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Australia’s back-up bowlers showed promise, but their death bowling was a concern

Shashank Kishore09-Dec-2020ALSO WATCH: Match highlights: Kohli 85 in van in 3rd T20I as Wade, Maxwell shine (Indian subcontinent only)Nerveless Natarajan makes a markExactly a month ago, T Natarajan was named as one of four net bowlers in India’s tour party to Australia. The team management was impressed with his left-arm variety. With India’s fast bowling attack looking off-colour in their first two defeats on tour, he was handed an ODI debut in similar circumstances to Jasprit Bumrah’s in 2016. He’ll return home to a newborn, whom he is yet to meet, having made an impact in three of the four white-ball matches he featured in.Natarajan’s spell of 4-0-20-2 in Australia’s total of 194 in the second T20I helped India pull things back somewhat before Hardik Pandya helped clinch the chase. Natarajan finished the series with six wickets in three games and an economy rate of 6.91. This didn’t earn him the Player of the Series award, but Pandya, the winner, certainly underlined his impact. Kohli’s go-to death bowler in Bumrah’s absence, Natarajan showed there was more to him than just his ability to nail yorkers. His temperament and calmness under pressure have stood out – all promising signs a year out from the T20 World Cup.The Pandey-Iyer-Samson questionNone of the three managed to nail down a position. Sanju Samson thrilled like he often does with his six-hitting but failed to build on his starts. Manish Pandey had just one outing, where he struggled. Shreyas Iyer had a match-winning cameo sandwiched between two ordinary outings. With Suryakumar Yadav waiting in the wings, and India potentially having to move KL Rahul down the order when Rohit Sharma gets fit, Pandey, Iyer, Samson, Suryakumar and Rishabh Pant could jostle for two batting positions in the squad. Also, it’s entirely possible there could only be one spot up for grabs in the XI if India decide Ravindra Jadeja and Pandya, on current form, can bat at Nos. 5 and 6.ALSO WATCH: Video highlights: Sanju Samson falls cheaply in 3rd T20I(Indian subcontinent only)Sundar and Chahal add to India’s bowling varietyHaving been left out of India’s first T20I following an outstanding IPL season for Royal Challengers Bangalore – 21 wickets in 15 games and an economy rate of 7.08 – Yuzvendra Chahal made a mark as a concussion substitute to pick up three wickets and win India the first T20I single-handedly.Washington Sundar also had an excellent series, delivering frugal spells and going at only 7.08 in the 12 overs he bowled. Both his wickets – Aaron Finch and Steven Smith – came in the final T20I. But it was in the series opener, where he went for 0 for 16 in four overs, that he set the tone as India successfully defended 161. While Chahal cleverly used the advantage of bowling to big boundaries on one side, Sundar varied his lengths, and his nagging lines forced batsmen to try and improvise early in the innings.Now picture India’s bowling attack with a fully fit Pandya, Jadeja, Sundar, Chahal and three seamers – potentially Natarajan, Bumrah and one of Shardul Thakur or Mohammed Shami.Matthew Wade drops his shoulder and plays the ramp•Getty ImagesWade hits, Short missesNo Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc (for two matches), Josh Hazlewood and Kane Richardson. Aaron Finch missed the second T20I. David Warner missed the entire series with a groin injury. This was a chance for the back-ups to stand up. Where D’Arcy Short couldn’t capitalise, Matthew Wade, the stand-in captain, did with two half-centuries including a match-winning 50-ball 83 in the final game on Tuesday.ALSO WATCH (Indian subcontinent only): Video highlights: Sams stunner snares DhawanWithout Marcus Stoinis, Moises Henriques enjoyed good bowling returns, but couldn’t replicate that impact with the bat. Daniel Sams and Andrew Tye fell short while trying to defend 72 off the last six with Australia’s series on the line. Faced with a near-similar situation, their spin-twins Swepson and Zampa combined to take 4 for 44 in seven overs to help Australia secure a consolation win.Had Ashton Agar not been ruled out, Swepson may not have been summoned into the squad. Zampa provided Australia control in the middle overs on the face of some serious ball-striking. Among his three wickets, the one to dismiss Pandya in the final T20I with India needing 43 from 18 was game-changing.Who comes into the middle order?Just like India’s, there are a few contenders in Australia’s middle order too. Alex Carey, Wade, Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green and Short could all possibly tussle over limited batting spots. This is considering Warner and Finch will be reunited at the top of the order, with Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell floating around with Stoinis. Australia potentially have a five-match series against New Zealand and the BBL to narrow down their combinations for the T20 World Cup in October 2021.

