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Left-arm spinner George Dockrell will lead hosts Ireland in the 10-team ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifier to be played from July 28 to August 9. The top six sides will qualify for the 2012 ICC U19 World Cup in Australia

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jul-2011Left-arm spinner George Dockrell will lead hosts Ireland in the 10-team ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifier to be played from July 28 to August 9. This will be the last edition as the ICC has decided to scrap the tournament, saying that the money saved on staging costs will be used to develop cricket in the Associate and Affiliate nations.The top six sides out of Ireland, Afghanistan, Canada, Kenya, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, USA and Vanuatu will qualify for the 2012 ICC U-19 World Cup to be held in Australia. The 10 Full Members automatically qualify.Dockrell, who turns 19 later this month, is considered to be one of the most promising talents and has already played 22 ODIs for Ireland. He also has a contract with English county side Somerset.The full squads are as follows:Afghanistan: Shir M. Shirzi (captain), M Jawed Ahmadi, Mohammad Y. Ahmadzai, Nasir J. Ahmadzai, Younas K. Ahmadzai, Aftab Alam, Abdur R Mangal, Abdul R.K. Naseri, Mohibullah Paak, Rahmatullah Sahaq, Hashmatullah Shaidi, Sayed A. Shirzad, Najibullah Zadran, Afsar K. ZazaiCanada: Kevasan Juvarajan (captain), Tristan Ali, Maninder Aulakh, Suddepta Aurka, Gurkaran Dhilon, Nikhil Dutta, Kyle Edghill, Nitish Kumar, Trevor Manoosingh, Rayankhan Pathan, Sarren Ramsany, Jobanjot Singh Sidhu, Akass Shah, Akhlas UmarIreland: George Dockrell (captain), George Adair, Richard Berry, Scott Campbell, Adam Coughlan, Shane Getake, Niall Hodgins, Ryan Hunter, Hugh MacDonnell, Andrew McBrine, Graeme McCarter, Barry McCarthy, Sam Shannon, Jason van der MarweKenya: Kennedy Ochieng (captain), Duncan Allan, Harrison Angila, Jignesh Hirani, Irfan Karim, Martin Ndandason, Joseph Ochieng, Rushabhvardhan Patel, Emmanuel Ringera, Raj Savala, Raj Shikotra, Vinit Shikotra, Siddhant Taneja, Rahul VishramNamibia: Stephen Baard (captain), Justin Baard, Luke Bolton, Christopher Coombe, Jason Davidson, Andre Engelbrecht, Gerhard Erasmus, Shalako Groenewald, Zhivago Groenewald, Gert Lotter, Tangeni Lungameni, Pelham Myburgh, Wian van vuuren, Johan WesselsNepal: Prithu Baskota (captain), Pradeep Airee, Naresh B. Budhaayer, Bhuban Karki, Krishna Karki, Avinash Karn, Subash P. Khakurel, Nischal Pandey, Shubhendi Pandey, Rajesh Pulami Magar, Sagar Pun, Fajlur Rahman, Rupesh K. Shrivastav, Rahul K. VishwakarmaPNG: Christopher Kent (captain), Charles Amini, Dogodo Bau, Sese Bau, Nigel Boge, Albert Geita, Raymond Haoda, Gia Kelly, Raturima Maha, Alei Nao, Vagi Oala, Lega Siaka, Toua Tom, Norman VanuaScotland: Patrick Saddler (captain), Frederick Coleman, Matthew Cross, Henry Edwards, Peter Legget, Anjandeep Luthra, Thomas McBride, Scott McElnea, Ross McLean, Samuel Page, Peter Ross, Kyle Smith, Stanley Shillington, Aman BailwalUSA: Gregory Sewdial (captain), Salman Ahmad, Shayan Abdul Ghani, Abhijit Joshi, Cameron Mirza, Prashanth Nair, Mital Patel, Amarnauth Persaud, Gurpreet Sandhu, Hammad Shahid, Jodhbir Singh, Trevor Singh, Pranay Suri, Steven TaylorVanuatu: Patrick Matautaava (captain), Ravin Arutambean, Kaluwin Bangalini, Callum Blake, Jelany Chilia, Worford Kalworai, Kendy Kenneth, Nalin Nipiko, Jamal Ngwango, Joshua Rasu, Shem Sala, Jaxies Samuel, Apolinaire Stephen, Ronald Tari

Daniel Vettori credited his bowlers for the crushing nine-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first one-dayer in Wellington

