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“We knew West Indies possessed some of the best T20 players,” former coach says on how they went about their business ten years ago

Interview by Danyal Rasool16-Oct-2022You took over what is now seen as a golden generation in West Indies’ T20 cricket. Was that obvious to you at the time?
We had to recognise that we had probably the best T20 players in the world, even if they were individuals. Then we had to try to find a way to get them to play together to be successful. And between myself and Daren Sammy [then-captain], we managed to do that.I had started in 2010 with the West Indies, and very early in 2010 we had a [T20] World Cup in the Caribbean where we got to the quarter-finals [Super Eights]. But when you look at what West Indian players were doing in franchise tournaments around the world, we knew West Indies possessed some of the best T20 players in the world. The greatest challenge for West Indies was always whether we could come together and play as a team; and that was our greatest success as well.Can you talk about the tactics for that tournament, especially around spin in the powerplay?
We looked at the players we had, and right from the outset we had this strategy where we decided that when we’re playing against western teams like England, Australia or South Africa, we were going to go spin-heavy. But we felt like the Asian teams would be able to [play] spin very well. Against them, we were going to use the likes of Fidel Edwards’ extra pace.Samuel Badree didn’t start the tournament, but once he got into team and bowled up front even on a bad day, he would go for [only] 28 runs. We knew he bowled very accurately upfront, spun it in, and skidded it into the pads. So we put him to bowl at the top of the order once he got into the team in every situation. So whether he gets a wicket or not, he can take four overs out of a game for under 30 runs at the front part of the game. That was a massive plus for us.Then we also had Sunil Narine, who at the time was probably along with Badree the best spinner in the world. So we had eight overs taken care of which we knew were not going to go for many runs. And then we just fit them around some other guys. Chris Gayle bowled, as did Marlon Samuels. We needed to put those guys in the best position and the best places in the team to be successful.How did you get the best out of Samuels, who hit 78 in the final?
When you look at what Marlon’s done in World Cups, you can understand the personality. He’s been Man of the Match in two [T20] World Cup finals. We lost in the semi-final to Sri Lanka in the 2014 [T20] World Cup when the game was rained out. But Marlon was in at the time when the rain came. We strongly believe Marlon would have found a way to get West Indies over the line because that’s what he thrives on; he thrives on being the man.”If you’re the opposition’s best player, he wants to go toe to toe with you” – Gibson praised Marlon Samuels, who won West Indies T20 World Cup finals in 2012 and 2016•Getty ImagesWhen we played in 2012, we had long conversations and team meetings about Lasith Malinga. Marlon would be the one person who would say, “If you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best”. That was always his attitude. The innings he played against Malinga in that game was absolutely outstanding. Just this signifies him as a person.If you’re the opposition’s best player, he wants to go toe to toe with you because he wants to prove that he is also the best player in our team. He’s the sort of character you just have to give free rein [to] because he’s capable of changing the game, and he wants to be a game changer – especially in those big moments.Is he someone who might lack motivation if the stage isn’t big enough for his liking, and more likely to come to the fore for the bigger occasion?
100%. The bigger the opposition, the more he sticks his chest out and walks with confidence. He’s ready to take on that challenge. In the lead up to that tournament, we played some practice games where there’s probably no point playing them and he didn’t really see any value to them. There’s nothing to get his juices flowing, but then you see what he did against England in 2016 [by hitting 85*] on the grandest stage of all. That’s where he thrives.But squad harmony is important in general. We were very flexible with the team, but we were also very upfront and told the guys what the plans were. If you move a guy from No. 6 and put him in at No. 3, then you need to clue the guy at three in so he doesn’t throw his toys out of the pram. For example, if we had the opportunity to move Andre Russell up for a quick injection, then everyone needs to be on the same page.How did West Indies manage to turn around a horror start in that 2012 World Cup final?
We were under massive pressure. We only got 40 runs in the first ten overs, and Marlon was still in. Sri Lanka beat us in the first round [Super Eights] quite easily, but we had got 140 [129] on a good pitch. But the pitch that we played the final on was not the same pitch, and I said to Sammy, “If we can get up to 140 – if we get the same score we got in the first round – we’ll win the game”.And then the bowlers executed their plan beautifully. The way that Ravi Rampaul got [Tillakaratne] Dilshan out, we had spoken about that ball going a little bit wider of the crease and angling in. One of the other key points in the game was that Sri Lanka might have cruised to the victory, but it started to drizzle a little bit and they realised they were behind the required rate. They tried to really go for it, and that’s when the momentum shifted in our favour.We had the likes of Narine, Sammy and Marlon to bowl overs, and once Sri Lanka lost those key guys, it became insurmountable. Once they lost Mahela and Sanga that was massive for us, and that was perhaps the turning point in the game and what helped us to get the victory.”When West Indies play a tournament in India, it would feel like it’s a home game” – Gibson says of their triumph in 2016•AFPWhen you think of West Indies’ T20 game, you think of the big hitters. But West Indies had bowled Australia and Sri Lanka out in the semi-final and final for 131 and 101, respectively. Did the bowling win that World Cup?