We’ve had to wait a while, but Football Manager 2026 is finally on its way.

After a number of delays, the latest version of the iconic game will finally be released on 4 November and with it, will come a number of changes.

The changes indicate that the wait will prove more than worthwhile, with over 40 new roles coming to the game and the chance to prove that Ruben Amorim’s system really is the problem at Manchester United.

What’s more, if club football isn’t enough to seal your legacy in the dugout, then a road to glory with San Marino could now do the trick.

So, with the tactics board at the ready, which of course is set up in 4-2-3-1 gegenpress, we’ve taken a look at five changes coming to Football Manager 2026.

5 Official FIFA tournaments

Forget taking the summer off on FM26, because the World Cup is calling.

For the first time ever, Football Manager will have official FIFA tournaments in a revamped international management module. The partnership will allow licensed graphics and leave players with the decision to make regarding international teams.

Will you finally bring football home for the England men’s side? Or will you pull off the impossible by getting San Marino to the World Cup and, dare it be said, much, much more?

4 The introduction of women's football

The women’s game has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, so much so that England have benefitted from winning the Euros and bringing football home.

Big steps have included broadcast deals to finally add further funding to the game and a number of games at the likes of Anfield and The Emirates. At long last, these players are beginning to receive the respect that they have deserved for some time.

Now, Football Manager has taken a big step after confirming that women’s football will be introduced for the first time in FM26. They confirmed that their database will consist of more than 36,000 players and a further 5,000 non-players alongside 14 playable leagues. 2026 really is the year to become the next Emma Hayes.

3 New tactical visualiser

At long last, players won’t have to wait until they’re 3-0 down within 30 minutes against a bottom-half side to realise that their system is not working. On FM26, players will be able to use the new tactical visualiser to see how their system will play out on the pitch.

It will divide the pitch into three vertical zones (defensive, middle and attacking third) and by clicking on any of the nine grids, players will be able to see how their teams move as the ball travels across the pitch both in and out of possession.

For example, when utilising an inside wing-back, players will be able to see that they move into a traditional wing-back position in the defensive third, drift inside in the midfield third and continue their central movements to support when in the attacking third.

2 Premier League license

Back in June last year, the Premier League and Sports Interactive signed a multi-year licensing deal to bring official logos, kits and player photos to Football Manager. Now, over a year later, players are finally set to benefit.

The agreement should give the game a fresh new look and add that extra bit of realism. Winning the Premier League will now feel even more glorious with the official trophy awaiting to add to your list of achievements.

1 Over 40 new roles

As if there weren’t enough bold ideas to choose from, FM26 will feature over 40 new roles. The ability to use both in and out of possession systems should bring a tactical evolution for many players rather than just the one, more limited role.

Advanced CB

Breaks into CDM role in build-up

Playmaking wing-back

Central to creating attacking chances

Dropping CDM

Drops into backline

when under pressure

Wide-covering CM

Shifts wide to give defensive protection

on flanks

Channel forward

High-energy runner into wide channels

It’s been a long two-year wait, but the thought of finally having a midfielder to cover overlapping fullbacks may just make it all worthwhile. See you in the World Cup final, San Marino…

MatériaMais Notícias

Na tarde deste domingo (14), antes da partida entre Fluminense e Vasco pela semifinal da Copa do Brasil, membros de torcidas organizadas dos dois clubes entraram em confronto na Baixada Fluminense. Um homem, ainda não identificado, foi socorrido e encaminhado à Unidade de Pronto Atendimento de Mesquita vítima de esfaqueamento. Outro foi detido pela Polícia Militar.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalFluminense x Vasco: acompanhe ao vivo o clássico pela Copa do BrasilFutebol Nacional14/12/2025Fora de CampoReforço de última hora para Fluminense x Vasco viraliza: ‘Está escrito’Fora de Campo14/12/2025Fora de CampoNarrador liga alerta para Rayan em Fluminense x Vasco: ‘Ele não tem’Fora de Campo14/12/2025

➡️ Fluminense x Vasco: acompanhe ao vivo o clássico pela Copa do Brasil

A confusão entre torcedores aconteceu nos arredores da comunidade da Chatuba, e a ocorrência foi registrada na 53ª Delegacia de Polícia, no Centro de Mesquita.

