He was invited to be part of an emergency summit on the game after WI were rolled over for 27 by Australia at Sabina Park

Andrew McGlashan16-Jul-2025Clive Lloyd has said that “all aspects” of West Indian cricket need to be examined after he was invited to be part of an emergency summit on the game following the Test team’s 27 all out against Australia at Sabina Park.West Indies came within touching distance of equaling the lowest-ever Test total of 26, made by New Zealand in 1955, with the last wicket of Jayden Seales falling the ball after a misfield had allowed them to scrape past the figure.Lloyd, who was extended invites alongside Viv Richards and Brian Lara by Cricket West Indies president Dr Kishore Shallow, added he was “always available to help” and stressed the urgency to find solutions, particularly around the Test match batting.Related

• Ten days in the Caribbean: WI batters hit new lows, questions remain around Australia's top three

• After 27 all out, West Indies come face to face with deepening Test crisis

• Stats – WI post second-lowest Test total; Starc takes five in 15 balls

• 'Heartbreaking' and 'embarrassing' – Chase laments West Indies batting woes

• Starc six-for, Boland hat-trick consign West Indies to 27 all-out and 0-3 defeat

“We have to examine all aspects of West Indies cricket from grassroots to the international level,” Lloyd said in a statement provided to ESPNcricinfo. “Everything must be looked at closely and carefully. West Indies cricket is an institution. It has given so much to the people of this region and we must do all we can to revive it.”I’m always available to help in any way. How we can marry the ideas we have with what is necessary and have healthy discussion on the way we move forward, that’s what I’m thinking. It has been nearly 100 years since we have been playing top-class [Test] cricket and we have to get it right.”Brandon King, who made his Test debut in Barbados, was the only West Indies batter aside from Anderson Phillip to average over 20 against Australia and his 75 in Grenada was the highest individual score from either side.During the series, head coach Daren Sammy regularly addressed the side’s batting challenges, with an indication they were attempting to score quicker if they struggle to bat time. However, Lloyd was of the view that they had to find ways to be able to build innings adding that pitches around the Caribbean needed to be addressed which has also been a topic raised by Sammy.”We need a couple of Larry Gomes, more batsmen like him,” Lloyd said. “We need batsmen who put a heavy price on their wickets and when they get in look to stay in. There is nothing wrong with digging in and ‘batting ugly’. We have to find ways of fighting, occupying the crease, and staying in for long periods to wear down the bowlers. We have not been doing that.”Obviously, the mental side of our game needs to improve. We have to go back to the basics. We have to look at schools’ cricket, club cricket, first-class cricket – are we playing enough; we also have to look at the pitches – how are we preparing them and how they are playing.”West Indies have finished eighth in the three editions of the World Test Championship. Their next series two series in the current cycle are away trips to India and New Zealand.CWI has recently commemorated 50 years since West Indies’ 1975 ODI World Cup victory where Lloyd was captain and Player of the Match in the final his century against Australia.

Middlesex skipper, who spent five years with Derbyshire, produced a stoic four-and-a-half hour effort

