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Queens Park Rangers are still pursuing a deal to bring Stefan Johansen to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by West London Sport, who claim that Mark Warburton is hoping to make a further three signings in the summer transfer window, one of whom remains the Fulham central midfielder.

The report goes on to state that talks between the two clubs have slowed following Scott Parker’s departure and Marco Silva’s appointment at Craven Cottage, although QPR are still hopeful that a deal for the 30-year-old can be completed ahead of next season.

Fans surely buzzing

Considering just how impressive Johansen was while on loan at QPR last season, the news that the club are maintaining their pursuit of the Norway international this summer is sure to have left fans of the club buzzing.

Indeed, over his 21 Championship appearances for Mark Warburton’s side last term, the £1.8m-rated midfielder bagged four goals, provided two assists and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of one shot and making 1.6 key passes per game.

The £8k-per-week man also impressed in more typical central midfield metrics, making an average of 0.8 interceptions, 1.1 tackles and completing 44.4 passes in each league appearance.

These returns saw man Ronny Deila dubbed an “unbelievable” player earn an average SofaScore match rating of 7.00, ranking him as the club’s sixth-best performer in the second tier of English football.

As such, if Warburton can indeed go on to seal a deal for the Fulham midfielder in the coming weeks, he would very much appear to be yet another fantastic addition to the QPR squad ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign, with the 58-year-old having already made seven signings this summer, including the likes of Andre Dozzell, Charlie Austin, Jordy de Wijs and Sam McCallum.

This business would appear to bode extremely well for the club’s chances of going on to mount a promotion push next season, something that Warburton will undoubtedly be hoping to mastermind following an extremely strong finish to their campaign last time out.

In other news: QPR confirm big transfer news on “low maintenance” £3.1k-p/w gem, fans surely buzzing

Many West Ham United fans have been angered on Twitter following the club’s official release of their ‘Club & Country’ polo shirts, which are available on the Irons’ official website.

Owing to the success of the English national side this summer, the east Londoners have decided to honour the country’s Euro 2020 run with their own unique tribute.

One of the driving forces behind these accomplishments has been West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, who has played in every single game for the Three Lions at the tournament [UEFA.com].

West Ham and England have strong connections dating back a number of years, none more so than 1966 when club legends Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters all played crucial roles in their nation’s World Cup triumph [whufc.com].

In spite of this tribute, many Hammers fans took to Twitter to vent their displeasure over the appearance of the official club merchandise.

West Ham United fans react:

Replying to the club’s official Twitter account, here is what some fans had to say about the “horrible” clothing range:

“I’m sorry but this range and the new kits are awful. Whoever gave them the green light should be sacked.”

Credit: @RichardL_79″This isn’t fashion mate”Credit: @dtmason15″On behalf of everyone, please, please never let this design see the light of day again”Credit: @DaveBurdall”please stop”Credit: @ankkah_”They look awful, I wouldn’t even want them for free”Credit: @Hammer832″Horrible”Credit: @prideofeastldnIn other news, West Ham are in pole position to sign this England international.

Bing Crosby might have been dreaming of a white Christmas, but Steve Waugh was still dreaming of a whitewash after the first day’s play in the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG

Ralph Dellor26-Dec-2002Bing Crosby might have been dreaming of a white Christmas, but Steve Waugh was still dreaming of a whitewash after the first day’s play in the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG. Waugh won the toss and then sat back as Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer each compiled hundreds and, in the process, broke a 95 year-old record. By the close, Australia had reached 356 for three with Langer unbeaten on 146 and Waugh relieving pressure on his own place in the side with an innings of 62 not out.Australia, already three-nil up in the series, made two changes from the last Test in Perth. Leg-spinner Stuart MacGill replaced the injured Shane Warne, while Martin Love made his Test debut at the expense of Darren Lehmann who was unable to shake off his leg infection. With Alec Stewart failing to recover from his bruised hand, James Foster was included to keep wicket for England with resulting changes to the composition of the rest of the side. They opted to play an extra batsman with John Crawley returning in place of Alex Tudor while Andrew Caddick was recalled for Chris Silverwood.This left England’s attack looking thin, with only four recognised bowlers in Caddick, Steve Harmison, Craig White and off-spinner Richard Dawson. The same paucity could not be detected in the Australian batting line-up as Hayden and Langer made full use of a pitch promising plenty of runs when Waugh won the toss.Hayden has been in unstoppable form during the series, but he did offer the odd moment of hope to England’s bowlers who far from disgraced themselves during the morning session. In the first over he hooked Caddick just over Harmison’s head at long leg for a boundary and another opportunity went begging when Crawley failed to sight the ball at deep backward square leg and it bounced in just front of him before going over the rope.The Queenslander, averaging 94 in the first three Tests, was also inconvenienced in the ninth over of the morning when struck a blow on the knee by Caddick. However, he took only a short time to recover before going on to pass the milestone of 3,000 Test runs including 400 in the current series. He also survived a convincing shout for lbw when Dawson was introduced into the attack for a single over just before lunch.The score had reached 88 without loss at the interval before the Australian batsmen cut loose in the afternoon session, adding a further 147 runs. Hayden and Langer, drawing inspiration from one another, broke the ground record of 126 for an opening partnership in Australia-England Tests established in 1907/08 by Monty Noble and Victor Trumper.When Hayden went to his hundred off 138 balls with a somewhat fortunate shot to the fine leg boundary, it was his third in the series and twelfth in Tests. He acknowledged the applause of a crowd in excess of 64,000 but perished 11 balls later when he was caught at mid-off by Crawley off the bowling of Caddick.Langer’s hundred came up in three balls less than Hayden’s as he took a six and a four off consecutive balls from Dawson. Not for him the nervous nineties as the man who has been forced to play second fiddle to his opening partner emerged in his own right. He displayed his composure when three wickets fell in relatively quick succession at the other end.After he had lost his opening partner, Langer watched as Ricky Ponting chopped a ball from White onto his stumps and then, ten overs later, saw Damien Martyn edge a ball from the same bowler low to first slip where Marcus Trescothick held on to a good catch. That reduced Australia to 265 for three and there was a glimmer of hope for England.That was extinguished by Langer and a defiant innings from Waugh. There has been much speculation that the Australian captain’s international career is drawing to a close, but he obviously has other ideas. He did survive an awkward moment when it seemed that he had edged the sixth delivery with the new ball from Caddick low to Butcher at slip, but the third umpire ended lengthy deliberation in Waugh’s favour.His fifty came from only 49 balls and now he will want to at least double that personal tally before leading Australia to an unassailable first innings total. He and they are well on the way and England’s depleted attack will not be looking forward to trying to stop them with any confidence.

South Africa, thanks to a much improved David Terbrugge, wasted no time at the start of day four of the inaugural Test against Bangladesh at Buffalo Park in East London to record an innings and 107 run victory