A Polícia Militar do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, em nota, informou que “equipes do 20º Batalhão foram acionadas para a Rua Magno de Carvalho, em Mesquita, onde estaria ocorrendo uma confusão. No local, ao avistarem os policiais, os indivíduos fugiram. Um deles foi detido. Uma pessoa foi encontrada ferida por golpes de faca, sendo socorrido à UPA”.

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Em vídeos repercutidos nas redes sociais, é possível ver membros das principais torcidas organizadas dos rivais segurando pedaços de madeira e outros objetos para a confusão. Os grupos correram pelas ruas da Chatuba com fogos de artifício e aterrorizaram moradores da região.

Fluminense e Vasco decidem neste domingo, às 20h, no Maracanã, uma vaga na grande final da Copa do Brasil. No jogo de ida, o Cruz-Maltino venceu pelo placar de 2 a 1 e conta com a vantagem do empate.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Vasco
➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Fluminense

Tudo sobre

Copa do BrasilFluminenseVasco

Rob Edwards will be under no illusions about the size of the job ahead of him after his first Premier League match in the dugout for Wolverhampton Wanderers ended in a defeat last weekend.

The Old Gold were beaten 2-0 by Crystal Palace at the Molineux, thanks to goals from Daniel Munoz and Yeremy Pino, and that leaves them bottom of the table with two points after 12 matches.

Edwards needs to find a way to turn results around in the short term, no doubt, but he also has the upcoming January transfer window to make some changes to the squad. One player, of many, who should be replaced is central midfielder Marshall Munetsi.

Why Wolves need to replace Marshall Munetsi

He started in the middle of the park against Crystal Palace on Saturday and won three of his 14 duels in 66 minutes on the pitch, per Sofascore, which shows how lightweight the midfield flop was.

The 29-year-old dud has failed to impress in the Premier League since his move from Stade Reims in February, with poor form in the second half of last season and in the current campaign.

Munetsi lost 51% of his duels and only completed 74% of his passes in the 2024/25 campaign, and has lost 54% of his duels with a dismal 62% pass accuracy this season in the top-flight, per Sofascore.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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These statistics show that the £70k-per-week midfielder has not been reliable enough in or out of possession, which is why Edwards should replace him by swooping for one of his former Middlesbrough stars, Hayden Hackney.

Why Wolves need to sign Hayden Hackney

During Vitor Pereira’s time in charge during the summer transfer window, it was reported that Wolves were willing to pay a fee of around £30m to sign the Boro ace, but a move never materialised.

Now, Edwards must reignite that interest in the January transfer window because the England U21 international could arrive at the club as a big upgrade on Munetsi in the middle of the park, allowing the manager to finally ditch him.

Hackney, who was hailed as a “fearless” talent by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has caught the eye with his performances in the second tier this season and could arrive with a positive mentality that could inject some energy into the currently dull Wolves squad.

25/26 season

Munetsi – Premier League

Hackey – Championship

Appearances

12

16

Pass accuracy

62%

85%

Goals

1

3

xA

0.38

3.24

Assists

1

2

Completed dribbles per game

0.4

1.3

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.4

2.4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the English talent has shown a lot of quality in possession in the middle of the park for Middlesbrough, whilst Munetsi has struggled to make much of an impact with the ball at his feet.

Whilst Hackney has played in the division below the Premier League, the Boro star’s statistics suggest that he does have the potential to come in as an upgrade on the former Ligue 1 midfielder.

The 23-year-old star, who scored five goals for Middlesbrough in the 2024/25 campaign, is also six years younger than Munetsi, 29, which means that he has far more time left ahead of him to develop and improve as a player.

Wolves fans may not want to read this, but Hackney would also be a signing who could be incredibly useful for the club if they do get relegated, because he is a proven Championship star, whilst Munetsi has never played at that level.