Andrew Fernando at the Westpac Stadium22-Jan-2011Daniel Vettori credited his bowlers for the crushing nine-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first one-dayer in Wellington. Led by Tim Southee in supreme form, the New Zealand seamers skittled Pakistan for 124 in 37.3 overs, before some ballistics from the New Zealand top-order ensured a fast finish, as they chased the total down in 17.2 overs.”It was a really good start to the series,” Vettori said. “The swing at the start, particularly from Tim, was the real key. We put the Pakistani guys under a lot of pressure and we never really let up, so it was a great start for us.”Southee stunned the Pakistan top-order with a brilliant display of swing bowling, as he beat the bat repeatedly with outswingers before mixing in the one that darts back in towards the stumps. Southee collected career-best figures of 5 for 33, bettering his four-wicket haul against Australia at the same ground in March last year. New Zealand’s other bowlers also pitched in, bowling tight lines and keeping Pakistan on the back foot, even if they didn’t generate the kind of movement that Southee did.”We were able to create pressure and hold onto that pressure for a long time,” said Vettori. “No bowler who came into the attack ever let it up. Particularly from that top end, I could keep attacking with Tim and Hamish [Bennett] and we just kept getting wickets so it made it easy.The Westpac Stadium pitch too played a small part, despite appearing a good batting track on first look. Both captains said they would have batted first on the drop-in- surface, but Vettori would have been glad he lost the toss, particularly as the pitch seemed to have flattened out during New Zealand’s run chase. “Most of the bowlers enjoyed bowling on this wicket,” he said.
“To be honest we thought it was going to be a bit flatter than that but it just had enough in it. Sometimes the wickets that just have a little bit in it are the hardest to play on.”Vettori was also impressed with the performance of Hamish Bennett in his third one-dayer. Bennett’s hit-the-deck pace and bounce proved a valuable contrast for Southee’s big seamers, as Bennett picked up 3 for 26 from eight overs.”I think [Bennett] was a little bit nervous at the start. I think he only played the two games [in Bangladesh], so he was playing in front of a New Zealand crowd for the first time, and that’s why we held him back to bowl first-change. Once he got through that first over I thought he was outstanding. He hit really good areas and bowled at a good pace so he’d be a good foil for the opening bowlers.”Brendon McCullum moved down the order for the first one-dayer, relinquishing his opener’s spot to Martin Guptill, who will look to partner Jesse Ryder in the World Cup as McCullum aims to provide impact in the batting Powerplay later on in the innings. Martin and Ryder made 84 for the first wicket in 10 overs, all but sealing the victory for the hosts. “Jesse and Martin are good friends and they like batting together so I think that will help their combination. They enjoyed playing on that sort of wicket. It’s a different one because we won’t be playing on that sort of wicket in the World Cup, but this series is about getting back that winning feeling and hopefully we started it today.”Waqar Younis claimed New Zealand’s bowlers had made it tough for the Pakistan batsman to recover from early losses with a sustained spell of tight bowling. “It was not easy at all, ” Waqar said. “The only way you could get out [of a bad situation] is to slowly build a partnership and make sure that the other batsmen come in when the new ball has gone through. Full credit to all their bowlers, they didn’t really give us any room to hit or release the pressure.”Waqar also defended his batsmen, who were out playing expansive strokes when the situation called for patience and application. Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal were all guilty of getting themselves out while attempting to break the shackles, and the loss of their wickets put pressure on Misbah-ul-Haq who tried to hold down an end, before exploding towards the end, with nine wickets down.”It happens when you’re three down in the first ten overs,” Waqar said. “It’s never easy and the run-rate dying all the time. The bowlers didn’t give us anything and that’s where played some false shots and we couldn’t really get out of it.”

Earlier, a Mitchell Starc five-for had knocked over New Zealand for 166

The Report by Alagappan Muthu14-Dec-2019Stumps An important half-century for Joe Burns, an inevitable one for Marnus Labuschagne, a five-wicket haul for Mitchell Starc and a lead of 417 runs. Australia had plenty going their way on the third day in Perth. New Zealand, meanwhile, braced themselves to fight against the current and they’re going to have to keep at it for another two whole days.As gutsy as Kane Williamson and his men are, that looks an impossible task, especially considering the vagaries of the pitch. Three days of wear and tear has introduced uneven bounce into play. When Steven Smith is beaten by one keeping low and another rearing up in the twilight session, you know the ball is doing tricks. And this, by the way, was a ball 46 overs old.Australia did excellently to earn the iron grip they have over this Test match. Such was the faith they had in their fast bowlers that they went out to the field on Saturday afternoon and immediately settled into a short-ball plan.Marnus Labuschagne uses the depth of his crease to go square off the wicket•Getty Images