Yeah, perhaps. One of the things we really focused on was helping the players to understand it’s not going to be what we call in the Caribbean a one-man show. It’s not going to be one person winning game after game. It’s going to be a whole team or squad effort. Various people performed at various different times.When the game was on the line, somebody stood up – whether it was in the batting with Marlon, or the way Chris and Kieron Pollard took on the Australian bowlers – or how Badree stood up against them with the ball. Different bowlers stood up at different times, and even Russell, who didn’t really do a great lot in that tournament, made some contributions when the time came.When I look back at that tournament, the greatest satisfaction was how the squad came together to really put in performances when they were needed to get the team over the line and win the T20 World Cup for the first time in our history. That was the first World Cup we won since 1979, so that was obviously massive for the whole nation.Having won in both 2012 and 2016, what is it about Asia that made West Indies so successful in T20 World Cups?
You look at the conditions in the Caribbean – especially the wickets – and some of them are very similar to Asian wickets. West Indies were heavily reliant on spin. In that tournament in 2012, we had the two best spinners in the tournament in Narine and Badree. And in 2016 [by which time Phil Simmons was coach], Badree was still playing. West Indies still had quality spinners that could control the game.But the other fundamental thing is that all the West Indies players are world stars in India. Chris and Bravo, everywhere they go in India [where the T20 World Cup was played in 2016], every venue, the crowd is singing their names even though they’re playing against India. That’s the extent of their popularity there.So when West Indies play a tournament in India, it would feel like it’s a home game to a lot of the West Indian players. They are very comfortable in those conditions nowadays. The guys feed off that, and that gives them an advantage when they walk onto cricket fields all over India.West Indies got most of those stars back together for the 2021 World Cup, but it didn’t quite work out. Why do you think that was?
T20 cricket is so fast-moving. You have to decide how you’re going to win games. T20 games are also won in the field. If your squad is ageing, then that will catch up with you. That squad was an ageing squad. And while experience matters, the game changes very quickly, and you have to be able to keep moving your squad along with the game.Gibson backs West Indies in 2022: “In people like Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder, we have world-class players”•IDI via Getty ImagesWest Indies were once dominant in Tests and ODIs, and now that’s no longer the case. They were also dominant in T20Is in the last decade, and now that’s no longer the case. Is there a worry this decline could also be long-term?
No, I don’t think so. I think what they did in recent World Cups can be done again. West Indies needed personnel changes – which have obviously happened – but then perhaps the strategy also needs to change. They need to look at whether they are getting the best out of the players they have, because in people like Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder, we have world-class players.I feel like West Indies is at that stage at the moment where they need to relook the strategy that they’re using with the personnel that they have right now. I still feel like they have fantastic T20 players who can be world-class. And when it comes to T20 World Cups, you can never discount West Indies – I don’t believe so.Shimron Hetmyer was axed from this year’s T20 World Cup squad for indiscipline. So was it challenging for you too to manage West Indies, and how difficult is it to keep international players happy in the age of T20s?
The way things are now in T20 cricket around the world right now is tricky. Not just for West Indies, but most sports where if a guy is playing in all the T20 tournaments around the world, he’s making far more money than your home board can pay him. You have to manage that very carefully. You have to see the person’s value to you and how that person can help you win.So you have to be able to be flexible to let that person go and play certain tournaments, to make their money, and to give them the comfort of providing for their family. Hopefully that person then understands that when they come back to you, they’re committed to what you’re trying to do. That’s always been the balance before for West Indies to strike.It’s always been said in the West Indies that people are not committed, but people have to provide for their families. We have to give and take in that situation so that we can get the best for each other. And ultimately when the person walks on to the field for West Indies and their mind is in the right place, they will give their all for West Indies. That’s the balancing act you have to have not just in the West Indies, but all over the world.According to you, what sort of shape are West Indies in for this World Cup?
They’ve got world-class players. Hopefully they can find a way to come together as a group and understand how each person needs to play their part. I feel like they’ve got a great chance. Like I said, you can you can never discount West Indies.