Related Before Gomes: Edwards must sell Wolves star who's made them a "worse side"

This Wolves player has been disappointing this season

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Nov 24, 2025

Therefore, Edwards should push for a reunion with the English gem in January in order to finally ditch Munetsi from the starting line-up, hopefully improving the team in the process.

Shaw reached his double century in just 141 balls and only Tanmay Agarwal and Ravi Shastri have gotten there faster

Shashank Kishore27-Oct-2025

Prithvi Shaw scored his maiden first-class century for Maharashtra•PTI

Prithvi Shaw slammed the third-fastest double century in Ranji Trophy history on Monday — his maiden first-class century for Maharashtra and 14th overall — as Maharashtra set themselves up to try and force an outright result in an Elite Group B fixture against Chandigarh in Chandigarh.Shaw got to the landmark off 141 balls, which is a shade behind Hyderabad’s Tanmay Agarwal (off 119 balls v Arunachal Pradesh in 2024-25) and Mumbai’s Ravi Shastri (off 123 balls v Baroda in 1984-85). Incidentally, Shastri hit six sixes in an over in that match, making him the first and only Indian yet to achieve this feat in first-class cricket.Shaw’s 222 contained 29 fours and five sixes, helping Maharashtra score at 6.9 an over as they declared their second innings on 359 for 3. Chandigarh then ended strongly on 129 for 1, needing a further 335 runs.Related

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This is Shaw’s second impactful knock in four outings for his new side. Having begun with a four-ball duck on Maharashtra debut last week against Kerala in Trivandrum, he struck an aggressive 75 in the second innings to help consolidate their lead in a drawn fixture. In Chandigarh, Shaw managed just 8 in the first innings, before he stormed back into form with his double-century.Shaw’s up-turn in fortunes comes on the back of a forgettable 2024-25, where he found himself out of the Mumbai setup across formats. At the time, his poor fitness and lack of discipline had been cited as the reasons for his ouster. He also went unsold at the IPL mega auction last November.Ahead of the new domestic season, Shaw touched upon his work behind the scenes, including on his fitness and diet, during the pre-season Buchi Babu Invitational tournament in Tamil Nadu, where he flayed a century in his very first outing.”I mean, these two-three months [before the season] I had my trainer [working with me],” he had said. “He used to come personally to train me. And I’ve got a dietitian as well, and he gives me the meals [plan] and everything – like what a dietitian does. So, all this stuff in three-four months has really changed me physically and mentally as well. And, you know, it can be seen on the field.”Shaw had also said the transition to Maharashtra was smooth thanks to his familiarity with Ankit Bawne, the captain, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, with whom he’d played for India A.”Mumbai is not that far away from Maharashtra,” Shaw had said. “I mean, half of the team I know. I mean, obviously, I’ve played with Rutu, [and] Ankit; Mukesh [Choudhary] is there. Prashant Solanki and few other players are there. I just got to know a few youngsters. You know, Arshin [Kulkarni], Sachin Dhas and everyone. They have been really nice and welcoming to me.”While Shaw is unlikely to come into India conversations just yet, his knocks could serve a reminder to the selectors of his imposing presence at the crease should there be a need to pick a reserve opener, considering Abhimanyu Easwaran seems to have fallen out of favour for the moment. Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who could’ve been possible contenders, now bat in the middle order.Shaw has so far played five Tests, the most-recent one coming against Australia in Adelaide on the famous 2020-21 tour. His last appearance overall for India came in July 2021, when he featured in three ODIs and a lone T20I in Sri Lanka with a second-string India squad.

Liverpool have now reportedly sent scouts to track RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after young talents around European football.

The Reds will be relieved to have an international break. It’s been a disastrous month or so for Arne Slot’s side, who have lost five of their last six Premier League games and were just humbled by a superior Manchester City side. In the space of 11 games in a fresh campaign, the champions’ crown hasn’t just slipped, it has crumbled.

After FSG spent over £400m to break Liverpool’s transfer record twice in the summer, Slot simply must turn things around. The Dutchman will be given time to do that – Liverpool have never been a side to make rash decisions – but the pressure is certainly growing on the Dutchman.

The solutions could yet come courtesy of even more spending in the January transfer window. There’s been something missing from the current squad so far this season and as the Premier League becomes more physical, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes could adjust their strategy.