Starc and Pat Cummins were the only ones left standing. Josh Hazlewood had already been sidelined with a hamstring strain. The heat was in the 40C range again. New Zealand were already five down, but their lower-order rarely ups and folds like a deck chair. There was a chance it could have gone all wrong, that the two big quicks would be bowled into the ground and Ross Taylor, who was well past fifty, could have marshalled the resources he had left to some semblance of safety.But what really happened was, after swaying out of the way of a ball that was coming for his nose, BJ Watling was slow to get in line with the follow-up delivery and was bowled. A man who had come into this game with Test scores of 77, 105*, 205 and 55 had been one-twoed by Cummins’ ruthless precision. He has 52 wickets this year, 14 more than his nearest rival.Taylor took on the short ball but his biggest test came at the hands of Nathan Lyon. The offspinner’s first over included a ball that scythed through the gap between bat and pad and nearly bowled Taylor. Ever since then, he began to look unsure of his scoring options because he was unsure how much the ball will spin. Eventually, a beautifully tossed up offbreak took Taylor’s outside edge as he played inside the line and he was caught for an otherwise flawless 80. With that being the only substantial score of the New Zealand innings, they were bowled out for 166.Mitchell Starc is applauded off the field by his team-mates after his 13th five-for in Test cricket•Getty Images

Having given up a lead of 250, there was very little New Zealand were in control of, but even there they were found wanting. Labuschagne was given a life when he was on 4 when a mis-hit pull shot against Neil Wagner was dropped by Colin de Grandhomme running back at square leg. For the next several moments, the fielder just lay there on the ground, face down, contemplating what could have been. This was a mere three overs after they had worked out David Warner for 19 off 63 balls. There was a moment to be seized there, just as there was late on the second day when they began batting under lights, knowing full well that if they could have survived that initial burst, batting in daylight would have been much easier. By the way, Labuschagne went on to make 50 off 81 and push his Test tally up to 1000 after only 12 Tests.New Zealand wouldn’t be faulted for the effort they have put into this Test match, especially considering they had only a handful of days to prepare for these conditions, but they haven’t been able to win the key moments in this game.Burns did though. He left the field in the first innings when he needn’t have and he played like a man conscious of that fact. Being stuck on 0 for 22 deliveries didn’t fluster him. Scoring opportunities drying up as the pink ball got soft didn’t affect him. There were a few balls outside off stump that had him fishing but outside of that he was solid for most of the time he spent at the crease to make 53 runs. His dismissal – a Tim Southee bouncer got too big on him and he could only fend it away to gully – only served as another reminder of the amount of life there still in this pitch.Umpire Aleem Dar receives treatment after hurting his knee•Getty Images

Banging it in was how Wagner got rid of both Labuschagne and Smith and then Australia went from 1 for 131 to 6 for 167 at stumps. Banging it in was also how Starc completed his five-for. He looked to have bounced de Grandhomme out – umpire Aleem Dar certainly thought so – but when the batsman took the option of DRS, replays seemed to indicate the ball might have just gone off the helmet on its way to Smith at second slip. HotSpot couldn’t catch the ball that high up. Snicko showed a flat line but the ball and glove were so close as they passed each other that third umpire Marais Erasmus felt the evidence he had wasn’t conclusive enough to overrule the on-field call.Pretty much the same thing happened when it was de Grandhomme bowling and seemed to have knocked out Warner with a bouncer, but umpire Dar didn’t give it out on-field and replays indicated the ball had bounced off the batsman’s shoulder and into second slip’s grasp. Dar’s time in the spotlight wasn’t done just yet as he found himself being tackled by Mitchell Santner who was trying to provide cover for a throw at the stumps in the 36th over. It really was a funny old day.