Keith Lane21-Oct-2002South Africa, thanks to a much improved David Terbrugge, wasted no time at the start of day four of the inaugural Test against Bangladesh at Buffalo Park in East London to record an innings and 107 run victory.The hosts, always favourites to win the Test, were delayed on day three by resistance from the Bangladesh batsmen. Playing that last session in a wind described by local boy and captain Mark Boucher as “the worst I have ever had to play in”, the bowlers struggled to make any impression on Khaled Mashud and Alok Kapali.But from the first ball on the final morning, David Terbrugge got the ball inthe right places, the new ball made short work of the Bangladesh tail. Terbrugge took five for 46, by far his best Test bowling performance for South Africa. Bowling straight and full, he extracted lift and lateral movement out of a well-prepared Test pitch.Asked to bat first, South Africa never really looked to be in any trouble.Milestones for Gary Kirsten, the first Test player to score a hundred against all nine Test playing nations, Jacques Kallis, the fifth Test player to reach the double of 4,000 runs and 100 wickets and Graeme Smith, the tenth South African to score a double hundred, meant that South Africa reached an impregnable 529 for four.Martin van Jaarsveld, making his debut for South Africa, will be well pleasedwith his 39 not out when the declaration came.Some questions have to be asked of the South African bowlers. Makhaya Ntiniwas brilliant throughout, and was unlucky not to pick up a ten-wicket haul. Terbrugge bowled very well on the final morning, but for the rest a lot of hard work remains. Mornantau Hayward struggled with his direction and length. Jacques Kallis too at times was very short, and Claude Henderson, who found some turn at the end of day three, bowled too many loose deliveries.All these bowlers proved throughout the match that they are capable of bowling the perfect ball, but inconsistency made them ineffective. Mark Boucher said: “We try and be as professional as we can and play every Test hard, but we have areas that we will be working on.” He could only have been referring to the bowling.Bangladesh’s first innings, after Ntini ripped the heart out of them, wasnever going to set any records, but a much improved second effort, mixed with attack and defence, will please team management. Khaled Mashud said; “We have tried very hard and are still learning and improving with every match. We are happy to have scored 250 in the second innings.”Al Sahariar showed that he has the ability and technique, especially on the leg side, to create problems for most attacks. His 71 in the second innings showed guts and determination. Struck on the hands and body, he was never deterred from getting into line and playing his shots.The same can be said for Habibul Bashar and Sanwar Hossain. Their downfall was brought about by an inability to curb their attacking flair.A easy win then for South Africa, and it should be no different in the secondTest at Potchefstroom starting this Friday. It will be interesting to see who has learnt the most out of this first Test.

David Norris reckons that there will be no bigger signing at Leeds this summer than Marcelo Bielsa.

The popular Argentine has entered the final month of his current contract at Elland Road, but is expected to extend his stay in Yorkshire into a fourth season.

Whilst the Leeds faithful will be waiting anxiously until it’s confirmed, Bielsa did a similar thing this time 12 months ago, only penning his new deal on the eve of the start of their Premier League season.

Having guided Leeds to an impressive ninth-place finish in their first campaign back in the top-flight, the 65-year-old is set to sign another one-year contract much to the relief of the Elland Road faithful.

Despite uncertainty surrounding Bielsa’s future, Leeds have already been linked to a host of names this summer, which would suggest that the veteran manager is planning on hanging around.

However, Norris exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that keeping Bielsa is more important than any transfer business Leeds will complete this window:

“I don’t think it was going to be a big deal, Bielsa never said it was, so if he was going to stay, he was going to stay, it just wasn’t on his list of priorities.

“I have heard from inside that he’s agreed his deal, it’s just a matter of time before it comes out, and that’s a massive signing for Leeds.”

NAIROBI – Shane Watson saved Australia from the most humiliating defeatin its long cricket history but struggled to give himself a pass markfor his effort.

Michael Donaldson06-Sep-2002NAIROBI – Shane Watson saved Australia from the most humiliating defeatin its long cricket history but struggled to give himself a pass markfor his effort.The world champion side was on the verge of losing to Kenya – a non-Testnation which hardly ever plays at international level – before Watsoncame to the rescue with a couple of lusty blows in the penultimate over.With Australia needing 19 to win off 12 balls, Watson hit a a four and asix, saw off a no-ball and then took a single before Brett Lee hitanother six to tie the scores with six balls left.Watson then hit the winning runs as Australia reached 5-205 to win byfive wickets with five balls to spare.Acting Australian captain Adam Gilchrist said he almost had to cheer upWatson afterwards.”He’s pretty hard on himself,” Gilchrist explained.”He thinks he could have done things a little bit better or a little bitdifferently but I’ve said to him ‘At the end of the day you’ve won agame for us mate – not many people get a chance to do that for theircountry’.”Watson almost grudgingly accepted the kudos after making 77 not out off114 balls.It was his first half-century in 11 games for Australia, coming off 81balls, but he blamed himself for not scoring at a better rate on adifficult deck.”I had to make sure I got us home because I got us into trouble,” Watsonsaid.”Obviously it’s good to win a game for your country but I wasn’t veryhappy with the way I hit the ball – I hit the ball to the fielders alot.”However, Watson was never too worried the game was out of Australia’sreach even though six runs an over were needed for the last 16 overs.”I never thought it would get away from us, I knew all we needed was acouple of boundaries to get us back level. I was never worried.”Watson went in at No.4 as Australia kept back Matthew Hayden and DamienMartyn in an effort to test the mettle of the lower order.Never at any stage, did he hope Hayden would step through the gate andonto the field to join him.”We’ve got good enough players to get ourselves out of a toughsituation,” Watson said.”Brett Lee’s a good striker of the ball and so is Shane Warne so I neverthought at any time it would be good to have a specialist batsman outthere.”He said the experience would do him the world of good further down theline.”Even though I didn’t hit them that well it’s good to put myself intothat position because I know that, hopefully, at the World Cup, in thesemifinals or something like that, I’ll be able to handle myself underpressure.”Gilchrist agreed, saying it was strong effort from a player who has beentouted as the answer to the hard-to-fill all-rounder’s spot.”It’s another step in his climb up the ladder towards cementing a spot,”Gilchrist said.”He’ll get a lot from this.”