Liverpool’s struggles have already sparked several rumours ahead of the winter window, too. The likes of Antoine Semenyo and Wilfried Singo have been among those mentioned as potential reinforcements, but it remains to be seen whether the Reds splash the cash once again.

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The Reds have set their sights on another attacking reinforcement.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 14, 2025

Semenyo would certainly add another attacking spark to a frontline full of talented players who are currently struggling to find form. The addition of someone who needs no introduction to Anfield goals could go a long way towards solving Slot’s problems. Meanwhile, Edwards and Hughes also have one eye on the future and those who will make an impact in years to come.

Liverpool send scouts to track Yan Diomande

As reported by Bild in Germany, Liverpool scouts have now been spotted watching Diomande at RB Leipzig. The 19-year-old winger has impressed in the Bundesliga this season, scoring three goals and assisting another three in 10 league games, and has attracted the interest of PSG as well as those at Anfield as a result.

The teenager is not short on confidence or ambition, having compared himself to Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior when speaking to reporters about his current role models to Transfermarkt.

It’s not just the left-winger, himself, who believes in his ability though. Talent scout Jacek Kulig praised Diomande for the “brilliant” spell of form that he’s enjoyed in recent months to attract the likes of Liverpool and PSG.

FSG enter race to sign "world-class" £79m star for Liverpool

After taking time to consider his stinging comments, Wayne Rooney has conceded he was wrong to claim Virgil van Dijk had "downed tools" after signing a new deal at Liverpool. The row had threatened to boil over as the pair clashed live on TV, but the former England and Manchester United star has moved to cool the disagreement and also offered Van Dijk advice on how to get the champions' faltering season back on track.

Rooney and Van Dijk's public spat

Man Utd legend Rooney criticised the Liverpool captain's leadership and form during a difficult run for the Reds, suggesting the Netherlands international’s body language was a "big concern" and that he and Mohamed Salah "haven't really led that team this season" after signing new deals. Van Dijk swiftly hit back, branding the comments "a bit of a lazy criticism". He added "I didn't hear him last year" during Liverpool's march to the title, implying pundits are quick to criticise during downturns in form.

The row escalated when the pair were face-to-face after the Champions League clash between Liverpool and Real Madrid. Van Dijk told Rooney he felt the comments were "over the top" at times, especially the "comment that I signed my new deal and then it was like 'that is it' and I let it slide". Rooney stood by his performance critique on the night, but he has now had a change of heart and further explained his comments, despite the Reds' recent 3-0 defeat by Manchester City.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Maybe I was wrong on that'

Rooney, speaking on with Sky Bet, said: "My job now is to give my opinions, and I like to think I'm straight and honest with my opinions and how I feel. The one thing where I maybe went a bit too strong is where I said he’s downed tools since he signed his new contract – that's a big thing to say, and maybe I was wrong on that. But from a performance level, from what we’ve seen from Van Dijk, I don’t think he's been at that level this season, and I said I’m sure as captain he’d be speaking to players, taking them out for food, which he said he has done. Clearly if he's felt he’s done that, if he had to do that, there’s something not right.  

He added: "As champions, you can’t lose four games in a row. If you lose one game, there’s questions, and if you lose four in a row, there’s something not quite right. I think getting involved too much in the outside noise – that’s our job [as pundits], focus on your game. As a younger player, I’d be looking at Van Dijk and how he reacts to this – how is it going to help them? You have to get on with your game and speak internally."

Rooney focuses on leadership

Rooney added: "I’ve had criticism much worse than what I said about Van Dijk – both on and off the pitch. Of course, people talk and you take someone’s opinion a bit more serious than others but go and do your talking on the pitch. That’s all he needs to do. I’ve praised van Dijk, about his performances and how good he’s been but, if you’re the Premier League champions and you’re the captain of Liverpool, and they aren’t performing as well, (you will come in for some criticism). 

 "We used to do it with Cristiano Ronaldo, where Ronaldo wouldn’t defend as much, and we would all work a bit harder. But it’s a tough game and you’re playing against a top team; you scream at your players to get back in and help. That’s what I was saying about leadership – you need to understand what game you’re in and the importance of the game."

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Getty Images SportVan Dijk's World Cup qualification challenge

The Netherlands haven’t secured their spot at the World Cup just yet, despite sitting top of their qualifying group. Van Dijk will lead his country out against Poland and Lithuania in the coming days, where a win will see them book their place at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year.