Seamer only bowled six balls in training on Wednesday due to sore elbow

George Dobell in Cape Town01-Jan-20200:37

Archer becomes injury doubt for second Test

Jofra Archer has emerged as an injury doubt for England’s second Test in South Africa.Archer, who took six wickets in the first Test, only bowled six balls in England’s training session on January 1 due to a sore elbow, raising concerns that he will not have recovered in time to play in the Cape Town Test.ALSO READ: England ‘will not be afraid’ to leave out Broad or Anderson – SilverwoodThe pitch for the Test, which starts on January 3, lacks the grass seen in Centurion and is relatively dry. As a result, England are likely to bring a spin bowler into their side. Dom Bess, the Somerset offspinner, looks in pole position to play, ahead of Jack Leach – who trained on Wednesday, but has been unwell for most of the past month – and Matt Parkinson.Jofra Archer is a fitness doubt for the second Test•Getty Images

That means that one seamer would have to miss out, with Archer’s injury suggesting he could be the most likely to do so. If he is fully recovered and fit to play – which is far from certain – the selection dilemma facing Joe Root and Chris Silverwood would probably come down to a choice between James Anderson and Stuart Broad.While Archer was expensive in the second innings at Centurion, it will be a significant blow for England if he is unavailable. He is, alongside Mark Wood, the fastest bowler in their squad and their seam attack would risk looking somewhat one-paced in his absence. The pitch is expected to prove relatively good for batting. Not only it is the first Test surface prepared by new groundsman, Ihtishaam Adams, but the local board’s finances suggest they would prefer a four or even five-day crowd.All 19 members of England’s touring party were fit enough to train, with Dom Sibley recovering quickly from the illness that has swept the camp since their arrival in South Africa.

After the heavy defeats suffered by Kenya and Canada it’s now the turn of Netherlands to go under the spotlight

Nagraj Gollapudi in Nagpur21-Feb-2011It is a difficult time to be an Associate. With plans to curtail the number of teams to ten for the next edition of the World Cup, the ICC has inadvertently put a psychological burden on the shoulders of the four Associates participating in this edition. The heavy defeats suffered by Kenya and Canada on Sunday have only added to the pressure. So is it time for the Netherlands, who begin their campaign tomorrow against England, to step up the plate?Peter Borren, the Netherlands captain, does not necessarily agree that his team need to win to prove the ICC or anybody else wrong. “The decision from the ICC will not have any effect on whether we should step up or not. We have taken a professional approach to our preparations. What might happen in 2015 will not matter going into tomorrow’s game.”Borren, who has been laid low by an abdominal strain and failed to play in the warm-up matches, had his first complete training on Sunday and declared himself fit play as a batsman but won’t bowl. He also had another take on the ICC move, when pushed to take a stand.”It is hard to have an opinion until we need to prove ourselves out there on the field,” he said. “Perhaps [then] we can make our own statement with regards to what happens in the future of the 50-over World Cup. The Associates offer a lot in a World Cup. Everyone enjoys the underdog doing well and there have been instances throughout all World Cups. We are hoping by pulling off some results that happened in the past we can then ask that question on the field.”One such upset happened when Netherlands shocked England at Lord’s in the opening match of the 2009 World Twenty20. That four-wicket win remains fresh in the minds of both contestants with Andrew Strauss sounding out an alert to his players. “If we are 10 percent off and they [Holland] have a good day, we are in trouble,” he said.It was the first significant victory for Netherlands, who also got the better of Bangladesh last year in an ODI in Glasgow and Borren felt the team are in the right frame of mind. “We have prepared as well as we can. Obviously that night [against England] gives us little bit of the confidence going into tomorrow’s fixture. With the confidence in the team and the preparation we have had in the last two years it would be nice to pull off a victory as we did two years ago.”Still it will be not an easy ride. Even if England enter the World Cup after a long Ashes tour and a 6-1 drubbing at the hands in the ODI series, they remain the favourites with numerous matchwinners in their ranks. Netherlands, meanwhile, will look to their key player in Ryan ten Doeschate, the Essex allrounder and Associate Player of the Year.Though Borren said that all 15 squad members could create an impact, the numbers betray that confidence. Netherlands have had only five centurions in their ODI history and three of them are retired – although ten Doeschate has three tons to his name – and no bowler has ever taken a five-wicket haul.The onus will be on ten Doeschate, Tom Cooper from South Australia and Worcestershire’s Alexei Kervezee, the only professionals in the squad, to influence Netherland’s chances. However, the other man who could play an important role is Bas Zuiderent who is the only Dutchman to play every World Cup match. He appeared in his first World Cup as an 18-year-old in 1996 and hit a fifty against England, 15 years to the day when the teams meet on Tuesday.”If we can create pressure through disciplined bowling in our areas and fielding well I expect to create chances, but it is also about taking them,” Borren said. Only a collective effort can ensure that Netherlands can celebrate more nights like the one on June 25, 2009 and force the ICC to not dim the lights on them.