The Knight Riders’ poor net run rate could be a problem even if they win their remaining two games

S Rajesh25-Oct-2020Kings XI Punjab: Played 12, Points 12, NRR -0.049The Kings XI Punjab’s impressive win – their fifth in a row – means they leapfrog the Kolkata Knight Riders and are now in the fourth place on the points table. Their net run rate (NRR) of -0.049 ensures that they don’t need to depend on other results if they win their two remaining matches. Sixteen points will ensure their progress into the playoffs, without any riders.However, if they lose one of their last two matches and finish on 14, then things will get tricky, because as many as seven teams can potentially finish on 14 or more points, while the Knight Riders and the top three teams can all get to 16 and eliminate the Kings XI.If it comes down to NRR, the Kings XI don’t have much to worry from the Knight Riders or the Rajasthan Royals, but the Sunrisers Hyderabad have a better NRR, which will further improve if they win their last three games and finish on 14. However, the Sunrisers’ last three games are against the top three teams – the Mumbai Indians, the Delhi Capitals and the Royal Challengers Bangalore – on the points table.The IPL 2020 points table after the game between the Kings XI Punjab and the Kolkata Knight Riders•ESPNcricinfo LtdKolkata Knight Riders: Played 12, Points 12, NRR -0.479
The Kolkata Knight Riders have slipped to the fifth place after their defeat to the Kings XI. They can still get up to 16 points if they win their remaining two matches, but their poor NRR could be a problem if it comes down to that.That can happen if the Kings XI also win their last two matches, for their NRR is far superior. Incidentally, both teams will play the Royals and the Chennai Super Kings in their last two matches.The Knight Riders’ best bet will be to win their remaining games and finish on 16, and hope that the Kings XI don’t follow suit. The Knight Riders’ cause will also be served if they finish on 16 and one of the top three teams lose all their remaining matches and remain on 14.If the Knight Riders win only one of their remaining two games, then they will finish on 14 and will be at the mercy of other results going their way. If it comes down to NRR, they will probably lose out.

تحدث كلاوديو جيرالديس مدرب سيلتا فيجو، بعد الفوز على ريال مدريد، بثنائية نظيفة، خلال اللقاء الذي جمع بين الفريقين في الدوري الاسباني لكرة القدم.

وقال جيرالديس في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ماركا”: “دافعنا بشكل جيد وكنا محظوظين بالفوز في برنابيو، إذا سنحت لهم فرص للتعادل أو الفوز”.

وأضاف: “بشكل عام لعبنا مباراة جيدة للغاية باستثناء الطرد الذي لم يعجبني أداء الفريق بعده”.

وحول ضغط ريال مدريد علق مدرب سيلتا فيجو: “عندما كانوا نشيطين، كان من الصعب جدًا مواجهة ما قاموا به والخروج بالكرة، لأنهم سريعون جدًا وفريق قوي بدنيًا وعندما تجبرهم على التكتل، يعانون أكثر وهذا ما كنا نهدف إليه”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ماركا تكشف كواليس الفوضى أمام سيلتا فيجو.. فينيسيوس يتنبأ بقرار الحكم وطرد ثالث في ريال مدريد

وواصل مشيدًا بمهاجم سيلتا فيجو بورخا إيجلسياس: “إنه ذكي جدًا في قراءة المباراة وضغطه، يضيف كثير من التنظيم على الهجوم والدفاع بجانب موهبته، كان رائعًا ضد خصوم أقوياء مثل ميليتاو وروديجر في مواقف واحد لواحد”.

وسئل مدرب سيلتا فيجو عن تشابي ألونسو: “إنه مدرب رائع ومحاط بأشخاص ممتازين في جهازه الفني، لديه فريق استثنائي، لقد عانى من سوء حظ كبير بسبب الإصابات في خط الدفاع، مدريد لديه مدرب رائع وأتمنى له كل التوفيق، علينا أن نتحلى بالصبر معه”.

Manchester United are now on red alert in the race to sign a Real Madrid star ahead of Manchester City in a shock £69m deal next year.

Amorim "angry" at "frustrating" West Ham draw

Like the rest of Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim was left angered by Man United’s 1-1 draw against West Ham. The Red Devils were in control for the large part and deservedly got their opener through unlikely goalscorer Diogo Dalot in the second-half, but that’s when things started going wrong.

With seven minutes remaining, the visitors sent a timely reminder of United’s struggles courtesy of Soungoutou Magassa, who scored his first Premier League goal to snatch a point for West Ham.

Amorim, left frustrated at full-time, told reporters: “Yeah, it’s frustrating, it’s angry. That’s it.”

The former Sporting CP manager also pinpointed where things went wrong, saying: “Yeah, but there are second halves that we lose control of the game.

“Today, I think it was not that case. Maybe after the first goal, we lost some second balls and Matheus [Cunha] won one or two second balls there and made it a transition.

“We try to defend all the time far from the goal because we knew it. They tried to make a cross, win a corner. Like it happened, long ball, they win a second ball against three guys of us in the defence. So, we need to be better in the second half.”