Opening the batting may not be Marnus Labuschagne’s preferred option, but Usman Khawaja has said that sometimes players need to take a role that is best for the team rather than the individual and backed him to make a success of it should that be the selectors’ call at Lord’s.Labuschagne is firming as the likely option to walk out alongside Khawaja in the World Test Championship final as Australia juggle their batting order. When it was suggested last year that Labuschagne could be an option at the top of the order after David Warner’s retirement, Khawaja said he had “opening-itis” and on Monday joked again that he wasn’t really over it.Related

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However, it appears the selectors will opt for Labuschagne’s experience and Test record – which includes 11 centuries – over dropping him in favour of 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who was handed a debut against India when Australia wanted someone to take the game on. Should that transpire, it shapes as a key moment as Labuschagne fights to secure his Test spot with the selectors keen to settle down an opening combination ahead of the Ashes later this year.”You don’t always get to choose in Australia. You’ve got six of the best batsmen in the country,” Khawaja said while promoting Prime Video who will broadcast the final in Australia. “Like I’ve said in the past, there are plenty of times where I prefer to bat in other positions. But beggars can’t be choosers. You just have to be humble that you’re playing for Australia.”Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne could be Australia’s new opening pair at the WTC final•ICC/Getty Images

Labuschagne has previously opened 15 times in first-class cricket although only once since 2016, but as a regular No.3 knows there is a chance he could be in for the second ball of an innings.”You take what you get and you make the best out of it. At the end of the day, it’s a team game,” said Khawaja, who moved permanently into the opening role in early 2022 after returning to the side with twin hundreds against England at No. 5. “The best place for me to bat for the team is to open. So I’m very happy to open and do my role for the team. I’m sure if it’s the same for Marnus, I’m 100%. I know he’ll take that role.”[When] you bat three, I think the opening is an easier transition. The only time it’s hard is when you bat second. You have to run off and change [into] your pads. Usually when I was at three, I just put my feet up. You don’t get to do that anymore. That’s the biggest difference. But Marnus is a terrific player. If he gets an opportunity, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”From a personal point of view, Khawaja played down any issues with what has become a revolving door of opening partners since Warner retired. Since then, Australia have cycled through Steven Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Konstas and latterly Travis Head who was used as a conditions-specific selection in Sri Lanka.”An opener can get out first ball and you’re batting with number three anyway,” Khawaja said. “So it’s not that big of a deal. All the guys that are in this team I’ve batted with. Opening has been a revolving door for a long time. But I think it just shows you how hard opening is. It’s not an easy place to bat.”I’ve had a few partners since Davey’s gone. It’s just a tough place to bat. You can’t hide in Test cricket. I think whoever’s going to come in will do a good job. But for me, it’s no different.”The other selection questions Australia had to ponder where whether to continue with an allrounder at No. 6 and the call between Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland. Hazlewood looks primed to return to the bowling line-up, while during training on Monday, the catching cordon was Khawaja, Smith, Beau Webster and Cameron Green. Webster, who has never played at Lord’s, spoke the previous day about having to factor in the slope when standing in the slips.Meanwhile, Australia believe that spin could play a significant role in the match. Two days out the pitch was already quite straw-coloured and the forecast is for warm weather during the Test and a good amount of sunshine.”I think spin will play a big part, particularly as the game wears on,” Smith said. “It is dry. We only came here a week ago, but I think it’s been pretty dry to start the season over here. I think the footmarks will definitely come into play as the game wears on.”Two years ago, during the 2023 Ashes, Australia lost Nathan Lyon to a calf injury during England’s first innings but were able to secure victory through their fast bowlers.”He’s keen to get back here and I guess put those negative memories out of his mind,” Alex Carey said. “But it probably proved in that series how big a role he does play in all conditions, especially here in England.”

Aston Villa have had a rocky start to the 2025/26 season, struggling to find consistency in the Premier League.

Their first win came only in late September against Fulham, and they followed that with a narrow 2–1 victory over Burnley, a result that temporarily lifted spirits at Villa Park.

Despite these wins, Villa currently sit 13th in the league with a goal difference of -1, reflecting the challenges they’ve faced in converting performances into points.