The India captain praised his pace bowlers for their attitude on unhelpful home pitches

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Oct-2019Star Sports.On why India’s pacers have been effective in home conditions
“It’s all about the attitude. If the fast bowlers step out on the field thinking spinners are going to do all the work, then it doesn’t do any justice to them playing in the XI. I think the attitude and the mindset they have created for themselves, it’s been outstanding in the last two years. Even in India, they are looking to make a contribution. It’s not like it’s hot and humid and they give up. They would ask for shorter spells so that they can give 100%, which is communication that’s required from both ends. I think they have been brilliant in terms of doing that for the team.”You see guys like Shami, Ishant [Sharma], Jasprit [Bumrah] recently and Umesh [Yadav] in the past as well doing those important things in the game, which we want them to do. Even a couple of wickets in a spell help the spinners – who might be dominating from the other end – to get a bit of a breather. So it’s all about wanting to make a play for the team that’s setting them [the pacers] apart even when the conditions are difficult.”Mohammed Shami shows off a stump his delivery broke•Associated Press

On R Ashwin, Jadeja and Shami’s performances in Visakhapatnam
“Jaddu and Ash again – really, really good. Ash in the first innings was very good given the conditions. The pitch was flat, they got a few boundaries away but you have to accept that because we also got 500. It wasn’t like there were any demons in the pitch. We always knew it was always going to be a second-innings game. The fact that he picked up six [seven] in the first was a great effort from his end, and Jadeja in the second making those quick breakthroughs for us in that spell.”But Shami has been a strike bowler for us in the second innings consistently now. If you see all his four-five-wicket hauls, they come in the second innings invariably when the team needs it, the ball is reversing a bit, that’s his strength. All the guys stood up. The batting heroes were obvious but the bowlers had it tougher in this game, to keep going in these conditions. So they deserve a lot of credit.”

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On the pick of India’s batsmen in Visakhapatnam
“Rohit [Sharma] was outstanding in both innings, Mayank [Agarwal] along with him in the first innings was brilliant. And in the second innings as well he started off so well. [Cheteshwar] Pujara played with the tempo that allowed the rest of us to come in and get those extra runs so that we have ten, maybe 12 extra overs to bowl at the opposition. It was a hard grind, though, because of the conditions, especially the weather conditions and the pitch slowing down as well.”On the quality of SG balls
“This lot is much better than the last lot we played with. So some improvement has been made. We would like the ball to be hard and consistent throughout the 80 overs. If it softens up after 40-45 overs, you have nothing happening in the game, which is not ideal for Test cricket. The hard ball obviously kicks a bit more, makes it difficult for batsmen.”We would like to see that happen on a consistent basis, the ball remaining hard for at least 60 overs, if not 80. So that we are [all] in the game through and through, that’s the fun of Test cricket. Bowlers keep coming at you and trouble you, you need to be able to score runs then, and both teams are in the game. That’s the whole fun and essence of Test cricket.”

Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard has reportedly turned down a move to Liverpool, following a telephone conversation with Jurgen Klopp.

The Reds’ attack has misfired throughout this season, with Mohamed Salah the only individual who can feel happy with his efforts.

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have both been shadows of their former selves, leading to suggestions that Klopp needs to delive into the transfer market in the summer.

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Edouard turns down move to Liverpool

According to Anfield Central, Liverpool have ‘withdrawn their interest’ in Edouard, presumably now moving on to other striker targets in the next transfer window after concerns emerged about his playing time.

It is claimed that the Frenchman actually spoke with Klopp on the phone, but that he is worried about a lack of playing time at Anfield, potentially playing second fiddle to those around him.

Transfer Tavern take

Edouard has been a superb servant for Celtic, scoring 81 goals in 165 appearances for the Scottish giants, not to mention having an incredible record of 17 in 13 matches for France’s Under-21s.

At 23, he could have been a shrewd addition by Liverpool, providing a goal threat from the bench and potentially maturing into a regular over time.

That ship appears to have sailed, however, but last weekend’s dire show of finishing against Newcastle United last weekend suggests a ruthless striker is needed this summer.

With Edouard seemingly now off the table due to concerns over playing time, the club could have a job on their hands convincing proven goalscorers to sign as depth rather than sure-fire starters.

In other news, some Liverpool fans aren’t happy with a report linking the Reds with a La Liga. Find out who it is here.

Last week, Reading and Aston Villa’s drab draw in the Championship was marred with some shocking scenes when Tyrone Mings stamped on Reading’s Nelson Oliviera’s face. The horrible incident saw Oliviera’s face suffering deep cuts, as the striker had to be taken off for gruesome injuries.