Any assumption that United have turned a corner under Amorim is quickly evaporating and the Old Trafford boss desperately needs further reinforcements in 2026.

Midfield stars such as Conor Gallagher and Elliot Anderson have already been mooted, but United could still set their focus on welcoming Rodrygo from Real Madrid. The Brazilian is attracting plenty of interest and could yet swap the Bernabeu for the Premier League.

Man Utd on red alert in Rodrygo race

According to reports in Spain, Man United are now on red alert in the race to sign Rodrygo next year and could land the talented winger ahead of rivals Man City, as well as a number of other Premier League sides.

The Brazilian has struggled for game time under Xabi Alonso – starting just three La Liga games all season – and looks destined to leave Real Madrid next year.

Sparking a flurry of interest, Madrid reportedly value their winger at around €80m (£69m). Whether INEOS and others deem that fee reachable for a player who’s yet to impress Alonso remains to be seen, however.

Man Utd now rivalling Liverpool to sign £87m forward who Klopp loves

The Red Devils have joined the race for a new attacker, who has made an impressive start to the campaign.

ByDominic Lund Dec 5, 2025

At his best, Rodrygo played a key part in Madrid’s success in the Champions League and in La Liga. Now, he’s been cast aside to hand United the opportunity to land arguably their best signing yet under Amorim.

Dubbed “spectacular” by former Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti in 2023, Rodrygo is still just 24 years old and is full of potential – even if he’s forced to realise it with a move to Old Trafford in 2026.

Amorim's £150k-p/w star just had his worst game for Man Utd vs West Ham

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Renowned author Charles Dickens might not have known it when he wrote that iconic opening line of , but he was actually perfectly summing up what happened to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and his glove during Monday night's 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Alonso went through a whole range of emotions, on the field and in the dugout, with his glove, taking the Mets announcers and their fans along for the emotional roller coaster ride.

First, there was disappointment.

In the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs, Mets starter Kodai Senga, facing the Red Sox' Jarren Duran, induced a grounder to first. Alonso fielded the ball cleanly, but, knowing he had only a few seconds to get the speedy Duran, rushed and ended up flipping the ball over the head of Senga, who was racing to cover first base.

While the throwing error ultimately didn't cost the Mets a run, disappointment soon turned to anger for Alonso, who proceeded to take his frustrations out on his glove in between innings.

But, alas, a second chance was around the corner for Alonso. And with it came elation and relief.

In almost an identical play to the one where he made a throwing error in the fourth, Alonso cleanly fielded a sixth-inning grounder off the bat of Red Sox infielder David Hamilton and this time set his feet and softly threw the ball to Senga, who stepped on first base for the out.

Alonso immediately celebrated with Senga and smiled. You could almost hear a sigh of relief coming from the Polar Bear. Some frustration from Sunday night, when Alonso made a key throwing error in the eighth inning that ultimately led to the New York Yankees scoring the go-ahead runs en route to a victory, undoubtedly spilled over to Monday's game for the Mets star.

Perhaps also compounding the vexation is that Alonso, known for his power stroke, hasn't homered since May 5. But in watching the slugger in the field on Monday night, one is reminded of an inspirational phrase.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

The match has been moved to Hobart with the tight schedule meaning it couldn’t be switched into a day game

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Sep-2025Delays with installing new floodlights at Junction Oval in Melbourne have forced the third women’s ODI between Australia and India on March 1 to be moved to Hobart.The game had been due to be the ground’s first floodlit fixture but planning delays and ongoing work that would have impacted spectator access meant Cricket Australia had to move the match to Tasmania, which gives Hobart back-to-back ODIs in the series.With the tight schedule of the series – there is just one day between the second and third ODIs – it wasn’t considered practical to make the Junction Oval fixture into a day game. The MCG, which hosted the day-night Ashes Test last season, won’t be available due to renovation works.”We are disappointed we have had to move this match from Junction Oval and that there will be no women’s international match in Melbourne this season,” Peter Roach, CA’s head of cricket operations and scheduling, said. “We anticipated the Junction Oval lights would be installed several weeks before this fixture and were looking forward to celebrating the first international match under lights at the ground.”Junction Oval will continue to host WBBL matches involving Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades, with all those games daytime fixtures, as well as other domestic cricket as scheduled.The ODIs are part of a multi-format series against India which starts with three T20Is and will finish with a day-night Test at the WACA in Perth.The home international season for Australia’s women has been pushed back to February and March due to the WPL’s move to January and the upcoming ODI World Cup being staged throughout October. It means there will be more than 12 months between their appearances on home soil.”Not having an international fixture in that school holiday period does hurt a little bit, but in saying that, it kind of extends the cricket season, which isn’t completely a bad thing for our sport,” captain Alyssa Healy said earlier this year. “At the back end of the Ashes [last year], I felt like that was really cool to have it at the end of the Border-Gavaskar [Trophy], so hopefully there’s similar sort of momentum this year at the end of the men’s Ashes, that there’s still some more cricket to watch.”