Their upcoming fixtures are equally testing.

The Villans travel to Tottenham Hotspur next before heading to the Netherlands to face Go Ahead Eagles, meaning Unai Emery must carefully manage his squad to avoid fatigue and injury.

While domestic form has been inconsistent, Villa are faring better in the Europa League, sitting third in their group after wins against Bologna and Feyenoord.

These results highlight the importance of rotation and squad depth, particularly when competing on multiple fronts.

Emery has already shown a willingness to trust young players, such as Morgan Rogers, who flourished when given the chance.

With Villa balancing league and European ambitions, this season could be the perfect opportunity to integrate another academy product.

A young midfielder drawing comparisons to one of the club’s most reliable performers over the last decade.

John McGinn's start to the season in numbers

For Aston Villa, few players embody consistency like John McGinn.

The 30-year-old joined Villa from Hibernian when the club was still in the Championship and has been central to their rise to the Premier League and European football.

Known for his work rate, leadership, and eye for goal, McGinn has scored in both the Champions League and Europa League, including the winning strike in a 1–0 victory against Bologna this season.

In the 2025/26 campaign, McGinn has made ten appearances across all competitions, scoring once in the league and twice in the Europa League.

John McGinn – Premier League 2025/26

Matches Played

7

Minutes

546

Goals

1

Progressive Carries

9

Progressive Passes

25

Source: FBref

His influence goes beyond goals, with last season’s stats underlining his consistency: 49 appearances, four goals, six assists, and 3,306 minutes played.

At international level, McGinn has been equally dependable, earning 80 caps for Scotland and scoring 20 goals.

He ranks in the 86th percentile for pass completion (82.1%) and the 86th percentile for interceptions per 90 minutes (0.69), as per FBref.

No matter the circumstances, McGinn consistently performs, providing Villa with a reliable presence in midfield that stabilises both defensive and attacking transitions.

With Villa facing demanding fixtures and balancing multiple competitions, McGinn’s influence is vital.

His consistency provides the platform upon which Emery can experiment with younger players, confident that the backbone of the midfield remains solid.

The next McGinn who Emery should trust

Aidan Borland, an 18-year-old centre-midfielder, could be Villa’s next player to emulate McGinn’s impact.

Signed from Celtic’s youth academy in 2023 for a nominal fee, Borland has already shown maturity beyond his years.

This season, he has played six times in Premier League 2 (540 minutes) and featured once in the EFL Trophy (90 minutes).

He was also on the bench during Villa’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brentford, a game they lost on penalties after going ahead through Harvey Elliot.

Borland’s style of play mirrors many of McGinn’s traits.

He is an aggressive dueller and tackler, covers significant ground, and reads the game well, frequently making interceptions to break up opposition attacks.

He approaches each action positively, keeps his play simple, and leads by example – characteristics that have already drawn praise from youth coaches.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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Analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “youth version of John McGinn,” a comparison that Villa fans will find encouraging given the midfielder’s reliability over the last decade.

Physically and mentally, Borland is prepared for the step-up.

His high work rate, intelligence, and composure on the ball suggest he could thrive if given first-team minutes this season.

Emery, known for integrating academy talent effectively, could find a key option in Borland to rotate alongside McGinn or cover in European fixtures.

With Villa seeking to balance league stability with Europa League progression, giving the young midfielder a chance could accelerate his development while providing the team with fresh energy in central areas.

If Borland adapts to the pace and intensity of Premier League football, he could become a player Emery trusts to mirror McGinn’s consistency, leadership, and attacking contribution.

For Villa, nurturing talent from within the academy has already proven successful, and Borland has the potential to continue that tradition, providing both quality and longevity in midfield.

For a club navigating a tough start to the season, the emergence of players like Borland could be key to sustaining performance across competitions, helping Aston Villa challenge for higher league positions while continuing their European journey.

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Posts ByBen Gray Oct 9, 2025

Can you hear it, the din from the summer transfer window? Newcastle United’s tumultuous market has been placed in the background, now, and Eddie Howe must be delighted that he can crack on and write another chapter into this wonderful story.

But there’s no denying the events of recent months have taken a toll on the Tyneside outfit, who have started their Premier League campaign with just two points from three games, losing that ridiculous clash against Liverpool and blanking in stalemates against Aston Villa and Leeds United.