While brushed off as an accident, Reading and Oliviera have both persisted it wasn’t so. Aston Villa’s players were frustrated at playing another home draw and Mings vented out his dismay in the worst manner. He might not have wanted to hurt Oliviera as he did but, we think, definitely wanted to rattle him up with a reckless challenge.

The post-match video scenes show (via the Metro) Mings seemingly knowing exactly what he’s doing, being aware of stamping his feet into Nelson’s face. Reading have pleaded to the FA to look into the matter once again and Mings should be heavily punished for displaying such shocking carelessness.

This isn’t the first time he’s done it either. Back in 2017, he made a similar stamp on Zlatan Ibrahimovic during a match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He was handed a five-match ban for it, despite protesting his innocence persistently. It’s no coincidence that a similar, more gruesome scenario has taken place again.

Mings can plead all his innocence but repeated, similar offences show him to be a dangerous player. A severe ban, possibly for the rest of the season, is required to teach him in place as the FA risk encouraging Mings’ recklessness if they don’t take strict action.

Crystal Palace face a tough assignment this weekend in the form of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.

The Eagles come into the game fresh off the back of a 1-1 draw with Everton last Monday, a game in which Michy Batshuayi came off the bench to net a late equaliser.

Could Roy Hodgson be tempted to switch up his side for the visit of the  west Londoners to Selhurst Park this evening?

We are expecting just two alterations from Palace this weekend, both for tactical reasons.

Vicente Guaita will continue in goal but their will be a slight switch in the defence in front of him.

Cheikhou Kouyate could be moved back into midfield against the Blues, which leaves an absence at centre-back. Experienced campaigner Scott Dann could be recalled to partner Gary Cahill at the heart of defence, whilst the likes of Patrick van Aanholt and Joel Ward will once again be named on either side.

With Kouyate moved back into the centre of the park, this could see Jairo Riedewald, who has started the Eagles’ last three Premier League matches, dropped to the bench. The Dutchman was ineffective against Everton, having the fewest touches of anyone in Hodgson’s starting XI on Merseyside.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-crystal-palace-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more” title=”Latest Crystal Palace news, transfer rumours and more… “]

James McCarthy’s return has certainly given Hodgson something to think about in regards to the midfield but he is also likely to make do with a place amongst the substitutes. Elsewhere, Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze will be selected on the flanks.

Following his goal at Goodison Park, there may have been calls for Batshuayi to start this game, but he is ineligible against his parent club.

Christian Benteke will likely lead the line but his partner Jordan Ayew, who has scored just once in the league this season, might be replaced by £13.5m-rated on-loan Mainz forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.

AND in more news, find out why a former Chelsea boss could be providing a big clue as to who could be the next manager in the Crystal Palace dugout…

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to Christian Purslow’s European Super League comments on social media.

The Villa chief executive had plenty to say about the proposal on Monday, which has rocked the world of football in recent days.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham were among 12 clubs who agreed to join a new ESL.

However, following plenty of backlash from supporters all across the country, those six clubs have now all withdrawn from the proposed competition.

Talking to the media prior to the Premier League clubs pulling out of the tournament, Purslow had plenty to say.

As reported by Express & Star, Purslow described the ESL as ‘grotesque concept’.

“These proposals (European Super League) do away with sporting merit. It would enable a small number of clubs to be in this competition come what may &, for millions in football, that goes against everything the sport means & stands for.

“The idea is that the uncertainty that comes with sport, that makes it so compelling, that we all love, is actually damaging to the business models of these huge clubs. So the scheme is designed to take away that uncertainty.

“To give predictability to their businesses so that, if they’re badly managed or have a poor year, they’re still in the premier tournament. Does that sound like sport or football to you? To me it sounds a grotesque concept.”

Villa fans react

@villareport shared Purslow’s comments on Twitter on Monday lunchtime, which, as to be expected, received plenty of interaction from a number of Villa supporters.

These fans were full of praise for Purslow, with one labelling his thoughts as ‘brilliant’.

“My CEO what a guy”

Credit: @LukeKing_

“The words of someone who respects the integrity of the game, the clubs and most importantly the fans. Proud to be a villan but today we all should be one club.”

Credit: @LionsMinnesota

“Couldn’t ask for a better CEO, this is what you call a football club”

Credit: @BevanRachael

“Brilliant so proud of my club @AVFCOfficial”

Credit: @helz83

“Purslow speaking facts”

Credit: @BenKavanagh_7

“Love Purslow”

Credit: @villa_sol21

In other news: Plenty of fans full of praise as brilliant gesture from Aston Villa ace emerges, find out more here.