Bruno Fernandes has for so long been Manchester United’s shining light, often being the man to get themselves out of trouble during the Ruben Amorim tenure.

The Red Devils may have finished in 15th place last campaign, but it didn’t stop the Portuguese international from ending 2024/25 with a total of 37 combined goals and assists.

However, the £200m spending spree during the recent summer window has seen some of the responsibility taken off his shoulders – as seen by the goals scored by Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo against Brighton.

As a result, the 31-year-old has since dropped into a slightly deeper midfield role, resulting in Bruno only registering two goals and one assist from his first nine Premier League outings in 2025/26.

Amorim could be utilising the club captain in such a role to try and bridge the gap to one player who has prematurely offloaded during the tenure of the previous management team.

Man Utd’s mammoth mistake in selling McTominay

To combat their heavy spending in recent years, the United hierarchy have had to offload numerous players from their books to prevent any financial problems.

Midfielder Scott McTominay was one of the players sacrificed by the board, with the Scottish international leaving in a £25m deal to join Napoli in the summer of 2024.

Such a deal was seen as excellent business at the time, with the midfielder often receiving a fair amount of criticism from the supporters over his displays at Old Trafford.

However, he’s taken his career to the next level in Naples, thriving under Antonio Conte’s guidance in 2024/25 as the Italian outfit claimed the Serie A title.

The 28-year-old scored 12 times and registered four assists in Italy’s top-flight, subsequently winning the division’s MVP award, whilst also being nominated for the Balon d’Or.

The former Red Devil has continued his phenomenal form into the current campaign, with his sensational strike against Inter Milan on Saturday securing the club all three points.

His £25m departure now appears to be a huge mistake, but Amorim shouldn’t be worried with the manager already stumbling upon his next version of the Scotsman.

The United star who’s becoming their next McTominay

Whilst Bruno has largely operated in the role vacated by McTominay, numerous other talents have also shared the responsibility at the heart of the United side.

Manuel Ugarte joined a £50m transfer from PSG last summer, with the hierarchy seeing him as the perfect player to fill the void left by the departing academy star.

However, the Uruguayan has subsequently fallen way below the expectations of the fanbase, with Amorim only starting two of the club’s nine Premier League outings in 2025/26.

Kobbie Mainoo was a first-team mainstay before the 40-year-old’s arrival last year, but like Ugarte, he’s found minutes extremely hard to come by within the starting eleven.

The Englishman has failed to start a single game and only appeared for a total of 138 minutes off the bench in England’s top-flight during the current campaign.

The aforementioned duo’s lack of impact is largely due to the performances of Casemiro, with the Brazilian international nailing down a starting role to the surprise of many.

He’s previously been slated by numerous figures over the years, with Jamie Carragher infamously stating ‘the football has left him’ and that he needs to move to Saudi Arabia.

Such a situation is similar to that of McTominay, with the former United star taking his career to unimaginable heights after his own switch out of Manchester.

However, Casemiro has managed to turn his Red Devils career around in recent months and subsequently shut up a lot of his doubters along the way in the process.

The “world-class” star, as dubbed by Gus Poyet, has started seven times in the Premier League this year, registering two goals and an assist within his recent outings.

His latest showing against Brighton was arguably his best of 2025/26, scoring once and teeing up compatriot Cunha for his goal for the Red Devils.

Casemiro’s underlying stats further showcase how impressive he was against the Seagulls, with the 33-year-old having a huge effect at both ends of the football field.

Tallies such as three tackles and five recoveries made highlight his importance without the ball – arguably being the perfect all-round option at the heart of the side to allow Bruno to express himself in attacking areas.

Such a turnaround in form is huge credit to the experienced midfielder, with his recent outings making him one of the club’s most important players at present.

His partnership with Bruno has allowed for the recent impressive form – potentially saving Amorim’s job and allowing him to reach new heights in his tenure.

Forget Cunha & Mbuemo: Man Utd star was the shining light against Brighton

Manchester United secured their third win in a row against Brighton & Hove Albion last night.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 26, 2025

A number of iconic strikers have donned Sunderland red and white over the years, getting the Black Cats out of many sticky patches in the Premier League.

Kevin Phillips will always go down as the most memorable, notably winning The Golden Boot on Wearside when he powered home 30 strikes during Sunderland’s 1999/2000 campaign.

While Jermain Defoe would never hit these amazing heights, the lethal Englishman did consistently bail his team out of relegation danger when scoring 34 top-flight goals over three seasons near the bottom of the tough division.