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay09-Sep-2025Leus Du Plooy haunted his former county Derbyshire as his second hundred of the season led Middlesex to a slender first-innings lead on day two at Lord’s.The Middlesex skipper, who spent five years with Derbyshire prior to joining the Seaxes produced a stoic four-and-a-half hour effort with only eight boundaries as the hosts reached 298 all out.Josh De Caires (46) and Joe Cracknell (43) provided the main support, the latter sharing a stand of 80 for the sixth wicket with Du Plooy.Ben Aitchison bowled beautifully for his 3 for 35, while Zak Chappell also claimed three victims, before openers Luis Reece and Caleb Jewell saw Derbyshire through to stumps at 17 without loss – a lead of two heading into day three.Aitchison’s probing opening burst provided a stern examination of the Middlesex openers and it was a test Sam Robson did not survive, this season’s beneficiary trapped lbw by one which beat the outside edge.De Caires and Luke Hollman somehow negotiated the rest of the seamer’s stump-to-stump spell, but in his endeavours to increase the tempo against some looser offerings from first change Chappell, the latter wafted lazily at a wide one to be caught at slip.De Caires picked up where he’d left off in his 175 against Durham for the second XI at Hartlepool last week, driving sweetly through mid-on and cracking a wide one from Chappell to the fence at point. However, four short of 50 and with lunch beckoning he was adjudged to have tickled one through to wicketkeeper Brooke Guest. His disappointment, whether at himself or the decision was palpable.It was left to Du Plooy to provide the innings of substance required. The South African-born left-hander got underway with a tickle for four to fine leg, but this was a studious rather than flamboyant knock, a later square drive another of the six fours in his first 50 reached in 80 balls.His second 50 was even more phlegmatic, nudges into the gaps marking his progress with only one further boundary until he reached the 90s. There was as scare on 91 as the 30-year-old crumpled to the floor after inside-edging a ball from Aitchison, the problem seemingly with his knee.He was able to continue after treatment, albeit hobbling, and a square drive and a punch through midwicket took him to a deserved hundred.Others batted around the skipper, Ryan Higgins threatening a big score before a flash at a wide one from Chappell cut his effort short on 31 and Ben Geddes didn’t stay long before becoming the seamer’s third victim, lbw to a ball which looked to be swinging past leg stump.Cracknell was the man to help in the one partnership of note, the wicketkeeper/batter riding his luck early on before unfurling some trademark aggressive shots, the pick a pull off Haydon which sailed into the Mound Stand. Haydon’s revenge was swift however, a ball stopping a little in the pitch before climbing to take the edge of the bat and flying to backward point.Du Plooy, now struggling physically, fell lbw to Luis Reece soon after the first innings lead was secured, after which the tail crumbled leaving the hosts two runs short of what could have been a precious second batting point.

Lancashire needed 303 to win and were 138 for 3 when rain forced the players off, just after Marcus Harris reached 50

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Sep-2025Despite some spasmodic pyrotechnics on the final day, the Rothesay County Championship match between Kent and Lancashire ended in a draw, with the weather ruining what might have been a thrilling run chase.Ekansh Singh hit 60, his highest first-class score, as Kent posted 293 aided by a hugely entertaining cameo from Matt Quinn, whose 42 was his best score for Kent.Mitchell Stanley also had a career day, taking 6 for 100 to finish with match figures of 11 for 180.Lancashire needed 303 to win and were 138 for 3 when rain forced the players off, just after Marcus Harris had reached 50. Quinn took 2 for 21, but then limped off with an injury.Some 28 overs were lost due to rain but when play finally began both sides immediately went on the attack.Ekansh hit the second ball of the day from Tom Hartley for six, but Mo Rizvi was lbw to Stanley’s first delivery from the Nackington Road End, getting a pair on his first-class debut.When Stanley then bowled Matt Parkinson for a second-ball duck, in the same over, the lead was only 221, but Quinn joined Ekansh for a partnership worth 71 that steered Kent out of danger.He blazed 22 off Stanley’s next over (including four byes) and left Stanley kicking his crease in frustration. He even improvised a ramp shot off a full toss that somehow ended up at point and by lunch Kent were on for 276 for 7.The final three dismissals were all caught behind. Stanley finally got Quinn and George Balderson got Ekansh after a bouncer caught his raised bat. Ben Compton, playing despite a wrist injury, came in at 11 but only faced one ball before Michael Cohen was out to Stanley for four.This pattern continued in the Lancs’ reply when Keaton Jennings edged Quinn to Harry Finch for 4 and Wells then went to the same combination for 19, but Josh Bohannon and Harris took the heat out of the situation for the visitors with a partnership of 91.Harris reached 1000 runs for the season when he reached 23 and it was 73 for 2 at tea, but Quinn then pulled up injured during a run-up, stumbling at the crease and walking straight off, to be replaced by Rizvi.His first over went for 15 and he was immediately replaced by Evison, whose third ball bowled Bohannon’s off stump for 46. At 16.34 however, the rain returned and this time there was no chance of a resumption.

With all the money that has been splashed out at Old Trafford in recent transfer windows, the pressure is now well and truly on for Manchester United to deliver throughout the 2015/16 campaign. Louis van Gaal simply has to see the results come flooding in this term, as the time for excuses has certainly come and gone.

When any side spends as much as the Red Devils have done in the Premier League, the players ultimately have to hit the ground running when they get out on the pitch – for if they don’t – the entire organisation of the club’s transfer policy has to be called into question.

