Gers (Transfermarkt). That is far from a poor record, but also one which could be improved upon considering that he is being targeted by a top 10 Premier League club.

A fee of £15m would represent a profit of 100% for the 55-time Scottish champions. However, given that they turned down £10m last term and Kent has since had his best season on the way to helping the Gers win the Premiership, their first major trophy in 10 years, the Glasgow outfit may feel they can command an even bigger fee for him.

A lot could depend on just how keen Leeds are to bring him to Yorkshire this summer.

In other news, Kieran Maguire shares this worrying Rangers finance issue.

Sunderland face the prospect of two games in four days over the Easter weekend. The fact they have a number of players still out injured, therefore, will test the legs of the Mackems squad.

That being said, they have been dealt a timely boost ahead of their matches with Oxford United on Friday and Peterborough next Monday.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, Lee Johnson revealed that Rangers loanee Jordan Jones will be back in the squad for the Oxford United clash.

Jones has been absent since picking up an injury in the build-up to the Papa John’s Trophy final last month.

The winger has missed the last four matches with a muscle injury but he is now ready to return to the fold in what will be a considerable advantage to their chances of securing promotion.

Sunderland have won three of the games that Jones has missed but he’d just come into form before picking up his fitness issue.

The loanee scored a peach against Crewe before assisting against Rochdale last month. Jones followed that up by scoring a vital goal against Portsmouth. In that match, the winger also registered another assist.

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With such a huge match to follow against fellow promotion hopefuls Peterborough next week, Johnson should be absolutely delighted that one of his star men is back.

Since penning temporary terms in January, Jones had to wait patiently to get in the side. He only started two of his first seven games but since being brought into the starting XI, the 26-year-old has been game-changing.

He’s been a real livewire on the flanks, completing 1.6 key passes and 0.8 dribbles per game. For context, only Denver Hume and Aiden McGeady have managed more in the first statistic.

It’s evident why Jones’ return to the team over the next few days will be so important for the Black Cats. He has only been here a matter of months but is already vital to their promotion chances.

AND in other news, Sunderland must swoop for 25 y/o “great character”, he’s already terrorised McFadzean…