In the here and now, a new hero is forming to potentially rival the exploits of both journeyman attackers.

Wilson Isidor was already firmly in the Stadium of Light’s good books when he fired home 13 strikes last season to steer Sunderland back up to the top-flight after a seven-year absence.

So, Isidor, already bagging some crucial strikes in the infancy of this season, has not harmed his glowing reputation among the hardened Wearside masses whatsoever. Rather, it has significantly strengthened his fan favourite status.

Isidor's start to Premier League life

Often, the jump-up from the Championship to the Premier League can swallow a player whole.

Many Sunderland supporters might have anticipated that the French striker would find the step-up in quality to be a frightening one to navigate. Instead, he has seemingly taken it in his stride.

Three glorious strikes have already been picked up by the ex-Zenit St. Petersburg forward, with those first two efforts only coming about from a combined 39 minutes of action.

The Black Cats’ “one man machine” – as he was glowingly labelled by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley in the second tier – has since become Le Bris’ main starter up top, with that third and final strike falling against Aston Villa handing the ten men on the day a dramatic share of the points.

Isidor will just be glad he hasn’t been branded as a presence who couldn’t handle the intense heat of the Premier League, with Unai Emery’s Villans reportedly contemplating a move for the skilful 6-foot-1 striker, off the back of his late heroics at the tail-end of September.

Unfortunately, not every addition made by Sunderland in recent memory has been able to make their start to top-flight life in England look as seamless, with Jozy Altidore still sticking out to this day as one of the Black Cats’ worst blunders in the attacking department.

Altidore's awful spell at Sunderland in numbers

In the summer of 2013, Sunderland must have thought they’d picked up a stellar bargain when landing Altidore’s signature for a modest £9m.

After all, he was just fresh off an insanely potent season in the Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar, with a stunning 23 league goals fired home from just 33 games during his swansong campaign in the Netherlands.

Games played

42

Minutes played

2080

Goals scored

1

Assists

1

Unfortunately, he never found that same lethal form on English soil, culminating in Altidore’s smart turn and finish against Chelsea – which can be seen above – going down as his only strike for the Wearside outfit from 42 largely forgettable outings.

Labelled as “Dozy Anti-score” by some Sunderland fans, Isidor will just be glad he has never received similar vitriol, with the Frenchman a reliable source of goals and entertainment, thankfully, as opposed to being public enemy number one for being wasteful in front of goal.

Coincidentally, the American’s nightmare at the Stadium of Light came to a halt when an exchange deal for the aforementioned Defoe to move back to England was arranged with Toronto FC. Altidore then turned into a dependable MLS marksman for the Canadian side.

Yet, a modern-day tale similar to Altidore’s could now be playing out in real time.

Sunderland "powerhouse" could be the next Altidore

Thankfully, most of Sunderland’s summer purchases haven’t fallen victim to the Altidore curse of freezing in the big time.

It was to be expected that Granit Xhaka would be an instant hit under Le Bris’ wing in the Premier League, having already proven himself to be a forceful machine with Arsenal in the demanding division.

But, other new faces such as Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete – who once called France and Spain home – have instantly slotted into the Frenchman’s lineup, too, and looked near faultless, with just three league goals given up as a pairing, before a humbling 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Yet, while a lot of the summer business has gone down as success stories from the get-go, striker Brian Brobbey is yet to live up to the “goal machine” tag once handed to him by scout Jacek Kulig, when gifted limited opportunities to impress.

In an eerily similar fashion to Altidore, Brobbey had long been seen as a feared goalscorer in the Eredivisie for previous employers Ajax before embarking on a fresh adventure to English shores, with the homegrown Amsterdam product bagging a lethal 56 strikes from 163 contests.

Therefore, with the 23-year-old also costing a bumper £17.3m to obtain in a stunning deadline day swoop, the world would have been expected of Brobbey on his arrival, with Isidor likely to be displaced by the number nine’s efficient ability to put away chances in an instant.

Games played

3

Games started

0

Minutes*

21

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches*

5.7

Accurate passes*

1.3 (50%)

Total duels won*

1.3

In reality, Brobbey has struggled for gametime whilst Isidor continues to steal the limelight, much like Altidore was guilty of playing second fiddle to figures such as Steven Fletcher and Connor Wickham.

Worryingly, the brand-new number 9 is yet to even register a single shot in the Premier League from his three lacklustre cameos, away from also averaging just 5.7 touches of the ball per substitute appearance.

He has also looked concerningly weak in physical battles despite once being noted as a “powerhouse” by scout Antonio Mango, with just one aerial duel from four attempted won last time out against Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils.