Although many big names from within the English footballing community are labelling this a clear transitional phase in the history of the club, the 2015/16 season nonetheless has the potential to successfully make, or devastatingly break, Louis van Gaal’s side in the upcoming future.

So then, in order to steer clear of any further disappointment the English top-flight has to offer, here are five clear objectives Manchester United must see through in order to potentially lift the Premier League title sooner rather than later…

Sign a centre-forward

Even though Manchester United have already spent a rather ridiculous amount in recent transfer windows, the club still haven’t properly addressed their severe lack of fire-power in the striking department as of yet.

Without replacing Robin van Persie up-top at Old Trafford this term, Louis van Gaal will be simply left short of options – and as the first two games of the Premier League season have so far proved – also short of goals.

As it currently stands, the likes of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez remain the only recognised striking options currently available for their manager, so a player of Karim Benzema’s class certainly wouldn’t go amiss down at Old Trafford before the summer transfer window eventually slams shut.

Yes, the newly acquired Memphis Depay will likely start making an impact at Manchester United in the not too distant future, but without a clear centre-forward in place to do the business for the Red Devils this season, the club simply won’t return to their winning ways any time soon.

Bring in some defensive back-up

Even if Manchester United were to successfully land a popular centre-forward ahead of the upcoming campaign this season however, some serious defensive back-up will still be required at Old Trafford one way or another.

The likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger will certainly do their best to break up play in the middle of the park for their new manager across the 2015/16 campaign – yet in all honesty – even that won’t be enough to keep the goals out unless some proper defenders are swiftly drafted in at the club.

Sergio Ramos, Nicolas Otamendi and Mats Hummels have all been linked with the Red Devils this summer with varying degrees of probability, so now would definitely represent an opportune moment for van Gaal to make his move.

Matteo Darmian may prove an ideal candidate to slot straight into the Manchester United back-four this season, but let’s face it, no team is ever going to win the Premier League title sporting the likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones at the back – it’s just never going to happen.

Organise the midfield effectively

Although Manchester United clearly need some help in defence as well as up-top this season, most of the club’s frivolous spending has so far been focussed on bringing in several midfield options for use at Old Trafford.

Despite already paying host to the likes of Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and Daley Blind within his current squad, Louis van Gaal has somehow seen fit to bring in both Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger to aid his midfield ranks this term.

If the club’s Dutch boss fails to adequately organise his options in the middle of the park effectively enough this season, then LVG could well have a problem in his hands. Not every midfield star currently on the books at Old Trafford can be played in the same side of course, so managing his players properly will be of the upmost importance at Manchester United throughout 2015/16.

One thing seemingly remains certain however, for Juan Mata simply must keep his place in the starting XI if the Red Devils are to prove successful this term.

No more slip-ups against the ‘lesser sides’

With all things considered at Old Trafford last term, Manchester United certainly didn’t do themselves a large disservice against any of the Premier League’s strongest outfits. On the contrary, Louis van Gaal’s side actually performed relatively well against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool throughout 2014/15.

However, against some of the Premier League’s ‘lesser sides’, the Red Devils were given a particularly rough ride, resulting in far too many points dropped from Louis van Gaal’s team.

Perhaps it’s an over-confidence thing. Maybe LVG simply needs to develop a ‘win at all costs mentality’ at Old Trafford similar to that of Sir Alex Ferguson. Whatever seems to be holding Manchester United back in the modern era, the team ultimately need to be more aggressive against the weaker sides if they are ever going to lift the Premier League title once again.

Keep faith in Louis van Gaal

Before Manchester United see fit to dip into the transfer market once again, decide which midfield options will be best suited at Old Trafford throughout the 2015/16 campaign, or try to become more systematic in their approach to beating the weaker sides the Premier League has to offer – the club as a whole simply must keep faith in their manager.

Whatever your opinion on Louis van Gaal as a character, he is certainly the right man to lead Manchester United to further success in the future. It may take a shed load of cash to start seeing some improved results at Old Trafford in 2015/16 – yet because LVG has seemingly been there and done it with Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the past – the United boardroom staff mustn’t get cold feet over their selection of van Gaal as manager.