England fast bowler Simon Jones is out of the Ashes tour and will play no cricket for at least six months after injuring his knee in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane.

CricInfo07-Nov-2002England fast bowler Simon Jones is out of the Ashes tour and will play no cricket for at least six months after injuring his knee in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane.Jones ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee as he attempted a sliding stop in the field early in the second session of the Test. The 23-year-old needs reconstructive surgery, but doctors do not want him to fly home for at least two weeks.”I was fielding at mid-on to Ricky Ponting when it happened,” Jones said. “The ball went past me and I just went into a regulation slide after it.”The grass is different here though – it’s more sandy-based because they play Aussie Rules football on the same surface – and my studs caught and I landed awkwardly on my right knee.”It didn’t really hurt that much to be honest. I just knew there was something wrong immediately and I that I had to lie still and wait for Kirk Russell to come onto the field.”I broke my left leg before playing rugby when I was 17 and I’ve also had stress fractures of the shin and the foot since then. I’ve come back from those injuries so I’m backing myself to come back from this too.”I’d started the game well and was feeling good. In the previous matches, I’ve built my pace up slowly session by session, but this time I’d managed to get up to the 91/92 mph mark much quicker than before. Obviously, I’m gutted about what’s happened but it’s something that I feel I can get over.”Jones will fly to Adelaide, where he will be based at England’s cricket academy for treatment designed to reduce the swelling.

Somerset Under 13’s got their season underway in style on June 23rd when they beat Dorset at Kings Bruton

Richard Walsh02-Jul-2002Somerset Under 13’s got their season underway in style on June 23rd when they beat Dorset at Kings Bruton.Somerset won the toss and batting first made 151 for 5 , Patrick Ost making an unbeaten 47, Andrew Penn 31 and James Bisgrove 24.In reply Dorset were all out for 109 with Jack Cooper ending with the figures of 8 overs, 2 maidens 3 wickets for 20 runs.

Derby County are interested in a deal to bring Matt Crooks to Pride Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the East Anglian Daily Times, who claim that Wayne Rooney’s side are set to rival Ipswich Town in a bid to sign the Rotherham United midfielder in the summer transfer window.

It is reported that the recently relegated Millers would demand a six-figure fee in order to part with the 27-year-old, who has one year remaining on his contract at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Rooney must move

Considering just how badly Derby struggled in the Championship last season, with Rooney’s side barely avoiding the drop and scoring a league-low of 36 goals, it is clear that the 35-year-old must bring in additions to his squad this summer if the Rams are to have any hope of mounting a push towards the top half of the table next season.

And, despite playing for a Rotherham side who ultimately did suffer relegation at the expense of Derby, Crooks would certainly appear to be an excellent option for Rooney to have at his disposal next term.