Still, United are organised and efficient, and having signed forwards such as Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa among a host of other signings, there is hope that the disappointing departure of Alexander Isak can be offset and that targets might still be hit.

But it hasn’t all been sunshines and rainbows. Isak is bound to carry his prolific nature over to Anfield, but perhaps more frustrating is the recent success of Elliot Anderson, who was sold to Nottingham Forest over a year ago to ease the strain of PSR regulations.

Why Newcastle sold Elliot Anderson

The way Isak forced his way out of Howe’s Newcastle will sting for many years. Never again will the Sweden striker receive the ball at St. James’ Park without being the recipient of a venomous chorus of boos.

But Anderson was one of the club’s own, homegrown and sold for pure profit to avoid financial ramifications. His success with Nottingham Forest over the past two years has been quite a thing, and his recent performances for the Three Lions have underscored his value.

Newcastle sold the centre-midfielder to the Tricky Trees for around £35m in 2024, but he has since become something more, hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson as a “do-it-all midfield warrior” and regarded in the Premier League as one of the driving forces of Nuno Espirito Santo’s success last season.

The 22-year-old could have been something special for Newcastle, and now serves as a reminder to keep onto those top talents who show such promise but perhaps aren’t yet equipped to maintain the consistency of their more experienced peers.

Take, for example, Anderson’s countryman Lewis Hall, who has lulled of late but remains one of the most exciting up-and-comers within the Premier League scene.

Newcastle have struck gold on Lewis Hall

Hall has spent more time than he would have liked in 2025 in the infirmary, with the full-back’s fitness problems taking away from him the building noise after an emphatic start to life at Newcastle.

It was not that long ago that Toon reporter Dominic Scurr declared Hall to be “the best left-back in the country, bar none.”

Likewise, talent scout Jacek Kulig called the 21-year-old “one of the best left-backs in the Premier League” in December 2024, with Hall firing on all cylinders and instrumental in building the form that would lead United back toward the gates of the Champions League and the Carabao Cup title.

But injury struck in the days before that Wembley meeting with Liverpool, and Hall would be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

Hall’s PL Stats with Newcastle
Stats (* per game)	23/24	24/25
Matches (starts)	18 (8)	27 (24)
Goals	1	0
Assists	0	4
Touches*	39.2	70.6
Pass completion	83%	85%
Key passes*	0.2	1.3
Dribble success	55%	61%
Ball recoveries*	3.1	4.4
Tackles*	1.6	2.1
Interceptions*	0.7	0.7
Clearances*	0.9	1.9
Duels (won)*	2.9 (53%)	4.4 (54%)
Data via Sofascore

Hall has also featured twice in the Premier League this season, but both times as a substitute and for a total of 43 minutes as he gets back up to speed. He will hope to reclaim his starting berth in the weeks to come, and on the basis of the evidence, his improvements last season suggest Howe will soon deploy him from the opening again.

Data-led platform FBref reveal Hall to rank among the top 12% of positional peers in the Premier League last year for passes attempted, the top 15% for assists and the top 20% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90, so it’s clear that his technical quality is crucial to erecting the build-up patterns that define Howe’s transitional approach.

It’s also clear that this ball-playing skill aligns with the methods of some of England’s finest. Indeed, Caught Offside revealed in the months preceding the summer transfer window that Liverpool and Manchester City had both registered their interest in the young England international, who Newcastle valued at a floor of £60m.

Of course, this puts Hall above a former Toon talent such as Anderson, who left for £35m and has since seen a market growth toward the ballpark of £45m, as per Football Transfers.

The aforementioned Premier League giants both signed left-backs this summer, which perhaps signals the strength of Newcastle’s response when Hall’s name was discussed in negotiations.

Hall is a defender who can do it all. After all, he played most regularly as a robust central midfielder during his younger days, since refashioned into a wide defender. Perhaps there is a future for him in the middle of the park, where he might rival players such as Anderson for a prominent role in England’s national squad.

Newcastle might have entered something of a transitional campaign, but Howe will remain steadfast in his belief that last year’s success can be used to prop up the riches still to come at St. James’ Park.

In any case, with such exciting talents as Hall set to star for years to come, there’s every reason for excitement.

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