With enough breathing room, transfer resources and confidence placed in him from the chairmen and fans alike, Louis van Gaal will prove a success for Manchester United – it really is only a matter of time before a manager of his calibre walks home with the Premier League title at the end of the season.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has been urged by Eden Hazard’s father to drop his son more in order for him to prepare for Euro 2016, according to reports from the Express.The 24-year-old has so far started all eight Premier League matches for his side this term despite the fact that he is yet to score a goal.However, Mourinho chose to bench the Belgium international during the recent 2-1 defeat at the hands of Porto, with the player only managing to register 28 minutes.His father Thierry Hazard insisted that he should beÂrested more ahead of Euro 2016 in order for him to avoid any major injuries as well as improve his performance in the long run.WANT MORE? >> Chelsea Transfer News | Latest Transfer News”If he plays less, he would arrive less tired at the Euros, which he is so keen on playing because it takes place in his back garden, with his own watching,” he said.”Eden plays since the age of 16 years in the first team. In almost six years, he has never been suspended or suffered a big injury.”Personally, he is conscious of having to improve his stats. His strength lies in knowing exactly where he is at.”The Belgium squad are currently second in Group B, a point behind first place Wales as they prepare to face Andorra and Israel during the international break.Following the break, the Blues will face Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge as they look to improve from their recent showing which saw them lose 3-1 to Southampton at the weekend.

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Having the final say on theÂPremier League’sÂweekend action, Tottenham HotspurÂwelcomeÂWest Ham United to White Hart Lane at 4pm this afternoon.This London derby is a notoriously feisty one, with no love lost between the two sets of fans. But there’s more at stake than simply local bragging rights this time around, with just one position and three goals separating theÂfifth-place Spurs and the sixth-place East Londoners in the Premier League table.The Lilywhites haven’t lostÂin the leagueÂsince the opening day of the season, whilst today’s visitors to Âhave already recorded wins over Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea this term and Âso we’re expecting a veryÂclose match.The teams news has just been confirmed on twitter, so here’s a look at the official starting Xis:

Both Mauricio Pochettino and Hammers counterpart Slaven Bilic have been forced into making changes this afternoon. Erik Lamela suffered an injury on international duty but is suspended anyway so summer signing Heung-Min Son takes his place in midfield.

Likewise, talismanic midfielder Dimitri Payet has been ruled out for three months, but his absence facilitates for Diafra Sakho’s return to the West Ham starting Xi. His last outing was against Chelsea in October.

Finally, the international break is over and normal club football is resuming for all us Premier League fans… but the two weeks may have caused more concern in our Fantasy EPL line-ups than good.

The biggest news is of course the injury to Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, who is now expected to be out till the middle of November. However, the Argentine isn’t the only casualty, with David Silva, Joe Gomez, Wayne Rooney, and Branislav Ivanovic all picking up knocks.

However, as an entrepreneur would say, it is possible to turn these problems into an opportunity… replacing some of your injured stars with players yet to be massively selected by your private league opponents.

And there are quite a few to pick, but we have given you three considerable options that we believe may plunder you some much needed points not only this coming weekend, but for the next few games!

Here are Three Fantasy Premier League Differentials (around 5% ownership) ahead of Gameweek 9!

Georginio Wijnaldum

You must think we’re crazy to make you consider a Newcastle United player in your Fantasy team… but hold your horses!

Georginio Wijnaldum (6.8) has been one of the few bright sparks in the Magpies’ stuttering campaign, scoring two goals and providing one assist so far. But if form is anything to go by (a goal and assist in his last two), then Wijnaldum (owned by just 2.2%) could accumulate you some decent points over the next few gameweeks.

Newcastle face Norwich (Home), Sunderland (Away), Stoke (Home), Bournemouth (Away), and Leicester (Home) in the next five… you won’t get a much better run than that!

Gylfi Sigurdsson

Another midfield option is Swansea star Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.3), who was a Fantasy Premier League gem only last season.

Because of the fine start from Andre Ayew and Batefimbi Gomis, many managers were reluctant to bring in the 4.5%-owned Icelandic ace in the first few games… and they were right not to do so. However, ‘Siggy’ has already broken his duck against Southampton two gameweeks ago ahead of an enticing run of fixtures.

Swansea will face Stoke (Home), Aston Villa (Away), Norwich (Away), and Bournemouth (Home) in the next five… with only a tricky tie against Arsenal at the Liberty in Gameweek 11. Sigurdsson finished with seven goals and 10 assists last season… and we expect him to come close to that tally by the end of this campaign.