Indeed, over his 40 Championship appearances for Paul Warne’s side last season, the £630k-rated midfielder scored six goals, provided three assists and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.3 tackles, 0.8 key passes and taking 1.4 shots per game.

These returns saw the 6 foot 4 27-year-old earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.67, however, considering his contributions and individual importance to his side, this rating feels slightly slow.

Indeed, when comparing Crooks’ returns to that of Derby’s highest-scoring central midfielder Graeme Shinnie – who bagged three goals, registered one assist and created three big chances over his 41 league appearances for the Rams last term, seeing him average a SofaScore match rating of 6.98 – the Rotherham man appears to easily best the 29-year-old Scot.

As such, it would seem highly advisable for Rooney to do all he can to beat Ipswich Town to the signature of the player whom Warne dubbed a “driving force” for his side this summer. the £1.9k-per-week man could bring some much-needed goals from the middle of the park to the Rams side next season.

In other news: Derby dealt potential transfer blow over £30k-p/w “force” that’ll leave Rooney gutted

On a pitch that is still offering assistance to the bowlers,India’s batsmen have put their team in a strong position by theend of play on day two

Derrick Nicholas12-May-2002On a pitch that is still offering assistance to the bowlers,India’s batsmen have put their team in a strong position by theend of play on day two. Resuming on their overnight score of226 for 3, the West Indies bowlers enjoyed minimal success asthe Indian batsmen put the visitors in a strong position.Dependable middle order batsman VVS Laxman helped put his sidein this strong position of 462 for 6, reaching his third Testcentury in the process. “I thought right from the start of thetour I was batting well. It was just a matter of occupying thecrease and once I was set I thought I won’t throw it away thistime.”He was helped largely in part by the young wicketkeeper, AjayRatra, whose position was in doubt before the start of theTest. There was much debate in the Indian camp whether to playthe accomplished Ratra behind the stumps, or return to the lessaccomplished Deep Dasgupta in favour of his batting. But, theIndians must be relishing their decision to include Ratra as hehas shared in an unbroken 205 runs partnership with VVS Laxman,his personal contribution being 93 not out.Laxman, though disappointed with his own performances duringthe first two Test matches when he got 69 and 74, said thatthose innings gave him confidence to get a big score.Commenting on the Indians approach on day day, Laxman said:”The most important thing was to occupy the crease and playbecause the situation we were in the morning demanded me andAjay to preserve our wickets, because we had lost early wicketsin the morning. The situation demanded that we play suchinnings.” Questioned about the West Indian bowling, Laxmansaid: “I also thought they bowled well, good line and length,not giving us easy deliveries to score.”Speaking about his own performance, Laxman said he was seeingthe ball much better later and, “I though I’ll go for itbecause we had to add quick runs. So I thought I’ll play morepositively. I always enjoy playing the hook shot and the pullshot but it depends on the situation and the wicket.” Laxmancontinued: “Any century is very important. This is my third andall of them have been good. It was always my dream of scoring ahundred in the West Indies and I’m really thrilled that Iachieved it.”Commenting on his partner’s contribution at the other end,Laxman said: “I have played with and against Ajay in domesticcricket for the last two years and I knew that he hastremendous talent and at the same time he’s very gutsy and veryconfident. So I had a lot of confidence in his ability toscore.” He said that Ratra’s innings was: “Very determined andgutsy knock, very positive at the same time because he not onlyheld up an end but played positive cricket and I’m veryimpressed.”On the question of the pitch, Laxman feels that it is “the kindof wicket where you watch out in the beginning, occupy thecrease and runs will automatically flow.” The Indian middleorder batsman is equally confident in the remainder of thelower order to produce. “All the guys in the tail are reallytalented and they’re capable of performing at the highestlevel. Zaheer showed it in the last game, Anil has proved it somany times. I have no doubts at all that they can bat andcontribute valuable runs.”As to his team’s strategy going into day three, Laxman said: “Thethink-tank is going to get together and work out a strategy fortomorrow. Obviosuly we’ll try to bowl them out twice, take a big firstinnings lead and put a lot of pressure on them.”