It is far too early in the season to be writing off individuals, but it will be intriguing to see how long Brobbey’s early barren patch of form can run before he is looked down on as a potential expensive flop.

For now, Le Bris will hope he can come good, but it will be bothering some at the Stadium of Light already that the £17.3m signing could go down as a similar Altidore-style misfire.

Seb Larsson 2.0: Le Bris must unleash Sunderland's "sensational" talent

One wizard shines for Sunderland, drawing early comparisons to Seb Larsson

ByWill Miller Oct 4, 2025

He may have finally left the club, but former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy often came under huge fire during his tenure for his actions off the field in North London.

The 63-year-old spent over two decades in the role, but was constantly called into question for his lack of spending to help improve the first-team squad.

He was undoubtedly part of the reason for the Lilywhites’ failures on the pitch, with the club even going 17 long years without a piece of silverware during his tenure.

Levy often became known for offloading key talents on the books of the club, something which once again led to anger from the supporters – especially given his lack of funding after such departures.

One player in particular was sold without an immediate adequate replacement being signed in the same window, which undoubtedly contributed to his demise in the role.

Levy’s decision to sell Harry Kane from Spurs

No Spurs fan would’ve predicted the success Harry Kane would have had for the first-team in North London, after he made his first Premier League start back in 2012.

The Englishman was an unknown quantity to many despite rising through the youth ranks, but rapidly adhered himself to the supporters with his form in front of goal.

He rapidly became a first-team regular, with his first major taste of success coming in the 2014/15 campaign, scoring 31 times in his 51 outings for the Lilywhites across all competitions.

Such a year would be the fourth-best of his time in North London, with his highest goalscoring year seeing him net a total of 35 goals – subsequently winning the Premier League golden boot that year.

As a result of his tremendous goalscoring record, the 32-year-old remains their highest ever goalscorer, with his total of 280 goals breaking the record set by the late Jimmy Greaves.

However, he was sold in the summer of 2023, subsequently joining German side Bayern Munich for a fee in the region of £82m – the second highest in their history.

Whilst they received a mammoth fee for his signature, no new centre forward was brought into the club until 12 months later, with Dominic Solanke costing a club-record £65m from Bournemouth.

However, the former chairman also made a huge mistake in allowing one other former player to depart the club, with the 63-year-old unable to land the reinforcements after his move away.

Levy’s biggest mistake whilst at Spurs

After such dismal years on the pitch for a prolonged period of time, it was hardly a surprise to see numerous top-level talents moving away for pastures new.

Just like Kane, numerous players caught the eye for the Lilywhites, including Kieran Trippier who has to depart and join Atlético Madrid to fulfil his ambitions of winning trophies.

The right-back racked up over 100 appearances in North London, but failed to win a single trophy – subsequently claiming the LaLiga trophy in his second year in Madrid.

He wasn’t the only player to move to Spain to take his career to the next level, with Gareth Bale making the leap and joining Real Madrid in a £85m deal in the summer of 2013.

His move remains a club-record fee received for a player, but such a deal left a huge hole in the club’s forward line and understandably so given his record in North London.

The Welsh international, who was dubbed “world-class” by John Hartson, scored 73 goals for the club before his big-money transfer, with his final campaign in the Premier League by far and away his best.

He netted 26 times in his 44 appearances for the Lilywhites, further highlighting the task the hierarchy had in trying to replace such a top-level talent.

In an attempt to do just that, Levy decided to fork out around £60m on the signatures of Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela, but both ultimately failed to produce the goods in England.

The pair only scored 53 goals combined during their respective seasons at the club, with such a tally miles below the one Bale managed to achieve on his own.

21/22

20

11

2

12/13

33

21

8

11/12

36

10

13

10/11

30

7

2

09/10

23

3

5

08/09

16

0

0

07/08

8

2

1

Given his tally of 15 major trophies in Madrid, the player himself certainly made the right call in leaving the club, but it’s safe to say owner Levy should have tried harder to keep hold of the winger.

After seeing the replacements brought in to the club, there’s no question that Levy made a huge mess of the transfer, with such a decision one of his worst at the club.