Daniel Sturridge

If you sell Aguero, there aren’t many better strikers in the Premier League to replace him with than Liverpool star Daniel Sturridge (10.5), who (when fit) is one of the best finishers in the English top flight.

Finally the Reds star seems to be near full fitness right in time for the appointment of Jurgen Klopp, who is set to reinvigorate a rather dull Reds side under former boss Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool don’t have the best set of upcoming games but Sturridge is pretty much fixture-proof, and currently owned by just 5.3%, a good performance against Tottenham Hotspur on Klopp’s debut could result in a massive bandwagon of managers bringing in the England international.

Jump on before his price rises and it’s too late!

One if the biggest challenges when playing Football Manager is being able to find yourself a bargain, particularly if you’re in charge of a club with next to no transfer budget to work with.

That means the loan market can be a useful place for you to pick up a few gems in order to strengthen your side each season. Whether it’s an up and coming youngster needing valuable first team experience before making it at his current club, or an ageing veteran struggling for first team action but still good enough to play at a lower level, there are always some good players to be snapped up on loan.

So we’ve taken a look at the top 50 players available for loan on Football Manager 2016 for you to flick through in order to find the players suitable for what you’re looking for.

From players only suitable as solid back-up players in the Football League, to ones who are good enough to play every week in the Premier League, we’ve got them all here.

They’re ordered by their current ability/level, but we’ve also included their potential ability/level in order to give you a good idea of whether you should even consider trying to include an option to buy at the end of their loan spell, or perhaps even shortlist them for purchase a few seasons down the line.

There are quite a few players who have the ability to be world class in this list, so it’s worth flicking through to find those unknown wonderkids…

50. Lorran

Age: 19

Position: D/WBL

Nation: Brazil

Club: Vasco

Wage: £1.7k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in League One

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

49. Camilo Rodriguez

Age: 20

Position: D/WBR

Nation: Chile

Club: Colo-Colo

Wage: £400-a-week

Current Level: Top player in League One

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

48. Guillermo Varela

Age: 22

Position: D/WBR

Nation: Uruguay

Club: Manchester United

Wage: £15k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in League One

Potential Level: Solid back up in the Premier League

47. Valeriy Luchkevych

Age: 19

Position: D/WBR

Nation: Ukraine

Club: Dnipro

Wage: £1.5k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in League One

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

46. Rodrigo Moreira

Age: 18

Position: D/WBR

Nation: Argentina

Club: Independiente

Wage: £25-a-week

Current Level: Top player in League One

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

45. Jack Grimmer

Age: 21

Position: D/WBR

Nation: Scotland

Club: Fulham

Wage: £2.2k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in League One

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

44. Sebastian Macias

Age: 19

Position: D/WBL

Nation: Colombia

Club: Medellin

Wage: £300-a-week

Current Level: Top player in League One

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

43. Emiliano Trovento

Age: 20

Position: AMR

Nation: Argentina

Club: Argentinos Juniors

Wage: £900-a-week

Current Level: Top player in League One

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

42. Henrique

Age: 21

Position: D/WBL

Nation: Brazil

Club: Vasco

Wage: £700-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

41. Gelson Martins

Age: 20

Position: AMR

Nation: Portugal

Club: Sporting CP

Wage: £1.4k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: World Class

40. Nuno Santos

Age: 20

Position: AML

Nation: Portugal

Club: Benfica

Wage: £2.5k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

39. Julian Green

Age: 20

Position: AML

Nation: USA

Club: Bayern Munich

Wage: £6.8k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

38. Nahuel Leiva

Age: 18

Position: AML

Nation: Spain

Club: Villarreal

Wage: £2.6k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

37. Lucas Bareiro

Age: 20

Position: MC

Nation: Argentina

Club: Racing Club

Wage: £900-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: World Class

36. Gerard Gumbau

Age: 20

Position: DM

Nation: Spain

Club: Barcelona

Wage: £3.4k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

35. Unai Bustinza

Age: 21

Position: DC

Nation: Spain

Club: Athletic Bilbao

Wage: £2.7k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

34. Marvin Friedrich

Age: 21

Position: DC

Nation: Germany

Club: Schalke

Wage: £1.4k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

33. Lima Pereira

Age: 21

Position: DC

Nation: Portugal

Club: Vit. Guimaraes

Wage: £400-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

32. Alex Grimaldo

Age: 19

Position: D/WBL

Nation: Spain

Club: Barcelona

Wage: £3.9k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

31. Alex Pritchard

Age: 22

Position: AMR

Nation: England

Club: Tottenham Hotspur

Wage: £20k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

30. Rodrigo Bentancur

Age: 18

Position: AMR

Nation: Uruguay

Club: Boca Juniors

Wage: £2.4k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: World Class

29. Sergiy Myakushko

Age: 22

Position: AML

Nation: Ukraine

Club: Dynamo Kyiv

Wage: £900-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

28. Joao Teixeira

Age: 21

Position: MC

Nation: Portugal

Club: Benfica

Wage: £3.6k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: World Class

27. Gianluca Gaudino

Age: 18

Position: MC

Nation: Germany

Club: Bayern Munich

Wage: £6.1k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

26. Sam Johnstone

Age: 22

Position: GK

Nation: England

Club: Manchester United

Wage: £8k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

25. Brendan Galloway

Age: 19

Position: DC

Nation: England

Club: Everton

Wage: £5k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

24. Naser Aliji

Age: 21

Position: D/WBL

Nation: Morocco

Club: FC Basel

Wage: £2.6k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

23. Carlos Mane

Age: 21

Position: AMR

Nation: Portugal

Club: Sporting CP

Wage: £5k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

22. Sebastian Cristoforo

Age: 21

Position: MC

Nation: Uruguay

Club: Sevilla

Wage: £15.5k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: World Class

21. Marcus Bettinelli

Age: 23

Position: GK

Nation: England

Club: Fulham

Wage: £3k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

20. Mohammed Abu

Age: 23

Position: DM

Nation: Ghana

Club: Stromsgodset

Wage: £1.4k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

19. Divock Origi

Age: 20

Position: ST

Nation: Belgium

Club: Liverpool

Wage: £25k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

18. Jack Price

Age: 22

Position: MC

Nation: England

Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wage: £5k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

17. Max Grun

Age: 28

Position: GK

Nation: Germany

Club: Wolfsburg

Wage: £10.7k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

16. Bruno Zuculini

Age: 22

Position: DM

Nation: Argentina

Club: Manchester City

Wage: £25k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

15. Tiemoue Bakayoko

Age: 20

Position: DM

Nation: France

Club: Monaco

Wage: £9.7k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

14. Jack Grealish

Age: 20

Position: AML

Nation: England

Club: Aston Villa

Wage: £15k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: World Class

13. Santi Mina

Age: 19

Position: ST

Nation: Spain

Club: Valencia

Wage: £18.7k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: World Class

12. Wayne Hennessey

Age: 28

Position: GK

Nation: Wales

Club: Crystal Palace

Wage: £20k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

11. Alexandr Ryazantsev

Age: 28

Position: AMC

Nation: Russia

Club: Zenit

Wage: £30k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Championship

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

10. Dida

Age: 41

Position: GK

Nation: Brazil

Club: Internacional

Wage: £6k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

9. Muhamed Besic

Age: 22

Position: DM

Nation: Bosnia

Club: Everton

Wage: £25k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

Potential Level: World Class

8. Daniele Rugani

Age: 20

Position: DC

Nation: Italy

Club: Juventus

Wage: £20.5k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

Potential Level: World Class

7. Angel Correa

Age: 20

Position: AMC

Nation: Argentina

Club: Atletico Madrid

Wage: £26.5k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

Potential Level: World Class

6. Rodrigo De Paul

Age: 21

Position: AMC

Nation: Argentina

Club: Valencia

Wage: £24k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

5. Joe Cole

Age: 33

Position: AMC

Nation: England

Club: Aston Villa

Wage: £20k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

4. Jorge Molina

Age: 33

Position: ST

Nation: Spain

Club: Real Betis

Wage: £8.1k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

Potential Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

3. Sascha Molders

Age: 30

Position: ST

Nation: Germany

Club: Augsberg

Wage: £10.7k-a-week

Current Level: Solid back-up in the Premier League

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

2. Libor Kozak

Age: 26

Position: ST

Nation: Czech Republic

Club: Aston Villa

Wage: £25k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Premier League

Potential Level: Top player in the Premier League

1. Oliver

Age: 20

Position: AMC

Nation: Spain

Club: Atletico Madrid

Wage: £14.3k-a-week

Current Level: Top player in the Premier League

Potential Level: World Class

Arsenal’s annual visit to the Britannia Stadium always includes a rather bizarre tradition – Stoke City fans berating Aaron Ramsey for once having his leg broken in two places by a Ryan Shawcross horror tackle. An insidious act on the Welshman’s part, I’m sure you’ll all agree.