Spurs already have dream Son heir who's yet to play in the Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur could save themselves millions with a Heung-min Son replacement within their ranks.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 3, 2025

Ben Charlesworth sparks Kent collapse but hosts need steady hand to reach target of 162

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay19-May-2025Cameron Green held his nerve to steer Gloucestershire to a hard-earned three-wicket victory over Kent on the final day of a thrilling Rothesay County Championship Division Two match at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.Set a modest 162 to win in a minimum 57 overs, the home side made heavy weather of the chase as they were reduced to 57 for 4 and 138 for 7, Nathan Gilchrist claiming 4 for 43 to threaten an unlikely Kent comeback. But Australia international Green performed admirably under pressure to post a crucial match-winning innings of 67 not out from 90 balls, including a six and six fours, as the hosts dug in to reach their target with 13.5 overs to spare.Ben Charlesworth had earlier produced a startling cameo with the ball to set up Gloucestershire’s first home win in nearly three years. Regarded as an occasional bowler after being restricted by injury in recent times, the right arm seamer took three wickets in a devastating 14-ball burst as Kent were dismissed for 253 inside 89 overs in their second innings.Chris Benjamin and Grant Stewart appeared to be making a decent fist of saving the game when staging a half century partnership for the fifth wicket, only for the latter to fall to Charlesworth shortly before lunch and spark a collapse in which the visitors lost their last five wickets for 20 runs in 10.5 overs.This was Gloucestershire’s first home win in 16 attempts since beating Warwickshire at Bristol in September 2022 and this first victory of the season was greeted with glee by long-suffering supporters. The home side banked 24 points to climb the table, while Kent took six after suffering a second defeat in as many outings.Resuming on 135 for 4, a slender lead of 43, Kent batters Benjamin and Jack Leaning extended their defiant partnership to 82 in the face of a probing examination from Gloucestershire’s seamers, who bowled well as a unit to build pressure.Imaginative in his field settings, Gloucestershire skipper Cameron Bancroft deployed a short midwicket and invited a mistake. Leaning fell into the trap, attempting to force a ball from Josh Shaw into the on side and looping a catch up to Ollie Price to afford Gloucestershire the breakthrough they craved. He had contributed a patient 34 from 86 balls and frustrated the home bowlers for best part of an hour on the final morning.Ahead by 88, Kent were now pinning their hopes on Stewart and Benjamin mustering a repeat of the huge partnership that formed the basis of their first-innings total on day one. Benjamin upheld his end of the bargain, going to a watchful half-century from 129 deliveries. Rather more robust in his approach, Stewart played his natural game, taking on the seamers and scoring 41 at better than a run a ball to dominate a progressive stand of 53.That was the cue for Bancroft to throw the ball to Charlesworth, who effected a crucial double breakthrough shortly before lunch. Stewart’s high-risk strategy backfired, the Italy international dragging the ball on to his stumps, and when Charlesworth bowled Jaydn Denly for 5 soon afterwards, Kent were 241 for 7, and in trouble. The lead was 149, but the new ball was two overs away and Gloucestershire sensed an opportunity.Before even the new ball could be taken, Charlesworth made a further intervention, inducing Jake Ball to send a leading edge to point where a full-length Miles Hammond took a startling catch on the run to reduce the visitors to 243 for 8. Having previously sent down a mere 33 overs and taken three wickets at an average of 47.3 this season, the 24-year-old allrounder had doubled his tally in the space of six overs from the Ashley Down Road end to utterly transform his team’s prospects.The rout continued after Gloucestershire took the new ball, Ajeet Singh Dale dismissing Kashif Ali lbw for three on his way to career-best match figures of 9 for 179, eclipsing the 7 for 41 he took against Worcestershire at New Road in April 2023. Benjamin was last man out, edging Tom Price to second slip after chiseling 58 from 149 balls.If Gloucestershire believed the route to victory would be straightforward, they were made to think again, losing both openers inside three overs. Pushing half forward to a length ball from Gilchrist, Charlesworth was brilliantly caught by Leaning at second slip, while Ball produced an excellent delivery to have Bancroft caught behind as the hosts slipped to 12 for 2. Gilchrist then held a return catch off his own bowling after squaring up Ollie Price to further reduce Gloucestershire to 37 for 3.It was 57 for 4 soon afterwards, Hammond inexplicably playing at a wide delivery from Stewart and nicking off to Tawanda Muyeye at first slip for 18. Their nerves jangling, Gloucestershire then received a crucial let-off when the diving Leaning put down a sharp chance at second slip off the bowling of Kashif, affording Green a life on 3. Gloucestershire managed to reach the tea interval without further loss on 65 for 4, requiring 97 more to win in 38 overs.A period of stability was called for and Green and James Bracey calmed any nerves, raising a 50 partnership from 58 deliveries, and then accelerating as the ball softened and Kent’s bowlers wavered. Making good his earlier escape, Green hoisted Kashif over midwicket for an imposing six and mustered five fours on his way to a 71-ball half century.But Kent still fancied their chances when Gilchrist returned to take two wickets in as many balls, Bracey holing out to deep midwicket for 19 and Graeme van Buuren offering a catch behind to bag a pair as Gloucestershire slipped to 121 for 6 with 41 still needed. Tom Price pursued a ball down the leg side and was caught behind off the bowling of Stewart to set-up a tense finale, but the indomitable Green and Zaman Akhter carried the home side over the line.