Ramsey’s more than used to it by now; a chorus of jeers has been the soundtrack of every appearance he’s made at the Britannia since the incident in 2010. But whilst Arsenal and the Potters produced a goalless stalemate yesterday evening, efforts to villianise the midfielder reached an unprecedentedly macabre level as a new song entered the Stoke City repertoire – “Aaron Ramsey, he walks with a limp.”

Part of what makes the Premier League so great is the culture of the English fan base and the atmospheres it consistently provides. I’m sure La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A followers will argue their support is equally vocal, charming and essential to the success of the league, but there’s a unique sense of humour amongst English terrace chanting and an implicit understanding of acceptability.

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On the most part, racial and homophobic slurs have been weeded out, whilst their ugly heads still rear in Italy and Spain from time to time, and the majority of songs are either laced in tradition or wise-crack reactions to on-pitch events.

Stoke’s chant towards Ramsey didn’t fall into the category of an ‘ism’, but that doesn’t mean it was any less condemning of those who joined in. Shawcross’s challenge on the Arsenal star back in 2010 truly was that bad and he was lucky to be out for less than a calendar year. It impacted Ramsey psychologically for much longer; only two seasons after returning to fitness did the Wales international finally begin producing the level of form heralded of him as a youngster and in 2013 Arsene Wenger attributed the delay to ‘mental scars’.

Of course, that won’t mean much to Stoke City fans. Injuries are part of the trade and they’re at the Britannia to support their team, which requires the odd vilification of the opposition throughout the course of ninety minutes. But the boos defy all logic – why would you single out an opposition player for once getting injured? – and the limp chant lost all sense of morality. Whether you think Shawcross is the greatest defender in the world or the best captain the Potters have ever had, how can you openly celebrate him delivering a career-threatening tackle on another professional?

The excuse that Ramsey deserves a hostile reception for refusing Shawcross’s apology all those years ago simply doesn’t wash –  and I’m sure it’s a moment in the 28-year-old’s career that he’s not particularly proud of either. Even Stoke chairman Peter Coates has sought to condemn Sunday’s chant, telling The Guardian; “I’ve no idea that chant had taken place, but we wouldn’t approve of it at all. I don’t think it’s a minority of fans; I know it’s a minority. People chant all sorts of awful things at all sorts of grounds, which I dislike. But do I approve of that sort of chanting? Of course I don’t.”

Coates certainly raises a valid point. Stoke’s aren’t the only set of fans to forget individual responsibility and give in to the mob mentality; Arsenal have often been accused of anti-Semitic chants towards Tottenham Hotspur and most clubs have a song that can be deemed distasteful. Football is, in itself, a nationalist enterprise at regional level; every team has their own anthems, historical myths, emblems, flags and ties with the local community; and when surrounded by tens of thousands of comrades, the comprehension of right and wrong can suddenly become suspended until leaving the ground.

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But one sin cannot condone another and Stoke’s collective angst towards Ramsey has gone on for far too long, especially considering it lacked any form of logic in the first place. If fans really do see Ramsey as an enemy of the club, simply because Shawcross broke his leg and some resultantly criticised the Potters’ physical brand of football, those fans are clearly a little more sensitive than the limp chants would have you believe.

The problem, however, is attempting to control the actions of thousands of people without resorting to excessive measures, whilst sympathy for Ramsey from pundits and the media is only likely to increase the ill-feeling towards him – so if any armistice is to be reached, it must come from the Stoke City fans.

I’m sure a substantial number refused to take part in the chanting on Sunday and it’s those who must now make their voices of reason the loudest. The chant does the reputations of Stoke City, the Premier League and football in general no good at all.

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